Category Archives: Raising the Betts

A family podcast by Domenico Bettinelli and Melanie Bettinelli, who are raising five kids in the Boston area. They discuss marriage, homeschooling, Catholic faith, their adventures far and wide, cooking exotic dishes, exploring nature, engaging culture and more.

First Step Into A Larger World

It's Spring and that means hiking! Plus, Dom and Melanie discuss a home run of a First COmmunion homily that referenced Star Wars; Jaws and ... Read more

At Gnome in the Woods

After another trip to urgent care for stitches, Dom and Melanie end the week with an abbreviated camping trip, and in between they make a ... Read more

Taco Beans

What would a taco stand menu taste like in jelly bean form? Dom and Melanie find out and then discuss why this is wrong. Plus they make some ... Read more

Confirmed!

Learn why Dom called last week the "Porktave" of Easter and then hear about the Confirmation of Dom and Melanie's oldest child; their reviews ... Read more

Happy Easter from the Betts

Christ is Risen! Dom and Melanie tell you how their Holy Week and Triduum went, including the dishes on their Easter dinner table, plus reviews ... Read more

Restart Your Lent in Holy Week

No matter how your Lent is gone, Holy Week is an opportunity you shouldn't miss. Dom and Melanie discuss how this week gives us a chance to ... Read more

Brazilian Steak Roast

Putting the new grill through its paces, Dom and Melanie try out a Brazilian steakhouse beef cut. They also discuss some Scouting and special ... Read more

Only the Blind Can See

In the Gospel of Jesus healing the blind man, Dom and Melanie discuss sin and disability; the blindness of the Pharisees; and Jesus healing ... Read more

The Verdict Is In

After his jury service, Dom and Melanie discuss his experience and then their previous experiences in jury service. They then discuss cooking ... Read more

In the Winter Woods

After a scout camping trip, Dom and Melanie discuss their first encounter with cliques and bullying and their kids; revel in their new ... Read more

Lent Is Such A Place

Lent has begun (but is it the middle of the first week or not?) and Dom and Melanie discuss another birthday, Lenten reading, temptation, and ... Read more

Bear Good Fruit

With the current events, Dom and Melanie discuss how they're talking to their kids about what's happening, then talk about the Gospel call to ... Read more

Homeschooled Teens and Community

When teens are homeschooled how do you help them learn those important social skills? Dom and Melanie discuss how they reach their children how ... Read more

Winter and Spring

Within 24 hours, Dom and Melanie get both winter and spring; discuss caring for an elderly parent; have a small rant about churches, signage, ... Read more

Fun with Wordle

Wordle is the new viral craze and Dom and Melanie discuss their enjoyment and strategy and its inevitable lifespan, plus making Vietnamese pho; ... Read more

Blizzard Day

It's not just a snow day, but a blizzard day! Dom and Melanie hunker down as an historic blizzard hits and do some cozy cooking of pho broth ... Read more

Secrets to Joyful Relationships

What are the five secrets to joyful relationships in marriage, families, and with God? The Betts discuss the homily they heard this past week, ... Read more

Constitution

The Betts visit Dom's favorite place in Boston, the USS Constitution; get back into school; make a hot and hearty North African-inspired stew; ... Read more

Christ Brings Light

As they recover from illness, Dom and Melanie reflect on the events of the week, including a snowy walk in the woods; share a sweet and sour ... Read more

Plague House

The virus has finally hit the Bett house and while the symptoms are relatively mild, Dom and Melanie explain how it has had very bad timing. ... Read more