The Swans Nest

04/29/2026

When was the last time someone really ‘showed up’ for you as a caregiver? Maybe they grabbed milk, watched the kids for an hour, sent a ‘you’re not crazy’ text, or just sat in the mess with you. Drop your stories so we can steal ideas for how to be better village for each other OR if you haven’t had that comment what you wish someone would do for you?

04/27/2026

Some parenting spaces act like it’s all crafts and matching outfits. Meanwhile we’re scraping dried food off the floor, hiding in the bathroom for two minutes of silence, and wondering whose butt that smell came from. The Swans Nest is for the real messy stuff, not the filtered version. What’s a ‘this‑is‑not‑in‑the‑brochure’ moment you had this week?

04/22/2026

LINK-to-garden hack: use your LINK card to grab bulk seed packs or starter herbs, split them into small pots. Then you have multiple trips to the store for veggies and fruits packed into a one stop shop in your own home! Tiny space, big yield, real food. What’s the easiest thing you’ve grown in a jar, pot, or bucket?

04/22/2026

LIKE the photo and comment "SAFETY" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

Free MY SAFETY PLAN FOR CHILDREN EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC ABUSE

When there is shouting, arguing or violence at home, children do not just “cope” - they feel scared, confused, and alone. Many try to stop it, keep the peace, or take on responsibility that should never be theirs.

Children need clear, simple guidance about what to do to stay safe. They need to know where they can go, who they can talk to, and that it is not their fault. Having a safety plan can make a real difference. It gives children a sense of control, helps reduce fear, and shows them that their safety matters.

This is about protecting children, helping them feel safer, and making sure they are not left to deal with unsafe situations on their own.

04/20/2026

Tiny win: I got my 6 year old to actually put his laundry away without a meltdown. Felt like winning the Super Bowl in pajama socks. What small win made your day today?

04/18/2026

P**p: the unofficial family historian. Parenting is messy. I once walked into the bathroom shortly after my son decided he could handle going to the bathroom himself and there was p**p EVERYWHERE!! Share your wildest p**p story below so we can all laugh (and not be embarrassed). 😂💩👇

04/17/2026

May is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. One of the resources for this would be the McLean County Child Advocacy Center. They do service Livingston County. We will be posting resources here monthly! Here is the link to their website

The McLean County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) & Court Appointment Special Advocate (CASA) programs have provided critical services to child abuse and neglect victims in McLean County for over thirty years. While the two programs vary in service delivery, the overall goal is to provide compreh...

04/17/2026

Just a little intro! I’m from the Pontiac area. I am a single mother of 2 and my main goal is to create the feeling of the village we were all promised growing up. This page will be a hub spot for education, support and sanity saving tips.