11 Funky Fresh Back to Homeschool Celebration Ideas (and Giveaway!)

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Rock your back to homeschool celebrations with these 11 funky fresh ideas and a $250 giveaway | Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network #homeschool #homeschooling #backtoschool #podcast

Okay, honestly. Are you sitting there wondering what in the world  is a funky fresh back to back to homeschool celebration? It’s that type of back to homeschool celebration idea every homeschool mom needs in order to get back in the groove after a super awesome summer break. You know what I mean. I’m that mom. You’re that mom. So let’s get to it.

Here are your 11 Funky Fresh Back to Homeschool Celebration Ideas.

Funky Fresh Back to Homeschool Countdown

Okay, to make the list, the idea had to have 2 criteria. First, it had to be funky. And by funky I mean it had to be something your kids enjoy, but also might roll their eyes at. (If you allow your kids to roll their eyes. Which of course, no self-respecting homeschool perfectionist ever would.)

Second, it had to be fresh. Fresh as in new and not your typical back to homeschool countdown lists.  And of course, it had to be a back to homeschool celebration.  Are you ready, mama? Let’s do this thing.

1. Host a Popcorn and Movie Party

Don’t dust of those homeschool books just yet. Mom, you have the power to make a back to school celebration they’ll remember all year long. You can host a popcorn and movie party. All day.

Here’s some help:

2. Matching Tee Shirts

Visit your local Hobby Lobby or Walmart and grab some low price tee shirts, tee shirt paint, markers, or even tie dye. Put a tablecloth down on the kitchen table and let everyone go to town designing their own back to homeschool celebration tee shirt. If you want them to match, add your homeschool theme or Bible verse. Voila! Insta worthy.

3. Write a Homeschool Anthem

You can totally do this. Pick a familiar tune, such as your state song or favorite hymn. Change out the words to reflect your unique homeschool. Keep it fun and reverent. Dad can vote on the winner (if you’re the competitive type family), or treat everyone to a trip for soft serve ice cream to celebrate.

4. Start with a Field Trip Someplace Weird

Search out an unusual and  unique to your region field trip spot and make a day of it. It doesn’t need to be educational. Fun is the name of the game. It can be food related, someplace you love to go, or someplace you’ve never been.

If you really can’t stand the thought of someplace unusual, you can still use this idea, try this article, Homeschooling by the Field Trip Method.

For the adventurous moms, (you know who you are):

5. Host an Open House

I know, you’re thinking NO WAY. After all, you get enough flack over homeschooling. The last thing you want to do is invite the naysayers in! I’m not talking about that type of open house. I’m suggesting you organize your homeschool stuff, go ahead and have your first week of homeschooling, and on that weekend invite the welcoming grandparents and family members over to celebrate with you. Show off your best sample from last year or the week and let your more outgoing kiddos share a poem, picture, or paper. Go ahead and brag a little on all those color coordinated binders.

Need some insight or tips? Here you go:

6. Paper Shredding

Every year should be a fresh start for your kids, and for you. Why not make it official? You can pick up an inexpensive paper shredder from Walmart or Amazon for the event. Explain to your students that last year was last year. It’s time for a fresh start. Allow them to pick something from their last year’s work, or write a list that only they read. One by one shred the list or work. When the little ceremony is done, give thanks in prayer for new beginnings.

7. Audio Book Bonanza

If you’re looking for a non visual way to have some non bookish back to homeschool celebration fun, try audiobooks. Let the kiddos draw, craft, play legos, play a board game, or rest while listening to audiobooks. Our family enjoyed Lamplighters, Laura Ingalls, Where the Red Fern Grows, and Your Story Hour.

Need some more audio inspiration? Listen in:

8. Homeschool in Reverse

Be a student in your own homeschool for the day. Let the kids take turns as instructor. Encourage fun and parody. It’s worthwhile to establish ground rules so parody doesn’t get taken too far and feelings aren’t hurt. But, if you’re a family who enjoys and thrives on this kind of fun, let me tell you, you’ll learn heaps about how your kids view their homeschool experience. Keep an open mind and heart.

9. Different Decade Homeschool Day

I could’ve called this one Homeschool Appreciation Day, for truly we stand on the shoulders of giants in homeschooling. Pick a decade when homeschooling wasn’t legal in your state, or when legislation was oppressive. Don’t scare your kids, but do help them see how the freedom to homeschool was hard won. Give thanks in prayer for the freedom to legally homeschool.

Grateful to homeschool research list:

and Internationally:  Finland: Heroic Single Mother Withstands School Officials

10. Christmas List Making Homeschool Style

Who doesn’t love to shop or make a wish list? Collect catalogs from homeschooling vendors, visit Amazon.com, visit your favorite homeschool website, or even buzz the Walmart with notepads in hand. Give each student a budget then make a wish list of items related to learning that you’d love to have show up under your make believe homeschool tree.

11: Back to Homeschool Giveaway

Hey, $250 buckaroos isn’t anything to sneeze at. 🙂 Enter to win the gift card and snag some funky fresh  stuff for your homeschool. Or spend on yourself, Mom. We won’t tell. Best of luck! (Be sure to subscribe to our emails  where everyone gets a FREEBIE & where the winner will be announced!)

Have an awesome, funky fresh back to homeschool celebration. Send us pics! We’d love to celebrate with you.

PS. Some day we can chat about why Homeschool Karaoke didn’t make the list. 🙂

*This article was written for The Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network by Gina Glenn, copywriter and podcast hostess of Mommy Jammies Podcast.

Homeschool Giveaway

It’s Back to (Home) School time!!

It’s that time of year, when many homeschoolers are busy preparing for a new school year.  Some of you may have already started your new year, and some of you may have never stopped!

I’ve gotten together with a great group of bloggers to make getting ready for the new school year just a little bit easier and hopefully a little less stressful on your wallet.  How does $250 sound in helping you buy curriculum, books, games, puzzles, and educational supplies?  Two people will win a $250 gift card to Christianbook.com!!

We know homeschooling can put financial strain on families – whether it’s from living on one-income or buying curriculum for your children – the financial aspect of it can be stressful.  Our hope is that we can bless a couple of homeschool families (although we wish we could bless many more) so they can buy the curriculum and supplies they need.

To enter for your chance to win, simply use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.  Now I know that is quite a few entries for you, but each of these bloggers has generously chipped in their own money to make this giveaway possible, so I hope you will take the time to do all of the entries.  And hey, the more entries you do, the better your odds are of winning!

Giveaway ends August 16th, 2019 at 11:59pm ET.  Must be at least 18 years of age.  Must be a resident of U.S. or Canada to enter.  Selected winners will have 48 hours to respond to email notification to claim their prizes or another winner will be drawn.  By entering this giveaway, you agree to be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers (see the Terms & Conditions on the Rafflecopter form for the complete list).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PPS. For more funky fresh (and also serious, sigh) homeschool fun, join the Podcast Family Facebook group.


Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Overcomer Movie

Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey.
Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box-office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson.

Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?

Click here to learn more!


Why Every Homeschool Mom Needs a Homeschool BFF

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

homeschool mom needs a homeschool mom bff

Why Every Homeschool Mom Needs a Homeschool BFF

Every homeschool mom goes through a similar experience. We start with the conviction that we should homeschool our children. Moms get excited with shopping for and choosing curriculum. We spend our summer planning.

Then we begin. And it’s not long before we start to feel like we’re going at this thing alone.

We Question Ourselves

Once the loneliness sets in we start to question our decision to homeschool.

One days when our children’s behavior or lack of interest in their studies sets in, we want to give in and hand it over to someone else. Even if we don’t admit that out loud.

It doesn’t mean we’ve lost faith in our conviction, it just means we really are meant to be in community with one another. We need a friend who gets it.

Reaching out to Friends and Finding a Homeschool BFF

This is where having a homeschool BFF can really make your homeschool experience so much better. She understands your struggles. She can hold you up with you’re feeling down. It’s often that homeschool mom BFF who reminds you of why you’re doing this in the first place. And if she’s a true friend she points you back to Jesus, so you don’t lose your way.

Friends for Life

And these friends aren’t just friends for a season. You never really outgrow them. In this podcast I share a little about Mom School and how that experience introduced me to a circle of friends who are still my friends to this day. Good friends.

The Homeschool Sisterhood

That’s why I’m kinda (okay, a lot) excited about the Homeschool Sisterhood  (referral link) with Ana Willis. I wish I’d had this opportunity when I was a brand new homeschooling mom. The opportunity to learn from a veteran homeschool mom who can share how to stay focused would’ve been such a blessing.

Wherever you’re at in your homeschooling journey, check out The Homeschool Sisterhood (referral link) and get yourself plugged in.

PS. Check out …

My podcast interview with Ana Willis, topic: How to Stop the Hustle and Find Your Purpose

Join the Mommy Jammies Podcast Community on Facebook.

 


Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Overcomer Movie

Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey.
Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box-office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson.

Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?

Click here to learn more!


Is a Virtual Assistant Business Right for a Homeschool Mom?

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Back to Homeschool Decisions (and a Giveaway!)

It’s that time of year, Back to Homeschool season. Along with an incredible giveaway (see below), many current homeschool moms are looking for a way to make extra income to afford the homeschooling lifestyle. You might be a mom curious about homeschooling and hoping you can find a way to earn extra money while you  homeschool.

I’m here to encourage you, that YES! You can homeschool and work from home. And this could be the year you get to celebrate two things: working from home and a back to homeschool giveaway!

Is a Virtual Assistant Business Right for a Homeschool Mom?

When determining if a virtual assistant business is a good work from home opportunity for a homeschool mom, it helps to take a virtual assessment.  Ask yourself the following questions to help you make a sound decision.

{Before we get started, are you going to vote for our new intro? Join the Mommy Jammies Podcast Support Group
A homeschool mom looking for a side hustle will appreciate a back to homeschool giveaway!  Check out the $250 Rainbow Resource Gift Card Giveaway at the bottom of the show notes for this post. }

Many homeschooling moms have heard the buzz about working at home. Is it possible to work at home and have a work at home business?

It’s vital to consider that homeschooling is your first commitment. You’ve made the promise to your family.

Ask yourself:

  • Can I prioritize my homeschool over my business and still bless my family financially?
  • Is it possible to serve my family and my clients in a way that doesn’t stress me out?
  • Can you manage a “side hustle” and still homeschool well?

Let’s look at what a virtual assistant is and what’s required.

First, What is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant is an individual who helps manage portions of a business owner’s business. Normally a freelance worker, you can work your business from anywhere. A homeschooling mom is an ideal fit for this! She’s likely already a working through the three areas you need to master to be successful!

They are …

1. Manage (your VA Business)

  • Time- Are you able to manage the time necessary to work your business? Can you handle the daily life interruptions? Can you balance homeschooling, working at home, and family life?
  • Money- Can you handle the ebb and flow the income? Are you able to manage taxes due? Can you make wise spending choices?
  • Instructions – Are you willing to take the time to follow instructions and learn the needs of a client? Can you balance the client needs with the needs of a homeschooling moms life?
  • Alone time- Do you have a strategy for handling time alone and make the best use of that time?

 

2. Market (your VA Business)

  • Don’t be shy! Are you willing to get yourself out there? This often takes time and that’s a precious commodity for a homeschooling mom. Can you make this work?
  • What are you good at? Make a list of your skill set. Think about the things you already know and do as a homeschool mom that can translate to a VA business.
  • Ideal Client, what’s that? Are you able to think about who you already know that you might be able to help with their business. This is likely the homeschooling community.

3. Master (your VA Business)

Learning:

Are you willing to invest your time and resources into what’s necessary to grow your skill set and establish your business properly?

Growing:

Are you willing to establish the processes  and systems you need in order to grow your business?

Scaling:

Would you say that you’re willing to learn to manage a team or subcontractors in order to make an independent income?

If you’ve determined, that Yes! I think I can homeschool and have a home business keep reading …

How can you homeschool and have a virtual assistant business and do both well. The 3 skills we’ve covered are your launch pad.

Think of the time commitment.

Homeschooling is often a full time job.

  • Do you have the support of your spouse and family to add to that responsibility?
  • Can you use your managed free-time to build a business without building resentment in your children?
  • Is it possible to stay on top of the legal requirements to homeschool while building a business?

I’m confident that you can, but this is something that you have to consider for yourself. Sit down and talk to your spouse and family. Listen with an open mind to their objects and considerations. Manage everyone’s expectations and you’re sure to have the answer and the confidence you need moving forward.

With the right support, an honest look at your homeschool mama priorities, and a commitment to do things well, you can build a business that will bless your family.

Links Mentioned In This Podcast

How to Make Money as a Social Media Manager

Dave Ramsey Budget Tool

Rainbow Resource Giveaway

Is a Virtual Assistant Business Right for Me? @MommyJammiesPodcast

A new homeschool year is right around the corner!

Many homeschool moms are busy preparing and finalizing curriculum choices for the upcoming school year.  And some homeschoolers are trucking on through the summer months as one school year flows into the next.  Whatever camp you are in, you’re bound to need new homeschool curriculum, and winning a gift card to a major online homeschool retailer would surely help you check some things off of your curriculum wish list.

I’m teaming up with some other great homeschool bloggers to bring you a HUGE gift card giveaway to Rainbow Resource Center.  We will be blessing TWO homeschool families with a $250 for you to use on curriculum, books, games, puzzles, or whatever educational supplies you might need!
We know homeschooling can put a financial strain on families – whether it’s from living on one-income or buying curriculum for multiple children – the financial aspect of it can be stressful.  Our hope is that we can bless a couple of homeschool families (although we wish we could bless many more) so they can buy the curriculum and supplies they need.

To enter for your chance to win, simply use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.  Now I know that is quite a few entries for you, but each of these bloggers has generously chipped in their own money to make this giveaway possible, so I hope you will take the time to do all of the entries.  And hey, the more entries you do, the better your odds are of winning!

Giveaway Details

Giveaway ends July 24, 2019 at 11:59pm ET.  Must be at least 18 years of age.  Must be a resident of U.S. or Canada to enter.  Selected winners will have 48 hours to respond to email notification to claim their prizes or another winner will be drawn.  By entering this giveaway, you agree to be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers (see the Terms & Conditions on the Rafflecopter form for the complete list).
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Bridgeway Academy!

Bridgeway Academy was founded in 1989 in response to the need for more freedom in education as well as the protection that accreditation offers for homeschooling families. Since then, more than 30,000 K–12 students, and many charter and brick-and-mortar schools, have made Bridgeway Academy their trusted education partner.

As part of our commitment to personalized homeschooling, we are proud to offer both secular and Christian options for homeschool families, charter schools, state organizations, co-ops, athletic organizations, arts schools, and others who seek flexible education options for their families.

Click here to learn more!


That’s Why I’m Here | Interview with Leslie Nunnery

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Join us to chat about motherhood – childbirth and all issues with raising families large and small.

That’s Why I’m Here | Interview with Leslie Nunnery

“That’s Why I’m Here.”

Visit Leslie at Teach Them Diligently

As busy moms, we wear many hats– wife, mother, housekeeper, chef, educator, taxi driver, and so much more. The demands on our time are endless. Do you ever lose sight of why you do all that you do? Do you ever find yourself feeling discontent with where God has you right now, or do you ever feel like there is no more of you to give to anyone? Let’s take a very practical and personal look at exactly why we are here. Along the way, I think we’ll see the incredible purpose and peace we all can have when we truly figure that out.

Jesus and Moms / 6 Ways to Show Love to Your Children

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

 

Free podcast for moms encouraging them in their calling of motherhood

 

Jesus and Moms – 6 Ways to Show Love to Your Children

Subscribe via RSS & Subscribe to the Podcast via iTunes

 

Show notes: What I’d like to share tonight is a way to embrace the vocation and high calling of motherhood that keeps our eyes on Christ.


First, let’s look at how Jesus taught. This will help us in our daily, minute-by-minute instruction of our children no matter what age they may be. This is also called relationship.

If we look at the life of Christ we see that Jesus was loving. He repeated spiritual truths over and over so that people might understand. He walked among the people healing them, by asking them questions, and by imparting truth through ways they could understand (Mark 4:34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.)

Jesus was someone who attracted others. He had a way of pointing to the Father that satisfied the needs of people. He knew how to satisfy their greatest spiritual needs. Even when they just returned for more bread, he knew they had a greater need.

6 Ways to Show Love to Your Children

Here are ways he did just that, and how as Moms we can be encouraged that if we will follow the master Jesus will meet their needs and our own.

  1. Children need to feel safe, loved, and important.  Do you have a consistent temperament? Do you meet as well as you are able your children’s basic needs for clothing, shelter, and food? Is your discipline consistent or are your children unsure of what to expect? Can your child confide in your? We are especially admonished not to provoke our children to anger or discouragement (Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.Jesus makes us feel safe, loved, and important in his very life (lived sinlessly), death (for our sins), and resurrection (for our justification) that we might have peace with God the Father, Romans chapter 4.
  2. Children must trust their parents Do you keep your word to your children? Do you keep your word to others so your children witness this? Do you do your best to make sure that trustworthy adults influence your children? Remember when we talked about how Jesus patiently repeated things to his followers (and for our benefit) so we’d understand? This built trust. We can trust him because He did exactly what he said he would do. Read Mark 8,9, and 10. He said he would suffer, die, and rise. He did.
  3. Children need to know their worth Do your children understand that their value as a human and made in the image of God? Do your children see how important they are to you by the time and real attention you give to them? Are you full of distraction? God’s Word tells us children are a heritage (Psalm 127) and fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139), and that the Father would hold nothing back in saving them should they stray, and in fact he didn’t hold back his only son. (Matthew 18 and the parable of the lost sheep)
  4. Children need to see their purpose and calling Do your children see that they’ve been created by God and live in the culture and time we live in “for such a time as this”. Do you? Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
  5. Children need chores Constant entertainment is soul-destroying to anyone, especially a child. There is value in work that sparks their creativity and curiosity and helps them see their place in God’s world. Again, Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
  6. Wisdom and role models- Children need your guidance and the guidance of trusted adults, especially as they become young adults themselves to help grow discernment. Who do you know that exhibits wisdom that would be a good influence? Do you exhibit wisdom to your children? Proverbs 13:20 tells us, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

Learn more about Susanna Wesley here.

 

3 Tips for the Work at Home Mom | Interview with Mom Jobs Work from Home

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

3 Tips for the Work at Home Mom | Interview with Mom Jobs Work from Home

3 Tips for the Work at Home Mom | Interview with Mom Jobs Work from Home

Join Gina Glenn for an interview with a fellow VA and owner of MomJobsWorkFromHome.com

Nakisha is my personal assistant and a successful wahm. I thought you’d enjoy hearing from a mom who is successfully working her business.


Nakisha’s Tips for Work at Home Moms

  • Have a plan and work you plan.
  • Prioritize your homeschooling and family before your work.
  • Embrace the freedom that comes with owning your own business and homeschooling.
  • Use your business and the challenges that come with that to express your creativity.
  • Understand that online jobs and clients come and go. Go with the flow, knowing you’ll continue to grow.

Learn to work your plan for success.

Nakisha is the Get Stuff Done work at home mom of an only child. She and her husband enjoy traveling, learning, and all things racing.

Her virtual assistance expertise includes:

Social Media Management: Managing your Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter platform. Along with any other social media tasks as needed. Includes: >Weekly updates scheduled on your selected platform This service is perfect for achieving: >A steady stream of posts on your page >Timely responses to comments about your brand >Timely responses to messages sent to your inbox >To increase followers and build your boards up daily Additional tasks: >Editing blogs >Chore threads >General Administrative Tasks (Email, Google docs, data entry, and online research)

Mom Jobs Work from Home

 

MomJobsWorkFromHome.com << Visit and like.

 

 

 

Virtual Assistant @SavvyNakishaand SavvyVA.rocks

How to Make Money As a Social Media Manager

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

How to make money as a social media manager

How to Make Money As a Social Media Manager

Subscribe to Mommy Jammies Podcast Updates to Your Email: http://bit.ly/MommyJammiesSub

Learn about Social Media Manager School.  {affiliate link}

What is a Social Media Manager or Consultant

A Social Media Manager (or Consultant) is essentially the “voice” of the brand. This voice is normally predetermined by the client or business owner in partnership with a brand consultant or online business manager.

Social Media Managers are responsible for:

  • keeping a company’s online social media platforms current and growing
  • understanding and implementing the company’s brand voice through social media offerings. These include graphic creation, posts, copy writing, social advertising, customer service, and content marketing.
  • providing analytics or proof of what’s working in social media

How to Learn the Social Media Manager Trade

Learning how to become a social media manager can depend upon your starting point. If you love social media and have an aptitude for writing and perhaps some graphic skills, you have the potential to generate real income as a social media manager demanding views from themarketingheaven.com.

However, these are really starting skills. In order to really grow as a social media manager and earn the kind of income necessary to move from side-hustle to full-time freelancer, it is beneficial to consider a certification. This is especially true if you’ve had no previous experience as a social media manager on any social platform.

I continually update my certifications in order to generate income and to date the certification with the best return on investment was Social Media Manager School.

I was already working and earning money as a social media consultant, but Social Media Manager School provided me with several missing pieces. Including:

  • Designing my business on a solid foundation
  • Video tutorials with all of the current information on all the major social media platforms
  • Community with other social media managers
  • strategy for growing my own business
  • how to develop a custom strategy for each client

What to Expect Your First 12 Months as a Social Media Manager

  1. Expect to Network – You’re going to spend a lot of time making new friends.
  2. Expect to Make Mistakes – It’ll happen! Correct your errors and move on.
  3. Know Making an Income Takes Time – How much time depends on you, but there’s no such thing as an overnight success.

How to Hire a Social Media Manager

If you’re listening to this podcast and find yourself in need of a Social Media Manager or copywriter, feel free to email me at gina@ginaglenn.com.

 

What my clients have to say: Referrals


If the idea of becoming a social media manager isn’t a fit for you, take a listen to How to Choose the Right Work at Home Opportunity for You

Homeschooling During Crisis | Kendra Fletcher

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

 

Homeschooling During Crisis | Mommy Jammies Night

Mommy Jammies Night with Kendra Fletcher – Homeschooling During Crisis (Replay)

Could you continue homeschooling during crisis? Just about every possible nightmare that could happen to a couple, happened to Kendra and Andy Fletcher. In this audio, Kendra shares her story as well as hope, that “God’s got this!” HomeschoolinginCrisisHandout_KendraFletcher from Kendra.

#ThrowbackReplay

Kendra Fletcher on UHRN

Kendra is co-host of Homeschooling IRL with her husband, Fletch – please visit their show page on this network

Homeschooling IRL

More About Kendra & Her Family

Kendra Fletcher is a mother of 8, speaker, author, and podcaster. She is the author of Lost and Found: Losing Religion, Finding Grace, and Leaving Legalism, and she regularly writes for Key Life Ministries. The Fletchers reside in California, where they play in the Pacific Ocean as often as possible.

 

More Podcasts Featuring Kendra Fletcher

Lost & Found | Mommy Jammies Night

 

 

 

The Work Life Homeschool Balance Myth

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This Mommy Jammies Podcast is sponsored by exSTEMsions {exSTEMsions, grows mathematicians, critical thinkers, and problem solvers through an online subscription based problem solving math program} for kids ages 10 and up. Co-owned and developed by two teachers turned homeschooling moms working to balance their own version of life, homeschool, and work. Visit exSTEMsions for a free trial today.

Which brings us to the topic of today’s podcast: The Work, Life, Homeschool Balance Myth.  {If you’re listening online, scroll to the bottom of the post to find the audio player. }

Subscribe to Mommy Jammies Podcast.

Find me on Facebook.


The Myth of Balance

Balance. What is it anyway? You might be surprised (I know I was) to learn that balance has to do with an equality of passions. As Webster’s 1828 tells us, “As balance signifies equal weight, or equality, it is by custom used for the weight or sum necessary to make two unequal weights or sums equal; that which is necessary to bring them to a balance or equipoise. ”

And now we know why balance is a myth.

There is no way we can ascribe equality to the moving pieces of our lives, especially when we are talking about our children. Why do moms agonize over going back to work, taking time for themselves, or even taking a weekend away with their spouse. I think it’s because as moms, we are always balancing the needs of our family against every other need.

So, you guessed it — there’s always a certain amount of imbalance.

This also means that the other things vying for importance, will become “most important” at certain times and not at others. The struggle is real! And it’s OKAY.

Tips to Keep Things Moving

So, what’s a girl to do? Well, first let’s keep things moving. This means evaluating our priorities. ( Listen to the previous podcasts, Developing a Wholehearted Business Mindset or Recovering from Burnout).

Once we have our priorities outlined, they deserve the attention that systems and processes in your business along with a doable schedule at home can provide.

Some ideas to outline your priorities in this way include:

 

Eyes on the Prize

In the end, it’s helpful to keep our eyes on the prize. Why are we trying to do all.the.things anyway? What’s our goal? Why do we want a business, ministry, or work at home career?

If by your providing additional income to your family helps you to stay home with your children, and that’s one of your goals, remind yourself of that very thing.

This helps you count all the chaos as blessing.

The truth is, yes, we are sometimes checking our phones with kids in tow while dropping our oldest off at Japanese lessons. But, we’re doing this in the middle of the day, around our own schedules, accommodating the needs of our family. That freedom is priceless.

And learning to, not balance anything, but give priority to the things that we’re called to do, is a beautiful thing.

Action Step:

This week, make a list of all of the reasons you are thankful for the chaos that is working at home.

 

Bible Verses to Help You Gain “Balance”-

Matthew 6:33-34 // But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Proverbs 11:2 // A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.

Philippians 4:8 // Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Isaiah 41:13  // For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

Colossians 3:17  // And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

How to Build Your Business While Building Each Other Up

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

How to Build Your Business While Building Each Other Up

How to Build Your Business While Building Each Other Up

Our tongues are mighty enough to inflict wounds or build one another up. How often do we stop and think about the power we have to build up our business through our speech? Tune into Mommy Jammies Podcast as Gina talks about keeping our conversation holy.


Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, Here’s what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful;  Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you’re worth.” 1 Peter 3: 10-11

Embrace Life

In our last two podcasts, we’ve taken a look at setting our priorities on the right course, those aligned with our values. Let’s talk a little today about how to build your business while building each other up.

Community

When Jesus came to Earth he created a community – a community of the Redeemed. God Himself is a community in the form of the Trinity!

It’s hard wired in each one of us to desire community with one another. It’s one of the ways we can truly embrace life – by reaching out to others! While sin separated us in the Fall, and we still don’t love one another perfectly, Jesus wants us to experience it. Though we experience God’s saving grace individually, we can be transformed (sanctified) within a community. This community isn’t just the church or our family, but also our business relationships.

Indeed, our businesses can require a good portion of our attention and can be a primary way the Lord sanctifies us, desiring that we would in fact- embrace life.

See the Day Fill up with Good

That brings me to seeing the day fill up with good. Have you ever had one of those days where nothing seems to go right? You complain, procrastinate, and compare to the point that you just want to crawl back in bed. While those days sometimes happen outside of our control, often those days can be a result of what the rest of the verse says to us.

In our business dealings, how often do we fall prey to sharing screenshots of conversations, saying things we shouldn’t, or taking concerns to a friend first- rather than the Lord. I know I’ve been guilty of all of those and in fact struggle with this. It’s a distorted version of community, isn’t it?

What can we “put off” and “put on” in order to overcome this struggle? How can we build trust, friendship, and respect with our business colleagues using these put off’s and put on’s?

Say Nothing Evil or Hurtful

Just yesterday a friend called me deeply hurt by words said to her. Words! She wasn’t physically harmed and she wasn’t threatened. No, she was laughed at for a business idea by a friend. This hurt her in the moment and she was still dealing with it the next morning.

It’s hard for us to realize that if we speak without weighing our speech (thinking how it might impact another), we can deeply would someone we actually care about.

How likely is this friend I mention going to be willing to share her business ideas with others again? What will she have to overcome and forgive in order to now show up in the world with her awesome idea?

Snub Evil and Cultivate Good

What can we do when a business friendship is based on a list of who to like and who not to like? Is it possible that maintaining these types of business friendships actually harm your own business and reputation? They can and they do.

We all know that person (and in fact, if we look in the mirror we’re guilty, too) who can’t wait to tell you the ten reasons not to like so and so. While it’s good in business circles to give general warnings and guidance to friends in order to keep them from a bad business deal, it’s not necessary to attach personal descriptives about another person.

Honestly, this is a difficult situation sometimes, but having a policy of carefulness and seeking Wisdom on the subject of sharing about another individual is a good one. Most business mamas are savvy enough to recognize a fraud or bad business relationship.

Run After Peace for All You’re Worth

That brings us back to the beginning. Remember in our last podcast, we determined Who gives us our Peace and Worth. If we’re to run after peace for all we’re worth, let that sink in. God created us for a purpose. Our businesses have a story to tell to the world and pursuing peace in our business relationships will (in the long run) build up our businesses.

Action Point:

Spend some time in prayer, reflecting on ways you tend to run after discord instead of peace. How does knowing what you’re worth and running after peace have the potential to build up others and by extension, build up your own business?