Campfire Guide to Parenting

Raising Grit: Helping Your Kid Handle the Hard Stuff

Want to help your kids develop grit and resilience? In this episode of The Campfire Guide to Parenting, Mike McDonell sits down with Michael Blasdell to talk about what grit really looks like in kids, and how parents can help build it without stepping in too fast or clearing every obstacle out of the way. They unpack how kids learn resilience through everyday challenges like friendship drama, middle school social pressure, school struggles, and moments of failure. The conversation covers when parents should step in versus step back, how modeling accountability and apologies matters, and why praising effort often matters more than praising outcomes. You will also hear practical ideas for building grit at home through simple routines like family dinners, chores, and honest conversations, along with stories from school, camp, and real life that show how kids grow when they are trusted to handle hard things. If you are raising a child who is navigating big feelings, social challenges, or learning how to bounce back after setbacks, this episode offers grounded advice and relatable stories to help guide the way. The Campfire Guide to Parenting brings together parents and experts for honest conversations about raising confident, capable kids. Topics include resilience, responsibility, life skills, and building stronger family connections. Follow the show to catch future episodes and join a community of parents focused on raising kids who can face life’s challenges with confidence and heart. https://kidventure.com/campfire/

How do we raise kids who can handle life’s ups and downs - without losing their spark?

In this episode of Campfire Guide to Parenting, Kidventure President and father of four Mike McDonell sits down with licensed clinical social worker Taylor Blunsen to explore what emotional wellness really looks like for kids today. Together, they unpack the everyday challenges families face — from anxiety and screen time to meltdowns, family rituals, and emotional connection. You’ll hear simple, compassionate tools for helping your kids: 💬 Identify and express emotions in healthy ways 📱 Set boundaries with screens and technology 🕯 Build family rituals that foster connection and gratitude 🧘 Learn emotional regulation by watching you ❤️ Know when (and how) to ask for help Taylor brings both her therapist’s insight and her mom perspective to this grounded, heart-centered conversation about raising confident, connected, and emotionally resilient kids. Tune in and walk away with practical, hopeful ways to strengthen your child’s emotional health — and your own. Guest: 🩺 Taylor Blunsen, LCSW — Founder, Memorial Village Counseling 🌐 memorialvillagecounseling.net Host: 🔥 Mike McDonell — President, Kidventure 🌐 kidventure.com [https://kidventure.com]

Raising Money-Smart Kids: Allowance, Entrepreneurship & Screen Time

How can parents raise confident, money-smart kids in a cashless, screen-filled world? In this episode of The Campfire Guide to Parenting, Mike McDonell and Zack Mattos share real-life stories and practical tips on allowance, chores, entrepreneurship, and screen time. You’ll hear how to separate family responsibilities from paid work, spark your child’s entrepreneurial spirit, teach generosity, and handle technology so kids build real-world skills instead of screen habits. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, you’ll walk away with simple, actionable ideas to help kids develop confidence, independence, and financial literacy from an early age.