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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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Boy moms! 🚨 it’s been a minute since we’ve done a Boy moms! 🚨
it’s been a minute since we’ve done a series or a book study…and I see you out there 👀… So how about a little encouragement here on the ‘gram this summer? 💙

Starting with the 4️⃣ building blocks of a healthy relationship with your son! -  from chapter 2 of my book, Boy Mom. 

Building Block #1:  LOVE. It often starts natural and easy…But as they grow up, we’re gonna need to make some adjustments and learn new ways to communicate love to our sons. Sometimes boys don’t show love the way we expect them to. It’s OK!  Keep loving them. Keep hugging them. Keep setting boundaries. Keep encouraging them. And also give them the space to grow into the young men they’re becoming. (More in the book, of course 👍🏼) 
 
Building block #2: TRUST. This is so important. Moms, boys can sniff out a phony a mile away, so we’ve gotta be real with them. Show up. Follow through. Set high standards for yourself. —> And then, ask the same of them. Honesty. Communication. Integrity. None of this is easy, but it’s the path to a healthy relationship (and it’s also teaching them about how to handle future relationships.) 💝

Building Blocks #3-4 coming soon. 

Meanwhile, i’d love to hear any boy mom- related topics that would help you this summer. Comment below or send me a DM. 🙏 I’m excited to encourage you and I hope you have a great summer encouraging and enjoying your boys! 💙💙💙
{Comment SECRET for link} There is a secret about {Comment SECRET for link} 
There is a secret about Fathers…they’re impossible to shop for! 😂 No, but really….

The secret is: Fathers (and Grandfathers!) love to feel loved. (And most of the time, they buy the stuff they really need/want anyways. 😊) 

So what can we do to make dads feel loved this Father’s Day? 🤷‍♀️

I’ve got a great idea for you!  After a whole lot of years of stressing over gifts for my dad, last year we gave him a gift that cost nothing, but meant the WORLD 🌍 to him. 

He actually said it was the best gift he had ever received. And it did not take us much time at all to put together!! 

I wrote a blog post sharing the whole idea and I’d love to pass it on to you. 👍🏼❤️

Comment SECRET and I will DM you a link to the post!  I think you’ll love it!

PS Now that my Dad has passed, this gift has become a special keepsake for my mom. 💝
As a mom to 4 boys (3 who are now adults) I love t As a mom to 4 boys (3 who are now adults) I love to share good news with parents! 🤗 Here’s what I’ve got: 

Our culture tells us that we should dread the teenage years…That there’s all kinds of bad news and things to fear. 

But that hasn’t been my experience at all. ☺️ I’m here to tell you that the teenage years can be some of the best years. 👏🏼👏🏼 It is 💯 possible to raise great kids who embrace godly character through their teenagers - and beyond.👏🏼👍🏼❤️

So if your kids are younger, I’d love to help you do the groundwork NOW so you can have the best experience when the teenage years arrive. 

And if you already have teens? I’m here to cheer you on, help you course-correct, and point you to helpful resources. 👍🏼❤️🙏

Start here: I have a fun+ helpful (free!) guidebook that covers all the stages of raising kids. It offers fun facts, helpful resources, simple prayers, and what to expect in each stage. 🤗

Comment: HOPE and I will DM you a link to get the free guidebook with encouragement for raising kids who you ENJOY in every season! 

Do not fear. The best is yet to come! (But it won’t come without some intentionality!)

Comment: HOPE. and get your free guide!
It’s been awhile since I’ve done an #alohafriday i It’s been awhile since I’ve done an #alohafriday introduction!  Let’s talk favorite things! 🥰 

Do we share any of the same favorites? Let me know in comments, or tell me one of your own. (I can’t lie it was hard for me to narrow it down! 😜)
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Recent Popular Posts

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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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