Aloha, my name is Holly Kalua and as a Shelter in Place (SIP) Mom (and nurse); I wanted to find help for those of us who have never attempted schooling our children at home. Through this "SIP Schoolers" series, we find even the experienced homeschooling parent has had to overcome new hurdles with COVID and other challenges that we can all learn from and support each other through our parenting journeys.

My amazing guest and mother of three girls, Cynthia Mears shares her clinical expertise in how to raise healthier and happier children through her holistic approach. She knows it's a tough balancing act to manage all of life's demands, but encourages us to give ourselves a break. Yay! Thank-you, Cynthia!

Given that Cynthia is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach, you're going to learn so much! Listen in on how to protect your children from free-radicals, inspire your family to eat more vegetables and learn about aeroponic vertical gardening that includes the Pre-K to 7th grade curriculum.

****Cynthia's personal offer when you e-mail her at [email protected]: mention that you heard her on this podcast and she'll send you 5 free organic seedlings when you order a Tower Garden (even the 12 month no interest option). You can learn more at cynthiamears.towergarden.com 

Aloha, my name is Holly Kalua and as a new Shelter in Place (SIP) Mom (and nurse); I wanted to find help for those of us who have never attempted schooling our children at home. Through this "SIP Schoolers" series, we find even the experienced homeschooling parent has had to overcome new hurdles with COVID and other challenges that we can all learn from and support each other through our parenting journeys.

Mike Sherbun RN, MHA is the founder and CEO of BHE (Behavioral Health Experts) and then in 2020, became the Executive Director of Providence Health’s Mental Health Institute. BHE is a Parent Coaching-In home counseling and education program for families, thus Mike was an absolute must-have guest with his trifecta skills of nursing, parenting and mental health expertise.  

As a fellow nurse, I appreciate the tremendous work that Mike has accomplished with parents and in healthcare. Today, we get a glimpse of his vast experience as he shares stress-management tips and great gems throughout the podcast. Not only does Mike provide the steps to approaching and decreasing our perceived stress, he reminds us to give ourselves a break – no one is perfect; “We’re doing the best we can for the moment we are in.” – Wow! Loved that! 

 (The resource website that Mike mentions is thinkkids.org)

Aloha, my name is Holly Kalua and as a new Shelter in Place (SIP) Mom (and nurse); I wanted to find help for those of us who have never attempted schooling our children at home. Through this "SIP Schoolers" series, we find even the experienced homeschooling parent has had to overcome new hurdles with COVID and other challenges that we can all learn from and support each other through our parenting journeys.

My special guest, Calvin Kai Ku, knows without a shadow of a doubt, that Laughter Is the Best Medicine! How does he know?! He is a Joy Therapy Practitioner! Say what? 

That's right, he brings joy to the pediatric (children) patients when he visits them as a Healthcare Clown. Calvin has his own power-plant of inner joy that he gladly shares with others, hoping to make a difference in each and every patient and healthcare professional that he meets. 

Listen in on Calvin's perspective as he discusses how you discover and nurture your sense of true joy for yourself and help to inspire others (your children ☺) to consistently cultivate joy in-spite of external factors. 

Aloha, my name is Holly Kalua and as a new Shelter in Place (SIP) Mom (and nurse); I wanted to find help for those of us who have never attempted schooling our children at home. Through this "SIP Schoolers" series, we find even the experienced homeschooling parent has had to overcome new hurdles with COVID and other challenges that we can all learn from and support each other through our parenting journeys.

Multi-tasking queen and super mom of energetic twin 10 year old girls, Corriene Kelly shares how the Shelter in Place orders brought her family’s hectic lifestyle to an unprecedented pause. 

Corriene had to abruptly leave her job as a physical therapist in order to be the twin’s distance learning teacher, while continuing to run their “Board and Care” home with several nonagenarian residents.  

I shared a few financial strategies with Corriene as we talked about the significant financial impact of giving up her job, the decrease B & C revenue from a freeze on resident admissions, and taking in account the impact of not being able to keep her employees on the payroll. In spite of these challenges, Corriene discusses how she and her family have a new appreciation for what their actual needs are and have come to the realization that having just enough, is really okay. 

Not only has Corriene been the purveyor of the twin’s scholastic curriculum, she has also been teaching the girls cooking and landscaping life-skills – a secret I must follow up on ;-)

Aloha, my name is Holly Kalua and as a new Shelter in Place (SIP) Mom (and nurse); I wanted to find help for those of us who have never attempted schooling our children at home. Through this "SIP Schoolers" series, we find even the experienced homeschooling parent has had to overcome new hurdles with COVID and other challenges that we can all learn from and support each other through our parenting journeys.

Seasoned homeschooling Mom, distance learning phD Student and assistant researcher, Shannon Park-Kreuzer, successfully home-schooled and graduated all four of her children for the majority of their K-12 academic years! When Shannon's friends and colleagues are reaching out for work-life-school balance tips, she reminds them how important it is to build, not crush, the children's academic self-esteem and the rest will fall in place. 

If you're concerned whether your children will be successful adults after homeschooling them, Shannon's story will have you thinking a resounding "Yes!"

Aloha, my name is Holly Kalua and as a new Shelter in Place (SIP) Mom (and nurse); I wanted to find help for those of us who have never attempted schooling our children at home. Through this "SIP Schoolers" series, we find even the experienced homeschooling parent has had to overcome new hurdles with COVID and other challenges that we can all learn from and support each other through our parenting journeys.
  
Super mom, Heather Hersperger, loves the key benefit of the Shelter-in-Place turn of events; it has given her more time with her son and daughter! Trying to keep everything in perspective, Heather balances the pursuit of achieving her children’s distance learning objectives along with the critical concept of preserving their parent-child relationship.

Heather shares sweet ideas on how she’s making this Mother’s Day special for her and each child, creating special family memories she hopes lasts a lifetime 

Aloha, my name is Holly Kalua and as a new Shelter in Place (SIP) Mom (and nurse); I wanted to find help for those of us who have never attempted schooling our children at home. By interviewing parents and teachers in this "SIP Schoolers" series, we find even the experienced homeschooling parent has had to overcome new hurdles with COVID and other challenges that we can all learn from and support each other through our parenting journeys.
  
Seasoned public elementary school teacher, Everett Brooks, tells how he pivoted from the regular 2nd grade classroom environment, to having his students and their parents set up to start schooling their children at home due to the abrupt Shelter in Place Orders. 

Everett recognizes that without having the formal teaching and the individualized approach that his students usually have; there is a risk that they may struggle with their assignments and learning. He is reassured that the students will at least have their nutritional needs met through the school-meal bus route that is making its rounds.

Everett’s class had the morning routine of playing music outside before the flag salute, so he and a few of his teacher colleagues, are scheming up a plan to go rolling through their students’ neighborhood as a “teacher auto parade” to try and keep the fun of school alive. 

Aloha, my name is Holly Kalua and as a new Shelter in Place (SIP) Mom (and nurse); I wanted to find help for those of us who have never attempted schooling our children at home. Through this "SIP Schoolers" series, we find even the experienced homeschooling parent has had to overcome new hurdles with COVID and other challenges that we can all learn from and support each other through our parenting journeys.
  
Telecommuting mom and interior design business owner, Tanya Priebe, designs a successful schedule for achieving distance learning curriculum goals for her 2 children. Tanya has not only tapped into her artistic creativity, she has leveraged her multi-tasking talents in organizing and project management to balance her role of Teacher, Mom and Wife. Tanya’s energy and determination is unmatched, so listen closely so you don’t miss out on her tips and tricks to staying on track. 

Tanya admits to the initial panic, intermittent tears and the occasional incentive to see it all come together. Mostly, she has enjoyed seeing what her children are capable of and the extra time that they have had together. 

Aloha, my name is Holly Kalua and as a new Shelter in Place (SIP) Mom (and nurse); I wanted to find help for those of us who have never attempted schooling our children at home. Through this "SIP Schoolers" series, we find even the experienced homeschooling parent has had to overcome new hurdles with COVID and other challenges that we can all learn from and support each other through our parenting journeys.
 
Whether you are an experienced homeschooling parent or recently thrust into being a Distance/Remote Learning Household, during this Shelter in Place environment, you'll enjoy hearing Cyndee Westenrider's perspective of this new challenge with the creative approach of her students and their parents. Successful remote learning is possible for your children, so don’t stress too much if you aren’t very high-tech; just remember to BREATHE.

As a previous homeschooling mom, Cyndee Westenrider, shares how she loves working in her true calling of being a dual teacher-principal of her small town one-room school, laughing and enjoying every day with her 1st through 8th grade students. 
 
It's amazing how Cyndee juggles her multi-grade responsibilities, along with dynamic communication with parents. I know I have a renewed appreciation for the commitment and tremendous effort that teachers pour into our children’s future and I am grateful. 

Aloha, my name is Holly Kalua. As a new Shelter in Place (SIP) Mom, I wanted to find help for those of us who have never tried schooling our children at home- especially with the Coronavirus pandemic leaving us no time to plan ahead.

Whether you are new to the scholastic responsibilities of your children or a seasoned homeschooling parent, Monica Cline, Occupational Therapist and extraordinary homeschooling mom of three energetic boys identifies key factors for their homeschooling triumphs and how she is adjusting her method as a SIP homeschooling mom. She also shares great tips on how she leverages her O.T. expertise to integrate physical proprioception in the curriculum to relieve tension for all.