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...
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...
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...
We’ve made it! Whether we have been homeschooling, hybrid learning, virtual only, or learning face-to-face, our kiddos have earned a summer to relax and enjoy time with their families. Having fun and creating memorable self-care in our kids this summer doesn’t have to...
Our kids have been home for what seems like forever. I have days when I love it and days when I know they need to be back in school for so many reasons. The thing that matters to my husband Dave and I when they are at home is whether they are using their free time...
It’s the New Year, a time to feel that fresh slate that comes with writing January 1st, along with the change in that one digit in the year! Time and time again, I have had people ask my husband and I how we keep such a tidy house. Now before you roll your eyes...
It’s been a strange year. A year full of disappointments. I like to think set backs and tough times help us to grow and bloom. So in a year where we can easily list the canceled vacations, the back and forth of in person events like church and sports, I choose...
Movies based on classic books have storylines so engaging that Hollywood has gotten behind them. Whether or not you’re a proponent of reading the book before you see the movie, here are ten favorites to share with family and friends. The BFGBased on the beloved...
Children's movies are an easy way to model characteristics we would love for kids to develop. Whether you’re looking for a flick on sibling relationships, values like courage or honesty, or the importance of appreciating cultural heritage, we’ve got you covered!...
Summer is the perfect time for family movie nights, but it’s easy to feel like you’re running out of options. Not to worry, we’ve compiled a list of 20 of our favorite children’s movies. Find more details at commonsensemedia.org to ensure the content is a good fit for...
Happy summer, gang! This month, it’s all about CREATIVITY. We’re sharing ways to encourage creativity and offering a fun way to help a friend out with our FREE DOWNLOAD. I was lucky enough to grow up in a creative household. My parents were both singers & my mom...
Good morning, Sunshine! Thanks for reading our blog today! (Imagine this said in the cheeriest voice possible in your head) That’s a lot of perkiness, right? Ha! Well, the world needs optimists today more than ever. As parents, we really want our children to...
There are four areas to consider in planning the BEST summer with your kids! These tips from author and parent Maria Dismondy will help you build intention to make the most of every summer day without feeling over-scheduled or overwhelmed. SIGN UP FOR THIS CLASS...
5 “Deep human connection is...the purpose and the result of a meaningful life. It will inspire the most amazing acts of love, generosity and humanity.“ - Melinda Gates Even during a time of social distancing, studies have revealed that human connection —...
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...
“Mom….Mom! I said I can’t find my other boot! Are you listening to me?” It’s ok, mom. You probably weren’t. You were most likely zipping up a jacket, filling a sippy cup and trying to remember where your keys were. With everything whirling around us these days,...
Organizing and decluttering are two of my favorite things to do. But having a child certainly makes it harder. Not only do we have a lot more STUFF around the house, but it’s also a daily battle keeping things from getting out of hand (game pieces, puzzles, LEGOs… oh...
If you are a subscriber to our newsletter, we give out a free printable each month, along with content on the WHY and HOW to use the printable. We are making all twelve of these available to you in a bundle that can be purchased here. If you would like to download an...
If you are a subscriber to our newsletter, we give out a free printable each month, along with content on the WHY and HOW to use the printable. We are making all twelve of these available to you in a bundle that can be purchased here. If you would like to download an...
BOUNCING FORWARD We’ve all heard about someone being a “sore loser”. But when it comes to kids, losing can feel worse than ‘sore’… it can feel like the end of the world! That’s why developing the good sportsmanship muscle is so crucial for kids. And, let’s face it,...
It’s the holidays. They’re hovering outside your door just itching to get in! While I’m as excited to get the merriment started as the next gal, I’m not interested in falling down a hole of holiday overdrive. Our best defense? Practicing gratitude! *Grab Maria's handy...
Maria goes live every other week, taking turns between her author Facebook page and her private Empowering Kids with Character Facebook group. Between August 18th to August 25th, Maria Dismondy and NJ Ronger collaborated to share helpful back-to-school tips in the...