playthings: the fun and the problem of toys

send us a text via Fan Mail!I am responding to a fan mail that I answered in short form, just taking a deeper dive into the factors that played into my own (very not-linear and still incomplete) journey of growth as a mother.  Here are some things that I mention during the show:securing cooperation without sacrificing kindnessif not carrot and stick, then WHATon relationshipJudy Arnall, discipline without distressGordon Nuefeld, hold onto your kidsDeborah McNamara, Rest, Play, GrowSupport the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at [email protected] Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

send us a text via Fan Mail!Such a delight to speak to HeWo founders Elie and Viviana! With a growing library of Catholic audio stories, music and prayers, HeWo is a gift that is sure to provide hours of entertainment while at the same time helping kids grow in their Catholic faith. 1:37 - Welcome Elie and Viviana!3:18 - How the project came to be 5:39 - Faith comes by hearing the Word of God 7:57 - How it works and subscription 20-55 - Multilingual entertainment  25:31 - Vision and motivation34:43 - HeWo store and shipping 38:18 - Upcoming content On Instagram @hewo_storeand hewostore.comSupport the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at [email protected] Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

send us a text via Fan Mail!Jenna and I chat about food!  Advent and Christmas traditions from a food framework.  But before we get into the thick of it, Jenna talks about a recent experience with dictation and her son.  So it led me to wonder if anyone would like a live master class on dictation.  Let me know via email if you are interested.  We delve into the family food traditions, some passed down and some developed with our family life.1:10 - The joy of dictation for language arts 7:00 - Christmas baking and decor traditions21:11 - Recipe book and Christmas journal24:10 - Ornaments and Bride's tree  33:55 - Christmas eve, midnight Mass and dinner42:47 - Experiences over material goods, charity 46:37 - Christmas read-alouds 48:32 - Do you include the kids in all the baking? 51:30 - Where to find Jenna online 53:20 - Restaurant etiquette and prudent technologyFind Jenna on Instagram @eatliverunhttps://www.eatliverun.com/Suncore Colouring powders and Flakes A Continual Feast Cookbook by Evelyn Birge VitzGluten Free Holiday Spice Cookies (eatliverun.com)bride's tree: a beautiful Catholic tradition of enigmatic origin (blog)ADVENT and CHRISTMAS: Albert and I share family traditions (podcast)Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at [email protected] Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

send us a text via Fan Mail!Elizabeth and I discuss kids who struggle with certain subjects, how to incentivize in nurturing ways; as well as helping them develop their unique strengths and gifts.  5:16 - Helping a child who struggles to focus 9:20 - The importance of our flexibility  14:51 - When a child is resistant to writing 23:06 - Solutions for when a child hates a subject 30:34 - Struggles with perfectionismInstitute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) if not carrot and stick, then WHAT (blog post)Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at [email protected] Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

send us a text via Fan Mail!A fan mail I received a few days ago uncovers the nature of our collective aching hearts and desire to be better humans. Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at [email protected] Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

send us a text via Fan Mail!let's talk about this.Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at [email protected] Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

send us a text via Fan Mail!Zoe brings these great questions to the show around gift giving.  Keeping spending, stuff, emotions and mom's sanity all within a reasonable limit.  Hard to do at Christmastime!  Join us for some discussion about how we do things, what worked, what didn't and trying to maintain some semblance of equilibrium.  2:10 - Avoiding burnout at Christmas  6:13 - Advent traditions  9:29 - Santa Claus and gift giving 19:33 - Online shopping and supporting local 24:23 - Stocking gift ideas 27:37 - When to open presents? 42:31 - Scaling back on gifts47:48 - Managing high emotions 50:41 - Decorating and cultural traditionsCatholic Owned - Christmastide Shopping GuideSupport the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at [email protected] Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

send us a text via Fan Mail!Dear friends.  This is a bonus episode that I wanted to get out quickly.  Brooke and her husband Matteo, a homeschool family,  started a business last year that gathers Catholic business owners under one platform to make supporting the values that we want to uphold easier for both buyer and seller.  They've developed a website and an app to make both local and national shopping ethical and simple.  Their Christmastide shopping guide is available when you download the app or sign up to the website.  It's so lovely, a shopping guide and an Advent and Christmas family devotional in one.  Such a great way to support Catholic business.  Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at [email protected] Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

send us a text via Fan Mail!Christina joins me to discuss all things toys - curating, storing them, communicating our needs around gift giving and sharing some family favourites.  6:16 -  Keep stuff or donate? 10:52 - Giving clear directives for gift giving 16:12 - Rotating toys 19:21 - Best loved toys in our homes34:10 - When to let go 38:34 - Board games, clean up and creative playMagnetic Tiles Melissa and Doug Wooden Blocks Schleich AnimalsSquigsBrilliant Beaver Guidebook - Audio VersionEngage kids aged 6-9 with fun, screen-free activities from the world of scoutingSupport the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at [email protected] Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

send us a text via Fan Mail!Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at [email protected] Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!