Every parent has been there—the dreaded meltdown. Whether it’s your toddler on the kitchen floor, your teenager slamming a door, or even you holding back tears in the car, meltdowns are part of family life. But what if these moments aren’t just problems to solve, but opportunities to connect?

In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Don and Suzanne share wisdom from raising seven kids and over 30 years of parenting experience to help you reframe how you see meltdowns. We’ll dive into why meltdowns happen, how they make us feel as parents, and—most importantly—how to respond in ways that build character, strengthen relationships, and reduce chaos in your home over time.

You’ll learn practical strategies for handling toddler tantrums, school-day meltdowns, and teenage blow-ups without adding fuel to the fire. From turning a “no” into a redirect, to knowing when to pause and offer grace, this conversation will help you see meltdowns as moments to disciple, not just discipline.

We’ll also explore the spiritual side of meltdowns—how God uses adversity to grow us, and how we can model compassion, patience, and love even when emotions run high.

Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. So, if you’ve ever felt embarrassed, overwhelmed, or unsure in the face of a meltdown, this episode is for you.

👉 Tune in now and discover how to transform meltdowns into meaningful, crazy cool parenting moments.

Podcast Resources:

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Absolutely. In this episode, Don and Suzanne Manning explain how to combine God’s favor (grace) with training to standards (discipline) to build self-control, connection, and freedom in your home. You’ll learn the difference between firm vs. harsh, how to respond not react, and a simple “same-side of the line” visual that moves you from power struggles to partnership. The conversation includes empathy that doesn’t excuse behavior, practical scripts for correction, and a preview of emotional regulation tools for “meltdown moments.” Anchored in Hebrews 12:6 and Galatians 5:1, this episode equips you to set clear boundaries and keep a gentle tone—so your kids actually learn.

• Grace (favor) + discipline (training) lead to true freedom and self-control.
• Be firm, not harsh—respectful tone makes correction stick.
• Use “Help me understand…” to pair empathy with consequences.
• Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your child and point them to God’s standard.
• Prioritize long-term connection over short-term compliance.
• Start practicing emotional regulation during meltdowns (for you and your child).

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
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In this episode, Don and Suzanne Manning share how to teach kids integrity without lectures. Learn how to model honesty, coach truth-telling with a “respond, don’t react” approach, and create a family culture of integrity. Get age-by-age strategies for littles, middles, and bigs that make character building stick. Anchored in Proverbs 10:9 and John 8, this episode equips you to help your child keep their word, repair quickly, and walk securely.

• Why modeling + quick repair beats perfection
• A 6-step script to coach honesty (lower shame, raise truth)
• Age-specific tools for Littles (2–7), Middles (8–12), Bigs (13+)
• Family language that makes truth-telling safe
• Bible stories (Jonah; Woman caught in adultery) that illustrate integrity and kindness

🎧 Listen now and start your 3:1 Praise Challenge this week. Then share your family’s integrity win with us!

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
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In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Suz and McKenzie talk with Becky, founder of Clean Mama about simple, sustainable home keeping routines for busy families. Learn the 5 daily cleaning tasks, a practical weekly cleaning schedule (bathrooms, dusting, vacuuming, floors, catch-all), how to involve kids in chores, and how to keep a non-toxic home with easy DIY cleaners.

If you’re overwhelmed by clutter, laundry, and dishes, this conversation will help you create peaceful family rhythms that support Christian parenting and the mission of your home.

• The 5 daily resets: wipe counters & dishes, check floors, make beds, tidy clutter, daily laundry check
• The weekly flow that prevents marathon cleaning days
• Rotating tasks & monthly focus (deep clean + organize without overwhelm)
• How to show, don’t tell when teaching kids chores (age-appropriate tools + tiny wins)
• Mindset shifts: “I get to” gratitude, timing tasks (<5 minutes!), and starting where you are
• Non-toxic favorites: Becky’s go-to DIY stone spray (water + rubbing alcohol + a little dish soap)
• Getting back on track after travel, sickness, or newborn—why you start with today
• Why a made bed is a mood booster and room “anchor”

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
• Give us a review!
• Clean Mama site & resources
• Homekeeping Society (membership)
• Crazy Cool Family Home Sweet Home Deep Dive

Suzanne sits down with her daughters—now mothers themselves—for an honest, hope-filled conversation about reclaiming a life-giving vision of motherhood. They unpack the tension most moms feel: the days are long, the needs are endless, and perfectionism and isolation creep in. Together they reframe motherhood as Kingdom work—discipleship in real time—where “hard” can be holy, refining, and deeply meaningful.

You’ll hear practical ways to trade victim-thinking for vision: making motherhood the main thing (letting chores serve connection), joining your child’s world to build present-moment memories, creating more deposits than withdrawals with specific encouragement, and using quick repentance to repair when you blow it. The episode also tackles common pain points—asking for help, carving out breaks before burnout, battling loneliness with intentional friendships and spouse check-ins, and resetting your perspective so you see your kids as the blessing they are. Anchored in Isaiah 40:11, this conversation offers gentle leadership for moms in every season.

• Motherhood is discipleship—hard doesn’t mean bad.
• Prioritize connection; let tasks fit under the mission of mothering.
• Name weaknesses, bring them to light, and ask for help.
• Combat loneliness with quick, deep check-ins and God-with-us moments.
• Keep a 3:1 encouragement-to-correction rhythm.
• Repent fast; repair fast. Connection beats perfection.
• Isaiah 40:11: God gently leads those with young.

Try it this week: 10 minutes of undistracted play, one clear ask for help, celebrate one tiny win out loud.

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
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In this inspiring episode, Don and Suzanne Manning are joined by longtime friend and missions expert Dr. Chris Searcy to discuss the life-changing impact of mission trips on children and teens. With over 25 years of experience and 2,500+ students led on global trips, Chris shares powerful stories and practical advice for families.

Discover why mission trips aren’t just for "super Christians," but are actually a core part of discipleship. Learn how sending your child to serve beyond their comfort zone can awaken purpose, grow their faith, and transform their view of the world. Whether your child is 5 or 15, you’ll walk away with ideas to cultivate a family on mission.

• The difference between "serving" and being "on mission"
• Age-appropriate ways to get your kids involved
• How to overcome fear, safety concerns, and the cost
• What really happens on a student mission trip

Perfect for families seeking to raise kingdom-minded kids. Listen today and take your first step toward building a family that lives on mission.

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
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In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Don and Suzanne Manning dive into the power of parenting with unity—even when you have different methods.

• Create safe, judgment-free check-in conversations
• Encourage each other without criticism
• Respond as a team, not competitors
• Build unity that creates safety and peace for your kids

Plus, they share helpful tools like “pillow talk,” the family dashboard, and the idea of safe words to help you work through conflict with grace.

If you want to strengthen your marriage and create a more unified family culture, don’t miss this episode.

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
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In this episode, Don and Suzanne Manning unpack a powerful concept that will radically transform your relationship: agreeing on values, not methods.

You’ll learn:

• Why unity doesn’t mean uniformity
• How to define and agree on your family’s core values
• Practical tools to navigate disagreements and grow together
• How becoming the best version of yourself actually strengthens your marriage

Discover the Marriage Unity Triangle and how to stop trying to fix your spouse — and start supporting them instead. If you're ready to parent as a united team and build a strong, joy-filled marriage, this episode is for you.

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
• Give us a review!