As parents in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we are striving to help our children develop STRONG TESTIMONIES and have PERSONAL EXPERIENCES with Jesus Christ, EVEN when we don't have time to prepare fancy lessons. Mother-daughter duo Leslie Johnson and Linsey Jensen share their experiences, giving LDS parents actionable tips and tricks and helping us gain the tools and confidence we need to step away from lectures and learn to teach Come, Follow Me in a way that allows our fa ...
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Thriving In Motherhood Podcast | Productivity, Planning, Family Systems, Time Management, Survival Mode, Mental Health, Vision
Jessica Jackson
The GO TO Podcast For Moms With Kids At Home! Do you want to love motherhood but find yourself in survival mode or burned out more than you'd like to admit? Do you feel tugged between enjoying every moment with your kids because it "goes so fast" and feeling mom guilt because you don't? Are you tired of wandering around the house or scrolling social media but don't know where to find the time or energy to do something that you would enjoy? There's a way to create a life that you are excited ...
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Effective Routines For Time Management with Anna Dearmon Kornick [Episode 364]
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44:08In this episode, I’m joined by time management coach Anna Dearmon Kornick to talk about what really happens when your well-oiled routines stop working. We’re diving into why systems fall apart when life shifts, how to create new rhythms without starting from scratch, and the small habits that make a big difference in your week. From weekly planning…
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Empower Your Kids (And Yourself!) To Love The Outdoors with Susie Spikol [Episode 363]
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40:07Do you want to get your kids outside more, but feel intimidated by the work it takes to make it happen? What do you even do once you're out there? In this week’s episode of the Thriving in Motherhood Podcast, I’m talking with Susie Spickle, naturalist, mother of three, and author of Forest Magic for Kids. She shares simple, practical ways to make g…
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I’m planning out our 2025–2026 homeschool year, and with a 6th grader, 4th grader, 3rd grader, Pre-K/kindergarten child—and a newborn arriving soon—it’s going to be a full season. In this week’s episode of the Thriving in Motherhood Podcast, I’m sharing a full behind-the-scenes look at how we’re approaching curriculum, why we’re sticking with the A…
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How to Encourage Independent Play with Myriam Sandler [Episode 361]
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49:04Ever feel like you kids’ toys are taking over, yet no one’s actually playing with them? In this week’s episode, I sit down with Myriam Sandler - creator of the popular MotherCould community and author of Playful By Design - to unpack the real reasons independent play feels so elusive…and what actually works. From play hotspots to boredom breakthrou…
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How To Stop Getting Mad When Your Kids Mess Up Your Clean Space [Episode 360]
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18:41Have you ever gotten really excited about decluttering your house, jumped in with both feet, started making progress, and then very quickly found yourself getting frustrated with your kids for undoing your work? Or maybe you cleared a space and felt great about it - until they moved in and started playing there and it drove you crazy? If that sound…
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The Best Way to Plan Summer 2025 With Your Kids! [Episode 359]
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20:47Summer’s coming, which means it’s time to start asking some questions. Not the “what camps should we sign up for?” kind, but the deeper ones that help you create a summer rhythm that actually serves your family (and doesn’t leave you burned out by mid-June.) In this week’s episode, I’m sharing eight questions I’m working through right now as we pre…
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How to Overcome Angry Outbursts and Cultivate A Peaceful Home with Elizabeth Andreyevskiy [Episode 358]
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50:13On this week’s episode, I’m talking with anger coach Elizabeth Androeski, an anger coach for Christian moms. She opens up about her journey from being an angry, reactive parent to finding peace in everyday motherhood. Elizabeth shares the practical steps that helped her cope with parenting challenges without responding in anger - changes that compl…
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Traveling With Kids: Road Trip and Hotel Room Tips [Episode 357]
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23:52We just back from a six-day road trip with our family of six, and I’m excited to share my latest tips for making travel work with a bunch of kids (especially while 25 weeks pregnant). After years of taking these trips - including our annual month-long summer adventure - we keep finding ways to make things 1% better each time. In this episode I shar…
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What to Do With an Unfinished Task [Episode 356]
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27:11I’ve been working with moms for years, helping them plan weeks they can win. One of the biggest challenges I see is what happens when you get to the end of the week with loads of unchecked tasks still on your list. In this episode, I’m sharing a brand new process (complete with a downloadable flowchart!) that I’ve been using for years but finally p…
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Raise Confident Kids With These Problem Solving Principles with Linsey Jensen [Episode 355]
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38:48Problem solving is one of those skills I’m truly passionate about - for us moms and for our kids. When our children know how to solve problems, they can face whatever challenges come their way with confidence. In today’s episode, I talk with Linsey Jensen about three simple principles that help our kids become better problem solvers. Whether you’re…
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Becoming an Opt-Out Family with Erin Loechner [Episode 354]
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59:22Today I’m sharing a delightful conversation that I had with Erin Loechner author of, “The Opt Out Family.” Erin and I dive into what it really means to create a low-tech family life and explore practical ways to reduce technology’s grip on your home while cultivating richer, more meaningful alternatives that both parents and children genuinely enjo…
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Do a Quarterly R.E.S.E.T. With Me: Spring Edition [Episode 353]
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28:10The transition from quarter 1 to quarter 2 here from March to April is one of my absolute favorites because we’re not coming off major holidays, our routines are set for the next little while, school schedules are still flowing, and the weather’s warming up! It’s such a perfect time to reset in a couple of different ways. In this episode I’ll walk …
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Simple Cleaning Routine For a Peaceful Home [Episode 352]
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18:43Are you feeling overwhelmed by complicated clearing systems and endless to-do lists? In this episode, I’m sharing our family’s journey from complete survival mode (where we abandoned all cleaning systems) to creating simple, sustainable routines that keep our home relatively clean without exhausting my limited pregnancy energy. I’ll walk you throug…
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The one parenting skill I'm working on [Episode 351]
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10:45Do you ever find yourself responding to your children in ways that don’t align with the parent you want to be? As I navigate through pregnancy with our fifth child while homeschooling through Georgia’s cold winter days, I’ve found myself struggling with patience and tone - especially when cabin fever sets in. In this weeks episode, I open up about:…
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For When Your Best Isn't Good Enough [Episode 350]
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16:34Do you ever feel like your best isn’t cutting it? Like no matter how hard you try, you can’t keep up with what it takes to run your household? I hit this wall recently in my fifth pregnancy. Despite giving it my all, I couldn’t maintain the peace and systems I was used to. But through this struggle, I discovered something important about the standa…
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Life Update: Baby #5, Recent Projects, My Vision, Podcast Updates [Episode 349]
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38:17I wanted to give a personal update today - I haven't shared much about what's been happening behind the scenes with the podcast and my own life, and there's a lot to tell. Our fifth baby is on the way (I'm about 17 weeks), and while this pregnancy has brought some unexpected challenges, we're so excited. I've been mostly horizontal these past month…
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Learn This ONE Skill To Go From Surviving To Thriving in Motherhood [Episode 348]
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26:47In this week’s episode let's discuss problem solving and how it applies to motherhood. We'll get super practical with my new S.O.L.V.E. framework to help you get practical and apply this powerful principle today. Be part of our beta group of the surviving to thriving toolkit. Join at: thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/toolkit We are only taking 10 me…
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Our Homeschooling Curriculum for 2024-2025 Pre-K, 1st, 3rd, 5th Grade: Alveary Update [Episode 347]
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23:25When I started Alveary this year, I was drawn to their modern take on Charlotte Mason education. Now after completing our first term, I’ve discovered both unexpected joys and real challenges that surprised me. In this episode, I’m sharing the complete picture - from the resource that’s brought more joy to our family than I expected, to the hidden c…
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Four Books I Read During My Tech Fast [Episode 346]
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11:40During our January technology fast, I've been diving into some books that are shifting how I think about life beyond screens. Today, I want to share four powerful reads that are helping me envision what I want my days to look like instead of defaulting to technology. Here are the books that are transforming my perspective: The Opt-Out Family by Aon…
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Most Common Obstacles To Your Tech Fast and What To Do About It [Episode 345]
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13:56I’ve done technology fasts in previous years when my life was more stable - when I was in the thriving stage or at least normalized. This year is different. I’m in full-blown survival mode, and it’s making me see this practice in a whole new way. In this week’s episode, I’m walking through a tech fast looks different depending on where you are on t…
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Why We Never Feel Satisfied And What To Do About It [Episode 344]
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11:33What would it take to feel truly satisfied? Thomas Aquinas suggests we’d need to experience everything - every restaurant, every country, every possibility. But since that’s impossible, what do we do with our constant desire for more? In this episode, I’m exploring this tension between desires and contentment, especially as it relates to motherhood…
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Join me for a 30 day tech fast in January [Episode 343]
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18:37As we wrap up another year, I’ve noticed my technology use creeping up. Maybe you’re feeling it too - more scrolling, more shows, more social media. It’s easy to fall into, especially during the holidays. That is why in January, I like to combine two practices that set up my entire year for success: a technology reset and creating my vision for the…
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How To C.R.E.A.T.E. Your Vision For 2025 [Episode 342]
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23:43If you want a better present, you need a bigger future. This principle from Victor Frankl’s “Man’s Search For Meaning” has been proven in positive psychology - to truly thrive in your present, you need something you’re working toward. I came across this years ago when I had two little kids at home and felt aimless, with days dragging on. That’s whe…
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Why Motherhood Feels Harder Than It Should [Episode 341]
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7:40When I was pregnant with my fourth baby, I learned something fascinating about labor – in between contractions, our bodies release oxytocin, flooding us with feel-good hormones. This completely changed my birth experience because I started focusing on these moments of relief instead of just anticipating the next contraction. This principle, when we…
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15 Of My Favorite Books I Read In 2024 [Episode 340]
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15:04I read close to 100 books in 2024, and I'm excited to share my favorite book recommendations across different genres! From classic books to literary fiction, I've curated selections that align with my reading goals and support a positive motherhood mindset. Join me for this comprehensive book review that will inspire your next great read! Children'…
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Become Who You Want To Be As A Mom With A Personal Life Philosophy | Paper and Digital Options [Episode 339]
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11:06As a mom, I know exactly who I want to become. I also know there’s a gap between that vision and my current reality - in my character, my behavior, and my actions. To help close this gap, I’ve created something that’s become one of my favorite tools this year: a personal life philosophy. But don’t let the fancy name fool you - it’s simply a collect…
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How to Start A Book Club with Madeline Casey [Episode 338]
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55:16Ever been part of a book club that fizzled out after a few months? Or maybe you’ve wanted to start one but weren’t sure how to make it stick? This week’s episode is for you! I’m talking about what makes a book club truly work with Madeline Casey, who, along with Phoebe Cook, started the book club I’ve been part of for four years (and still love!). …
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5 Lessons I've Learned From This Busy Season [Episode 337]
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18:06This fall has been a very busy season for our family where we are stuck tackling things that are urgent. While it has been exhausting and at times felt like survival mode (some days have been 100% survival mode), I have learned some powerful lessons that are changing how I approach my days that I discuss in this week’s episode. I’ve found myself li…
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Weekly Planning In Our Marriage [Episode 336]
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23:36I’ve been getting questions after the focus on how to merge effective mom planning with planning with your spouse. Andrew and I sat down after we tucked the kids into bed this week and talked about what planning looks like for us in our marriage which I hope will inspire you. But first, let’s get some misconceptions out of the way: Misconception #1…
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The Joy of Slow with Leslie Martino [Episode 335]
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34:15Have you ever felt the need to speed up your child’s life? Like it’s some kind of race to cram in everything they need before they turn 18? Today’s conversation with Leslie Martino challenged my thinking about this in the best possible way. Leslie has four kids (14, 12, and 10-year-old twins), and she shared something that hit home: older kids dese…
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When Sierra first discovered the Thriving in Motherhood planner in 2021, she was deep in survival mode. With a three-year-old and an 18-month-old, she had been battling postpartum depression for over a year. “I need something,” she recalled thinking. “I can’t just be surviving anymore.” Like many mothers, Sierra initially hesitated about investing …
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Win Your Week Planning System Walkthrough [Episode 333]
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12:01Today I’m going to walk you through the the Win Your Week planning system that’s built into the 2025 Thriving in Motherhood Planner. This system is designed to help you navigate the ups and downs of motherhood while still achieving your goals and creating a life you love. Why Focus on Winning Your Week? Let's face it: as moms, our days can be unpre…
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12 Updates to the 2025 Thriving in Motherhood Planner [Episode 332]
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21:42I’m thrilled to share with you the 12 major updates we’ve made to the 2025 Thriving in Motherhood Planner. These changes are based on the latest productivity research, time management strategies, and systems design. I’ve been diving deep into these topics to bring you a planner that truly supports your journey in motherhood. Let’s explore what’s ne…
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I am taking a pause on the podcast + what I'm working on right now [Episode 331]
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10:44We have had a wonderful summer and a lot going on as we get back into life at home, gardening, homeschooling, and friendships. There has also been a lot going on behind the scenes with the podcast, which is what I want to share with you in this week’s Thriving Thursday email so you can know what to expect. Usually by now I've gotten the next year's…
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Why You Need To Do A Monthly Review | Parable of Harvesting Cucumbers [Episode 330]
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8:45I went out to harvest cucumbers and green beans with my kids early one morning. The plants looked amazing, with vines reaching everywhere. At first glance, it looked like we would come out with nothing to show for our months of effort water, picking off bugs, and weeding. But after we slowed down and searched for a while, we began to see lots of ve…
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5 Big Mistakes Moms Make On the 5 Step Path from Surviving to Thriving [Episode 329]
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18:25As mothers, we often find ourselves navigating the challenging journey from merely surviving our days to truly thriving. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with many amazing moms, and I've noticed some common pitfalls that can make this journey feel even more daunting. Today, I'd like to share some insights to help smooth your path. …
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Thriving Thought - Embrace the Season You Are In No Matter What is Coming Next [Episode 328]
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10:16Currently, we are in a season in our lives that could be temporary - or we could be here to stay for a long, long time. I'm very good at temporary. Moving has been my lot in life, growing up with my parents (I went to 10 schools by the time I graduated high school) and since getting married (we've lived in 6 homes). But living somewhere where stayi…
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Which Problems to Focus on In Each Phase on the 5 Step Path From Surviving to Thriving [Episode 327]
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23:23It can be so hard to feel like we are just surviving our days and see a huge list of all that needs to happen, but in reality all we need to do is focus on managing today and making tomorrow a little bit better too. Each of the five phases along the path have a specific focus, systems, and skills so that you can dramatically shorten your to-do list…
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Lessons from Watering Plants | The Power of Systems and Habits [Episode 326]
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9:27We have been working on a huge project to weed all of the garden pathways and lay down weed cloth to hopefully prevent future out of control weeks from taking over. One morning I got out there super early and saw all of the beautiful plants strong, but by 10am they were withering away in the hot sun. I realized that we've had many hot, dry days and…
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6 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Sauerkraut and What to Do Instead [Episode 325]
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14:11If you are looking for a fun and new activity to do with your kids I recommend making a jar of sauerkraut this summer! It took me 2 years and five failed batches before I finally figured out all of the nuances of this process, but it was well worth the wait. Today I'm sharing 6 mistakes to avoid and what to do instead so that your first batch can b…
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Gardening with Kids with Tiana Woodbury [Episode 324]
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45:34If you've ever thought about gardening with kids my conversation with Tiana Woodbury is for you! She has gardened with her three young children for many years in many different types of gardens (container, community, and her own backyard) and is full of real, practical tips. One of Tiana's superpowers is making the ordinary magical and she brings t…
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Smartphone update - what's working and not working to reduce screen time | Challenges with screens in each of the 5 Phases on the Path from Surviving to Thriving [Episode 323]
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11:29Earlier this year I shared what I did to make my smartphone less “smart” (Digital Minimalism in 2024). Since then, our family has faced some unexpected challenges that pushed us into survival mode, and naturally, our screen time increased, including mine. This experience made me realize the unique challenges we face at different stages of our journ…
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Why You Need a Quarterly Review | Parable of the Peach Tree [Episode 322]
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14:58We woke up on Saturday morning and my son was staring out the back window when he realized he couldn't see the zipper on the trampoline across the yard. Upon closer inspection, he realized that one of the huge limbs on our peach tree had broken and had fallen on top of the olive tree next to it and on the ground. We didn't have any big storms or hi…
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What do you do with all the stuff your kids create? [Episode 321]
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12:49What do you do with all the stuff your kids create? This is something I have struggled with for years with my four very creative children. In this week’s episode, I’m sharing what has been working for us, our current problems and what we are doing about it, and a brand new framework my children and I came up with that is changing how we think about…
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8 Tips for Raising Creative Kids [Episode 320]
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13:20We have four very creative kids who spend HOURS each day creating things (the most recent was an elaborate tin can phone system complete with bells and wall mounts for the cans to go between the top and bottom bunk). In this week's episode, I'm sharing the things we've done that have made the biggest impact on raising creative children. 8 Tips For …
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What to do when you don't feel like being around your kids [Episode 319]
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10:56Whether you are exhausted, depressed, sick, burned out, or just want a break, in today's episode I'll be sharing my #1 tip that I've used for the last 10.5 years of motherhood to get me through the day when I need some space we still have the day to spend together. The solution has two parts: Go outside and do something creative. When my kids were …
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Why Doing a Monthly Review is So Important for Moms [Episode 318]
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10:10It is so easy to fall into the "all I do is.." trap. You fill in the blank - change diapers, drive kids to school and activities, feed people, nurse the baby, chase after the toddler. No matter the season of motherhood you are in, there are things that we do over and over again. And when we start to think that it is all we do, we can start to feel …
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How I Decided Our Learning Priorities For the Summer [Episode 317]
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10:46With summer quickly approaching, I needed to refocus on what we are going to make our learning priorities for the next few months. We go year-round in our homeschooling so that we can have the ultimate flexibility to take breaks or just enjoy the nice days outside. And, hot weather here in the South has us indoors more than in the winter months. In…
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I used the Thriving in Motherhood Journal for 30 Days - What I Discovered [Episode 316]
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19:49For the last 30 days, I've been using the Thriving in Motherhood Journal. Before this personal challenge, I would use it about once a week when things were hard and noticed a nice lift to my week. But as this year has continued to surprise us I started to flounder and wanted to see what impact the journal would have in my life. In this week's episo…
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Goals vs Projects vs Habits in the Thriving in Motherhood Planner [Episode 315]
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21:07I got a fantastic question from a mother who is using the 2024 Thriving in Motherhood Planner this year: "I get confused sometimes about the distinction between things like goals (quarterly vs. yearly) vs. projects vs. habits vs. Big 3 vs. focus vs. tracking. Should these things all be related or not necessarily? For example, on page 31, I'm not su…
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