Once you become a parent, you can pretty much count on changing diapers, losing sleep ... and fielding lots and lots of parenting advice from other directions! Parenting books and blogs are just the beginning. We might also get advice from friends, relatives, or well-meaning strangers! What does it look like to be teachable and open to correction while also having the confidence to make decisions for yourself and your own unique family? Here are five things to keep in mind.

Sibling Relationship Lab

SRL030: Parenting Advice: Take It or Leave It?

Nobody likes to be wrong or to hear correction and criticism from someone else (maybe especially not from a sibling!). But there's one thing siblings can do that almost guarantees the other person won't be able to listen well. We're talking about that today!

SRL029: The Best Way to Prevent a Sibling from Listening

Are you tired of running around after your kids and reminding them to do every last think they are supposed to be managing? In the last episode, we talked about behavior modification - rewards and consequences. While those tools have their place, they can't bring about lasting heart change. Today, I'll share five tips for building internal motivation that will benefit your children for their whole lives!

SRL28: 5 Strategies for Internal Motivation

How do you know if you're practicing gospel-centered, heart-focused parenting ... or if you've slipped into over-relying on behavior modification? We'll talk about some of the red flags that will help you to see where you've been off track. And then we'll discuss a basic framework for re-focusing on a heart-centered approach!

SRL027: Are You Over-Focused on Behavior Modification?

In Episode 25, we talked about how emotional sibling conflict can be for moms. We talked about healthy ways to process and understand those emotions. But what if you can't even get enough of a break from the conflict to handle or manage the emotions? In this episode, we'll talk about some quick-fixes to reset the cycle of bickering and arguing and give everyone (mom included) some room to breathe and cool down!

SRL 026: Handling the Overwhelm of Sibling Conflict

No mom likes sibling conflict. In fact, most of us dread it. But have you ever stepped back to ask yourself why? Why is sibling conflict so stressful for moms? Why does it trigger painful mom guilt and self-doubt? Let's take a closer look at the emotional triggers and how we can process them in healthy and gospel-centered ways!

SRL 025: Why Sibling Conflict is So Emotional for Moms

Kind of an odd topic for a sibling podcast, right? Why would people listening to a sibling podcast need to hear about raising an only child? And why would a person raising an only child be listening to a sibling podcast? That's what I thought, too. But then I started exploring this topic at the suggestion of someone I hold in high respect and, well, it turns out that this is quite the relevant topic for us. I often hear from moms who grew up without siblings and wonder if they are handicapped in their ability to manage sibling conflict. And as I started researching this topic further, I realized it was quite relevant! I'll share what I discovered and my big ah-ha moment, too!

SRL 024: The Only Child

During this strange time of quarantine and social distancing, you might be noticing and up-tick in sibling conflict in your home. You are not alone. Lots of moms are adapting to new schedules and routines. And lots of kids are processing changes and disappointments, too. Here are a few thoughts to keep you afloat during these - or any other - challenging, unusual circumstances.

SRL 023: Social Distancing and Sibling Conflict

In this follow-up conversation, we're continuing our discussion about siblings and screen time with some practical tips and approaches for handling the drama during or post-screen time. Plus, we're also talking about some of the benefits (yes, positives!) of screen time for sibling relationships! (This episode builds on the framework we established in Episode 21, so if you haven't already, go back and listen to Episode 21 first.)

SRL 022: Siblings and Screen Time Part 2

Whenever the topic of screen time comes up, I often hear moms say, "My kids fight more after they've had screen time." And I believe them. But let's dig a little deeper. Is the digital demonic? Let's consider this topic from a Biblical worldview. What does the Bible have to say about screen time conflict? Plus, we'll talk about the popular idea of a "screen free week" or "screen free summer". Does it really do any good? Or is there a hidden danger?

SRL 021: Siblings and Screen Time - Part 1

You tell your kids they're supposed to love each other. But how is one child supposed to love a sibling who's being mean or even violent? What does it look like to be kind to someone who isn't being very kind to you. And is that even something reasonable to require of your children?

SRL 020: Loving When It's Hard

When there's a conflict or when one child gets mad at another kid, we're very careful to make sure our kids take responsibility for their actions. And we usually try to figure out who is to blame for the upset. But is it possible that no one is to blame? Or that the behavior in question is just one small piece of the puzzle?

SRL 019: Who is to Blame?

Sometimes it's clear whose turn it is. Or maybe someone has a right to something because it is his own personal property. But what about those times when it isn't so clear? Do your kids know how to negotiate effectively? We'll talk about some important elements of healthy negotiation ... plus the number one thing that will put the breaks on a successful negotiation.

SRL 018: Rights vs. Reasons

One way to avoid unnecessary conflicts between siblings is to take turns. But what if you can't remember whose turn it is? Here are some ideas.

SRL 017: Taking Turns

Parents are often concerned about television shows or books that are a bad example to their children of how to handle relationships and the effect that might have on the sibling relationships in their home. In this episode, we'll talk about that - how to recognize the bad examples, what story lines might actually be helpful, and one particular bad example that might not even be on your radar.

SRL 016: Bad Examples for Siblings

Got sibling conflict? Find out how to turn that conflict into a positive opportunity. The home is the relationship lab of life. It's the place where our children have their first hands-on experience of the gospel in action. Sibling conflict doesn't have to sink your home. Let's talk about it!

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Sibling Relationship Lab

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