Welcome to Episode 24 of On the Ground Parenting! As we stand on the cusp of a brand new year, hosts Sandy, Sam, and Kelly gather to bid farewell to 2025 and look ahead to 2026. Instead of rigid resolutions that often lead to a sense of failure, the team explores the power of setting intentions and aspirations that allow for progress without the pressure of perfection.

The episode is filled with laughter and practical ideas for low-key New Year's Eve fun:

• Mad Libs Demo: The team demonstrates how this simple word game can result in hilarious, distorted stories—perfect for a family gathering.
• The Year in Review: Kelly shares a family tradition of writing a story about the year's adventures with blanks for family members to fill in, while Sandy discusses her "sanity maintenance" group's annual "Who Said What?" quiz.
• Intentional Pauses: The hosts discuss using the quiet time before school starts to reflect on which family activities to keep and which to shift to help the household function better.

The team also highlights Bounce Back and Thrive (BBT), a free 10-week evidence-based resiliency program they will be offering online in the new year to help parents build their own strength and support their children through life's meltdowns.

Connect with Us

We would love to hear your New Year's intentions or your favorite "groaner" jokes!

To support the show and keep our programming free for all families, visit us at patreon.com/onthegroundparenting

On the Ground Parenting is a production of Muskoka Family Focus Parent Education Program. Happy New Year!

Welcome to Episode 23 of On the Ground Parenting! Hosts Sandy, Sam, Kelly, and Justin (with a special guest appearance by our engineer, James) dive into the world of indoor and outdoor games. As families prepare for intense periods of togetherness over the holidays, the team explores how to use games to build connection rather than conflict.

The conversation begins with a focus on cooperative board games. Justin explains that for younger children still developing emotional regulation, playing as a team toward a shared mission—like catching a "fox thief"—helps establish a healthy relationship with play before introducing the high stakes of winners and losers. Sandy shares how adding sound effects to classic games like Snakes and Ladders can help a child navigate the "downs" with excitement rather than disappointment.

The hosts also share a list of family favorites ranging from high-energy activities like Happy Salmon to the adult-favored Pictionary (which at Sam’s house involves easels and poster boards). Whether you are engaging in rubber ducky races in the driveway or a spontaneous Talent Show where every performance gets a standing ovation, this episode is packed with ideas to keep the holiday spirit light and connected.

Subscribe for a new podcast every Wednesday! Have a question, suggestion, or want to tax-deductibly sponsor an episode of On The Ground Parenting? Send us a message: https://linktr.ee/onthegroundparenting

A Call for Support:

This episode also serves as a special platform for the Muskoka Family Focus Parent Ed team to request support, either with a direct donation through Canada Helps, or by signing up for our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/OnTheGroundParenting. Donations over $20 are tax-deductible. We need your financial support to ensure we can continue offering free educational programming and keep the podcast running.

Russ shares his unique journey from children's singer to kindergarten teacher, explaining how early musical performances shaped his career. The conversation highlights the profound impact simple songs and joyful experiences have on children's development and long-lasting memories.

Russ opens up about the two women who most inspired his music: his kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Crawford, who melted away anxiety on the very first day , and his Aunt Beatrice, who took five or six "wacky cousins" to a cottage for six weeks every summer, knowing she was gifting them memories that would last a lifetime.

The hosts discuss Russ's current role as Santa Sings For You complete with a six-month beard growth, and his work on TikTok, where he connects with thousands of followers, often hearing that he is "healing my childhood right now" for adults and teens. He emphasizes that the magic of Santa is making people feel seen, heard, and accepted.

Subscribe for a new podcast every Wednesday! Have a question, suggestion, or want to tax-deductibly sponsor an episode of On The Ground Parenting? Send us a message: https://linktr.ee/onthegroundparenting

A Call for Support:

This episode also serves as a special platform for the Muskoka Family Focus Parent Ed team to request support, either with a one-time donation or by signing up for our Patreon, https://patreon.com/OnTheGroundParenting. We need your financial support to ensure we can continue offering free educational programming and keep the podcast running. Donations over $20 are tax-deductible.