The Real Kathy Lee

Many of you will be traveling with young kids during the holidays. My friend, Ashley will be traveling too. She and I had a great chat today about traveling with young kids and tips for being remembered as a good guest.

Thanks to NowProgams for sponsoring this episode.

10.Leave things better than you found them.

Visiting others does not have to be stressful. Preparation should make things easier on you and your host family.

“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

The post Are you a good guest? (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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

How to Homeschool: Practical Tips and Advice to Launch

Homeschooling with Vision and Purpose

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I often get asked how to deal with NO and MINE in toddler world. I see them both as positive words for this age. Toddlers are realizing that they are indeed human and separate from their parents. Isn’t what we hope all of our children realize! Up until this point someone has made all the decisions for them and they FINALLY have a voice. NO, they don’t want peas for dinner. NO, they don’t want to take a bath. NO, they don’t want to go to bed. I bet some toddlers are sooooo excited that they can finally state their opinion. ON this episode, we will talk about this world of toddlers and the many reasons that no and mine are their favorite words. It really is a good thing.

Also in this episode, I will quickly address some other toddler topics… potty training, biting, and pitching fits. I know for many parents, this toddler stage is challenging. I often suggest that parents try and approach this time with a lighthearted spirit. I always encourage gentle, playful parenting whenever possible, especially during the young years.

Find a way to #sayyes today.

Thanks to CTCMath.com as our sponsor! 

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.

The post Special Replay: Why NO and MINE are good words for Toddlers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

When my sweet friend, Misty sent me a Marco Polo (a cool video app) asking my opinion on her child’s playroom, I thought it would be a good idea to share my thoughts with all of you on creating inviting spaces for your little ones!

Everyone is worthy of feeling as if they belong, especially our children and most definitely in their own home. Before you begin designing an inviting space for your children, I suggest you get on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. YEP, literally get on your hands and knees. Spaces look so different from a child’s eye level. Ask yourself, how do things look and feel from that level. Are there enough “small” areas for your children to work, play, discover and explore?

Children need small ways to contribute to the family. They need work. Create spaces for their belongings on their level. Have a drawer for their cups, plates, utensils, and special cooking items. Have a bucket with basic cleaning supplies and cloths. Place hooks low enough so that children can hang up their own coats. Creating good habits at a young age pay off.

Children are meant to play. How easy is it to say YES to their ideas for play? Less is definitely more in this area. Children do not need 20 containers full of toys in a playroom. During the early years it is likely that everything that is in a container will end up dumped on the floor, all at once. Buy quality toys and items that inspire open-ended play. This is more engaging for the child. I suggest you keep it basic. Some quality blocks, some arts and crafts materials, something that inspires pretend play (dress up, kitchen, baby dolls, etc..) and a cozy corner with books. Put everything else in a large plastic bin and keep it for a month. During that month, move anything your child asks for into a different bin. Whatever is left in the original bin after a month, donate.

Kids need permission to get outside in search of discovery and exploration. Do you have a space for them to do that? Do you have materials such as nature journals, pencils, binoculars, and bird/flower books to inspire them? Keeping these type of items handy will help you say yes!

Creating inviting spaces is worth the time and effort! Get down on your hands and knees and start crawling around your space today!

Homeschool Lifestyle

The post Special Replay: Creating Inviting Spaces in Your Homeschool with Your Little Ones appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This is a common mom-question and today on Momfessions we’re going to tackle that topic. Thank you to today’s sponsor: CTC Math.

I have the coolest friends. Sometimes I forget that they are even more amazing in their careers. This is the case with my friend, Lei Rhyne. Not only did she homeschool her kiddos for several years, is beautiful and funny, she is also a psychometrist… say that three times fast. When she mentioned to me that she helped families who saw their children struggling, I wanted to know more.

In this episode Lei shares the full process involved of having your child tested and diagnosed, putting your fears to rest. She explains the first meeting with the Psychologist, the fact-finding mission that usually involves a couple of days of testing and observations, and the results of meeting with both the Psychometrist and Psychologist.

I think one of the best parts about getting a diagnosis from Lei her team at Fresh Start Mind is the fact that in the end, parents will be armed with the information and tools needed to help their child succeed emotionally, socially, and academically.

If you suspect that something is not quite right with your child socially, emotionally, or academically, you should consider giving Lei or another qualified educational consulting team a call.

You’ve got this!

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.

The post What If I Think My Child Needs a Diagnosis? Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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.

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.

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.

Why You should Homeschool with Christy Faith – pt. 1

The post How to Have Those BIG Talks with Your Kids with Christy Montes (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Teens Speak Up About Everyday Life

My 17-year-old nephew drove over from Alabama to spend the weekend with us. I love having chatting with him and hearing his perspective about life and the struggles that come with being a teenager in 2018. I thought you might enjoy from Alex, as well. My daughter, Sarah was hanging out with us, so I invited her to jump in on the conversation and share her thoughts, as well.

In this episode we talked about the stressors that teenagers have to deal with, both in public school and home school settings. Both Alex and Sarah agreed that time management was super stressful at this age. Next, we chatted about the pressure of Social Media and how to help teenagers navigate the stress caused by likes and follows. Alex and Sarah were willing to be honest about relationships, exposure to drugs, and the pressures to fit in with the crowd.

I know most of you have preschoolers and teenage parenting is still in the future. However, I think this episode will be so beneficial for you because Sarah and Alex share their thoughts on how parenting plays a big role in a teenager’s future. This would be a good episode to listen to with your spouse and make a game plan when the time comes that you have teens in your home.

I am so thankful for teenagers who are willing to talk. Set the stage when they are young that heart to heart talks are good and let your children know that they are loved, no matter what.

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.

The post Teens Speak Up About Everyday Life appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

trau·ma

1.

What causes trauma in young children?

You don’t need to know what caused the trauma in order to help.

THIS ISN’T ABOUT YOU

Children from hard places need to know they are safe, loved and Accepted, no matter what.

10 ways to help…

1. Have a Routine.

Make a plan…

Who do you need to talk to?

Any unresolved trauma in your own background?

What needs to change in you OR your environment?

Thank you to our sponsor, CTC Math.

The post Loving Children Who Have Experienced Trauma appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

If you know me, you know I love Mr. Rogers. As I was researching the history of Fred Rogers and his TV show, I realized that his show started about the same time my mom found out that she was expecting me. I guess you could say that I have been in Mr. Rogers Neighborhood from the very beginning.

Thank you to our Sponsor, CTC Math.

Mr. Rogers had an impact on an entire generation. Once I took a closer look at what made this man a legacy, I knew I had to share my findings with you.

“Deep within us – no matter who we are- there lives a feeling of wanting to be lovable, of wanting to be the kind of person that others like to be with. And the greatest thing we can do is to let people know that they are loved and capable of loving”

– Fred Rogers

What Do You Do with the Mad You Feel?

What do you do with the mad that you feel

When you feel so mad you could bite?

When the whole wide world seems oh, so wrong…

And nothing you do seems very right?

What do you do? Do you punch a bag?

Do you pound some clay or some dough?

Do you round up friends for a game of tag?

Or see how fast you go?

It’s great to be able to stop

When you’ve planned a thing that’s wrong,

And be able to do something else instead

And think this song:

I can stop when I want to

Can stop when I wish.

I can stop, stop, stop any time.

And what a good feeling to feel like this

And know that the feeling is really mine.

Know that there’s something deep inside

That helps us become what we can.

For a girl can be someday a woman

And a boy can be someday a man.

What Do You Do with the Mad that You Feel?

By Fred M. Rogers

© 1968

5.  Mr. Rogers made EVERY child feel Special.

6.  Mr. Rogers valued the WORK of PLAY.

Thanks to my dear friend, Keri for always sharing great photos of her little ones!!

Also, if you haven’t checked out our new summer curriculum at The Homegrown Preschooler, it is not too late. That and our hand drawn journal are now on sale for a great bundle price!

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 [email protected] 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.

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.

The post Mr. Rogers and Me appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Jamie, Arlene, and I had so much fun recording our podcast for last week, we decided to keep the party going and record a second one. At every conference people ask us how we homeschool children across the ages. We figured it might be something the podcast world would want us to talk about as well, so we did.

Every homeschooling family is unique. Some people homeschool year round, some 3 days a week, some 8-12 everyday. It is hard to tell others exactly HOW to homeschool, but we all agreed on the following for those homeschooling different ages at the same time.

You’ve got this!

Find a way to #sayyes today.

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

The post Back to School Replay – Homeschool Children Across The Ages appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.