Today I’m sharing an interview with best-selling authors, Richard and Linda Eyre. The Eyre’s have been married for almost 50 years and have raised 9 children. They have authored numerous books and spoken around the world to very diverse groups about families and parenting as well as balancing work and family with personal needs.

Although they are seen as parenting experts, the Eyre’s were quick to point out in the interview they do not have a perfect family. Both Richard and Linda shared how they work hard to make family and communication a top priority.

You’ll hear the Eyre’s answer to my personal question about how they keep their large family connected. They shared many great ideas including having a monthly family testimony meeting. They talked about how spiritual things can bind families together.

In preparation for this interview, I read Richard’s newest book, The Happiness Paradox. The paradox Richard writes about is pursuing things we think will make us happy but which are actually making us unhappy.

Both Richard and Linda discuss three false concepts that are “joy thieves” and how they relate to parenting.

Richard believes you can’t shun a bad habit. His philosophy is you have to find a replacement for a habit you want to change. So, the second half of his book shares three “joy rescuers” you can use in your life to replace the “joy thieves.”

The interview is a great discussion of both the thieves and rescuers of joy. Both Linda and Richard share how all the concepts apply to motherhood, our relationship with God and the atonement of Jesus Christ.

At the end, I asked the Eyre’s my usual final question about how they have seen and felt God as a partner in parenthood. They both gave answers that  gave me new insights on my relationship with both my children and my heavenly parents. You’ll will want to listen to the end to hear this.