Julie & Chris: Fighting For Family

04/29/24 • 49 min

I really enjoyed talking to Chris and Julie about their journey with parenting. While moving to California, Julie was diagnosed with cancer, yet they found the strength to thrive, rebuild a church and a community from scratch, and share their story in their new book, 'Fighting for Family.' I witnessed a lot of generosity and humbleness in their book and through my conversation with them. They have a great relationship with their children, which to me is the ultimate proof of a strong family. Here are the topics we covered:

Fostering resilience and connection: highlighting the importance of learning resilience personally before teaching it to their children, and emphasizing the need for authenticity and vulnerability within the family.
Setting practical goals for your family: seeking to understand before being understood, believing the best about each other, having open and honest conversations, working through difficulties, and inviting feedback without defensiveness.
Recognizing when support is needed: Julie was able to see when her daughter needed emotional well-being support, ultimately leading her to homeschool her.
Setting healthy boundaries: Julie shared how she and Chris were able to communicate openly about their needs in their relationship.
Embracing imperfection: acknowledging that messiness is a natural part of family life and encouraging embracing imperfection rather than striving for an unrealistic ideal.
Three commitments they strive to live by: admitting they can't control everything, being messy around others, and letting people be complicated, among others.

Click here to contact Chris and Julie

If you enjoyed this podcast and would like to show your support, please consider giving a 5-star rating. Your ratings help us grow!

To stay updated and never miss an episode of The Real Parenting Stories, follow the podcast Instagram account: @realparentingstories

Fostering resilience and connection: highlighting the importance of learning resilience personally before teaching it to their children, and emphasizing the need for authenticity and vulnerability within the family.
Setting practical goals for your family: seeking to understand before being understood, believing the best about each other, having open and honest conversations, working through difficulties, and inviting feedback without defensiveness.
Recognizing when support is needed: Julie was able to see when her daughter needed emotional well-being support, ultimately leading her to homeschool her.
Setting healthy boundaries: Julie shared how she and Chris were able to communicate openly about their needs in their relationship.
Embracing imperfection: acknowledging that messiness is a natural part of family life and encouraging embracing imperfection rather than striving for an unrealistic ideal.
Three commitments they strive to live by: admitting they can't control everything, being messy around others, and letting people be complicated, among others.

Click here to contact Chris and Julie

If you enjoyed this podcast and would like to show your support, please consider giving a 5-star rating. Your ratings help us grow!

To stay updated and never miss an episode of The Real Parenting Stories, follow the podcast Instagram account: @realparentingstories

Previous Episode

Alexandria: Advocating for Special Needs Children

In this episode of the Real Parenting Stories podcast, Alexandria shares her deeply personal journey of facing postpartum depression, unexpected health issues, and the discovery of her son's autism, and ADHD diagnosis. I really enjoyed talking with her and understood that at some point or another we all face the same challenges with parenting and have an opportunity to uncover important life lessons:

Trusting Mother's Intuition: Alexandria reconnected with the significance of trusting one's instincts in recognizing potential challenges in a child's development, highlighting the power of maternal intuition in seeking early support.
Coping with Postpartum Depression: Reflecting on her journey through postpartum depression and subsequent health issues, Alexandria shares the emotional toll and challenges she faced, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and advocating for oneself during difficult times.
Supporting Children with Special Needs: Alexandria offers heartfelt advice for parents raising children with special needs, emphasizing the significance of creating a loving and supportive home environment where children feel accepted and empowered to be themselves.
Navigating Sibling Dynamics: Addressing the dynamics between siblings, especially when one child has special needs, Alexandria shares strategies for fostering understanding and support within the family unit, promoting empathy and acceptance among siblings.
Advocacy and Self-Care: At all times, no matter what, prioritizing well-being, seeking support, and advocating for children's rights is a must.
Embracing Unpredictability: Alexandria shares her journey of letting go of expectations and embracing the present moment in parenting, encouraging parents to focus on creating a supportive and loving environment for their children while addressing tomorrow's challenges as they arise.

If you enjoyed this podcast and would like to show your support, please consider giving a 5-star rating. Your ratings help us grow!

To stay updated and never miss an episode of The Real Parenting Stories, follow the podcast Instagram account: @realparentingstories