• Books
  • Articles
  • Podcast
  • Kari
  • Speaking
  • Video & Press
  • Kari’s Viral Posts
  • Columns
  • Connect

Join Kari’s email list and enjoy free printables

Join 20,000+ parents now!

Sitemap

  • HOME
  • ABOUT ME
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
  • FICTION
    • Reader Reviews
    • First Chapter of Candy Apple
  • CONTACT
  • Kari on Instagram

    I met Bryson Kessler while shopping at her store, I met Bryson Kessler while shopping at her store, @shopcloverandbee, several years ago, and immediately I was drawn to her kind spirit and warmth. Whenever I see her now, we quickly go deep, and even a 5-minute chat is good for my soul.

Bryson has enjoyed many blessings, yet she’s also faced deep grief. At 17 years old, she lost her mom to cancer, and then this past summer, she lost her beloved little sister Beth to cancer as well. Caring for Beth during her final days on hospice transformed Bryson’s faith, and now, more than ever, she lives for the hope of heaven and with her eyes fixed on Jesus. 

Recently Bryson joined me on the Girl Mom Podcast to talk about “Living with an Eternal Mindset.” I loved this conversation and know that you will too. Bring your Kleenex because you may cry like I did, yet you’ll also be filled with hope. Find this episode wherever you listen to podcasts or comment HOPE and I’ll message it to you 🕊️
    Moms, my new devo for teen & college girls makes a Moms, my new devo for teen & college girls makes a meaningful Christmas gift for your daughter. It’s a perfect stocking stuffer🎄 

Comment DEVO, and I’ll message you the link. 

This bestselling book covers 40 topics most relevant to girls today. I wrote it with college girls in mind, yet any girl age 10 or up would enjoy these messages about God and eternal truth. 

Many middle school moms have used it for Bible studies. Many college moms have bought copies for their daughters’ roomate + suite mates so they can read it together. My philosophy is to simply put books like this on your daughter’s bedside table, knowing that even if she ignores it now, she’ll have truth to turn to on a really hard day, when her heart needs truth the most.

#yoursnothersdevo is about learning to find joy in your life rather than fixating on the joy in another girl’s life. My goal is for girls to see that God created them to live authentically - not identically - and embrace the unique story He is writing through them🩷
    Years ago, on a 20th anniversary trip to Italy, Ha Years ago, on a 20th anniversary trip to Italy, Harry and I got a crash course on the life of Michelangelo. 

Clearly, he was gifted with his hands. But he also had the gift of VISION. And when working with marble, his philosophy was to slowly chip away the stone to uncover that figure hiding inside.

“Every block of stone has a statue inside it,” he said, “and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.”

As parents, we’re called to do the same. God designed us to work with Him to unlock the hidden masterpiece. While we may see just a blank slab of marble, God sees the final result. He loves us (and meets us) exactly where we are today, yet He won’t leave us there because His love transforms us. 

He helps us become the best version of ourselves through the love of Christ. 

Who your daughter (or son) is today is not who they will be in 10, 20, or 30 years. Even the most frustrating child has tremendous hidden potential, and learning to see it brings excitement into parenting.

It lets us anticipate the future and feel proud of every struggle they overcome that refines them in all the right ways.

Don’t wait until your child is “perfect” to love them, because it’s the love you show today - even as they act tough, distant, or ornery - that helps crack the shell around their hidden potential. It’s the love you show today that gives them a glimpse of their Heavenly Father and the hidden treasure that He sees. 

#parenting #raisingteens #seeingpotential #loveherwellbook #girlmom #girlmompodcast
    Happy 11th birthday to my first book, 10 ULTIMATE Happy 11th birthday to my first book, 10 ULTIMATE TRUTHS GIRLS SHOULD KNOW. What a fun journey!!🎉

Becoming an author for the world’s largest Christian publisher was a dream come true. It came after 7 years of rejection as I wrote 3 fiction novels that will never see the light of day and a door finally opened when a blog post went viral and caught the attention of Thomas Nelson. 

When I began writing, social media didn’t exist. The only way to get published was to query New York agents and publishers, and it felt impossible to stand out. The fact that the door opened through a totally revamped system still reminds me that God’s ways are higher than ours. Use the gifts He gives you, stay faithful, and trust Him with the details.

When 10 Truths released my girls were in grades 6, 4, 2 and 4K. My first readers are now in college and in the workplace….one early reader was Camille’s geometry teacher last year at the junior high! #10truths is now being read by a new generation of moms and girls, and I’m thankful for this chance to speak into their lives too. 

Next fall we’ll introduce a revised edition of #10truths 🎉 🎉 , so get your copy of the OG now. A big thank you to everyone who’s supported me since day one. You’ll always hold an extra-special place in my heart!
    A big thank you to the dream team at Double Oak Co A big thank you to the dream team at Double Oak Community Church in Mount Laurel for hosting a wonderful mother/daughter event Sunday night! 

I love the old saying “Many hands make light work” and I saw this truth in action with the many volunteers who poured into this labor of love. Thanks special thanks to Courtney Szollosy for planning this and to all people who played a role: Lauren Lake, Sydney Houston, Rocky Mayo, Sandy Stephenson, Lee Watford, and Stephanie Zierman, as well as these volunteers: Simeon Houston, Debrah Sluder, Allison Preston, Alison Robinson, Rosalyn Bell, Lee Ann Berthiaume, Audrey Bond, Brittany Braswell, Mandy Calvert, Pam Carpenter, Wendy Cornelius, Carol Dotson, Landra Edwards, Mary Beth Gore, Tiffany Harris, Catherine Holder, Lisa Jemison, Laura Jernigan, Kim Jones, Melissa Mantooth, Ashleigh Martin, Ellen Moon, Timi Price, Katrina Sanderson, Holly Watson, Ann Williams, and Michelle Wurst.
 
At the end all the girls and moms were treated to the most beautiful cupcakes  made by Heather McElroy of @ebeansweets!! All the moms were gifted copies of #loveherwellbook. It was a special night, and I’m so grateful to everyone who came and made this event happen!
    It thrills me when moms say that #loveherwellbook It thrills me when moms say that #loveherwellbook totally transformed their relationship with their teenage daughter.

I’ve heard this a lot lately, and it never gets old. I’ve made all the common mistakes, and I’m not scared to share them to help you moms behind me grow a relationship with your daughter as you parent in the teenage years. 

New on my Substack, for paid subscribers, are 20 tips from LOVE HER WELL. Comment TEEN and I’ll message you the link, and if you haven’t read this book already, get your copy today. 

It’s the book I wish I had as my daughters turned 13, and moms often tell that it’s a book they read again and again to keep it fresh in their mind🤍
    Happy Halloween!! 🎃 Some throwbacks from years Happy Halloween!! 🎃 Some throwbacks from years past.
    We all agree that good health matters, but how do We all agree that good health matters, but how do you pursue health in moderation? How do you give your body the attention it deserves without creating an idol by obsessing over your workouts, your food, your weight, or your goals? 

One of my favorite voices on this topic is Meredith Mann, founder of @thepeachiespoon. Inspired by her personal journey, and trying to balance her blood sugar levels, Meredith has developed a healthy philosophy about wellness and shares great recipes that your family will love. She also has a new cookbook and protein powder that is delicious!! 

Recently I had Meredith back on my podcast for an episode called “Taking Care of Your Body - Without Being Obsessed.” Comment HEALTH and I’ll send you the link🍑
    Charlotte!! Thank you for an amazing event at West Charlotte!! Thank you for an amazing event at Westminster Presbyterian Church!❤️ Tickets sold out, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of mothers and daughters to mark my first trip to Charlotte and one I’ll always hold dear.

As I’ve said before, the people I meet through my travels restore my faith in humanity. Witnessing how much these moms love their daughters, and seeing the light in the eyes of these girls who will take the torch from us one day, is good for the soul. Each girl got a copy of #yoursnothersdevo, and I pray that God will use it to remind them of their value, their purpose, and their call to impact others, esp. the girls behind them.

A huge thank you to the fantastic team that hosted me and created a special night: Ali Price, Amy Adams, Katy Harvey, and Lindsay Boner. Thank you too to Park Road Books for selling my books and carrying extra signed copies at the store. You all made my part easy!
    Follow on Instagram
  • ©2025 Kari Kampakis. All Rights Reserved.
    Designed and Built by DataPerk

Join 20,000+ parents in my email community!

 

You’ll hear Kari’s news first + get meaningful content and printables.
Join now and receive 3 free downloads.

 

Sign me up!