The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women’s wellness

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 episode, Luke (19) updates us on his life as a professional surfer and college student, and then shares some of his favorite Proverbs, and how they have impacted his life. I hope your kids can join you to listen and be inspired.  Don’t miss the free PROVERBS for LIFE Printable over on my website.  www.monicaswanson.com/proverbs-luke Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast   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.ChristianParenting.org Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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’ future: From a strong faith to a healthy lifestyle to a great marriage or success in their work.  And the best way to we can help our kids grow up to have all of these things is to model what it looks like to live them out.  We’ll never get anything perfect, but we certainly can model a life of excellence and a humble spirit that keep seeking God’s grace and direction!  So join Dr. Rick (“parenta-life coach”) and I for this important…possibly challenging episode.  I hope you are encouraged! Find a free download with a lovely printable of 1 Corinthians 11:1 over in show notes! www.monicaswanson.com/Raising-Amazing-3   Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast   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.ChristianParenting.org Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 encouragement for every mom – the one who is new to faith (and prayer!) as well as the mom who is trying to get her kids on board with praying. I think you’ll be inspired by what Steph shares and relieved that praying with your kids does not have to be complicated!  www.monicaswanson.com/Steph-Thurling Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast 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.ChristianParenting.org Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 creative gifts alongside motherhood! And I think you’re going to be inspired! Ashlee is the Founder of the very popular website: Coffee + Crumbs, and she is an incredibly gifted writer. (One of my favorites!) Her new book, Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood is so good! In this interview you can hear some of Ashlee’s personal journey -- finding the balance between motherhood and creativity, as well as some ideas for how we all might explore the gifts God has given us, even in the busiest of seasons! Find links and more over in show notes: www.monicaswanson.com/Ashlee-Gadd Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast 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.ChristianParenting.org Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 your sanity!) this summer. Over in show notes you’ll find a printable checklist to use as you go through each of these steps.  I hope this is helpful and I am praying you have a wonderful summer with a little less stress over screens! Find a free download with the 7-Steps Checklist over in show notes! www.monicaswanson.com/seven-steps Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast   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.ChristianParenting.org Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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.   This has been a favorite chapter for a lot of people, as I get really practical about intentional family life. I talk about identifying your family’s core values, considering your family’s “brand” or “culture”, then putting things together in a Family Mission Statement. I talk about challenges or hard things families might face, and how that too, can shape us in unexpected, but beautiful ways. Find a free download of a Family Mission Statement Template over in show notes!   www.monicaswanson.com/Raising-Amazing-2   Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast   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.ChristianParenting.org Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 of information and inspiration when it comes to families and reading! In today’s conversation Sarah offers some super motivating facts about the power of reading aloud, and tells us the best age-range for reading aloud (hint: no one is too old for read-alouds! - And my sons would agree!) Sarah gives some super helpful book recommendations (especially for middle-age boys who don’t love to read!) and many more practical tips and resources for families and reading this summer. You might want to take notes on this episode (but I will also have a lot of links and notes over on my website…) www.monicaswanson.com/sarah-mackenzie Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast   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.ChristianParenting.org Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 chromosome disease, which led to her new children’s book, Like Me: A Story About Disability and Discovering God’s Image in Every Person. Laura offers heart-felt encouragement for those raising a child with a disability, and advice for how we might support others who are. I think this conversation is great for all of us and I pray it inspires great conversations in your own home!  Find links and show notes over at: www.monicaswanson.com/laura-wifler Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast 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.ChristianParenting.org Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What do Moms' need most?  Mother's Day flowers? Or chocolate? Or beautiful jewelry perhaps!?  Katie Lewis of the much-loved brand, Dear Mushka, is with us to talk about what moms truly need most! Katie shares some of the difficult story of tragically losing her mother, and through that finding God's Word to be her lifeline. Her brand, Dear Mushka, grew out of this experience.   Katie shares about her story and we agree that more than all the other stuff (as good as it is) what us moms need most is Truth from God's Word!   Katie is also offering podcast listeners a lovely Mother’s Day giveaway, so be sure to go over to show notes to enter to win! And... visit dearmushka.com and use code: Monica for 15% off everything on the site! Show notes: monicaswanson.com/dear-mushka 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.ChristianParenting.org   Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Questions and Prayers to prepare kids’ hearts Tricia Goyer, author of a lot of books :), and Mom to ten (!!) is with me today to talk about her new book (co-written with Robin Jones Gunn) called “Before You Meet Your Future Husband: 30 Questions to Ask Yourself and 30 Heartfelt Prayers” Tricia shares from her own experience facing a teenage pregnancy, and how that shaped her heart to raise her own children.  Though the book we are drawing from is for girls/young women, (12 and up, approximately) we are applying this conversation to topics important to talk to our sons and daughters about. This may be a great episode to invite your teenager to join you for!  Notes and links found over on my website: www.monicaswanson.com/Tricia-Goyer Thank you to Artza Box for sponsoring this episode!  Use this link and CODE: BOYMOM25 for 25% off your Holy Land Subscription box (thinking Mother's Day gift idea!)  Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast 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.ChristianParenting.org Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy