Mending Families Podcast
Mending Families Podcast
Mending Families is hosted by Melissa Pemberton and she brings you weekly content that is a mix of trauma aware interviews, parenting tips for those caring for kids from adversity, and stories from people just like you as they share their beautiful messy moments.
Melissa hopes that when you listen each week, you will feel encouraged, inspired and take a little something away to help you and your family move from broken to mended.
To help keep the podcast going, consider becoming a monthly donor to help cover the costs!
Introducing Mending Families - Trailer
Are you in the trenches of parenting kids from adversity and trauma? Do you find yourself wondering why the "typical parenting strategies" are not working for your family? That those strategies seem to make matters worse? Are you a friend or family member of someone parenting kids from hard and you just don't know how to help? In fact, maybe you don't even fully understand why the struggle is so real for them? Are you a professional, teacher, therapist, social worker, or advocate that wants to better understand how trauma is effecting the kids you are working with? Then this podcast is for you...for all of you!
We all have kids in our lives who have (or are going to) experienced trauma and the reality is, trauma does affect child development, emotional regulation, brain development and so much more. So let's dig in to better understanding trauma. Let's have real talk about how hard it is to parent kids who have experienced trauma, especially if we are still doing our own healing of trauma. Let's not be afraid to talk about trauma, parenting and the healing journey we are all on! Remember, trauma awareness is important for our future generations and it starts with you!
Episode 61 - Toddlers, Tantrums and More!
On today’s episode, Melissa answers a listener's question about toddlers and how to handle their tantrums. Melissa helps us reframe how to look at tantrums and meet our kids where they are at while also meeting the need behind the tantrum. Not parenting a toddler? That’s okay! We all have kids in our lives and this episode is for everyone!
Episode 60 - Mondays with Melissa
On today’s episode, Melissa shares about a recent panic attack that she experienced and how she has learned to get through them on her own. Melissa also believes in authenticity and so she gives the audience a sneak peek into the daily lives in the Pemberton household and how we all can learn from mistakes. Grab your coffee and let's have a chat!
Episode 59 - Sandra Flach
On today’s episode, Sandra shares about her own experiences with FASD and how she came to the place she is now, which is speaking and advocating for those affected by FASD. We talk about the school systems and ways to support our kids in the educational setting. Finally, Sandra gives us a better understanding of FASD and ways that we, as a community, can do a better job of supporting our kids with invisible disabilities. This is a must-listen for everyone!
Episode 58 - REPLAY Haley Pemberton
I had Haley as a teen and we have been through so many ups and downs, but are on the side of healing past hurts, as well as our relationship. It’s been so fun watching her grow and see her follow in my footsteps as a social worker. Haley has her Bachelors in Social Work and works for a local counseling agency as a crisis response counselor. She lives with her dog, Hank, and uses art as an outlet to help her get through the big and hard of life!
Episode 57 - Mary Anne Ruddis
On today’s episode, Mary Anne shares about the ways that cancer has affected her family and what helped her make it through. She shares about not healing from grief but from growing through grief. Mary Anne also talks about how grief is not always related to death. This is a heavy conversation, but a good one.
Episode 56 - Mondays with Melissa
On today’s episode, Melissa answers a listener's question about chores. She talks about how much is too much, thoughts on allowance, and what age should chores start. Chores can be hard and cause disagreements in the home, so listen in to see if you can pick up some suggestions to make it easier on everyone!
Episode 55 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
On today’s episode, Jon Pemberton guest-hosts the podcast as the tables are turned on Melissa. He interviews her on all things podcasting and what she has learned over the past year. Jon is one of the funniest people, so you won’t want to miss this one!
Episode 54 - Mondays with Melissa
On today’s episode, Melissa shares how she got to the place of leaving her job in Child Welfare to start Mending Families. She also gives her thoughts on a few topics that came up in her conversation with Matt Anderson in last week's episode. Melissa believes that in order to do better, we have to be willing to listen and grow our compassion. Let’s start here!
Episode 53 - Matt Anderson
On today’s episode, Matt shares about his journey from running a foster care agency to leaving with no plan in the Fall of 2022. We talk about values fatigue, learning through relationships, and reflecting on how choices we make can effect an entire family system. Matt shares specific situations and experiences that have shaped how he views the child welfare system and “right relationship” with others. This is a heavy conversation and I encourage you to listen with open hearts and minds. Enjoy!