Real Connections

Do you make family dinner a priority?  Do you think of the impact that it will have on your family if you do in 5, 10 or even 15 years from now? These are some questions that Jennifer asks in my interview with her today and as a result, made me think of family dinner in a totally different way. In today’s interview, Jennifer talks all about the importance of family dinner, how to do it or improve what you are doing, and how to make it fun for both kids and teens to interact with each other during meal time. Be motivated to make it happen.Set up the environment to be welcoming and inviting.Keep it positive.No side conversations.Make it teachable. I have made having family dinner a priority for years but never really considered the actual interaction taking place once I got there. This episode really has made an impact on the way my family does meals together. Sometimes we do breakfast together, and other times it’s dinner but when we sit down at the table and use these suggestions that Jennifer gives, it truly has made a big difference in our family. I am doing a family holiday service project called “Wreaths for Refugees” where we are going to be making fresh holiday wreaths to sell for money to make kits for refugees in our community. We wanted a way for those who live far away to participate as well.  If you would like to donate (cash donation of your choice) you can do so and with that donation, we will make a wreath to take to a lonely elderly person in our community this holiday season.   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hi-3MFdOLVQvwFgAeCjeUjt-QI_kc1NMS5-ElW3OHTo/edit?usp=sharing Jennifer Zumbiel @togathermoments website https://www.togathermoments.com/ freebie https://www.togathermoments.com/try

Do you make family dinner a priority?  Do you think of the impact that it will have on your family if you do in 5, 10 or even 15 years from now? These are some questions that Jennifer asks in my interview with her today and as a result, made me think of family dinner in a totally different way. In today’s interview, Jennifer talks all about the importance of family dinner, how to do it or improve what you are doing, and how to make it fun for both kids and teens to interact with each other during meal time. Be motivated to make it happen.Set up the environment to be welcoming and inviting.Keep it positive.No side conversations.Make it teachable. I have made having family dinner a priority for years but never really considered the actual interaction taking place once I got there. This episode really has made an impact on the way my family does meals together. Sometimes we do breakfast together, and other times it’s dinner but when we sit down at the table and use these suggestions that Jennifer gives, it truly has made a big difference in our family. I am doing a family holiday service project called “Wreaths for Refugees” where we are going to be making fresh holiday wreaths to sell for money to make kits for refugees in our community. We wanted a way for those who live far away to participate as well.  If you would like to donate (cash donation of your choice) you can do so and with that donation, we will make a wreath to take to a lonely elderly person in our community this holiday season.   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hi-3MFdOLVQvwFgAeCjeUjt-QI_kc1NMS5-ElW3OHTo/edit?usp=sharing Jennifer Zumbiel @togathermoments website https://www.togathermoments.com/ freebie https://www.togathermoments.com/try

If you are a mom, you can definitely relate to falling prey to the comparison trap. It happens to us all for one reason or another. It can be so easy in this social media age to compare our weight, looks, nutrition, children, achievements, interior design skills, party planning abilities, husbands and the list goes on and on. I get it because I've been there and I will tell you that it is a constant battle. Today on the show, Jamie and I chat about our struggles with comparison in our own ways and what we have learned what works for us to combat it. Here are some of the tips we talked about to help you combat comparison every day. get clear on who you are and what your purpose isreframe your response to comparison by either celebrating or developingrinse and repeat - it's a journeywrite down things you love about yourself (20 to start and work up to 100)genuinely compliment others on their gifts and talentsdo a social media fast and then follow hashtags that remind you not to compare #comparisonisthetheifofjoy & #nocomparisonreach out to people on social media and attending events in real life to meet real peoplelisten to music and write down lyrics that resonate with you that may help you find your purpose I got to share one of my secret family recipes today on the show - cookie salad. Yes, it's a thing. If you want to get the recipe and the other secret family recipes of the guests I have on the show, be sure to click the link below so I can send them monthly, right to your inbox. https://mailchi.mp/b481a3a31e08/secretfamilyrecipes2 You can learn more about my guest, Jamie at https://www.jamiegjohnson.com/ or on Instagram @journeytowonderful

If you are a mom, you can definitely relate to falling prey to the comparison trap. It happens to us all for one reason or another. It can be so easy in this social media age to compare our weight, looks, nutrition, children, achievements, interior design skills, party planning abilities, husbands and the list goes on and on. I get it because I've been there and I will tell you that it is a constant battle. Today on the show, Jamie and I chat about our struggles with comparison in our own ways and what we have learned what works for us to combat it. Here are some of the tips we talked about to help you combat comparison every day. get clear on who you are and what your purpose isreframe your response to comparison by either celebrating or developingrinse and repeat - it's a journeywrite down things you love about yourself (20 to start and work up to 100)genuinely compliment others on their gifts and talentsdo a social media fast and then follow hashtags that remind you not to compare #comparisonisthetheifofjoy & #nocomparisonreach out to people on social media and attending events in real life to meet real peoplelisten to music and write down lyrics that resonate with you that may help you find your purpose I got to share one of my secret family recipes today on the show - cookie salad. Yes, it's a thing. If you want to get the recipe and the other secret family recipes of the guests I have on the show, be sure to click the link below so I can send them monthly, right to your inbox. https://mailchi.mp/b481a3a31e08/secretfamilyrecipes2 You can learn more about my guest, Jamie at https://www.jamiegjohnson.com/ or on Instagram @journeytowonderful

Doing a family service project is something that can sound really tricky but it doesn’t have to be, and the benefits can be huge.  Today, my guest Tawni Beardall, shares all about a service project she and her family did with 3 other families last year and how it has changed her and her children.  Her kids loved it so much, they are doing it again next year.   Listen to the podcast to hear her 3 simple steps for coming up with you own holiday family service project. Things to Remember When Doing Your Own Family Service Project remember to take photosif possible, involve other familiesprovide a service people would already be paying for or already need during this time of year Examples of Service Projects You Could do rake leavesmake fresh wreathsmake sugar cookie kitsmake gingerbread kitsdeliver and/or haul away real Christmas tree Examples of People in Need During the Holidays homeless in your own communityrefugeeselderlyfamilies who are struggling financially Resources Carleen Tanner “Positive Parenting” youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCshIopgVSrtm-ots1xiwxgw Becoming for Teens podcast  https://becomingforteens.podbean.com/ Becoming for Teens podcast Episode 16 “Doin’ Work” https://becomingforteens.podbean.com/e/16-doin-work/

Doing a family service project is something that can sound really tricky but it doesn’t have to be, and the benefits can be huge.  Today, my guest Tawni Beardall, shares all about a service project she and her family did with 3 other families last year and how it has changed her and her children.  Her kids loved it so much, they are doing it again next year.   Listen to the podcast to hear her 3 simple steps for coming up with you own holiday family service project. Things to Remember When Doing Your Own Family Service Project remember to take photosif possible, involve other familiesprovide a service people would already be paying for or already need during this time of year Examples of Service Projects You Could do rake leavesmake fresh wreathsmake sugar cookie kitsmake gingerbread kitsdeliver and/or haul away real Christmas tree Examples of People in Need During the Holidays homeless in your own communityrefugeeselderlyfamilies who are struggling financially Resources Carleen Tanner “Positive Parenting” youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCshIopgVSrtm-ots1xiwxgw Becoming for Teens podcast  https://becomingforteens.podbean.com/ Becoming for Teens podcast Episode 16 “Doin’ Work” https://becomingforteens.podbean.com/e/16-doin-work/

Today my dear friend, Catrina Gandara, shares 5 simple ideas on how to celebrate the Day of the Dead. She shares everything from watching Coco to discussing family ancestors at dinner. If you love celebrating and you love connecting, the Day of the Dead is the perfect way to do both.

In this episode I share how I will be taking the podcast in a different direction for this season. This season I want to share with you simple ideas on how to make connections that matter. Whether it is with your spouse, kids, self or others, connection is well worth the effort and something we are lacking in our society. If you are a mom who wants more depth and meaning in your relationships - this is the season and podcast for you. I will be interviewing experts as well as other moms on all things connection to give you tangible ideas and strategies to feel and be better connected to the people who matter most.

I'm so thankful for all of the support and love I've had this season. It's time to take a break and I can't wait for season 2!

I talk about what was helpful after my dad's death and specific people who reached out to our family. I share how this experience has directed my life and the traditions I now have with my family. I also discuss the letters I found from my dad only a few years ago that are now some of my most prized possessions.