Fostering Journey Final Chapter: Celebrating Adopting Our Son
After eight months in our home, I am thrilled to share that this past week, we adopted our sweet boy into our family. The adoption...
Read ArticleArticles by Anna Snyder
Our Foster Parenting Journey: Summer Reflections
We’re wrapping up our first summer as a foster family, and our permanent placement (a 7-month-old baby boy) has been experiencing the daily outpourings of...
Read ArticleFive Months into Our Fostering Journey: Eucatastrophe
A friend of ours came for dinner Easter weekend. He asked me, pointedly: “What have you learned – what has God shown you – this...
Read ArticleMeet the Rad Dad Behind Il Primo’s Family-Friendly Pizza in Southwest Florida
Happy Father’s Day to all the Rad Dads in Southwest Florida! I love telling your stories – your leadership is inspiring, and the unique ways...
Read ArticleTrue Fashionistas Founder Jennifer Johnson Empowers Entrepreneurs and Built Florida’s Top Resale Store
True Fashionistas founder Jennifer Johnson has spent the past 14 years growing her Naples-based business into the largest lifestyle resale store in Florida. But running...
Read ArticleFinding Joy in the Unexpected: Celebrating Foster Motherhood in Southwest Florida
We’ve had our little one for four months now, and although there are no guarantees and I can’t share details, the placement feels long-term. We...
Read ArticleThe Learning and Chaos as the Fostering Journey Continues
This is the latest article I've written about our journey as a foster family. It’s been almost three months since we took our first permanent...
Read ArticleFielding Questions as a Foster Parent
This is the latest installment of my fostering journey. Previously I shared about the circumstances surrounding the placement of a newborn baby in our home....
Read ArticleNavigating Foster Care in Naples: A Family’s Continuing Journey
This is the fourth article I've written about our journey as a foster family. In late September, we became a licensed foster family through One...
Read ArticleNavigating the Challenges of Becoming Foster Parents
Explore the realities of foster parenting in Southwest Florida. Learn about the challenges, the need for foster homes, and the support available to families opening their hearts to vulnerable children from author Anna Snyder.
Read ArticleFamily Holiday Recipes You Never Knew You Needed
Several families share their best holiday recipes and tips and tricks to make them easy.
Read ArticleChoosing Foster Care: Our Journey from Only Child Dreams to Opening Our Home for Healing
Discover our family’s journey from dreams of a big family to fostering, embracing the call to provide a safe, loving home for children in need. Learn about the impact and rewards of foster care in SWFL.
Read ArticleEmpowering Girls: A Decade of Wellfit Girls’ Life-Changing Program
Wellfit Girls, founded in 2014, empowers middle and high school girls in Southwest Florida through leadership, fitness, and adventure.
Read ArticleFun & Festive Holiday Recipes
Enjoy making these yummy recipes with the kiddos this holiday season.
Read ArticleCheers to 50 Years of Schoolhouse Rock
Schoolhouse Rock’s timeless songs aid learning and memory. Celebrate their 50th anniversary with catchy tunes and educational fun!
Read ArticleNeapolitan Family Rad Dad: Daniel Sawyer
Meet Rad Dad Daniel Sawyer: Naples’ Fourth-Generation Hero & Firefighter. Explore his family legacy, career with Greater Naples Fire Rescue District, and community impact. An inspiring story of service and dedication.
Read ArticleGrandparents Raising Grandchildren Amidst Challenges and Love
Explore the heartwarming journey of Celeste Lynch, one of millions of grandparents in the US raising their grandchildren. Discover the love, challenges, and resilience in their unique story.
Read ArticleNeapolitan Family Rad Dad: Craig Price
Explore Craig Price’s inspiring work at The Naples Players, where theater and improv transform lives. Join us to experience the power of theater and wellness
Read ArticleNeapolitan Family Rad Dads: Adam Meistrell
Adam Meistrell is one of the raddest dads on the planet. He makes art, runs, cooks, laughs a lot, tells great stories.
Read ArticleNeapolitan Family Rad Dads: Meet the original Rad Dad Michael Shapiro!
Meet the original Rad Dad Michael Shapiro, of Rad Dad Hibachi.
Read ArticleHurricane Heroes: Stories of Kindness After Hurricane Ian
New chronicles added daily as we meet the members of the community who organized wide-spread relief events.
Read ArticleWant to Help the Planet? Here are 8 Easy Changes to Make!
Earth Day is here, and your family can help save the environment! Small changes on a local level can make a difference for our planet. Read our article for quick and easy ways to conserve resources, use less, and even save money in the process!
Read ArticleThanksgiving Plot Twist: Switch Your Traditions for a More Satisfying Meal
It’s time to stir the Thanksgiving pot with some fresh ideas.
Read ArticleStaying Cool in SWFL
Welcome to summer in Naples! So, what are some ways families can stay cool and continue to enjoy quality time together without sacrificing basic levels of human comfort? Fortunately, Southwest Florida has lots of fun activities to beat the heat.
Read ArticleRethinking Date Night When You Have Kids
All it takes is a bit of flexibility, creativity, and forethought to take time for your partner and invest in your most important relationship.
Read ArticleThe Perks of Visiting a Theme Park in a Pandemic
Find out whether it is worth visiting a Florida theme park right now.
Read ArticleLife at Home What we’ve learned from coronavirus
Family makes the most of their time during the pandemic by sticking together.
Read ArticleMOMentum Moms: Briesa Ruby
Meet Briesa Ruby, who “beelieves” keeping harmony in the family hive makes life sweet.
Read ArticleMOMentum Moms: Jenny Lampion
Meet Jenny Lampion, who has made “cookie-ing” a household word
Read ArticleMOMentum Moms: Yadi Lopez
Meet Yerania “Yadi” Lopez, who returned to Immokalee after nursing school to serve the unique needs of the migrant community in which she grew up.
Read ArticleAn Adoption Story: The Alexander Family
Allison Alexander, of Southwest Florida, gives us an honest and inspirational story of her family’s adoption journey.
Read ArticleNaples Parents Feather their Newly Empty Nests
For years, we parents focus all of our time, energy, and resources on raising our children. How do we confront the quiet house we come home to after dropping off that last (or only) kid at college?
Read ArticleMOMentum Mom: Carla Delgado Grippa
Meet Carla Delgado Grippa, who through a career in reinventing her clients’ wardrobes has reinvented herself as well.
Read ArticleAre You a Wish-Cycler? Here is How to Recycle Right
To help with the confusion over what can and cannot be recycled, we’ve asked the experts for clarification on the items that cause the most contamination.
Read ArticleLocal Families Talk About Why Boarding School is Best for Their Kids
Naples families talk about their decision to send their children to boarding school.
Read ArticleWhy You Need to be a Runner
Happy New Year! I love any chance to begin again and make a new start. So, if you’re anything like me, it’s time to make some big goals, lace up your running shoes, and hit the pavement.
Read ArticleLife with PKU During the Holiday Season: One Woman’s Journey
This is how Jennifer Mazorra, 36, of Naples was diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare brain-threatening genetic disease.
Read ArticleSudden and Unexplained Infant Death Syndrome: One Family’s Quest to Educate About and Eradicate SUIDS
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare: losing a child to Sudden and Unexplained Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS, often shortened to SIDS). No one believes it will happen to their family.
Read ArticleRecipes for Summer Camping
Helpful tips on what and what not to bring camping with your family, along with some yummy, easy and outdoor-friendly recipes you can try out!
Read ArticleIs Overnight Camp Right for your Kids?
Several local families have shared their overnight camp experiences with us, and the parents all agree that overnight camp has fostered confidence and independence in their children.
Read ArticleInstant Pot Recipes for Instant Good Family Meals
What you need to know about your new Instant Pot and crowd-pleasing recipes.
Read ArticleFinding the Funds to Fuel Your Child’s Passion for the Arts
Anna Snyder shares a few ways to make your child’s artistic dreams a reality- whether musician, dancer, or artist!
Read ArticleBack to School Traditions
Anna Snyder helps parents brainstorm back to school traditions that will be meaningful to all!
Read ArticleTaking Flight With Sensory Issues
Anna Snyder helps parents learn tools to navigate air travel with children on the autism spectrum or with other sensory disorders through personal stories and expert advice.
Read ArticleIs the Cambridge Secondary Program Right for Your Middle School Student?
Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) introduced the Cambridge Secondary Program – An advanced studies program for middle school students – this school year. Should your child apply for the program?
Read ArticleFamily Fun, Learning and Fundraising: The Collier County Fair Does it All!
Come for a ride on the Stinger
and a heaping plate of fair fare,
but don’t skip milking a cow
at this year’s Collier County Fair and
Exposition, March 16-26. Plus, it’s a
chance to learn a thing or two about
STEAM.