Parents Making Time with Anthony & Jennifer Craiker | Intentional Parenting for Busy Parents

Anthony & Jennifer Craiker | Parents Making Time

Parents! Feel like you’re missing out on your kids’ lives while also never having enough time for yourself? Want to embrace intentional parenting but don't quite know how? Career pressures, shuttling kids around, volunteer commitments, and the endless tasks of caring for your home all place enormous demands on your time and energy, leading to mom guilt, dad guilt, stress, and ultimately regret. And while you’re trying to tend to your own self-care while also being a present parent who prioritizes family connection, your kids are growing up way too fast.  Sound familiar? If so—help is here! Unlike other parenting podcasts that just give you techniques for raising children or tips on childhood development, Parents Making Time focuses on helping YOU, the parent, prioritize YOUR life so that your parenting aligns with your values. Motherhood, fatherhood, marriage, and family are what we are all about. In 15-minutes or less, this weekly podcast helps busy parents like you learn to prioritize their relationships, be more present and intentional with family time, and build a lasting legacy of love—without neglecting their own well-being or feeling regret later in life. It's not just about learning to prioritize tasks or mastering time management, it's about becoming the parent you want to be so that you can stop feeling overwhelmed, learn how to have more time, and create lasting family memories. Leveraging their 20+ years of parenting experience raising three thriving kids and leading and mentoring hundreds of children, youth, and families in volunteer church positions, hosts Anthony and Jennifer Craiker teach parents on a tight schedule how to balance work and family, create unbreakable family bonds, prevent parent burnout, and find JOY in parenting. In other words, we help you stop being busy and start actually applying the concept of intentional living. If you’re ready to prioritize family time each day without feeling overwhelmed, you can count on this show to teach you how to be fully present with your kids, build lasting memories, prioritize your spouse, make dinner time count, connect with your kids after work, stop missing precious moments, savor family time, discover intentional parenting ideas, and so much more—all while learning how to implement quick self-care tips, create an intentional family legacy, and parent with no regret. So, hit PLAY, and let’s get started! Popular Topics Include: Intentional parenting Present parenting Self-care for parents How to have meaningful connections with your kids Work life balance Mom guilt and Dad guilt Building family bonds Parenting anxiety Time management Motherhood Fatherhood Family life and routines Tips for busy parents Parenting in a digital world Leaving a legacy

  1. 12/19/2025

    Avoid Parent Burnout with this Easy Intentional Parenting Idea

    What if the parenting stress you feel isn’t from parenting itself, but from being the only one holding everything together? So many busy parents fall into the quiet habit of carrying the entire load—the dishes, the laundry, the dog, the clutter, the schedules—while hoping their kids will “just pitch in.” But without clear expectations, kids don’t know how to help, and parents end up exhausted, frustrated, and burned out. In this episode, we’re sharing simple, practical strategies for teaching responsibility, building teamwork, and creating a strong family culture where everyone contributes. Not through power struggles or punishment, but through clarity, consistency, and intentional parenting practices that help your kids grow in confidence—and help you reclaim time, energy, and peace and stop feeling overwhelmed, avoiding mom guilt and dad guilt in the process. Effective parenting is more than time management; it's life management.  WHILE LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN: How to clearly communicate household expectations so your kids take ownership without nagging or conflictPractical tools like chore rotations, 30-minute cleanups, and predictable routines that boost responsibility and reduce parent burnout and parent anxietyHow shared chores strengthen family relationships, support healthy time management for busy parents, and create meaningful family traditions00:00 Introduction 00:28 The Burden of Household Chores 00:41 The Game-Changing Shift: Involving Kids in Chores 01:29 The Mom Rampage 02:17 Setting Clear Expectations 03:17 Effective Chore Strategies 04:46 The 30-Minute Cleanup 06:55 Rotations and Responsibility 09:33 The Family Dog: A Lesson in Responsibility 13:44 Conclusion and Next Episode Sneak Peek When you finish listening, we’d love for you to connect with us on social media! Follow the show on Instagram and  Facebook to keep the conversation going. It’s the best way to get quick tips, encouragement, and resources to help you make time for what matters most—your family. Easily improve your intentional parenting efforts at mealtime with our FREE resource, Dinner Conversation Starters. Download our FREE resource, 30-Second Micro Moments of Intention with Your Kids, created for busy parents like you who need easy, actionable ways to have daily meaningful connections with their kids in less than a minute! Parenting Questions? Email us at parentsmakingtime@gmail.com (Please note, your question may be featured on the show). For parenting inspiration, time management ideas, and encouragement for families, follow the hosts' individual accounts: Anthony Craiker: Instagram | LinkedIn Jennifer Craiker: Instagram Interested in joining our free online parenting community? Send us a DM to receive an invite! Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review: Apple | Spotify

    15 min
  2. 12/12/2025

    How to Manage the Unnecessary Anxiety of Parenting

    Parents, have you ever felt torn between expert parenting advice and your own motherly or fatherly instincts? Recommendations that once felt like hard rules can completely reverse over the years. When advice changes, parenting can feel confusing and overwhelming. Parenting anxiety can be a real challenge. So many parents rely solely on experts and forget the powerful intuition they already have. When advice constantly changes—from peanut butter rules to sleep positions to breastfeeding recommendations—it can create stress, anxiety, and fear that you're not doing motherhood or fatherhood "right." In this episode, we share how to balance expert guidance with parental intuition, reduce stress, eliminate parent anxiety, and make confident decisions for your children—without the mom guilt or dad guilt. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN: How to stop feeling overwhelmed (even when expert advice changes)How to confidently trust your own instincts (even when it feels scary)Practical ways to use expert information without letting it control youIntentional parenting doesn't come with a manual—but you do have intuition, wisdom, and unique knowledge of your child. When you combine that with research and expert insights, you make grounded decisions that benefit both you and your kids. 00:00 Introduction and Free Resource Announcement 00:28 Navigating Conflicting Parenting Advice 02:18 Trusting Your Parental Instincts 04:11 Balancing Expert Advice and Intuition 07:14 Practical Examples and Personal Stories 10:18 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview Follow the show on Instagram and  Facebook to keep the conversation going. It’s the best way to get quick tips, encouragement, and resources to help you make time for what matters most—your family. Easily improve your intentional parenting efforts at mealtime with our FREE resource, Dinner Conversation Starters. Download our FREE resource, 30-Second Micro Moments of Intention with Your Kids, created for busy parents like you who need easy, actionable ways to have daily meaningful connections with their kids in less than a minute! Parenting Questions? Email us at parentsmakingtime@gmail.com (Please note, your question may be featured on the show). For parenting inspiration, time management ideas, and encouragement for families, follow the hosts' individual accounts: Anthony Craiker: Instagram | LinkedIn Jennifer Craiker: Instagram Interested in joining our free online parenting community? Send us a DM to receive an invite! Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review: Apple | Spotify

    11 min
  3. 12/05/2025

    Do Tiny Traditions Really Boost Family Connection?

    What if the strongest memories your kids carry into adulthood come not from vacations, but from small everyday traditions at home? We often think family traditions are reserved for holidays—Christmas, birthdays, vacations—but research shows that rituals and routines play a powerful role in shaping family culture, kids’ identity, emotional wellbeing, and long-term connection. When life gets busy, family bonding and intentional parenting often take a back seat. Before we know it, we’re missing chances to create connection in the ordinary moments. The truth? You don’t need more time—just intentional family activities and micro rituals that anchor your home in love and belonging. AFTER LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: How simple routines become meaningful family traditions that strengthen family culture.Real examples of family activities you can start this week for deeper connection (no holidays needed!).How traditions help kids feel seen, stable, loved — and why that supports long-term bonding.In this episode of Parents Making Time we share some of our favorite traditions from raising our three kids: Friday movie night, bedtime gratitude, Sunday calls, special birthday rituals, and seasonal traditions we still look forward to every year. You’ll leave with practical ideas to build family culture and connection inside your home — even if you're short on parenting time. 00:00 Introduction and Free Resource Announcement 00:28 The Importance of Family Traditions in Parenting 01:04 Scientific Insights on Family Rituals 03:21 Examples of Family Traditions 11:06 Holiday Traditions and Their Impact 15:26 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview Follow the show on Instagram and  Facebook to keep the conversation going. It’s the best way to get quick tips, encouragement, and resources to help you make time for what matters most—your family. Easily improve your intentional parenting efforts at mealtime with our FREE resource, Dinner Conversation Starters. Download our FREE resource, 30-Second Micro Moments of Intention with Your Kids, created for busy parents like you who need easy, actionable ways to have daily meaningful connections with their kids in less than a minute! Parenting Questions? Email us at parentsmakingtime@gmail.com (Please note, your question may be featured on the show). For parenting inspiration, time management ideas, and encouragement for families, follow the hosts' individual accounts: Anthony Craiker: Instagram | LinkedIn Jennifer Craiker: Instagram Interested in joining our free online parenting community? Send us a DM to receive an invite! Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review: Apple | Spotify

    17 min
  4. 11/21/2025

    How We Deepened Our Bond with Our Son in One Evening

    What would happen if your family put the phones away—just for one evening a week? Could you strengthen your parent-child connection? Maybe you’ve felt that tug lately—the sense that your teen is drifting into their screen while real conversations, teaching opportunities, and connection get squeezed out. You want more meaningful moments together . . . but between schedules, resistance, and the constant pull of devices, it feels almost impossible. In this episode, we share the simple practice we  have started recently in our own home—and why we’re so glad we did it. By setting aside one night a week with no phones, we created space for deeper conversations, practical life lessons, spiritual moments, and genuine connection with our son in his final year at home. And the best part? It’s actually working. It's been a parenting win! AS YOU’RE LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: The common mistake parents make that limits deeper family connection—and how to fix it in one small shift.A step-by-step breakdown of our “No-Phone Sunday” routine, including life skills, spiritual discussions, and fun that actually keeps teens engaged.Why intentional, distraction-free time helps teens open up, stay accountable, and even start meaningful conversations on their own.Whether you try a full “no-phone night” or simply adapt one piece of what we’re doing, you’ll walk away with ideas you can use this week to strengthen your parent-child bond. 00:00 Introduction and Free Resource 00:28 Intentional Parenting Wins and Episode Overview 00:59 Meet Ethan: Our Busy Teenager 02:36 Implementing No-Phone Sundays 07:48 Family Activities and Lessons 09:57 Reflections and Benefits 13:42 Encouragement and Next Episode Teaser Follow the show on Instagram and  Facebook to keep the conversation going. It’s the best way to get quick tips, encouragement, and resources to help you make time for what matters most—your family. Easily improve your intentional parenting efforts at mealtime with our FREE resource, Dinner Conversation Starters. Download our FREE resource, 30-Second Micro Moments of Intention with Your Kids, created for busy parents like you who need easy, actionable ways to have daily meaningful connections with their kids in less than a minute! Parenting Questions? Email us at parentsmakingtime@gmail.com (Please note, your question may be featured on the show). For parenting inspiration, time management ideas, and encouragement for families, follow the hosts' individual accounts: Anthony Craiker: Instagram | LinkedIn Jennifer Craiker: Instagram Interested in joining our free online parenting community? Send us a DM to receive an invite! Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review: Apple | Spotify

    14 min
  5. 11/14/2025

    Stop the Parenting Comparison Trap and Get Your Joy Back

    Do you ever catch yourself comparing your parenting to other families—wondering if you’re not doing enough or feeling guilty because someone else seems to have it all together? Comparison is one of the biggest hidden causes of mom guilt, dad guilt, and parenting burnout. Whether you’re scrolling social media or watching families at church, comparison sneaks in—stealing your confidence, creating anxiety, and making it harder to be a present, intentional parent. When we focus on what other families appear to be doing, we lose sight of what our own kids actually need. In today’s episode, we break down why comparison is the #1 habit that quietly drains joy from parenting, how it leads to emotional overload, and the simple mindset shift that helps you reconnect with your family, build confidence, and practice joyful parenting—without regret. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: Why comparing yourself to other parents—both upward (“they’re better”) and downward (“at least I’m not them”)—undermines your self-esteem and creates unnecessary parenting stress.How comparison keeps you from being a present parent and distracts you from your family’s unique needs and rhythms.A healthier, more mindful parenting approach that lets you learn from others without judging yourself—or them—and helps restore joy to your home.00:00 Introduction and Free Resource 00:28 The Habit That Drains Parenting Joy 01:08 The Comparison Trap 03:01 Personal Parenting Stories 05:14 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward 06:55 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser Follow the show on Instagram and  Facebook to keep the conversation going. It’s the best way to get quick tips, encouragement, and resources to help you make time for what matters most—your family. Easily improve your intentional parenting efforts at mealtime with our FREE resource, Dinner Conversation Starters. Download our FREE resource, 30-Second Micro Moments of Intention with Your Kids, created for busy parents like you who need easy, actionable ways to have daily meaningful connections with their kids in less than a minute! Parenting Questions? Email us at parentsmakingtime@gmail.com (Please note, your question may be featured on the show). For parenting inspiration, time management ideas, and encouragement for families, follow the hosts' individual accounts: Anthony Craiker: Instagram | LinkedIn Jennifer Craiker: Instagram Interested in joining our free online parenting community? Send us a DM to receive an invite! Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review: Apple | Spotify

    7 min
  6. 11/07/2025

    3 Simple Ways to Get Kids Talking at Dinner Tonight

    Have you ever sat down for family dinner hoping for connection—only to be met with silence, clinking forks, and kids glued to their phones? Even though dinner is one of the best chances to connect with your kids, conversation doesn’t always come naturally. Many busy parents assume that because you love each other, the talking part should just happen—but when it doesn’t, you miss out on those small, meaningful moments that strengthen your family bond. In this episode of Parents Making Time, we’re sharing three simple ways to get your kids talking at dinner—so you can turn mealtime into a daily ritual of laughter, learning, and love. These intentional family time ideas will help you go from awkward silence to genuine connection in just a few minutes a day, making meal times more meaningful and engaging. In under 15 minutes you’ll learn… How to ask better questions that actually get your kids talking (and not just giving one or two word answers).Simple dinner table games that spark laughter, stories, and connection.The one thing you can do that instantly makes your kids more likely to open up and engage.Because when you’re intentional about how you spend your family dinner time, you create moments that build connection, trust, and lifelong memories. Get our FREE resource, “Dinner Conversation Starters", by going to: parentsmakingtime.com/dinnerconversations.  00:00 Introduction to Dinner Time Conversations 00:36 Common Dinner Time Challenges 01:42 The Importance of Intentional Dinner Time 02:46 Tip 1: Ask Open-Ended Questions 04:53 Tip 2: Play Dinner Games 06:03 Tip 3: Share About Yourself 07:45 Consistency and Managing Expectations 08:48 Conclusion and Additional Resources Follow the show on Instagram and  Facebook to keep the conversation going. It’s the best way to get quick tips, encouragement, and resources to help you make time for what matters most—your family. Easily improve your intentional parenting efforts at mealtime with our FREE resource, Dinner Conversation Starters. Download our FREE resource, 30-Second Micro Moments of Intention with Your Kids, created for busy parents like you who need easy, actionable ways to have daily meaningful connections with their kids in less than a minute! Parenting Questions? Email us at parentsmakingtime@gmail.com (Please note, your question may be featured on the show). For parenting inspiration, time management ideas, and encouragement for families, follow the hosts' individual accounts: Anthony Craiker: Instagram | LinkedIn Jennifer Craiker: Instagram Interested in joining our free online parenting community? Send us a DM to receive an invite! Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review: Apple | Spotify

    10 min
5
out of 5
45 Ratings

About

Parents! Feel like you’re missing out on your kids’ lives while also never having enough time for yourself? Want to embrace intentional parenting but don't quite know how? Career pressures, shuttling kids around, volunteer commitments, and the endless tasks of caring for your home all place enormous demands on your time and energy, leading to mom guilt, dad guilt, stress, and ultimately regret. And while you’re trying to tend to your own self-care while also being a present parent who prioritizes family connection, your kids are growing up way too fast.  Sound familiar? If so—help is here! Unlike other parenting podcasts that just give you techniques for raising children or tips on childhood development, Parents Making Time focuses on helping YOU, the parent, prioritize YOUR life so that your parenting aligns with your values. Motherhood, fatherhood, marriage, and family are what we are all about. In 15-minutes or less, this weekly podcast helps busy parents like you learn to prioritize their relationships, be more present and intentional with family time, and build a lasting legacy of love—without neglecting their own well-being or feeling regret later in life. It's not just about learning to prioritize tasks or mastering time management, it's about becoming the parent you want to be so that you can stop feeling overwhelmed, learn how to have more time, and create lasting family memories. Leveraging their 20+ years of parenting experience raising three thriving kids and leading and mentoring hundreds of children, youth, and families in volunteer church positions, hosts Anthony and Jennifer Craiker teach parents on a tight schedule how to balance work and family, create unbreakable family bonds, prevent parent burnout, and find JOY in parenting. In other words, we help you stop being busy and start actually applying the concept of intentional living. If you’re ready to prioritize family time each day without feeling overwhelmed, you can count on this show to teach you how to be fully present with your kids, build lasting memories, prioritize your spouse, make dinner time count, connect with your kids after work, stop missing precious moments, savor family time, discover intentional parenting ideas, and so much more—all while learning how to implement quick self-care tips, create an intentional family legacy, and parent with no regret. So, hit PLAY, and let’s get started! Popular Topics Include: Intentional parenting Present parenting Self-care for parents How to have meaningful connections with your kids Work life balance Mom guilt and Dad guilt Building family bonds Parenting anxiety Time management Motherhood Fatherhood Family life and routines Tips for busy parents Parenting in a digital world Leaving a legacy