The Moms I Know Podcast

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 realiz...

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...

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 beaut...

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 p...

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 acc...

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 C...

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.  I...

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 abo...

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, an...

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 pulle...

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...

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...

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 s...

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 inde...

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...

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 pe...

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 inspiratio...

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."...

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 ho...

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...

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 an...

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'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...

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, o...

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, swimmi...