Welcome to Episode 27 of On the Ground Parenting! In honor of Family Literacy Day on January 27th, hosts Sandy, Sam, and Kelly are diving into this year's theme: Make Mealtime Family Learning Time. While we often think of literacy as just reading books, the team explores how the kitchen is actually a rich environment for measuring, following instructions, and expanding vocabulary.

The hosts get honest about the "bedtime story fatigue" many parents feel and offer a brilliant alternative: reading at lunch. They also share creative ways to bring letters and words to the table, from playing with alphabet pretzels to the messy joy of writing names in spilled yogurt. Whether you are coordinating a multi-generational "baking day" or texting a collaborative grocery list, this episode highlights how simple daily routines can be transformed into meaningful learning moments.

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.

• Parenting with the End in Mind: Consider what kind of 18-year-old you want to "graduate" from your home. This perspective helps guide daily choices and helps you avoid taking the "easy road" just to get everyone to bed.
• Preserving Dignity: Use a "litmus test" for your responses: if a partner treated you in a similar fashion, would you feel respected and your dignity remain intact?
• Identifying Core Values: Clarify your family values—such as a preference for thrifty, reused items or introverted activities—to help make clear choices about how to spend your time and energy.
• Building a Support Network: Align yourself with other parents and caregivers who have similar goals, which helps lighten the load and builds your personal resilience.

• Reputable Organizations: Connect with EarlyON centers (in Ontario) or local family resource centers that provide evidence-based skill building and reputable information.
• Parent Education Programs: Participate in courses that teach long-term strategies, such as those offered by Muskoka Family Focus, to learn things you didn't even know you needed to know.
• Direct Inquiry: If you don't have the words yet to search for help, reach out directly to the team at parented@muskokafamilyfocus.ca for keywords and resource recommendations.
• Community Connection: Join the On the Ground Parenting community on Patreon to engage with the hosts and other listeners. patreon.com/onthegroundparenting

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.

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

Welcome to Episode 25 of On the Ground Parenting and a very happy 2026! Hosts Sandy, Sam, and Kelly launch into the new year not with rigid resolutions, but with deep reflection and specific intentions. This episode provides a roadmap for listeners to navigate the fresh start of a new calendar year by examining what they carry with them and what they choose to leave behind.

The team shares a series of prompts designed to spark personal growth and family connection. From the emotional work of fostering independence in young adults to the physical act of decluttering 15-year-old cloth diapers, the hosts get honest about their own journeys. They also dive into what brings them true joy—whether it is snowshoeing a backyard labyrinth, learning a new instrument for pure fun, or the simple "awe and wonder" of watching a garden grow.

The conversation concludes with a focus on self-care and a lighthearted birthday shout-out to a fellow grandparent, Eugene Levy, inviting him to join the show and share his own "on the ground" grandparenting experiences.

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 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.

Join hosts Sandy, Sam, Kelly, and Justin for Episode 21 of On the Ground Parenting as they tackle the holiday season's challenge: navigating gift-giving to minimize "toy clutter" and focus on intentional, meaningful exchanges.

We share experiences with the chaos and joy that holiday gifts bring:

• The Struggle with Noise and Space: A common theme is the "havoc" created by well-meaning relatives who choose noisy, battery-operated, or oversized toys. The stories include Kelly's father-in-law's desire to buy a drum, Sam's experience with a hand-me-down, child-sized accordion, and the frequent disappointment of remote-control cars.
• Prioritizing Thoughtful Exchange: Justin highlights his family's unique strategy of "re-gifting" their own toys to cousins, transforming the clutter challenge into a playful competition to pass along the biggest item. He also notes how his children place higher value on their handmade creations—such as scribbled cards presented "like they are handing you a golden chalice"—than on store-bought items. Sam shares a perfect example of genuine thoughtfulness: her son John's plan to buy his younger, blanket-obsessed brother a larger, fuzzier blanket.

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.

Welcome back to On the Ground Parenting for Episode 20! Cookie recipes from the show are here on Google Docs to share and make!

Hosts Sandy, Sam, and Kelly continue their holiday discussion, focusing this week on the cherished traditions of holiday baking, cooking, and sharing recipes. They explore how these food-centric activities serve as a powerful way to build connection and meaning during the season.

The conversation highlights the value of gifting through food—items enjoyed in the moment that won't clutter the house or end up in a landfill. The hosts share personal and often humorous stories about their favorite recipes and the memories they evoke:

Parallel Play Baking: Sam shares her unique current family tradition. In their kitchen, everyone makes their own recipe simultaneously, working without interfering with one another. Her son, Ryan, has perfected his chocolate chip cookies but happily passes off the "boring part" (scooping and baking) to Sam.

The Cinnamon Bun Rhythm: Kelly's tradition involves making time-intensive yeasted cinnamon buns on Christmas morning, a ritual that provides rhythm and grounding during the holiday rush.

Renowned Cookies: Sandy fondly remembers two family classics: her grandmother’s famous thin and crisp oatmeal cookies and her mother’s delightful, melt-in-your-mouth whipped shortbread.

The hosts also touch on the fun of cookie swaps and the shared experience of baking—celebrating successes and laughing over failures, such as runny cheesecakes and collapsing gingerbread houses.

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.