Family Rules! The Podcast

“Practically perfect in every way.” Apparently, Mary Poppins got that one wrong! Mistakes and flaws are part of the learning experience and, according to author Brooke Romney, they are part of parenting! How she has learned to embrace her own weaknesses, while letting her children know mistakes are ok.

You taught them to walk, talk, drive...but have you prepared your kids for the ins and outs of married life? Beyond just talking about the “birds and the bees,” sex educator Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife says it’s our job to equip children with a proper understanding of their bodies and sexuality. She talks to Brooke about how to take on this bigger topic…

Motherhood is one of life’s biggest milestones, but the truth is we’re all just winging it! Speaker and author Connie Sokol shares her personal growth journey into motherhood, as she and Brooke discuss what it means to remain true to you.

As parents, it’s easy to feel discouraged when we inevitably make mistakes. Nobody’s perfect, but Lizzy Jensen, mother of five kids ages 8-2, says mistakes can be our best teacher. Lizzy is an attorney and founder of Small Seed. She talks with Brooke about embracing forgiveness as a parent.

When it comes to teaching your kids, you might be afraid of a certain d-word in your home: discipline. According to Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, author and psychotherapist, discipline can be something that parents can reclaim and learn to appreciate. Tina shares with Brooke how parents can find their own discipline philosophies.

More than just background noise, research shows music can be a powerful tool - to teach, lift, motivate and inspire. So how can you leverage that power within the walls of your own home? With more than 30 years of experience, music educator Tami VanDusen shares practical, actionable ways to use music to invite the Spirit and ultimately strengthen your family as you do. She and Brooke talk about their musical “first aid kits.”

Grief is not an emotion - it’s a process. And it’s a tough topic Emilio Parga takes on everyday. As the founder of Solace Tree, a nonprofit organization that offers support to grieving children, teens and adults, Emilio shares with Brooke interesting insight about how children process loss...and how parents can feel more confident in helping their family through a trial like death.

Adventure is out there! One of the greatest ways to bond as a family is to spend time in the great outdoors. Natalie Ockey, founder of Utah’s Adventure Family blog, discusses with Brooke ways she makes her love for nature a priority in family life.

Mindfulness is more than just a trend. Clinical psychologist Dr. Liz Hale has spent her career helping couples and families build strong, healthy relationships, and she believes the power of the stillness plays a big role in those kind of connections. She shares with Brooke how the busy, everyday family can use their BRAIN (breathe, regulate, achieve, impact & navigate) to practice mindfulness.

Hands-on learning can happen anywhere! The Wright family purposefully fills their home with creativity and curiosity and, for mom Sarah Jane, the pay off is big. This author and illustrator tells Brooke how she uses an empty calendar and a full craft closet to foster bright young minds.