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Stress Check

How are you doing? How are your stress levels? Take the time to do an honest evaluation of how you’re feeling physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Write about it. Note whether you feel the need to make changes. It’s not too late to take a deep breath and pivot if you need to.

Self Care:

Rest:

Needs of Others

The needs of others are different than the requests of others. Requests look like invitations to dinners, expectations that you show up for certain events, that you participate in a gift exchange, etc. Today isn’t about requests. It’s about the basic needs of others—water, food, shelter, love.

Are there people in your life who are in need? Do you know of anyone who needs meals, extra help, or extra support? This can be someone you know personally or through an organization, church, or charity. Look around to see what basic needs of others need met. Write about what you can do to help and come up with a plan of action.

Self Care:

Rest:

External Appearances

Do you care about what others think of you? Do you decorate for your family or for others? Do you do it out of love and celebration or does it sometimes feel like obligation and drudgery?

Societal pressures encourage us to make our home look like a photo from a home magazine. What can you do keep these types of pressures at bay? How can you bring the focus from what your home LOOKS like to what your home FEELS like? What can you do to stay true to your family’s values and goals instead of picture perfect ideals?

Self Care:

Rest:

Healthy Boundaries

Take a look at yesterday’s list. Knowing that you can’t control others (their actions, opinions, or requests) but you CAN control your own…what can you do to set healthy boundaries with your family around holiday time?

What do you need to do for you and your immediate family to enjoy the holidays? Does that look like staying home? Celebrating on a different day? Switching up traditions to make way for modern needs in the chapter of life you’re in? What do you suspect their reactions will be to changes or new boundaries?

Now take a deep breath. You cannot control the reactions of others, nor do you need to take them on. What steps do you need to take to hold those boundaries and let go of others’ reactions?

Self Care:

Rest:

Extended Family

Oh, family…this is a tricky topic because every family looks different. Some families get along great, others have tension. Some are toxic and others are entertaining. Challenges can arise when a family has the expectation that because we are family, that means we are all the same. The truth is, while traditions are important and bonds can be strong, families are made up of individuals and none of us are 100% alike.

Even if our family is balanced during the rest of the year, major holidays, traditions, and rituals can cause upset if the expectations surrounding them are not met.

What does your extended family expect of you during the holidays? Write it down.

Now write about how you feel about these expectations. Do you feel they are too much? Too little? Do they drive you crazy? Do you wish it looked different? Write it out. Be honest. And if it’s something that needs to be addressed, start to come up with a plan to address it.

* On the flip side, do YOU have expectations of your extended family? What are they? Do they meet them? Are they fair? Give it some thought and write it out.

Self Care:

Rest:

Influence on our Children

Expanding on yesterday, how much of your children’s expectation are influenced by advertisement? Peer pressure? Tradition?
Do these have more effect than your influence as the parent? Do you feel these too influential? Do you see positive effects from advertisements and shows? Do you see negative effects? List specifics, including how you feel about your answers.

Self Care:

Rest:

Training Our Children

We train our children’s expectations for everything—from gifts to get togethers to what breakfast is going to look like.

Today we’re looking at our influence on our children. What expectations are you modeling for your children this month? Take a look at your child’s expectations for this month. What do they expect this month? How much of that is your influence? Are you teaching your children to expect perfection or to let go of perfection? Write about it.

Self Care:

Rest:

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For a person who doesn’t see the world as black For a person who doesn’t see the world as black and white, I sure am embracing that color combo on my head 😍

Headband: @cbbowshop 🖤

#grombre #silverhair #silversisters #silversisters #greyhairstyle #greyhairtransition #greytransition #greyhairmovement #growingmyhairout #growingmygrey #thelifeschoolist #lifeschoolist #lifeschooling #perspectiveiseverything #headbandhandmade #greyhairjourney #greyhairrevolution #blackandwhitehair #mauimama #loribeth #elevatingmotherhood #normalizegreyhair
I wanted to call this episode about 900 different I wanted to call this episode about 900 different things, everything from ”When Virtual School Isn’t Working” to “7 Common Concerns Keeping You From Homeschooling.” 😉

I’m not trying to sell anyone on the notion of homeschool or even present homeschool as “the” answer to anyone—not at all. It ISN’T the right fit for every family. But it is a valid, legal, freeing option for many…an option that I’m finding most families don’t know about! 

In today’s show I go over the 7 common concerns that keep many parents from pursuing homeschool and share insight and options for those families who do need/want different options, those who are curious about homeschool (now or in the future), or anyone who is simply looking for an alternative to virtual learning (if it’s not a great fit for them). 

I don’t criminalize any learning styles in this episode—we’ve all been tasked with the impossible this year and by gosh, we’re doing it. 

I don’t believe there is a one size fits all answer for anyone when it comes to anything. Parents can only get closer to figuring out what works for their family if they have resources, information, and answers to their questions. I hope it helps 😘 

If you have concerns or questions not mentioned in this episode, please let me know 🙏 #happytohelp
Portrait of Work at Home/Homeschool Mom Life. 🖼 Portrait of Work at Home/Homeschool Mom Life. 🖼 

I am obviously not attending any zoom meetings today 🙃, but I am working from home on a Saturday morning after pumpkin pancakes with coconut whipped cream and a coconut latte. 😍 Homeschool will be happening later at the beach. 📚☀️

You CAN work from home AND homeschool your kids. For most of us who do it, it just doesn’t look like the M-F, 9 to 5 life that society tries to sell us as “the one way” that’s best for everyone. There is no one way that’s best for everyone (like, ever 🤷🏻‍♀️). Flexibility & freedom happens to work best for me and my family. 

So many others are curious about how we do it or even contemplating if it could work for their family. I’ll be talking about it a bit more on the podcast today when Episode 91 of @elevatingmotherhood goes live. 🙌

If you’ve been thinking about switching to homeschool, drop your questions or concerns below and I’ll get back to you with ideas or resources👇😘 

It can be done! Not every moment looks glamorous (exhibit A) but it’s a lot of fun. And the permanent exhale of not having to work around a school’s formal schedule is priceless! 🤩
A powerful notion. A big truth. It is an honor to A powerful notion. A big truth. It is an honor to spend my life and days helping other mamas step into their power & truth. We are changing the world. 💙
I *think* this was the photo on our Christmas card I *think* this was the photo on our Christmas card 🎄🤷🏻‍♀️😜 The days are blurring together and I’m not sure anymore. It’s almost a month after the Christmas holiday and I still have gifts to finalize, photos to order and send to family, and a handful of random holiday knick knacks and decor to put away...

Oh, well. 🙃

A few years ago I would have beat myself up over this, but this year I’m not—I decided to give myself actual grace and simply rest in the truth that I’m doing the best I can. I have too much on my plate (always) and I want to try and keep my expectations in check. My to-do list does not align with my available time or energy at the moment, so I’m going to allow myself some head space to sort that out. 💜

It takes practice to stop looking at an unfinished to-do list as a failure but instead see it as a motivator to move forward, dream big, & keep showing up. (That being said, sometimes I still wish that I could be two people…one just staying here and cooking and homesteading and learning with my kids while the other LB goes off and binge writes for 2 whole months and drinks coconut lattes all day. Oh, well…😉). 

Grateful for all that I do have and that I get to work on as I move one step closer to the true, whole me a little every day 😘 

How’s your to-do list looking these days, mama? Am I the only one who still has Christmas 2020 on her list? 🤪

Photo: @kristycopperfieldphotography
“Are you telling your soul to sit down and shut “Are you telling your soul to sit down and shut up so you can do the ‘more important’ work of getting through the week?” -Allison Fallon

A lot of writers worry that their writing isn’t going to be any good—but then find a way through that doubt during their writing. A lot of moms worry that what they’re doing isn’t any good either. What if moms had a tool to work through that doubt? Today’s guest Ally Fallon makes a solid case for how writing could be just the tool we need. She brings all kinds of encourage and insight about the sacred act of making space for writing in our lives and how to not get stuck in our to-do lists or lost in distractions. 💕

Ally is a new mom with a new book: The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life. She’s going to help us see the myths surrounding writing (including the one that writing is for some people and not for others). She shares how writing has been transformative in her own life and shows us how it can reveal things we didn’t know about ourselves before we wrote them down. Writing is revelation and learning through play…things that we see and encourage in our children on a daily basis. Ally shows us how we can now turn that same philosophy and encouragement inward and apply it to ourselves as moms. 

We talk about all the things: writing, motherhood, misconceptions, spirituality, connection, life-long learning, the power of getting to know ourselves, and what you can do to get started today. We’re going to bust through some learned writer’s block and show you how to use writing as a vehicle to get to know your truest self.  This is a great episode for all moms—whether you identify as a “writer” or not. And if you’re a homeschool mom, it’s easy to see how these writing ideas can crossover into homeschool as well. 

Ally’s Bio: Allison Fallon is an award-winning author, sought after public speaker, and nationally recognized writing coach. She has worked with thousands of people to realize their writing potential and become published authors. Check her out: @allyfallon 📚😘
Writing has been a huuuuge part of my life for a l Writing has been a huuuuge part of my life for a long time. I have two master’s degrees in literature and creative writing. I love journaling and write guided journals. I jot things down on napkins, receipts, and piece of scrap paper surface I can find...

AND YET.

I still learned so much from reading @allyfallon ‘s newest book The Power of Writing It Down. 🙌 Ally is on the @elevatingmotherhood podcast this weekend talking about her book that is available this week! Tune in and be inspired! 💛😘
Do you study or appreciate or follow certain educa Do you study or appreciate or follow certain educators or education philosophies? 📚 The work of Charlotte Mason has been an extremely positive influence in our homeschool and in my motherhood journey. I’m curious to know what quotes, notions, & ideas influence you 😘
Did you read the title of this episode and think, Did you read the title of this episode and think, “I can’t seem to get ONE type of rest as a mom let alone 7!?” I know I did a double take when I first read about Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s idea that there are 7 different types of rest and that we need all 7, but…my curiosity was peaked! Diving into her explanations has brought me so much personal clarity, I’m so grateful for her work and all the ways she shows up and encourages mothers. 

This episode is so life giving—Dr. Saundra is articulate, kind, authentic, and just so generous with her insights. She teaches us what we need to show up as our true and best selves. 

I left this conversation feeling so understood—and I know you will, too. As Dr. Saundra presents these 7 types of rest, she doesn’t do it in a way that’s overwhelming but rather shows us a bigger picture and that we really are all quite unique. The types of rest I need most in this season of my life probably aren’t the same types of rest you will benefit from the most right now. There is no one size fits all answer for everyone, but when it comes to rest, there are a lot of options! These ideas about rest will help you learn more about your true self so that you can understand what you need—and then confidently meet that need armed with information and insights about these 7 types of rest. 

This topic is also a great conversation starter. Once you hear the different types of rest and take the quiz online (www.restquiz.com), I bet you’ll want to send this quiz to your partner, spouse, sisters, friends, and moms group so you can dive deeper into this topic with them! It’s the resolution we didn’t know we needed going into the new year. Learning about rest is a great way for us to become more self-aware so we can support and nourish our true selves, recover our lives, renew our energy, and restore our sanity. 

Dr. Saundra’s Bio: Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a Board-Certified internal medicine physician, speaker, and author. She is an international wellness expert featured in numerous media outlets including Prevention, MSNBC, Women’s Day, FOX, Fast Company, Psychology Today, & as a guest on Dr. Oz show. More in the show notes on the EM website!

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