The Moms I Know Podcast: Recent Episodes
Sheila Walsh Dunton & Maria Anderson Fahrner
Sheila and Maria are two moms on a mission to reclaim childhood and to help you find joy in your parenting journey. Join us for dynamic conversations about family culture, thriving in motherhood, and parenting with intention.
Have you ever felt that your family home was out of balance? That the chores were piling up and you were the only one juggling it all? What if we told you that there is a system unique to your family’s needs and abilities that will finally help you create peace in your home? Meet Laura Hernandez, founder of Mama Systems.
“Calm house, calm life.” – Unknown.
In this final episode of The Moms I Know Podcast, we introduce you to Laura Hernandez, a mom to 10 children and teens, and the founder of her own small business, Mama Systems. If anyone knows what overwhelm and chaos feel like, Laura does, and not only did she figure out a way to create peace in her own home and life, she’s designed a system that will help you to discover peace in your home as well.
No, there is not one system or structure for every family - it’s not one size fits all - but Laura believes that every family can develop a system that works uniquely for them, she’s been helping other families to achieve this goal for years, and she’s here to help you, too.
Listen in to learn more about Laura, how her family of 12 came to be, and how she works with families now to help them discover their family’s unique strengths in order to develop systems that are sustainable and empowering for the whole family. Laura says that the best things about creating systems in her own home are that she’s now able to spend more time focussing on her own passions and she’s more able to enjoy the time she gets to spend with the people she loves most. The best part of this interview is that she’s here with us today because she wants the same thing for you. We hope you enjoy this episode.
About Laura Hernandez:
Laura is a wife and mom of 10. After adding 6 children to her family in 4.5 years, she decided that she needed to find a way to create peace in her home so that her large family could really mesh and thrive together. After reading countless books on homeschooling, large family logistics, and family dynamics, she decided that she needed something different, something that uniquely fit the needs and abilities of her own family - it was then that Mama Systems was born. Having discovered her own secret sauce, Laura now coaches other families through the process of defining their own systems through the use of schedules, deligation, incentives, and creativity with flexibility for all the realness of life.
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If you’ve ever attended a birthday party, graduation, wedding, or baby shower, you have participated in celebrating an important milestone in a person’s life. Persephone Rising Rituals co-create with individuals and families, meaningful ceremonies, rituals and rites of passage that invoke ancient wisdom and sacred practices to witness and honor a person’s journey through some of the most meaningful and challenging of life’s transitions.
“When a baby is born, so is a mother.” - Rachel Hollinger
It’s easy to get caught up in the fast pace of life and to be overwhelmed by all the current events happening around the world. One thing we know is that healing and rebuilding starts within ourselves, our families and our communities and how we honor and support ourselves and others through the many phases and changes of life. Through rituals and rites of passage, both community and inner awareness are strengthened.
In this episode, Rebecca Tumason and Louisa Carter of Persephone Rising Rituals share some of the many ways that they support individuals and families through the assisted practice of rituals and ceremonies that inspire connection, strength, growth, and community as well as some of their own personal stories and experiences with rituals and ceremonies from their own lives.
Whether you are seeking big ways to honor some of the biggest milestones in your families lives or you’re looking for simpler ways that you can honor the ordinary inside and around your home daily or seasonally, we think you’ll really enjoy this episode.
Resources From This Episode:
Persephone Rising Rituals on Instagram @persephone_rising_rituals
NOURIS(her) Doula by Rachel Hollinger
Mother Rising by Yana Courtland, Barb Lucke, and Donna Miller Watelet
About Louisa Carter:
Louisa lives with her husband, two children and cat in Bozeman, Montana. She completed her doctorate in counseling psychology where she studied mindfulness, social justice and women’s empowerment. Becoming a mother was akin to opening a portal into healing her own childhood and intergenerational trauma. It was also the catalyst for creating ritual and ceremony to help understand and move through important life phases such as miscarriage, childbirth and birth trauma. She is passionate about working alongside women to create support systems and is an advocate for the importance of self-care during the wildly transformative time of motherhood.
About Rebecca Tumason:
Rebecca lives outside Bozeman, Montana on a little family farm with her husband, three sons and daughter. Her days are mostly filled with mothering and surrendering to the homemaker title which her wanderlust is learning to love. Her background is in art and design, which before kids, took her many places throughout the world. Experiencing and living immersed in different cultures instilled an understanding of the importance of rhythm and ritual. She has a design studio in Bozeman and when time allows loves to create objects and spaces that evoke a calm, sacred serenity. Be it for a body. A ceremony. A room. Or a whole house.
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Have you ever wondered if the career path you were on before becoming a parent is still right for you now that you are raising your family? Our guest for this episode, Carolyn Eckman of FIT4MOM Santa Cruz, joins us to share her story and her new definition of success in motherhood.
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better weather by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
For this episode, we are joined by a very special guest. Carolyn Eckman has been our administrative assistant extraordinaire for the past 4 years and is an integral part of the production of this podcast. We have watched her and have been inspired by her evolution over the years and we are so excited to finally introduce you to her here.
Like many parents, Carolyn faced a hard decision after becoming a mama. The cost of childcare was hardly offset by her salary and the trade-off of spending her days working in an office and away from her new baby caused her to adjust her compass. On her daughter’s first birthday, she launched her first entrepreneurial endeavor, Rebirth Business Consulting, and never looked back. 4 years later she is the owner of 3 small businesses that she operates from her home and has found more joy, more life-balance, and more time to spend with her family.
If you’ve been feeling the pull to make a change in your life to make more room for the things that are important to you, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Carolyn has been an inspiration to us and a joy to work and grow with. We hope you enjoy this episode.
Resources From This Episode:
Carolyn Eckman: @carolyneckman_ on Instagram
Rebirth Business Consulting: https://rebirthbusiness.com
FIT4MOM Santa Cruz: https://santacruz.fit4mom.com + @fit4momsantacruz on Instagram
FIT4MOM Location Finder: https://fit4mom.com/locations
Fun.For.Nails: https://rebrand.ly/fun-for-nails
About Carolyn Eckman:
Carolyn Eckman is a wife and mom of 2 living in Aptos, CA. After becoming a mom, Carolyn realized the need to adjust her success compass and, with the support of her family, she left her 9-5 career 4 years ago. She now finds herself in the position of supporting and bringing joy to other moms, whether that is by supporting their entrepreneurial endeavors as a business consultant with Rebirth Business Consulting, bringing them a touch of Sparkle with Fun.For.Nails, creating outdoor opportunities for exercise and community with FIT4MOM Santa Cruz, or volunteering with The Santa Cruz Babywearing Group. When Carolyn isn’t spending time with her family, dancing, or out in nature, she most enjoys creating opportunities for other mamas to feel empowered and successful in their own unique ways.
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An organized space creates a sense of security and peace of mind that allows our nervous systems to relax and feel at ease. For this episode we had the privilege of sitting down with Mia Keenan, an organizing expert and the owner of Tidy Evolution, to learn more about the practice and benefit of the KonMari Method®.
“I want to live my life in such a way that it colors my things with memories.” - Marie Kondo
Growing up in a family that frequently relocated, Mia was drawn to organization as a way of coping with change. As a child, these systems allowed her to create a calm and welcoming environment for herself in the midst of vulnerability and uncertainty.
It wasn’t until later in life, after learning more about and eventually studying the KonMari Method® that she was able to correlate this behavior with the philosophy and benefits of organizing. She is now an organizing professional helping families of all kinds create tidy spaces that bring more ease and flow to their daily lives.
In this episode Mia candidly shares her story and experience. From the philosophy of the KonMari Method® to practical tips for tidying up your own home in a way that incorporates your children and deepens your family culture and connectedness, this episode is sure to leave you feeling inspired and motivated to begin your own tidy evolution.
Resources From This Episode:
Mia Keenan: tidyevolution.com
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There are many many questions we are faced with daily as parents and nothing is cut and dry. With so much gray area, how do we confidently make choices that align consistently withour values and stand strong in our own intuition? In this episode we give you 3 steps to stand confident in your parenting choices.
“Don’t stand unmoving outside the door of a crying baby. Go to your baby. Go to your baby a million times. Demonstrate that people can be trusted. That the environment can be trusted. That we live in a benign universe.” - Peggy O’Mara
When it comes to following our hearts and our intuition as parents, it really comes down to how tuned in we are to our values and how deeply we're rooted in our convictions.
When making choices of all kinds, from what we will eat and how we will conduct ourselves during pregnancy, to how we will birth and feed our children, how we will educate them, how and where we will live, how we will work, how we will navigate the use of technology in our homes, and so on and so forth, there will always be critics to question your choices or try to lead you down another path.
The way we navigate these choices is unique to each parent, child and family and we want you to be able to confidently make the choices that best serve you and your family.
In this episode we give you 3 steps to stand confident in your choices as well as how to forgive yourself for any past choices you regret so that you can confidently move forward from this moment on with empathy and love.
Resources From This Episode:
Peggy O'Mara: peggyomara.com
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Can Feng Shui transform your life? For our special guest on this episode, Sara Fletcher, it certainly transformed her outlook, empowered her to reach beyond her limits, altered the trajectory of her life, and elevated her to a new purpose.
"Nothing teaches children more than a parent who is willing to learn." - William Martin, The Parent's Tao Te Ching
The art of Feng Shui is to create energy flow throughout a space, and that is exactly what Sara does in her work as a Feng Shui Consultant. By making changes - small or large - within a space, Feng Shui has the power to uplift, encourage, motivate, energize, and help you to become the highest good version of yourself. But Sara's story begins long before she ever thought of walking this career path.
Growing up, Sara was always drawn toward the elements of design and the power of creating beautiful, feel-good spaces. It wasn’t until later in life, when she suffered a medical crisis, that she stumbled upon Feng Shui as a catalyst for change.
Through her own life transformation, Sara has seen the power of Feng Shui first hand, and now as a Feng Shui practitioner, she helps others to transform their lives as well.
Listen to the full episode to hear this mom's inspiring story.
Resources From This Episode:
Sara Fletcher: Lovehomelifecenter.com
The Parent's Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for Modern Parents by William Martin
About Sara Fletcher:
Sara Fletcher is an Intuitive Home Environment Guide, Certified Feng Shui Practitioner and Founder of Love Home Life. She works with individuals and families who feel overwhelmed and ashamed in their home environments to develop healthier, more empowering relationships with their homes and STUFF. Sara guides her clients to make conscious changes around them that lead to improvements in their mental, emotional and physical health, deeper connections in their relationships and a stronger ability to live up to their true potential in life. She lives in the mountains of Santa Cruz, CA with her husband and two teenage kids, and is currently preparing to launch her Home Metamorphosis Series of virtual retreats, designed for holistic women who are committed to radically upleveling their health, wealth, happiness and homes in 2022.
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For this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Kelly Kennedy, a Bio-Regulatory practitioner with a passion for naturally oriented wellness. Join us for a lively conversation about childhood, lifelong learning, holistic wellness, motherhood, and everything in between.
“If you wish to understand the universe, you must first think of energy, frequency and vibration.”
- Nikola Tesla
With the headlines today, more and more people are becoming interested in alternative approaches to health and wellness. Our special guest for this episode, Kelly Kennedy, is an expert in this field. She has been led to the practice of biological and energetic healing through some very personal life circumstances and it has brought her to a wonderful place.
In this dynamic interview, Kelly shares her personal journey with us from how she became interested in medicine, to her awakening to the power of energetic healing, to her decision to become a mom and everything her journey through motherhood has taught her.
We think you will enjoy listening to this dynamic interview as Kelly opens up about her personal childhood, her journey of lifelong learning, balancing work and motherhood, and everything in between.
This episode provides an introduction to the world of biological and energetic healing and you’ll leave feeling inspired for your own family wellness journey.
Resources From This Episode:
The True Wellness Center: https://thetruewellnesscenter.com/
Not Meds Global: https://www.notmedsglobal.com/
The Beats Podcast: https://www.notmedsglobal.com/the-beats-podcast
About Kelly Kennedy:
Like many who enter the world of biological & energetic healing, Kelly Kennedy had her own traumatic experiences that stimulated her in finding another approach to health. Her training started more traditionally at Cornell University with a desire to be an allopathic medical doctor. However, one particular year she was faced with her own health matters and the premature passing of her father. These experiences confirmed what Kelly intuitively knew within her bones; that good health was not restored through prescriptions.
After twenty-three years of building a health and wellness practice based in Bio-Regulatory medicine, Kelly is now paving the way for a new wellness system to blossom.
A Bio-Regulatory system, where therapists, doctors, and specialists work collaboratively within a paradigm that focuses on allowing the innate intelligence of each unique individual to truly heal the body.
Kelly loves to talk about Regulation and Lymph and is often referred to as the “lymph queen”. Kelly is physically based outside of Philadelphia, PA with her husband Ian (her original practitioner in this world, blessed to be his wife now) and their son Silas. She continues to see and help clients with a bio-regulatory approach at The True Wellness Center in North Wales, PA and in Bluffton, SC. You can find Kelly virtually at notmedsglobal.com, NOTMEDSglobal YouTube channel & Instagram handle as well as on her podcast “The Beats with Kelly Kennedy”. Kelly has many projects in the works; make sure to subscribe to stay in touch as she continues to bring her heart to the world.
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As we search for ways to reconnect with ourselves and one another through big life and cultural transitions, we are reminded that music is medicine for the soul. We’re delighted to be joined for this episode by award winning singer-songwriter, Amanda West. This episode is full of practical ways to bring more musicality into our daily family lives as well as hope and inspiration to guide us toward rewriting our relationship with music and singing together in our communities.
“No Mud, No Lotus” - Thich Nhat Hanh
If you’ve ever felt uplifted, energized or inspired by a song, then you’ve felt the power of music. As humans we are rhythmic beings, drawn naturally to creating music and using it to process our life experiences and emotions, especially in community with our families and loved ones.
For this episode we are joined by Amanda West, award-winning singer songwriter, music teacher, community leader, mother, and co-founder of Wombsong, U.S.. Amanda shares her inspiring story, the impact that music has had on her life from childhood through motherhood, and how she’s managed to adapt and maintain her music career throughout the many phases of her life.
From writing and performing her own music, to teaching music lessons and leading Wombsong circles, Amanda is committed to sharing the gift of music to enhance the lives of others and to remind us all that there is no right or wrong way to enjoy music and we can all benefit from it equally and powerfully.
Resources From This Episode:
Amanda West: https://www.amandawest.com
Amanda's Music: https://www.patreon.com/amandawestmusic
Wombsong: https://wombsong.com
The Circle Family Center: https://www.thecirclefamilycenter.org
The Divided Heart: Art + Motherhood by Rachel Power
Beth Berry - Revolution from Home
About Amanda West:
Amanda West is an award-winning singer songwriter, music teacher, community leader and mother. Born with an old soul, she has devoted herself to a life of music and the study of what it means to be human.
A native Californian, she grew up singing around campfires and recorded and released her first album of original songs at age 17. Earning a degree in Cultural Anthropology, Amanda set out to discover what it means to be human. This quest carried her around the world, touring with her music in both the U.S. and Europe, while releasing five more albums of mostly original compositions.
In 2014 she co-founded Womb Song, U.S., an organization that supports womxn into motherhood through song. This work continues through community singing circles, rituals and workshops.
Understanding music to be a part of our human birthright, playing an essential role in our experience of being alive, Amanda has found her life path and greatest joy through sharing music with others.
She lives, creates and teaches in the unceded territory of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, now known as the Santa Cruz Mountains, with her British husband, two children and many musical instruments.
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Join us for our 100th episode as we dive into a conversation of examining our own evolution as it parallels the current social and global period of evolution and change with an emphasis on what that means for all of us as parents and mothers.
“I am a human being, meant to be in perpetual becoming. If I am living bravely, my entire life will become a million deaths and rebirths. My goal is not to remain the same, but to live in such a way that each day, year, moment, relationship, conversation, and crisis is the material I use to become a truer, more beautiful version of myself.” - Glennon Doyle
In this episode, we provide insight and inspiration to help you stay focussed on your values and continue to be the guardians of childhood for your children especially during these deep periods of personal and global evolution where isolation, uncertainty, and fear can easily become commonplace.
Since we know that being in community together, having a strong sense of self, and sharing stories with others helps with these challenges, we offer, from decades of experiences, proven ways that you can we continue to create the experiences that you need most right now as well as ways to help you stay motivated to continue pursuing a family life that is truly aligned with your value, and to help you stay positive and present in your interactions with your loved ones while you create more family togetherness and build a stronger family culture even through these unprecedented challenges.
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Are you running on the hamster wheel, trying to do all the things that you think you're expected to do as a mom? Join us as Toni-Ann Mayembe shares her experience of freeing herself from these external pressures to discover her most joyful and authentic expression of motherhood.
“A bird that’s sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking because it trusts not in the branch, but in it’s own wings. Always believe in yourself.” - Unknown
Whether it be from family, friends, educators, or society in general, as parents it's common to feel the pressure of others' expectations and judgement. It's also common that we jump in and try to meet these vast expectations to avoid the negative feelings associated with disappointment or feeling inadequate.
For this episode, we invite Toni-Ann Mayembe to offer another perspective. You see, there are many ways to parent and the most joyful parent is probably not committing to lots of things that they don't want to do - there needs to be balance.
Join us for this episode as we discuss ways to release the perfectionist mindset and offer you permission to begin to find your own path to a joyfully authentic parenting experience.
Resources From This Episode:
Toni-Ann Mayembe's Ultimate Working Mom Hacks: https://the.realhappymom.com/working-mom-hacks
About Toni-Ann Mayembe:
Toni-Ann is a full-time dentist, a reservist in the Navy, and the blogger and podcaster at Real Happy Mom. She is a wife and a boy mom that understands the struggle of juggling work and home. When she is not working, she enjoys watching WWE and watching stand-up comedy.
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Inspiration and ideas for creating intentional moments to build a family culture that will support your child's development of both roots and wings.
“A meaningful life is composed of a series of meaningful moments. If this is what we want then the ability to infuse each moment with meaning would seem to be a skill worth practicing.”
- Bill Crawford
If the goal is to raise children who are confident and secure enough to go out into the world and find success in their lives, we first need to help them establish secure family roots.
In this episode we offer inspiration and ideas for designing intentional moments that will create fertile soil for your children to root themselves and thrive.
Overtime these intentional moments become a family culture in which your children can always find comfort and security for a lifetime that will allow them the confidence to spread their wings and soar.
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Have you struggled as a parent, to understand your child's needs or perspective? This episode is all about how Astrology can be used as a powerful parenting tool to better understand and support your child.
"Childhood is destiny."
- Carl Gustav Jung
As parents we know that our children do not come into this world as blank slates, instead they come with their personalities fully formed, ready to take on the world. But how do we get to know this little person that just arrived in our family? How do we understand them and help guide them to grow and thrive and be their best selves?
Astrology can be such a useful lens through which we can get to know our child's uniqueness - and our own uniqueness, too. We can examine and better understand the ways that we are similar and the ways that we are different, and to sigh with relief when we see that they simply experience the world differently than we do.
In this episode, we are joined by Magali Morales, spiritual counselor, shamanic healer, and astrologer, to discuss the value of evolutionary astrology and specifically that of child astrology as a tool for modern parenting.
Resources From This Episode:
Magali Morales - www.magalimorales.com
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About Magali Morales:
Magali Morales lives and practices in Santa Cruz, CA. She has spent the last eighteen years helping hundreds of people heal, discover just how resilient they are, and tap into their innate navigational abilities using the tools of Astrology, Shamanic Healing, and Spiritual Counseling.
About Evolutionary Astrology:
Evolutionary Astrology is astrology for the intelligent, awake people of our time. Respectful of free will, cognizant of the difference between fate and destiny, Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool to help you get to know yourself at the deepest level, understand and embrace your life purpose, remove judgement, and guide you to be the best version of you.
We hope you enjoy this candid conversation about the challenges and triumphs of moving our families out of the places where we had put down our roots and into brand new spacious beginnings.
"To our children we give two things - one is roots and the other is wings." - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
For this episode, we sit down together to discuss the many ways in which moving has been both challenging and rewarding and how we've been able to preserve and recreate that sacred feeling of rootedness inside our new homes.
We discuss everything from the initial decision making process, to what was left behind, how we're coping with the big changes, and what lies ahead for our families.
We hope you'll join us and be open to exploring what things have helped you to create your sense of rootedness within your home and how you can allow for the expansion and changes that may come in your own life as well.
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Yes, you can have it all, just not all at once. Our special guest for this episode embodies that with such grace. We hope you will enjoy this episode with our dear friend, Schena Kinyon.
"You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are set forth." - Kahlil Gibran
Meet Schena Kinyon. Schena was born in India, has lived in 3 different countries, was raised by a single mother, has been a single mother herself, and is now married and raising her 3 children in California. Now, at 53, after years of supporting her husband with his mission of teaching empathic communication, she is beginning a new professional project that is all her own.
Listen in to hear her inspiring story, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and her insight into living and growing into your purpose.
From independence to vulnerability through lessons learned from personal and professional challenges, Schena truly embodies having it all, just not all at once, and the ability to embrace the unfolding and timing of your life.
Resources From This Episode:
Schena Kinyon: https://chaiwithschena.com/
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Join us as we kick-off our 4th Season of The Moms I Know Podcast! We are so excited to be continuing this journey with you and have lots of exciting things planned for this season!
“You could not step twice into the same rivers for other waters are ever flowing onto you.” - Heraclitus
As we head into 2021, we are increasingly aware that, no matter our differences, stories are truly what connect us. As we listen to one another we gain an understanding of our similarities and cultivate empathy and compassion for others. We broaden our world view and begin to replace misconceptions with truth. We begin to begin to fear less and love more.
So for this season of the podcast, our focus will be on sharing stories and celebrating that which unites us. We'll be inviting women from all walks of life onto our show to give us a peak into their struggles, their accomplishments, their journey with motherhood, and their goals and dreams for the future.
We hope that you will join us on this journey of listening with open hearts and open minds as we seek to give others a time, a place, and a platform to share their stories with the world.
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In the face of external stresses and pressures, as parents it's especially important that we preserve a sense of joyfulness for our children during the holidays. This episode is full of ideas to inspire you to find creative ways to infuse your family values, excitement, and wonder into this holiday season.
“Intentional living means making choices for your life based on your greatest values, not the habits of others.”
If you asked us in March if we thought that this holiday season would be anything but gathering together with family to celebrate and enjoy our traditions, we would have answered like anyone else... Yet, here we are.
In the face of so many global events, we are embarking on our holiday season. So it's with this in mind that we sat down to brainstorm some inspiring ideas for you, to help you infuse some intention into your holiday season and find more family joy during this non-traditional holiday experience.
Our goal for this episode is to inspire you to set intentions, to think outside the box, and to focus on your values this holiday. There are so many fun and unique ways that we can bring the holiday spirit and sense of wonder into our hearts and homes this year. We hope this episode will inspire and uplift you today.
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With the holidays around the corner and all the stresses and challenges we are all still facing, this episode offers some creative ways to create meaningful experiences this holiday season.
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought and that happiness is gratitude doubled by wonder.” - G.K. Chesterton
This special episode comes to you from the heart. With the holiday season quickly approaching, we've heard so many parents express their sadness that traditional activities will not be possible this year. We urge you to not give up hope.
We are reaching out in response with this episode, to expand on this discussion and offer some inspiration and ideas for ways we can hold each other up, move forward through all that we are facing, and still manage to create meaningful experiences and joyful celebrations this holiday season.
As parents it is so important that we maintain our children’s sense of wonder and truly become the guardians of their childhood. If we take a creative approach with an open mind, we can find ways to make this holiday season even more meaningful and magical for them and for ourselves.
Let this holiday season be a time where we can simplify, sharpen the focus on our values, and raise our collective spirits so that we can enter the coming year re-charged and ready to take on whatever 2021 may bring.
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If you are curious about healthy movement or want to gain a better understanding of how to use space and movement to cultivate healthy relationships, then this episode all about Spacial Dynamics® is one you won't want to miss!
“Space provides the possibility for connection.”
- Jaimen McMillan
If you've ever experienced the ability to project your attention into another place or to shift our focus from the physical space you occupy to a place where you feel truly connected with another person, then you've already had a taste of what Spacial Dynamics® teaches us.
Perhaps now more than ever, this education and ability to really connect across great distance is becoming most valuable to our health and wellness as a society.
In this episode, we connect over Zoom with Heather Chappellet Lanier, a Spacial Dynamics® international trainer and Registered Somatic Movement Therapist who shares with us how the teachings of Spacial Dynamics® can impact our relationships and activities of daily living.
Resources From This Episode:
The Spacial Dynamics Institute: https://www.spacialdynamics.com/
Spacial Dynamics Women's Wellness: https://www.spacialdynamicswomenswellness.com/
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About Heather Chappellet Lanier:
Heather is an international trainer in Spacial Dynamics® and a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist. She leads workshops and provides private consultations and coaching utilizing the movement discipline of Spacial Dynamics®. The thoughtful approach of Spacial Dynamics® is effective in enhancing personal and professional lives and relationships, and is featured in the landmark books The Fourfold Path to Healing, and Still Moving. Heather has been leading retreats from her home on Hill of the Hawk Farm for many years.
About Spacial Dynamics®:
Spacial Dynamics® is a body of movement philosophy that teaches movement techniques for all ages. It carries the understanding that the space we occupy includes not only the space our physical body requires, but also the space around us and the places where we focus our attention.
Learn More About Spacial Dynamics
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As our third season is coming to a close, we are overwhelmed by all that has transpired over the past 8 or 9 months.
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” - Desmond Tutu
From Covid-19, to the murder of George Floyd, and now to the wildfires that are spreading throughout California, we've clung to community, discovered how deep our resilience runs, and we've been reminded of the preciousness of life and what truly matters most.
This short episode is a message of hope for you as we continue to move through these unprecedented and most challenging times.
We want to remind you that we are here to support you in various ways.
Please visit our websites, https://www.themomsiknow.com, https://www.thefutureoffamily.com, and https://www.purplebeetfamily.com to learn more.
We will be taking a brief pause from the podcast, but we are still here for you!
Please contact us if you are looking for support!
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In the past, a lot of focus was put on being "color blind," but now that we know better, we want our children to have "color-full" experiences, and this includes what they find on their bookshelves and reading lists.
Classic literature tends to have a very Euro-centric attitude and we've often struggled with how to curate a more diverse reading library for our families that celebrates both the classics and diversity. Amber O'Neal Johnston has done this exact thing beautifully.
For this episode, Amber shares candidly from her family's own experience from being inspired by Charlotte Mason to navigating her children's experience with race and what she's been able to do for them by thoughtfully and purposefully curating their bookshelves.
This episode is full of great ideas and resources to help you find great books for your family that celebrate both classic literature and diversity. You won't want to miss it!
Resources From This Episode:
Amber O'Neal Johnston: https://heritagemom.com/ and @heritagemomblog on Instagram
Amber’s Heritage Packs: https://heritagemom.com/index.php/2020/07/09/heritage-packs-adding-color-to-your-curriculum/
Living Books for All Peoples Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1959045184365402/
Parallel Narrative Website https://www.theparallelnarrative.com/about
Charlotte Mason City Living https://charlottemasoncityliving.com/
Reshelving Alexandria https://reshelvingalexandria.com/
Brown Sugar and Spice Bookstore https://brownssbooks.com/
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About Amber O'Neal Johnston:
Amber O’Neal Johnston fell in love with the principles of Charlotte Mason when her oldest was a preschooler. After wholeheartedly committing to follow Mason’s philosophy, she became disheartened when months went by with little mention, if any, of the stories and accomplishments of black people in her school room. The literary quality of the books was better, but she found that the cultural emptiness she experienced as a schoolgirl was being perpetuated within the walls of her own home.
Committed to bridging the gap for her 4 children, Amber has embarked on a journey of uniquely merging living books with life-giving books to ensure that their education is not a legalistic venture in Charlotte Mason but an honest experience that honors the Truth while helping her children to see the imago Dei in themselves and others.
Amber speaks, writes, and shares her observations on home education, culture, books, global travel, and more, and when asked about her path she likes to smile and say, “In my house, Charlotte Mason has an afro.”
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Since its inception in 1919, Waldorf Education has been embraced world-wide. In this interview with Susan Goldstein, we take a look into the past, present, and future of Waldorf Education and discuss its role in the face of current events.
"Imbue thyself with the power of imagination. Have courage for the truth. Sharpen thy feeling for responsibility of soul." - Rudolf Steiner
The Waldorf model of education is a timeless and time-tested schooling method that is gaining more and more attention and accolades world-wide, but do you know how it began and how it's been evolving in modern times?
For this week's episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with Susan Goldstein, a seasoned Waldorf educator and mentor, to discuss most commonly raised questions about validity of Waldorf education.
Plus, if you're wondering how Waldorf is adapting to modern times, current events, advances in technology, and racial disparities, in this episode we address all of this and more!
Resources From This Episode:
Susan Goldstein: susgoldstein@yahoo.com
Teaching as a Lively Art by Marjorie Spock: https://rudolfsteinerbookstore.com/product/teaching-lively-art/
You Are Your Child's First Teacher by Rahima Baldwin Dancy: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/216341/you-are-your-childs-first-teacher-third-edition-by-rahima-baldwin-dancy/
Conscious Parenting: A Guide to Living with Young Children by Stephen Spitalny: https://www.amazon.com/Conscious-Parenting-Children-Stephen-Spitalny/dp/B01B9A3PCE
The Five Golden Keys by Helle Heckmann: https://store.waldorfearlychildhood.org/products/five-golden-keys
School as a Journey The Eight-Year Odyssey of a Waldorf Teacher and His Class by Torin M. Finser: https://steinerbooks.org/ebooks/school-as-a-journey-the-eight-year-odyssey-of-a-waldorf-teacher-and-his-class
Frankfurt Memorandum: Rudolf Steiner and the subject of racism by Ramon Brüll and Dr. Jens Heisterkamp: https://www.themomsiknow.com/s/Frankfurt_Memorandum_English.pdf
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About Susan Goldstein
Susan was born on February 8, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pa., the youngest of three children. She attended public schools from K-12th grade. When asked as a child what she wanted to be when she grew up, she would have said without hesitation, “a teacher”. To Susan, it was clear that this was always going to be her path.
She graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Education and began teaching in the Philadelphia Public schools. She taught for several years, but always felt that something was wrong with what she was doing...somehow, something was missing.
After the birth of her own two children, she taught in a private nursery school for several years where she began to see the importance of play and developing the imagination.
When her own children were about to begin school, her family moved to Colorado, and in this rural community in Western Colorado, there was a Waldorf School. A visit to this school was Susan's first taste of Waldorf education and immediately she knew that this was the education she had been searching for, and she began teaching in this little Waldorf school before even completing her Waldorf Teacher Training.
After two years of teaching a combined class of 4th/5th grade and then 5th/6th grade she enrolled at Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento. She completed her student-teaching at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School and fell in love with both the school and the community. She then taught three full class cycles, grades 1-8, in Santa Cruz.
Since then, she has also worked as the Assistant Director of the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training and the Pedagogical Director of the Santa Cruz Waldorf School. She has taught many courses over the years at BACWTT and also at Rudolf Steiner College’s Public School Institute. She has completed the Waldorf Remedial Education training and the Waldorf Mentoring training, and has had the privilege of traveling to many of the Waldorf schools throughout the United States, mentoring and evaluating Waldorf teachers.
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Whether you're planning to stay connected to your child(ren)'s school and continue with distance learning in the fall or whether you are embarking on your first time as a homeschool family, we recorded this episode to give you some ideas of how you can structure your days for success.
“Opportunities for both academic and character growth cannot be discounted simply because your homeschool looks less and less like a public school.”
- Anonymous
This fall there are so many options for how to continue your child(ren)'s education, but by and large, you will likely be doing some if not all of your learning in and around your own home, but this doesn't mean you have to be under your roof.
In this episode, we discuss the issues of equity and resources, the dynamics and stresses of families with working parents, developmentally appropriate learning, and family school. When you are learning at home, you have the ability to give your child(ren) and yourself space and grace.
Listen in to get an idea of how a day in the life of family school could look for your family.
Resources From This Episode:
The Homeschool Handbook: https://www.purplebeetfamily.com/familyschool
The Moms I Know Homeschool Series: https://www.themomsiknow.com/homeschool
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In recent years, there has been increased evidence and awareness that electromagnetic fields and electromagnetic radiation warrant our attention if we are seeking to reduce symptoms in our bodies and optimize our overall wellness.
For this episode, we are joined by Wendy Myers. A heavy metals detox expert and functional diagnostic nutritionist in Los Angeles, CA, Wendy brings us lots of qualified information about the risks of EMF and EMR exposure as well as practical tips that we can easily apply to help support our own wellness.
Whether you're suffering from symptoms and haven't found success with standard medicine, or if you are already enjoying healthful living, reducing your EMF and EMR exposure has the potential to help you take your wellness to the next level.
We truly enjoyed this opportunity to meet with Wendy and hope you enjoy this episode.
Resources From This Episode:
Wendy Myers: https://myersdetox.com/ and @MyersDetox on Social Media
Coronavirus Support Series: https://coronavirussupportseries.com/
Theraprotect: https://thewellnesstrinity.com/product/theraprotect-emf-harmonizer-cell-phone-laptop-tablet-emf-shield-2-pack/
Harmoni Pendant: https://www.harmonipendant.com/
Pure Wave Mats: https://www.purewaveenergycenters.com/
Q-Link: https://www.shopqlink.com/
Morley Robbins, The Root Cause Protocol: https://therootcause.org/
Harry Massey, NES Health: https://www.neshealth.com/
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About Wendy Myers
Wendy Myers is founder of MyersDetox.com. She is a heavy metals detox expert and functional diagnostic nutritionist in Los Angeles, CA. She is the #1 bestselling author of Limitless Energy: How to Detox Toxic Metals to End Exhaustion and Chronic Fatigue. Wendy hosts the Myers Detox Podcast about all things related to detox. She’s passionate about educating people on the importance of detox to live a long, disease free life. She created the revolutionary Myers Detox Protocol and Mitochondria Detox programs after working with thousands of clients around the world.
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If you are finding yourself overwhelmed this summer and struggling to find a way to move forward, you are not alone. This episode is full of ideas and resources to help you tackle that feeling of overwhelm so you and your family can break through the paralysis and begin to take meaningful action.
“The most beautiful realization of all was that motherhood has served as the primary vehicle for growth and transformation. I have been both lost and found myself in motherhood.”
- Beth Berry, Motherwhelmed
This summer, so many of the mother's we've been speaking with are feeling paralyzed by the amount of overwhelm they are experiencing in their lives. From current events around the world, to the economic and educational decisions they are faced with making for their families, it's no wonder we're feeling weighed down and overwhelmed.
In this episode, we share some amazing resources and suggestions for how to break through these negative feelings and find ways to take action.
As parents we know that the way we respond to these types of situations will inform how our children will respond throughout their lives as well, so it's important that we make conscious and intentional choices around these incredibly difficult and complex issues.
We hope you find this episode helpful and if you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions, we would love to connect with you!
Resources From This Episode
Beth Berry, Motherwhelmed: https://revolutionfromhome.com/the-book/
Oriah Mountain Dreamer, The Invitation: http://www.oriahmountaindreamer.com/
For this episode, Lisa Dominguez Abraham joins us to discuss some of the racial disparities in public education that have been highlighted by coronavirus and social unrest. She invites all of us to consider how our position and privileges impact the people around us, recognizing that this might be a particular challenge for white parents who haven’t previously considered themselves what Robin DiAngelo calls “part of a racially socialized group.”
“I was taught to recognize racism only in individual acts of meanness by members of my group, never in invisible systems conferring unsought racial dominance on my group from birth.” - Peggy McIntosh, White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, 1989
Although she’s not an expert on these issues, Lisa shares her perspectives as a mom, community college English professor and Professional Development Coordinator. She believes parents help children locate themselves in terms of their relationships to their families, their communities, and the natural world, and that part of this awareness should include a consideration of their racial identity and privileges. While these topics might feel uncomfortable, parents can model for their children the way understanding oneself is a continual journey of personal growth and evolution.
This episode is vulnerable and far from perfect, but we want to share more of these important conversations with you. If you have any feedback or questions about this episode, we would love to connect with you to further the conversation.
Resources From This Episode:
Lisa Dominguez Abraham: https://www.lisadominguezabraham.com/
Lisa Dominguez Abraham is an English professor at Cosumnes River College, a school that has been noted as one of the 10 most diverse community colleges in the nation. She currently serves as the Professional Development Coordinator at CRC. Her poetry collection Mata Hari Blows a Kiss won the 2016 Swan Scythe Chapbook Contest, and her full-length book of poetry, Coyote Logic, came out from Blue Oak Press in 2019.
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When we take a look at the uncertainty of the future of education in the United States, we might not know what the future holds, but we do know how children learn best.
“A hybrid independent study program can be a wonderful model for the future.”
After sheltering-in-place for several months and going through graduation season without our traditional ceremonies, we are grappling with the realization that even when traditional school is back in session, it is going to be anything but “normal”. Faced with this realization and the formation of parent-teacher task forces all across the nation, it’s no wonder that so many parents are wanting to know more about other options.
In this episode, we want to share with you the details of what’s worked for us and what we’ve seen work throughout our decades of experience as educators and mentors - the independent studies / homeschool hybrid program.
This model could be the solution for the future of education as we all come together to create a new system that prioritizes the education, mental and physical health, and overall wellness of all of our children and our families.
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If you're considering homeschooling, you're likely also battling fears, anxieties, external pressures, logistical concerns, and many other worries. In this episode with special guest, Linsey Hurley, you'll hear straight from a homeschool mom just like you, how she did it and why she thinks you can do it too!
"Children, they learn what they live."
- Dorthy Law Nolte
The idea of setting out on your homeschooling journey for the first time probably feels overwhelming. You may feel alone and unsure if this is really the best path for your family. A lot of the moms we talk with feel concerned about how their children will keep up with their peers who are in a traditional classroom setting and how homeschooling will affect their children in the long term.
In this week's special episode, we sit down with Linsey Hurley who graciously shares with us the ups and downs of her personal journey with homeschooling her 2 children. Everything from their initial transition to homeschool to where her children are now, Linsey's concerns were some of the most commonly expressed by the moms we talk with daily.
Through all the uncertainty, Linsey found her tribe, gained confidence, and learned the secret to successful homeschooling, but we'll let you hear it from her.
Listen now to this special episode to learn how she did it!
Resources From This Episode:
John Holt, Growing without Schooling: https://www.johnholtgws.com/
Grace Llewellyn, The Teenage Liberation Handbook: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/305758.The_Teenage_Liberation_Handbook
Linsey Hurley, email: linsey@newview.org
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About Linsey Hurley:
Linsey Hurley has lived in Massachusetts all her life, attended UMass Amherst with a BA in agricultural economics a minor in Asian Studies and International Agriculture, worked on various farms, farmers markets, food coops, health food stores, and as a postpartum doula.
She became certified as a Holistic Health Coach and is now working primarily with energy Healing technologies.
Linsey Has 2 grown children - Joe who lives with his wife and daughter in Thailand, and Elizabeth who is married with 3 children and lives in Istanbul.
Linsey unschooled Joe and Elizabeth from grades 3-9.
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The subject of nonviolent communication has been one that we have long been believers in and recently we’ve been wanting to deepen our education and commitment to learning and implementing these valuable tools within our own lives.
See me beautiful, look for the best in me
That's what I really am and all I want to be
It may take some time
It may be hard to find
But see me beautiful.
See me beautiful, each and every day
Could You take a chance?
Could You find a way?
To see me shining through
In everything I do
And see me beautiful.
See me beautiful, look for the best in me
That's what I really am and all I want to be
It may take some time
It may be hard to find
But see me beautiful.
See me beautiful, each and every day
Could You take a chance?
Could You find a way?
To see me shining through
In everything I do
And see me beautiful.
"See Me Beautiful" by Marshall Rosenberg
Today, we are so excited to welcome Katherine Winter-Sellery, CEO of Conscious Parenting Revolution, to the show to share with us her deep knowledge and understanding of non-violent communication and how its implementation can greatly benefit our relationships with our children, our partners, and ourselves.
Katherine shares specific tools of nonviolent communication that we can all strive to use throughout our relationships, both to heal our own trauma and to cultivate relationships of trust and respect with those around us.
Resources From This Episode:
Katherine Winter-Sellery, Conscious Parenting Revolution: https://www.consciousparentingrevolution.com
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About Katherine Winter-Sellery
Katherine Winter-Sellery is the CEO of the Conscious Parenting Revolution and co-creator of the Guidance Approach to Parenting, a program that applies conflict-resolution skills to communicating more effectively with children and adults.
Through her popular training, she has taught thousands of parents, educators, and other professionals in a half dozen countries how to minimize misunderstandings and melt-downs, and to communicate with more collaboration, cooperation and consideration. Passionately committed to healing inter-generational dysfunction, she is the host of three TEDx talks on listening for unmet needs, unconscious communication, and speaking out, and she is the co-author of three books on unconscious parenting.
Katherine trained with the late Marshall B. Rosenberg, creator of Nonviolent Communication. She also studied Thomas Gordon’s Parent Effectiveness Training and is certified as a facilitator and as a Leadership Effectiveness Instructor. She holds certificates in Matrix Re-Imprinting, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), is trained in BreakThrough, a method to address triggers, as well as Focusing, an inner relationship dialogue technique. She is a trained mediator, and teaches breathing meditation with the Art of Living Foundation. She holds a B.A. from the University of Denver where she also attended law school.
After more than 15 years of teaching the Guidance Approach to Parenting, Katherine founded the Conscious Parenting Revolution to help people locate and understand their own triggers, avoid family resentment developing into retaliation, rebellion and resistance. Her desire is to support parents to create safe and stable homes and families.
The founder and chair of the National Summit on Mental Health and Mental Fitness summer 2019, (with sponsorship by the International Association for Human Values), she brought together more than 50 scientists, politicians, mental health care providers, businesses and spiritual leaders with more than 500 attendees for a conference that looked beyond mental health treatment to holistic mental wellness. The Summit culminated in the largest-ever group meditation in the United States, when more than 7,000 people meditated together in Denver’s City Park joined by over 1 million online.
Katherine has been married to John Sellery for more than 30 years, and together they have two children, Pia just graduated from USC and Sam is a young architect working in San Francisco. Katherine and John now make their home in several cities around the world. She is launching her popular training online.
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Tired of gathering around the tv and longing for connection and conversation with your children or your partner? This episode is for you!
When we can be intentional about designing and creating spaces that naturally inspire connection, gathering, and conversation, they can become a part of our family culture and we can have these experiences more often and with more ease.
Maybe it’s a physical place like the kitchen table, the backyard fire pit, or the hot tub. Or maybe it’s a frequent shared experience like going for long drives, getting pedicures, doing beach cleanup, gardening, or scrapbooking. The type of “place” you create can take many forms, the important thing is that it becomes a constant on which your family can rely.
There are so many benefits to creating safe places for family connection. In this episode we share many of our personal “places” with you and hopefully inspire you to cultivate some of your own. Whether your children are young or whether they are teenagers or even adults, it’s never too late! Whether your home is small or expansive, you can create these intimate gatherings anywhere! There’s no time like the present!
Resources From This Episode:
Virginia Wolf, A Room of Her Own
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Too many activities and pressures leads to feelings of stress and anxiety, that's why we've made Time and Space our second tenet of Family School. This episode is all about how to slow down and create more time and space for your family.
“It will be hard to create a quiet place where your children can find their souls, you must first quiet your own world and then approach theirs. They are accustomed to the barrage of noise and will complain loudly in its absence, but you can find a quiet way. What can you do today? A walk, a book, a simple game.”
- William Martin, The Parent's Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for Modern Parents
We see it all the time. Parents want to give every thing and every opportunity they possibly can to their children. The intention is good and yet there are always consequences.
When we, as parents, slow down our lives, we set an example for our children that tells them it's ok for them to slow down as well, that it is ok to be still, and that they are enough without constantly reaching for more.
When we create time and space, we create room for mindfulness, movement, and breath - the foundational building blocks of wellness. It's about limiting our activities, prioritizing play, being present, strengthening your family culture, and so much more.
Resources From This Episode:
The Moms I Know, Family School: https://www.themomsiknow.com/homeschool
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Are you worried about the new CDC guidelines for the reopening of schools in the United States? Are you wondering what's going to be best for your family? Are you considering the possibility that there may be other alternative ways to educate your children?
"Learning is not the product of teaching; learning is the product of the activity of learners." - John Holt
With the recent release by the CDC of their guidelines for the reopening of schools, we sit down to discuss all the options that are available to families during this time. How can we grapple with the effects this will have on the learning that is able to happen within those 4 walls? How can we diminish the stress and anxiety of everyone involved?
Considering the impact all of this will have on the learners, the educators, and all of the households affected by this new paradigm, let us offer you some alternative options to consider and help mobilize you to become an active participant in designing your child's learning environment.
From getting in touch with your local school administrators to the many options available to you through the umbrella of homeschooling, we want to encourage and empower you during this unprecedented time to, above all else, remain focussed on and to do what is best for your family.
Resources From This Episode:
Shannon Hayes, Radical Homemakers: http://theradicalhomemaker.net/books/
Kym John Payne, Simplicity Parenting: https://www.simplicityparenting.com/
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For a time such as this... It is now more important than ever that we raise the next generation to be the bold leaders of tomorrow. This episode features an exciting episode with Sabrina Ann Zielinski, aka Mama Z, of Natural Living Family.
The 5 P's: Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance
When you listen to this episode, you'll really see how the 5 P's really define life in the Z House.
In this exciting interview with Mama Z, author of the bestselling book The Essential Oils Diet, we talk everything from family wellness and time management as a mother of 4 with a baby on the way to being a guardian of childhood and homeschooling during the events of Covid-19.
We love the unique perspective that Sabrina shares in this interview. Her passion for family wellness and her heart for serving others shine through in everything she puts forward. There's sure to be something in this episode for everyone!
Resources From This Episode:
Sabrina Ann Zielinski & Dr. Eric Zielinski, Natural Living Family: https://naturallivingfamily.com/
SABRINA ANN ZIELINSKI is the author of the bestselling Essential Oils Diet book, and has pioneered natural living since 2014 when she started the blog NaturalLivingFamily.com with her husband. A certified group fitness and martial arts instructor, health coach, lactation consultant, and a DIY guru, “Mama Z” is also the reigning Mrs. Georgia America and has used her natural health platform to inspire millions across the world through regular radio, podcast, documentary & TV appearances.
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How can we, as the "guardians of childhood," protect, strengthen and nurture our children?
“Watch over our child. Guide him safely from the ways of harm.
Keep happy his heart, brave his soul, and rosy his cheeks.
Guard with your life his hopes and dreams,
for he is all that we have, all that we are,
and all that we will ever be.”
- William Joyce, The Man in the Moon
Family schooling is all about living and learning together as a family with a focus on relationships and building a strong sense of connectedness, belonging, and family culture.
"Guardians of Childhood" is our first tenet of Family Schooling because we firmly believe that it is imperative to protect, preserve, and honor childhood if we are going to give our children all that childhood has to offer them.
The early years of life are where children can cultivate their sense of creativity, collaborative play, problem solving, and learn about the world by experiencing nature.
In this episode we dive deep into what this might look like as a part of daily family living with lots of examples to help you begin or grow this practice within your own family.
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If you've heard us talk a little bit about family school and you're interested in learning more about how you can bring this philosophy into your home, this episode is for you.
"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." - Angela Schwindt
In this episode, we answer your questions about what family school includes, what are the benefits, and why we believe so strongly in this philosophy.
We began this conversation about family schooling before the events of Covid-19 took place. It grew organically for us out of years of working with homeschool families and conversations we've had together over the past decades.
Now, perhaps more than ever, it is essential that we turn our focus to this way of living and learning together.
This episode is an introduction to our 5 tenets of Family School. Listen now to learn more!
Resources From This Episode:
The Moms I Know, Homeschool Resources: https://www.themomsiknow.com/homeschool
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With so many families being forced into homeschooling situations right now, we want to share our take on how families of all kinds can craft their own unique homeschool situations by simply living and learning together, a concept that we call Family Schooling.
This episode was recorded prior to the events of Covid-19. but even before so many of you began asking, we were feeling energetically pulled in this direction and recorded this episode to begin sharing our passion and a series of resources designed to help you navigate the choices you face when you are planning your own homeschool environment for your family.
If you're wondering what Family Schooling is, listen to this episode now! If you're wondering if there is a way for you to figure this out, yes there is! If you're looking for resources, recommendations, and support, we are here to help you!
Resources From This Episode:
Check out the resources we have for you at https://www.themomsiknow.com/homeschool, follow us on Instagram @themomsiknowpodcast, and feel free to send us a DM or email with your personal questions!
Bruce H. Lipton, PhD, The Biology of Belief: https://www.brucelipton.com/books/biology-of-belief
Please Note: This episode was recorded before the events of Covid-19 took place. We decided to release this episode to you as it was originally recorded because, although we had no idea what was right around the corner for families all across the globe, we believe the content is relevant and may be especially helpful during this time. We hope you and your loved ones are well. You may find additional resources to help you during this time at our individual websites: thefutureoffamily.com and purplebeetfamily.com.
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In this episode, we share our 3 simple tips for homeschooling to support you wherever you are in your homeschooling journey.
“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo, far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.” - Jodi Picoult
Whether you are homeschooling your children by default during the Coronavirus pandemic or considering the possibility of homeschooling your children for other reasons, it is going to require a great deal of resilience, inner strength, and intention.
In this episode we want to inspire you with 3 simple steps to help you flip the script and make learning at home fun.
Resources From This Episode:
Outschool: https://outschool.com/
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We’ve all been thrust into this new normal and many of us feel like we’re trying to keep our heads above water. For those of you who may be feeling like homeschooling your children is not something you signed up for, this episode is for you.
“The oak fought the wind and was broken. The willow bent when it must and survived.” - Robert Jordan
We want to invite you to pause, breath, and realize that perhaps the water isn’t actually as deep as you thought it was, perhaps there is time and space to pause.
How are we responding to this new challenge of educating our children at home? We may be receiving lesson plans, worksheets, and deadlines from our beloved classroom teachers, but once we are educating our children at home, the objectives have to shift.
The goal of doing school at home is not to recreate the classroom, but to create a loosely structured system that works for your family that meets the objects and works for your children and your family as a unit.
Resources From This Episode:
The Moms I Know, Homeschool Resources: https://www.themommsiknow.com/homeschool
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Having a daily experience with nature has countless benefits for our mental and physical wellbeing. For this episode we welcome Linda McGurk, author of the book There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather, to share with us how this simple wellness routine has impacted her journey through motherhood.
“We have such a brief opportunity to pass on to our children our love for this earth and to tell our stories. These are the moments when the world is made whole.” - Richard Louv
The importance of outdoor play is something that we've talked about on this podcast many times, but until now, we haven't really touched on the ways that nature benefits us as well, as human beings and as mothers.
We're delighted to have Linda McGurk join us for this episode's conversation about motherhood. Linda's book, There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather, has been an inspiration to us while raising our own children and in this episode she shares with us how her own parenting journey inspired her to write the book as well as how she has chosen to take her own life lessons and apply them to her parenting and lifestyle choices.
We are excited to share this episode with you, we hope you enjoy Linda's inspirational journey, and that you will find a way to get yourself outside today - no matter the weather!
Resources From This Episode:
Linda McGurk, There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom's Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids (from Friluftsliv to Hygge): http://lindamcgurk.com/book/
Linda McGurk, Rain or Shine Mama Blog: http://www.rainorshinemamma.com
Linda Åkeson McGurk is a Swedish American journalist, blogger and author of the parenting memoir There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom’s Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids (from Friluftsliv to Hygge) which was published by Touchstone in 2017 to critical acclaim. Her writings about Scandinavian parenting have appeared in newspapers, magazines and online publications across the world, including Time.com, Parents.com, Outdoor Families Magazine and more. McGurk is a fierce advocate for the Nordic outdoor tradition and believes that the best childhood memories are created outside, while jumping in puddles, digging in dirt, catching bugs and climbing trees. In 2013, she started the blog Rain or Shine Mamma to chronicle the adventures of her own two wildlings and to inspire other parents and caregivers to get outside with their children every day, regardless of the weather.
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When the going gets tough, we look within ourselves, within our faiths, and within our families for strength, guidance, comfort, peace, and love. If we are able to draw on our best practices and solid foundations, we find ourselves emerging from these times with a greater sense of both self and community.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world indeed it's the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead
In this world we are living in, a new paradigm has emerged. We have been thrust into new challenges and are now trying to define our new roles and responsibilities as parents and as citizens of the world.
For this episode, we have invited, friend and colleage, Dr. Sarah L. Shulman, to join us for a conversation all about parenting in this new dynamic.
Whether you are listening to this episode during the events of 2020 and Covid-19 or you are coming to this episode later on down the road, you will find ideas and inspiration for conscious parenting in the face of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty that stand the test of time.
Resources:
Dr. Sarah L. Shulman, The Resiliency Project: https://sarahlshulman.com/
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No matter where or how you are educating your children, the most valuable thing is that we are coming together with our children so that we can learn and grow together.
“Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.” - Thomas S. Monsen
Regardless of where and how you choose to educate your children, there will be ups and downs. There will be triumphs and struggles. There will be lessons to learn and accomplishments to celebrate.
In this episode we invited a friend, mentor, colleague, and mother of 4, Roxane Rybee, to join us in this conversation about parenting and family schooling.
This episode is full of ideas and inspiration to help you through whatever challenges you may be facing in your family's educational journey.
Drawing from Waldorf Education philosophies, we invite you to breathe in, breathe out, and enjoy the simple things.
Resources
For more ideas, inspiration, and resources for family schooling, visit https://www.themomsiknow.com/homeschool
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2020 is a year of distillation. Taking stock. Asking ourselves what do we have? What do we want? What do we see? Join us in this episode and expand your vision for the future.
“If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet. How important you can be to people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.”
- Fred Rogers
As we embark on a new year, a new decade, we invite you to take a look at where you are and who you are as well as where you are going and who you are becoming. What is your vibration?
This new year, the year of the rat, offers you an opportunity to look ahead into your future. What are you hoping to impart on others? How do you want to structure your life? What do you want to create for yourself and your family this year?
Knowing that every conscious thought creates our environment, what intentions can you set for yourself that will help you create the environment you want for yourself and your family this year?
In this episode, we also want to share with you what has been becoming more clear for us and where we are planning to head this year.
We hope you find this episode inspiring and helpful as you consider your current circumstances and look ahead to the future.
Please Note: This episode was recorded before the events of Covid-19 took place. We decided to release this episode to you as it was originally recorded because, although we had no idea what was right around the corner for families all across the globe, we believe the content is relevant and may be especially helpful during this time. We hope you and your loved ones are well. You may find additional resources to help you during this time at our individual websites: thefutureoffamily.com and purplebeetfamily.com.
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For some this part can be the most fun and for some the most confusing… In this episode, let us simplify it for you.
“When the atmosphere encourages learning, the learning is inevitable.”
- Elizabeth Foss
The goal is to create an atmosphere that encourages learning. It doesn’t have to and shouldn’t cost a fortune and it doesn’t have to overwhelm your home.
Listen to this episode for inspiration and ideas to design your homeschool environment uniquely for your family.
For more information about Family Schooling and to check out The Moms I Know Homeschool Handbook, visit us at: themomsiknow.com/homeschool
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So many things can be accomplished by establishing and honoring rhythms. Rhythms in nature and within our bodies can offer opportunities for discovery and learning, and rhythms that we construct help us to set the tone and pace for personal success.
“Sometimes we just have to stop, feel the pulse of the earth, the rhythm of the seasons, and the internal voice that was once our childhood friend.”
- Fennel Hudson
This episode is all about observing and creating appropriate rhythms within your homeschool system as well as discovering and utilizing the many resources that are available to you as a homeschool family.
For more information about Family Schooling and to check out The Moms I Know Homeschool Handbook, visit us at: themomsiknow.com/homeschool
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Once you’ve decided to homeschool, there is an overwhelming amount of information to digest. In this episode, we give you an overview of the various educational philosophies and types of curriculum that you will have available to use.
“Receive the children in reverence, educate them in love, and send them forth in freedom.”
- Rudolph Steiner
Remember that every child in unique and that as a homeschool parent, you have the ability to pick and choose what you believe will work best for your children and you also have the ability to shift and change your strategy or schedule any time that you feel it’s in your child’s best interest.
We hope this episode will help you begin to understand how you can setup your own unique homeschool experience that honors your children and allows them to learn the way they learn best.
For more information about Family Schooling and to check out The Moms I Know Homeschool Handbook, visit us at: themomsiknow.com/homeschool
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Any time we decide to make a choice in our lives that is a bit counter-culture or that varies from the societal standard, we are going to receive opposition, whether that be from society, friends, family, or others.
“It’s not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless.”
- LR Nost
You may hear many people speak from their own fears or biases. Some people will want to support you and your decisions and others simply will not understand or accept them.
As parents, you are your child’s first teacher and no one knows your child as well as you do.
In this episode, we want to help you find confidence in your decision making so that you can move forward with conviction and follow your intuition to do what you know is best for your child.
Of course, there will be hick-ups along the way. We want to assure you that if you are committed, YOU CAN DO THIS. Give yourself space and grace and continue to grow and learn with your child throughout your journey.
Listen in for more inspiration, encouragement, and information to help you get started!
For more information about Family Schooling and to check out The Moms I Know Homeschool Handbook, visit us at: themomsiknow.com/homeschool
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In this episode of The Moms I Know: Homeschool Edition, we expose our own personal stories, specifically our backgrounds and experiences with educating our own children as well as our experience working with other homeschool families.
“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.”
- Brené Brown
We truly believe that Family Schooling, living and learning together as a family, is the best way to create a strong family culture of lifelong learning and to nurture our children’s sense of creativity and curiosity for learning as well as to strengthen their ownership of and investment in their own educational experiences.
This episode offers some great insight into our personal choices and resources to help you begin to strengthen your commitment to customizing your children’s learning experience whether you choose to homeschool or supplement your child’s public or private school education with enriching activities at home.
For more information about Family Schooling and to check out The Moms I Know Homeschool Handbook, visit us at: themomsiknow.com/homeschool
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It’s no secret that we are lifelong advocates for learning and passionate about encouraging parents to be active participants in their communities and in the learning experiences of their children. As homeschooling experts, we've created this mini-series to help you discover a creative way to design a unique homeschool experience that will work for you and your family.
“Whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual, not a conformist. It should furnish you with an original spirit with which to tackle the big challenges. It should allow you to find values which will be your roadmap through life.”
- John Taylor Gatto
We’ve designed The Moms I Know: Homeschool Edition mini-series in response to many of our listeners’ feedback and questions in regards to making tough decisions about the educational options available for their children.
In this episode, we give you a sneak peak into the series and what we will be covering over the course of these 6 episodes.
We assure you that if homeschooling is something you are interested in, this series will offer you information, guidance, and support to help you educate your children in whatever way you feel is best for them, no matter your level of education or where your children are in their schooling journey.
We hope this episode will inspire you to keep listening and to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We look forward to supporting you and your family as you navigate this journey together.
For more information about Family Schooling and to check out The Moms I Know Homeschool Handbook, visit us at: themomsiknow.com/homeschool
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It's that time of year again. Time to turn inward and create a truly memorable holiday experience.
The season of festivities and wonder is waiting for you to unwrap joy and gaiety.
The holidays can be such a special time to enjoy quality family time, but with all the business and commercialism, how can we slow down and focus on our true family values?
In this episode we offer examples from our own family experiences as well as countless other ideas from decades of experience working with families.
From community experiences, to games and traditions, we hope that this episode will inspire you to approach this holiday with intention, simplicity, and wonder.
Happy Holidays!
Parenting from a place of peace and calm is one of the greatest challenges we face as moms. Doing our self-work to heal our own trauma is key to being able to provide the best support and guidance to our children. This conversation runs deep and special guest, Tamara Iglesias, is an expert on this topic.
“Having your child’s back means meeting their needs and feelings above the expectations, opinions, and eyes of others.” - Tamara Iglesias
In this episode, we have the pleasure of welcoming Tamara Iglesias to the show. Tamara is the founder of WellyNest, a conscious parenting company that focuses on shifting the way we raise our children by bringing awareness of self into the parenting journey.
Tamara shares her personal experience as well as how she works with families to support their effort to raise their children with the gift of wholeness and freedom from the scars and baggage we tend to carry as adults.
Releasing our own trauma is essential to being able to sit with our children in their most difficult moments and have the strength to support them through their own challenges as they grow.
Resources From This Episode:
Tamara Iglesias, WellyNest: http://www.wellynest.com/
As we round the corner from summer to fall, we can all begin to sense the internal struggle to slow down and fall back into a routine. In this episode, we explore how we can support ourselves and our families to thrive through this challenging transition.
“Once she stopped rushing through life, she was amazed how much life she had time for.” - Unknown
Whether we are traveling, camping, swimming, playing or just enjoying the early mornings and late nights, summer is a time for expansion. As it draws to a close in late August, we can feel ourselves resisting the change.
Sometimes we have an urge to hold onto that energy and to keep going full speed, but what our best health really calls for is a pause, a slowing down and nourishing of our minds and bodies.
In this episode, we explore ways to support our best health, for ourselves and our families, as we transition back into our fall/school routines and how to embrace and celebrate the changing seasons.
Resources From This Episode:
Jessica Prentice, Full Moon Feast: https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/full-moon-feast/
Tasha Tudor, A Time to Keep: https://www.tashatudorandfamily.com/shop/books/product/time-to-keep
Diana Carey & Judy Large, Festivals, Family & Food: https://www.amazon.com/Festivals-Family-Food-Diana-Carey/dp/095070623X
Theodore Roosevelt, The Man In The Arena
Shonishin Pediatric Acupuncture
In the spaciousness of summer, we find room for expansion, daydreaming, and reconnecting with our desires. In this episode, we explore the female experience of desire in all aspects of today's society and discuss how we can lean into our desires to live more fully in our truth.
“It thrills us and torments us. It controls our thoughts, destroys our lives, and it’s all we live for. Yet, we almost never speak of it. And as a buried force in our lives, desire remains largely unexplored.” - Lisa Taddeo, Three Women
Pause for a moment, take a few long deep breaths, and think about your dreams. Many times in our lives, we have choices to make that will lead us down one path or another. Leaning into our dreams and desires can act like a compass to help us navigate those difficult life choices while staying in alignment with ourselves.
In our society, women are often encouraged to tamp down our desires and to put own dreams on hold for the sake of our families and loved ones or for fear of judgment or ridicule from others. We challenge you to lean into those desires, speak your dreams into existence, find those who will support you, and don't be ashamed.
Resources From This Episode:
Lisa Taddeo, Three Women: https://www.lisataddeo.com/
Lisen Stromberg, Work, Pause, Thrive: https://lisenstromberg.com/work-pause-thrive-book/
There are many philosophies out there now about how to best raise your children...Attachment Parenting is one that we feel very strongly about. For this episode, we welcome Ina Avote as our special guest to teach us all about how we can apply these principles in our daily lives as we're raising our children and grandchildren.
"Love is simple. Love never fails."
For this episode, we welcome Ina Avote, mother of 3 and founder of Fertility Love where she specializes in yoga and fertility and offers birth doula services. Ina is also an Attachment Parenting expert and love the real-life perspective that she brings to this conversation.
Using the 4 Principals of Attachment Parenting: Proximity, Protection, Predictability, and Play, Ina encourages parents to always respond to their children with Love. We hope you'll enjoy this episode and the great information, tips, and encouragement that Ina has to offer.
Resources From This Episode:
Ina Avote, Fertility Love: https://www.fertilitylove.com
Attachment Parenting International: http://www.attachmentparenting.org/
Barbara Coloroso, Kids are Worth It: Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline: http://www.kidsareworthit.com/
One of our biggest challenges as parents is to help our children explore their boundaries so that they can learn to calculate and manage risk for themselves.
“The more risks you allow your children to make, the better they learn to look after themselves.” - Roald Dahl
Over the past 10-20 years, we've seen an epidemic, especially in the United States, of parents trying too hard to keep their children safe and protected by telling them what to do, what to trust, and what to fear, instead of helping them to cultivate their own abilities to judge and manage risk and to develop their own trust in themselves.
In this episode, we challenge you to allow your young children the freedom to take a few more supervised risks and to give them your support as they challenge their own abilities. Through creating more opportunities for children to learn and grow, we are helping them to cultivate valuable life-skills that are necessary for a successful future.
Resources From This Episode:
Risky Play: Why Children Love It and Need It by Peter Gray 4/7/2014, Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn/201404/risky-play-why-children-love-it-and-need-it
Reasonable Risk Taking: Why Your Children Need to Take Them, by Timber Nook 7/28/15: http://www.balancedandbarefoot.com/blog/how-reasonable-risk-taking-benefits-kids
Tim Gill, Rethinking Childhood: https://rethinkingchildhood.com/
The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn Iggulden and Hal Iggulden
The Daring Book for Girls by Andrea J. Buchanan and Miriam Peskoqitz
Molly Caro May is a writer whose work explores body, place and the foreign/familiar. In this episode, Molly shares with us from her own postpartum experience as well as how she weathered the storm.
"Let's go ahead and blame the mother...at the peak of her sleep deprivation...she get's a little angry at the world...You are not allowed to have darkness...bullsht. This sounds like a military operation." - Molly Caro May*
"I felt like diverting was taking the easy path, but sometimes, what you really need is a diversion." - Molly Caro May
Many things happen in our bodies when we cross over that threshold of new motherhood. Whether it's your first time or your 5th time, each time is unique and reveals new truths to us.
In this episode, we invite Molly Caro May, author of Body Full of Stars: Postpartum Rage and My Passage into Motherhood, to the show to discuss what her experiences of new motherhood have taught her and how she has weathered the storm.
Resources From This Episode:
Molly Caro May: http://mollycaromay.com/
Sending your children off on their own to a foreign country is not an easy task, and yet the benefits are priceless and life-changing.
“There are two things children should get from their parents: roots & wings.” - Johann Goethe
It’s truly our job as parents to raise our children to be confident, secure, and compassionate human beings so that they can go out into the world and make a positive impact while living happy and fulfilled lives. It’s been our experience that foreign exchange programs offer children a priceless opportunity to see the world through different eyes and to experience different cultures and lifestyles which helps shape their awareness and respect for others and their appreciation for their own culture as well, but it’s not going to be easy. A successful foreign exchange experience takes a lot of preparation, planning, funding, and trust.
In this episode, we share not only our own experiences with foreign exchange programs, but we also offer you some of our best recommendations for a successful foreign exchange experience - from knowing when your children are ready, to selecting the best program for your goals. So whether you have been searching for the right program or are just beginning to explore the opportunities, this episode will give you the tools and inspiration you need to go further.
Resources From This Episode:
En Famille International: http://www.enfamille.com/
Adolesco: http://adolesco.org/
AFS Intercultural Programs USA: https://www.afsusa.org/
Amigos de las Americas: https://amigosinternational.org/
You may also want to contact your local Sister City Committees and Rotary Clubs.
The gift of music is one that every child deserves to receive. The cost is little and the benefits are extraordinary.
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” - Plato
When it comes to kids and music, the bottom line is to create opportunity and make music a normal part of life from an early age.
Music is a great tool and resource for us all to have access to as we move through all the phases of life, and when appreciation for it is modeled for us at an early age it is much easier for us to incorporate into our lives as we individuate.
There are many schools of thought and methods of how to best accomplish the task of introducing our children to music. In this episode, we discuss many of them and offer some fun suggestions to help you bring more music into your homes and daily activities.
Resources From This Episode:
Ana Rainville - Singing Games: http://www.annarainville.com/publications.html
Shea Darian - Seven Times the Sun: http://www.sheadarian.com/
Music Together: https://www.musictogether.com/
Mothersong: https://www.mothersong.org/
Womb Song: http://wombsong.com/
Community Music School (Celtic Music Camp): https://www.communitymusicschool.org/
For this week's episode, Maria sits down with Bobbi Geise of Learning by Nature, a Bozeman, MT-based organization that works to build natural play spaces for schools and communities, for an exciting conversation about the benefits of natural play for children (and adults) of all ages.
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” - John Muir
Bobbi brings with her decades of research and experience building inspiring outdoor play-spaces for children that allow them to truly engage with nature and challenge themselves both mentally and physically as children everywhere have been doing for centuries.
We hope you will listen in and be inspired to find more ways to bring natural play to your children wherever you are.
“In protecting our children from perceived risk, we’re putting them at greater risk - obesity, lack of physical and emotional self-awareness, reduced ability to problem solve and establish good judgment, learning from doing and learning from making mistakes.” - Tim Gill
Resources From This Episode:
Bobbi Geise, Learning by Nature: https://learningbynature.org/
Tim Gill, Rethinking Childhood: https://rethinkingchildhood.com/
Summer is upon us! A season for expansion and growth, and our favorite thing to hear as moms, "I'm bored!" In this episode, we flip the script and offer you 5 terrific ways to bust boredom this summer!
“I think it’s necessary to let kids be bored once in a while. That’s how they learn to be creative.” - Kim Raver
Let's flip the script and get us all set-up for a successful summer! No over-planning, over-programming, over-thinking, or over-indulging. Let's talk about how we can cultivate a spirit of curiosity, exploration, and independence this summer!
Taking the acronym B-O-R-E-D, in this episode, we offer up ideas to keep kids engaged throughout the summer months doing everything from building, playing outdoors, reading, getting exercise, helping others, and so much more!
Resources From This Episode:
Nancy Blakey, Mudpie Mamas: https://mudpiemamas.com/
Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods and Vitamin N: http://richardlouv.com/
Whether you have teenagers now or you are about to enter this developmental phase with your children, we hope that this episode will provide you with inspiration, tools, and resources for your parenting journey.
“Why did parenting change from preparing our kids for life to protecting them from life, which means they’re not prepared to live life on their own?” - Julie Lythcott-Haims
For those of you parents who are in the midst of this now or are heading towards it, we want to assure you that the teen years can be delightful, they can be challenging, and they can also be an incredible arena for really helping to raise responsible, caring, and thoughtful adults.
We had so much fun with Kelly Dearie on our last episode, that we decided to bring her back for this conversation about raising teens. Kelly is the mother of a teenage boy herself and brings to the conversation some great insight and information as well as encouragement. We hope you enjoy listening as we dive into this conversation to expand our cultural awareness and re-frame our mindset about the teenage years.
Resources From This Episode:
Julie Lythcott-Haimes, How to Raise an Adult
Dr. Frances E. Jensen, The Teenage Brain
Vicki Hoefle, Duct Tape Parenting
Headwaters Program: https://hwos.com/
Community Music School: https://www.communitymusicschool.org/
Habits for Life: https://habitsforlife.byu.edu/
In this episode featuring special guest, Kelly Dearie, Sheila and Maria dive into the popular topic of gut health with a twist. Listen in for this lively conversation about the importance of gut health for both overall wellness and libido. This is an episode you won't want to miss!
"Let thy food by thy inspiration." - Kelly Dearie
It's becoming much more widely known through research that gut health is the root of all health, so it should come as no surprise that gut health is also the key to maintaining a healthy libido.
This is a topic that Kelly Dearie is very passionate about. For this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with her to learn how we can better support our health as women and moms and how we can nurture our family wellness through healthful foods.
Resources From This Episode:
Kelly Dearie: https://www.kellydearie.com
Sheila and Maria discuss the importance and benefits of introducing children to animals of all kinds and offer suggestions for ways to do so.
"A child who loves animals is an adult who has compassion for people." - Toni Payne
Whether you live in a small city apartment or down home on the farm, there is something for everyone. Studies show that there are so many benefits, mentally, emotionally, and physically, of introducing children to animals at a young age. From reducing anxiety and the possibility of developing asthma, and allergies, to learning compassion, kindness, and responsibility, there is just no reason to say no.
In this episode, we offer tips and suggestions for safe ways to begin introducing children to animals, ideas for types of pets that might be right for your home, and stories from our personal experience to inspire you to find the best way for your family to get involved with animals.
Resources From This Episode:
Contact Your Local SPCA for volunteer programs!
If you didn't grow up going on outdoor adventures with your parents, the idea of taking your own children into the wilderness may seem overwhelming. In this episode, we give you the basics of what to expect and how to plan for a successful family camping trip.
“Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit and as vital to our lives as water and good bread.” - Edward Abbey
From sea to shining sea, the United States is full of amazing outdoor adventures just waiting for you! In this episode, we talk about where to go, what to expect, and how to plan for a successful family camping trip - even if you're new to camping!
Children need to be outdoors, where they can explore and learn, challenge their bodies, and establish connections to nature. It's also a great opportunity for you to bond with your children as a family. So, this summer, study up, plan a trip, and make some amazing memories! We're here to help guide you!
Resources from This Episode:
Sheila's Camping Guide: http://bit.ly/PBN-Camping-101
Nan Jeffrey, Adventuring with Children: The Complete Manual for Family Adventure Travel
Christine O'Connell George, Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems
Dave Kyu, Campfire Stories: Tales from America’s National Parks
HipCamp.com: https://www.hipcamp.com/
ReserveAmerica.com: https://www.reserveamerica.com/
Maria and Sheila discuss the import role that family culture plays in developing strong, lifelong relationships for siblings.
"Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring - quite often the hard way." - Pamela Dugdale
The experience of raising siblings brings with it many joys and many challenges. Love multiplies as we continue to stretch and grow in new ways as parents.
In this episode, we talk about the joys and struggles we've each experienced as parents of siblings and how we intentionally chose to frame our family cultures to help our children build strong, trusting, life-long relationships with one another.
Whether you are parenting adults, teenagers, toddlers, or are expecting your second child soon, this episode offers lots of valuable tips and resources for you to explore as you seek to deepen your relationship with your children and encourage them to strengthen their relationships with one another.
Resources From This Episode:
Dr. Laura Markham, Peaceful Parent Happy Kids Online Course: https://www.ahaparenting.com/
Laura Davis & Janis Keyser, Becoming the Parent You Want to Be: https://lauradavis.net/becoming-the-parent-you-want-to-be/
Tracy Gillett, Raised Good: https://raisedgood.com/
“Connection Before Correction”:
https://www.positivediscipline.com/articles/connection-correction-0
Now We Are 6 by A.A. Milne
Our children are an amazing reminder of what life is all about and the lessons they teach us are countless.
"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." - Angela Schwindt
In this episode, Sheila and Maria sit down with Jessica Rios of Leaning Into Light to have an in-depth conversation about the lessons we learn through motherhood.
Through the ups and downs, the struggles and triumphs, we can become aware of our power and learn to trust and believe in ourselves as women and mothers.
Resources From This Episode:
Jessica Rios, Leaning Into Light: http://www.leaningintolight.com/
As we continue our dive into storytelling this month, we had the pleasure of sitting down with author and writing coach, Chloe Rachel Gallaway, to talk about more about the healing powers of storytelling.
"Know the truth and the truth shall set you free." - John 8:32
After a very unique early childhood, Chloe found her path to healing through the unconditional love modeled for her by her foster mom as well as through writing her first book, The Soulful Child.
In this interview, Chloe shares her experience as an author and writing coach, guiding others through the journey of healing through storytelling.
We were moved by what she shared in this interview and hope you will listen and be inspired to explore your own story in a deeper way.
Resources from this Episode:
Chloe Rachel Gallaway: https://chloerachelgallaway.com/
The Soulful Child: 12 Years in the Wildernessby Chloe Rachel Gallaway (book)
The Voices Series: https://voicesmovement.org/
After reflecting on the power of storytelling, we've decided to share our interviews with our own mothers with you. This special, 50-minute episode of The Moms I Know offers you an intimate look into the life of Maria's mother, Elaine Anderson.
"Be useful. Be kind." - President Barack Obama
For this episode, Maria sits down with her mom, Elaine Anderson, for an intimate interview. Elaine shares all about her childhood, what becoming a mother was like for her, and how she has continued to give back now that her children are grown and are becoming grandparents themselves.
There is so much we can learn from the generations that have come before us. We hope this inspires you to learn from the elders in your own life. Ask questions. Record the answers. And tell their stories.
Storytelling has the power to connect generations, and yet, we don't always share them. “In every conceivable manner, family is the link to our past and bridge to our future.” - Alex Haley
You may know many stories from your parents and grandparents, but maybe you've never taken the time to dive deeper. To uncover exactly how those experiences made them feel and to understand the motivations behind their decisions or how they felt about current events. In this episode, we hope to inspire you to dive deeper with your loved ones, ask them questions you've never asked before and see what you uncover. We believe that storytelling has the ability to connect generations, expand your capacity for empathy, break down barriers, and so much more. Not sure what questions to ask or how to start the conversation? Listen in for our best tips to help you conduct your own family interviews and get the most out of the experience.
This is a great time of year to get outdoors! Children are naturally drawn to nature and there are so many learning opportunities in the garden.
"Why try to explain miracles to your kids when you just plant a garden." - Robert Brault
Whether you are growing a full vegetable or flower garden or just starting out, whether you are homeschooling or wanting to add to your children's experiences and knowledge, the benefits are undeniable and extend to health, wellness, mental clarity, family bonding, creating memories, education, and so much more!
In this episode, we explore the values and life-lessons that families can learn together in the garden. We even have tips on vegetables that are easier for beginners and lots of resources to help you get started!
What will your family grow this season?
Resources From This Episode:
Jon J. Muth, Stone Soup
Barbara Kingsolver, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/
Grace Lin, The Ugly Vegetables: https://www.gracelin.com/content.php?page=book_uglyveg
Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
Bill Peet, The Wump World: http://www.billpeet.net/pages/wump.htm
University of California, Life Lab: https://www.lifelab.org/
Project Season - Shelburne Farms, Project Season: https://shelburnefarms.org/
As moms, when we master time management, we can also master so many other things, and we can start to design our lives in a way that is in alignment with our values and be more present for our families and for ourselves.
"You can't pour from an empty cup." - Unknown
Often times moms are overwhelmed, over-worked, over-stressed and burning out. Holistic time management brings together the corporate practice of managing time for efficiency and profitability with all of the ways we can manage the responsibilities and demands of our personal lives at home.
In this episode, we welcome Helen Peterson, a holistic time-management coach, who shares from her personal experience and professional insight, how we can begin to look at time management from a more well-rounded, holistic perspective that serves us better as multi-passionate humans.
Resources From This Episode:
Helen Peterson: https://www.mshelenpeterson.com
It's so important to bring our children into the kitchen, not just to teach them about cooking, but so much more. In this episode, Maria and Sheila offer their recommendations and reasons for teaching children kitchen skills from an early age.
"You have got to have a 'what the heck' attitude in the kitchen." - Julia Child
So many valuable life skills are learned in the kitchen, not just the obvious ones like cooking and cleaning. In the kitchen, our kids can learn teamwork, experimentation, following directions, measuring, and so much more!
In this episode, we dive into some valuable resources and share from our personal experiences with our own families what has been possible through early education and empowerment in the kitchen.
Resources From This Episode:
Sheila Walsh Dunton, The Mom Map Membership Program: https://www.themommap.com
Join Sheila's Mom Map Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/198250290661088/
Sally Fallon Morrell, The Nourishing Traditions Cookbook for Children: http://nourishingtraditions.com/
Mollie Katzen, Pretend Soup: http://www.molliekatzen.com/
Pamela Druckerman, Bringing up Bébé: https://pameladruckerman.com
A large part of physical growth and development for children relies upon age-appropriate games and movement. In this episode, Sheila and Maria discuss how to nourish children through these developmental stages with a wide range of activities to physically and mentally challenge them as they grow.
"Time is a game beautifully played by children." - Heraclitus, 6th Century BC
In our modern society, it is becoming quite common for children to start playing competitive sports at a very young age. In this episode, Sheila and Maria dive into the risks of repetitive movement as well as the benefits of allowing children to explore many varying and seasonal activities as they grow.
It's our job as parents, to consciously create opportunities that challenge our children's development. This episode is full of ideas and resources to inspire play and movement for children of all ages.
Resources From This Episode:
Kim John Payne, Games Children Play: https://www.simplicityparenting.com/
Jamen McMillan, “Play, Games, and Sports in Childhood: The right thing at the right time”, Renewal Magazine: http://bit.ly/2rBIOVX
Anna Rainville, Singing Games for Families, Schools, and Communities: http://annarainville.com/
Wendy Suzuki, Healthy Brain, Happy Life: https://www.wendysuzuki.com/
Marian Diamond, UC Berkeley: http://lunaproductions.com/marian-diamond/
If things are fun, they gain relevance and children remember them and games are fun for us, too! In this episode, Maria and Sheila discuss age-appropriate ways to incorporate games into our daily activities to make things more fun and educational for our children.
“The single most important skill that parents can acquire is playing.” - Lawrence J. Cohen
Learning happens so much more quickly through play than through any other method and with schools pushing for more and more academics, it's even more important that we incorporate play-based learning into our family time activities.
In this episode, we provide research and resources for age-appropriate games that are timeless and fun for the whole family. Incorporating games into your family time will also help to develop and nurture the family culture that you desire.
Resources From This Episode:
Toddler/Preschool Games:
- play silks
- wooden blocks
- puzzles
- puppets
- legos
- magnatiles
- chutes and ladders
- snails pace
- connect4
Card games for younger children:
- Uno
- Go Fish
- Old Maid
Older card games:
- 5 Crowns
- Spoons
- Egyptian War
Individual Games:
- Perplexus
- Labrynth
- Puzzles
- Solitaire
Learning Games for 6 and up:
- Gobblet
- Cathedral
- Clue
- Life
- Apples to Apples
- Battleship
- Sequence
- Rummy Kub
- Yahtzee
- Boggle
- Mastermind
- Chess
- Checkers
Drawing on ancient teachings about parenting, Maria and Sheila embark on a conversation about how to raise this modern generation of children with resilience and empathy.
"Recognize the inner realities. If you try to make your children good, you will make them and yourself miserable; show them you believe in their natural goodness and all will be blessed. If you try to make them honor you, you will create instead resentment and dishonesty; instead, honor yourself and them, and all will be happy. If you try to make them successful, you will perpetuate their misery of endless desires; instead, enjoy the simple life and all will find contentment. You do not have to recognize the outward niceties, you have to recognize the inward realities. You do not have to make things turn out well, you have to realize that all is well." - William Martin, The Parent's Tao Te Ching: A New Interpretation, Ancient Advice for Modern Parents
When we bring to our parenting an underlying calm and knowing that all is well, we can address modern issues and better prepare our children to navigate the challenges and struggles of life with inner strength and inner peace.
"Be a model of honesty. If you want to become a wise parent, you must be prepared to appear foolish. You must be willing to say, "why should I chase this way and that? Always grasping and always running?" Unless you stop following the crowd, how can your children be free? To teach your children strength, you must be prepared to appear weak. You must renounce admission and struggle and embrace serenity and peace. You must confess your faults and embrace your failures. You must face yourself with honesty and find the truth of your nature." - William Martin, The Parent's Tao Te Ching: A New Interpretation, Ancient Advice for Modern Parents
Resources From This Episode:
William Martin, The Parent's Tao Te Ching: A New Interpretation, Ancient Advice for Modern Parents: https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/books/reviews/view/16160
Michelle Borba, Ed.D., UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in this All-About-Me World: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/UnSelfie/Michele-Borba/9781501110078
Julie Lythcott-Haims, How to Raise an Adult: https://www.julielythcotthaims.com/how-to-raise-an-adult
Frances E. Jensen and Amy Ellis Nutt, The Teenage Brain: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062067869/the-teenage-brain/
Project Empathy: https://www.projectempathyvr.com/
Just as our bodies can carry physical ailments from our ancestral heritage, our psyche also carries ancestral trauma into our lives and there's a way to break free!
"Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes." - Carl Jung
Have you ever felt in your body that there was some unfinished business, or that a piece of something in your life didn't really belong to you? In this episode, Sheila and Maria invite Special Guest and Transformational Wellness Coach, Teri Taylor, to the show for a deep dive into the topic of Generational Healing.
This episode will provide you with insight into a practice that you may be discovering for the first time. We believe that Generational Healing is a powerful tool for conscious parenting and that by choosing to do this work, we can set our children free to be the people they are truly meant to be in the world.
"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Resources From This Episode:
Teri Taylor, Your Daily Reset: https://www.yourdailyreset.com
Mark Wolynn, The Family Constellation Institute and It Didn't Start With You: https://www.markwolynn.com/
Bert Hellinger: https://www.hellinger.com/
Over the course of decades of parenting, teaching, and coaching, Maria and Sheila have had many inspirations, influences, and mentors. This episode honors those who've come before them and who've paved the way for this generation of joyful, conscious parenting.
"If it hasn't been in the hand and in the body, it can't be in the brain." - Bev Bos, author of Don't Move the Muffin Tins
There are many moments throughout our lives where we've felt our consciousness shift to allow openness for new ideas to come in and influence our decision making. These authors, educators, and mentors changed the course of our lives in many ways and we want to share that with you.
This episode contains a multitude of amazing resources to encourage you and to inspire you wherever you are on your parenting journey.
Resources From This Episode:
Visit our website for a complete list of resources:
https://www.themomsiknow.com/episode-034-our-influences
As we raise our children and focus on mindfulness, we can heal our own wounds. In this episode, Sheila and Maria interview Grace Kendrick of Mindful Mama Yoga and Ayurveda who shares her personal story and journey to mindful parenting.
"The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they bloom like flowers." - Thich Nhat Hanh
Our children bring their own experiences, emotions, and desires into the world and, as parents, we strive to provide shelter, security, and acceptance to each of our children so that they can grow into confident and secure human beings. Through mindfulness practices, we can stay grounded and committed to treating our children with love and respect through any difficult circumstance.
Grace shares her personal story and parenting journey as well as the way she has been able to apply what she has learned to the mindfulness, yoga, and Ayurveda work she does with mothers and families.
Resources From This Episode:
Grace Kendrick, Mindful Mama Yoga: http://www.mindfulmamayoga.com/
Spring Equinox Family Yoga Retreat: http://www.mindfulmamayoga.com/familyretreat2019.html
Denise Roy, MFT, Momfulness: http://www.deniseroy.com/_center_momfulness__mothering_with_mindfulness__compassion__and_grace__center__56136.htm
Mila Kabat-Zinn & Jon Kabat-Zinn, Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Blessings-Inner-Mindful-Parenting-ebook/dp/B0037B6QV6
Curiosity is an essential part of parenting. If we can approach difficult parenting situations with a spirit of curiosity, we can be more open to understanding our children's needs and desires. Special guest, Kate Robbins, a Transition Life Coach with The Clarity Council, and a mom we know, brings to the podcast her unique view of curiosity along with real-life examples for inspiration.
"Curiosity is the one thing invincible in nature." - Freya Stark
Children are innately curious, yet as we become adults, we often abandon the spirit of curiosity. When we can approach conflict from a place of curiosity, we avoid blame and shame, and consequently gain clarity around the needs and desires of our children and loved ones.
Kate Robbins joins us on this episode to share with us how curiosity has played a vital role in her life experience, both as a Transition Life Coach and as a parent.
Resources From This Episode:
Kate Robbins, Transition Life Coach with The Clarity Council: https://theclaritycouncil.com
Grounding Meditation from Kate Robbins: https://www.themomsiknow.com/grounding-meditation-kate-robbins
After an amazing first season, we're excited to announce what we'll be bringing to the podcast in season two!
Our episode on self-care focussed on what brings you joy and refills your cup so that you can parent from a place of fullness. In this episode, we take this concept one step further and ask the question: How can we bring joy to others and fill each other's cups so that the women in our communities can serve from a place of fullness?
"Behind every strong woman…are more strong women." - Dr. Caroline Heldman
Historically, women have cared for one another and in many cultures, this is still the tradition. In our society today, we often find women and mothers trying to "raise the bar", do it all on our own, and be "supermom".
In this episode, we examine why our society has experienced this shift and how we can pull call ourselves back into alignment and be strong enough to ask for the help we need.
By giving ourselves a little "space... and grace" we can allow ourselves to receive the support of our communities, families, and friends with a little more ease.
Resources From This Episode:
Dr. Shefali Tsabary, The Awakened Family and The Conscious Parent: https://drshefali.com/
Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com/
We've been asked lots of questions about homeschooling, from how to determine if it's the right choice to what types of curriculum to follow. If you've been considering homeschooling for your family, this episode is for you!
"It's not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world, it's our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless." - L. R. Nost
There are many reasons why families choose to homeschool varying from lifestyle choices, to learning differences. No matter your reason for wanting to explore and understand your homeschooling options, there are many resources and types of support available to you.
In this episode, we share our experiences and knowledge from years of homeschooling and homeschool teaching to help you understand your options and determine if this is the best path for your family.
We cover everything from reasons why families consider homeschooling to how to find and choose your curriculum, and share from our hearts and experiences how we have seen homeschooling impact our children and families as well as the many other children and families we've seen over the years.
There is not one, but many ways to approach homeschooling, and only you will know what is best for your family. Listen in to hear our stories. We hope you will find inspiration for your own journey.
Resources from This Episode:
John Taylor Gatto, Dumbing Us Down: https://www.johntaylorgatto.com/
John Holt: https://www.johnholtgws.com/
David Colfax, Homeschooling for Excellence: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/725228.Homeschooling_for_Excellence
Julie Bogart: http://blog.bravewriter.com/
Thomas J. Cottle, A Sense of Self: http://thomascottle.com/
Dr. Gordon Neufeld, Hold Onto Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/106744.Hold_On_to_Your_Kids
Mary Pipher, Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/159760.Reviving_Ophelia
Sheila and Maria share all the details of their exciting offerings for 2019.
"We can raise a generation of children that is vibrant, that is resilient, that is coming from a place of fullness. These are children who know how to work through their own challenges as they watch their parents work through theirs.” - The Moms I Know
Maria shares all the details about her upcoming program, Parenting with Intention & Joy, which is a 4-month online support program for moms all over the world offering inspiration and diverse content on key family issues as well as support and encouragement for the journey.
Sheila shares about her program The Mom Map, which is a unique membership community designed to simplify and nourish motherhood with foundations in nutrition, education, and family culture.
Special offers are available for podcast listeners! Contact us for more information!
Resources from This Episode:
Our Offerings: https://www.themomsiknow.com/our-offerings
Parenting with Intention & Joy: http://www.soquelessentials.com/parenting-program
The Mom Map: https://www.themommap.com
Contact Us: https://www.themomsiknow.com/contact/
Sheila and Maria offer practical strategies to support your family's wellness during the winter months and throughout the year.
"Physical touch makes you healthier. Hugs, massages, and holding hands reduce stress while boosting your immune system." - Unknown
Our immune systems can take quite a hit during the holidays as stress levels and commitments rise, we struggle to get enough sleep, and the weather can discourage us from spending time outdoors In this episode, Sheila shares nutritional tips to boost and support your immune system and reduce your use of medications, and Maria shares suggestions for simplifying the holidays, strengthening your family values, and practicing joy as part of your wellness. Resources From This Episode: Sheila's Fire Cider Recipe: https://www.purplebeetnutrition.com/blog/it-s-that-time-of-year-again-fire-cider Sheila's Top 10 Things I Do To Support My Family's Health: https://www.purplebeetnutrition.com/blog/the-top-ten-things-i-do-to-support-my-family-s-health The Magic School Bus; "Inside Ralphie": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXIRkV8puVk
Traveling with children can mean that there will be additional challenges, but there can also be additional joys. With a little extra mindfulness and preparation, the whole family can enjoy happy and safe adventures wherever your travels take you.
"We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey." - John Hope Franklin
It is common to think of all the extra added discomforts that can accompany traveling with children, but there are also many amazing possibilities for seeing the world through different activities and explorations when you have children along for the journey.
In this episode, Sheila and Maria share their tips and tricks for family travels as well as offer some inspiration for the amazing possibilities that await your family wherever your travels take you.
Resources From This Episode:
Nan Jeffrey, Adventuring with Children
Rescue Remedy: https://www.rescueremedy.com/en-us
Ciao Bambino - Custom European Travel Planning for Families with Children: https://ciaobambino.com/
Judith Waite Allee & Melissa L. Morgan, Educational Travel on a Shoe String
Sheila and Maria invite you to explore the purpose and challenges of setting and living with boundaries as well as what we teach our young children when we establish boundaries for them and how they learn from those boundaries as they grow.
"To be in your children's memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today." - Barbara Johnson
In this life, there are many forms of boundaries, both physical and social, and it's important as parents that we introduce our young children to the idea of boundaries so that they can learn to understand them and when and how to appropriately challenge them. These decisions are complex and our goal is to help you make conscious decisions when navigating this difficult topic.
In this episode, we share with you from our decades of experience as children, parents, and teachers the various parenting styles and approaches to boundaries we've seen and the results we have observed throughout the years. We welcome you to participate with us in this conversation and to share with us from your own life experiences, successes, and challenges as well.
Resources From This Episode:
Non-Violent Communication: https://www.cnvc.org/
Attachment Parenting: http://www.attachmentparenting.org/
Positive Discipline: https://www.positivediscipline.com/
Kahlil Gibran, On Children: https://www.themomsiknow.com/kahlil-gibran
Sheila and Maria share their experiences with celebrating rites of passage within their families, how it has affected their family relationships and a bit about the cultures that have given us these traditions.
"Every positive change, every jump to a higher level of energy and awareness, involves a rite of passage. Each time to ascend to a higher rung on the ladder of personal evolution, we must go through a period of discomfort, of initiation, I have never found an exception." - Dan Millman, The Way of the Peaceful Warrior
Throughout our lives, as we learn and grow, we pass through many milestones. The ability to have these milestones witnessed and our accomplishments celebrated together by our families and communities is important to our growth and development as individuals.
In this episode, we share examples of how we've brought some of the great traditions from other cultures into our families as well as the effects we've seen them have on ourselves and our children.
Resources From This Episode:
Dan Millman, The Way of the Peaceful Warrior: http://www.peacefulwarrior.com/way-of-the-peaceful-warrior/
Persephone Rising Rituals: https://www.facebook.com/persephonerisingrituals/
The Blessing Way: https://nativeamericanconcepts.wordpress.com/the-blessing-way/
Nols: https://www.nols.edu/en/
Outward Bound: https://www.outwardbound.org/
Sheila and Maria have an invitation for you - the invitation to bravely cultivate your practice of vulnerability in life and in parenthood. In the midst of the many struggles we face as individuals, within our communities, and as humans, the act of boldly allowing yourself to be visible is a powerful tool for building and maintaining connection.
"...I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments."
- Oriah Mountain Dreamer, "The Invitation"
In this episode, Maria and Sheila practice their own vulnerability. By sharing their own stories, they demonstrate how conscious vulnerability has a positive impact on our family systems and communities.
Showing our true selves, allows us to feel seen and be seen, and as parents, consistently practicing vulnerability allows us to cultivate strong family relationships built on honesty, trust, and respect. It is this type of foundation that our children need in order to go out into the world confident in who they are, bold enough to be themselves, and brave enough to stand for what they believe in.
Resources From This Episode:
Oriah Mountain Dreamer, The Invitation: http://www.oriahmountaindreamer.com/
Carol Dweck, Mindset: https://mindsetonline.com/
Brené Brown, Daring Greatly, Braving the Wilderness, Dare to Lead: https://brenebrown.com/
Glennon Doyle: https://momastery.com/blog/about-glennon/
Jen Hatmaker: http://jenhatmaker.com/
Fantastic Factology: http://fantastic-factology.com/
EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: http://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/
Sheila and Maria welcome special guest, Aromatherapist, Kaysi Contreras. This episode reveals the science and evidence behind the practice of aromatherapy and offers practical tips for your own use essential oils at home.
"Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and all the years you have lived." - Hellen Keller
In this episode, The Moms I Know welcome a mom they know, Aromatherapist extraordinaire, Kaysi Contreras, to talk all things aromatherapy.
Kaysi shares her own personal, aromatherapy discovery story that led to her pursuit of scientific knowledge and understanding of essential oils.
This episode is packed with tips for beginning oils users as well as little known facts about the oils and how they work for more the more advanced.
Learn what to pack in your oil essentials kit and how to assure the quality of your oils! Grab a pen and paper - you might want to take notes!
Resources from This Episode:
Kaysi Contreras, Aromatherapist: kaysi.oils@gmail.com
Sheila and Maria raise awareness on the topic of shifting the family mindset to focus on efforts over achievements. Harnessing the value of perseverance to raise children who thrive on challenges and are excited by learning opportunities.
"The best thing parents can do is to teach their children to love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort and keep on learning."
- Carol Dweck, author of Mindset
This episode is grounded in the belief that "if we want to change the world, we have to change the way we raise our children" (Marianne Williamson).
Praising our children for things that come easy to them, teaches them to expect and need extrinsic praise and rewards. We believe that we can raise children who are able to try hard, embrace challenges, and fail fearlessly by shifting our focus from praising their achievements to praising their efforts.
This episode is packed full of resources, support, and encouragement for parents of young children and older children alike, to help shift your parenting mindset and raise innovative, independent humans who are ready for life's challenges.
Resources From This Episode
Carol Dweck, Mindset: https://mindsetonline.com/
Pema Chodron, Fail, Fail Again Better: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25509916-fail-fail-again-fail-better
Dr. Shefali, The Conscious Parent: https://drshefali.com/the-conscious-parent/
Dr. Shefali, The Awakened Family: https://drshefali.com/the-awakened-family/
Big Life Journal: https://biglifejournal.com/
Sheila and Maria dive into the topic of consumerism, to share their purchasing perspectives and suggest ways to bring consciousness to the decisions we make around consumerism, especially during the holidays.
"It is the logic of consumerism that undermines the values of loyalty and permanence and promotes a different set of values that is destructive of family life." - Christopher Lasch.
The choices we each make as consumers affect not only our daily lives and our wallets, but they also have a lasting impact on the environment, our children, and ourselves. If we desire to raise the next generation to be good custodians of mother earth, we need to make conscious daily choices that reflect those values we want to instill.
In this episode, we offer lots of ideas and resources to inspire you to keep your holiday traditions rich and exciting while minimizing the effects of consumerism. We want to excite and empower you to make mindful choices for your family during this holiday season and throughout the year.
Resources From This Episode:
Tasha Tudor, A Time to Keep: https://www.tashatudorandfamily.com/shop/books/product/time-to-keep
Sheila and Maria share their experiences, education, and perspectives on the topic of non-toxic living including ways to be economical while making healthful choices for your family.
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
In this episode, we dive into the conversation about environmental toxins and what we as adults and parents can do to minimize the harmful effects of chemicals on our bodies.
There are lots of options to explore and it up to each of us to decide what is most important and possible in our lives. In this episode, we offer you experience, evidence, and options that we hope will serve you and guide you toward making conscious choices for your family's wellness.
Resources From This Episode
Books:
Raleigh Brigs, Make Your Place: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/2333
Leah Segedie, Green Enough: https://www.mamavation.com/green-enough
Websites:
Environmental Working Group: https://www.ewg.org/
The Radical Homemaker: http://theradicalhomemaker.net/
Mamavation: https://www.mamavation.com/
The Non Tox Shop: http://thenontoxshop.com/
Products:
BeautyCounter: https://www.beautycounter.com/sheilawalsh-dunton
doTERRA Essential Oils: https://www.doterra.com/US/en/site/purplebeet
Documentary:
STINK!: https://stinkmovie.com/
Sheila and Maria discuss the decisions all families are faced with when it is time to decide who will work, how they will work, and who will care for the children.
"As a mother, you can have it all, you just may not be able to have it all at once." - Elaine Anderson
In this episode, Sheila and Maria examine both society's viewpoints and the aspects of self-worth regarding the task and value of raising children vs. participating in the workforce.
With the costs of living and childcare skyrocketing, many families struggle to make ends meet when maternity and paternity leave come to a close. Society expects parents to jump right back into the workforce and their pre-baby routines, but that is not always the best option for families.
Resources From This Episode
Tracy Gillet, Raised Good: www.raisedgood.com
Lisen Stromberg, Work, Pause, Thrive: www.lisenstromberg.com/work-pause-thrive-book
Sheila and Maria interview birth and postpartum doula, Ana Hernandez, and discuss the importance of caring for and nurturing a mother throughout birth and postpartum.
"Childbirth is power in its purest and most natural form. It is wild and uncontrollable and takes us on a journey of surrender. Birth is about so much more than babies being born. It is about a mother finding her inner strength at her most vulnerable and powerful moment, which begins her unique and lifelong journey of mothering that child." - Brianna Z. Kauer, midwife
In this episode, Sheila and Maria welcome their first guest, Ana Hernandez, a birth and postpartum doula, to the podcast for an honest conversation about the journey to motherhood and the birthing of a new mother, baby, and family.
Ana brings a unique perspective to the power of and importance of postpartum care especially considering the impact it can have on the future of families and society as a whole.
Special Guest: Ana Hernandez, doula (https://www.anandadoula.com)
Resources From This Episode:
Books: Kimberly Ann Johnson, The Fourth Trimester: https://www.magamama.com/the-book/ Tami Lynn Kent, Mothering from your Center: http://www.wildfeminine.com/ Heng Ou, The First 40 Days: https://experiencelife.com/article/nourishing-care-for-the-postpartum-mom-an-interview-with-heng-ou/ Physiologic Postpartum Care info and trainings: Rachelle Garcia Seliga, http://www.innatetraditions.com/
As Maria embarks on her new journey of moving from California to Montana, she shares what makes a house a home and how she plans to bring the feeling of home and the family rituals she cherishes to her new dwelling in Montana.
"Home is where the heart is." - Unknown
So much of our lives happens in the home. It might be a place you built, where you birthed your children, where your children were married, where your parents lived. It's where you create memories of birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and holidays. But no matter where you live or where you move, you can bring that feeling of home with you wherever you are.
In this episode, Sheila and Maria discuss what makes a house a home and offer suggestions that have helped them to keep their feelings of home and family traditions alive regardless of where their lives have taken them and where they have chosen to live.
Sheila and Maria discuss the importance of quality sleep for everyone and offer suggestions for maximizing sleep for families with children of all ages.
"Your future depends on your dreams, so go to sleep." - Unknown
The reports are in! Sleep is vital for our health and wellness. With technology and all the pulls and expectations we have, in America, we are living in a sleep-deprived culture.
It's important that we are intentional about taking the necessary steps and setting the stage for successful sleep for our families. In this episode, we offer personal examples and tips for creating a family culture that understands the importance and value of good sleep.
Full Disclosure: We use and benefit from your use of doTERRA Essential Oils.
Sheila and Maria share their top reading recommendations for all ages as well as stories from their experiences that demonstrate how literature has helped their family to learn and grow together over the years.
"Children's books change lives. Stories pour into the hearts of children and help make them what they become." - Jane Yolen
We share a strong belief that literature and storytelling carry with them an amazing power to impart timeless wisdom into the hearts and lives of each generation. Throughout the years, we have seen time and again that great literature has not only provided fantastic entertainment but more importantly, literature has introduced our children to wonderful archetypal examples and displays of character, problem-solving, generosity, kindness, culture, courage, and bravery, and our families have immensely enjoyed learning together through reading.
In this episode, we share with you some of our favorite books and authors as well as stories from our families which demonstrate how literature has impacted our family culture and the lessons we've learned along the way.
Resources from this Episode
Top Toddler Board Book Recommendations
Martin Wadell - Owl Babies
Bruce Degen - Jamberry
Top Early Childhood Author/Series Recommendations
James Harriet
Jill Barklem - Brambley Hedge
Beatrix Potter - Peter Rabbit
Elsa Beskow
Tasha Tudor
Steven Kellogg
James Marshall - George and Martha
Audrey Wood
Jan Brett
Frank Ashe
Top Early Chapter Book Recommendations
Betsy Macdonald - Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Gertrude Chandler Warner - Box Car Series
A.A. Milne - Winnie the Pooh
Laura Ingalls Wilder - Little House on the Prairie
Arthur Ransone - Swallows and Amazons
Lucy Maud Montgomery - Anne of Green Gables
Elizabeth Enright - Gone Away Lake
E.B. White - Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, and Trumpet of the Swan
James Barry - Peter Pan
Emily Rodda - Fairy Realm Series
Middle Childhood Book Recommendations
Jules Verne - Around the World in 80 Days and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
William Pêne du Bois - 21 Balloons
Jean Craighead George - My Side of the Mountain
Louisa May Alcott - Little Men
Kate Sheredy - The Good Master
Rachael Field - Calico Bush
Eva Bunting - Journey to the River Sea
Dave Barry - Peter and the Starcatchers
Scott O’Dell - Island of the Blue Dolphins
Lloyd Alexander - Prydain Series
Johann David Wyss - Swiss Family Robinson
Robert Louis Stevenson - Treasure Island
Robert Lawson - Ben and Me, Mr. Revere and I
Teen Book Read Aloud Recommendations
Mark Twain - Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn
R. R. Tolkein - The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter
Sheila and Maria share several examples from their life experiences that have helped them to cultivate a lasting family practice of gratitude and generosity.
"I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness. It's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude." - Brené Brown
When we raise our children with the intention that we want them to grow up to be adults who are grateful for what they have and want to give back to their communities, it allows up to look more closely at the daily decisions we make while they are young. From household chores to allowances, birthdays, and holidays, we want our children to know that they are valuable members of our families and that their contributions are important. We want them to feel and be able to express gratitude as part of our family culture and we want them to experience the joy of giving. In this episode, we take a closer look at the decisions we can choose to make which help us cultivate a family practice of gratitude and generosity.
Sheila and Maria approach the topic of health and wellness from a holistic point of view, offering food for thought and suggestions for finding the best wellness support for your family.
"A wise man ought to realize that health is his most valuable possession." - Hippocrates
When we look back throughout history, women have traditionally been the healers within their villages and tribes. They have been the ones who have carried on the herbal lore and who have known how to remedy the various ailments that have impacted their communities. Today, as women and mothers, we are carrying on that tradition, it is up to us to research and determine the best options and methods of care for our families.
In this episode, we talk about the difference between common and normal, emotional health, trends that research has shown over time, and discuss topics from childbirth to vaccinations, finding your local community of doctors and healers, and much more.
Resources From This Episode
Raven Lang: http://ravenlang.com/
Jennifer Margulis, Your Baby, Your Way: https://jennifermargulis.net/books/your-baby-your-way/
Ricki Lake, The Business of Being Born: http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/
Sally Fallon Morrell, The Weston A. Price Foundation: https://www.westonaprice.org/about-us/welcome-from-sally-fallon-morell/
Sheila and Maria discuss the use of technology and screen-time in the home including studies on the impact of these behaviors on our developing children and drawing on decades of experience observing and working with families as they have navigated these types of decisions.
"So your kids must love the iPad?" I asked Mr. Steve Jobs, trying to change the subject, the company's first tablet was just hitting the shelves. "They haven't used it," he told me "we limit how much technology our kids use at home." - New York Times article, September 2014, by Nick Bilton
Revisiting the theme of less-is-more, we believe that the same concept applies when it comes to screen time for our families. The evidence suggests that an increased use of technology is changing the way our children are wired to think, it is affecting their focus and contributing to an increase in emotional and behavioral issues. But it is not just these things that cause us to desire less technology in our families lives, we also have to consider the tradeoffs, what technology is taking away from them: time to play, explore the outdoors, be creative, and be in their bodies, activities which are all vitally important for our children.
Resources From This Episode
The Pediatric Academic Society Study, 2017: http://www.aappublications.org/news/2017/05/04/PASScreenTime050417
U.S. National Survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 2010: https://www.kff.org/other/event/generation-m2-media-in-the-lives-of/
Marie Winn, The Plug-In Drug: https://www.amazon.com/Plug-Drug-Television-Computers-Family/dp/0142001082
Jane M. Healy, Endangered Minds: https://www.amazon.com/Endangered-Minds-Children-Think-About/dp/0684856204
James P. Steyer, The Other Parent: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Other-Parent/James-P-Steyer/9780743405836
Victoria L. Dunckley, Reset Your Child's Brain: https://drdunckley.com/reset-your-childs-brain/
Dr. Delaney Ruston, Screenagers: https://www.screenagersmovie.com/
Rachel Macy Stafford, Hands Free Mama: https://www.handsfreemama.com/
The Moms I Know discuss the importance of making a thoughtful and intentional decision when choosing the way that your family will approach education and when making the proper choice of how to educate each child in your family. Maria and Sheila offer insight and suggestions from their personal and professional lives for investigating your options and give you ideas for the types of things you will want to consider when determining the best approach for each of your children.
"There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry --
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll --
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human Soul --"
- There is No Frigate Like a Book (1286) by Emily Dickinson
Drawing on their personal and professional experience, Sheila and Maria discuss their approaches to education and the important things each family should consider when determining the best options for educating their family. Education is a very personal choice and a very important choice and the right option for each child might be a moving target. We want to share with you what defines each type of education and reassure you that you do not have to be an educator to be a homeschool parent. If you are considering homeschooling as a possibility for your family, we want to offer you support and insight from our personal journies as well as provide you with some ideas for creating curriculum that is meaningful and relevant for your child.
Resources From This Episode
Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: https://wimpykid.com/
E.B. White, The Trumpet of the Swan: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780060289355/the-trumpet-of-the-swan/
Marguerite Henry, Brighty of the Grand Canyon: https://www.amazon.com/Brighty-Canyon-Marguerite-Horseshoe-Library/dp/0689714858
Scott O'Dell, Streams to the River, River to the Sea: https://www.amazon.com/Streams-River-Sea-Scott-ODell/dp/0618966420
Mary Pope Osborne, Magic Tree House: https://www.magictreehouse.com/
Scott O'Dell, Island of the Blue Dolphins: https://www.amazon.com/Island-Blue-Dolphins-Scott-ODell/dp/0547328613
Sheila and Maria reflect on the seasons of our lives and provide ideas for seasonal activities that can become traditions, create learning opportunities, and allow for a deeper, more meaningful experience of each season within our families.
“To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.” - Ecclesiastes
In regard to the seasons and the rhythm of our family culture, our focus is on seasonal activities and family traditions. In this episode, we talk about the seasons of life and the making the most of each season through family-centric activities that take advantage of the natural environment and the community around you.
Summertime Activities - Time for Adventure
- Dinner out in the park or at the beach
- Take advantage of your geographical location - explore the beach, the desert, the mountains, the forest
- Go on road trips, camping trips, theme park trips, international trips
- Visit the Farmers Market
- Break from the school-year routine
- Put on a puppet show
Fall Activities - Time for Harvest
- Picking and harvesting fruit
- Visit the pumpkin patch
- Visit the apple orchard
- Bake apples or fruit pies
- Celebrations and holidays
- Practice gratitude
Winter Activities - Storytelling
- Storytelling or reciting poetry
- Arts and crafts
- Playing games
- Roasting and cracking nuts
- Festivals of Light
- Sleeping more
- Evergreen Solstace Spiral
- Setting intentions for the new year
Springtime Activities - New Life
- Visit a farm to see the baby animals
- Take a trip to see the wildflowers
- Raise silkworms
- Plant a garden or sprouts
- Enjoy the first harvest of spring at the Farmers Market
- Honor personal growth
Resources From This Episode
Tasha Tudor, A Time to Keep: https://www.tashatudorandfamily.com/shop/books/product/time-to-keep
Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Long Winter: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780064400060/the-long-winter/
Sheila and Maria discuss how nature can be the best classroom and the importance of creating space for your family to experience time together disconnected from daily life. Sheila recounts her family’s recent river rafting adventures and the learning opportunities that were presented.
“The things they saw, the experiences they had, the adventures, the mishaps...all of those things create this magic.” - The Moms I Know
The great outdoors can be the best classroom. As Sheila describes the adventures she and her family have had on the river, from prepping for these trips to the many unexpected events along the way, she also shares the many opportunities for learning that they have experienced together and how to derive curriculum from these adventures as they unfold.
“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder… he (or she) needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” - Rachel Carson
The Moms I Know discuss the topic of simplifying in regard to physical possessions and family culture, and offer examples of why it’s important, what’s to gain, and how you can get started today.
“Every time you notice them and wish they were different, they pull energy from you. They are subtly subtracting energy from your life instead of adding energy to your life.” - Jack Canfield, The Success Principles
It's time to take stock of what gives you energy and what takes energy from you. Through our lives and parenting journies, we've become advocates for less is more and for living a more simple lifestyle with intention. In this episode, we share our stories, offer suggestions, and invite you to consider the possibility of intentionally surrounding yourself and your family with things that give you energy and bring joy and value to your life.
Resources From This Episode:
Marie Kondo, The Magic Art of Tidying Up: https://konmari.com/
Jack Canfield, The Success Principles: http://www.thesuccessprinciples.com/
Kim John Payne, Simplicity Parenting: https://www.simplicityparenting.com/
Peter Menzel, Material World: https://menzelphoto.photoshelter.com/
How can we raise our children to be the stewards of this next generation? To be the ones that can carry on with values, with creativity, with compassion, with commitment? Sheila and Maria talk about the importance of establishing a family culture that values play and preserves childhood.
“Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.” - Joseph Chilton Pierce
There's such truth to this quote and this is really what this podcast is all about. While childhood has been changing so much over the years, it is still vitally important that we play and preserve childhood for the next generation. As parents, we are the guardians of childhood and it is our role to make sure that our children are given the time and space to play, to explore, to create, and to learn in nature. We have to really look at the boundaries we have to set for our children. In this episode, we offer ideas and suggestions to support you in your parenting journey to be present and focused on preserving childhood for your family.
Resources From This Episode
David Elkind, The Hurried Child: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/digital-children/200806/the-price-hurrying-children
Linda McGurk, There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather: http://lindamcgurk.com/
Sheila and Maria talk about family nutrition, educating our children, creating habits, and forming traditions that help to establish a healthy family and a healthy family culture with tips on setting healthy priorities and establishing an attitude of awareness and wellness.
“Every cell that builds every tissue that builds every organ that builds every system depends on nutrients to function.” - Unknown
It's not about being perfect, but it is about being intentional - nutrition is a continuum. In this episode, we offer tips for creating healthful eating habits for your family so that you can confidently send your children off to their activities with enough energy to perform well and maintain focus throughout the day.
Easy Breakfast Options
Smoothies packed with superfoods such as:
- greens
- Maca (for hormone support)
- berries
- supplements
- bee pollen
- Ashwagandha
- chia seeds
- grass-fed gelatin (for protein)
- healthy fats (avocado, coconut butter, or coconut oil)
Kale & Eggs with healthy sausage
Gluten-free or sprouted wheat cinnamon (butter and cinnamon only - no sugar)
Easy Lunch Options
Hormone-free & antibiotic-free meats
Farmers Market vegetables
Lettuce wraps
Easy Dinner Options
Grass-fed meats
Pasture-raised chicken
Farmers Market vegetables
Resources From This Episode
Sally Fallon: http://nourishingtraditions.com/
Sun Basket: https://sunbasket.com/
20 Dishes: https://20dishes.com/
Molly Katzen, Pretend Soup: http://www.molliekatzen.com/books_pretend_soup/index.php
Osso Bone Broth: https://www.ossogoodbones.com/
Nina Planck: http://ninaplanck.com/
Megan Garcia: https://megangarcia.com/
It may be cliche, but it truly does take a village to raise our children. So let’s talk about ways to cultivate these relationships with our extended family community, and how we can take the time to slow down and really pay attention with intention.
“Each contact with a human being is so rare, so precious, one should preserve it.” - Anais Nin
We believe that as moms we can raise a generation of children that is vibrant, that is resilient, and that is coming from a place of fullness. These are children who know how to work through their own challenges. In this episode, when we're talking about raising a family, we're really looking at all of the relationships that come into play within the family and within the extended community, as well as setting the intention to practice love every day.
Resources From This Episode
Jessica Rios, Leaning into Light: http://www.leaningintolight.com/
Jessica Flanigan, The Loving Diet: https://aiplifestyle.com/about-jessica/
What better way to role model, than to have your needs met? Maria and Sheila discuss the vital importance of self-care as the foundation of being able to give from a place of fullness and share their top 3 favorite self-care rituals.
“The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself.” - Diane von Furstenberg
As moms, self-care is one of the most important things that we need to pay attention to so that we are able to approach parenting from a place of fullness. In this episode, we offer up some of our favorite self-care rituals and begin to understand that self-care is not an indulgent thing, but it's really the foundation for being able to give.
Resources From This Episode
Tiffany Peterson: http://tiffanyspeaks.com/
“The Morning Ritual” from Tiffany Peterson
Practice taking 15 minutes for yourself before your children wake up each day. Spend 5 minutes doing each of the following:
-
Something spiritual, such as meditation, prayer
-
Something mental, such as reading a good book
-
Something physical, such as yoga or stretching
In this episode, Sheila and Maria share the stories of how they became moms and friends, as well as some of what they each encountered and learned on their own parenting journies, which has contributed to them becoming the moms they are today.
"When we share our stories, we open our hearts to allow others to share their stories. It gives us a sense that we are not alone on this journey." - Janine Shephard
Our stories are the most powerful motivator of how we identify ourselves as women, as mothers, and how we interact with others as we grow. Our stories really connect us, and as moms we all we all have a common thread. We are who we are because of our ancestors, their stories, their struggles, their joys, and whether or not we know those stories, we carry that vibration within us.
Resources From This Episode
Carolyn Myss: https://www.myss.com/
Joseph Chilton Pierce, The Magical Child: http://www.josephchiltonpearce.org/