261 Jan Talen: Struggling Kids, Stressed Marriage. Where Do You Start?

Hey Friends~  We are in the middle of the series “When Communication is hard” to discuss a topic that is just as important and impacts our kids.  That is—the strength of the parent relationship itself. Today’s conversation with Jan shifts the focus to how, when parents grow in connection and calm, it creates a foundation that helps even the most challenging behaviors begin to settle. What if the key to calmer kids isn’t found in another parenting technique, but in strengthening your relationship as a couple? In this conversation, JanTalen and I explore how parents can decide what’s both nice and necessary in the middle of stress, so connection isn’t lost when tension rises. We talk about why the parent relationship needs to come first, and how, when it does, children actually feel more secure and settled because they are growing from that foundation. You’ll hear simple ways to walk yourself through overwhelming moments, allowing your calm and logic to “hold” your emotions so you can respond with clarity instead of reacting in frustration.  And throughout it all, we come back to gratitude, growth, and celebration, because when you begin to shift, even in small ways, your child often follows, and together you create a home where connection and progress happen side by side.   In the middle of our series When Communication is Hard, we’re pausing to talk about something just as important for our kids—the strength of the parent relationship itself.  Today’s conversation with Jan Talen shifts the focus to how, when parents grow in connection and calm, it creates a foundation where even the most challenging behaviors can begin to settle.  What if the key to calmer kids isn’t another parenting technique, but strengthening your relationship as a couple? Jan and I explore how to choose what’s both nice and necessary in stressful moments so connection isn’t lost when tension rises, and why putting the parent relationship first actually helps children feel more secure. You’ll hear simple ways to walk yourself through overwhelming moments so your calm and logic can “hold” your emotions, allowing you to respond with clarity instead of frustration. And throughout it all, we come back to gratitude, growth, and celebration—because when you begin to shift, even in small ways, your child often follows. Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com Website:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/ Have a question or comment? Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play PLEASE VOTE!!  We are nominated for Women Podcasters Awards!!   This is a VOTER’S CHOICE AWARD. PLEASE VOTE for THE LANGUAGE OF PLAY in the CATEGORY : LIFESTYLE  PODCASTS https://www.womenpodcasters.com/awards   ABOUT THE GUEST:   Married with kids can be a marriage wrecker. Jan knows it doesn’t have to be that way. Using her marriage and family knowledge and skills, she developed the pathway for new parents to stay together while parenting their kiddos and keeping their marriage relationship strong. She practiced this (with Chip) within their own marriage and family of 4 kids. The D of divorce was squashed. Their marriage and family turned into one filled with the A’s of appreciation and adoration. Being connected, communicating well and resolving confusion and conflicts is doable and even enjoyable while moving from Family Crazy to Family Calm with the DNA Way to Communicate. CONTACT THE GUEST:   Jan@usandkids.com www.UsAndKids.com https://instagram.com/Usandkids https://www.facebook.com/usandkidspodcast https://www.linkedin.com/in/jantalen Bonus link will come in an email     IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES: 257 When Kids Know More Than They Can Say: Expressive & Receptive Language Delays and DLD, part 4 259 When Communication Is Hard: Autism, ADHD, and Language Processing Differences, part 5 260 Melissa Schulz: Ha