Holiday Harmony: Navigating Extended Family, Differing Viewpoints, & Travel (Darrell & Janelle Downs

In this episode, Rich and Julie Young welcome guests, Darrell and Janelle Downs. They dive head first into the beautiful—and sometimes bumpy—reality of spending the holidays with extended family. From navigating differing viewpoints to traveling with kids, they explore how to stay grounded, prayerful, and united when the season gets complicated.
They talk about how to show up prayed up, relying on the Holy Spirit to give us the strength to speak life, love well, and handle challenging interactions with grace. You’ll hear practical, heartfelt wisdom on preparing kids for awkward family dynamics, protecting them from what they’re not ready for, and preserving meaningful traditions even while staying in someone else’s home.
They also share strategies for keeping kids on track during travel—why you “train at home, not on the road,” the importance of consistent sleep schedules, and how to reset rhythms once you return. Plus, they unpack how unity as a couple shapes the whole family experience (and how GFI principles support that), and what to do when unsolicited advice comes your way.
The holidays are a prime opportunity to teach our children how to love well, extend grace, serve joyfully, and engage thoughtfully. Wherever you go, your family identity goes with you—and this episode helps you carry it with confidence, peace, and purpose.


Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Darrell & Janelle Downs, Growing Families leaders


Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Episode 2: A matter of life and death. (Speaking Life)
→ Spotify // https://open.spotify.com/episode/5BDH...
→ Apple // https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
→ YouTube //    • A matter of life and death. (Speaking Life...  

Episode 3: What’s in your atmosphere? (The Life Giving Home Environment)
→ Spotify // https://open.spotify.com/episode/24YZ...
→ Apple // https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
→ YouTube //    • What's in your atmosphere? (The Life-Givin...  

Episode 1: Is ten minutes all it takes? (Couch Time)
→ Spotify // https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Nc2...
→ Apple // https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
→ YouTube //    • Is ten minutes all it takes? (Couch Time) ...  

Episode 6: Hit the right target. (Vision part 1)
→ Spotify // https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Ej4...
→ Apple // https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
→ YouTube //    • Hit the right target. (Vision part 1) | Ep 6  

Episode 7: Wait for the second marshmallow. (Vision part 2)
→ Spotify // https://open.spotify.com/episode/2NjC...
→ Apple // https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
→ YouTube //    • Wait for the second marshmallow. (Vision p...  


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→ The U.S. Bookstore // https://growingfamilies.life/bookshop
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