This week Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey discuss ways we can encourage our kids. As parents, we have so many opportunities to help our kids discover their gifts and strengths and learn how best to use them in the world. Lisa shares lessons she learned from her own mom and the ways her mother supported her work at Catholic Mom through the years. Danielle discusses large family dynamics and the powerful role parental support and expectations can play in helping our kids thrive. Join us for an enlightening discussion, and then share your thoughts with us! You can comment here or on social media, or send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com

Catholic Momcast

Encouraging Our Kids #164

This week's guest is Shannon Wendt, founder and CEO of Chews Life, a small business that creates Rosaries, jewelry, and other prayer aids for moms and their babies. Shannon share about how she came to found this business, why moms need the Rosary, and what can make it easier to pray throughout our busy days. Join us for an encouraging conversation!

Real Life Rosary Help for Moms #163

This week our guest is Joellyn Ciciarelli, president of Loyola Press. Joellyn shares about two books she has written for children, Leo's Gift and Meredith's Gift. Joellyn chats with Danielle Bean about how to help kids discover their gifts and learn to adapt when life changes and things do not go as we originally planned. These charming books for grade school children will make great gifts for nieces, nephews, grandchildren and Godchildren this Advent and Christmas season. Joellyn also shares about Wanderlight, an adventure-driven, faith-filled Catholic video game that helps kids grow in their faith. Join us for an enlightening and inspiring conversation!

Helping Children Discover Their Gifts (with Joellyn Cicciarelli) #162

Join Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean for fun discussion about homemaking. What does homemaking mean to you? What parts of cleaning, organizing, de-cluttering, meal planning or decorating do you enjoy? What parts would you -- or do you-- outsource to others? We discuss ways to share the load in splitting up chores in a family as well as ways to manage those tasks that sometimes overwhelm us. Finally, we talk about the idea of "entertaining" and what it means to be a good host. In what ways might we practice "Scruffy Hospitality" and be better at welcoming others into our homes?

What Makes a House a Home? #161

In this reprised episode of the Catholic Momcast, Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey sit down with Sarah Christmyer, author of Becoming Women of the Word: How to Answer God's Call With Purpose and Joy. In her book, Sarah looks at women of the Bible  and shares their stories, interwoven with stories of the women in her family history. A beautiful and inspiring read!  Share your thoughts and questions with us, right here in the comments or by email. You can contact us at editor@catholicmom.com

Women & Scripture (with Sarah Christmyer)

Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean have an enlightening and encouraging conversation about how we can better empower ourselves as parents keep videos, movies, computers, and smart phones from controlling our lives. It's not easy, but there are some tricks they share, and they also offer some solutions for parents worried about how their kids are spending time online. Danielle discusses Canopy, a new tool that can block explicit content in real time. Allison shares about curating her feeds on social media to protect herself from negativity and they both talk about monitoring use and having important conversations with teens with regard to their use of cell phones and social media. Join us for an enlightening conversation! Then share your comments or questions here in the comments or email us editor@catholicmom.com

Taming the Beast of Screen Time #160

Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey discuss making plans for the future, as inspired by Lisa'a recent experience in losing her mother and visiting with her father. This may not be a topic we love to talk about, but making sure our families are prepared to make decisions for us as we age and to make choices about our burial arrangements and other personal affairs after we die, is an act of great love. Lisa explains how this topic is actually one that inspires her with a great deal of hope and joy and a loving way to take care of our families even after we are gone from this world.  How about you? In what ways do you discuss these topics with  your loved ones and what are you doing to prepare for the future?

Preparing for the Future #159

This week, Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras chat about the back-to-school season. This is a time of year that can be extra stressful, as many families are going through changes.  Whether you have little kids starting kindergarten for the first time, or big kids leaving home for college, there are many ways we as moms need to adapt and care for our children in new ways. Many of us have mixed feelings as we watch our children grow and change. It helps to talk with one another about it and to look for the positive parts of parenting newly-independent children and young adults. How about you? What has the back-to-school season been like for you this year? Send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media.

Back to School Feelings & Challenges #158

This week, children's book author Jennifer sharpe joins Danielle Bean for a discussion of how to not just survive but THRIVE with kids at Mass. Jennifer's unique, award-winning book is My First Interactive Mass Book from Ascension. This hands-on book helps kids learn more about the church, the Mass and their Catholic faith, all while keeping little hands busy. Jennifer shares ideas abut ways to use the book as well as tips for managing even unruly children at Mass. We also discuss ways that parish communities can be more welcoming to families with young children. Join us and be sure to share your thoughts and ideas in the comments.

Thriving at Mass with Kids (with Jennifer Sharpe) #157

This week, Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean talk about the importance of grandparents and the pivotal role they are called to play in their grandchildren's lives.  Lisa shares about how she recently became a grandmother and they joy this sweet little girl is already bringing to her life. They also shares thoughts on what opportunities we have as grandparents to be a good role model and source of encouragement for the next generation. Lisa shares some tips readers have offered her on Facebook recently, and they discuss the fact that traditions do not have to be fancy or complicated to be deeply meaningful. Join us for this inspiring conversation and then let us know your thoughts too. You can send us questions, feedback, or ideas for future topics at editor@catholicmom.com.

Ideas and Inspiration for Catholic Grandparents #156

Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean share ideas about making your home a "domestic church." What does that mean, and what is the value and importance of Catholic "stuff" like statues, pictures, medals, crucifixes, and holy water? Some links to some of the favorites they mention: The Catholic Company Smith Catholic Art Brightly Hued That Catholic Design How about you? In what ways is your home a Catholic space that inspires thoughts of God, Mary, and the saints? What are some of your favorite pieces, old or new? We love to hear from you!          

Home Decorating, Catholic Style #155

Our special guest this week is illustrator and graphic designer Ted Schluenderfritz. Ted is the illustrator for the book, Portrait of the Son, which we featured in last week's podcast interview with author Josephine Nobisso. But today, Ted is sharing about a new initiative he and his family have begun: 5 Sparrows is a website chock-full of creative tools, games, reflections, and puzzles to help encourage Catholic kids in their faith. Ted shares how he and his family came to build the site together and the hopes he has that it can be a real gift to families. The website is free to use, but you can sign up to support with a monthly membership if you like. Check out 5 Sparrows and share it with your kids, grandkids, and students. More to come in the months ahead!

Creative Catholic Resources for Kids #184

This week our special guest is children's book author Josephine Nobisso. Josephine chats with Danielle Bean about beauty and truth and ways we can use children's literature to reach young people's hearts and build them up in their faith. Josephine shares about working with illustrator Ted Schluenderfritz and their new project together, Portrait of the Son. To learn more, check out Josephine's author page on Amazon to learn more, or visit her publishing website, Gingerbread House Books.

Beauty and Meaning in Children's Literature #153

This week, our guest is Barb Szyszkiewicz, author of The Handy Little Guide to Prayer.  Barb chats with Danielle Bean about what prayer is and why it is important. Barb and Danielle discuss ways to make prayer a regular part of your everyday routines and share ideas for new ways to pray and encouragement for those who struggle with prayer. The Handy Little Guide to Prayer is an excellent resource that can support you in your daily prayer life and inspire you to pray more, but it is also a handy toll for evangelization. Keeping some copies in your bag or in your car for handing out to others is a great, no-too-pushy way to encourage others in their prayer lives. And ... bonus content! Barb has put together a Spotify playlist to accompany The Handy Little Guide to Prayer. You might enjoy praying as you listen to the beautiful and inspiring music she has gathered here. 

Everyday Ideas for Prayer with Barb Szyszkiewicz #152

What's in your book bag this summer? This week, Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras discuss what recent books they have read or are reading so far this summer along with suggestions for non-fiction, fiction, and spiritual reading. Also, we share ideas for ways to make more time for reading, as well as ways to encourage kids to read even when school is out for the summer. How about you? What are you reading this summer? We would love to hear from you with your ideas and questions. Send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com.

Summer is for Reading #151

Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean bring you all things faith, family and fun!

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Catholic Momcast

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