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Monica Swanson

the grommom

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Practicing Presence during the Holidays. And Everyday {Episode 31 with Kate Merrick}

by Monica Leave a Comment

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Hey Friends!

Today I am sharing a podcast episode that very well might transform your holiday season…maybe even your whole life.  Seriously, that’s a big claim, but have a listen and I think you’ll agree — it’s that powerful.

I’m so happy to be sharing this conversation with Kate Merrick.  If you aren’t familiar with Kate yet, you’ll fall in love with her quickly.  In this episode I get to tell the funny story of how I met Kate and all of the wild ways our lives now intersect.  Kate shares her story of embracing presence in the hardest season of her life and how much she doesn’t regret that now.   Friends, this episode is both convicting, and inspiring.  I hope you can dive in and listen!

NOTES FROM THE SHOW:

I have a new podcast sponsor:  MINNO!  I’m so excited because I’m a big fan!  
Hop over to gominno.com and use coupon code BOYMOM to start your free trial now!

Find Kate’s Website here: kmerrick.com

Her first book:  And Still She Laughs: Defiant Joy in the Depths of Suffering*
And her most recent book:  Here, Now: Unearthing Peace and Presence in an Overconnected World*

You can find the Boy Mom Podcast on all of the podcast platforms…here are just a few of them:

iTunes (now called Apple Podcasts) 

Google Play

Spotify

Or you can listen right here! 🙂

 
 

A little more about Kate:
Kate Merrick is the cofounder of the Reality family of churches along with her husband, Britt. She’s the author of two books includingAnd Still She Laughs, and most recently Here, Now. When she’s not writing, speaking at retreats and conferences, or #slayingmotherhood, you can find her at the beach, in the garden, or making delicious messes in the kitchen. She lives with her husband, two kids, two goats and a flock of chickens in Carpinteria, California.

 Kate’s kids:  Isaiah (#songoals), and crazy-cute Fifi.

Hope you enjoyed this episode, and I always love to hear from you in comments!  If you have thoughts, questions or comments for Kate or I, please feel free to leave us some love below! 🙂 

*Affiliate links are used when I share books from Amazon.  Thank you for your support!

Aloha, Monica
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Categories: Boy Mom Podcast, Encouragement and faith, Miscellaneous, Parenting and Family

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Recent Posts

  • Making Memories with Your Family this Christmas {Ep. 33 with Jessica Smartt}
  • Cultivating Gratitude as a Family {Episode 32 with my Husband, Dave}
  • Fall Coffee Date: Recent World Travels Edition (with great links, recipes, photos, and fun)
  • A Surf Contest Trip to Ericeira, Portugal
  • Practicing Presence during the Holidays. And Everyday {Episode 31 with Kate Merrick}
Instagram post 2191305030198793642_6153198 Good to be home. 🌅🏝🌈⁣
However, not pictured here: the honest, full picture of returning home from vacation, which includes— 2 cars breaking down 😮, Dave with some really hectic weeks of hospital work (please quit the meth, people 😫)... overwhelming piles of laundry, stacks of mail, and trying to get back into homeschool/my work when we all kind of just want to be on vacation for the rest of the year. 😂🤷🏼‍♀️⁣
Of course I love to share the pretty, happy parts of our life here (and they are real and so appreciated,) but I never want to pretend our life is always easy or pain free...it’s not.  God is good, but we live in a fallen world which includes broken cars and broken bodies and sometimes bummer days. 🙃⁣
⁣(However, ending them with a north shore sunset might help just a little...😉🙌🏼🥰✨)
Instagram post 2189681266306562567_6153198 Well, that was the bumpiest flight ever — we all thought we were gonna get sick. 🤢😳🤭But after an awesome, adventure-packed trip I’m really glad to be getting back home. 🙌🏼🌴 ♥️. We missed Dave so much. ✨ And Thor. 🐶 And the waves. 🌊 And the sun. ☀️ 🥰 — and what it’s December!? 😲🤷🏼‍♀️
Instagram post 2188790055081160067_6153198 “Support wildlife, raise boys.” My mom found this shirt at a little shop and it kinda says it perfectly. 🥰🙌🏼👍🏼.♥️🌲🐾🐿🦌🦔
Instagram post 2188220589813409640_6153198 Wherever we go these 4 end up huddled together somewhere laughing or in deep discussion (usually ending in laughter...😂)
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People often ask me what I think the key is to my boys being best friends.  Though I don’t have a formula or one answer that is guaranteed to work for everyone, I am convinced that the fact that my boys have spent a lot of time together growing up has been a huge key.  Between living in the country where neighbors/play dates weren’t always an option, and homeschooling, these 4 have been “stuck together” a lot. 😂🤷🏼‍♀️ ⁣
⁣
I encourage families with young kids not to feel obligated to have friends over all the time or to sign your kids up for too many activities..⁣
⁣
Let them get bored.  Let them hang out with a sibling even when they don’t feel like it. 🤗  Even if they fight a bit, they’re learning life skills and in time they’re likely to develop a deep bond that one day might look something like laughing over espresso and ice cream during Thanksgiving break 🥰 
PS: on this topic, I’m linking in my bio to a post I wrote titled “How Brothers become Best Friends.” (Pretty sure it applies to sisters, too 😉💕) PPS:  Be assured, these 4 have had their share of battles, too.  No perfect family here. (or anywhere 😉)
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