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

David Thomas, counselor, speaker and author (not to mention dad to one daughter and twin sons!) joins us for the first of a two-part conversation about milestones our sons need to reach.  Today we talk about emotional milestones (in two weeks we’ll cover social milestones.)  David touches on the four milestones boys should reach as well as some of the stumbling blocks that get in the way.  David has so much wisdom, insight, and sensitivity to the needs of boys and their families, I think you’ll finish this episode with new insight and tools to put into use right away. Find show notes at: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Today’s episode:  www.monicaswanson.com/episode-78   Thank you to the Good Book Company for sponsoring this episode!  Be sure to see show notes to find out more about an amazing new Family Advent book called “A Better Than Anything Christmas.”  Find out more at thegoodbook.com. Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

To celebrate my upcoming (significant 😯 ) birthday 😉, this week my son Luke takes the role of interviewer, firing me a list of questions sent in by listeners. Some of the questions are more serious parenting questions (challenges with tweens, keeping toddlers in their beds, etc.) and some are just for fun (how is my bang-grow-out process going?) But they are all good conversations, with my son Luke adding his input as well!  Thank you for helping me celebrate my birthday week on the podcast, and I hope you’ll all join me for the Perfectly Imperfect Parenting Event on October 23-24th online.  Get tickets here: boymom.perfectlyimperfect.org. SHOW NOTES: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Today’s episode: www.monicaswanson.com/episode-77 Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Bethany and Ryan Bomberger have been a great inspiration to my family. Today, Bethany shares her family's story, and what led she and her husband to start the Radiance Foundation. Bethany also talks about (and reads an excerpt from) her book, Pro-Life Kids.  I believe this conversation will offer hope and inspiration to families everywhere! **Sign up today for the Perfectly Imperfect Event hosted by Christian Parenting! I’ll be sharing a talk titled: “What our Sons Need Most from Us, Now” and there will be over 40 other amazing speakers as well. This is an online event happening on October 23-24th! Register today at: boymom.perfectlyimperfect.org. Find show notes: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Today’s episode at: www.monicaswanson.com/episode-76 Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Alli Worthington, author, speaker, business coach, and BOY MOM to five sons (!!) joins us today with an encouraging and empowering message for all moms. Just listening to Alli speak made me feel stronger!  Be sure to check show notes to find out more about Alli and get links to her new book, Standing Strong! Show notes:  www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Today's episode:  www.monicaswanson.com/episoe-75 Don't miss the upcoming ONLINE Parenting event I will be speaking at!  The Perfectly Imperfect digital event is hosted by Christian Parenting, and it is packed with incredible speakers.  Find out more and get a ticket at:  www.boymom.perfectlyimperfect.org   Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dad's are hugely important in the character development of their kids. My husband joins me to talk about some of the most important things a dad can do to be intentional about his kids' character training and development.  Find a video interview with my husband and lots of other encouragement for dads and moms in the Character Training Course - which just opened its doors for purchase from now until Friday, Oct. 2nd!! (Then will close until a future date) Learn more at: www.monicaswanson.com/character-course.   SHOW NOTES:  www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Today's episode:  www.monicaswanson.com/episode-74   Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I'm so excited to share sneak peeks from 7 interviews which are part of the brand new Character Training Course which will be launching on Sept. 28th! 😁   I think you'll be encouraged and inspired by these 7 nuggets of parenting wisdom from: Jonathan Pitts, Ruth Chou Simons, Dennis Trittin, Kari Kampakis, Maile Higashi, Wendy Speake, and my son Jonah.  Find out more about the Character Training Course and leave your name and email address to be notified as soon as doors open over at:  www.monicaswanson.com/character-course.  Show notes with links at: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you have a child who worries a lot, the season we are in is likely especially stressful. After hearing from many of you who have an anxious child, I knew just who I wanted to bring on to help! Sissy Goff is a counselor, author, and speaker who helps kids find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be. I’ve read many of Sissy’s books and have so much respect for her! I am so grateful that Sissy could join us to offer encouragement, tools and practical advice for parenting kids who are anxious or worried, especially during this pandemic. Be sure to check show notes for links to Sissy’s books and where you can find more of her work. Show notes: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast This episode: www.monicaswanson.com/episode-72 Big thanks to Prepdish for sponsoring this episode! Prepdish simplifies family meals with their weekly meal prep plans! Check them out and get a free, 2-week trial at www.prepdish.com/boymom!     Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This is the final episode in our summer series exploring The Joys and Challenges of Every Stage of Raising our Sons.  And this is one of my very favorite stages to talk about (maybe because two of my sons are in it now!) No matter the age of your son(s), I think you’ll be encouraged and inspired by this conversation!  Author, podcaster, speaker, and musician, Gwen Smith, joins me to talk about preparing ourselves, and our boys, for the day they launch into independence – whether that is college, the military, or the workplace.  Gwen has two sons (and a daughter) who are in or recently graduated from college, and her perspective is incredibly insightful!  We cover everything from all of those high school “lasts” (have the tissues handy,) to coaching our kids (from a distance) as they deal with life challenges, spiritual questions, dating, and more. Gwen and I both love our relationship with our college-age kids so much, and we wish that for everyone!  Even if your kids are young, I think you’ll get a lot out of this episode.  Also: The grandmas are right when they tell us:  Blink, and your kids will be there, too! Find show notes at: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast this episode: www.monicaswanson.com/episode-71   Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode is a big breath of fresh air for all...of...us. Whether you have boys or girls, whether you homeschool, distance school, (or aren't sure what you're doing for school! 😊) Just hearing my guest, Corinne Gold, share perspectives from her life will be incredibly refreshing to everyone! I know that a lot of people are stressed out right now, and it is my hope that listening to Corinne's story of family time, beach days, great books, and confidence in it all -- will inspire you to consider just how much structure and "school-style learning" your kids really need...Perhaps this time of distance learning can turn into a new way of doing life as a family.  Be sure to check check out show notes to see Corinne's beautiful family and super fun Hawaiian life and an epic video about her husband's surfing (He has the Guinness Book World record for surfing the biggest wave!) Also get links to her very best sourdough recipe and more. Find show notes at: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast This episode: www.monicaswanson.com/episode-70   Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Word on the street is that all the fun of raising boys ends when they become teenagers...that boys will pull away from their parents...rebel..experiment, and on and on.  But does it have to be that way?  Krista Gilbert - author, podcaster, and mom of 3 teenage boys (as well as one daughter!) and I dive in deep to discuss our experience raising teen boys.  We talk about what an absolute blast teen boys can be, as well as some of the harder stuff.  We cover friendships, dating, substance abuse, and more.  I love this conversation so much and I think you will, too! Find show notes (and listen to the episode) at: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast. This episode directly:  www.monicaswanson.com/episode-69 Thank you to World Watch for sponsoring this episode!  Get your kids' plugged into a daily 10-minute dose of current events and news from a Biblical perspective at www.worldwatch.news.   Also be SURE to answer the question in show notes to enter to win the August bundle of Surface Sunscreen.  And use CODE: BoyMom to get 20% off all sun care products at www.surfacesunscreen.com.    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy