Summer changes each season as the kids get older. We went from planned out days of park dates, crafts and sprinklers in the yard…. to dropping them at the pool each day and managing screen time…. and now the kids are 15,14 and almost 12, I know this summer will look a little different than the … Read more
This post is about boundaries and the burnt-out Mom. This isn’t about the boundaries we need to set with parents, or at work, or with that one friend who only calls when they need something. This isn’t about the barriers we put up to keep people out. This is about how it feels to be … Read more
Welcome to Simple on Purpose! I am Shawna, mom of three kids and counsellor. I aim to help you simplify your home, heart and life – remove the distractions – so you can show up with intention for the life you want. Your life, on purpose I can distil it down to a one-liner. But … Read more
This blog post was first shared in the Simple Saturdays email. Though we usually stick to shorter content in that newsletter, your Nerdy Girlfriend and Counsellor had a lot of thoughts on this topic. I hope it helps you improve your relationships, especially with your kids and partner. My oldest is entering high school … Read more
Years ago I learned a simple tool that has improved all my relationships. This tool is about looking for the cues that others are giving us – and using those times to connect. They are called Bids For Connection, a Gottman term. I will outline what bids are, ways to respond, and how to simplify … Read more
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As a way to celebrate 200 episodes and 5 years together, I asked listeners for their questions on any topic. In this episode, I’m answering questions on the most important question to ask when decluttering, abundance vs scarcity mindsets, motherhood stages and seasons, and more from AMA (Ask Me Anything) questions Here are the questions … Read more
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Giving your child extra attention might seem like a great idea, but if it’s the wrong type of attention it could do more harm than good. Let’s learn what it means to parent intentionally and make proactive connections with your family. Products recommended here may include referral links to Amazon. If you click through … Read more
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As much as we might want it to exist, there just isn’t a magical list or routine we can implement to make it an easy transition to have a second or third kid. And once they are here, it can quickly become overwhelming and seem impossible. Today I share some tips and advice to help … Read more
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It started with a text conversation I had with a mombestie. She sent me pics of something they were doing that day and I told her that I admired the culture she was building in her family. What I mean by this is the special lifestyle, traditions, stories, practices, beliefs that are unique to this … Read more
Christmas was likely a holiday that you adored as a child. You can smile and rattle off some treasured family traditions. Even if it was something strange and simple, like stealing the Christmas tree from the Christmas Eve church service because your Dad was a holiday Scrooge and you hadn’t put up a tree that … Read more