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Mama Bear Chats

Mama Bear Chats

By Caitlin Mallery

A mom and her kids talk about movies, tv shows, technology, and growing up on this weekly podcast. Do wonder about the things that your kids are learning from our hi-tech world? Do you wish your mom and dad understood the things that you are interested in?
This show is about how to have better conversations as between parents and their kids. Helping to find the common ground and find joy in each others company.
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Expose Kids to Complicated Characters and Culture

Mama Bear ChatsNov 02, 2020

00:00
14:16
Percy Jackson for Slow Readers

Percy Jackson for Slow Readers

Ethan and I chat all about Percy Jackson and the Olympians, a series of books he is slowly working his way through. We talk ADHD struggles, superheroes, and demigods, and then I share a little of what it is like to parent a slow reader. For parents of children struggling to read, know that that is hope for your child. You can teach your child to be excited about reading, even when they struggle with reading. 

Mar 03, 202218:59
Chatting about love and forgiveness on Valentines Day

Chatting about love and forgiveness on Valentines Day

Carsten and I discuss what he understands about God's love and what it means to have conflict with people who you love. We chat about connecting with family and friends for Valentines Day and fun gifts for the ones that we love. 

Feb 10, 202214:17
YouTube for Kids

YouTube for Kids

My kids love to watch YouTube. Short videos with music and brilliant colors are an easy grab for their attention. As a parent I don't always think that they are the best choice for the kids to be watching. So how do we discuss the pros and cons of YouTube with our kids. Saoirse and I give you an example of one-on-one conversations about YouTube.

Jan 31, 202220:49
Halloween: Coping with fear

Halloween: Coping with fear

Do you have a child that is fearful? I do, and in this episode Carsten and I use the Halloween holiday as a way to address the things that make him brave in the face of fear. We talk about costumes, the Harry Potter series, what a PG-13 rating means, and the size of a car battery.

Oct 30, 202119:44
Sick Days

Sick Days

A brief catch up on our family and prayer for your family sick days

Oct 08, 202106:05
Back to School Preview

Back to School Preview

Carsten and I give you a quick teaser of our upcoming season of podcast and introduce my new book The Twelve Days of School

Aug 24, 202101:48
Weird Jelly Bean Challenge

Weird Jelly Bean Challenge

Saoirse and I try out a box of jelly beans that may or may not be delicious. Having a crazy fun time with kids is a part of bonding just as much as serious conversations. Enjoy listening to us gag!
Jul 19, 202115:28
Cute and Creepy Things

Cute and Creepy Things

Ethan and I chat about cute things like the guinea pig, his baby sister, and Grogu from the Mandolorian. We talk about creepy things as well, thus exploring the conversational range of a nine year old boy.
Jun 28, 202120:29
Sleepovers and Friendships with Saoirse

Sleepovers and Friendships with Saoirse

Saoirse and I chat about her relationships with her friends. We talk about how to work through disagreements and what each friend brings to the table. Also, we reference a fantastic show on Amazon, Just Add Magic, which is a fantasy show that deals with the power of friendship as well as magical cooking.
Jun 21, 202116:10
Planning Parties and Caring for the Homeless

Planning Parties and Caring for the Homeless

Carsten and I chat about his birthday party, and the many birthday parties he attended in March. We discuss proper etiquette such as RSVP and being thankful. And the conversation take a brief turn into caring for the homeless people of our community.
Jun 14, 202116:12
Going to Farmers Market

Going to Farmers Market

Carsten and I chat about visiting the farmers market. What we look forward to, the people that we meet, and of course the tasty food. Each week provides us with a new adventure and helps us build relationships with our local community.
May 10, 202118:13
Fairies and Flowers

Fairies and Flowers

Saoirse and I chat about fairy gardens, birds we are seeing, and different garden ideas.
May 04, 202116:24
Teach Kids How to Use Matches

Teach Kids How to Use Matches

Ethan and I chat about tools for use in the great outdoors. He compares Minecraft to reality and shares some of his favorite ways to cook outdoors.
Apr 26, 202122:30
Helping Kids Listen to their Body

Helping Kids Listen to their Body

Carsten and I chat about good foods for active kids, nutrition and vitamins, and what feeling full is like.
Apr 20, 202119:37
Active Girls

Active Girls

Chatting with Saoirse about being active and building a strong body, as well as self awareness.
Apr 12, 202117:25
Raising Healthy Boys

Raising Healthy Boys

Ethan and I talk about puberty, hygiene, and water safety together. We refer to the book Guy Stuff as well as the mother son prayer journal.
Apr 05, 202124:35
Chores are for creating comfort

Chores are for creating comfort

Carsten and I chat about doing chores and how to make our home comfortable. We also talk about upcoming celebrations, like St. Patrick’s Day and Easter.
Mar 15, 202119:47
Kids Like Math
Mar 08, 202118:07
What Does Mom Do All Day?

What Does Mom Do All Day?

Saoirse has some questions for me about what I do while she is at school. Being able to let her guide the podcast takes some off turns.
Mar 01, 202116:36
Miraculous Journeys and Other Stuff

Miraculous Journeys and Other Stuff

Carsten and I chat about a favorite chapter book of his. His own reading level is way below chapter books, but comprehension is definitely right there. Hearing him tell about the story that he has heard shows how important it is for kids to hear good stories read aloud.
Feb 22, 202118:03
Being a Warrior of Light

Being a Warrior of Light

Ethans class just finished A Wrinkle in Time and we watched the movie together. Unpacking the differences between books and movies is always a fun conversation, but we also had the chance to talk about the ways that the story teaches us about the value of individual people doing good things has on keeping us from selfishness and destruction.
Feb 15, 202119:02
The Artistry of Makeup and Clothes

The Artistry of Makeup and Clothes

Saoirse and I chat about pixie cuts, make up, and expressing yourself through fashion. Introducing my daughter to all the ways that art and fashion come together, and the Importance of having a beautiful character as well as looking nice. She has led the way with her curiosity and passion to learn about all these things.
Feb 08, 202117:08
Carstens Thoughts on Corona

Carstens Thoughts on Corona

It had been about a year since COVID-19 upended all our lives. Carsten and I spend some time reflecting on the new normal and what is hard and what is easy. A lot of time is spent teaching him how to use the new microphone too.
Feb 01, 202116:41
Football, Chess, and other games that teach Strategy

Football, Chess, and other games that teach Strategy

Ethan picked a football team two years ago. It was unexpected because we don’t watch football. So we are learning about this deep rooted American tradition together. I never watch the games, so he had a chance to tell me all about it.
Jan 25, 202113:34
Fantasy and First Aid

Fantasy and First Aid

Saoirse and I chat about how to describe others, dealing with arguments, and having adventures all thru the lenses of a favorite show, Hilda. I fully agree with C. S. Lewis that the best works for children can be enjoyed by those of all ages.
Jan 18, 202116:43
Baking with kids

Baking with kids

Carsten and I talk about a family favorite, the Great British Bake Off. Teaching kids about cooking and baking can be overwhelming, but if you take the time it is so good for kids. It can help with picky eaters and learning about food.
Jan 11, 202116:36
Kids Want to be Heroes

Kids Want to be Heroes

Teaching kids about heroism is hard. There are so many ways to take the discussion about heroes. In this chat the kids and I talk about the new Netflix original, We Can Be Heroes, and how to work on hero skills in every day life.
Jan 04, 202112:13
Joy and Singing Saoirse

Joy and Singing Saoirse

Saoirse and I talk Christmas joy, she shares one of her many impromptu songs, and we chat about how to bring joy to other people.
Dec 16, 202012:16
Peace and Santa Tales

Peace and Santa Tales

Ethan and I talk Christmas movies, the power of believing, St. Nicolas, and Santa Claus. He gives some opinions about the best movies for the season.
Dec 08, 202015:21
The Grinch and Hope

The Grinch and Hope

Carsten and I chat about the first week of Advent, the theme of Hope and a seasonal favorite, the Grinch.
Nov 30, 202013:30
A Dramatic Reading about Thanksgiving

A Dramatic Reading about Thanksgiving

Saoirse and I talk turkey, quarantine, pie, and she has a book to read to you.
Nov 24, 202014:30
A Lot of Minecraft

A Lot of Minecraft

Ethan loves to talk about Minecraft, and we share a few things we do to keep boundaries with screen time.
Nov 17, 202021:02
Carsten and THE WORLD

Carsten and THE WORLD

Carsten decides to tackle the enormous subject of THE WORLD and I attempt to direct the conversation into more manageable pieces.
Nov 10, 202013:53
Expose Kids to Complicated Characters and Culture

Expose Kids to Complicated Characters and Culture

Saoirse and I chat about the Netflix series Carmen San Diego, when it’s not always clear who the good guys are. Also we share a smattering of languages that we have picked up from here and there.
Nov 02, 202014:16
Aaah! Books for Boys who Struggle with Reading

Aaah! Books for Boys who Struggle with Reading

Ethan loves books, but has not quite gotten into middle grade books yet. One of his favorite series is Hilo. He is helping me tell you all about these books today.
Oct 27, 202017:06
Dragons for Halloween

Dragons for Halloween

Carsten and I talk about our family costume plan for Halloween based on a family favorite, the How to Train Your Dragon series, books by Cressida Cowell and movies by Dreamworks.
Oct 19, 202014:07
Opinions on Enola Holmes

Opinions on Enola Holmes

Saoirse has a lot of wild opinions about Enola Holmes. Some spoilers included. Also some references to plunging toilets.
Oct 12, 202014:48
Learning about politics

Learning about politics

Ethan learns a little about the political process that our country has and maybe has a few opinions about exploring.
Oct 06, 202017:37
The Value of History

The Value of History

Carsten and Caitlin talk about history shows and things that he has learned from history.
Sep 28, 202016:28
New and Old Tech

New and Old Tech

Saoirse and I talk about different ways technology has changed from the 1800s and also a few things that are the same.
Sep 23, 202015:57
Video Games with Ethan

Video Games with Ethan

Ethan and Caitlin talk about video games and the life lessons we can learn from them. Also a little bit about mouse traps.
Sep 14, 202018:44
Superhero life lessons

Superhero life lessons

Carsten and Caitlin talk about Spider-Man and the ways that he has inspired Carsten in daily life.
Sep 09, 202015:59
Back to school

Back to school

Caitlin and Saoirse talk about the new normal for school this year, along with some favorite books and crafts
Aug 31, 202015:43