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.

Leave It To Cleaver

It's Easter and the Betts discuss their Triduum, including memories of why not to take 5 small children to Easter Vigil; what special foods ... Read more

Take Up Your Cross of Palms

On Palm Sunday, the Betts discuss palm crosses; a future big trip; setting a date for First Communion; explaining how TV used to work to ... Read more

Vaccination Date

What's more romantic than a date to get vaccinated? The Betts get their shots, celebrate two great saints with Irish and Italian meals, build a ... Read more

I Thirst

Halfway through Lent, the Betts see where they fall short and how Jesus reaches out to them; discuss how they assess books the kids want to ... Read more

Winter Camping

This week, Dom takes the Scouts camping in below freezing temps while Melanie entertains the others at home; they discuss why Confirmation ... Read more

Shelf Life Expired

This week, the Betts bought a new deep freezer and Dom is excited; a shelf collapses out of the blue; visit Dom's parents; celebrate the last ... Read more

Grand Multipara

This week, the Betts celebrate a birthday; discuss the Texas snowpocalypse; offer an excellent, quick Mexican rice hack; watch Good Will ... Read more

Be My Valentine

This week, the Betts clear another allergy hurdle; discuss why they don't do much for Valentine's; try to figure out what to do about summer ... Read more

Beware: Falling Iguanas

The Betts talk about winter when you've grown up with snow versus coming to it later; why Melanie doesn't want to move to Florida (hint: ... Read more

Winter Hike

In the midst of the winter doldrums, the Betts go for a very cold winter hike with the Scouts; overcome another food allergy; Melanie dives ... Read more

Good Discourse

The Betts discuss Good Discourse, which was the name of a conference where Melanie gave a talk on humility and writing; talk about sharing ... Read more

Sea Shanty TikTok

You could tell from our intro music and podcast tagline, the Betts are big into sea shanties and so we discuss the new TikTok sea shanty trend; ... Read more

Changing the Routine

As the kids are getting older, Dom and Melanie switch up the evening routine; they go for a hike on a cold, but beautiful winter's day; ... Read more

Happy New Year

The Betts ring in the new year watching Avengers and then celebrate Lucia's birthday on liturgical Epiphany with sushi, pho, and Grogu. Melanie ... Read more

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Betts! It's a low-key, stay-at-home Christmas this year and the Betts have experienced the sacraments, opened the ... Read more

Mary, Do Not Delay

This week, the Betts get snowed in and prepare for Christmas; face an allergy obstacle; discuss the three kinds of Christmas movies--including ... Read more

Blessed Advent, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year from StarQuest

StarQuest (SQPN) wishes you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We are grateful for all your support in 2020 whether by listening to our ... Read more

Slingshot

Scout day! Dom and some of the Betts spend the day in the great outdoors doing Scouting, while Melanie and Lucia spend the day making Santa ... Read more

Season of Lights

The Betts celebrate an allergy milestone; decorate for Christmas earlier than usual; talk about what makes The Mandalorian so great--and not ... Read more

I Flipped the Bird

The Betts celebrate Thanksgiving with a bigger than usual bird; go to Mass as a whole family for the first time in 8 months; have a Star Wars ... Read more