Diapers to Diplomas | Genuine Parenting Conversations

Welcome to Diapers to Diplomas! If you're wondering where to get started, this short episode will point you in the right direction.  Our Adoption Story    Episodes 2 & 3   Parenting Topics   Episode 4 - How to Stop Parenting Fights   Episode 16 - How to "Look Behind" the Behavior   Episode 27 - Helping Your Child with Their Big Emotions   Adoption Related Topics   Episodes 13-30   Topics include - Securely attaching to your child, confronting racism, navigating the holidays, dealing with isolation   Marriage Topics   Episode 9 - What?! I don't get Sex Every Time I Want It?   Episode 10 - How to Rediscover Your Identity as a Mom   Episode 17 - Staying Emotionally Connected with Your Spouse   Episode 24 - Helping Your Spouse When They Disengage  

What should you do when your child begins to show developmental delays? The decision to seek help for your child versus waiting to see if he’ll progress on his own is a decision filled with fear and anxiety. What if your child never catches up? What if you make the wrong choice? Should you wait until your child is older to start therapy? The questions can become overwhelming.   That’s why we’re talking today with Janna Hacker, founder of Janna Hacker & Associates. Since 2009, Janna and her team of 30 therapists have provided speech, occupational, physical, and behavioral therapy services to over 10,000 children. With over 28 years’ experience in speech therapy, Janna has witnessed the profound effect therapy has on helping children overcome obstacles so they can soar to new heights.  Connect with Janna Hacker & Associates Facebook - @JannaHackerAssociates Instagram - @jhatherapy Website – www.jhatherapy.com   Click here to request access to our private group. Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

Sometimes, God completely changes the script with your child. Everything is going well, and you have his future already envisioned. But suddenly, things take a sharp turn, and you have no clue how his life is going to play out. In fact, you’re just trying to figure out how you are going to get him to the next week. And you realize that the God you have put ALL your trust in is allowing everything to go off the tracks.    On today’s episode we are joined by Kris Hammons, an Indiana native, who now lives in Franklin, TN with his family of six. Kris shares the story of his son, Zacchaeus, who was diagnosed with two types of dwarfism and resulted in being in the NICU for the first 10 months of his life. Kris knows firsthand the difficulties of staying connected to the Lord when your child is in crisis.   Kris shares his story via writing and public speaking. You can find out more and follow him on social media by going to krishammons.com. Connect with Kris Hammons: Facebook - @KrismHammons Instagram - @KrisHammons  Click here to request access to our private group. Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

When you feel surrounded and overwhelmed, may you remember the truth of Psalm 27. This reading of Psalms is from the New Living Translation.   Click here to request access to our private group.   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

Think back to the last time you scrolled through social media. When you saw everyone out having fun, were you happy for your friends, or were you unexpectedly hit with loneliness? Have you lost touch with many of your friends? Does your family not get invited over to other people’s homes very often? You’ve fallen so far off the social map that you’re sure you’re never going to be able to reconnect with anyone again.   Our family has never been what you would call “typical” since we deal with various challenges that many families don’t deal with. We know that it’s easy to wake up and find yourself doing life on an island with no one beside you. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Today, we’re going to help you take the first step in rebuilding a real and authentic community around your family.   NEW COMMUNITY If you’re looking for a kind and loving community with other parents who are striving to build resilient families, then join us in our new Facebook Group. In this group, we will discuss building a strong Family Framework, encourage each other, and answer questions along the way.   Click here to request access to our private group.   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

Are you hesitant to express your true feelings with your spouse? Do you find yourself thinking that it will be easier if you keep your needs to yourself and just take care of the needs of others? Unfortunately, now you’re filled with resentment because your needs aren’t being fulfilled. On today’s episode, you’ll hear how choosing to be honest can build trust with your spouse, even if it brings a little conflict.   NEW COMMUNITY If you’re looking for a kind and loving community with other parents who are striving to build resilient families, then join us in our new Facebook Group. In this group, we will discuss building a strong Family Framework, encourage each other, and answer questions along the way.   Click here to request access to our private group.   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

Have you ever gotten to the end of a day that was much harder with your child than you were expecting and been so discouraged that you started wondering where God was? Why didn’t he do more? Why was your family still struggling? Was he still committed to you and your family?    When we became parents 10 years ago, we believe God promised to provide for our boys every step of the way. While the journey has been harder than we expected, we have seen the Lord honor his word multiple times. He has continually used his scripture to show us his commitment and has shown himself faithful. Today, we’re going to show you how he once again used his word to reconfirm his commitment to us and how he desires to do the same with you.   NEW COMMUNITY If you’re looking for a kind and loving community with other parents who are striving to build resilient families, then join us in our new Facebook Group. In this group, we will discuss building a strong Family Framework, encourage each other, and ask questions along the way.   Click here to request access to our private group.   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

While you knew that parenting would be a memorable ride, you did not realize it was going to be the turbulent rollercoaster you find yourself on. Your true desire is to have a strong healthy relationship with your child. But…it doesn’t seem to be happening. Listen in on today’s episode to see how the Hope Circle can help you bring peace and growth back into your up and down relationship with your child.   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

When your child has unique challenges, the stress feels constant while hope slowly fades. How do you bring hope back to your family? If hope even still possible? If so, what should you focus on?   Our family has thrived at times and struggled at others. What was the difference? It was whether we were actively working toward the one thing that could move our family forward.   This one thing will be the foundation of all our topics moving forward, so we hope you’ll join us today as we set the groundwork of how you can experience hope in your family again.   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

Being a parent hasn’t really worked out the way you thought it would. Your child has unique challenges and you’re at a loss on how to help him. As a result of these struggles, cracks in your other vital relationships, hidden beneath the surface, have begun to emerge. Your faith in the Lord has become dim. Your spouse seems distant. You’ve become isolated from your community.    If your child’s challenges stem from disability, trauma, or adoption, you need someone who has walked a similar journey. Join Michael and Christy Pritchard as they reveal the Family Framework that has kept their family strong for the last 10 years and teach you how to build your own.    Are you ready for your family to be filled with hope again? Join us as we build the relationships that matter…together.

Michael and Christy have loved encouraging other adoptive parents these last several months. They'll be back in a few weeks with new topics and exciting guests!

When your young child asks questions about their adoption, it’s hard to know what to share with them. Should you tell them everything? Only a little bit? What is the information they need today and what can wait until later?   Join Michael and Christy as they share four steps to help you determine how to answer your young child’s questions concerning their adoption. These questions typically come when you least expect it, so be sure that you prepare today!   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

Join Michael and Christy today as they talk with Ayden Lincoln, an adult adoptee who was born in China. At one day old, she was abandoned in a shoebox with her umbilical cord still attached. Her journey hasn’t always been easy, but today, nineteen years later, she seeks to encourage others to adopt.   Today you will hear the twists and turns of her journey from adoption to advocacy. Plus, she’ll share a few tips to help you with your adopted child at home.   Connect with Ayden AydenLincoln.com   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

*Some topics mentioned in this episode may not be suitable for young children.   Have you ever thought about the importance of helping your adoptive child figure out his identity concerning his heritage? Is it even important? What are the potential ramifications if you don’t?   Join Michael and Christy today as they talk with Jeff McCord about his experience being adopted and growing up in a transracial family. You’ll hear about the decisions his adoptive parents made concerning his identity and how those decisions still affect him today.   Jeff is the co-founder of Your Enneagram Coach, where he and his wife, Beth, seek to help others see themselves with astonishingly clarity with the Enneagram through the lens of the Gospel. He and Beth also host the Your Enneagram Coach podcast and have written a book together called Becoming Us: Using the Enneagram to Create a Thriving Gospel-Centered Marriage.   CONNECT WITH JEFF Website – Your Enneagram Coach Podcast – Your Enneagram Coach Book – Becoming Us Facebook - @YourEnneagramCoach Instagram - @YourEnneagramCoach   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901

When Christy goes down with COVID, who do you get to be your co-host? Your oldest son, of course! Join Michael and Zachary today as they talk about the reality of big emotions and how you, the parent, can help your child in those moments. It’s a conversation that will make you smile and, just maybe, fill you with a little hope.   D2D Facebook Page   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

A consistent question an adoptive parent must answer is, “How connected should we be to our child’s birth family?” Before answering that question, though, many birth parents experience a range of emotions, from excitement to uncertainty, and even fear.   Join us today as we talk with Jay Stephenson, dad of two adopted sons and one biological son, who answers that question with his own question, “What is best for my child?”   D2D Facebook Page   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

No one wakes up one morning and says, “I hope that I become completely separated from all of my friends and feel completely alone.” Yet, many adoptive parents find themselves in that exact position after constantly placing their child’s needs before their own.   When you recognize you’re on an island, it is a dreadful realization, as you no longer have a strong support network to help you. Join Michael and Christy today as they discuss the four steps they’ve used over the years to get off their own islands.   Don’t you want to get off your island?   D2D Facebook Page   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

Has your spouse become more distant and less engaged? Sometimes, because of the difficulties in the adoptive parenting journey, one spouse may begin to pull back from the family. If you’re on the receiving end of this disengagement, the temptation is to believe they don’t love you or your children, but it could be a sign they need your help.   Join Michael and Christy today as Michael reveals a time when he began to disengage from his family and what led to his withdrawal. Plus, you’ll hear multiple reasons why a spouse may pull away and how you can help them during those difficult days.   D2D Facebook Page   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

Sometimes your journey as an adoptive parent gets difficult. Conflict seems never-ending. Questions are endless.  Options appear limited. When you’re overwhelmed and tired, are there any truths from the Bible for you to hold on to?   Join Michael and Christy as they discuss two scripture passages that have brought them hope during difficult moments in their parenting journey. If you’re starting the new year and are filled with more questions than answers, then you just might find some encouragement from these passages, as well. RESOURCE MENTIONED Threadbare Prayer: Prayers for Hearts that Feel hidden, Hurt, or Hopeless by Stacey Thacker   D2D Facebook Page   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901

The most wonderful time of year has come! Parties. Candy. Lights. Sugar. Late bedtimes. Special programs. Concerts. Stress. Meltdowns. Full fledged come-aparts.   For adoptive families, the Christmas season, when we celebrate peace on earth and goodwill toward men, can become a time known for little peace and no goodwill felt by anyone.   Join Michael and Christy as they talk about the three strategies they’ve learned over the years to help their family navigate the holidays well.  You can start today to help your family thrive this month!   Connect with Michael: Facebook – @MichaelPritchard901 Instagram – @MichaelPritchard901   Connect with Christy: Facebook – @ChristyPritchard901 Instagram – @ChristyPritchard901