<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="536" src="https://connectedfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ep-273-TTT-Vicky-and-Marlee-1-1024x536.png" alt="Deal with mean words" class="wp-image-62124" title="Teaching Kids to Deal with Mean Words and Hurtful Comments | Ep. 273 29" srcset="https://connectedfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ep-273-TTT-Vicky-and-Marlee-1-1024x536.png 1024w, https://connectedfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ep-273-TTT-Vicky-and-Marlee-1-300x157.png 300w, https://connectedfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ep-273-TTT-Vicky-and-Marlee-1-768x402.png 768w, https://connectedfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ep-273-TTT-Vicky-and-Marlee-1.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <div class="wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-5825da4" data-block-id="5825da4"><p class="stk-block-text__text">When your child hears something unkind, those words can stick: shaping how they see themselves and the world around them.</p></div> <div class="wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-9c08327" data-block-id="9c08327"><p class="stk-block-text__text">In this episode, we&#8217;re launching a three-part series on a simple but powerful Connected Families tool: <strong>Trash, Truth, &amp; Treasure</strong>. This tool helps kids (and adults!) deal with mean words, hurtful thoughts, anger, and anxiety by rooting their identity in God&#8217;s truth rather than the lies they hear.</p></div> <div class="wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-1cec75b" data-block-id="1cec75b"><p class="stk-block-text__text">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.</p></div> <iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *; clipboard-write" frameborder="0" height="175" style="width:100%;max-width:660px;overflow:hidden;border-radius:10px;" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teaching-kids-to-deal-with-mean-words-and-hurtful-comments/id1464953082?i=1000736048070"></iframe> <div class="wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-e0597af" id="key-takeaways" data-block-id="e0597af"><h3 class="stk-block-heading__text">Key Takeaways:</h3></div> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>How a simple Bible verse about &#8220;fluttering sparrows&#8221; became a framework helping thousands of families combat lies and anxiety</li> <li>Why brain science and biblical truth work together to help kids discern what&#8217;s true</li> <li>Practical ways to teach your child to recognize Hurtful Trash, Helpful Truth, and Heart-Filling Treasure</li> <li>Real stories from counselors using this tool with families every day</li> </ul> <div class="wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-63074f4" id="mentioned-in-this-podcast" data-block-id="63074f4"><h3 class="stk-block-heading__text">Mentioned in this Podcast:</h3></div> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://community.connectedfamilies.org/product/mean-words-hurt/?_gl=1*9kkipf*_gcl_au*MTMyNzUzMjkxMy4xNzU1NzkzMTYzLjE5MjM0NTA4MDguMTc2MTI0OTkzNC4xNzYxMjQ5OTM0*_ga*MTI0ODIwOTI1MC4xNzQ3NjgyMzg3*_ga_0DHR2MLFYS*czE3NjI0NDg0MTEkbzIwMiRnMSR0MTc2MjQ0ODU2OCRqNTgkbDAkaDgyMjQ4OTc5MA..">Mean Words Hurt! Are they Trash, Truth, or Treasure? Online Mini Course</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2026%3A2&amp;version=NIV" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proverbs 26:2</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%203%3A17&amp;version=NIV" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James 3:17</a></li> <li><a href="https://connected-families.kit.com/69b715fd7b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FREE PDF Download: Trash, Truth, &amp; Treasure</a></li> </ul> <div class="wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-3fb9dc4" data-block-id="3fb9dc4"><p class="stk-block-text__text">Check out <a href="https://connectedfamilies.org/">our website</a> for more resources to support your parenting!</p></div> <div class="wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-4add671" data-block-id="4add671"><p class="stk-block-text__text"><em>This podcast was made possible by members of <a href="https://connectedfamilies.org/monthly-giving/">The Table</a>, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at <a href="https://connectedfamilies.org/monthly-giving/">The Table</a>!</em></p></div> <div class="wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-b6c8244" data-block-id="b6c8244"><p class="stk-block-text__text">Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!</p></div> <div class="wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-67b9899" id="guest-bio" data-block-id="67b9899"><h3 class="stk-block-heading__text">Guest Bio:</h3></div> <div class="wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-f7169a4" data-block-id="f7169a4"><p class="stk-block-text__text"><strong>Marlee Thomsen </strong>&#8211; 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&#8217;s healing journey and offers parenting support using the Connected Families Framework to equip families for lasting transformation. Connect with Marlee <a href="https://connectedfamilies.org/coaches/cornerstone-counseling-and-wellness/">here</a>. </p></div> <div class="wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-134e70c" data-block-id="134e70c"><p class="stk-block-text__text"><strong>Vicky Wieben</strong> &#8211; Vicky Wieben is a Licensed Independent Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and 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&#8217;s not in the therapy office, Vicky enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, reading, and connecting with nature. Connect with Vicky on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wiebenblc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>.</p></div> <div class="wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-c475d13" data-block-id="c475d13"><p class="stk-block-text__text">© 2025 Connected Families</p></div> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <div class="wp-block-stackable-hero alignfull stk-block-hero stk-block stk-02qe78y stk-block-background is-style-horizontal" data-v="2" data-block-id="02qe78y"><style>.stk-02qe78y-inner-blocks{justify-content:center !important;}.stk-02qe78y {background-color:#FFFFFF !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;}.stk-02qe78y:before{background-color:#FFFFFF !important;}.stk-02qe78y-container{background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-6, #e4eff5) !important;box-shadow:0px 2px 20px 0px #1e3f5233 !important;}.stk-02qe78y-container:before{background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-6, #e4eff5) !important;}.stk-02qe78y .stk-block-hero__content{min-height:500px !important;}</style><div class="stk-block-hero__content stk-content-align stk-02qe78y-column alignfull stk-container stk-02qe78y-container stk-hover-parent"><div class="stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-center stk--column-flex stk-02qe78y-inner-blocks"> <div class="wp-block-stackable-columns alignfull stk-block-columns stk-block stk-l7orbhw" data-block-id="l7orbhw"><style>.stk-l7orbhw {margin-bottom:0px !important;}</style><div class="stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-l7orbhw-column alignfull"> <div class="wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-n514kgm" data-v="4" data-block-id="n514kgm"><style>.stk-n514kgm-container{margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;}</style><div class="stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-n514kgm-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding"><div class="stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-n514kgm-inner-blocks"> <div class="wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-1tolvay" data-block-id="1tolvay"><style>.stk-1tolvay .stk-img-wrapper{aspect-ratio:1/1 !important;width:95% !important;height:auto !important;}.stk-1tolvay .stk-img-wrapper img{object-position:20% 44% !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-1tolvay .stk-img-wrapper{height:auto !important;}}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-1tolvay .stk-img-wrapper{height:300px !important;}}</style><figure><span class="stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="stk-img wp-image-61573" src="https://connectedfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Mean-Words-Hurt-Thumbnail.png" width="1080" height="1080" alt="overwhelmed mom" title="Teaching Kids to Deal with Mean Words and Hurtful Comments | Ep. 273 30" srcset="https://connectedfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Mean-Words-Hurt-Thumbnail.png 1080w, https://connectedfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Mean-Words-Hurt-Thumbnail-300x300.png 300w, https://connectedfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Mean-Words-Hurt-Thumbnail-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://connectedfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Mean-Words-Hurt-Thumbnail-150x150.png 150w, https://connectedfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Mean-Words-Hurt-Thumbnail-768x768.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /></span></figure></div> </div></div></div> <div class="wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-dep4ngc" data-v="4" data-block-id="dep4ngc"><style>.stk-dep4ngc {align-self:center !important;}.stk-dep4ngc-container{max-width:450px !important;min-width:auto !important;}</style><div class="stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-dep4ngc-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding"><div class="has-text-align-left stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-dep4ngc-inner-blocks"> <div class="wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-f4axr6n" id="transform-hurtful-words-into-life-changing-lessons" data-block-id="f4axr6n"><style>.stk-f4axr6n .stk-block-heading__text{color:var(--theme-palette-color-4, #1e3f52) !important;}</style><h2 class="stk-block-heading__text has-text-color stk-block-heading--use-theme-margins">Transform hurtful words into life-changing lessons</h2></div> <div class="wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-lmx9dps" data-block-id="lmx9dps"><style>.stk-lmx9dps {margin-bottom:12px !important;}</style><p class="stk-block-text__text">When harsh words hurt your child, what do you say?</p></div> <p>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&#8217;s love when things get hard.</p> <div class="wp-block-stackable-button-group stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-b3j0wx5" data-block-id="b3j0wx5"><div class="stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-button-group"> <div class="wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button has-text-align-center stk-block stk-patbs5m" data-block-id="patbs5m"><style>.stk-patbs5m , .stk-patbs5m .stk-button{width:100% !important;}.stk-patbs5m {flex:1 0 var(--stk-button-group-flex-wrap, 0) !important;}.stk-patbs5m .stk-button{min-height:0px !important;padding-top:9px !important;padding-right:9px !important;padding-bottom:9px !important;padding-left:9px !important;background:var(--theme-palette-color-1, #ee6c4d) !important;border-top-left-radius:13px !important;border-top-right-radius:13px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:13px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:13px !important;}.stk-patbs5m .stk-button:before{border-color:var(--theme-palette-color-1, #ee6c4d) !important;}.stk-patbs5m .stk-button .stk--inner-svg svg:last-child, .stk-patbs5m .stk-button .stk--inner-svg svg:last-child :is(g, path, rect, polygon, ellipse){fill:#c24827 !important;}.stk-patbs5m .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:21px !important;font-weight:600 !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-patbs5m .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:21px !important;}}</style><a class="stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken" href="https://community.connectedfamilies.org/product/mean-words-hurt"><span class="stk-button__inner-text">LEARN MORE</span></a></div> </div></div> </div></div></div> </div></div> </div></div></div>