Us and Kids

14/08/2025

💡 Want to go deeper and keep the wisdom forever?
The VIP Pass for the Empowering Families & Rethinking Education Summit gives you lifetime access to every powerful session—plus exclusive speaker gifts and bonus resources you won’t get anywhere else.
The summit runs live August 14–15, 10:00 AM–3:30 PM PT, but with VIP, you can revisit every session on your own timeline.
🎁 All this for just $47—a simple investment in your family’s growth, clarity, and connection.
🔗 Grab your VIP upgrade now: https://vibrantfamilyeducation.com/efre-event-081425?am_id=jantalen1367

12/08/2025

Summer leads to Fall, leads to new schedules, energy and experiences.
Get ready by joining the Empowering Families and Rethinking Education Summit this Thursday and Friday (August 14,15)
This Summit is not just about educational choices, it's about making the best spaces for your marriage and family!

It's FREE to join, with upgrade options, of course! See all the info here>> https://vibrantfamilyeducation.com/efre-event-081425?am_id=jantalen1367
I'll be on-site this Thursday at 10:30a, PST (which is 1:30pm - EST).
Would love to see you there and at the Summit!

Join experts in parenting, alternative education, and family dynamics to take charge of your child’s learning journey.

25/07/2025

Hey friends!
I've been having some fun with this quiz and challenge and thought maybe you would like it too.
Try it out - let me know what you think...or just play quietly, but be sure to giggle!

So, here's the story. In summer we often pay a lot of attention to our kids...toys, outside time, playdates, later bedtimes.
So much summer fun!
But, wait! Why do the kids get all the fun?
They don't! We made a short quiz just for you! (79 seconds and you're done!)
It's called "Running on Empty?" You'll get an on-target email about how you can uplevel your relationship right now.
And, a CHALLENGE to follow, should you care to carry on the fun!
Short, snappy and might even make some conversations sappy!
Fill your summer up with some adult fun and take the quiz!

Check out how your relationship is doing...and what you can do to make it run even better!

22/04/2025

Whispers...secrets, love, personal, mean, or embarrassing...But these whispers are good ones, ones that add value and strength to your marriage. And a strong marriage builds a strong, stable family.
So, sing some whispers between each other today.
But, if there is no song, no whispers with winks between you, we better talk. ...yes, we. Use that link in the bio to connect - our conversation is confidendial and cost-free.
~ Jan - long time LMFT, wife, mom and grandma. (meaning, I know marriages and families well!) ✨
✨
✨

20/04/2025

EASTER:
Eagerly
Awaiting
Salvation
That is
Everylasting and
Renewing.
Being reminded once a year that my spiritual space is viable and valuable to my physical space keeps me grounded, gracious and generous. Jesus' life that overflows into my life today and forever is a strange concept, yet it is true.
Want to understand Easter aside from bunnies, candy and gifts? I'll chat with you - just that, get to know each other and talk about the uniqueness of Easter. No sales, not pressure, just good conversation. Link in the bio for you!
~ Jan

✨
✨ relationships
✨ matters

19/04/2025

This weekend is the most significant weekend of the year for me...more so than Christmas.
Why? Because the Jesus of the Bible is the spiritual leader that brings salvation at his cost, not mine. As I accept his gift of forgiveness, he keeps offering me other things...big things...like |
peace in the middle of chaos,
wisdom beyond myself,
peace when I should be distressed and overwrought,
joy even when I am sad,
protection in all levels and ways,
provision,
never-leave-you-friendship that is unconditional!
These are the life-giving reasons that I have taken Jesus as my spiritual leader and life-giver.
Want to chat? - I'd love to. Not pressure, just conversation, information and enjoyment! Link in bio

17/04/2025

Is smiling easy for you? Or are you (like me) often thinking, and so forgetting that smiling can help us think more clearly?,,,especially when there is a schedule to adjust to, or parenting (or spouse) conversation to figure out.
Is FUN really possible?
I say - Yes! When confidence is supported with compassion.
When encouragement is sincerely, even enthusiastically given.
When support is joined with genuine admiration.
Ohh...too much to ask for with everything else going on?
If that is your reaction, or the reaction of someone you know, then let's chat. FUN is fun - and it can be done, even with littles, kiddos and marriages being messy!
Talk soon! ~ Jan - LMFT and FUN Coach! (link in bio!

16/04/2025

Well, yes...or maybe the Love is still burning bright!? The messes of everyday life are there, and show up even when we thought we had it all cleaned up.
So, pick a line or two from the song to sing alone, share a wink and smile together and...if the mess too big, too much, too long...then add a conversation with me, Jan. I know messes and how to clean them up so that they are fun, and the memories are more precious than problematic.
Connecting with me is easy and first conversation is free! See the link in bio - first conversation is free, of course!

(PS: Thank you to maturepreneruermaverick and Suno for the song!)

✨
✨
✨

14/04/2025

Every now and then a quick peek under the hood is a good idea. And if the basics, like your battery connections, are a bit rusty, gunky, or loose, other trouble may be coming too. And so, checking in on your connection points within your family is just good relationship maintenance
Good connections lowers confusion and conflict while improving communication, compassion and collaboration. * No, this is not just a parent to kiddo thing.
Your base or core connection is with your spouse, partner. That power or energy then spreads down into your kiddos.
* Once you have the connections running well, don't let up...keeping the connection energy going is much less time consuming than having to try to restart it over and over. (Think..battery drain from too many starts and stops is like fighting, forgiving, and then arguing again. It wears the connection flow down, crushing the joy and ease that healthy connections have.
OK - don't really want to scare you -just want to encourage you to take care of these connections.
And, if your family "energy and engine" is running a bit rough - let's talk! ~ -1st coaching conversation is free, packages and teaching videos available too.
Sincerely, for you!
Jan Talen, LMFT (Link is bio!)

10/04/2025

Are their "snakes" in your car? When there is screaming, crying, resisting and tension...there probably is a snake.
Did you know that offering some snacks to a snake often calms them down...they often even just slither away.

Snacks - yes, fruit snacks might work, if blended with smiles, tender tones and touches, encouragement and patience.
The trouble is that often kids see the "snake" and become afraid first, sharing that fear with mom and dad by resisting, arguing and crying.
Mom and dad go looking for the snake, instead of remembering that the best way to deal with a snake, seen or unseen, is by using...snacks!
So, pack your car and your heart with lots of those "snacks" listed above - and you will see the snake-y fears slither away. Safety and calm re-appear.
If you have too many snakes that the snacks are quite taking care of them...let's chat! Free and helpful!
~ Jan - your snake catcher and your snack maker!