Monica Swanson, author of Boy Mom and Raising Amazing , and blogger at monicaswanson.com, shares encouragement and inspiration for raising amazing kids and building strong families. Monica shares practical advice and biblical wisdom through honest conversations, interviews with experts, and light-hearted humor. The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.Chris ...
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Raising Spiritual Champions with George Barna
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Renowned researcher and bestselling author, Dr. George Barna is with us to share some startling data, along with a passionate call-to-action for Christian parents. This may be the most important episode you could listen to, and I pray that what we talk about inspires you to a deeper level of commitment in your parenting. (Don’t run away – I promise…
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The Fruit of a Purposeful Family, with Melissa Brown
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When you come across a family with a bunch of young adults thriving in their faith, work, and passions, you can’t help but want to ask the parents: “Ok! What is the secret?” (Right?) And for good reason: Yes we can learn through mistakes and struggles, but I vote that it is even better to learn from those who have had successes! Melissa and Jonatha…
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Hard is Not the Same as Bad, with Abbie Halberstadt
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Our most trying moments as a parent can quickly spiral into discouragement, hopelessness, and sometimes even resentment toward God or your family—partly because our culture has conditioned us to believe that anything this hard can’t possibly be good for us. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why me, Lord?” today’s podcast guest will resonate wi…
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This one is especially for the boy moms out there! I know you'll love hearing from Durenda Wilson -- Mom to 8 (five boys!) author, podcaster, and someone I consider a virtual mentor -- as she shares from her new book, Raising Boys to Men. Durenda has homeschooled all of her kids, and now with grown children (and a bunch of grandchildren) she has a …
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Setting the First Tracks: Talk to Your Kids about Everything
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Who do you want to set the first impressions on your kids on topics like: identity and self worth, sexuality and gender, politics, and other cultural hot topics? I vote YOU DO, Mom and Dad. I think most of us would say that we, the parents, are the best people to begin these conversations. Yet, it is easy to put these (sometimes awkward!) conversat…
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How to Experience REAL JOY in a world gone mad, with Brant Hansen
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Would you say that joy (a deep sense of well-being, regardless of circumstances) is something you live with daily? Brant Hansen joins us to tell us that this is not only possible, but promised to all who follow Jesus. In fact, through Christ, we can start to see the world in a more childlike, humble, and optimistic way. Brant and I are talking abou…
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Life is Messy, God is Good, with Cynthia Yanof
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Today’s guest, Cynthia Yanof is the friend we all need. She is honest, encouraging, and hilarious. She shoots straight and stays humble. I am so glad she poured all of these things into her new book: Life is Messy, God is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life. In today’s conversation Cynthia and I talk about parenting (she has college age dow…
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Best selling author, teacher and Pastor, John Mark Comer, is here to talk about his newest book: “Practicing the Way”, which explores the concept of being an apprentice of Jesus. John Mark explains that to practice the way of Jesus, we must: “Be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did” (the subtitle to the book.💥) In this conversation we talk…
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Screentime and Other Ways Kids Spend their Days
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If screentime is a challenge in your home (pretty sure that is most of us!) then this episode is for you! Today we’re talking about how we can be intentional about screens, sports, hobbies, and all the ways kids spend their days! - From Chapters 12 and 13 of my book: Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dish…
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No Regrets Parenting in Difficult Cultural Times, with Rhonda Stoppe
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Having a solid mentor in your life is a true gift; mentors offer us wisdom from their life experience and help us navigate all that we face. If you don’t have a mentor in your life, I encourage you to pray for, and seek one out. But I am also thankful that we live in a time when we can have “virtual mentors”, people we may not know in real life but…
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7 Attitudes that will Sabotage Your Marriage (and 7 to Replace them with) with Dave
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Happy Valentine’s Day! My husband Dave is with me as we celebrate our 28th Valentine’s Day together. ☺ In this episode we are talking through a blog post that has been very popular for many years now on my website: “7 Attitudes that Will Sabotage Your Marriage, and 7 to Replace them with.” Dave and I are sharing from our own experience -- as we’ve …
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Let’s Talk about Kids and Dating, with JP Pokluda
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Dating has never been simple (who remembers?!) but today it is more complicated than ever. The world offers all kinds of mixed messages to young adults and teenagers and our Christian culture isn’t giving a lot of alternatives. In such crazy times our kids need a voice of reason and a lot of Biblical wisdom to help them navigate. Pastor Jonathan “J…
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Helping Siblings Become Friends, with Luke and Jonah
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Since last March, at the end of each month I have been covering highlights from a chapter of my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover the topic of sibling relationships from Chapter 11, with the help of my two sons, Jonah (22) and Luke (19). I know sibli…
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The Sacredness of Secular Work, with Jordan Raynor
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Jordan Raynor is back with us (he’s been a favorite guest in the past!) with an encouraging message about the eternal value of our work. All of it! As Christians we often talk about how our workplace can be our mission field (and that is so true!) but Jordan suggests that is only part of the story. And he is passionate that we – and our kids, hear …
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What is Christian Deconstruction? (And how should we respond to it?) with Alisa Childers
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Alisa Childers is back with a conversation I want every Christian parent to hear! A movement called “spiritual deconstruction” is sweeping through our culture, our churches, and (maybe especially) our universities. It is confusing and complex. It is leading young people away from the church and dividing families. In today's interview, Alisa offers …
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Monica’s (work and life!) Updates for 2024
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Hey friends! Today I hope you can grab a cup of coffee (or your tennis shoes!) and join me for a more personal chat. I’m sharing updates from my podcasting and writing life, as well as personal reflections as I look at the year ahead. From my next book release (May 7!) to my fitness plans (💪🏼), from podcast topics, to skin-care in my 50’s (🤗) it’s …
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The Value of Just Showing Up, with Drew Dyck
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Happy New Year! Whether you are heading into 2024 with goals and resolutions, a word-of-the-year, and a whole lot of confidence, or you are just barely…plodding your way into it, this episode is for you! Drew Dyck, author of JUST SHOW UP, is with us to offer some encouragement and perspective. Drew reminds us that there is great value in every smal…
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3 Ways to naturally instill character into your kids every day
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With a little intentionality, we can develop character in our kids’ throughout the natural rhythms of our days. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, this episode will equip you with some great tools for practical character development! Today I am pulling from chapters 9 and 10 of my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like…
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10 Do’s and Don’ts for a Happy Family Christmas, with Dave and Monica
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Happy Christmas week everyone! 🎄Join my husband Dave and I for a fun and hopefully helpful “date-night” style conversation! Dave and I are sharing wisdom we have gleaned over 28 Christmases together, most with a house full of boys...Some important “do’s” as well as a few “don’t”’s! Hopefully a few will be encouraging reminders and a few will make y…
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6 Discipline Mistakes to Avoid During the Holidays
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One of the most important and challenging jobs we have as parents is that of disciplining our kids. Most of us wish it weren’t necessary (and a lot of parents today mostly ignore it!) but I have learned that good discipline is one of the greatest keys to raising amazing kids! Back when my oldest sons (now 24 and 22 years old) were very young, I rea…
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Be a Memory Making Mom this Christmas, with Jessica Smartt
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As moms we want to fill the holidays with all kinds of magic and meaning for our families. We want to celebrate Advent, bless our kids with good food, special gifts, and then come out of it all with great memories, right? Yet, all of our best intentions often lead to a lot of overwhelm and frustration. (it’s not just me, is it?) If you feel any of …
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The Power of Parenting with Yeses and Nos
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I am so happy to be back with another monthly podcast covering highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover Chapter Eight: All about the importance of saying YES…and NO…to our kids. This is one of my personal favorite chapters/topics and I th…
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Happy Thanksgiving with Luke and Levi: Q&A, Gratitude, and Giggles
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Happy Thanksgiving week! Today I am sharing a very real, laughter-infused episode with my two youngest sons, Luke and Levi. Though it is a replay from 2 years ago, it’s still a listener favorite. Invite your kids to join as Luke and Levi answer a few questions, share what they are grateful for, and keep it all very real. Basically, this offers a sn…
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How to be Unoffendable, with Brant Hansen
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Head’s Up: This may be the most important thing you listen to before your holiday gatherings this year! I am so excited to share this conversation with Brant Hansen – radio show and podcast host, author, and truly amazing (/self-proclaimed quirky) man, with all of you! It turns out giving up your “right” to be offended can be one of the most freein…
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Finding Hope and Healing after Marriage Ends, with Brandi Wilson
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While no one goes into a marriage imagining it will ever end, we know that divorce is a reality for approximately half of Americans. And while I will always be pro-marriage and encourage those of you in difficult marriages to seek help and fight to save your marriage, I know that sometimes there are no other options than divorce. Today’s guest, Bra…
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How To Support Students Standing Strong in the Public Schools
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Public school parents, this episode will be a huge inspiration to you! Terry Ann Kelly is with us to talk about how God is working in the public school system through Students Standing Strong (S3). These are student-led Clubs held in public schools all across the nation which are completely legal and opening the door for amazing ministry opportunit…
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I am so happy to be back with another monthly podcast episode covering highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover Chapter Seven: How we can make our homes the hub -- a welcoming place for our kids…and their friends. Many of us have always i…
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God Never Gives Up On You, with Max Lucado
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Max Lucado, America’s bestselling inspirational author, has always been a dream podcast guest of mine. I started reading Max’s books back in the 90’s when my faith journey was just beginning, and I’ve always admired his winsome ability to bring deep theological truths down to earth. In this interview I also found him to be incredibly warm, funny, a…
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How to Experience God’s Strength When You Feel Weak, with Emily Jensen
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Emily Jensen, cofounder of the wildly popular Risen Motherhood, joins us today to talk about the very relatable experience of...feeling weak. 😌Whether we are in the midst of big hard things (a child with a disability, marriage or financial stress, etc.) or we’re just staring at the laundry pile in front of us, we have times of feeling overwhelmed, …
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The Power of Our Words, with Sarah Molitor
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If you’ve had moments when your words have gotten the better of you (who hasn’t?) then this episode will encourage, challenge, and inspire you! Sarah Molitor -- best known for her darling 6-boy + 1 girl family on her super popular @modernfarmhousefamily Instagram account – is with us to share her honest journey learning to use her words for good. I…
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Your Best Weapon or the Greatest Danger: Raising Amazing Chapter 6
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I am so happy to be back with another monthly podcast covering highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover Chapter Six: All about the importance of surrounding your kids with helpful influences…and protecting them from bad ones! There is no …
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Using Influence for Good (Good), with YouTuber, Matt Scharff
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How would you respond if one of your kids told you they wanted to drop out of college and become a YouTuber? In case that topic has already come up in your home (or if, like me, you have just wondered how in the world you’d respond if it did!) today’s episode will give you a ton of insight…wand encouragement! My son Levi is a huge fan of the YouTub…
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Losing Their Home (but not Their Perspective) in the Maui Fire, with my friend Jes Claydon
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People all over the world have been shocked and saddened by the tragic fire that recently destroyed the iconic town of Lahaina, on Maui. This is the deadliest fire in US history to date, and there is a long road ahead of healing and rebuilding. Yet, in the midst of all of the news, blaming, and politics, I think it is helpful to hear from real fami…
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Coffee Date, with Announcements, Updates, and Questions for YOU!
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Welcome to my first ever “Coffee Date” Podcast episode! (Hopefully not the last!) If you’ve been around long, you might know how much I love a good coffee date with a friend. I’ve done many virtual coffee dates on my blog and via weekly emails (You can sign up for those at monicaswanson.com/subscribe) but today I hope you can join me on the podcast…
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Give Your Kids a Secure Foundation: Raising Amazing Chapter 5 with Monica and Dave
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I am so happy to be back with another monthly podcast covering highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover Chapter Five: All about offering your kids a secure foundation through a healthy marriage. Most of us would agree that building a stro…
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How to be a Worry-Free Parent, with Sissy Goff
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Are you a worrier? Do your kids worry too? Sissy Goff, best-selling author and child-therapist (for over 30 years) wants to help parents overcome their tendency to worry. Because: worry is contagious – and an anxious, worry-prone parent is likely to raise kids who also worry. Fortunately, Sissy has good news. She has help for uncovering the roots o…
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Why We Drift into Loneliness and How to Fight for a Life of Friendship with Justin Whitmel Earley
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We were made for people. Yet, most of us are living a dangerously lonely life. In fact, loneliness is perhaps the least talked-about epidemic in our culture today. Justin Whitmel Earley, lawyer, #boydad, and one of my favorite authors is here to share a cure for this loneliness problem. This is a conversation I hope some men can tune into as well a…
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The Secret Art of Confident Motherhood with Alli Worthington
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By now you probably know that I consider parenting and family life some of the highest privileges on earth; it is Kingdom work. Yet, often in our season of raising kids, we tend to “lose ourselves”, right? I hear from women who don’t remember what they used to enjoy before kids… “Did I have any hobbies?...What do I like to do/eat, etc?” As these Mo…
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3 Steps to a Successful Back-to-School Season!
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It’s back-to-school season, and whether your kids go to school, are homeschooled, or do some combination of the two, change is in the air! This transition can be more stressful on all of us than we anticipate, and it’s easy to feel caught off guard in the midst of it all. Taking the time to be intentional as a family can make a world of difference!…
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The Most Important Thing: Raising Amazing Chapter 4
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I am so happy to be back with another monthly podcast covering highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover Chapter Four: The Most Important Thing. This is all about making faith your highest priority. While every chapter of this book is impo…
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The Proverbial Man: The Example our Kids Really Need, with Josiah Swanson
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Gather your kids and join Josiah and I for part III of my summer Proverbs mini-series! The Book of Proverbs is packed full of wisdom and has incredibly practical help for all the things kids (and adults) face today. I am so excited to share this 3rd and final episode of my summer mini-series as Josiah (turning 24 on the day this episode releases!) …
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What Your Kids Should Know about the Book of Proverbs, with Jonah Swanson
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Gather your kids and join Jonah and I for part II of my summer Proverbs series! The Book of Proverbs is packed full of wisdom and has incredibly practical help for all of the things kids (and adults) face today. The Swanson boys have all grown up reading a lot of Proverbs and it has shaped them into the (wise) young men they are today. In today’s e…
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Favorite Proverbs for Life, with Luke Swanson
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Gather your kids and join Luke and I for part I of my summer Proverbs series! The Book of Proverbs is packed full of wisdom and has incredibly practical help for all of the things kids (and adults) face today. The Swanson boys have all grown up reading a lot of Proverbs and it has shaped them into the (wise) young men they are today. In today’s epi…
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Parentamorphosis!: Living an Amazing Life in Front of Your Kids
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I am so happy to be back with another monthly episode covering highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover Chapter Three: Parentamorphosis. This is all about modeling an amazing life for your kids! We want so many good things for our kids’ f…
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Raising Prayerful Kids, with Steph Thurling
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Summer is a great time to help our kids develop spiritual habits that might stick with them through the year. But sometimes that is easier said than done, right? Steph Thurling, executive director of Christian Parenting, co-founder of Raising Prayerful Kids ministry, and super-fun mom is with us to offer some practical help! Steph offers encouragem…
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Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood, with Ashlee Gadd
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A lot of women trade in their personal passions and hobbies when motherhood takes over. Motherhood is so important and there is no doubt -- some seasons require just about all of us (right!?) Yet, what if we can be great moms, and nurture our creative side too? Ashlee Gadd is on the podcast today to give listeners permission to pursue their creativ…
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Summer and Screentime! 7 Steps that Might Save Your Kids (and your sanity!)
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Technology does not have to steal your summer! Every summer I hear from parents who are frustrated, trying to navigate screen time with their kids. How much is too much? How can we keep them safe? Why do we have to have these battles!? I get it. And I’m here to help! I am sharing a blog post with 7 steps that literally could save your kids (and you…
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How to Lead Your Family on an Intentional Trajectory: Raising Amazing Chapter 2
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Join Monica for chapter Highlights and a free download! I am so excited to be back with another monthly podcast covering highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover Chapter Two: Welcome Aboard: Lead Your Family on an Intentional Trajectory. …
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Everything You Need for Great Summer Reading with Your Kids, with Sarah Mackenzie
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The benefits of reading aloud, audio books, and so many inspiring tips and lists for you this summer! Sarah Mackenzie is with us today to talk about all things summer reading! Sarah is the author of Teaching from Rest and The Read-Aloud Family, and I have been a fan of Sarah’s for many years. Sarah is so much fun to talk to, and an absolute wealth …
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What We Should Know (and teach our kids) about Children and Disabilities, with Laura Wifler of Risen Motherhood.
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How understanding disabilities makes us better family, friends, and neighbors This is such a special conversation and I hope you can listen and share it with all of your friends. Laura Wifler of Risen Motherhood has so much profound wisdom and grace that will impact every listener! Laura is sharing from her experience raising a daughter with a rare…
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