A Blog By Maria Dismondy
I DReamed of Making Tacos
My mom likes to tell the story that as a child, I wanted to grow up and make tacos as my job. If you consider the fact that our family eats tacos every Tuesday night, I think my dream has come true! In our family, there are a lot of individuals who do not have college...
Give a Little Bit…Send a Smile and Show You Care
Are you seeing signs of Spring? Today I was walking the dogs and saw four blue jays! If you feel inclined, I would love for you to reply and share your own signs of Spring with me. I saw several of you ordered your copies of books that focus on COURAGE and COMMUNITY....
With so much DARKNESS, Here is LIGHT
Hi all, it’s been awhile since I’ve written a heartfelt message to you! Guess what, this month I am going to be sending you several. There have been so many ups and downs in our world over the last few years, I wanted to spread some LIGHT, since darkness continues to...
3 Ways to Make Reading Interactive for Even the Most Reluctant Readers
Reading is a way to be swept away to another world, learn something new, or even connect with another person. And there are so many ways as a parent or an educator that you can nurture a love of reading in children, and making reading interactive is just one way to do...
Picture Books for Children’s Milestone Experience
A young child’s life is full of “firsts,” and so is a parent’s! One meaningful part of caregiving is guiding children through these first experiences with love and compassion, so that our children can make the most out of these milestones. As parents, caregivers, and...
3 Ways to Encourage Self Love in Children
As parents and caregivers, we love our children so much it hurts. I am known to look at my daughter on our video monitor and tear up. I can’t tell you how many times I have said to my husband, “She is so cute it’s literally painful.” With all the love we have for our...
5 Reading-Based Resolutions for the Whole Family
The month of January is still young, which means if you neglected your New Year’s resolutions this year (guilty), there’s still more than enough time for you to make some! In truth, we can and should be making resolutions on a regular basis, regardless of...
Word of the Year: Rise
2011: Peace2012: Balance2013 Grace2014: Grow2015: Content2016: Play2017: Connect2018: Intentional2019: Focus2020: Beauty 2021: Light This year my word was LIGHT. Here’s a recap on how this word was able to guide me in the many different areas of my...
5 Ways Your Child can Gift Others this Holiday Season
We’re now over halfway through December, and the distant ringing of jingle bells is drawing closer every day (can you hear it?). By now, you’ve probably started collecting presents for family members and friends, and your closet is bursting with hidden treasures in...
EKWC THE PODCAST-DAILY PARENTING TIPS & HACKS-DECEMBER
Are you looking for quick tips as a parent to: learn parenting hacks that work?incorporate positive character into your daily routines?Have FUN with your kids, even when life gets hard?Find JOY in parenting? But WAIT–who has TIME to listen to a podcast? What if I told...
Connecting with Your Teen
Who out there is raising a teen or almost teen and feels like they are failing miserably?I am raising my hand over here. It’s a new part of parenting that Dave and I are navigating. I think we are doing well and other days it feels like we just can’t get it right....
5 Ways to Get Your Family in the Giving Spirit
Can you think of the last time you actively sought out ways to give back to people in need? If you’re anything like me, that question may have you wracking your brain for the last time you held the door open or cast a stranger a smile. In truth, the world in which we...
EKWC THE PODCAST-DAILY PARENTING TIPS & HACKS-NOVEMBER
Are you looking for quick tips as a parent to: learn parenting hacks that work?incorporate positive character into your daily routines?Have FUN with your kids, even when life gets hard?Find JOY in parenting? But WAIT–who has TIME to listen to a podcast? What if I...
Shine Bright This Holiday Season!
Special Launch OfferFREE SHIPPING on every order! BUY NOW! As you enjoy the holiday season with your young loved ones, give them the chance to explore the holidays and cultures celebrated by their peers. Alongside the diverse heroes of Cardinal Rule Press’s...
![Total Hysterectomy at Age 40 (plus menopause) [updated]](https://i1.wp.com/mariadismondy.com/wp-content/uploads/1-4.png?w=500&ssl=1)
Total Hysterectomy at Age 40 (plus menopause) [updated]
Menopause at 40 & Then My Vagina Fell Out: An Uncommon Tale Brace yourselves! This is the most personal blog post I have ever written. While it may make some say, “Woah! This is a LOT to share, Maria!” I’m sharing it so that other women know they are not alone...
5 Tips to Foster a Positive Relationship with your Child’s Teacher
All parents want to have a positive and supportive relationship with their child’s teacher. Some years parents are closer with teachers than others. So what makes the difference? Is there a way to encourage a positive relationship? Is it possible even with the current...
5 Picture Books that Celebrate Native American Heritage
In the spirit of October 11th being Indigenous Peoples’ Day and November being Native American Heritage Month, I’ve compiled a list of picture books with concepts and characters that call attention to Native American heritage. A lot of Native American stories and...
EKWC The Podcast-Daily Parenting Tips & Hacks-October
Are you looking for quick tips as a parent to: learn parenting hacks that work?incorporate positive character into your daily routines?Have FUN with your kids, even when life gets hard?Find JOY in parenting? But WAIT–who has TIME to listen to a podcast? What if I...
3 Children’s Books that Feature Characters with Disabilities
In recent years, the world of children’s literature has expanded to include characters from more diverse cultural backgrounds and underrepresented walks of life than ever before. At Cardinal Rule Press, a reader may encounter Raja from Anita Nahta Amin’s Raja’s Pet...
EKWC The Podcast-Daily Parenting Tips & Hacks-September
Are you looking for quick tips as a parent to: learn parenting hacks that work?incorporate positive character into your daily routines?Have FUN with your kids, even when life gets hard?Find JOY in parenting? But WAIT–who has TIME to listen to a podcast? What if I told...
TWO Puppies During the Pandemic and Survived!
My husband always said he didn’t want pets. He married me while I had an 18 lb, long haired cat. Shortly after we had our first baby, I became highly allergic to my sweet kitty and gave him to a family who would love him just as much, if not more, than I did. For...
Picture Books That Heal
Just LISTEN. When a child wants to talk or needs to talk just LISTEN. We all fight battles daily. We all fight battles that we wish were not ours. We all fight battles to be able to help others. In the silent moments that feel lonely, we are never alone because our...
