Teaching Kids to Deal with Mean Words and Hurtful Comments

When your child hears something unkind, those words can stick: shaping how they see themselves and the world around them.

In this episode, we’re launching a three-part series on a simple but powerful Connected Families tool: Trash, Truth, & Treasure. This tool helps kids (and adults!) deal with mean words, hurtful thoughts, anger, and anxiety by rooting their identity in God’s truth rather than the lies they hear.

Join Connected Families Co-Founder Lynne Jackson, along with therapists and Certified Parent Coaches Vicky Wieben and Marlee Thomsen, as they share the story behind this tool and offer practical ways to use it in your everyday life.

Key Takeaways:

How a simple Bible verse about “fluttering sparrows” became a framework helping thousands of families combat lies and anxiety
Why brain science and biblical truth work together to help kids discern what’s true
Practical ways to teach your child to recognize Hurtful Trash, Helpful Truth, and Heart-Filling Treasure
Real stories from counselors using this tool with families every day

Mentioned in this Podcast:

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Guest Bio:

Marlee Thomsen – Marlee Thomsen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate and Connected Families Certified Parent Coach at Cornerstone Counseling and Wellness. She specializes in helping children, adolescents, and adults navigate anxiety and other disorders. She uses a variety of therapies and other evidence-based approaches. Marlee is passionate about involving parents in their child’s healing journey and offers parenting support using the Connected Families Framework to equip families for lasting transformation.

Vicky Wieben – Vicky Wieben is a Licensed Independent Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and certified Connected Families Certified Parent Coach who brings 20 years of social services experience to her work with children, adolescents, and families. She co-founded Bright Light Counseling with her husband Matt in 2020, where she uses a compassionate, holistic approach that incorporates multiple therapies. When she’s not in the therapy office, Vicky enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, reading, and connecting with nature.

Transform hurtful words into life-changing lessons

When harsh words hurt your child, what do you say?

This mini-course gives you practical tools to turn these everyday moments into powerful opportunities for spiritual and relational growth. Your kids will learn to discard hurtful lies, discern helpful truth, and anchor themselves in God’s love when things get hard.

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