“If you can swim across the creek without a life jacket, you can take the boat.” You better believe almost any boy would dive right in and swim for dear life if his parents told him that! Zach Rollins and his family always lived less than a mile from the ocean, and with boat keys in hand, Zach revved into an explorer’s dream of a childhood. Endless Rhode Island hours were spent traversing islands and studying tide pools by a boy full of questions and curiosity. Read more here

An unlikely opportunity has rolled in with 2020, one that many  parents may not have otherwise considered: homeschooling. Do chills run  up and down your spine at the word? Or, had you already committed to  educating your kiddos at home, pre-pandemic? Either way, and even if  you’re not a parent, listen on!

We welcome Leesa Waliszewski back on the podcast for this episode (go  check out episode 30 to hear some of her words of wisdom on  motherhood!) to discuss what being a life-long self-learner looks like,  and to glean some tips for those moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas who  may be forced to homeschool their children during this season. Leesa has  worked in the education system for decades, implementing a philosophy  that brings more life into learning (see resources). Here she sheds  light and positivity in sharing how now could be the perfect time to get  back in touch with your child’s education. Because ultimately, you are  the one person(s) present through every new teacher and grade level  change. Moms and dads, you can make a HUGE difference by taking this  chance to get more involved!

Sometimes, the curiosity and passion to discover knowledge is killed  in the place we’d least expect it— school. Stressing over good or bad  grades, pleasing mom and dad, test-taking, and info-cramming can really  take the spark out of learning. Kids (and adults!) need to be fed with  ideas, not just information. Tune in to learn how to step it up a notch  with something as simple as reading with your child and on your own  (books can change us, big time). This is the time of “becoming more  aware of what our kids’ minds are being fed on”…and stepping into the  learning journey with them. You may even end up learning a few things  from them!

Come follow us, share your thoughts, and start a conversation with us on Instagram!

Kelsey Waliszewski

Bob Waliszewski

Resources:

Plugged In book reviews at Focus on the Family

Charlotte Mason, practical ideas and resources for home education

Book Lists

Thank you to our sponsor, Moi Moi Market, your one stop shop for incredible products of purpose. www.moimoimarket.com

Is it just me, or does life sometimes seem on Fast Forward? Even in this season of COVID, life just seems busy. Well I'm no expert, but today's podcast I share with you what I'm learning about rest, and the importance of turning off our brain from time to time. Read more here

"There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud."- Carl Sandburg. So here I am trying to find the inner eagle. However, in all honesty, I have probably been the hippo for far too long? Am I alone? Maybe. "You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone". -Roy T. Bennett. Read more here

Do you struggle making friends, keeping friends, being rejected by "friends"? I'll be the first to raise my hand and say that making and keeping friends is HARD work. I have been rejected, uninvited, shunned, cold shouldered, you name it, I've been there. And because of all the feelings, it is easy to talk yourself out of making friends because the more friends you have, the chances of hurt becomes greater, am I right? Read more here

This week I've been wrestling with the origins of BIG THINGS, BIG DREAMS, BIG GOALS! If you are like me, you can imagine a BIG FUTURE, but the process of getting there seems overwhelming. Like, so overwhelming you want to want to crawl into a small hole and never come out. Ok, maybe it's just me? Anyhoo, as you imagine YOUR BIG FUTURE, here's a little encouragement for you today. Read more here

Hello TTSP friends! A category 1 hurricane, Douglas (can we call him Dougie), is approaching the island chain quickly. As people are boarding up windows, tying down lawn chairs, and stocking up on 2 weeks worth of water and food, I decided to take a stroll along the beach with a cup of Joe in hand. Although I think preparation for a storm is essential... Read more here

Aloha TTSP Tribe,

Kelsey here, week 3 of my REFLECTIONS, where I'm sharing with you on a personal level the good, bad, and ugly.

This week, let's talk sleep and nutrition.

So it's been said that you really can't help anyone else until you  help yourself. And part of "helping ourselves" is by how we take care of  ourselves, am I right? Researchers have been telling us that sleep and  nutrition are HUGE factors in health. So here are my tricks and tips  when it comes to sleep and health.

If you are experiencing this season of COVID like I am, unemployed,  then use it for your advantage. I know the anxiety is real (that's the  next podcast reflection), and the future is uncertain, but when will you  ever get a chance like this again? When COVID first hit, and people  stopped coming to Hawaii, and our boat business shut its doors, I for  the first time in my life, did not have anything pressing. I did not  HAVE to be at work by 7:30am. I did not HAVE to be anywhere at any  specific time. So, I stopped using an alarm clock. For the first few  days, I found myself sleeping 9-11 hours. I figured my body needed it.  For the last decade of my life, I was running around like a chicken with  its head cut off (weird figure of speech am I right, I need to research  the origin of that saying). But now, I had the opportunity to stop and  actually was forced to slow down. So I did. After about 4 days, my body  woke up naturally after 8 hours of sleep. I would go to bed by 10am. And  without an alarm, I was waking up at 6 am.

For those who are still holding jobs (lucky! and I'm jealous), and  don't have that luxury yet of turning off alarm clocks. Prioritize  getting a solid 8 hours of sleep. Don't compromise. Netflix isn't worth  it, I promise. Prioritize yourself, and let nothing take away those  essential 8 hours and see the difference it makes in your life.

And to moms of newborns and babies. Write in your calendars to refer  back to this episode in 4 years. I have the upmost respect for you! I've  never been a mom, but I know the sacrifice it takes (NOTE OUR MOTHER'S  DAY PODCAST, ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR EPISODES). Sleep won't be in your  vocab for a while, but remember you are doing extraordinary work raising  your little, and keeping he/she alive! My hats off to you!

Now for nutrition.

Two years ago, I came across the book BODY LOVE by Kelly Leveque.  This book changed my life and my diet. First it is a must read as she  explains the science behind the 4 foods that are essential to start your  day with. So don't let this blog be the only thing you read, consider  my writing as teaser.

The 4 foods that EVERYONE should start their day with *drum roll please*

1. Greens

2. Fiber

3. Protein

4. Good Fat

To learn more listen in to this Reflection episode or just go get her book. But literally, it has changed my life. click here for more