Crystal Paine Show

By popular request, we had fun this week sitting down and talking about some of our favorite creative family fun things to do at home. If you are looking for some simple ideas of things you can do at home (or in the car) while still social distancing, you don't want to miss today's podcast episode!

We also give you an update on what's happening in our lives, how we're adjusting to life with one newborn, and talk about how we're seeking to focus on our blessings and blessing others during this time where things are so topsy turvy.

In This Episode:

[02:20] Life has been full at our house between adjusting to life with a newborn and preparing for another newborn!

[07:33] I’ve still been fitting in some time to read and have recently loved The Lazy Genius Way.

[11:03] Focusing on our blessings and on being a blessing can change your perspective!

[12:32] Working together as a family to have shifts throughout the day and night has been saving our lives.

[17:21] We put our thinking caps on and came up with a number of different creative family fun ideas you can do while social distancing. Let's talk about scavenger hunts and around town scavenger hunts -- from your vehicle!

[21:27] I share a really fun idea that one family is doing to bring together teens and young kids in their neighborhood right now.

[22:25] We love old movies and musicals and this is the perfect time to watch some of those you been wanting to watch for a long time.

[23:04] Kathrynne came up with the idea of putting together a letter-writing sort of "campaign" with her friends.

[26:05] What about a special “Dress for Dinner” night or creating a "Bowl Full of Fun"?

[28:03] This is an historic time -- keep a record, write down memories, take pictures.

Links and Resources:

• The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi
• The Lazy Genius PodcastFree Educational Games & Online Programs for Kids
• Free Workout Programs During Quarantine
• MoneySavingMom.com
• YourBloggingMentor.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: [email protected]

Jesse and I have both struggled with being what you could call "control freaks" in our life. I like to have a plan and I like other people to go along with my plan. Jesse's control shows up more in wanting to be able to control decisions other people make or to make sure that everything is always okay with me and our kids -- and when it's not, he feels a lot of stress and like things are spinning out of control.

Fostering has been such a good exercise for us in learning to let go of our neat little plans. Since we don't make almost any of the decisions for him, we've just had to love him as our own on behalf of his mom while also keeping our hands open to whatever God has for him.

It has been easy, but it's been so good -- and it's taught us how much peace there is when we stop clenching our fists and trying to micromanage our lives and instead release our tight grip and trust God fully.

In this episode, we share lessons we are learning, what has helped us let go of our tightly wound control, and how loving on this little boy has completely changed our lives.

We also give some family updates, share about what's helping Jesse drink more water, my favorite eyebrow definer, and two books we've been reading.

In This Episode:

[01:01] Champ recently received hearing aids and it has been an adventure.

[03:58] We are so excited about our Gatlinburg weekend trip and why we voted early.

[06:19] I have a quick update on the No Bake cookies we were talking about several weeks ago.

[07:02] Water and his half-gallon water bottle are saving Jesse’s life.

[11:01] Maybelline Total Temptations Eyebrow Definer is saving my life.

[13:31] Jesse is back to reading his most recent Brad Thor book, Near Dark.

[14:50] I’ve been reading Dare to Lead by Brene Brown.

[17:30] We’re chatting all about being control freaks and what we've been learning.

[20:40] How our experiences as foster parents have shown us our need to release control.

[24:55] Lessons we're learning about control as parents -- and in other areas of our lives.

[27:40] What stress and fear tell me about resting in the Lord.

Links and Resources:

• Maybelline Total Temptations Eyebrow Definer
• Near Dark by Brad Thor
• Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
• No-Bake Cookies
• Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
• MoneySavingMom.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: [email protected]

How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show

The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player here. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.)

Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app.

If you or someone you love -- especially your kids -- struggle with anxiety or worry, you do not want to miss this episode of The Crystal Paine Show. I'm joined by Sissy Goff, the author of Raising Worry-Free Girls.

In our conversation, Sissy talks about how to spot signs of anxiety in our kids, how our approach can help or hurt our kids, what to do if your child is struggling with perfectionistic tendencies or stressing over grades, why anger and frustration in our kids can be a sign of anxiety, and practical tools and steps to help your child break free from incessant anxiety.

This episode is so actionable and important -- especially right now! Don't miss it!

In This Episode:

[00:33] Welcome to our 100th episode and welcome Sissy Goff.

[02:09] Learn more about Sissy and her background.

[03:12] Why did she choose to focus solely on girls versus kids in general?

[04:56] How our anxiety can impact our kids.

[07:24] Why perfectionism is one cause of anxiety and how to address it.

[08:58] How can parents navigate the internal criticism that perfectionist girls tend to live with?

[11:25] Is there a way to help perfectionistic children to branch out and try new things?

[13:17] Ways that you can recognize anxiety versus normal behavior.

[18:42] What to do once you recognize that your child is suffering from anxiety.

[22:45] Don’t forget to name the worry to remove the fear associated with the voice in their head.

[25:51] It’s so important to do preventative breathing.

[27:39] Why you need to let your kids go through the experiences and not save them.

[31:15] Go out and grab a copy of Raising Worry-Free Girls by Sissy Goff, these tactics work with boys as well!

Links and Resources:

• Raising Worry-Free Girls by Sissy Goff
• Raising Boys and Girls
• Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
• MoneySavingMom.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: [email protected]

"Could you share some parenting advise for raising my enneagram 8 daughter? She is very headstrong and persistent, but has a complete disregard for rules and regularly challenges authority. As an enneagram 5 (and people pleaser), I do not understand the way she thinks. We have gone around and around and I've tried to get to the heart is the issue. But it seems her bottom line is she is going to do whatever it takes to get what she wants. How do I help channel her perseverance and tenacity in a positive way? She is only 8 years old. -a podcast listener"

When I got this email in my inbox, I could relate so much -- because I remember being that 8-year-old girl with a very strong personality. And truth be told, I think "headstrong" and "persistent" are two words that can still describe me as a 38-year-old woman!

Oftentimes, we hear people talk about their "strong-willed child" in a way that makes it seem so negative... as if a child's will needs to be broken and replaced. But that's like trying to strip someone of their God-given personality.

I believe that the character qualities of persistence and determination can be such a gift -- to your home, to your community, and to the world. That's why I want to encourage you to stop trying to stifle a child's strong personality and instead embrace the strength that it can bring.

In this episode, Jesse and I share encouragement for parents who are raising strong kids. I share from the perspective of being a strong kid growing up and we both share from the perspective of raising a child who has a very strong personality.

In This Episode:

[02:26] Why Snuggle Sacks have been a life-saver recently.

[04:53] I came down with mastitis on Tuesday, so here's what's been saving my life.

[07:59] My experience getting a Coronavirus test (Spoiler... it was negative!)

[10:59] A book update on Get Out of Your Head.

[14:07] We’re chatting all about raising strong-willed kids.

[16:21] It’s okay if you can't relate with your kids, but seeking to understand them is so important.

[17:16] Why rules for an Enneagram 8 are very restrictive.

[19:29] Change your mindset and see the desire for independence as a blessing.

[21:03] Stop using negative labels to define your kids.

[22:07] How studying personality typings can be so beneficial.

[24:26] Celebrate their strengths because they really are gifts.

[26:11] Say yes as often as possible for your child.

[29:45] Don't overly protect your kids from struggle and failure.

Links and Resources:

• CuddleBug Swaddle Wraps for Babies
• Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen
• Reading People by Anne Bogel
• MoneySavingMom.com
• YourBloggingMentor.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: [email protected]

This week's podcast episode covers a much-requested topic: our favorite audiobooks! Summer is a great time for reading and listening to more books -- especially with road trips and/or just a slower schedule. And if you listen regularly to the podcast, you know we love audiobooks.

Whether you’re looking for a way to pass time while cleaning, cooking, or driving or you prefer listening to reading, this episode is packed with our favorite 20+ audiobooks to add to your listening library!

I managed to narrow my list down to 20 (okay, maybe a few more) and then Jesse shares some of his favorite series, too. We share a wide range of books -- including my favorite book on habits, a book that inspired me to want to visit all the national parks, captivating fiction, eye-opening historical narratives, and more!

We also share how we find time to listen to audiobooks, when we listen to audiobooks, and how we listen to audiobooks. And we share how we never pay for audiobooks!

In This Episode

[0:35] - Jesse and I are diving into our favorite audiobooks and sharing 20+ recommendations!

[2:59] - We use the Libby app to listen to audiobooks on my phone (+ when I listen to them!)

[4:53] - I start by recommending Lisa Wingate’s Before We Were Yours.

[5:51] - I highly recommend The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society for its engaging, well-narrated story.

[7:11] - Jesse enjoys starting a series from the beginning, like Bill O'Reilly's Killing series.

[9:39] - Next up on my list is The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris.

[10:53] - Dear Bob and Sue recounts a couple's witty, sarcastic adventures visiting all U.S. national parks.

[13:23] - Jesse enthuses over Vince Flynn’s American Assassin, which starts a series completed by other authors after his death.

[14:11] - I mention the highly popular book