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

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 sibling relationships can be challenging, and they are obviously not entirely in our control as parents. (far from it!) However, in Raising Amazing I share some of the things we can do as parents that I think make it a lot more likely that kids will grow up to be friends. (even if they fight like crazy growing up!) The boys and I have a lot of fun in this chat and I hope some of your kids might listen with you, and be inspired! Find show notes and links on my website:  Today’s episode: www.monicaswanson.com/raising-amazing-11   General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org  Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 the whole story.  Jordan talks about how our daily jobs – from baristas and entrepreneurs to stay-at-home parents and coaches – have intrinsic and eternal value. This is a great episode to share with your friends and family. Find show notes and links (including the link to his vacation – at a European castle giveaway!) in the link below: Today’s episode: www.monicaswanson.com/Jordan-Raynor   General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Looking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bbile-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go to diveintomath to learn more!  The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org  Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 us Biblical and historical context for deconstruction, and a truth-centered, loving way to respond to it. I first heard of the term “deconstruction” from my two sons who attended a Christian college, and who had friends “deconstructing” the faith their parents raised them with. My hope is that this conversation might help more parents understand the deconstruction movement, and be inspired to raise their kids to be critical thinkers as they develop their own, rock-solid faith (and thereby avoid “deconstruction.”) If any listeners have family members or friends who are part of the deconstruction movement, I hope this interview offers wisdom and hope.  Please share this interview with your friends. Find links to the book “The Deconstruction of Christianity” (with a free chapter download) in show notes. The book will release at the end of January, 2024. Today’s episode: www.monicaswanson.com/Alisa-Childers   General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Looking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bbile-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go to diveintomath to learn more!  The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org  Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 all in there! You’ll find more updates, photos, links, and a GIVEAWAY – over in my COFFEE DATE BLOG POST, so I hope you can visit me there and say hi as well! I so appreciate your company on the podcast every week and I hope you know how much it means to me that you keep showing up and sharing my episodes with your friends. I cannot wait to serve you well in 2024! Find show notes with any links we mention over on my website: Today’s episode: www.monicaswanson.com/updates2024   General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Looking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bbile-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go to diveintomath to learn more! The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org  Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 small act of faithfulness. That some of the people we respect the most have never done anyting famous or noteworthy. That heaven will be full of those who prayed in their closet, and simply showed up for the people around them.  As parents, as friends, and as Christians, sometimes just showing up is enough. Let’s do that well this year! Find show notes with any links we mention over on my website: Today’s episode: www.monicaswanson.com/Drew-Dyck   General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Looking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bbile-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go to diveintomath to learn more!  The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org  Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! This episode also comes with two free resources: A printable list of character-rich books and Bible verses to inspire your kids! And a link to my own chore system+money management plan that we have used for years! Grab all of those over in show notes: Today’s episode: www.monicaswanson.com/raising-amazing-9 General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Looking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bbile-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, all the way through AP level! Go to diveintomath.com to learn more!  The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. Christian Parenting is listener supported and offers so many great resources and podcasts like mine!  Would you consider a year-end gift to Christian Parenting? If so, go to CPGive.org. Thank you so much for supporting this podcast and helping people all over the world have access to the amazing resources created by Christian Parenting Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 you laugh. 🥰 We hope some of you can listen together with your spouse while wrapping gifts, running last-minute errands, or in front of the fire for a stay-in date night. (Of course you can listen all on your own as well. These principles will be helpful to everyone!) Find show notes with any links we mention over on my website: Today’s episode: www.monicaswanson.com/Christmas   General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Looking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bbile-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go to diveintomath to learn more!  The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. Christian Parenting is listener supported and offers so many great resources and podcasts like mine! Would you consider a year-end gift to Christian Parenting? If so, go to CPGive.org. Thank you so much for supporting this podcast and helping people all over the world have access to the amazing resources created by Christian Parenting. Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 read a book that challenged and inspired me in how to discipline well. The book was called, “Don’t Make me Count to 3” by Ginger Hubbard. All these years later, Ginger is still offering wisdom and encouragement to parents through her books, speaking engagements, and podcast. And today she joins me to get practical about this topic of discipline! I decided that sharing our conversation just before the holidays would be perfect. Rather than end the holidays (and start the New Year) feeling disappointed and frustrated in our parenting, what if we up our game, and get extra intentional about discipline now? I believe it can make all the difference in the peace and joy your entire family will experience over the Christmas holiday and into the year ahead! Find links and show notes on my website: Today’s episode: www.monicaswanson.com/ginger-hubbard   General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Looking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bbile-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go to diveintomath to learn more!  The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org  Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 that, today’s episode is just what you need!  I am re-sharing a favorite interview from 2 years ago, with Jessica Smartt, author of The Memory Making Mom. In it, Jessica and I talk about simple ways to celebrate Advent, have fun, and make memories to last the whole family a lifetime. Jessica shares some excellent book and movie recommendations, creative family activities, and perspectives to ground us in what matters most. The show notes are packed so be sure to visit… Today’s episode: www.monicaswanson.com/Jessica-smartt   General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Looking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bbile-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go to diveintomath to learn more!  The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources 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 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 think it holds the key to some of the game-changing parts of parenting. Join me as I acknowledge that most of us tend to be more “yes-loving” parents than others, why “no” is so important, (and so difficult!) and then I get practical sharing the “Art and Heart of Saying No”!  We cover the yes side of things too, and as always, I point to a free printable download offering “100 Screen-free things kids can do indoors!”   Get the download and find show notes on my website: Today’s episode: www.monicaswanson.com/raising-amazing-8   General podcast page: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org  Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy