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

Catholic Momcast

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

Our guests this week are Greg and Lisa Popcak, co-directors of the Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life. Greg and Lisa share about the founding of the Institute and the good work it is doing to help support families in raising kids in the Faith.  We discuss the idea of the "Liturgy of the Domestic Church," what that means and some easy ways we can implement it in our homes and families as we raise our kids to love their Catholic faith. Join us for an enlightening and helpful conversation!

Liturgy of the Domestic Church (with Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak) #150

Join Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean for a discussion of how moms can make room for fitness in their everyday lives. Lisa shares ways that even very normal activities, like cleaning, waking, or caring for small children can "count" as daily exercise. The important thing is to keep moving! Some tools we mention: Silver Sneakers Peloton app How about you? How do you make room for physical fitness in your life? How do you find time and motivation to keep moving? we would love to hear from you! Send us an email with  your ideas, feedback, and questions: editor@catholicmom.com  

Make Room for Fitness #149

What are your family's plans for fun this summer? Vacation? Relaxation? A break from typical routines? Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras share some ideas from their own family plans for fun this summer,as well as some things they have enjoyed in the past, when all their kids were younger. Having fun together as a family does not have to overwhelm moms with work or break the budget. We discuss how sometimes the simplest of ideas make the most lasting memories. How about you? Let us know what your plans are for fun this summer as well as any tips you have for vacationing or road tripping with your family. We love to hear from you! Email. us at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media.

Easy Ideas for Summer Family Fun #148

We are going to the movies! This week, Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey share some movies they have enjoyed recently, along with some that they are looking forward to seeing this season. Here are our picks: For family movies, Danielle recommends Yesterday, and Lisa recommends Finding Ohana. For girls' night movies, we recommend Always be My Maybe, Our Friend, and The House That Rob Built. For date nights, we recommend News of the World, Minari, The Woman in the Window, Fear of Rain, and The Father. Some review sites we use are Kids in Mind, Screen It, and Common Sense Media. How about you? How do you and your family pick which movies to watch? How do you decide which movies are appropriate for your kids? What kinds of movies do you enjoy yourself, as a couple, or as a family?  Send us your ideas, questions, and feedback at editor@catholicmom.com.

Summertime Movie Picks

This week, Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean take inspiration from Catholic Mom contributor Mary Lou Rosien's recent article about practicing the faith and passing it on to your kids. Mary Lou uses the word PRACTICE to share eight ways parents can share the faith with their kids. Danielle and Allison discuss each of these, adding their own ideas and sharing experiences as Catholic parents themselves. We hope that you will join us for this inspirational episode of the Catholic Momcast! Send us your questions, feedback and topics for future shows at editor@catholicmom.com.

Passing On the Faith #146

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