“You’ve got this.” “You’ve got this.” “You can handle hard things.” “You’ve got this.”   - Maria Dismondy   When Maria was a little girl she was teased for her curly hair and favorite lunchbox fare, spaghetti in a hot dog bun.   Many moons later, these and other real-life moments continue to fuel what is now her critically acclaimed children’s book writing career. Maria has penned nine books that feature stories with topics ranging from anti-bullying to overcoming adversity, to friendship trials and tribulations, and beyond.    Maria is dedicated to empowering those around her through her roles as author, teacher, public speaker, community leader and friend. Maria is intentional about making each day count and lives in southeast Michigan with her high school sweetheart husband, three kids and two pet snails.     Show Notes   ·      Author, business owner, and busy mother to three young children, Maria talks us through her full plate. [02.40]    ·      A great tactic for being able to handle everything. [03.34]    ·      The importance of flexibility, and how to use it to manage stress. [03.52]   ·      The physical sensation of anxiety, and how to help with it. (TOP TIP: Gratitude!) [05.10]    ·      Turning pressure into an opportunity. [05.50]    ·      The value of quiet time. [07.22]    ·      Themes from Maria’s book - Sunnyside Upbringing. A month by month guide to raising kind and caring kids. [08.26]    ·      Value based parenting. [11.43]    ·      Tips that parents can use to catch themselves when they are stressed and frustrated. [13.43]    ·      Partnering with your partner. [15.50]    ·      Quick wins for parents to do right away. [17.21]    ·      Modeling problem-solving skills for your children. [21.55]    ·      What Maria hopes parents will feel after reading her book. [23.30]    ·      Changing habits in your own time. [25.25]    ·      When everybody focuses on their own strengths. [26.59]    ·      Maria’s speaking gigs, and questions that come up repeatedly. [27.34]    ·      Where writers could find information about getting published. [30.48]   ·      [31.52] Some rapid-fire answers from Maria about what it means to feel successful, an accomplishment she’s most proud of, what she’s most looking forward to this year.