Carolyn Savage
Carolyn is a professional writer, proofreader, and editor living in Bend, Oregon with her husband and two pre-teen daughters. She has a background in wildlife management but switched to writing and editing when she became a mother. With her experience working for a small publishing company, as a freelance proofreader, and as a mother she shares insightful stories that support parents and grandparents.
She is the daughter of Raising Families co-founder Rick Stephens and holds the rank of black belt in taekwando. In her free time she loves reading fantasy novels, learning to craft from her enormously talented children, and then teaching what she’s learned to her enormously talented grandmother.
Posts by Carolyn Savage
5 Steps to Create Family Connection with the Ultimate Family Summer Bucket List
Age: 4+Time: at least 15 minutesMaterials: free Family Bucket List download and something to write withFocus: family teamwork and communicationWhether your family tends to pack the calendar full or keeps postponing plans because “there’s always more time,” a summer bucket list helps build family connection by making sure everyone gets to experience something they’re excited about without overwhelming the family schedule. Research from Harvard's Making Caring Common project found that social-emotional skills can actually dip during summer without intentional structure. Kids lose the built-in connection that school provides, and without something to replace it, screen time tends to fill the
9 Simple Ways to Support Your Family Wellness
Age: 3+Time: at least 15 minutesMaterials: free Family Wellness download and something to write withFocus: life skills and family communicationMay is the perfect time to support your family wellness as it’s Family Wellness Month, a time to focus on the physical, emotional, and social health of families. So take some time to discuss what wellness means to your family and look at what wellness practices you can improve in your family to not only improve your health but also strengthen your family bonds. When it comes to wellness, there are three areas: physical, emotional, and social. Let’s look at each
15 Simple Ways to Spread Happiness
Age: 2+Time: 1+ minutesMaterials: depends on activityFocus: ways to spread happiness in your communityWhy Is It Good to Spread Happiness?Everyone talks about wanting a village, that warm, connected community where neighbors look out for each other and no one feels alone. But building a village requires people who are willing to actually be villagers. And part of being a great villager includes bringing joy to the people around you. Luckily, you don’t have to do anything grand to make a difference. Sometimes being a villager looks like a smile at the right moment, a note left for a stranger, or
Creating a Family Rhythm: 4 Simple Steps for a More Peaceful Year
Age: 4+Time: at least 15 minutesMaterials: free Family Rhythm download and something to write withFocus: family communication and teamworkThe New Year is a great time to reflect on what’s working for your family and what isn’t, making it the perfect time to create a family rhythm that feels supportive rather than stressful. This approach isn’t about tightening your schedule or aiming for perfection, but about finding a flow that fits real life. This Family Bonding Challenge is about helping your family intentionally design how you want your days to feel and crafting a family rhythm to make that happen. It’s
4 Fun Family Reading Activities: How to Bond Through Stories
Age: 5+Time: at least 15 minutesMaterials: book to readFocus: family communication and teamworkFamily Reading activities can do more than just build literacy; they can strengthen family bonds. With October being Reading Group Month, now is a great time to connect, share, and grow with your family through stories. Wherever your kids are in their reading journey, from just learning sight words to reading longer chapter books, making reading interactive can turn it into a memory-making activity. One of the easiest and most fun ways you can do this is by creating a family reading group that has a slight twist.
