Month: July 2022

Homeschool

Homeschool Parent Must-Haves

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Hey Loves!

I get asked this a lot. I also sometimes feel like I am sometimes missing things to ensure I am prepared to educate my kids. Then I remember that God qualifies the called  and I have the must-haves. Also, if I run out they are a couple clicks away.

Here is what I always have on hand. 

Stationary: Call me snob but great pens of all colors, post-its, and note pads are essential for me. I take notes, highlight and mark pages. 

Planner/Organizer: I am what they call, “type A” and I like to see our days and rhythms all laid out. This year I opted to create my own personal and lesson planner. 

Network: Near or far, the support, encouragement and collective sharing of resources and ideas is critical. I can’t know all the things, I’m not supposed to. My network helps me and I help them. I honestly receive way more than I give. Our network breathes life into our homeschool.

Library Access: Friends, it is no secret I am addicted to books. I adore them. The library not only provides a multitude of audio and hard copy books but they have amazing programs and activities as well.


This list is just a start but these are the only way I make it year after year.

Homeschool

Homeschool Parent Self-Care Ideas

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Hey Loves!

I recently returned from a much needed momcation which you can read all about here, here and here.

With that, I want to share some things I do and plan to do that will sustain me mentally, physically and emotionally until I can get away again. Listen, it isn’t easy being a parent doing most everything and when you add educator, curriculum director, researcher and administrator, it compounds monumentally. 

We all need breaks. There is no glory in masochistically running yourself into the ground. I’ve learned there needs to be very regular maintenance of myself to continue being what’s needed for my family. Here they are.

The Bare Essentials: Food and Water- It sounds crazy but you won’t believe how many days I have not fed myself and/or hydrated properly.  Sometimes I get so dehydrated, I get headaches. That’s not cute. To curb this, I keep filled cups and water bottles all around and keep cans of sparkling water handy. I will also prepare meals and snacks that are easy to assemble or grab to make sure eating is easy.

Endorphins: Look, exercise is a need mentally and emotionally, not just physically. The endorphins I get from a good ride or fitness class set up my day or days for absolute success.

Connection: I get it, we have separated from one another and had to take very real and necessary precautions to stay safe but isolating is not going to help us. Connect with others however you can! Date nights, GNOs, zoom chats, and checking in via zoom are weekly, sometimes daily for me.

Planning and Reflection: For me, being prepared and competent in our schedule, activities and lessons is soothing for my mind and my heart. It also eases my children’s anxiety knowing expectations and what is coming up. I also have comfort when bags are packed and items are prepped for whatever we are doing outside the home?

How are you practicing self care?.

about me

Summer Reads for Parents for Any Mood

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Hey Loves!

Summer is in full swing and I live by a good book anytime of year, but there is something about summer that makes reading incredibly nostalgic. Here’s a few book ideas for whatever you are in the mood for!

Romance: Alisha Rai’s modern romance series was a 3-book series I finished in a couple of days! I loved how the author discussed other issues like harassment, anxiety and grief while providing steamy romance with some relatable laughs. 

Self Improvement: The Lazy Genius Way is worth gold. Legit. The book 13 amazing principles that will really help you enjoy this thing called life. 

Parenting:  Adventuring Together by Greta Eskrudge honestly changed so much of the things my kids and I experience together. It’s has helped shed fear and shame and allow us to embrace adventures in all sizes. 

Faith: Try Softer by Aundi Kolber is really good for anyone who has experienced or knows someone who has experienced anxiety and/or trauma. The clinical knowledge and biblical truth combine to give the reader a fresh approach and sweet joy!

You can find all these books here! Hope the recommendations make it to a book shelf near you!

Mom Life

Mom Travel Essentials and Tips

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Hey Loves!

Are you over hearing about my momcation? Well I won’t bore you with details but I did learn a few tips and have some unusual travel essentials for you. (If you do want details on my momcation, you can read about them starting here.)

Travel Tips: 

  1. Choose a mode of transportation that will gladly leave without you. Plane, train, or friend caravan, for example. As a mom, I know all too well how guilt or things to do will delay or even cancel your trip. Don’t let it. 
  2. Once you plan the days you will be gone, choose departure and arrival times that will give you the maximum time away. If you have fly out at 6 a.m., to enjoy the entire day and fly back 8 p.m., do it!
  3. Bring entertainment-traveling by yourself is way different than traveling with kids. I actually got bored in the airport and on the plane. So get an audiobook, download a movie or get ready to play games. 

Travel Essentials:

  1. Pajamas- I know this sounds odd but a huge part of momcations is the rest. Ariana Huffington says in her book that pajamas prepare your body and brain for rest. She is correct. It didn’t matter what time of day I put pajamas on, my brain slowed and my body stilled. 
  1. Electronics-  I’m sure you’re like, “duh” but as a content creator the mental space I had to create was vast. It was a bummer when I didn’t have all I needed to really work well and efficiently 
  1. A Budget- again, duh. I got out a cash budget. Well, that was before I realized cash isn’t accepted everywhere. So maybe grab some Lyft gift cards or gift cards that can be used anywhere. 
  1. Flexibility- If you are anything like me when you travel, you want to see and experience as much as you can. On a momcation, there’s no way you can do that and have adequate rest. So, be flexible and be ok with not seeing and doing all. 

Hope this helps dears!

about me

MomCation- The Worship

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Hey Loves!

If you are new here, you should know I am fully in love with Jesus. So in love that I knew this time needed to involve sweet communion and fellowship with Jesus.

I worshiped. Not just Listening to some songs to get  through but  legit marveling at all of the love, grace, blessings and provision.

I prayed. Well, I guess it was more like non stop talking about all the things but it was faith restoring.

I reviewed sermon notes. That sounds kinda shallow but I take a lot of notes and the goal is to absorb and apply. I was missing that last step quite often.

This time also allowed for meditation on our homeschool word and verse for the current and for next year. This girl is excited for what God is doing!

about me

MomCation-The Work

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Hey Loves!

So, I would love to tell you this time was spent pool lounging and at the spa but, le sigh, work must be done. You would think working would be the antithesis of vacation but, in this case at least, the mental freedom paired with an empty “to do” list made for an amazing working experience.

The mental clarity allowed me to see the proverbial Forrest and not just one tree. I could plan out blogs for the next quarter, review my goals and essentially pivot. 

However, I still had to go slow and not get sucked into getting it all done to maintain the refilling. 

So, I wrote a ton of blogs, happy reading.

I edited some videos. Happy watching.

I shot and edited lots of self shots for content.

I also created my media kit and worked on a brand partnership.

Was it everything I wanted to get done? No. Am I pleased with the way I balanced work and rest? Yes. Very.