The Parent Pivot Podcast

Legacy Starts Now: What Will You Pass On?

On this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, we're talking about the legacy you’ll one day leave—and how to be intentional about it now. As parents, we don’t just pass on our DNA; we pass on values, wisdom, traditions, and faith. Today, we walk through how to create a simple "Legacy List"—a thoughtful inventory of the lessons, stories, and blessings we want to pass down to our kids and grandkids.
Join us as we explore practical and meaningful ways to invest in the next generation so your influence endures long after today. Your legacy isn’t about what you own—it’s about who you are and what you share. Let’s build that on purpose.
Resources mentioned on today's podcast:
1. "Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times" by John Eldridge. 
2. One-Minute Pause App.

Beware of the Caution Flag!

Whether it’s hours of Fox News, CNN, or scrolling through heated headlines, constant news consumption can shape our attitudes, heighten emotions, and unintentionally create relational distance with our adult kids.
On this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia tackle a challenge many pivoting partners may be facing today—navigating the tension that can arise when our over indulgence of media habits can alienate our adult children.
Resources mentioned on this podcast:
1. "The Parent Pivot: 13 Principles for Building Stronger Relationships With Your Adult Children" by Steve and Julia Cummings. Available on Amazon.
2. Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or email her at: parentpivotpodcast@gmail.com or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com
 

When Celebrating An Adult Child Goes Sideways

It’s easy to brag about one of your adult kids — especially when you’re proud of who they’ve become. But what happens when your other kids feel overlooked or compared?
On this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia  unpack why bragging (even the innocent kind) can damage family relationships and how humility, gratitude, and biblical wisdom can keep everyone feeling valued.
Learn how to celebrate each child’s story without creating competition — and how to keep your family connected for the long haul.
Resources mentioned on this podcast:
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or email her at: parentpivotpodcast@gmail.com or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com

Best of The Parent Pivot Podcast - Holidays, Traditions and Change: How Do We Navigate This Season?

The holidays are here and can be a LOT of stress as we try to negotiate the plans to be made when our adult kids are married.  What do you do when you have traditions that have been going on for decades and now you have a new member of the family?
How do we navigate this season when there are so many emotions pulling us in different directions?
On this "Best of" episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia share some of their own experiences and help us use the holidays as a turning point in developing richer, more meaningful relationships with our adult children.  If you've ever struggled with what to do with the holidays and your traditions, be sure to listen.
Tell us your story!  Contact Steve and Julia at: parentpivotpodcast@gmail.com
Need someone who "gets it" to talk to?  Text Julia at 714.392.2060 for a free consultation - OR visit her website to schedule a virtual session at: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com

The Silent Treatment Isn’t a Strategy

Are you sighing instead of speaking? Dropping “harmless” hints instead of having the hard conversations?
This week on The Parent Pivot Podcast we're unpacking the oh-so-common (but rarely productive) dance of passive-aggressive behavior with our adult children. Why do we do it? What’s it costing us? And how can we pivot to healthier, more honest communication?
Tune in if you’ve ever said “I’m fine” when you definitely weren’t — and wished your adult child could just read your mind.
Real talk. No judgment. Just tools, insight, and maybe a little humor to help you show up as the parent you want to be — not the one who texts with a guilt trip.
Resources mentioned on this podcast:
Culture Apothecary Podcast: "Why Family Estrangement Happens & How To Fix It | Dr. Joshua Coleman, PhD" with Alex Clark
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Email her at: parentpivotpodcast@gmail.com or visit www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com
 

Finding Joy in Your Adult Kids

Raising kids was one adventure — but parenting adult children brings a whole new set of challenges… and blessings. In this week’s episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia Cummings dive into “Finding Joy in Your Adult Kids.”
Discover how to celebrate who your grown children are becoming, find contentment even when life doesn’t go as planned, and rekindle joy in your relationship with them. Whether your adult kids are thriving, struggling, or somewhere in between, this conversation will encourage your heart and remind you that God’s not done writing their story—or yours.
Learn how to experience genuine joy in the journey of parenting grown-up kids.  
Resources mentioned on this podcast:
1. Need someone to talk to about your adult child?  Visit Julia's website to schedule a session at: www.MeadowbrookCounselingGA.com
2. Sign-up for "Grand Monday Nights" and watch Steve and Julia as they help grandparents have healthy relationships with the next generation.
 
#ParentPivotPodcast #ChristianParenting #FindingJoy #FaithFamily #LegacyCoalition

The Adult "Golden" Child and Being a Good Partner to All Your Kids

We impact our kids in so many ways as we raise them, and often without without knowing it, we can end up favoring one child over another. Quite frankly, it can be a an unaddressed blindspot.
On this edition of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia help us sort through what how we can navigate this tricky path we may have inadvertently created to healthier relationships with all our adult kids.
Resources mentioned on today's podcast:
1. "Grand Monday Nights"
2. "The Parent Pivot: 13 Principles for Building Stronger Relationships with Your Adult Child" by Steve and Julia Cummings. 

"Best of" The Parent Pivot Podcast: When Your Adult Child Cuts Off Relationship

If your adult child has cut you out of his or her life—whether for a long or short time—it is a gut-wrenching experience. It often provokes deep feelings of shame, guilt, bewilderment, and hurt, all of which can easily turn to anger.
On top of that, it can also arouse people’s worst suspicions ("Surely, the Smiths must be terrible parents for their daughter to cut them off like that!") and leave you feeling judged, even by friends and family.
On this "Best of" The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia help you navigate how to reconnect with your adult child and begin the healing process. 

"To Engage? or NOT To Engage? THAT is the Question"

With the national news event of the past week that occurred in Utah, how can we as "pivoting partners" to our adult kids navigate this issue and still maintain a healthy relationship?
That is today's subject on The Parent Pivot Podcast with Steve and Julia Cummings. Like - Share - and Subscribe and help other parents pivot to choosing relationship over being right.

Having a Difficult Conversation with Your Adult Child: Is It Worth Saying?

Your adult child has done or said something that you feel needs to be addressed. But . . . how do you go about having that conversation?
On this edition of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia help us navigate how to prepare ourselves as pivoting partners to have difficult conversations with our adult children.
Resources mentioned on this podcast:
1. Wild at Heart podcast "Having Difficult Conversations - Part 1" 
2. Wild at Heart podcast "Having Difficult Conversations - Part 2"