Gotta Love Family Podcast

Recently, I read an entry from Feb. 2023 that contained information I thought would be useful to some of you. It isn't new. I've written on , the power of story,  the importance of perspective, and the value of controlling our thoughts often. But when you attach powerful ideas to an event, they become more relatable and easier to institute into one's life. In February 2023, I was taking an Emotion...

In October I asked myself this question - "How can I strengthen my relationship with each grandchild and great-grandchild despite age, technology, or distance."  There are impediments of time, finances, the ability to travel, different lifestyles, and beliefs, kids who are adults or teens, and technology, which often gets in the way of real connection. Recently a friend mentioned that her son, Cur...

In October I asked myself this question - "How can I strengthen my relationship with each grandchild and great-grandchild despite age, technology, or distance."  There are impediments of time, finances, the ability to travel, different lifestyles, and beliefs, kids who are adults or teens, and technology, which often gets in the way of real connection. Recently a friend mentioned that her son, Cur...

Let's pick up where we left off last week. I shared a cookie-baking experience I had with some neighbor children, who were my buddies. Today, I share the second baking experience, one I had with two of my grandchildren. Watch for the connections as we explore how to determine a successful activity. You are going to love Story 2, my second baking experience with kids and you will love how both stor...

In the article published on Oct. 13 , I told you I LOVE using sparks and that in the coming months, I would share experiences I have had with them that can Spark you with bonding activities for your family. As promised, here is a spark I followed with two groups of children. However, I want you to notice something else as important as following a spark or igniting one. Often, we let our expectatio...

Thirteen years ago, I had a wonderful evening with my eight-year-old friend, Hailey. It was successful because time had been set apart for the activity, it happened consistently so Hailey could count on it, and I was present. When we want to solidify relationships in our family these three ingredients make all the difference. I was 61 when I had this experience. Hailey was eight. Join me as I shar...

Thirteen years ago, I had a wonderful evening with my eight-year-old friend, Hailey. It was successful because time had been set apart for the activity, it happened consistently so Hailey could count on it, and I was present. When we want to solidify relationships in our family these three ingredients make all the difference. I was 61 when I had this experience. Hailey was eight. Join me as I shar...

Two weeks ago, I shared a few examples of how useful and fun seeing and responding to your children's Sparks can be. I explained sparks and how they can help you and your kids connect. Last week I illustr ated how you can Spark your kids and give them interesting and fun opportunities for learning. This week is more of the same. : ) I have written about sparks, kids, and the connection between the...

Last episode I shared a few examples of how useful and fun seeing and responding to your children's Sparks can be. But to engage our kids and help them learn new things we don't need to wait for their Sparks. When it comes to learning, we can spark them and then watch a fire of interest take hold. It's a fine way to engage as a family and to show our children that learning can be fun. Join me as I...

My hairdresser, Emily, works out of her home. Most of the kids are in school but she has one little guy who is four and still at home during the day. We have fun conversations. The last time I was there he brought me two green balloons which he held close together in his hands. He asked me if I knew what they were. I said, "Sure, they're green balloons." He laughed and replied, "No they are butt c...

When I lived in Montana with seven children, I was a busy mother. You're smiling because you know exactly what I mean. A family, regardless of its size, is a handful; lots of cooking, laundry, cleaning, driving people here and there, and so forth. I look back and wonder how in the world I did it all. I have also pondered how I managed with so little connection to other women. I had my church frien...

On March 3, 2024, I published a podcast titled Are You Afraid to Read Hard Books ? After that article was published, I got a wonderful email from one of my readers, who is also a dear friend. I get emails regularly telling me how good an article was or how helpful it was to the reader. This email contained some of that. What struck me though was another thing that happens now and then. Someone tak...

This has caused me some consternation as I have moved along life's highway. Do you realize how much has changed since I was born in 1950!! It wasn't such a big issue until I became an adult and technology exploded. Recently I was forced to move from Windows 10 to Windows 11. I was freaked out. Join me as I share how managing technology, with its twists and turns, is like moving down the road of li...

In our world, we're so used to having technology always with us that it's challenging to be without it for even a short time. Technology, as wonderful as it is, can be a two-edged sword.  I have written several articles on using, abusing, and letting go of technology. I have experimented with this myself.  A recent email I received has me thinking about it again. Before I share the email, I want t...

Early this spring Jodie was taking a short trip. She hauled the suitcase out of the garage so she could pack. Later, she asked me if I had seen it. No, I hadn't but I went upstairs to help her look. We searched everywhere and then lo and behold we saw it! It was leaning up against the wall by the front door, in direct sight. It wasn't hidden by anything. Sometimes we get blind! This type of blindn...

Seven years ago, Jodie and her family moved from Kearns, UT. to West Point, UT. We were living with them, helping with Maggie and the other children. Living in a home with kids was assisting Don with his health challenges. It was a win-win situation. Eventually, we needed a home that was more handicap accessible. Don found the house in West Point and when Jodie looked at it, she could see how good...

I have learned from lived experience that simple systems are usually the solution to difficult problems in time and life management. This was not an easy lesson to learn, and I occasionally still ignore this truth, but when I do, I suffer .  Join me as I help you understand what a system is, how it works, and how it can change your life. If you are living with default systems then it is harder to...

I had a funny conversation with a single dad. We were talking about how to keep things clean and how to get our kids to clean. I noticed he wasn't an efficient housekeeper. He felt he was doing ok, and it was ok, just not very clean. : ) This comes from someone who was a professional housekeeper for almost two decades. This dad told me they have a long-time family friend named Steffanie. She is a...

I had a conversation last March with a young friend. Yes, it has taken me over a year to figure out how to share our conversation. The topic is challenging, and I am busy caregiving. This last comment leads us into my conversation with my friend. She was overwhelmed and felt like a parenting and personal failure. She wanted to know how to identify the essentials and have some control. : ) I could...

I have a granddaughter and a dear friend with special needs. I have another friend who has six children with special needs. These relationships require us to face many challenges but if we can find beauty and joy in the journey, as my friend with the six special needs children says, we choose the scenic route. This doesn't just apply to families with children like my granddaughter and friends. Doe...

I read a verse of scripture that sparked this article. "I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth. . .therefore, First, set in order thy house" Doctrine and Covenants 93:43 On this day, I read it in a new way. I focused on "First, set in order thy house". It brought to my mind another verse of scripture. "For now we see through a glass darkly". 1 Cor. 14:12 Seeing through a...

This is the last article in the series on cleaning systems. This is the system I use today. Let me give you the back story. I have tried many cleaning systems, but I always returned to 'THE LIST.' I am a list maker. It seemed the most useful and satisfying way to manage my daily work. However, I am also a finisher. This and list-making can be a combination for failure. It isn't that you fail, but...

This is the last article in the series on cleaning systems. This is the system I use today. Let me give you the back story. I have tried many cleaning systems, but I always returned to 'THE LIST.' I am a list maker. It seemed the most useful and satisfying way to manage my daily work. However, I am also a finisher. This and list-making can be a combination for failure. It isn't that you fail, but...

I read an article my friend Donna Goff wrote called Trade in Your To-Do List. The article I read, resonated with me because my daily worksheet can feel overwhelming. The problem is, I rarely get each item on the list finished, even if I am running circles all day long, Donna had experienced the same thing. And no matter how much you accomplish in a day, if there are unchecked items left on your li...

Anne Murdock just retired from decades of working with special needs children.  That is our big link, as I have a special needs granddaughter.  We met in church and became fast friends.  Although I moved, we have stayed in touch.  Recently we began meeting for lunch.  We each drive about 30 minutes and it has been fun. A few months ago, we discussed a cool system Anne uses to help women stay on to...