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Monica Swanson
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Monica Swanson
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parenting+ marriage

I love to help you build strong families, beginning with a healthy marriage, and purposeful parenting.

faith

Every good thing comes from God and healthy families are built on a firm foundation of faith.

homeschool

After 15+ years of homeschooling, my family agrees it’s the best choice we have made!

healthy mind+body

With a background in sports medicine and fitness, I am passionate to encourage women to embrace a healthy mindset and lifestyle.

Latest bit of encouragement
  • Come on Home

    You know what’s really special? When one of your favorite authors is truly one of your favorite friends! My friend, Jessica Smartt, writes in a…

    Read More Come on HomeContinue

  • Any Given Moment
    Encouragement and faith | Parenting and Family

    Any Given Moment

    Hey Friends! I am super honored to share an excerpt and a GIVEAWAY from the sweetest devotional by my friend, Sarah Molitor. It is called ​Any…

    Read More Any Given MomentContinue

  • The Perfect Woman Who Made a Not So Perfect Choice
    Encouragement and faith | Miscellaneous | Parenting and Family

    The Perfect Woman Who Made a Not So Perfect Choice

    An excerpt from Moms of the Bible, by Rhonda Stoppe Note from Monica: I am so excited to share another amazing excerpt from a favorite…

    Read More The Perfect Woman Who Made a Not So Perfect ChoiceContinue

  • Moms and Mornings…Let’s Talk About it.
    Encouragement and faith | Miscellaneous | Parenting and Family

    Moms and Mornings…Let’s Talk About it.

    an excerpt from How to Love Your Morning: Faith-filled Habits to Build a Life of Joy and Purpose, One Day at a Time, by Jennifer…

    Read More Moms and Mornings…Let’s Talk About it.Continue

  • What Moms Need Most. Part VII: Moms Need Clarity and Confidence in Parenting.
    Encouragement and faith | Miscellaneous | Parenting and Family

    What Moms Need Most. Part VII: Moms Need Clarity and Confidence in Parenting.

    I hope you’ve enjoyed this “What Moms Need Most” series so far! (Read the Intro to learn more about the series HERE.) Last week’s post was as…

    Read More What Moms Need Most. Part VII: Moms Need Clarity and Confidence in Parenting.Continue

  • Miscellaneous

    7 Ways to Build Connections with Your Kids

    work in progress alkjskjdkf

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🚨Commrnt KIDS & see bottom for freebie! Raising 🚨Commrnt KIDS & see bottom for freebie! 

Raising (and homeschooling) 4 sons has given me a front row seat to some serious sibling competition. -> Who can jump higher? eat more? lift heavier? grow taller?…there’s been a lot of competition in our home. 😅

Here are 3 things parents of competitive kids should keep in mind:

1. A competitive spirit is not a bad thing. It’s actually healthy, and God-given. we live in a competitive world, and kids can learn to compete well at home. —> Yet competition does need to be channeled well, and fostered within a spirit of love and humility.  So, let kids compete - even have some conflict, and only intervene when necessary. 👍🏼Have clear rules against actually hurting one another — physically or verbally. Then step back and enjoy the show. 😉

2. Teach conflict resolution outside of the heat of the moment.  Make sure to talk as a family about the importance of peacemaking: forgiving, owning your mistakes, and letting things go. Use role playing when kids are young, and help them understand that conflict will be a part of life, but how they handle it can make a world of difference. 💥 —> “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9

3. Give kids a vision for godliness. Teach kids to fear the Lord and encourage them to live out Romans 12:10: “Outdo one another in showing honor.” Tell them if they want to compete, compete in showing respect, kindness, and valuing their siblings above themselves. 🙏 If kids have a relationship with God, then everything else tends to fall into place underneath that. 

Comment: KIDS to Download my character- inspired freebie: “What to expect in every stage of raising kids” - this beautiful guidebook is packed with the best books+ resources, fun facts, and tips for every stage of parenting!
Gathered a few laughs for you! 😊🙌🏼. Got a favorite Gathered a few laughs for you! 😊🙌🏼. Got a favorite? 
Lmk!🙏❤️
- hugs to you, and hope you had a great Mother’s Day weekend🤗.
Here’s to all the Mom-sayings! 🥰🙌🏼 I have such a Here’s to all the Mom-sayings! 🥰🙌🏼 

I have such a great Mom who I’m also blessed to call one of my dearest friends. She is witty and wise and she is always up for a good laugh. Mom and Dad both had countless sayings and funny quotables that I know will stick with me for a lifetime. 🥰 These are just a few! 

In the comments, I hope you’ll share a saying that your mom raised you with. And if she’s on the ‘gram- tag her!! 😊❤️
Comment: LIST to get 40+ favorite resources 👍🏼❤️ Comment: LIST to get 40+ favorite resources 👍🏼❤️

One of the greatest gifts we can give our kids is good examples of people throughout history who have modeled strength of character in good and bad times. I want my kids to know that when times get hard (because they will 😌) - or if, heaven forbid, they face something tragic one day, they might recall others who have been in their shoes and made it through. 🙏🙌🏼.

❤️One of my favorite ways to do this is through sharing great stories (in books, movies, or audio drama) with them! 

I have a FREE download available on my website: “40 Character-inspiring movies, books, quotes and verses”… it’s a great start to this process! 👏🏼👍🏼.

Comment LIST and I’ll DM you a link to get the download. 👍🏼❤️
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  • Start Here
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Homeschooling
    • Raising Kids of Character
    • Women’s Wellness
  • Blog
    • Parenting and Family
    • Women’s Wellness
    • Encouragement and faith
    • Home School
    • Surf
  • Recipes
    • Breakfasts
    • Snacks and Smoothies
    • Lunches and Dinners
    • Desserts
    • Gluten Free
  • Books
    • Becoming Homeschoolers
    • Raising Amazing
    • Boy Mom
    • The Secret of Your Naturally Skinny Friends
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