The Ordinary Family

Coleman and Abby Housefield
  • 5.0 (8)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Welcome to The Ordinary Family Podcast! Where we celebrate the beauty in everyday family life! Whether you're trying to find time for an uninterrupted conversation with your partner, tackling the mountain of laundry or dishes, trying to keep your children alive, or just trying to figure out what’s for dinner, this is the place where real conversations happen about the highs, lows, and everything in between. This podcast is dedicated to everyone who is trying to make a living, build a strong relationship with your partner, raise good humans, and take care of yourself—because doing all this, some days, feels like more than an ordinary person can do. Our goal is to help you thrive in every area of your life: at home, at work, and in your community. Join your hosts, Coleman (marriage and family coach) and Abby (yoga teacher and homeschool enrichment business owner) as we explore the art of marriage, parenting and navigating life with honesty, humor, and support. We’ll share with you the tools we use, hilarious stories, and all the insights we’ve gained from being married for 15 years, parents for 11 years, and many more years of life and work experience. Have a question or comment to share? We'd love to hear from you! You can send us an email at: ordinaryfamilyshow@gmail.com Here’s where you can find us online: Websites: https://www.colemanhousefield.com/ https://www.thenaturelabschool.com/ Substack: colemanhousefield.substack.com Instagram: abbyhousefield coleman.housefield.coaching colemanhousefield.substack.com

  1. #44: Your Nervous System Is Teaching Your Kids

    2D AGO

    #44: Your Nervous System Is Teaching Your Kids

    In this episode, Coleman and Abby Housefield share proven techniques for guiding children through emotional regulation at different stages of development, emphasizing a shift from control towards connection. Drawing on their personal experiences with three kids across age ranges, and their coaching expertise they uncover how parental regulation and emotional skill-building lays a foundation for resilient, independent, and emotionally healthy kids. In this episode: * The societal myth that parenting is about controlling behavior and why it’s flawed * How children’s misbehavior is a natural part of their growth and testing boundaries * The importance of shifting from managing behavior to guiding emotional maturity * The power of co-regulation and why it’s foundational from birth onward * How emotional regulation in parents directly influences children’s capacity to self-regulate * Practical tools for different age ranges: zero to five, five to nine, and 10 to 14 * The significance of self-regulation, thought work, and emotional responsibility * How fostering independence and connection accelerates emotional strength Timestamps: 00:00 - The core mindset shift: from control to guiding emotional maturity02:03 - Debunking the myth: children’s misbehavior is developmentally appropriate04:01 - Why emotional regulation is more crucial than behavior correction07:18 - The role of nervous system regulation in parenting and teaching10:24 - The importance of feeling safe for neuroplasticity and change13:10 - Co-regulation in infants to preschoolers: practical tools and examples15:32 - The process of modeling regulation by borrowing calm from caregivers18:03 - How children learn regulation through observation and presence20:36 - Bridging from co-regulation to awareness in elementary-age children25:17 - The strategy of movement and physical expression for emotional processing32:13 - Teaching emotional awareness: how to help kids recognize sensations in their bodies36:05 - Transitioning to thought work and emotional responsibility in preteens38:26 - The power of thought-feeling-action mapping to shift behaviors42:02 - Journaling and externalizing thoughts for clarity and emotional resilience43:17 - The importance of parental self-awareness and emotional work44:46 - Introducing the concept of emotional responsibility to older children48:44 - The 50-50 principle: accepting life’s ups and downs as a pathway to resilience54:23 - Why emotional strength surpasses physical and mental strength in importance56:01 - How investing in your own regulation creates a generational inheritance of emotional resilience Resources & Links: * Dr. Dominique NG (Neuroscientist) * Co-regulation tools and resources from Dr. Becky Kennedy Additional notes: * Focus on modeling regulation over correction * Use curiosity and questions to foster independence * Remember that emotional strength is an ongoing process—not a destination * Seek support and coaching to accelerate your growth as a parent Final thought: The most powerful gift you can give your children is your own emotional strength. When they see you regulate and lead with connection, they learn resilience naturally. Your work starts with you, and it transforms your entire family. Have a question or comment to share?We would love to hear from you!You can send us an email at:ordinaryfamilyshow@gmail.com Here’s where you can find us online: Websites: https://www.colemanhousefield.com/ https://www.thenaturelabschool.com/ Substack:colemanhousefield.substack.com Instagram:abbyhousefieldcoleman.housefield.coaching This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colemanhousefield.substack.com

    57 min
  2. #43: You Can Build a Marriage You Actually Want to Be In Using These 3 Tools

    FEB 19

    #43: You Can Build a Marriage You Actually Want to Be In Using These 3 Tools

    Why would more time together feel like a threat—rather than a blessing? A great marriage isn’t luck or chemistry, it’s a set of deliberate skills anyone can develop. This episode uncovers the three revolutionary skills that shift your marriage from surviving to thriving: letting go of relationship manuals, owning your emotional responsibility, and choosing unconditional love and support. Coleman and Abby explain how giving up rigid expectations opens the door to deeper understanding, how taking responsibility for your emotions empowers you, and how love itself becomes a conscious act—not a feeling you wait for. These aren’t just theories—they’re practical tools they’ve used to transform tension into connection, resentment into appreciation, and routine into intimacy. You’ll discover: * The pitfalls of holding onto unspoken standards—your “relationship manual”—and how to dismantle it * How supporting your spouse, instead of rescuing or enabling, builds authentic strength on both sides * Why emotional responsibility is your secret weapon for a resilient and joyful marriage * How to intentionally change your thoughts about your partner to cultivate love even in tough seasons * Practical exercises to identify subtle expectations and leverage each other’s strengths for a partnership that grows more fulfilling over time Failing to implement these skills can keep you stuck in cycles of frustration, distance, and unspoken resentment—while mastering them paves the way for a marriage that feels full, supportive, and worth celebrating. Whether you’re in a challenging season or simply want to deepen your connection, this episode arms you with the clarity and tools to create a relationship that you love—and that loves you back. Perfect for committed couples eager to elevate their partnership or singles preparing for marriage, this conversation is your blueprint for a lasting, vibrant love. Start applying these insights today, and watch your relationship evolve into the deep connection you desire. Have a question or comment to share?We would love to hear from you!You can send us an email at:ordinaryfamilyshow@gmail.com Here’s where you can find us online: Websites: https://www.colemanhousefield.com/ https://www.thenaturelabschool.com/ Substack:colemanhousefield.substack.com Instagram:abbyhousefieldcoleman.housefield.coaching This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colemanhousefield.substack.com

    45 min
  3. #42: How To Stick To Your 2026 Goal (Without White Knuckling It)

    JAN 30

    #42: How To Stick To Your 2026 Goal (Without White Knuckling It)

    Hey Friends! Welcome to February, the month after the month when many of us embark on a new years resolution, and start getting after our goals. Unfortunately for many of us, February can feel depressing or downright discouraging because we’ve, “fallen off the wagon” or given up on our goals that only a month ago were creating excitement and anticipation for us. In this episode Abby and I will talk about how you can stick to your goals or resolutions without white knuckling it. All you need is a few tools and the willingness to get to know yourself a little better and try something new! We even discuss how to make sure you don’t sacrifice yourself on the alter of your goals which for some personalities, they don’t know any other way to accomplish their goals which is why they accomplish their goals but feel absolutely exhausted at the end. Key Takeaways * What we take in matters for our goals. * You don’t need to try harder; change your approach. * Accountability is beneficial for everyone, not just obligers. * Most goal-setting advice is tailored for upholders. * Pay attention to your thoughts; they influence your success. * You can achieve goals while taking care of yourself. * Identify what you truly want beyond just outcomes. * Thoughts can lead to quitting; be mindful of them. * Celebrate small wins to maintain motivation. * Create systems that align with your tendencies. We mention Gretchen Rubin’s book, The Four Tendencies. You can learn more about her and her work here → https://gretchenrubin.com/books/the-four-tendencies/ Have a question or comment to share?We would love to hear from you!You can send us an email at:ordinaryfamilyshow@gmail.com Here’s where you can find us online: Websites: https://www.colemanhousefield.com/ https://www.thenaturelabschool.com/ Substack:colemanhousefield.substack.com Instagram:abbyhousefieldcoleman.housefield.coaching This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colemanhousefield.substack.com

    56 min
  4. #41: A Family Guide For Annual Reflection

    JAN 22

    #41: A Family Guide For Annual Reflection

    I was hanging out with an old friend recently and telling him about Abby and my annual reflection practice. My friend said, “you do that with your wife?” and he sounded surprised. It was at this moment I realized what I thought was normal, was perhaps not normal for many people. A lot of people reflect on the year or make goals for the new year but they often do this exercise for work or for personal but alone Every year in December or January Abby and I go for a hike, date and reflect on the last year. We ask very specific questions so we can celebrate the meaningful stuff, grieve and feel the hard stuff, and learn about ourselves, about our work, about each other, and about our kids so we can show up more aligned with our values in the next year.My friend asked me for the questions we ask each other and the framework for how we reflect on the year and plan for the next one so we decided to put it into a podcast and share it with all of our friends here. If you want to make it super easy, you can listen to this podcast and let us be your guide as you and your spouse go through it together! Just pause the episode after each question so you and your spouse can answer it. Have a question or comment to share?We would love to hear from you!You can send us an email at:ordinaryfamilyshow@gmail.com Here’s where you can find us online: Websites: https://www.colemanhousefield.com/ https://www.thenaturelabschool.com/ Substack:colemanhousefield.substack.com Instagram:abbyhousefieldcoleman.housefield.coaching This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colemanhousefield.substack.com

    41 min
  5. #40: That Punch in the Gut Feeling When You Don’t Agree - Tools for Hard Conversations

    12/11/2025

    #40: That Punch in the Gut Feeling When You Don’t Agree - Tools for Hard Conversations

    I know only a handful of people who aren’t intimidated or outright scared of having a hard conversation with someone. In fact this is a skill Abby and I are practicing this year. It’s something we’re much better at than we used to be but we’re still intimidated and scared about having a hard conversation. The good news is, anyone can have a hard conversation and not get completely taken out by it. All you need are a few tools in your tool belt and to develop the skills to do it. In this episode Abby and I share a personal story about having hard conversations this year in our own lives and the tools we used and the skills we developed along the way that have made us feel confident and at peace instead of anxious and scared when it comes to having tough conversations. Would you like to feel at peace and confident as you prepare to have your next hard conversation? Then press play and get ready to take some notes! Have a question or comment to share?We would love to hear from you!You can send us an email at:ordinaryfamilyshow@gmail.com Here’s where you can find us online: Websites: https://www.colemanhousefield.com/ https://www.thenaturelabschool.com/ Substack:colemanhousefield.substack.com Instagram:abbyhousefieldcoleman.housefield.coaching This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colemanhousefield.substack.com

    41 min
  6. #39: Family Holiday Traditions vs New Experiences

    12/04/2025

    #39: Family Holiday Traditions vs New Experiences

    This episode first went live last year in December of 2024 and we’re publishing it again this year because people found it so inspiring to consider new experiences vs traditions! It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We love Thanksgiving and Christmas around here and we have some cherished family traditions that we look forward to every year. For some of you though, I know that the holidays can be a difficult time for you and this is where trying new experiences can be helpful. Too many of us sit around thinking about painful traditions and holiday memories or maybe the loss of someone who’s no longer around to celebrate. Trying something new with some of the same people or completely new people is a great way to break out of that painful pattern and make a new memory. We also like to try new experiences with our kids to see what sticks and what becomes a funny memory that we may or may not do again. Tune in to this episode to spark you’re own imagination for your family traditions and maybe you’ll even consider trying a new experience with your family this holiday season too! Have a question or comment to share?We would love to hear from you!You can send us an email at:ordinaryfamilyshow@gmail.com Here’s where you can find us online: Websites: https://www.colemanhousefield.com/ https://www.thenaturelabschool.com/ Substack:colemanhousefield.substack.com Instagram:abbyhousefieldcoleman.housefield.coaching This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colemanhousefield.substack.com

    45 min
  7. #38: How To Manage Differences and Awkwardness With Family This Holiday Seaon

    11/25/2025

    #38: How To Manage Differences and Awkwardness With Family This Holiday Seaon

    This episode first went live last year in November of 2024 and we’re publishing it again this year because people found it so helpful for navigating the holidays with family! If you are dreading the upcoming holidays because time with extended family often feels draining and awkward we recorded this episode just for you! Your hosts Coleman and Abby will share funny and painful stories from their extended family holidays with you and the tools they use now to keep themselves safe and sane when gathering with extended family over the holidays. What if you could enjoy the holidays this year regardless of how everyone else behaves? You can! In this episode, we’ll tell you how we do it and how you can do it too. Have a question or comment to share?We would love to hear from you!You can send us an email at:ordinaryfamilyshow@gmail.com Here’s where you can find us online: Websites: https://www.colemanhousefield.com/ https://www.thenaturelabschool.com/ Substack:colemanhousefield.substack.com Instagram:abbyhousefieldcoleman.housefield.coaching This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colemanhousefield.substack.com

    35 min
  8. #37: A Parenting Tool That Works For All - The Defiant, Compliant or Unmotivated Child

    11/06/2025

    #37: A Parenting Tool That Works For All - The Defiant, Compliant or Unmotivated Child

    We (Abby and I) recently hit one of those parenting walls where our strategies and tools that had worked well up to this point were not working anymore. We believe in the power of contribution in our home and in our family. Society and humans are better when we’re connected and contributing, not just to ourselves but to each other. But lately, the house has been a mess more often than not. Chores were not getting done and all the ways that Abby and I were trying to encourage, motivate, and get our kids to do what we wanted them to do were not working anymore. Our highest energy compliant child was still doing their chores and frankly picking up some of the slack that the other two kids were leaving behind. The compliant child, like me and Abby was starting to feel resentment about it. We had to find a better way to encourage and motivate contribution in our home. So, I went on the hunt to better understand motivation and how we as humans orient to expectations and I found Gretchen Rubin’s book, The Four Tendencies. In the book she describes how each of the 4 tendencies orient to expectations and how we as their parents can align with our kids motivations and help them build a habit of contribution. We’ve been putting the ideas in the book to the test by practicing new strategies with our kids over the past 2-3 months with excellent results and we wanted to share with you how we’re doing it and what’s working for us so you can do the same in your home with your kids! Four Tendencies Cheat Sheet For Parents → https://gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Four-Tendencies-One-Sheet-Children.pdf Four Tendencies Quiz → https://gretchenrubin.com/four-tendencies/ Have a question or comment to share?We would love to hear from you! You can send us an email at:ordinaryfamilyshow@gmail.com Want to book a free coaching call? Find a time here → https://calendar.app.google/CnogbPVEiXvThLeCA Here’s where you can find us online: Websites: https://www.colemanhousefield.com/ https://www.thenaturelabschool.com/ Substack:colemanhousefield.substack.com Instagram:abbyhousefieldcoleman.housefield.coaching This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colemanhousefield.substack.com

    51 min
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Ordinary Family Podcast! Where we celebrate the beauty in everyday family life! Whether you're trying to find time for an uninterrupted conversation with your partner, tackling the mountain of laundry or dishes, trying to keep your children alive, or just trying to figure out what’s for dinner, this is the place where real conversations happen about the highs, lows, and everything in between. This podcast is dedicated to everyone who is trying to make a living, build a strong relationship with your partner, raise good humans, and take care of yourself—because doing all this, some days, feels like more than an ordinary person can do. Our goal is to help you thrive in every area of your life: at home, at work, and in your community. Join your hosts, Coleman (marriage and family coach) and Abby (yoga teacher and homeschool enrichment business owner) as we explore the art of marriage, parenting and navigating life with honesty, humor, and support. We’ll share with you the tools we use, hilarious stories, and all the insights we’ve gained from being married for 15 years, parents for 11 years, and many more years of life and work experience. Have a question or comment to share? We'd love to hear from you! You can send us an email at: ordinaryfamilyshow@gmail.com Here’s where you can find us online: Websites: https://www.colemanhousefield.com/ https://www.thenaturelabschool.com/ Substack: colemanhousefield.substack.com Instagram: abbyhousefield coleman.housefield.coaching colemanhousefield.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Coleman and Abby Housefield
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Coleman Housefield
  • Show Website
    The Ordinary Family