The Parent Pivot Podcast

When we've been hurt by a parent or by our adult child, the natural reaction is to protect our heart. We will either withdraw,  fight, freeze for flee. We only have control over our own response.  So when a family relationship is fractured, repairing it can be difficult. On this edition of the Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia bring their years of combined wisdom, counsel, empathy and words fr...

When pivoting parents don't pivot to partner well and don't accept your choice of who you married (or are dating) - it can cause issues on so many fronts!  If this is where you find yourself today on either side of the issue, this podcast is for you. On this edition of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia carefully walk both adult kids and pivoting parents down multiple scenarios toward accep...

Relationships are hard enough in-person but when we use our phones to text our adult kids, fracturing a relationship is always one text away. As we pivot from being a parent after 20-30 years, we also need to pivot to healthier texting as partners. On this edition of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia give us some healthy tips and boundaries on texting communication that will help improve h...

The pivot from parent to partner is a life-learning process that includes many facets. One facet we don't often think is related to pivoting to being a partner to our adults kids, is our long-term health choices. On this edition of the Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia bring to our attention the truth behind the foods we eat and how they are creating life-long disease that can end up crippling...

Mom and Dad may be a "tad" slow making the pivot from being a parent to a partner and you're not quite sure how to communicate with them any more.  Life with them seems so frustrating, and may  feel like your relationship will never be the same. Can you relate?  Guess what? There's hope.  Steve and Julia usually talk to parents of adult children, but on this edition of the Parent Pivot Podcast, th...

Being an empty nester doesn't have to be a sad season of life. It CAN be a hoot! Just ask comedian Jeff Allen. On this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia Cummings interview Jeff as get his life experiences of being an empty nester. You'll also get a chance to see the personal side of Jeff as he shares about his new book, "Are We There Yet?" (Available on Amazon). It's an inspirat...

You have pivoted - or ARE pivoting from Parent to Partner - and you find yourself with adult children who have left the nest, gotten married and now are on their own. Now what? On this edition of "The Parent Pivot Podcast" Steve and Julia share 4 ways you can begin this new season of life built around this verse from Isaiah 43:19, that says: "Be alert, be present, I'm about to do something BRAND-N...

The season of becoming a new empty nester is finally here.  As author and speaker, Jill Savage says, "It can be either a time of 'boo-hoo' or "WOO-HOO!"   You might find yourself caught between grief and delight and full of questions, hopes and regrets.  How can we make sense of it all? On this edition of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia interview Jill and get her wisdom, encouragement an...

No matter how well we pivot and become a great partner to our adult children, keeping a heart of humility is key. On this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve shares about a recent family matter that occurred with his four adult married kids that shows us how to choose relationship over being right - no matter the extra airfare cost. Don't miss this one!

It happens to many families and it goes unnoticed for decades and without attention - it gets passed on to our adult children with out even knowing it. What is this blindspot? On this edition of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia expose a common relationship issue that occurs with parents and in-laws of pivoting partners. They shine the light on the pathway to healthy relationship with OUR...

Your young adult child heads off to college and the rebellion begins.  Drug and alcohol abuse that leads to an arrest you never imagined could happen in your family.    Sometimes the pivot from parent to partner can take some drastic turns before God can step in and start the healing process. That's what Suzanne Roragen faced with her son Nick and she joins Steve and Julia on this edition of The P...

Like anything we do in life, there can be an "art and a science" to it.  Pivoting from Parent to Partner is no different.   On this re-air of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia take the in-depth time to personally respond to a loyal listener who invited them into her pivot about her college grad daughter and some things that aren't quite turning out the way she thought they would.  Steve an...

One dynamic that comes into play as we pivot from being a parent to a partner is: What is the balance between financially helping our adult child(ren) - and enabling them?   Whether it's paying for college, a car, a down payment on a new home, or childcare for the grand babies, how much is too much?  Especially when you aren't seeing any grateful hearts and expectations begin to take over because,...

Your adult child is battling depression, thoughts of suicide, and has rejected your faith.  That's enough to send any parent into high anxiety, control and worry. On this re-air of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia faced this exact situation with their young adult daughter, Jamilyn.  This is a podcast you dare not miss! Hear her story of God's faithfulness and the joy that came out of the...

There’s a moment every dad faces when your child doesn’t need you the way they used to. And if you’re not careful, you can start to feel unnecessary - sidelined - even replaced. But what if stepping to the sidelines isn’t rejection?  What if it’s actually your next assignment as a father? In this "Best of " episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, we talk about the quiet transition no one prepares dad...

The pivot from Parent to Partner goes more smoothly when we "keep our mouths shut and the welcome mat out" - the main theme of Jim Burns' book and The Parent Pivot Podcast. Okay - but what is the balance between keeping our mouths shut - and dealing with our own emotions and resentment that pops up with our adult kids?   On today's podcast, Steve and Julia help you navigate what this looks like to...

Enjoy this replay of The Parent Pivot Podcast where Steve and Julia sit down with Dr. Jim Burns, President of HomeWord and author of the book, "Doing Life with Your Adult Children."  Be listening for how you can get a free copy of Jim's book from Steve and Julia.

There comes a time when you have to take a step back from life for a bit and take a deep breath.  Life gets crazy fast, doesn't it?  It's all about balance. Summer 2024 is here and it's time to relax, reflect and enjoy this short season.  Steve and Julia will be doing that themselves and have some suggestions for you while they are away. Be sure to circle AUGUST 6th on your calendar when they will...

Pivoting from parent to partner can seem like there's more negative than positive going on.  It takes a shift in thinking and relating to your adult child in an entirely different way. But in this new season as you pivot, there is joy to be found.  You just have to look for it. On this edition of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia share two different views of how you can find joy on this se...

The pivot from parent to partner is not easy.  It's not a "one and done."  It's not even about "checking the box."  Pivoting can be hard for some parents and the question that comes up often is:  "How can I tell if I'm stuck in parent mode?" On this edition of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia get real and vulnerable about being aware of some things that may keep you from the pivot to beco...

Do you struggle with anxiety about how your adult child(ren) are living their lives?  It could be the job they've chosen, or maybe they're struggling to make it on their own.  You're left feeling weary and asking yourself the question: "My adult child isn't living the life I'd like them to.  What's a parent, I mean . . . what's a PARTNER to do?" On this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, you'll...

If you've ever wanted to be a "fly on the wall" of a real-life, real-time, intimate conversation with pivoting partners and their adult child - this is the podcast you will be glad you heard. The tables get turned on Steve and Julia on this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast when their daughter Jamilyn interviews them about a variety of issues she is facing as their adult child living under their...

What do junior high ministry, bluegrass music and long-distance grandparenting have to do with pivoting from a parent to a partner? You'll find out when you listen to this week's Parent Pivot Podcast as Steve and Julia interview Wayne Rice.  Don't miss hearing how you can have an impact on your children's children - even when your adult kids set hard boundaries. Throwback link to the 60-70's: Watc...

We spend so much of our lives constantly trying to avoid the inevitable challenges that come along from the difficult circumstances that our very own choices have led us to be in.  What buffaloes do is very unique for the animal kingdom. What does this have to do with being the parent of adult children?  Steve and Julia have a unique way to get their point across about the tough struggles and trau...

We all do it.  We can't help it.  We choose hills to die on that we regret later and we ask ourselves, "Was it worth it?" Choosing to bite our tongue and have relationship with our adult child(ren) over being right is key to pivoting well from "parent" to "partner."  Join Steve and Julia on The Parent Pivot Podcast as they help us navigate the minefields that come up when our adult children like o...