Special Replay | Are You An Unaware Mommy Shamer?

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Are You an Unaware Mommy Shamer?Are you an unaware mommy shamer?

Have you ever been guilty of mommy shaming? I sure have. I honestly did not realize I was doing it until years later, but unfortunately, that doesn’t change the fact that I did it in the first place. I hope this episode will encourage you to look at yourself and make sure you aren’t guilty of being an unaware mommy shamer.

Thanks to our sponsor, CTCMath.com – we are pleased for their continued excellence in education and dedication to the homeschool community. It is due to sponsorships that our programs continue to come to you without cost. Please visit the website and check out their curriculum.

Lesli often tells the story of me mommy shaming her shortly after we first met. She offered me a pair of shoes similar to the ones in the picture below and I refused them because “my daughter was not allowed to wear heels.” Yep, I said that. Nope, I am not proud. Yep, it was mommy shaming.

Once I looked back, I realized that I was often mommy-shamed in those early years. I would proudly state my opinion about holistic medicine, homeschooling, etc.… not realizing that just my tone about the subject could be harming another mom.

Mothering is a mystery. Mothering is challenging. At times mothering is flat-out overwhelming. Most of us are insecure of our decisions, especially early on. I think many of us “yell” out our opinion as a cry for affirmation. Unfortunately, our opinions are often seen as mommy shaming.

If you think you might be guilty of being an unaware mommy shamer, here are my suggestions:

  1. Recognize why you mommy shame.
  2. Recognize when you mommy shame.
  3. Strive to be quietly confident, only sharing STRONG opinions among your inner circle.

Mommy shaming divides. We need each other. Let’s spend our time respecting each other, encouraging each other, and loving each other.

You’ve got this!

Find a way to #sayyes today.

 

Enjoy this podcast? Try these Vintage Homeschool Moms podcasts:

Just for homeschool moms. Vintage Homeschool Moms preserves the best of the past while blessing future generations with the fruit that comes from putting God first and using the experience as a teacher. Your host, Felice Gerwitz, is a Christian wife, mother, and educator-turned-homeschool-mom in 1986. She began homeschooling as a trial and never looked back.  Felice’s topics range from home education, child-rearing, enterprising moms, SAHM (Stay at Home Moms), WAHM (Work at Home Moms), and so much more.

Top Vintage Homeschool Moms Podcasts

Homeschool Lifestyle
Last Minute DIY Tips
Money Saving Field Trips
All About Teaching
Raising Spiritually Strong Kids
Six Homeschooling Insider Tips
Best Staycations for Kids
Avoid Curriculum Pitfalls
Top 10 Parenting Secrets
45 Family Date Night Ideas

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!!

Thank you to The Homegrown Preschooler for sponsoring this Podcast! Check out the blog post Kathy mentioned, Farmhouse Schoolhouse, to read more about A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at

The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

 

Replay: Are You a BAD Mom? When Motherhood Does Not Go As Expected

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Are you a bad mom? Podcast with Kathy Lee

On this episode, I had the privilege of chatting with my beautiful daughter-in-love, Caroline. Last June, Caroline made me a grandmother when she gave birth to the coolest twin boys! Levi and Titus rocked all of our worlds, especially hers. Caroline gets real and vulnerable as she shares her journey of expectations vs reality. I think many moms can relate to Caroline’s story and can empathize with everything she shared.  Caroline shares openly about her many experiences with children leading up to motherhood and the fact that even then, she had no idea what it was like to be fully responsible for a newborn life (or lives in her case).

Thank you to our Sponsor! CTCMath, a wonderful Math curriculum for the entire family of school-aged children. This one-stop shop has grades K-12; check it out. Homeschoolers can save 50%!

 

 

 

 


Caroline with her boys, Titus and Levi

Caroline encouraged moms to give themselves grace, focus on the present, and enjoy the time when they are small. We also talked about the importance of other moms walking alongside new moms, not just expecting moms. New moms get lonely and tired and could use a visit from a friend to cheer them up in those early days. I mentioned my favorite gift from a lady in our church was when she offered to come and hold my new baby so I could take an uninterrupted nap. That was heavenly!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levi and Titus have not decided what they will call me; any suggestions???

Caroline suggested every mom read this book!

 

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

 

 

 

 

Check out these posts from Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Top Vintage Homeschool Moms Podcasts

Homeschool Lifestyle
Last Minute DIY Tips
Money Saving Field Trips
All About Teaching
Raising Spiritually Strong Kids
Six Homeschooling Insider Tips
Best Staycations for Kids
Avoid Curriculum Pitfalls
Top 10 Parenting Secrets
45 Family Date Night Ideas

Special Replay | Mothering is a Marathon with Keri Vasek

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Mothering is a Marathon with Keri Vasek
Mothering is a Marathon with Keri Vasek

It had been a while since I had Keri on the show. Actually, it had been a while since Keri and I had talked in real life. It was good to catch up with her and hear what was on her heart. Keri took a few minutes to catch us up on her home and family.  She has been a busy lady since we last chatted. Next, Keri asked about my suggestions for sibling disagreements. I admit that I don’t know all the answers to this one, but I did have a few thoughts and suggestions to teach children to be kind to one another.

Thanks to our sponsor CTCMath, a wonderful Math curriculum for the entire family of school-aged children. This one-stop shop has grades K-12; check it out.

 

Keri and I spent a good amount of time talking about a statement I often make during my speaking engagements, “Mothering is a marathon.” I do say that a lot. I really want parents to understand that it isn’t a sprint, it isn’t just getting them to kindergarten, or high school, or even adulthood. It is a long, tough journey that has ups and downs… highs and lows. It will test us, require patience, and definitely demand endurance. It will be worth it. It is worth it.

We chatted a little bit about the popular TV show; This is Us. If you haven’t seen it, you should. I am pretty sure my twin is the writer for this show. I know you feel the same. It is so true, so raw, so needed. We can all learn valuable lessons from this show.

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for me to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let me know. Just email me at kathy@thehomegrownpreschooler.com or shoot me a message on social media.

 

Find a way to #sayyes today.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!!

Thank you to The Homegrown Preschooler for sponsoring this Podcast! Check out the blog post Kathy mentioned, Farmhouse Schoolhouse, to read more about A Year of Playing Skillfully.

 

Enjoy this Podcast? Check These Out from Vintage Homeschool Moms

Homeschool Lifestyle
Last Minute DIY Tips
Money-Saving Field Trips
All About Teaching
Raising Spiritually Strong Kids
Six Homeschooling Insider Tips
Best Staycations for Kids
Avoid Curriculum Pitfalls
Top 10 Parenting Secrets
45 Family Date Night Ideas

Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at

The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

 

 

Mother’s Day Surprise Replay

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Mother's Day Surprise! with The Real Kathy Lee Happy Mother’s Day to my mom and all of you moms listening!! This week I thought I would share some reminders from a talk I have been giving this summer at conferences nationwide. At the end of this episode, I have a BIG surprise; you don’t want to miss it!

This episode is brought to you by CTCMath.com – a wonderful math curriculum for all of your homeschool needs or to brush up on new skills.

During my talk, “What Every Mother of Preschooler Needs to Know,” I share the following:

  1. Your children will remember how you lived.

How do you spend your time? What are your passions? Will they remember that you were physically and emotionally present?

  1. Your children will remember how you loved.

How do you love? Do you show affection? Say I love you?

  1. Your children will remember what you loved.

What do you love? People? Things? Birds?

  1. Your children will remember whom you loved.

Do you love others? Do they see that? Do you love yourself? Do they see that? Hear that?

  1. Your children will grow up and will mother like you.

Someone once said, “The days are long but the years are short.” This is such a true statement. They grow up so incredibly fast and before we know it, we will witness them being moms and dads just like us. Yes, they will resemble you in so many ways. You are their model for what a mom looks like.

What’s the surprise, you ask? I have decided to add one more spot to my birthday celebration weekend. If you would like to be the final person chosen to attend, please like or follow me on Instagram @_therealkathylee or like my page FB @The Real Kathy Lee.

Don’t forget to check out www.heartsathome.org to learn more about Hearts at Home 2.0.

I hope you all have a fabulous Mother’s Day!

 

Say YES and have a great week!!!

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for me to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let me know. Just email me at kathy@thehomegrownpreschooler.com or shoot me a message on social media. And be sure and check out the latest episode of Vintage Homeschool Moms.

 

Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at

The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealistic Expectations | Special Replay

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Unrealistic Mom Expectations | New Podcast #Momfessions

Unrealistic Mom Expectations with The Real Kathy Lee

Episode #5

I had a great time talking with Keri Vasek about the unrealistic expectations we as moms put on ourselves. You might remember Keri from Episode 2 where we talked about Losing Your Joy in Motherhood. Keri is the mother of three “muddlings” and enjoys encouraging other moms to let their children PLAY.

This episode is brought to you by CTCMath.com – a wonderful math curriculum for your homeschool needs or to brush up on new skills.

In this episode, Keri and I get real about the expectations that haunt mothers. As mothers, we often feel the need to keep a spotless house, present perfect children, and always be dressed and ready to host an event. Well, this is UNREALISTIC. Moms with little ones often have chaos, and unruly children and can be found in yoga pants and a messy bun. Keri and I share some of the unrealistic expectations we had early on as moms and agree that keeping it simple is best.

 

I loved Keri’s 3 REALISTIC expectations for each day.

1.  Find time to read aloud.

2.  Invite your children to play.

3.  Be intentional about loving one another.

Let’s EXPECT good things from our kids and from ourselves. My goal is that my children grow up to know they are loved, so that they feel free to give love to others.

You’ve got this,

Kathy

ps- if you are enjoying this podcast, please take a moment to submit a review on iTunes!

 

How to Have Those BIG Talks with Your Kids with Christy Montes

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

How to Have those BIG Talks with Your KidsHow to Have Those Big Talks with Your Kids | Momfessions with the Real Kathy Lee

We know we need to have those big talks with our kids. But, where to start?

Thanks to our sponsor, CTCMath.com – we are pleased for their continued excellence in education and dedication to the homeschool community. It is due to sponsorships that our programs continue to come to you without cost. Please visit the website and check out their curriculum.


Christy Montes is back to chat about those BIG talks.

Christy and I have had many talks with all of our kids over the years and thought you guys might benefit from hearing from us on this topic. We have done some things well, but we have messed up plenty. If you want to have a relationship that promotes open communication, start early and talk often. Some other things we suggested were:

1. Make time for each child.
2. Stay in the moment, that means put away your phone.
3. Don’t be fearful about the BIG talks.
4. Take advantage of car rides, it is a great place to talk.

This picture is of sweet Christy and her husband at a recent history night. I wonder if they had any talks in that car. 😉

5. You will make a mistake, which is why GRACE exists.
6. You will feel like your drowning in toddlerhood, know that your investment pays off later.
7. You are not meant to be friends with your young children, but if you do not invest in them when they are young, you will not be friends as adults.
8. Find a friend you trust and encourage each other through this mothering gig.

 


Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!

Thanks to our sponsor, CTCMath.com – we are pleased for their continued excellence in education and dedication to the homeschool community. It is due to sponsorships that our programs continue to come to you without cost. Please visit the website and check out their curriculum.

 

 

 


Enjoy this Podcast? Check out These!

Why You should Homeschool with Christy Faith – pt. 1

Even Second Generation Homeschoolers Make Mistakes

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Think second generation homeschoolers have it all figured out? Let's talk real talk about mistakes even second generation homeschoolers make.

Special Replay: Even Second-Generation Homeschoolers Make Mistakes

Episode #4

Do second-generation homeschoolers make mistakes? As I travel across the country, I am fortunate to meet some amazing people. Two of those I have met along the way are Mike and Jessica Somerville with Tapestry of Grace. Recently, I met up with Mike and Jessica at the Great Homeschool Conventions in Fort Worth, TX. Mike and Jessica Somerville are homeschool graduates that are now homeschooling their three beautiful daughters. If you are like me, you assume that they must be the PERFECT homeschooling family.

However, in this podcast, they share some lessons they have already learned from mistakes already made. You don’t want to miss this time together.

 

After you listen, please take a moment and click on the review button in iTunes to write a review. Thank you so much!!!

 

You’ve got this,

Kathy

 

 


Show Notes for Even Second Generation Homeschoolers Make Mistakes

Ctcmath.com

0:00

Meeting the coolest people.

2:13

Learning to say yes to reading.

5:26

Set a shared vision and flexible vision.

11:21

Lesson 2: Don’t panic.

14:11

Make the right curriculum choices in the early years.

16:52

Where to start with homeschooling?

23:12

The importance of having a plan.

25:08

Space is the final frontier.

28:45

Find and read good books on homeschooling.

34:22

We’re not working for them.

37:36

 


This podcast is sponsored by CTC Math

Homeschoolers – 1/2 Price after FREE TRIAL. Click the link to get started.
CTCMath.com | Math Curriculum

Enjoy Even Second-Generation Homeschoolers Make Mistakes? Try these podcasts!

 

How to Homeschool: Practical Tips and Advice to Launch

Homeschooling with Vision and Purpose

Holiday Replay | Genuine Hospitality

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

genuine hospitality

As many of you know, I am getting ready to host some lovely women in my home next weekend. My goal is for these ladies to feel at home from the moment they drive up. A recent FB post in our THGP- Playing Skillfully in Action group got me thinking about genuine hospitality. What makes a good hostess? I thought I would share some of the things I do to make our home a welcoming place to others.

 

  1. Know your guests. Do they have any food/environmental allergies? Do they feel anxious about traveling? Do they have trouble climbing stairs?
  2. Prepare the space (fresh sheets, water by the bed, flowers, and travel-size toiletries).
  3. Have snacks easily accessible. Most people don’t feel comfortable asking for a snack

    **Funny story about my snack basket pictured above. Recently, a friend’s son asked his mom why I was so mean. When asked for an explanation, he said only a mean mom would make their kids pay for snacks. I guess he didn’t get my joke. ☺

  4. Have a fan/diffuser in the room.
  5. If your guests stay in a kid’s room, make sure the bed/nightstand is cleared of the stuff that can be collected in those places (stuffed animals, treasures, etc.).
  6. Most importantly, have a welcoming attitude. You can have all the right things and have guests not feel comfortable or you can have a house that is a wreck, an empty fridge, and have guests that can’t wait to come back. So much of genuine hospitality is the attitude of the hostess.

I think this post sums it up! Thanks, Erica for allowing me to share!

 

Can I say an encouraging word about hospitality here?
I’m unsure if this would be considered an inappropriate post, as it is not really curriculum-related, so feel free to delete it.

But I just wanted to share a recent experience I had because let’s be honest, we’re all moms, and we all struggle with thinking our homes/ourselves are not “good enough” at times. Especially when we have preschoolers and are trying to “say yes” more!

My husband’s father remarried a woman from Mexico. This weekend we spent time at her brother and sister in laws house. The house was small, crowded, and cluttered. Don’t get me wrong, it was clean, but nothing like what most of us would consider nice or ready to entertain. There was nothing fancy about the food, just rice, and beans in mismatched pots on the stove, random plates of veggies on the very crowded table (which was in the small kitchen with mismatched chairs all around), a grill full of food and mismatched plates and silverware that everyone had to search the cupboards for. The host herself spoke broken English and was slightly awkward and very shy. She didn’t serve us and didn’t bustle around, making sure everything was perfect while we were there. She just sat, ate, tried her best to understand what we were saying, and quietly washed dishes afterward.

But I say all this to say I have never felt so at ease, so welcome, so like family in a strange place. All of my mother in laws family from Mexico has a way of just treating you like family. They don’t prepare the house (other than bringing out all the chairs from every room). They don’t cook anything special. They don’t even set out plates or forks, usually! But they are genuinely glad you are there, warm and friendly, and truly see everyone they invite into their home as a family and welcome.

I wanted to share this because I often want to reach out but don’t feel my home (or my own social skills!) are good enough. I worry about my kid’s attitudes and messes. But maybe, we try too hard and treat guests too differently to make them feel at home. Maybe if we could leave out the kid’s toys and let them be themselves (and let ourselves be ourselves!), and just welcome guests in as a family, our homes would feel even more hospitable!

Who can you invite over this week? 

Say YES, and have a great week!!!

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

 

Thank you to The Homegrown Preschooler for sponsoring this Podcast! Check out the blog post-Kathy mentioned, Farmhouse Schoolhouse, to read more about A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at

The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

 

 

Thank you to our Sponsor | 5000 BLANKETS


Inspired by a true story, 5000 BLANKETS will encourage you to give to others. Find hope this holiday season when you see 5000 BLANKETS in theaters. Exclusively in theaters December 12 & 13! 


Gearing Up for the Holidays

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

gearing up for the holidays If you are like me, you are freaking out a little that Thanksgiving is in two weeks. Yep, two weeks until the Turkey, Dressing, and Pumpkin Pie. I decided to chat about the rapidly approaching holidays and some of the pitfalls that moms face this time of year.

Ashley Pomerory (formerly known as Ashley Smoot), my buddy from Nashville joined me today and asked some thought-provoking questions about Thanksgiving and Christmas. First, Ashley wanted to know my thoughts on slowing down the Christmas Rush. Both of us have witnessed neighbors and friends skipping over Thanksgiving in order to get a jump on the Christmas decorations. I really want to encourage parents to slow it down when it comes to Christmas. Please take the time to be thankful to your family. Make a thankful jar, a thankful tree, or simply share why you are thankful over the holiday meal. Teaching children to be thankful is a tough task and this is a great time of year to put some family focus on this important lesson.

If you are not careful, Christmas can be like a massive hurricane wrecking your life. You can overbook and under the plan, which will leave you completely exhausted come January 1st. I suggest making a list of priorities and traditions that are important to you during the holiday season. Don’t overcommit, and definitely learn to say NO. Practice it now, N…. O…. NO! You can do it. It is a powerful word to use if you want to maintain your sanity this Christmas.

Have a great week!

Thanks for listening. If you have topics, you would like for me to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let me know. Just email me at kathy@thehomegrownpreschooler.com or shoot me a message on social media.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

itunespodcast . Listen on Google Play Music

 

Thank you to our Sponsor | 5000 BLANKETS


Inspired by a true story, 5000 BLANKETS will encourage you to give to others. Find hope this holiday season when you see 5000 BLANKETS in theaters. Exclusively in theaters December 12 & 13! 


Special Replay| Teaching the Fruits of the Spirit to Little Ones

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

teaching the fruit of the spirit to your kids |Ultimate homeschool podcast networkI often get asked how to handle spiritual training with little ones. I believe spiritual lessons should be like every other lesson at this age, taught in a concrete manner. I often suggest parents start with the Fruit of the Spirit when helping little ones understand God and His world. In this podcast, I share practical ways to teach the following lessons:

Love

Joy

Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Faithfulness

Gentleness

Self-Control

 

As you have probably heard before, behavior is caught and taught. Your children will learn so much about the Fruits of the Spirit from watching YOU. Do you love others (I have an entire podcast on this subject)? Are you Joyful? Kind? Good? Faithful? Gentle? Patient? Self-Controlled? I know that I can work on these areas in my life. Each year I choose a WORD for the year. Maybe you choose a Fruit of the Spirit each year to focus on with your family. Being intentional about the Fruits of the Spirit could make a very big difference in the spiritual life of your family.

Merry Christmas!

😍😍😍 “A Year of Playing Skillfully is the most beautiful, inspiring curriculum I could have imagined, and three weeks into our pre-K year, I have fallen completely in love.“ – Meghann

🎄BIG BIG BIG SALE going on right now!www.thehomegrownpreschooler.com/shop
All month we’re offering $20 OFF our wonder-filled curriculum, designed for kids 3-7, and we’re also including the e-book and some stocking stuffers (2 water bead sets and a sensory kit) for free!
🎄CODE HO HO HO (as of 2022)

 

Have a great week!

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for me to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let me know. Just email me at kathy@thehomegrownpreschooler.com or shoot me a message on social media.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

 

itunespodcast . Listen on Google Play Music

Thank you to The Homegrown Preschooler for sponsoring this Podcast! Check out the blog post Kathy mentioned, Farmhouse Schoolhouse, to read more about A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at

The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

Thank you to this month’s Sponsor: 5,000 Blankets