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.