Welcome back to Home School with Steph, the podcast that reminds you that you are capable, qualified, and you don't have to do this alone. And if there's an episode that will tell it better, it's going to be this one. Today I'm talking with Meghan. She went from being a genetic DNA sequencing scientist to having two babies in two years, traveling with her husband, and ultimately to building a homeschool life that she absolutely fell in love with. She is the creator of Homeschool Happy Hour, which is a platform for helping moms feel confident, supported, and less alone in their homeschooling journey. We're gonna hear how she made this transition from being a full-time working scientist to a full-time all-in homeschooling mama. And we really get into it in this episode about how we feel about public school and some of the things that we've been conditioned to think we should be doing for our kids and what we really feel is important. This is an episode you're not going to want to miss.

• Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro

• 04:21 Transitioning from Science to Homeschooling

• 07:14 Benefits of Homeschooling

• 10:03 Overcoming Fears in Homeschooling

• 13:17 Building a Supportive Community

• 16:09 Utilizing Resources for Homeschooling

• 19:02 Impact of Science Background on Homeschooling

• 21:15 Transitioning to Homeschooling

• 22:54 Establishing a Homeschool Routine

• 25:20 Flexibility in Learning

• 26:46 The Myths of Public Schooling

• 30:48 The Importance of Individual Learning

• 36:26 Empowering Mothers in Homeschooling

• 39:53 Introduction to Homeschooling Confidence

• 40:22 Encouragement for Homeschooling Mom

Links:

• Follow on Meghan on instagram @ podcast_homeschoolhappyhour

• Finder her on Facebook

• Listen to her Podcast : Homeschool Happy Hour

• Find her Homeschool Resources

• Check out the Homeschooling Village

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. In today's episode, we're diving into something that I think every homeschooling mom will love. Teaching through themes and using hands-on learning to make lessons come alive. I'm Chatting with Lauren, an experienced homeschooling mom and occupational therapist. Lauren's professional background gives her a unique perspective on homeschooling. She brings so much wisdom about child development, sensory learning, and how to weave therapy-based strategies into everyday lessons. We'll also talk about her approach to thematic learning, how she builds lessons around one topic and connects it for the school day. This is such a fun and practical conversation. I know you're going to walk away with new ideas and encouragement for your home school.

• Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:48 Introduction to Homeschooling and Occupational Therapy

• 03:57 The Journey to Homeschooling

• 05:43 Understanding Occupational Therapy

• 07:57 The Importance of Developmental Foundations

• 09:57 Rethinking Early Education

• 12:29 Defining Reading and Success

• 15:39 The Unique Nature of Homeschooling

• 19:08 Emotional and Mental Well-being in Education

• 20:20 Thematic Learning in Homeschooling

• 27:03 Purposeful Learning and Occupational Therapy

• 31:30 Flexibility and Grace in Homeschooling

• 38:28 Embracing the Journey of Homeschooling

• 39:13 The Joy of Intentional Homeschooling

• 39:42 Finding Inspiration in Learning

Links:

• Follow on Lauren IG @ valorfilled.home

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 episode is one that will speak straight to the heart of so many moms. Especially those who are building something meaningful whild walking through hard seasons. I'm sitting down with Sarah Michelle Bowes, a nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, and mama whose story is full of both grit and grace. Sarah built her company, Sarah Michelle NP Reviews, into a seven figure business in just seven months and has been navigating motherhood with her daughter Meadow, who has a serious heart condition. She's since become an advocate for congenital heart disease awareness and mental health, sharing so openly about her own journey with anxiety and OCD.

• Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:55Introduction to Sarah Bose's Inspiring Journey

• 01:59 Navigating Mental Health Challenges in Nursing

• 05:43 Transitioning from Nursing to Nurse Practitioner

• 08:27 The Impact of COVID-19 on Nursing Education

• 10:50 Creating a Unique Review Course for Nurse Practitioners

• 13:44 The Intersection of Motherhood and Career

• 16:57 Advocacy Work and Personal Experience

• 18:40 Coping with a Child's Health Challenges

• 21:29 Facing Mental Health Challenges

• 23:03 The Importance of Self-Care for Moms

• 24:32 Navigating Parenthood with Medical Complexities

• 25:57 The Journey of a Medical Parent

• 30:53 Embracing Advocacy and New Ventures

• 34:29 Overcoming Fear and Pursuing Dreams

• 36:35 Maintaining Mental Well-Being

• 38:51 Embracing Vulnerability and Strength

• 39:20 Finding Beauty in Chaos

Links:

• Follow Kayla on IG @ sarahmichellenp

• Connect on her Website

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'm joined by Kayla from Simply Rooted, a homeschooling mom of three boys who's passionate about slow, intentional living. She spends her days in the garden raising chickens, preserving food for the season ahead, all while creating a sense of wonder in her home for her boys. In this episode, Kayla and I get real about the challenges of teaching our oldest dyslexic children to read and how both of us have had to release the pressure of doing all the subjects every single day. If you've ever felt like you're not doing enough or that homeschool is starting to feel heavy, this conversation will remind you to slow down, simplify and rediscover the joy of learning together.

• Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro

• 04:12 The Importance of Slowing Down

• 07:08 Creating Intentional Family Time

• 10:26 Embracing Flexibility in Homeschooling

• 13:19 Understanding Learning Differences

• 16:00 The Journey of Teaching Reading

• 19:22 The Power of Notebooking

• 22:14 Encouraging Wonder in Childhood

• 25:06 Resources for Homeschooling Families

• 33:40 Embracing Homeschooling with Intentionality

• 34:11 The Importance of Connection and Curiosity

Links:

• Follow Kayla on IG @simply.rooted

• Connect on her Website

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

Are you feeling called to homeschool? That little tug in your heart that just says, oh, I would love to homeschool. And you're also feeling like it could never fit into the lifestyle you have. Or maybe you are homeschooling and you've taken that leap of faith to start, or you've been doing it for a while and it still just feels like it's not working. If this is you, I have been there too. And on today's episode, I am going to share with you what these experiences have looked like for me, where I felt like it wasn't going to work, and how I pulled out of that to stay committed and continue the life that we want to have.

• Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro

• 01:11 Facing Challenges in Homeschooling

• 03:21 The Importance of Routine

• 09:35 Balancing Family and Business

• 14:44 The Role of Motherhood and Independence

• 20:48 Finding the Right Rhythm in Homeschooling

• 29:20 Encouragement and Support for Homeschooling Families

• 30:35 Building Confidence in Everyday Style

• 31:04 Rediscovering Your Personal Style

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

Motherhood is beautiful and it can also feel overwhelming, exhausting, and lonely. In this episode, I sit down with Brittany, a therapist who specializes in supporting women through every stage of motherhood. From family planning, infertility, and postpartum, to children with disabilities. We didn't talk about that in this episode, but she is a great place for support in all aspects of motherhood. Brittany shares encouragement for moms who feel like they are failing. Strategies to manage anxiety and overwhelm and practical steps for navigating motherhood and the anxiety we feel around it. Whether you're a new mom or you've had years in your journey of motherhood, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, supported and empowered.

Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:55 Introduction to Motherhood and Mental Health

• 02:24 Brittany's Journey into Perinatal Therapy

• 04:58 The Isolation of Motherhood

• 07:50 The Pressure to Bounce Back

• 11:19 Recognizing the Need for Help

• 13:18 Preventing Mental Health Issues

• 16:28 Normalizing Therapy and Support

• 19:26 Letting Go of Control in Parenting

• 22:10 The Importance of Community Support in Motherhood

• 26:36 Overcoming Anxiety and Trusting Others

• 33:10 Reframing Mom Guilt

• 40:56 Taking Small Steps Towards Confidence and Joy

• 46:33 Welcoming Brittany: A Source of Wisdom

• 47:28 The Power of Confidence in Motherhood

Find Brittany on Instagram @ the.momchat

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

This episode is gonna kind of be a little chat. I'm entering a new phase of motherhood as I officially have a teenager now. And I just wanted to chat a little bit about my feelings, maybe some perspectives that I have looking back on these first 13 years of motherhood and share that experience with you. So I'm excited for this conversation and thank you for taking the time to be with me today.

• Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:44 Entering a New Phase of Motherhood

• 06:20 Reflections on the Journey of Motherhood

• 12:45 Cherishing the Early Years

• 15:48 Encouragement for Mothers

• 17:12 Closing Thoughts and Self-Care Tips

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 Homeschool with Steph! Today I'm joined by a special guest, Melanie Jeffry, the host of the podcast, Phonics Rules for Kids. She has such a gift for breaking down the process of teaching children to read and encouraging homeschool parents to feel confident in one of the most important parts of their journey as a homeschooling parent. In this episode, we're going to talk about where to start with phonics, how to make it fun, and ways to support your kids who may struggle or resist along the way. Whether you're brand new to homeschooling or knee deep in phonics lessons already, you'll find so much encouragement here.

• Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro

• 01:03 Introduction to Homeschooling and Phonics

• 06:27 Starting the Reading Journey: Phonics Basics

• 11:36 Recognizing Readiness: Signs Your Child is Ready to Read

• 13:55 Understanding the Timeline: Typical Reading Development

• 22:30 Navigating Resistance: Encouraging Reluctant Readers

• 30:18 Overcoming Pressure: Confidence in Homeschooling

• 41:40 Final Encouragement: You're Doing Great!

• 43:00 Empowering Homeschooling Through Confidence

• 43:29 Practical Tools for Teaching Reading

Find Her at:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/phonics-rules-for-kids-homeschool

-kindergarten-reading/id1771772664

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ToCIOUooqU9fXd9Q3dZG9

Website: https://www.phonicsrulesforkids.com

FREEBIE: 7-STEP HOMESCHOOL KINDERGARTEN PHONICS GUIDE!

https://phonics-rules-for-kids-2.kit.com/251782068d

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.

When I first started homeschooling, I did not even know there were different styles of homeschool. I thought homeschooling just meant teaching your kids at home, some textbooks, and maybe some worksheets. Over time, I realized that there are actually a lot of approaches and that it's okay to blend what works for you. For example, in my own family we've ended up as a mix of traditional and dare I say it, unschooling. This year we even joined a pod school one day a week for a couple of hours. So today I want to walk you through some of the most common homeschooling styles, what they look like in everyday lifestyle. If we've tried them before, and how to figure out which one might be right for your family.

• Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro

• 0:55 Exploring Homeschooling Styles

• 09:55 Understanding Different Approaches to Learning

• 16:13 Finding Your Family's Homeschooling Style

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.

Are you a new homeschooling mama, who wonders if what you're doing is working? If you are, or perhaps you're a seasoned homeschool mom and you're wondering if what you're doing is working. If you fall into that category, this episode is for you. And I certainly have at times, but I had a full circle moment with our homeschooling experience over this last week. And I am going to share it in this upcoming episode and it is going to provide encouragement and confidence to you that you are doing the right thing for your Kiddo.

• Show Notes:

• 00:00 Intro

• 01:06 The Journey of a New Homeschooler

• 04:36 Reflections on Parenting and Education

• 05:28 A Family Trip to the Oregon Coast

• 10:41 Real-Life Learning Experiences

• 14:27 Building a Love for Learning

• 18:05 Trusting the Homeschooling Process

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.