The Parent Hack: Recent Episodes
Teresa Forehand, Cody Forehand
We are Teresa and Cody Forehand, we are working parents with 2 kiddos and are practicing for a 3rd :) We created this show for busy parents (current and aspiring) who want to go further together as a couple by investing time into their relationship, improving communication skills and boundaries, and also working on their self awareness and personal development. Our promise is to be brief (episodes under 15 minutes) and to the point, with actionable lessons each episode because we know how valuable your time is. You see, we were once merely surviving life and every aspect of it, from our relationship to our careers, we were awful communicators with little vision of the future. Fast forward and much has changed, but this isn’t about us, it’s about you and how we can serve you, exactly where you are today. We hope these lessons will challenge you, inspire you, and teach you practical lessons you can apply today! We do ask that if you find value in the topics we discuss, if they challenge your previous ways of thinking, motivate you, or teach you something, please leave us a review + share the show with 3 friends that are committed to improving and growing as well. If you do please take a picture and send it to 4handco@gmail.com where you will have a chance to win some Parent Hack Merch every week!
The holidays are not meant to be survived, they are truly the most wonderful time of year! So how do you enjoy them to the fullest? Well here are 5 tips to make this holiday season the best one yet! Or at least the most organized and on budget ;)
It is 24/7 with divisiveness, negativity, hate, and fear these days it seems. The news is fine for certain things but it can be consuming in many ways, it can also set the tone for your day. This is no different than anything we consume first thing in the morning, so be careful what those things are. This episode is all about being aware of what information we are consuming to start our day. Gotta be careful cause it is setting the tone for the rest of your day and week!
Do you find yourself rushing from house to house during the holidays? Maybe you have a hard time saying no to all those requests on your presence.. Is it possible that you over commit and find yourself running ragged throughout the holidays to please everyone else? Maybe you just want more time for your family, more time to create your own memories.. Well you do not have to sacrifice those commitments and the potential to make your own memories.. You can have your cake and eat it to, you just have to be willing to draw some healthy boundaries.. If you find yourself relating to any of the above, or just want general advice on how to draw healthy boundaries, give this episode a listen.
Everything we avoid is multiplied.. Our health, conflict, addiction - whatever we are putting off is quietly building up and must be faced eventually. We have to get control of these or they will control us at a future date. In this episode Teresa and Cody talk about how you can do just that and how they too came face to face with this decision.
We all have trouble with that thin line, the one where work stops and family begins. In this episode Teresa and Cody explore that line and talk about ideas that could help us all manage expectations on both sides. One big takeaway from this episode is that we get to be parents, we get to be married - so don't let work infringe on that privilege.
Sometimes we take things for granted, especially our partners and all they do for us... We expect more and appreciate less. This week Teresa and Cody talk about what this does to our relationship, and how recognizing this leads to a deeper appreciation and a better relationship. They give simple advice on how to appreciate more and expect less and end the show with a challenge for us all to do just that!
It has been a minute but we are back and ready to roll, so we thought it appropriate to remind everyone who we are and what they can expect in the show going forward! We have honed our focus a bit and are extremely excited to get things rollin'.
In life we have two choices, to celebrate others or to be envious. In this episode Teresa and Cody talk about why it is so important to root for everyone, and how this will come back to benefit you ten fold!
This is a topic we know many struggle with, including ourselves! Everyone is vying for your attention and it is hard to say no; we often neglect quality time with our spouse and kids for the sake of others. While that is ok at times, it is important that you and your family get to enjoy the holiday as you envision them! The days of running around from house to house are over, it is time to take care of you and your crew. In this episode we share what has worked for us. We know this will help you because its done wonders for us and allowed us to enjoy the holidays instead of being drug around by them!
Our house can be a place of peace or a place of anxiety - pending what messes your kids made or didn't make this week. These are tips we have found and implemented to try and keep all the things in order while helping us better enjoy our time at home! There will always be messes and chaos but we hope these tips help you create a more enjoyable space!
Ever wonder where your money goes at the end of the year? What if you could take a trip with the fam? What if you could pay off some debt early? These are all questions Teresa and Cody asked themselves at one point. They discuss how they found answers to these questions and share 8 tips to help you do the same! Let’s go further together!
In this episode Teresa and Cody talk about the changes you can expect after baby arrives. This phase of parenthood is an amazing period in an incredible journey; however, it is full of its own struggles. Teresa and Cody recount their experience and give tips that will help others thrice through this period.
In this episode Teresa and Cody talk with Holly Jefferd who is a child sleep and behavior coach. Her company is Tiny Sleepers Big Dreamers and she is on Instagram @tinysleepersbigdreamers - she is truly a god send to all parents. In this episode we focused on sleep issues and strategies for babies, and how mom and dad can be confident parents in regards to their kiddos sleep schedules. We find out why sleep is so important for development, our sanity, and so much more! Be sure to send this to someone you think might benefit from listening. We have highlighted the question areas below to help you quickly find the answers you may be looking for. Thanks again for listening! Remember - We can go further together!
Questions
3:30 - Why sleep is so important for baby and you?
6:45 - What role does sleep play in future development?
8:20 - How to get back on track if your schedule is thrown of track one day?
10:10 - Advice for getting on the same page as parents, especially as it pertains to sleep and schedules.
12:40 - How to establish a routine before baby arrives.
16:45 - What age is appropriate to establish routines and schedules?
19:15 - What questions to ask when searching for help and how to ensure the coach is a good fit for you family values.
22:45 - How to be confident parents while handling pushback from families and others. AKA - establishing healthy boundaries
26:00 - Be aware of the social media shaming or comparison pitfalls
28:10 - When and how to cut out pacifiers.
31:00 - What to do if baby is not sleeping through the night.
32:05 - Transitioning from 2 naps to 1.
34:20 - How do sleep needs vary in that first year of baby's life.
36:00 - What to do if we miss a nap.
38:20 - When should baby be waking up? What to do if they are waking up early?
40:20 - What are the different sleep methods/training styles?
43:10 - Nighttime feedings - when and how to cut them out.
In this episode Cody and Teresa look back on the time before welcoming their first child. They will share the lessons learned and advice that will no doubt help you feel more prepared if you are in this stage. They discuss strategies around parenting styles, the importance of being on the same page as parents, and how to make the most of the time you have! Join them and reflect back on your own experience or send this to someone you know is expecting or recently had their first child!
We all know the negative people or the gossipers, but do we actually realize where else negativity is showing up in our lives?? That answer is no! We also don’t realize the effect it is having on us everyday, especially that negative self talk. In this episode we talk about how to spot negativity and how to nip it in the bud before it seriously kills your vibe.. Remember - Kind is Cool (even to yourself)! Let’s go further together!
Ever feel like you pass your partner or spouse in the hall and wonder “what if” - what if we dressed up, went to a nice dinner, and enjoyed each other's company. Then your toddler hits you in the shin with a plastic golf club and that previous thought fades quickly... This happens and ultimately life happens but we cannot let life distract us from tending to our most important relationship - our spouse. We all need time with the most important people in our life, unfortunately our spouses tend to get overlooked in the craziness of life. We need time together without the noise and distractions of life. We have to get back to our roots (just not our making out in the back of the bar college roots - funny story) of dating each other! In this episode we share our experience and some advice that has helped us put each other in the date night spotlight!
We are given wishes but we are also given the power to work for those wishes.. In this episode we share what we believe is one of the most underutilized tools in making your dreams become your reality. We will talk about how we have used a vision board to hit big goals and get closer to the life we have dreamed of. We will talk about the pillars of a vision board and give you tactical advice for starting yours! This episode is one you will not want to miss if you want to chase down your dreams!
It’s early, your kid wakes you up crying, now you have to feed them and yourself; not to mention get out of the house on time for drop off and work! The morning struggle is real - we get it! This used to be our struggle, now it is much less of a struggle. Forget the morning routine of social media influencers - we are talking about the morning routine that will allow you to hopefully get out of the house in one piece with stain free clothing. In this episode we talk about how we survive, and often thrive, in the mornings due to our morning routine. As always, we give you some tips to help make your mornings a little better and way less chaotic! Just keep your head on a swivel for the inevitable spill of grape juice, which happens to be on your new shirt!
In this episode we tell you who we are & why we are choosing to start a podcast. We will be digging into a topic we believe is at the center of every relationship - Communication! We will be talking about how leaving dishes in the sink lead to a communication revolution!