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Politics: one of the hottest button issues every time families come together. Last year thanksgiving sparked extra emotions in our family and it taught us some valuable lessons about the reasons political conversations blow into such large proportions inside a family unit. We have found that those emotions don't necessarily come from the topic at hand but from a deeper place of misunderstanding. We hope you can glean some applicable advice from this story

This episode was originally recorded in the summertime - summer bod and all that. But if you're anything like me, my self-consciousness does not dwindle near the holidays. Everyone is coming together, dressing up, and eating so much food. While some of the metaphors involving bathing suits don't quite land, there is just as much to learn about loving however you look through the holiday season.

We have found that having an outside pair of eyes and ears, specifically those of a trained psychologist, continues to help both Mom and I through challenging sections of life. When things have become really rocky in our mom-daughter relationship, it is usually a sign that we each need to take a harder look at ourselves individually. Therapists help us do that. Here is our story about the first time Mom and I went through some therapy both together and individually and the way it bettered us. We also discuss the importance of having friends who act as "outside" eyes and help us take the perspective of another person. We offer gratitude to Madeline Levine, Ph.D., researcher, and author of The Price of Privilege, referenced in this episode.

Forgiveness is a tricky business. It is a vital practice, it takes practice; it includes both words and actions, and it is both an event and a process. And we're supposed to teach it to our kids?! Today we listen to a discussion Mom and I had a year and a half ago on the way she taught me to forgive and what I'm learning about forgiveness as a grow into an adult.

Thanks to Julie Lythcott-Haims for her life-giving work in her new book: https://www.julielythcotthaims.com/your-turn and her book referred to in this podcast https://www.julielythcotthaims.com/how-to-raise-an-adult

We are also grateful for the work of Ted Tripp https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/shepherding-a-childs-heart/, who initially taught us so much about modeling forgiveness to our children as young parents.

Communication has many iterations but its principles remain the same. This week we listen back to the 2019 version of Ingrid and Vicki. Our lives were pretty different but the way we process information was much the same. We discuss the way we each make decisions and how that informs the way we talk to each other. As you listen, what can you learn about your own communication style?

Learning is often far more cyclical than it is linear - at that goes from relationships as well as timelines. This week we interview Gillian Fritszche, a director/writer/producer in the film and tv industry who also happens to be a lifelong friend to both Mom and Me. She tells her story of creating an adult relationship with her Mom and we get to learn from her experience and wisdom. There is something special, important, and celebratory about multi-generational friendship.

Everyone begins with their own point of reference: imagining the outlook of someone else based on their own experiences. So, one really helpful way to gain a more accurate picture of someone else's experience is simply to tell your own story and hear the other person's! Today Mom and I discuss what influces shaped us from college into young adulthood. Our values become evident through this conversation and that gives us a better understanding for each other. Whose persepctive can you take this week?

The transition out of childhood into co-adulthood is so so tricky. Two years ago we revealed what was difficult about communicating through college. Listening back to it, it’s easy to tell that we still had a lot to learn about sharing with each other lovingly. I have no doubt we’ll listen back to THIS episode in two more years and think the same thing. Progress is progress and family progress is always worth celebrating!

After three weeks of talking about parenting your kids, we ask once again, "How do you do that for your grown-up daughters??" Communication between grown-ups has unique challenges. The transition from Mom/Kid to Mom/Adult is pretty uncharted waters. This week we discuss helpful, applicable tactics for offering feedback to your mom, or to your young adult, taking into consideration the possible minefield of offense. Learning how to talk about hard things is vital for your relationship. It is very worth it. We hope you find these tips helpful!

In our last week with Nellie Harden, it’s time to put these parenting tools into action! Nellie shares some practical stories for how she gives her kids the chance to hold their weight in the family and support her as much as she supports them. Relational Goals are just as effective as the goals you set for your business; it’s almost like Family is just one big team project.