We are officially one week away from Christmas! This is a replay from a fun “date-night” style episode my husband Dave and I shared a few days before Christmas in 2023. Dave and I are passing along wisdom we have gleaned over 29 Christmases together, most with a house full of boys. You'll find some important “do’s” as well as a few “don’t”’s! Hopefully a few will be encouraging reminders and a few will make you laugh.

We imagine some of you might listen together with your spouse while wrapping gifts, running last-minute errands, or in front of the fire for a stay-in date night. (Of course you can listen all on your own as well. These principles will be helpful to everyone!)

Find show notes and any links mentioned at: http://www.monicaswanson.com/10-Christmas

General podcast page: http://www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

Looking for a Bible-based math or science homeschool curriculum? All my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math and science for short-but-thorough lessons through the AP level! They believe it was the best preparation for their college studies in engineering and data analytics. Shormann Algebra 1&2 prepares kids for everything on the Pre-SAT, SAT, and ACT with over 200 practice questions! Go to diveintomath.com to learn more!

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org

If you’ve ever let the stress of the season steal the JOY of the season, you know what inspired this episode. I’ve been there, and I don’t want to go back! Today’s episode is all about facing the reality of the holiday season with intentionality, and ending it with no regrets!

Today I share five very simple and do-able tips that will decrease our stress, and help us be more present, patient, and peaceful this season. Hoping you can catch this while running errands, wrapping presents, or folding laundry! Find show notes and links over at:

http://www.monicaswanson.com/less-stress-christmas

General podcast page: http://www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

Looking for a Bible-based math or science homeschool curriculum? All my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math and science for short-but-thorough lessons through the AP level! They believe it was the best preparation for their college studies in engineering and data analytics. Shormann Algebra 1&2 prepares kids for everything on the Pre-SAT, SAT, and ACT with over 200 practice questions! Go to diveintomath.com to learn more!

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org

Did you know that you were created for delight? It’s true! Though, if you are not feeling the fullness of that right about now you are not alone. We live in a fallen world and life can feel complicated and hard. Sometimes even turning to the Bible can feel like another task on our to-do list. Most of us don’t like to admit these things, especially in the midst of what is supposed to be the happiest season of all. (right?)

Today’s guest, Asheritah Ciuciu, is no stranger to this reality. After a season of feeling dried up and burned out, Asheritah discovered the secret to a life of enduring joy. And the good news, it wasn’t dependent on doing better or working harder. It was – and always is, all about Jesus!

Listen in as Asheritah explains how we can drink from God’s river of delights and find in Him the desires of our heart! I think you’ll find lots of encouragement in this conversation, and I hope you’ll pass it along to your friends who could use a bit more joy in this season (and in the New Year!)

Find all the notes and links at: http://www.monicaswanson.com/asheritah-joy

General podcast page: http://www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

Looking for a Bible-based math or science homeschool curriculum? All my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math and science for short-but-thorough lessons through the AP level! They believe it was the best preparation for their college studies in engineering and data analytics. Shormann Algebra 1&2 prepares kids for everything on the Pre-SAT, SAT, and ACT with over 200 practice questions! Go to diveintomath.com to learn more!

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org

I am so excited to officially kick of the holiday season here on the podcast with this incredibly practical and fun conversation! Krista Gilbert is an executive and personal life coach who helps people and companies “design a life they love” (how cool is that!?) She’s also a personal friend who I enjoy and respect so much!

In this conversation Krista and I talk about the realities of the holidays: They are magical and wonderful but can also be tricky. Expectations sneak in, things don’t always go smoothly…kids grow up (and get married!?) Our own parents are aging (and may get sick or pass away.) And if we are not intentional about our mindset, Moms are sure to face a variety of emotional potential pitfalls over the holidays!

Krista offers so much wisdom and so many practical tips you’ll want to hold on to: from learning how to “boss our brains” to the importance of “consenting to change”. I loved what she shares about “honoring everyone involved”, and I personally can’t wait to “hunt the good” this holiday season! Find all of this and so much more in this very packed episode. Listen before Thanksgiving if you can (she has some fun ideas for the day!) but be sure to catch this episode sometime this holiday season!

Find all of the notes and links at: http://www.monicaswanson.com/krista-gilbert

General podcast page: http://www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

Looking for a Bible-based math or science homeschool curriculum? All my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math and science for short-but-thorough lessons through the AP level! They believe it was the best preparation for their college studies in engineering and data analytics. Shormann Algebra 1&2 prepares kids for everything on the Pre-SAT, SAT, and ACT with over 200 practice questions! Go to diveintomath.com to learn more!

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org

We all know there is no formula for good motherhood (bummer!) Yet, the Bible does offer plenty of wisdom to help us navigate well. By understanding the gospel story and considering how God has made each of our families uniquely, Christian moms have access to the very best guide.

Every day, moms must make decisions...so many decisions! The Bible has clear guidelines for some, but others are less clear and require wisdom and discernment. Today, Emily Jensen, co-founder of Risen Motherhood, joins us to talk about how we can make good decisions as Christian moms. We are drawing from her recent book, Gospel Mom (co-authored by Laura Wifler.)

We cover spiritual disciplines, some good questions to ask yourself as you make decisions, and how to view other moms who may choose to make different decisions than we do! Find show notes and links over at http://www.monicaswanson.com/gospel-mom

General podcast page: http://www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

Looking for a Bible-based math or science homeschool curriculum? All my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math and science for short-but-thorough lessons through the AP level! They believe it was the best preparation for their college studies in engineering and data analytics. Shormann Algebra 1&2 prepares kids for everything on the Pre-SAT, SAT, and ACT with over 200 practice questions! Go to diveintomath.com to learn more!

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org

If you’ve been a mom for more than a minute, you have dealt with difficult emotions. Destructive mommy anger has been one of the hardest issues for me personally, and I am so grateful for God’s grace in offering me forgiveness, grace, and a new way to parent. Now I am passionate about helping other moms overcome the cycle of overwhelm, anger, and guilt.

Today’s guest, Natalie Hixson shares my passion, and has dedicated the past 8 years to coaching moms who struggle with anger. In today’s episode Natalie shares some of her story, as well as practical tools for overcoming overwhelm. I appreciate her wise perspective on mommy guilt, and her “SIT and Pray” acronym is a helpful tool for any mom who even occasionally gets angry (um, I think that’s all of us!? 😉)

Be sure to see show notes for links to Natalie’s free download, coaching services, and anything specific mentioned in this episode. Please spread the word about this show as it is such an important and little-talked about topic!

Find notes for today’s conversation at: http://monicaswanson.com/anger-natalie

General podcast page: http://www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

Looking for a Bible-based math or science homeschool curriculum? All my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math and science for short-but-thorough lessons through the AP level! They believe it was the best preparation for their college studies in engineering and data analytics. Shormann Algebra 1&2 prepares kids for everything on the Pre-SAT, SAT, and ACT with over 200 practice questions! Go to diveintomath.com to learn more!

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org

As we near the end of this fall series on the most frequently-asked-parenting questions, today we come to the topic that I have probably been asked the very most about: DISCIPLINE! I am grateful to have my husband with me to cover this challenging and potentially divisive, but incredibly important topic!

Dave and I begin this episode with the WHY of discipline. We share Scripture and common sense reasons for disciplining our kids, ideally starting at a very young age. We spend the second part of the episode sharing some of the “how” of discipline…from our experience as well as the research we have done. We cover the biblical concept of “the rod”, as well as using our kids’ “currency” to offer natural and logical consequences. Be sure to visit my website show-notes for a free printable with helpful guidelines for discipline!

Find notes for today’s conversation at: http://monicaswanson.com/discipline

General podcast page: http://www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

Looking for a Bible-based math or science homeschool curriculum? All my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math and science for short-but-thorough lessons through the AP level! They believe it was the best preparation for their college studies in engineering and data analytics. Shormann Algebra 1&2 prepares kids for everything on the Pre-SAT, SAT, and ACT with over 200 practice questions! Go to diveintomath.com to learn more!

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org

I am so excited to get to share this honest Mom-chat with my friend Jessica Smartt. I have loved Jessica’s books (links to them over in my show notes) and getting to know her in real life a couple years ago, and I appreciate her wisdom, conviction, and humor. I think you'll enjoy getting to know her too!

In today’s episode Jessica shares three helpful parenting “goals” for sibling relationships, and then we go on to cover questions I have received from Instagram messages and emails. We cover a lot! -- From what to do about a mean sibling, to how to handle competition…When parents should get involved vs. when to let kids sort things out on their own, and more! I think you’ll find this practical and helpful. (And I think we’re going to need a part 2! -- Let us know if you agree over in show notes!)

Find notes for today’s conversation at: http://monicaswanson.com/siblings-jessicasmartt

General podcast page: http://www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

Looking for new math or science homeschool curriculum? All my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math and science for Bible-based, short-but-thorough lessons, through AP level! They believe it was the best preparation for their college studies in engineering and data analytics. Shormann Algebra 1&2 prepares kids for everything on the Pre-SAT, SAT, and ACT with over 200 practice questions! Go to diveintomath to learn more!

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org