Campfire Guide to Parenting

Mike McDonell, Kidventure
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Monthly

Welcome to the Campfire Guide to Parenting. I’m Mike McDonell, founder and CEO of Kidventure. For over 32 years, I’ve had the privilege of helping kids and families grow, learn, and thrive. Now, I’m inviting you to join me as I sit down around the fire with remarkable experts—who also happen to be parents—for real conversations, practical strategies, and stories that light the way on our parenting journey. This is your guide to raising kids with courage, creativity, and real world connection. https://kidventure.com/campfire/

Episodes

  1. Jul 28

    Building Houston Moms Through Infertility, Twins, and Real Motherhood with Meagan Clanahan

    The conversation explores the intersection of professional and personal life, focusing on the challenges and rewards of motherhood and community building. Meagan Clanahan shares her journey of building Houston Moms while navigating the complexities of parenting and work-life balance. The conversation covers topics such as work-life balance, parenting, mental health, and the impact of technology on family dynamics. Meagan shares insights on disconnecting from work, the challenges of block scheduling, and the influence of her work on her children. She also discusses the struggles of modern motherhood, the importance of understanding, and the need for intentional connections. Takeaways Authentic motherhoodNavigating work-life balance Disconnecting from work is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.Block scheduling can be a game changer for focusing on specific tasks.The challenges of modern motherhood include mental health concerns, the impact of technology, and the need for understanding and intentional connections. Chapters 00:00 The Campfire Conversation02:38 Building a Community03:07 The Real Version of Motherhood04:01 The Impact of Infertility05:07 The Journey of Blogging and Writing06:55 Creating a Space for Moms12:13 The Influence of Motherhood on Work20:39 The Impact of Technology on Parenting29:52 Reflections on Motherhood and Work33:37 Advice for Mothers Building a Community34:43 Work-Life Balance and Disconnecting35:16 Parenting and Influence on Children36:12 Challenges of Modern Motherhood48:03 Mental Health and Technology Impact52:37 Intentional Connections and Understanding59:12 The Realities of Motherhood

  2. 12/14/2025

    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/

    Raising Grit: Helping Your Kid Handle the Hard Stuff

  3. 11/05/2025

    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

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

  4. 09/30/2025

    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.

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

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Campfire Guide to Parenting. I’m Mike McDonell, founder and CEO of Kidventure. For over 32 years, I’ve had the privilege of helping kids and families grow, learn, and thrive. Now, I’m inviting you to join me as I sit down around the fire with remarkable experts—who also happen to be parents—for real conversations, practical strategies, and stories that light the way on our parenting journey. This is your guide to raising kids with courage, creativity, and real world connection. https://kidventure.com/campfire/

Information

  • Creator
    Mike McDonell, Kidventure
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mike McDonell, Kidventure
  • Show Website
    Campfire Guide to Parenting