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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
  • Jonah and Taylor’s Wedding!

    A heap of photos and some favorite memories from the very best day! 3/21/2026, Camarillo, California ❤️ Jonah, Taylor, and her family planned and hosted…

    Read More Jonah and Taylor’s Wedding!Continue

  • Is Homeschooling Right for Your Family?
    Encouragement and faith | Home School | Parenting and Family

    Is Homeschooling Right for Your Family?

    As we wrap up yet another school year, I wanted to share the opening chapter to my book: Becoming Homeschoolers: Give Your Kids a Great…

    Read More Is Homeschooling Right for Your Family?Continue

  • Come on Home
    Encouragement and faith | Parenting and Family

    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

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There is ONE constant when you are raising kids: t There is ONE constant when you are raising kids: they are constantly changing!! 🤗 As soon as you think you’ve got one kid figured out, boom💥 , they’ve moved onto a new stage.😜

None of us will be fully prepared for any part of parenting, but it sure does help to have a little heads up on certain things… an idea of what to expect in each stage of our kids growing up years!! —> And maybe a few tips, resources, even Scriptures that will help all of you get through each stage! 🙏🙌🏼❤️

That’s exactly what I have created in my “What to Expect” Guidebook!  It’s not a whole book, but maybe even better because it’s short and sweet and straight to the point!! 

It’s just a page (or 2) for each stage that your kids will go through. 🥰

Comment STAGES, and I’ll DM you a link to get yours for free right now. I hope you enjoy!!
Dinner time conversation idea!?…pick a few of thes Dinner time conversation idea!?…pick a few of these quotes and talk about them as a family! 🤗❤️

➡️Helping your kids develop good and noble character will pay off for their lifetime (and yours 😉) 

See stories or go to MonicaSwanson.com/character to find out more about and my Character Training Course (available on a SUMMER SALE- only until Monday 👍🏼)
Good influences can be one of the greatest blessin Good influences can be one of the greatest blessings in a child’s life. 👏🏼👏🏼

And bad influences… Can derail a really good kid. 🥺

over my 26 + years of parenting I have grown increasingly convinced that influences are one of the MOST important things for parents to tune into. 🙏

But it’s not always so straightforward, I know. 😌

I have some thoughts and practical ideas on this topic (too many for an Instagram caption) so I put them in a short blog post.

I think it could really encourage and equip you in your parenting. 

Comment: Superpower and I’ll send you a link to the blog post!
What if I told you that you could have a “new kid” What if I told you that you could have a “new kid” by next month? 

Well, not a new kid entirely (I know you love the one(s) you have!) - but a transformed kid. And a more peaceful family, and home!? 
 
Many of you have heard my story, but there is no doubt that in the early years I was on the parenting STRUGGLE BUS 🚌. I wanted to raise good kids but was overwhelmed by all the opinions and voices (not to mention by parenting in general.) 😬
 
I am so glad I refused to give up. Thanks to helpful resources and some amazing mentors I learned to simplify my focus and make my kids’ character and faith my greatest priority. This was a game changer in the early years. 💖

Then, when my kids hit their teenage years I found new ways to keep character and faith the main focus of my parenting. 
 
After writing my book Boy Mom, I received so many requests to share more about the “Character Training” I had written about. So, I finally decided to create a resource that others could use.  Something practical, helpful, and uncomplicated!  (Basically all the things we had done/are still doing in our home!) 💥 
 
My Character Training Course was born! 6️⃣ years later nearly two thousand families have joined the course and the feedback has been incredible. I have continued to update and add to it over time, and I am truly so proud of this special resource! 
 
I only open the doors to the course 3 times a year, and it is OPEN now! (For one week only!)

Find links in my bio and stories, or-
 
Comment: LINK and I’ll DM you the course page where you can read about it and sign up if you think it’s a good fit. 

Whether you have toddlers or teenagers I really believe this can help. Jump in now and who knows what might happen in your family! 
 
PS The course is self-paced, so you don’t really have to finish it this summer - unless you want to! Read more about what’s in it + all of the expert interviews, helpful printables and more on the course page!

COMMENT: LINK
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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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