Author Mary Jo Bell
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8 Reasons to Love Disney Hawaii

May 8, 2024

When I was a little girl in Maryland, we would go to Bethany Beach or Ocean City every year in the summer. It was a blast. I love the beach! But I didn’t love everything about the beach. I didn’t love the craggy feeling under my feet as I gingerly approached incoming waves on the denouement. The little rocks and shells were OK, but what else was down there? Once in a while, there were jellyfish. Those guys can sting. Still, the ocean! The waves could be pretty ferocious for a little child, and maybe for anyone. But that was the way it was and I loved it. It was all I knew.

Remember that Fiddler on the Roof song, with the line “Now I have everything and not just everything, I have a little bit more?” That line summarizes my feelings about the Disney Aulani Resort in Ohau, Hawaii.

Born to Serve

September 25, 2023

Recently two of our grandchildren, age 3, were asked “What do you want to do for a job when you grow up?” The little boy quickly responded, “Be a UPS guy!.” The little girl took her time. At last, with a thoughtful sigh, and looking off into the middle distance, she replied wistfully, “I would really like to help Santa with his presents.”

Ha Ha and yes! Wouldn’t we all? :D

It’s like we came to earth ready to help, as soon as possible. Think of toddlers, begging to help with housework. Tidying desire mileage may eventually vary, but the hope of helping someone, somewhere, sometimes, seems ever to be with us.

Years ago, as a visiting teacher,

(which is now called “ministering”: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/ministering?lang=eng)

our four-year-old s

Lots of Exciting Things!!! Only Slightly Scary!!!

September 1, 2022
TV Interviews, A New TV Show, Onion Rings…Oh, Mylanta!!

Hey friends,

Sorry for the delay in writing. It’s been a blur. We have had another offspring family spring right into our area. My husband drove a 26-foot moving van over freeways and mountain passes for about 18 hours to help get them to their new home here. My son-in-law drove a car with three large dogs and two of their three young kids.  All these people have received medals of honor-not actual ones-but ones in my mind. #haulingheroes I flew with my daughter and her baby in a plane. #sorrynotsorry

And! A fresh, snuggly, baby boy was sent from heaven to another daughter and her husband. And, we have another dear daughter about to leave for college! I also have two more books in the contract process.

TV/Media

Connect with grandkids by telling them your stories! Here are 6 they need to hear

Photo of Woman Showing Her Cellphone to Her Grandmother

Telling stories from your own life is a great way to connect with grandkids.

The holidays can be a great time for Grandma to really connect with grandkids. One way to do that is by letting them connect with you.

Mary Jo Bell encourages nanas to bond with the kids through stories. She shares the six stories your grandkids need to hear from your own life.

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Holiday Hospitality: 2 ways grandmas can make the season magical

Grandmother and Grandfather Holding Child on Their Lap

Make the season special for the grandkids with a little holiday hospitality.

At your family’s holiday parties this year, be the welcoming nana, the generous nana, and the warm nana. To sum it up, simply be the hospitable nana. It will be the thing to make your holiday party not just memorable, but magical.

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Have deeper conversations with the grandkids! Here are 3 ways to connect with them

Women's White Dress Shirt

December 9, 2022

Turn surface-level grandkid chats into deeper conversations.

Take advantage of the extra time you may get to spend with your grandkids this Christmas with deeper conversations.

Our leading voice in the Nanahood series, Mary Jo Bell, shares how.

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Nanas are needed! 4 reasons grandkids need you now more than ever

September 20, 2022 2 min read

Nanas are needed by their families.

With our Nanahood series in motion, it’s time we introduce our leading voice.

Mary Jo Bell is an author and speaker in pursuit of filling homes with more love and more laughter. She’s a nana to nine and passionate about that role. She will be joining us monthly to help you find your nana spirit and strength because she believes nanas are needed now more than ever.

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Now is the best time to be a grandma! Here are 3 ways to make the most of nanahood

September 1, 2021 1 min read

Be a grandma in the best way!

There’s motherhood, there’s fatherhood, and now there’s a new term we are loving – nanahood! Being a grandma can be more than just play time and endless treats. Make time spent with the grandchildren meaningful and something they will remember throughout their life.

Mary Bell shares three ways she makes nanahood special for her grandkids. Women are living thirty years longer than a century ago, and that gives grandmas greater opportunities to be influential in their grandchildren’s lives.

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No toys from grandma? Here are 5 ways to gift an experience instead of things

What if grandma gave no toys this Christmas?

We know toys are the big ticket items with kids at Christmas. But as a grandma, what if you took a different approach? Spending time with your grandkids will give them emotional oxygen that will outlast any toy.

Mary Bell shares what emotional oxygen is. She gives five ideas for giving grandkids an experience with their grandparents, whether you live close to them or not. One is a gift in disguise for your daughter or daughter-in-law! While you spend time with the kids, mom can get things done.

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Bonding With Grandchildren: These 5 things will help you grow this important relationship

Photo of Woman Embracing Her Grandmother

June 23, 2022 4 min read

Bonding with grandchildren can be done with these five specific things.

Anyone can have a relationship – but not every relationship takes hold of your heart.

Author and speaker Mary Jo Bell believes there is one relationship that should. She is on a quest to strengthen the grandparent connection, and has observed five specific things grandparents can do to become genuinely close with their grandkids.

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