Homeschool with Steph

Hello. Welcome back. Thanks for joining me again. Okay. Today's episode is going to be quick. No fluff, no intro, we're just going to get to the point.

• Show Notes:
• 00:00 Intro
• 5:37 The Impact of Digital Tools on Family Dynamics
• 05:38 Introduction to Personal Passion and Jewelry Design
• 06:51 Embracing Change in Planning
• 11:30 The Impact of Digital Tools on Family Dynamics
• 12:44 Building Confidence in Everyday Style
• 13:13 Rediscovering Your Personal Style

Links: 

• State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let’s connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review! 

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state

Today's episode is a quiet, honest conversation about homeschooling through overwhelm and anxiety. Not the kind that shows up on his schedules or lesson plans, but the kind that you carry inside while still showing up for your kids. I am sharing a few reflections from my own journey and some encouragement for the mom who's doing her best on days that feel heavier than she expected. 

• Show Notes:
• 00:00 Intro
• 03:12 The Impact of Anxiety on Homeschooling
• 05:42 Coping Mechanisms and Support Systems
• 08:51 Navigating Motherhood and Mental Health
• 11:46 Adjusting Expectations in Homeschooling
• 14:42 Self-Care and Its Importance
• 17:34 Finding Strength in Vulnerability
• 18:29 Encouragement for Struggling Moms
• 18:29 Introduction to Personal Passion and Jewelry Design
• 19:43 Introduction to the Anxiety Journey
• 19:59 Finding Strength in Vulnerability
• 21:20 Encouragement for Struggling Moms
• 25:06 The Power of Morning Rituals
• 25:34 Embracing Presence in Difficult Times
• 25:45 Building Confidence in Everyday Style
• 26:13 Rediscovering Your Personal Style

Links: 

• State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let’s connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review! 

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state

Today's episode is a solo conversation that's been sitting on my heart since the experience happened. I'm sharing about my older two kids and their reading journey, what it's looked like to homeschool children who would be considered behind by traditional standards. The feelings I have had recently ordering their curriculum and why I chose not to push reading when they were younger. If you've ever questioned your timing, your choices, or wondered if you're doing enough, this episode is for you. 

• Show Notes:
• 00:00 Intro
• 00:38 New Year Reflections and Family Health Challenges
• 03:01 Homeschooling Journey: Curriculum Choices and Family Dynamics
• 08:08 Introduction to Personal Passion and Jewelry Design
• 09:22 New Year Reflections and Family Health Challenges
• 09:24 Homeschooling Journey: Curriculum Choices and Family Dynamics
• 12:41 Navigating Learning Differences and Reading Progress
• 19:52 Trusting the Process: Embracing Individual Learning Paths
• 25:28 Embracing Individual Learning Journeys
• 25:59 The Importance of Mindful Parenting in Education
• 26:07 Building Confidence in Everyday Style
• 26:36 Rediscovering Your Personal Style

Links: 

• State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let’s connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review! 

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state

We are going to do a little recap in 2025 as we kick off 2026. 2025 stretched me, refined me, and surprised me in both motherhood, homeschooling, and business. This episode is both reflective and encouraging, and I am sharing five key lessons I learned from 2025 that are definitely gonna affect how I live life in 2026. 

• Show Notes:
• 00:00 Intro
• 02:09 Embracing a New Homeschooling Rhythm
• 07:05 Emotional Regulation in Parenting
• 13:13 Balancing Business and Homeschooling
• 18:20 Tailoring Education to Fit Your Family
• 22:01 The Importance of Connection Over Perfection

Links: 

• State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let’s connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review! 

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state

Today, I am joined by Dr. Ashley Rankin, a psychologist, coach and author of Tilly’s Toolbox for Big Emotions. Dr. Rankin brings a wealth of clinical and real life experience to families, helping parents teach emotional literacy in simple, accessible ways; no psychology degree required. We’re talking about why emotional skills matter just as much as reading and math, how parents can help their kids name negative feelings, and how Dr. Rankin’s new book places practical tools directly in our hands as educators and moms.

• Show Notes:
• 00:00 Intro
• 01:01 The Importance of Emotional Skills in Education
• 01:06 Introduction to Homeschooling and Emotional Development
• 05:50 The Importance of Emotional Regulation in Education
• 10:10 Cultural Shifts in Emotional Awareness
• 13:37 The Connection Between Parent and Child Emotions
• 19:26 The Role of Connection in Effective Education
• 24:41 Challenges in the Public Education System
• 25:24 Diverse Educational Experiences
• 25:39 Introduction to Holiday Sparkle
• 26:05 Exclusive December Surprises
• 26:24 Introduction to Homeschooling and Emotional Development
• 26:25 Cultural Shifts in Emotional Awareness
• 26:25 Diverse Educational Experiences
• 28:58 Understanding Children's Emotions
• 32:28 The Importance of Emotional Regulation
• 36:27 Building Emotional Connections
• 40:19 Advice for Parents on Emotional Development
• 45:21 Navigating Big Emotions with Children
• 45:44 Building Confidence and Resilience in Kids

Links: 

• Find her book  Tilly's Toolbox for Big Emotions
• You can also find it on  Amazon and Barns and Noble

State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let’s connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review! 

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state

Today's guest is someone who brings so much compassion and clarity to a subject many homeschool families wrestle with, math. Dr. Jillian Alley is the founder of Compassionate Math and she believes something incredibly important. Math isn't just a cognitive process, it is an emotional one. Kids need to feel safe, supported, and confident in order to truly thrive.

She has over 15 years of teaching experience and has been an award-winning college professor and holds both a master's in mathematics and a PhD in teaching and teacher education. Dr. Ali has spoken across the country and internationally, helping schools and teachers transform the way they approach math instruction. Her mission is rooted in equity, encouragement, and the belief that math helps us understand the world that God has created.

passionate about helping families move from math anxiety to math confidence. And today she's here to share practical strategies and so much hope. I know this is a conversation that you will love.

www.compassionatemath.com

Today's guest is someone whose writing has quietly shaped the hearts and minds of children all over the world. Barcha Getz is a Harvard educated author who has written 45 children's books filled with purpose, warmth and meaningful lessons. She also wrote a deeply candid memoir for adults titled Nourish the Soul Filling the Emptiness Within, which shares her journey towards lasting joy. Bracha's picture books simplify big truths in a way children can genuinely understand, covering themes like gratitude, self-control, faith, and finding real happiness. Her newest titles include: The Happiness Box, What God Can Do, and The Mother Who Always Said Yes. Through her writing, Bracha helps families have conversations that matter and encourage parents to nurture their children's souls in gentle, joyful ways. I'm Honored to have her on the show today.

• Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro

• 01:03 Introduction to Gratitude and Happiness

• 03:23 Bracha's Journey to Joy

• 06:54 The Struggles of Motherhood

• 12:28 Finding Value in Homemaking

• 16:49 The Impact of Parenting on Children

• 23:22 Bracha's Journey as an Author

• 26:09 Rediscovering a Classic: The Happiness Box

• 26:41 The Power of Gratitude: Building Neural Pathways

• 28:43 Teaching Gratitude: Role Modeling for Children

• 30:45 Finding Joy in Motherhood: The Unseen Value

• 32:37 The Importance of Boundaries: Lessons from 'The Mother Who Always Said Yes'

• 38:24 Books with Purpose: Guiding Children Through Life

• 42:18 Family Collaboration: Spreading Positive Messages

• 44:03 Introduction to Braca's Wisdom

• 44:32 The Impact of Braca's Books on Families

Links:

Find her Books:

• Nourish the Soul: Filling the Emptiness Within.

• The Happiness Box, Oh, What God Can Do!

• The Mother Who Always Said Yes.

• And more: www.growingimpactpublications.com.

• New customers get 10% off their website purchases.

• You can also download a free Pleasure Ladder chart from the website here: https://www.growingimpactpublications.com/pages/the-pleasure-ladder

State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let's connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review!

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state

Welcome back to Home School with Steph. Today's guest is someone whose work brings so much relief and confidence to families, especially homeschooling parents who carry the responsibility of teaching their kids to read. Daniala spent 25 years as an attorney in Washington, DC, before realizing that her real passion was helping children become successful, competent readers. She founded Kids Up Reading Tutors, a nationwide team of herself and 16 specialists who help students overcome reading and spelling challenges, including dyslexia and dysgraphia. Their approach is grounded in the science of reading, Combined structured literacy, and phonological awareness, Morton Gillingham-based multisensory instruction and individualised lessons. What sets Kids Up apart is their ability to help students make rapid progress, often catching up in months instead of years, in a supportive, judgement-free environment where struggling readers can thrive. Daniela's mission is not just to teach reading, but to transform how kids feel about it. And as a mama who has a struggling reader, this episode was especially helpful to me and I am looking forward to being able to share this conversation with you.

• Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro

• 03:23 Transforming Frustration into Joy: Teaching Reading

• 07:06 Building Phonological Skills: The Foundation of Reading

• 11:00 The Benefits of Reading Aloud: Beyond Decoding

• 13:19 Utilizing Technology: Tools for Modern Reading

• 18:05 Understanding Dyslexia: Strategies for Success

• 21:28 Tutoring Model: Personalized Learning for Reading Success

• 23:49 Understanding Dyslexia and Its Temporary Nature

• 24:46 The Power of Virtual Learning

• 25:50 Embracing Technology in Education

• 26:44 Multi-Sensory Learning Approaches

• 28:53 Homeschooling Dynamics and Support

• 30:42 Navigating Dyslexia in Bilingual Children

• 33:52 Early Intervention and Its Importance

• 37:58 Lifelong Learning and Support for Reading Challenges

Links:

• - Homeschool page of our website: https://www.kidsupreadingtutors.com/homeschool-reading-tutor

• - Home page of our website (if you're only going to use one link to our website, please link to the homeschool page, not this page): https://www.kidsupreadingtutors.com/

• - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-feldhausen-kidsupreadingtutors/

• - https://www.facebook.com/KidsUpReadingTutors

• - https://www.instagram.com/kidsupreadingtutors/

• Link to Schedule Your Free Call and Demo with Daniela: https://www.kidsupreadingtutors.com/schedule

State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let's connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review!

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state

Hello, on today's SoloSode, I am diving deep into a personal experience I had in my early 20s that has forever shaped my life and my personality. And not necessarily all for the better. I'm sharing with you some challenges that I've had in homeschooling because of the situation I had in my early 20s. It gets really personal really quick. But I think this story and this experience that I've had is going to resonate with you and that you're going to want to stick around for the whole thing. I also feel like it's going to encourage you to keep going and give yourself some grace even on the really hard days.

• Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro

• 02:33 Navigating Personal Challenges and Family Health Crisis

• 11:14 The Impact of Loss on Planning and Control

• 14:34 Daily Struggles of a Homeschooling Mom

• 24:50 Embracing Imperfection in Homeschooling

• 27:32 The Beauty of Homeschooling and Family Connections

• 29:22 Embracing Personal Stories

• 29:53 Finding Joy in Imperfection

Links:

State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let's connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review!

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state

If you are a mama who knows that the routine in your home needs to change, but you have been afraid to figure out what those changes need to be or to pull the trigger on changes that you know need to happen, this episode is for you. Today I'm talking with my friend Michelle. She is a functional health coach for women and she shares her personal experience on how she made a really big shift in her life. During the years of COVID that has impacted her family in a big way, and for the better. So if you've been scared to take the leap on a new change in your life that's gonna affect you and your family, but you know it's gonna be good for you in the long run, listen to this episode for some inspiration and you are gonna love the conversation.

• Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro

• 03:48 The Shift in Homeschooling Roles

• 06:45 Overcoming Mom Guilt and Embracing Self-Care

• 09:46 Teaching Kids Self-Motivation and Work Ethic

• 12:43 The Dynamics of a Homeschooling Family

• 15:35 Creating a Flexible Homeschool Schedule

• 22:06 A Day in the Life of Homeschooling

• 23:24 The Importance of Self-Care for Moms

• 28:05 Supporting Women Through Health and Wellness

• 29:41 The Role of Gut Health in Overall Wellbeing

• 31:00 Breaking the Cycle of Survival Mode

• 34:56 Embracing Change and Family Dynamics

• 39:28 Embracing Change in Family Life

• 40:17 Connecting Through Social Media and Personal Growth

Links:

• Follow on Michelle Rose on instagram @ thebuddingroses

State Laws for homeschool

• Check out my jewelry. Fun & feminine designs to help you feel like your most confident self. Use promo code: earrings at checkout for 10% off your first order!

www.ivianaandco.com

• Personal blog with family travel tips, homeschooling resources and the occasional DIY

www.stephriosblog.com

Let's connect!

Join me on Facebook: Iviana & Co

Steph Rios Blog

Join me on Instagram: @ivianaandco

@stephriosblog

Leave a review!

Did this podcast episode resonate with you? If you found it helpful and meaningful, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also screenshot the episode and share it to your social network! I appreciate your support so much. Thank you!

~Steph

*I do make a small commission from amazon links as an amazon affiliate. No legal advice is being given in regards to homeschooling. Make sure to check your state laws and remain compliant with homeschool laws in your state