I remember when our children were babies, toddlers and preschoolers, I didn’t have the energy to read anything other than our beloved bedtime stories. I knew that reading was a part of who I am and that I needed it to feel like I was learning and growing as a parent....
Aside from reading, traveling is one of the best and most effective ways to diversify one’s perspective of the world and expand one’s horizons… so why not combine the two? Books about other cultures, and about traveling in general, can encourage kids to widen their...
When I was a kid, my favorite thing in the entire world to do was to read. It didn’t matter what: kids books, cereal boxes, billboards, receipts, books off my mom’s bookshelf. To me, it didn’t even really matter if I understood what was going on, I would just let the...
It’s that time of year when I debrief on how my “Word” worked its way through the journey of my life in the current time. Last year, I selected the 2023 word, Energy. I thought about how I wanted to spend my energy. I’ve noticed that as each year passes, I have less...
Summer is the time to be outside and enjoy the beautiful sunshine. That is until stormy days roll in and keep everyone cooped up inside. I like a rainy day once in a while. The noise is soothing while I sit on the couch and read a book or watch a movie. However, it...
Tips for Families Living in an RV and Traveling the United States Our family is about to embark on an exciting (and somewhat scary) adventure! My husband, twin girls (Kenna & Layla), two mini Goldendoodles (Riley & Lucy) and I will be moving into a fifth wheel...
It’s been 12 years since I began the practice of having a word help guide me through my year of life experiences and lessons. Each year I like to recap how it went and predict my intentions with the newly chosen word! Last year when I selected the 2022 word, Rise, I...
I am Melanie Adkins, and I am a Picture Book writer and illustrator wannabe! I am hoping that one day I will reach my goal and see my work in print. Today, I am here as a guest writer to think about character. It always amazes me to think of how all the characters...
Being a differently abled mom, I know firsthand what it is like to feel different. Right before my high school graduation in the year 2000, I was a passenger in a head-on collision, leaving me an incomplete quadriplegic. After years of physical therapy, I regained...
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...
![Total Hysterectomy at Age 40 (plus menopause) [updated]](https://i1.wp.com/mariadismondy.com/wp-content/uploads/1-4.png?w=500&ssl=1)
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...
Have you ever walked around a neighborhood and stumbled upon a little bookhouse on a stand offering free books inside? You just might have found a Little Free Library. “Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization based in Hudson, Wisconsin. Our mission is to...
Every year I choose a word to focus on throughout the 365 days. I have been doing this for a decade now and it helps me to be intentional as life gets busy and I am stuck in the day to day grind (you know, the continuous hamster wheel that we try to avoid but...
It is April 15th and we are smack dab in the middle of a nationwide pandemic. This is something that we are all trying to navigate the best we can. We have offically been quarantined for one month and I’ve been reflecting over the last few days. It’s interesting to...
Maria goes live every other week, taking turns between her author Facebook page and her private Empowering Kids with Character Facebook group. On July 25th, Maria talked about using QR codes.You can watch the video here. As a teacher, do you use QR codes in your...
Maria goes live every other week, taking turns between her author Facebook page and her private Empowering Kids with Character Facebook group. On July 18th, Maria talked about road trips! You can watch the video here. Maria and her children are planning a road trip to...
#1 Time to Think If you are reading this as a parent, you may hear children in the background. They may be sitting on your lap or calling your name. Regardless, the little people we are raising are with us a large majority throughout the day. It's important to set...
Hi everyone! I’m Mandy Bush and I am the online business manager for Cardinal Rule Press (Maria’s publishing company). I am a mother of 2 (son and daughter) and I will be blogging on Be the Difference and will be recapping some valuable tips from Maria’s new show,...
So you have decided to do it. To travel with your children. Do not fear, there are things you can do to prepare for SUCCESS! Check out my travel guide with 10 tips that will help you change your mindset from "We are going on a trip" to "We are taking a vacation!" Here...
I've been known to be SUPER organized but in all honesty, there are SEVERAL junk drawers in our home that haunt me in the middle of the night. Everything has it's place in our home, but with three young children, that doesn't mean everything is always in it's correct...
Hi everyone! I’m Mandy Bush and I am the online business manager for Cardinal Rule Press (Maria’s publishing company). I am a mother of 2 (son and daughter) and I will be blogging this month on Be the Difference and will be recapping some valuable tips from Maria’s...
Hi everyone! I’m Mandy Bush and I am the online business manager for Cardinal Rule Press (Maria’s publishing company). I am a mother of 2 (son and daughter) and I will be blogging this month on Be the Difference and will be recapping some valuable tips from Maria’s...