Podcast

Raising Marriage

Is parenting killing your marriage?

Successful marriages take work, and so does raising children. Doing both can seem impossible. Kirsten Hatcher, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and her husband John (not a therapist) show you how to parent with your partner while actually growing your marriage.

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Episodes

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Episode 55 · December 12, 2024 · 21 min
Creating a System for Household Management as a Team
This episode of Raising Marriage focuses on managing household logistics and responsibilities as a couple. The hosts discuss strategies for dividing tasks, communicating about workload, and working together to maintain a home while raising a family. Listeners will learn practical tips for having productive conversations about household duties and gain insights into creating a fair and balanced approach to managing daily responsibilities. Resources • Fair Play by Eve Rodsky • Shared calendar app for couples • Weekly "business meeting" strategy for couples (Episode 42)
Episode 54 · December 5, 2024 · 36 min
The Hidden Burden of Family Management: Tips for Couples to Work Together
The episode discusses the concept of mental load in marriage and parenting, explaining how it can affect relationships and offering strategies for managing it together as a couple. Listeners will gain insights into recognizing and addressing the invisible labor that often goes unnoticed in family life. Resources Below is a list of resources mentioned during the episode. • Weekly marriage check-ins (Episode 45) • Business meetings for couples to discuss schedules and upcoming events (Episode 42) • The Book Range by David Epstein
Episode 53 · October 31, 2024 · 31 min
Creating a Holiday Plan to Reduce Stress and Enjoy the Season
Enjoy the holiday season with your partner and family This episode provides tips on how to manage the busyness of the holiday season while working together as a couple. Learn how to handle family expectations, create new traditions, plan your schedule, and budget for expenses. By having important conversations and getting organized, you can reduce stress and conflict to truly enjoy this special time of year with your loved ones.
Episode 52 · October 17, 2024 · 32 min
Reduce Conflict in Your Marriage: Learn the Power of Soft Startups
This episode of Raising Marriage focuses on how to start difficult conversations in marriage using a "softened startup" approach. Kirsten and John discuss the difference between harsh and soft startups, explaining how a softer approach can lead to more productive conversations and conflict resolution. Listeners will learn practical tips for implementing softened startups, including identifying feelings, expressing needs clearly, and using "I" statements. The episode highlights how this communication technique can improve relationship dynamics and create a more positive environment for addressing challenging topics. Resources- The Gottman Institute - Research on harsh vs. soft startups in relationships - Episode 45 of Raising Marriage podcast - Discussion on weekly marriage check-ins - ChatGPT or other AI tools - Can help rephrase harsh statements into softer language
October 10, 2024 · 32 min
Family First: Developing Traditions That Keep Your Family Connected
This episode of the Raising Marriage podcast focuses on building a strong family unit and creating a home environment that children will want to return to as adults. The hosts discuss the importance of balancing marriage and parenting, and offer tips for cultivating family connections. They emphasize that it's okay if your family is your main "tribe" rather than feeling pressured to have a large social network. Key ideas include establishing rituals like weekly pizza and movie nights, having regular family dinners, maintaining open communication, and finding shared activities like camping that bring the family together. The hosts also address how these connections may need to evolve as children grow into teenagers and young adults. Resources Below is a list of resources mentioned during the episode: • Instagtram: @raisingmarriage • Conversation starter cards for family dinners
Episode 50 · October 4, 2024 · 39 min
Trusting Your Parental Instincts: Getting to the Bottom of Your Child's Health Issues
This episode of Raising Marriage gets real. Kirsten and John share how one theme kept them going in their family crisis - advocating for their child. They navigated a challenging medical diagnosis for their son, offering encouragement and practical advice for other families facing similar struggles. Key takeaways: • The importance of trusting parental intuition • Persisting in seeking answers even when faced with roadblocks • Balancing traditional and alternative approaches to healthcare The goal of this candid discussion is to help parents feel less alone and more empowered to fight for their child's wellbeing. Thanks for listening and... Keep Growing!
Episode 49 · September 26, 2024 · 24 min
Building Connection Through Kindness: Manners in Marriage
The episode discusses how practicing good manners in marriage, including showing appreciation, acknowledging each other, and being kind, can strengthen relationships and foster connection between partners.
Episode 48 · September 19, 2024 · 28 min
From Stalemate to Solution: Improving Communication in Your Marriage
This episode explores strategies for breaking through stalemates and unproductive arguments in marriage. Learn how to move past surface-level debates and dig deeper to understand each other's perspectives. The hosts share personal examples and practical tips for compromising effectively without feeling like you're always giving in. By reframing compromise and focusing on shared goals, couples can find creative solutions that work for the whole family. Resources Book recommendation: QBQ (Question Behind the Question) by John G. Miller
Episode 47 · June 27, 2024 · 32 min
Relationship Growth: How to Stop Drunken Arguments and Communicate Better
In this episode of Raising Marriage, Kirsten and John delve into the common issue of alcohol-fueled arguments in relationships and provide actionable strategies to address and overcome them. They share their personal experiences and practical tips to foster better communication and healthier connections. Kirsten and John encourage listeners to foster open communication, stay sober during conflicts, and use structured forums and journaling to enhance their relationships. By implementing these practices, couples can prevent arguments from becoming bigger issues and build stronger, healthier marriages. Key Takeaways From Todays Episode: • The Role of Alcohol in Arguments: • Alcohol is often a catalyst for arguments due to its relaxing effect, which can lead to the release of pent-up frustrations. • Minor issues can become significant problems when amplified by alcohol. • Importance of Open Communication: • Lack of communication when sober can escalate conflicts when drinking. • Effective conflict management skills and understanding are hindered by alcohol consumption. • Structured Forums and Business Meetings: • Regularly scheduled business meetings for discussing feelings can help manage conflicts before they escalate. • Weekly relationship check-ins are crucial for addressing concerns and frustrations in a structured manner. • Journaling as a Tool: • Journaling helps process intense emotions and brings clarity to underlying issues. • It differentiates between petty issues and significant discussion topics, aiding in more coherent and kinder communication. • Creating Healthy Activities: • Engage in activities not centered around drinking to build healthier, more meaningful connections. • Staying sober during arguments is advised to avoid emotional hangovers and messy, incoherent conversations. Join us next time on Raising Marriage for more insights and tips on nurturing and growing your relationship!
Episode 46 · June 20, 2024 · 32 min
Balancing Serious Talks with Fun Chats in Your Marriage
Marriage doesn't have to be hard- we're here to show ou how to keep it fun and fulfilling! Join us as we uncover the secrets to maintaining a strong marriage through meaningful and playful conversation. Yes, you need to have the tough conversations about big issues like sex, money, and children. But you should also balance those moments with fun and lighthearted conversation. Humor is the glue that can hold a marriage together, and this episode is packed with tips for including more laighter and quirky chats into your relationship. We share practical tools like "Would You Rather: questions and the Gottman Card Decks app to spark some sun. Balance is key when it comes to your conversations. Join us on this journey to keep growing together while having a blast along the way!