I’m Amy Carney.

How we choose to live today matters—now and for generations to come.

I empower moms of all ages and stages to live with purpose and leave a meaningful legacy.

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PARENT ON PURPOSE

Parent with intention, not by default. Take a courageous approach to raising children in a complicated world, helping you raise confident, capable adults and nurture stronger, thriving families.

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MAKE LOVE YOUR LEGACY

Create meaningful keepsakes and memories for the ones you love most. Find hope, encouragement, and inspiration to live intentionally and leave a legacy of love that lasts.

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Amy Carney

MEET

Amy Carney is an author, speaker, and advocate passionate about helping families live with purpose and legacy in mind. Drawing from her experiences raising six children—including triplet sons, a daughter, and two boys adopted from foster care—Amy inspires others to parent bravely, love deeply, and live intentionally.

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INVITE AMY TO SPEAK

Amy Carney inspires audiences with real-life stories, practical insights, and heartfelt encouragement for living and parenting with purpose. As a mother of six and author of Parent on Purpose, Amy brings refreshing honesty and wisdom to every stage, helping parents and leaders step away from cultural pressure and focus on what truly matters.

Her talks are ideal for parenting conferences, faith-based events, schools, and leadership gatherings.

With humor, humility, and hope, Amy empowers families and leaders to:

- RAISE CONFIDENT, CAPABLE CHILDREN -

- LIVE AND LEAD WITH LOVE -

- BUILD A LEGACY THAT LASTS -

Whether she’s speaking to a room of parents or an auditorium full of educators, Amy’s message leaves listeners encouraged, inspired, and equipped to take meaningful action at home and beyond.

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BOOKS & PURPOSEFUL RESOURCES

Explore Amy’s bestselling book Parent on Purpose and other resources designed to help you live and lead with love.

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One week into 2026…⁣
The holiday decor is packed away, the kids are back at school, and the quiet rhythm of routine is settling in.⁣
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Before you rush into new goals and resolutions, take a moment to reflect on the year you just lived. ⁣
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Looking back helps you move forward with intention.⁣
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Here are 10 questions to help you review your 2025:⁣
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1️⃣ What are my fondest memories of this year?⁣
2️⃣ What were the most significant moments—both highs and lows?⁣
3️⃣ How did I invest in my relationships (with God, my spouse, my kids, family, and friends)?⁣
4️⃣ Which mentors had the greatest impact on me?⁣
5️⃣ What books inspired or challenged me?⁣
6️⃣ What did I procrastinate on or leave unfinished?⁣
7️⃣ How was I transformed this year?⁣
8️⃣ What area of my life did I neglect?⁣
9️⃣ How did I do good in the world, big or small?⁣
🔟 What did I do this year that I never want to repeat?⁣
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Save this post, grab a journal, and give yourself space to reflect. ⁣
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Clarity comes when we honor where we’ve been before deciding where we’re going.⁣
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#newyear #newyearsresolution #newyearnewyou #ɴᴇᴡʏᴇᴀʀ2026 #live2026onpurpose

The end of the year is a beautiful chance to reflect on the memories, lessons, and moments that shaped your family in 2025. ⁣
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I created these New Year’s Eve Conversation Starters to make reflection simple and meaningful—whether you’re using them on your own, with your spouse, or around the table with your kids.⁣
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Download your free printable Conversation Starters and head into the new year with intention!⁣
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👉 Link in my Stories (https://bit.ly/NYEConversation)⁣
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#newyearseve #newyear #newyearreset #nye #nye2025

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

What a blessing to have all of my kids home together for the first time in a while! I’m loving the time together, celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

(And our family is officially too large for an Instagram post, so I had to split it up into two!)

Enjoy your holiday season ❤️

This morning filled my heart ❤️

Spending time with the girls from @firmfoundation_az, gifting each of them their own You Are Loved Album, was such a joy. Watching them choose photos of themselves, laugh, and get creative was a beautiful reminder that this is exactly what I had envisioned when I created these albums.

Thank you to every one of you who purchased an album for your family. Because of you, these precious girls living in foster care were gifted a tangible reminder this holiday season: they are seen, known, and deeply loved.

Help us continue sharing reminders of God’s love—one album, one story, one child at a time.
(Link in bio to shop!)

Some gifts are opened once.
Others are opened again and again 🎁

The You Are Loved Keepsake Album is made for the second kind.
Fill it with photos, memories, and handwritten words for an instant meaningful Christmas gift—or give it blank as an invitation for your loved one to tell their own story.

And when you purchase one, a second album is gifted to a teen living in foster care in Arizona.

Your gift creates meaning twice—once for someone you love, and once for a young person who needs to know they matter.

This Christmas, give something that says “You matter. You are loved.”

Shop at amycarney.com/shop

Serving our community has always been part of how we’ve lived out our faith as a family. From the very beginning, we’ve tried to teach our kids that loving God means loving others in tangible ways. As they’ve grown older, those opportunities to serve together have become fewer, with them living out of state.

What a gift it was to spend this morning at @harvestcompassion with two of my adult sons home for Christmas break. Serving alongside them today was a sweet reminder that God is faithful to grow the seeds we plant, even when we’re not always there to see it.

Grateful for a God who calls us to serve, a Christmas season that has my children coming home, and the blessing of watching our children continue to walk in His ways ❤️

Check out @thestorehouseaz a hidden gem in Glendale, AZ!

📍 5840 W Greenway Rd — across from ACU
🕒 Open Wed–Sat, 10AM–4PM

Shop local + style your home + support families in our community with every purchase!

Turns out Santa approves of purposeful parenting!

Swing by @kidstoptoys tomorrow (Sunday, Dec. 7) from 2–4 pm for free photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Elves!

Bring the whole family, soak up the holiday fun, and while you’re there, grab a copy of Parent on Purpose — the perfect stocking stuffer for mom 📖

Marvel. My word for 2025.

This morning’s sunrise is a gentle reminder to slow down and notice—to marvel at what God is already doing right in front of me.

I’m learning to treasure these early mornings—bundled in a cozy blanket on the patio with my tea, Bible, and December devotional, watching the day slowly unfold before the hustle and bustle of the day begins.

It’s amazing how we can find peace when we’re intentional with our routines and habits. The world may rush, but we don’t always have to.

Take time to marvel. To rest. To breathe. To notice the beauty that God places in front of you, even in the middle of a busy season.

What’s one small habit helping you find peace this season?

Our kids are watching us this Christmas…
What we care about.
What we give our time to.
What we stress about.
What we celebrate.

The gifts that matter most this season aren’t wrapped.
They’re taught.
🎁 Appreciation.
🎁 Generosity.
🎁 Compassion.
🎁 Contribution.
🎁 Humility.

These gifts last.
And they start with us!

Giving Tuesday is the perfect day to talk with our families about generosity—where we give, why we give, and how we can make giving part of who we are.

One simple way we build a culture of generosity in our home is with our Blessing Jar. Every January we start with an empty jar, and all year long we drop in spare change or bills we find. In December, we get to anonymously bless someone in need. It’s small, simple, and incredibly meaningful.

Today is a great opportunity to not only support the local and national charities doing good work in your community and beyond—but also to start (or restart) your own family giving tradition.

Generosity grows when we make it visible, intentional, and part of our everyday family rhythm.

Tag a non-profit that you are supporting today or tell us about a giving tradition your family has!

#GivingTuesday #FamilyGiving #BlessingJar #RaisingGenerousKids #ParentOnPurpose #SimpleTraditions #GiveBack #TeachGenerosity

Hello, December!

The holiday season is here, and with it comes a choice: how we spend our time, where we place our focus, and what we model for the people watching us most closely.

This month, let’s pause, slow down, and be intentional.

The gifts that matter most aren’t wrapped—they’re lived, modeled, and taught.

So, let’s choose wisely and live out this month on purpose!

#intentionalliving #intentionalparenting #parentingwithpurpose #parentonpurpose #decembertoremember #giftsthatlast #familyvalues #mindfulmoment #december1st #motherhoodinspired

This month, the U.S. Mint stopped making pennies. And while they won’t disappear overnight, the news immediately brought my 936 Penny Jars to mind—so I wanted to share this simple, meaningful tradition with you.

Inside this jar sit 936 pennies: one for every week we have with our child from birth until they turn 18. It’s a visual countdown clock for childhood—quiet, humbling, and powerful.

Each week, you move one penny from the remaining jar to the spent jar. Such a small action, but it carries a big reminder:

⏳ Time is precious—and how we spend it matters.

Life moves quickly. Between school drop-offs, work, sports, dinner, emails, and everything else, it’s easy to forget that childhood is happening right in front of us. One penny at a time. One week at a time.

God willing, we get 936 weeks. Some of us have more pennies in the “spent” jar than we‘d like. Some are just starting out. But every parent receives the same invitation:

Pay attention.
Choose what matters.
Make the small moments count.

So pause for a moment and ask yourself:

How many weeks do you have left until your child turns 18?
And how will you spend them?

As our country says goodbye to the penny, let us remember that childhood isn’t forever—so let’s make the weeks count.

#936pennies #parentonpurpose #parentingwithpurpose #intentionalparenting #timematters #parentlife #intentionalparenting #purposefulparenting #motherhood #spendtimewisely

Ten years ago today, I said yes to Jesus.
My baptism wasn’t planned.
It wasn’t polished.
It wasn’t perfect (as you can see from the only imperfect video footage I have!)

But it was real.
It was sacred.
It was the day God met me right where I was—and changed everything.

This decade has taught me:
God doesn’t need our curated lives.
He needs our obedience.
He needs our willingness.
He needs our yes—even when it’s inconvenient and uncomfortable.

I share the full story—messy, miraculous, and life-changing—in my upcoming book, An Inconvenient Faith.

Here’s to the next decade of inconvenient yeses…
and a God whose timing is always way better than mine.

(Thank you @troydpeterson for saying yes to stepping back into that water to baptize me. I’m forever grateful for your yes!)

It’s Small Business Saturday! Starting today through Cyber Monday, my limited-edition signed hardcover of Parent on Purpose is $5 off + FREE shipping!

If you’re looking for a meaningful, useful gift for a mom in the thick of raising her kids, I’ve got you covered!

I’m so grateful for every one of you who chooses to shop small and support local!

Tap the link in bio to shop or go to amycarney.com/shop

#smallbusinesssaturday #shopsmall #shopsmallaz #azsmallbusiness #shoplocal #saturdayshopping
#parentonpurpose #azauthor #scottsdalemoms #phoenixmoms #azmoms #intentionalparenting #mompreneur #momlife

Today we celebrate Hope & A Future Day here in Arizona!

21 years ago, Governor Jan Brewer officially proclaimed November 24 as a day to honor the incredible work of this organization—and what a difference they continue to make.

@azhopefuture has brought purpose, belonging, and hope to many foster children in our state. Our family is so thankful their support didn’t end after our sons were adopted, and that continued connection and mentorship is something truly rare and precious in the foster care community.

If you’re looking for a meaningful place to direct your Arizona tax credit this year, I highly recommend Hope & A Future. Their impact is real, lasting, and life-changing.

Give them a follow and help support the work that gives children not just care—but a future filled with possibility.

Check them out at azhope.com.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Make Your Monday Matter!

Every child deserves a reminder that they are seen, valued, and loved—no matter their circumstances.

Your purchase of a You Are Loved Keepsake Album donates one to a child in foster care.

Buy One, Give One.
Let’s make love our legacy—one child at a time 🫶

Shop → https://amycarney.com/shop/ (Link is in my bio!)

#Youareloved #Fostercarelove #Everychilddeserveslove #Adoptionlove #Makeloveyourlegacy #keepsakealbum #memoryalbum #photobook #keepsake #buyonegiveone

Happy National Adoption Day 💛

Today we celebrate the blessing of finalizing the adoptions of our sons in 2016 and 2021. Standing in that courtroom as a family will forever be some of our most cherished memories.

People often ask, “What made you want to adopt?” And the answer is Jesus. Only Jesus. We simply followed where He called us, and we are grateful for the privilege of saying yes to adding these two boys to our family.

National Adoption Day exists to bring awareness to the need for permanent, loving families for children in foster care. There are still thousands of children waiting for stability, belonging, and the unconditional love every child deserves.

If you’ve ever felt a tug on your heart to foster or adopt, don’t ignore it. There are kids praying today for what so many of us take for granted—a family to call their own.

May this day inspire more families to open their homes and hearts to a child in need 💛

Great morning @mcdowell.church Freedom Market — selling my wares for a good cause!⁣
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Every purchase benefits McDowell Church’s mission partners serving women seeking freedom, restoration, and hope.⁣
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Come shop local today until noon!
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I’ve made it easy for you to turn that awkward silence into meaningful conversation around the Thanksgiving table this year!

Come see me this Saturday at The Freedom Market @mcdowell.church , where I’ll have my Thanksgiving Conversation Starter jars (and all of my books) available for purchase!

The Freedom Market is an outdoor community marketplace hosted by McDowell Community Church + Trailhead Coffee. Every purchase helps bring freedom, restoration, and hope to women impacted by sex trafficking.

Shop from local small business favorites—all while supporting a powerful cause.

📍 Saturday, November 22
⏰ 8 AM – 12 PM
📌 McDowell Church, Scottsdale

Hope to see you there!

Come support me (and other local vendors) at @mcdowell.church Freedom Market — a creative marketplace with a powerful purpose.⁣
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📅 Saturday, Nov 22 | 8am–12pm⁣
📍 McDowell Church, Scottsdale (North Lawn, by the playground)⁣
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McDowell Church + Trailhead Coffee are partnering to raise awareness and join the fight against human trafficking. Every purchase will benefit McDowell Church’s mission partners serving women seeking freedom, restoration, and hope.⁣
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We’ll be set up alongside the Earn the Bird 5k & Fun Run—bring the whole family and enjoy a meaningful Saturday!

Today, I’m celebrating World Kindness Day alongside local Arizona author @kariabaker whose beautiful book Finding Kind reminds us that kindness isn’t just something we teach—it’s something we live 💛

In a world that can often feel divided and harsh, choosing kindness is an act of courage. It changes conversations, communities, and hearts—starting with our own.

Let’s all do our part to spread the kindness our world so desperately needs!

📖 Grab a copy of Finding Kind and join Kari and myself in helping make kindness contagious today and always!

#WorldKindnessDay #FindingKind #BeKind #KindnessMatters #ArizonaAuthors #SpreadKindness

We see “be kind” everywhere—on t-shirts, bumper stickers, and classroom walls. It’s a beautiful reminder, but sometimes I wonder if we’ve grown numb to the message. When “be kind” becomes just another slogan, it loses its power to truly shape our hearts and homes.

This throwback photo of our daughter and foster daughter together is a living reminder that kindness is so much more than a catchphrase. It’s a choice we make, moment by moment, to love, include, and lift one another up.

Today on World Kindness Day, let’s consider whether we are teaching our children to be nice, or to be kind?

➡️ Niceness often comes from wanting to be liked or to avoid conflict. It can be surface-level, masking what’s really true or good.

➡️ But kindness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). It’s rooted in love, courage, and a willingness to put others’ needs before our own.

Jesus never asked us to be “nice.” He showed us how to be kind. His kindness healed, restored, and transformed lives. And that’s the model I want my children to follow.

Kindness isn’t just a cultural message. It’s a Kingdom mandate.

Let’s choose kindness, even when it’s hard—and let’s start right where we are, with the people God has placed in our lives ❤️

#worldkindnessday #kindnessbeginsathome #intentionalparenting #faithfulfamily #parentonpurpose

Thankful for the new day today after a terrifying experience yesterday on the Chicago train from the airport into the city. I witnessed a man violently holding a woman at knife point, and a bystander was stabbed (which thankfully I did not see.) It was a moment you normally see or hear about on the news from afar.

I am deeply thankful for the quick response of the police and for the bravery of those who helped protect others in that moment.

Today, I choose thankfulness—for all the goodness in this world, for this beautiful city I once called home, and for the Lord’s protection in the face of evil.

I refuse to live in fear, yet I unfortunately think my days on city public transit have come to an end.

“I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” Psalm 23:4

This month is personal.

When our sons entered our family through foster care adoption at age ten, they came with only a few belongings… and almost no photos of their life before us.

No proof of celebrations.
No school photos or record of milestones.
No images to say, “You matter and are loved.”

So this month — National Adoption Month — we are doing something about it.

For every You Are Loved Keepsake Album purchased, we’ll donate one to a child in foster care.
So they have a place to keep their precious story too.

Because every child deserves to feel seen, valued and loved.

And a keepsake album to store their photos and memories is one way we can do that.

Join us.
One story. One child. One family at a time.

www.amycarney.com/shop (Link is in my Bio!)

#NationalAdoptionMonth #YouAreLoved #FosterCare #AdoptionStory #EveryStoryMatters #LoveIsLegacy #FamilyLegacy #LegacyofLove #LiveYourLegacy #MakeLoveYourLegacy

I’ve never been big into Halloween, but I sure loved dressing my little ones up in themed costumes through their younger years!

From three peas in a pod to three little pigs, Goldilocks & her 3 bears, Bo Peep & her sheep, four little monkeys, superheroes, Disney and Wizard of Oz characters, and my favorite of all — the Four Seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall) handmade by my mom.

Eventually they got too cool for Mom’s themed costumes… and that’s when the photo album stopped 😂

Cherish and enjoy those fleeting childhood years — they pass far too quickly. And don’t forget to capture and print your photos while you can — you’ll treasure looking back at them one day 📸

AZ Friends! Now’s the perfect time to shop local and save! Through this Sunday, October 26, you can get 20% off my books—and almost everything @kidstoptoys —when you use your @carecardaz

If you’re not familiar, the Care Card is the Board of Visitors fundraising initiative that supports the Big Pink Bus, a mobile imaging program of Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center.

You buy the card once, and it gives you discounts at lots of local businesses while supporting a great cause!

So grab your Care Card, stop by Kidstop Toys & Books and shop small, and early, for your holiday gifts!

So grateful for a beautiful time celebrating our third-born at his White Coat Ceremony into med school at VCOM Auburn. Sharing it with my parents made it even sweeter!

After a gap year working at Christ Health in Birmingham, AL he pursued where God was leading, and we are so proud of his perseverance and heart!

Cheering our Cole on as he steps into this next chapter. Proud and excited for you, son!

My Bible study teacher said those four words this week, and they’ve been replaying in my mind ever since.⁣
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How we spend our time matters. ⁣
Every minute shapes the story we’re writing with our lives. ⁣
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Yet so often, I find myself pulled in many directions—wearing all the hats, managing all the roles. ⁣
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After a full and beautiful month, followed by a challenging week, I’m pausing to ask: Are my minutes aligned with what truly matters? With the glory of God?⁣
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We only get one today. One life to live.⁣
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”⁣
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Let’s take that to heart.⁣
Slow down. Consider how we are spending our time.⁣
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Then choose to make our minutes matter while we can ⏳

From the moment I learned I was having a daughter after our trio of boys, to the sacred moment of recently watching her choose her wedding dress, has been one of my life’s greatest honors. She is a daily reminder of God’s grace and goodness, and watching her grow into the strong, faith-filled woman she is today is a blessing. I am grateful for the gift of being her mom. Happy National Daughter Day to my girl 💗

What do you want to be remembered for?

It’s a question we don’t ask ourselves often enough. Are we living for a job title, a role, or something deeper that truly matters?

Since Charlie Kirk’s life was taken, I’ve been reflecting on this even more. In an interview that’s now been shared in so many tribute videos, Charlie was asked what he wanted to be remembered for.

His answer was simple, yet powerful: “My courageous faith.” That answer struck a chord in me, because that’s exactly what I want my legacy to be too.

But it’s not enough to just want it.

Are we living in a way today that will actually leave the legacy we hope for?

What do you want to be remembered for—and how are you living that out today? Who else wants to be remembered for their courageous faith?

#courageousfaith #legacy #yourlegacy #mylegacy #leavealegacy #liveyourlegacy

What a joy it was to kick off the new season of the amazing @moms_at_stpatrick There’s nothing quite like gathering with fellow moms who are looking to grow, learn, and support one another on this journey of raising children.

I loved sharing my Roadmap to Parent on Purpose framework—something that has shaped my own family and helped so many others move from simply reacting to intentionally leading their children with faith, love, and purpose.

Seeing familiar faces from last time and meeting new friends reminded me just how powerful community is in this precious season of full-time parenthood.

If you’d like me to speak to your group or event about intentional parenting, I’d love to connect! Send me a DM and let’s strengthen more families together.

#parentonpurpose #scottsdalemoms #scottsdalemom #azmom #azmoms #intentionalparenting #faithandfamily #raisingadults #CommunityMatters

A week ago, I was standing alone in a coffee shop in Lexington, Kentucky when I heard the heartbreaking news that Charlie Kirk had been murdered. My heart was (and still is) heavy with shock, anger, and deep sadness—so many emotions all at once.

As I tried to process the weight of it, my eyes landed on a community board with the question, “What advice would you give a 25-year-old knowing what you know now?”

One handwritten response stopped me in my tracks. I found myself in absolute agreement, even scribbling “THIS” beside it. Because following Jesus truly is the best decision I’ve ever made—and I only wish I hadn’t waited until I was 44 to truly follow Him.

In that moment, I realized the wisdom Charlie boldly lived and shared is the same truth written on that wall: life is too short to wait. If I could tell my younger self—or anyone searching for direction—one thing, it would be this: Don’t wait. Choose faith. Choose Jesus.

And the fact that this happened inside @brevedecoffee was no coincidence. Their name is a play on the word brevity—meaning shortness of time. Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”What a timely reminder.

Charlie’s voice may be silenced on this earth, but his legacy continues to echo through the lives he touched. And if you’ve been hesitating, wondering, or searching—let this be your nudge. There is nothing cooler, braver, or more life-changing than saying yes to Him. ❤️

Happy Constitution Day 🇺🇸

Throwing it back to our unforgettable RV adventure when we celebrated Constitution Day at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Exploring our nation’s history together as a family was such a powerful reminder of the freedoms and responsibilities we share as Americans.

Today is the perfect opportunity to talk with your kids about the importance of our country’s founding document. The Constitution isn’t just a piece of history—it’s the foundation for the rights and liberties we enjoy every day.
If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend visiting the Constitution Center, Independence Hall and the National Archives. Walking through those exhibits as a family brought the story of America to life in a way we’ll never forget.

Let’s raise the next generation to understand, appreciate, and protect the values our country was built on. Our conversations today help shape the citizens and leaders of tomorrow 🇺🇸

Learn more on my blog written on our trip: https://amycarney.com/celebrating-constitution-day-in-philadelphia/

#ConstitutionDay #FamilyAdventures #ParentOnPurpose #RaisingCitizens #intentionalparenting

24 years ago, I gave birth to my firstborn triplet sons!

As I celebrate my dear sons who are unfortunately living across the country from me today, I’m reminded that our most significant contribution to the Kingdom of God may not be something we do, but the men we raise 💙 💙 💙

What an absolute joy it is to be your mother! Happy birthday to my boys!

#TripletMom #momofmultiples #phoenixmom #arisonamom

Today is National Feel the Love ❤️ Day, and I’m reminded of how powerful it is to create a home where love is seen and felt.

One way we do this is by the photos and words we choose to display in our homes. They aren’t just decorations. They’re daily reminders to our family of what matters most.

Love isn’t just something we say—it’s something we show. Let’s fill our homes with reminders of love so everyone who walks through our doors knows they are loved.

How do you help your family feel the love at home? (Thanks @mixtiles for helping me create this display in our laundry room!)

#feeltheloveday #familylegacy #intentionalparenting #homeislove #blessedhome #familylove #familyphotos

Today, on Grandparents Day, I find myself reflecting on the unique beauty and blessing of having grandparents in our lives.

Now that all of my grandparents have passed, I treasure the handwritten (and even typed) letters they faithfully sent me, no matter where I lived. I moved often before I was married, but their words always found me and made me feel loved and remembered.

In our fast-paced digital world, I wonder if grandparents are still taking the time to handwrite notes to their grandchildren.

There is something so meaningful about seeing a loved one’s handwriting—a tangible reminder of their presence and care. I can still recognize my grandparents’ and parents’ handwriting instantly.

Let’s not lose the art of letter writing. These simple, heartfelt notes become cherished keepsakes for generations. If you’re a grandparent, or have one in your life, maybe today is the perfect day to pick up a pen and share a piece of your heart.

Do you have handwritten letters from your grandparents or parents? Can you still spot their handwriting?

Looking for a fun way to beat the Arizona heat? We found it this weekend @paquapark @scorpionbayaz Lake Pleasant!

A giant floating obstacle course with slides, climbs, and wipe-out fun for the adventurous in your family.

Sessions are 45 minutes and you can book in advance $27.50 online.

(Don’t forget Lake Pleasant entry is $7 per car.)

Open Saturdays & Sundays through September — book your spot early!

📍 Just 45 minutes from Phoenix at Scorpion Bay Marina.

Perfect family fun for a hot Arizona weekend! Have you been to Paqua Park?

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!

This month, let’s plan with intention and make space for meaningful moments.

Here are some special days & holidays to inspire your September plans:

🇺🇸 1 – Labor Day
🤲 5 – International Day of Charity
📚 6 – National Read a Book Day
🧑‍🏫 7 – Grandparents Day
🙏 11 – National Day of Prayer & Remembrance (9/11)
🇺🇸 17 – Constitution Day
🙏🏼 21 – World Gratitude Day
🍂 22 – First Day of Fall
💌 26 – Love Note Day
🏘️ 28 – National Good Neighbor Day
☕️ 29 – National Coffee Day

What are you looking forward to this September?

#September #septemberfun #parentonpurpose #planning #planwithme #septembertoremember

Every fall, I find myself holding the school photo order form, wondering if I really need to make the investment…again.

But there’s something about those classic school portraits—simple, nostalgic, and a little bit magical in our digital world. So, I always end up ordering them, year after year.

I order my kids’ annual school photos because I have a purpose for them.

Each photo goes straight into each child’s YOU ARE LOVED KEEPSAKE ALBUM, building a collection I’ll one day gift to them at graduation.

Don’t wait until graduation is right around the corner to scramble for a meaningful gift. Start now and create a School Days Album that will remind your child just how loved and treasured they are—year after year.

Check out my ‘You Are Loved’ School Years Keepsake Album at amycarney.com/shop (Link in my bio, or comment SCHOOL and I’ll DM you the direct link!)

#schoolyearalbum #meaningfulkeepsake #schoolphotos #schooldays #schooldaysalbum #intentionalmotherhood #schoolmemories #intentionalparenting #parentonpurpose

SUPPORT SMALL SATURDAY! Are you intentional about where you give your time, treasures, and talents? Many of us have a plan for our money, but do we have a giving plan for our gently used items? It’s worth pausing to consider if the places we donate to align with our family values.

One of my favorite local spots to support is @thrift2thriveaz Not only is it a fun thrift store to donate to and hunt for treasures, but they also have a great coffee shop. What I love most is that their mission truly resonates with our family.

All proceeds from Thrift to Thrive benefit Thrive AZ’s Safe Sleep program, which provides beds to children and youth in need. Their mission, “a family that has hope will thrive,” is lived out as they support youth transitioning out of foster care, as well as foster care prevention and reunification.

If you’re looking for a place to donate your items or just want to grab a coffee and support a great cause, check them out:

📍 839 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85014

Let’s be mindful about where we give, because it really does matter ❤️

#intentionalgiving #supportlocal #thrifttothrive #parentonpurpose #faithandfamily

Did you know some parents are calling their college kids every morning to wake them up?
And when they can’t reach them… they’re calling the RA or even a roommate to do it.

In our home, waking up with an old-school alarm clock has always been the expectation. Why? Because before long, our kids will be off living on their own—at college, in the military, or in the workforce. And waking yourself up is a basic life skill every young adult needs.

One of my favorite parenting mindsets is “parent six years ahead.”

With my 13-year-old, I’m always asking: what will he need to know at 19 (Yikes!) and how can I help him practice those skills today? Getting himself out of bed on time is one of them.

This week, though, he struggled as three out of five mornings, I ended up waking him. He had set his alarm for 5:40 instead of 6:30—no wonder he was crashing back to sleep! That small mistake reminded me: when something isn’t working, pause, troubleshoot, and pivot. We’ll try again next week!

Let’s keep empowering our kids to own their mornings.
How’s your back-to-school routine going in your house? Do your kids use alarms to wake themselves in the mornings?

#intentionalparenting #raisingteens #parentonpurpose #familyrules

Popped into my favorite local kids’ shop today and always love seeing my books on the shelves @kidstoptoys
⁣
Just your friendly reminder to support local small businesses (and authors) anytime you can 😊⁣

Our 8th grader brought home his school photo today… and wasn’t too thrilled with how he looked. I reassured him that middle school pictures are always a little awkward.

Then he asked if I had my own 8th grade photo—thankfully, I knew exactly where my yearbooks were. Soon enough, we were gathered in the kitchen, laughing our way through my 1985 yearbook.

The highlight? Watching him try to decipher and read aloud the cursive notes my friends had written decades ago. It’s funny—and a little sad—that cursive is fading away. If nothing else, we’ve got to teach our kids how to read it so they can enjoy treasures like their mom’s middle school yearbook. 😂

That one spontaneous moment led him to grab his elementary yearbook… and my daughter joined in with hers.

Tell me- do you know where your school yearbooks are? And do you buy them for your kids?

#parentonpurpose #schooldays #schoolphotos #yearbook #intentionalparenting #yearbooks #yearbookphoto #familyfun

Kindness begins with us.

Today kicks off “Be Kind to Humankind Week”—a time to pause and intentionally spread love, compassion, and kindness in our families and communities. When we choose kindness, we create a ripple effect that can change lives, starting right at home.

Here are the daily themes to inspire your family this week:

🚗 Motorist Consideration Monday: Practice patience and consideration while traveling.
❤️ Touch a Heart Tuesday: Show love to someone in a meaningful way.
🤝 Willing to Lend a Hand Wednesday: Offer your time, help, or advice to someone in need.
💡 Thoughtful Thursday: Be mindful and considerate of those around you.
🕊️ Forgive Your Foe Friday: Let go of grudges and choose forgiveness.
💬 Speak Kind Words Saturday: Use your words to build up, not tear down.
🎁 Sacrifice Our Wants for Others’ Needs Sunday: Put others first.

Let’s make kindness a habit—one day, one act at a time.

#bekindtohumankind #kindnessmatters #intentionalparenting #parentonpurpose #bk2hk #bekind #bekindtohumankindweek

Whether your kids have already headed back to school or you’re still soaking up the last days of summer, there’s still time to make this year truly matter.

My “Make This School Year Matter in 2025-26” Toolkit is here to help you parent with intention, no matter where you are on the back-to-school journey.

Inside, you’ll find practical tools like Back-to-School Checklists, Family Meeting Planning Sheet, Conversation Starters, and more—everything you need to nurture strong family bonds and raise confident, responsible kids.

Choose the printed or printable version that fits your family best. Let’s make this school year one you’ll look back on with gratitude and joy!

Grab your toolkit ON SALE before August ends!

[Link in bio or visit amycarney.com/shop]

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Amy Carney

I’m Amy Carney.

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Amy Carney

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