Do you ever catch yourself comparing your parenting to other families—wondering if you’re not doing enough or feeling guilty because someone else seems to have it all together?

Comparison is one of the biggest hidden causes of mom guilt, dad guilt, and parenting burnout. Whether you’re scrolling social media or watching families at church, comparison sneaks in—stealing your confidence, creating anxiety, and making it harder to be a present, intentional parent.

When we focus on what other families appear to be doing, we lose sight of what our own kids actually need. In today’s episode, we break down why comparison is the #1 habit that quietly drains joy from parenting, how it leads to emotional overload, and the simple mindset shift that helps you reconnect with your family, build confidence, and practice joyful parenting—without regret.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Why comparing yourself to other parents—both upward (“they’re better”) and downward (“at least I’m not them”)—undermines your self-esteem and creates unnecessary parenting stress.
• How comparison keeps you from being a present parent and distracts you from your family’s unique needs and rhythms.
• A healthier, more mindful parenting approach that lets you learn from others without judging yourself—or them—and helps restore joy to your home.

00:00 Introduction and Free Resource
00:28 The Habit That Drains Parenting Joy
01:08 The Comparison Trap
03:01 Personal Parenting Stories
05:14 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
06:55 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

When you finish listening, we’d love for you to connect with us on social media!

Follow us on Instagram and like our page on Facebook to keep the conversation going. It’s the best way to get quick tips, encouragement, and resources to help you make time for what matters most—your family.

Get our FREE resource, "30-Second Micro Moments of Intention with Your Kids", by going to: parentsmakingtime.com/freeresource

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Leave a rating & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

https://www.parentsmakingtime.com/

Have you ever sat down for family dinner hoping for connection—only to be met with silence, clinking forks, and kids glued to their phones?

Even though dinner is one of the best chances to connect with your kids, conversation doesn’t always come naturally. Many busy parents assume that because you love each other, the talking part should just happen—but when it doesn’t, you miss out on those small, meaningful moments that strengthen your family bond.

In this episode of Parents Making Time, we’re sharing three simple ways to get your kids talking at dinner—so you can turn mealtime into a daily ritual of laughter, learning, and love. These intentional family time ideas will help you go from awkward silence to genuine connection in just a few minutes a day, making meal times more meaningful and engaging.

In under 15 minutes you’ll learn…

• How to ask better questions that actually get your kids talking (and not just giving one or two word answers).
• Simple dinner table games that spark laughter, stories, and connection.
• The one thing you can do that instantly makes your kids more likely to open up and engage.

Because when you’re intentional about how you spend your family dinner time, you create moments that build connection, trust, and lifelong memories.

Get our FREE resource, “Dinner Conversation Starters", by going to: parentsmakingtime.com/dinnerconversations.

00:00 Introduction to Dinner Time Conversations
00:36 Common Dinner Time Challenges
01:42 The Importance of Intentional Dinner Time
02:46 Tip 1: Ask Open-Ended Questions
04:53 Tip 2: Play Dinner Games
06:03 Tip 3: Share About Yourself
07:45 Consistency and Managing Expectations
08:48 Conclusion and Additional Resources

When you finish listening, we’d love for you to connect with us on social media!

Follow us on Instagram and like our page on Facebook to keep the conversation going. It’s the best way to get quick tips, encouragement, and resources to help you make time for what matters most—your family.

Follow Anthony Craiker: Instagram | LinkedIn

Follow Jennifer Craiker: Instagram

Leave a rating & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

https://www.parentsmakingtime.com/

Have you ever felt like you and your spouse weren’t on the same page? You both love your kids deeply — but sometimes, it feels like you’re speaking two different languages when it comes to rules, routines, or how to handle a situation.

It’s one of the most common (and most frustrating) challenges parents face — especially for busy couples trying to balance work and family while still showing up as present, intentional parents. The result? Tension builds, connection fades, and it can start to impact not just your marriage, but your entire family dynamic.

But there’s a better way — In this episode, we’re talking about why you and your spouse aren’t seeing eye to eye and how to fix it.

IN 15 MINUTES OR LESS, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Why most parenting disagreements aren’t really about the kids at all
• Simple strategies to communicate with your spouse before responding to your child
• How to handle parenting decisions in the moment — without tension or mixed messages
• Creative ways to stay united as parents (even in front of your kids!)
• How this one shift can strengthen both your marriage and your family dynamic

00:00 Introduction: Parenting on Different Pages
00:32 The Big Mistake: Lack of Communication
03:46 Strategies for Unified Parenting
07:46 Real-Life Examples and Lessons
11:30 Conclusion and Resources

When you finish listening, we’d love for you to connect with us on social media!

Follow us on Instagram and like our page on Facebook to keep the conversation going. It’s the best way to get quick tips, encouragement, and resources to help you make time for what matters most—your family.

Get our FREE resource, "30-Second Micro Moments of Intention with Your Kids", by going to: parentsmakingtime.com/freeresource

Follow Anthony Craiker: Instagram | LinkedIn

Follow Jennifer Craiker: Instagram

Leave a rating & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

https://www.parentsmakingtime.com/