Crazy Cool Family Don and Suzanne Manning

6 Ways to Spark Faith in your Family this Summer 
Welcome to summer 2024 – there will never be another summer like this one. Your kids will never be this age, your family season will never be like this again and we want to use this special summer season to do some building. 

We are devoting the summer to building faith, connecting with family, and making every day intentional and FUN!  

If this is something you want – then the next 6 podcasts are for you! We are launching the series today and we will release 1 episode every other week until late August.  

Each week we will share a new way to build your family’s faith and strengthen the relational lines within the family. Our relationship with Jesus is the cornerstone to all other relational lines within family! He helps us know how to love each other best!  


Week 1: Encountering His Presence 
Week 2: Engaging His Word 
Week 3: Walking with Him 
Week 4: Hearing His Voice 
Week 5: Being His Friend 
Week 6: Living Out His Mission 

We intentionally slow down our podcasts in the summertime because it allows families to rest, enjoy each other, and practice the concepts we unpack over a few weeks!  

Week 1: Encountering His Presence
Main Ideas from this episode:


What does the presence of God look like?
What does the presence of God look like in our homes during the summer?
What do parents do if they don’t know how to encounter God’s presence on their own? Where should they start?
How do parents invite God into each day? How do they show their kids? 
Summer resources to build your personal relationship with God!

We kick off with this topic because we really want you to practice it all summer! Go for it and bring the Presence of God into your home TODAY!
Podcast Resources:

Join the 5 Day Family Challenge 
Visit the CCF Store 
Follow us on Instagram

It’s summertime and we cannot wait to help you make the most of your summer! Parents, this season is not made to survive- It's made for investment!  

“Summer is a special time. It’s set apart and different. There is a bit of a break and a great chance for kids to be at home and with their parents. It’s needed in a lot of ways for your child’s heart.” - Suz 

FIRST THINGS FIRST! Ask your kids what they want summer to hold- see what they want to do and do your best to make some of those things happen!  

3 Ways to Invest in family this summer:
1. Speak more life than death

Start with a yes (build a world of yes) 
Encourage, build up, invest in identity (You are a mighty man of God, so helpful, kind to sibling, smart, clever, talented). 
Speak forth what is not as if it is. Call them up to the actions you want 

2. Invest in making memories

Think of your happy childhood memories and build from them 
Ingredients for a memory: fun, laughter, activity, productivity, creativity, adventure 
Add water to summer fun 
Don’t be afraid to make a mess 
Be intentional 
Embrace the chaos 

3. Choose family first

Give family space each week to hang out with each other (slow down with activities and friend hang outs) 
See summer as a gift of time to invest in the relationships that might be a little broken 

This is the only summer 2024 we get- let's make the most of it and invest in family this summer! 
Podcast Resources:

Join the 5 Day Family Challenge 
Visit the CCF Store 
Follow us on Instagram

Let's continue with the grandparent conversation! 
We have 8 grandchildren (4 boys and 4 girls) and are learning so much about grand parenting! We wanted to bring the relational line to the front and talk about how to have harmony between parents and grandparents! 

Main topics of this podcast:


Parenting vs. Grandparent leadership dynamics
How grandparents can be honoring and value the family's culture 
Grandparent's unique position of influence
How to be honest with your parents (grandparents) when it comes to gifts for kids
Setting boundaries for grandparents with your kids - how to do it!

The goal of this relational dynamic is.... HONOR. Find ways to honor the grandparents and have conversations asking for honor in return. Family is worth it, and we can find a way to include the generations in our family culture. Do what it takes to have the relationship AND be strategic with the freedoms you give! 

 

Podcast Resources:

Join the 5 Day Family Challenge 
Visit the CCF Store 
Follow us on Instagram

Calling All Grandparents!!!
Larry Fowler joins us. He is the founder of the Legacy Coalition which invests specifically in grandparents. He has been in ministry for over 40 years and really cares about the role of grandparents within family. 

Legacy Coalition started in 2016 and is designed with grandparents in mind. Larry Fowler and his wife felt a nudge from God to start this ministry and fill in the gaps within the church where grandparents exist – because they are worth investing in!  

“Navigating issues from the parent’s perspective AND the grandparent's perspective is pivotal.” - Larry Fowler
 
2 Main Ideas:  

When grandparents aren’t believers and don’t influence the kids the way the parents want them to...  
How are parents/grandparents partner successfully when it comes to raising the kids? 

Here are things we discuss in the podcast:

Consistency is key. Some grandparents want to spoil their kids, and some are rule followers. In both cases, these grandparents need to try to build consistency with their kids who are now parents. 
There is a biblical model for grandparents. They don’t stop parenting, but they do stop being the primary caregivers. They have more of an influence role. 
Does what they are doing engage the relationship or damage the relationship? 
Grandparents can have great influence in the world of technology by engaging their grandkids by asking them questions and letting them explain technology to them rather than complaining about the kids’ usage of technology. 

“Grandparents, you are still a parent (noun) but are no longer parenting (verb) the grandkids.” - Larry Fowler 
Legacy Coalition is an amazing resource for parents AND grandparents – if you need help, click the link below for more information.

 
Podcast Resources:

Legacy Coalition Information
Join the 5 Day Family Challenge 
Visit the CCF Store 
Follow us on Instagram

Today's Topic = Do’s and Don’ts of House Cleaning Systems
We got a great question from a Crazy Cool Parent recently and we decided to make it a podcast! Here is what he asked, 

"What is your advice about chores & rewards/allowance? We have 6 kids (ages 2-9) and we're really struggling with getting a workable chore plan.....Would love any resources you have on this!" -Crazy Cool Parent
Here is what we cover in today's episode:


Kids attitude is work/chores are not fun. “I don’t want to do it.” 
Work is necessary. How do we get our kids to believe/live out this idea?
What chore plans used in the past? Favorite one? Least fav? 
How did you get your kids to care about if the house was clean? 
How did you get them to clean up after themselves? 
Building Culture amidst the mess

If you are looking for better systems in your home when it comes to. cleaning. chores, and better habits, this podcast is for you! Suz and Macy share ideas, mindsets, and practical systems you can try TODAY! Listen and share with a friend! 

Podcast Resources:

Join the 5 Day Family Challenge 
Visit the CCF Store 
Follow us on Instagram

 

“Play is their language; toy is their words.” - Kenzie 
Our 4th daughter, McKenzie joins the podcast today and PARENTS- YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS EPISODE. There are so many valuable tools, mindsets, and words of wisdom shared by Kenzie. She is passionate about giving kids language and helping parents strengthen family relationships.  

“If you play with them when they are little, they will feel safe when they are older.” - Suz 
Topics:


How playing draws out a child 
Counselor's role in play therapy 
Allowing space for the work to unfold  
How to know if counseling is needed 
Identifying emotions and helping kids have language skills 
Other, parent included therapy options 
Being a present parent during the counseling season  

Questions to ask counselor:


Any personal “need to know” about counselor
Resources you can have to help child post session
What does confidentiality look like?
Knowing more about the process  
Asking to see the playroom  
How to honor the process post session  

Resources:


Raising Emotionally Strong Boys  
The Whole Brainchild  
Deeray (Author) has lots of helpful books  

Podcast Resources:

Join the 5 Day Family Challenge 
Visit the CCF Store 
Follow us on Instagram