Welcome, friend! ☕️ I'm so happy you're here. I would love to hear from you on these sticky topics of boundaries and time management as well. I hope this video was encouraging to you. 💜 Please give this video a thumbs up if you found it helpful and consider subscribing for future content. Thanks for watching and I'll see you soon! 🤗
Love it!!! And may I add distractions from our phones🤦♀️ ugh...not all mommas have boundaries and sometimes I just have to turn it off. I already do it when I’m reading my Bible or family worship time, but if ya know ya know.😉💗
Setting a timer has been one of our biggest game changers. We set a timer for so many things. At first, I didn't want to use a timer because I didn't want to push so much and be what was "strict" with the timer. However, a year post-timer and I won't go back. The timer is a game changer! My daughter now wants the timer to be set, and actually requests it, because she realizes the ways that it helps her.
Yes! We learned the hard way about TV before our school day. Our mornings go so much more smoothly now without TV before our school day. I also "close" the kitchen every night. Trust me, there are nights when I don't want to, but I'm always so happy the next morning that I did. We might have to try the timer, especially for my little one.
So good! You're right - sometimes we have to make ourselves take the time to just laugh with our kids instead of going, going, going. I love your tip of playing a game first thing! I want to soften their hearts before I have to put on my teacher hat!
Giggle, exactly: "don't take me literally on clean"...it's remarkable how OCDish clean I was pre-children. Turns out, not so much anymore. I just have a routine for clean. So the social worker doesn't have a reason to visit, ha. Love the laugh with your kids suggestion. That's awesome. I always say give them eyeball-to-eyeball, but laughing takes it to a whole new level. Love it. I've got a whole lotta great self-coaching questions for boundaries in your homeschool life through my Journaling Workbook for Building Boundaries. Awesome discussion and super poignant discussion for homeschool mamas. I'd love to have you on my podcast, Homeschool Mama Self-Care. Let me know what you think.
We had to set up our desks in my bedroom because I have 2 college kids in and out all day. Plus we have to pick up my youngest son from public school at 2:40 when he gets out. Me & my daughter both have adhd so we just have to get in our space & close the door. I’ve learned if I get my bath the night before it’s so much easier for me to get up and get going so I feel put together and ready to conquer the day. Another thing that helps us is I set our alarm an hour before we need to get up and take our adhd meds then go back to sleep. Within 30 minutes I’m awake and ready to go. My daughter needs the entire hour to get awake. Neither of us are breakfast people because of our meds so we either fix coffee or water to get us hydrated and going.
I agree with so many things! We have soft start times and timers are the best thing I've ever implemented in our routine, especially with breaks in-between subjects once we start. Also, our school day is miserable if we start it with screen time.
I'm going to begin our first year of homeschooling this week. This is excellent advice that I believe will really work for me and my boys' personalities. I always love the idea of a set schedule, but I find it stresses me out when it doesn't go exactly as planned, because it almost never does. It HAS to be flexible. We also have a 4 month old puppy, so bouncy schedule is a must! Thanks for the encouragement. 😊
Yes, I also have to set a timer in order for my daughter to focus. I also have recently realized schedules don't work for us. This sounds just like what we do! It's great to see this is also what works for you as I've seen soany moms with schedules, etc., and have been upset it doesn't work for us.
I am so glad you are back posting videos! You help me to relax more, take a deep breath and enjoy this journey! This is my first year hs. We are doing Kindergarten and I have a toddler. I listen to several mamas on utube and was getting kind of caught up in wanting the perfect schedule that we follow each day but that was not wrking for us with a 6 year boy who is ACTIVE and a toddler in tow! I love the squishy schedule! And my type A self wants boom, boom in the day but the Lord is telling me that is not wisdom for us right now. Like u said...for usur s the soft schedule that can bounce :) thank you alsofor saying it doesn't have to be perfect in your home! I agree and need to repeat this to myself often!
Totally on the same page! I also like a “soft” schedule!! I absolutely have to have a clean kitchen to start the day. Any time I wake up to a mess I know it’s gonna be a rough one.
soft schedule and timers! This is how we get stuff done! Its our first year but thanks to the supportive youtube community Im able to reassure me so much in what im doing and not stress so much.
YES! I have adhd and my daughter does too. Having a messy house keeps us from concentrating. Plus I have 2 college kids with crazy schedules that also work who are in and out all day & that is very distracting because our 2 Boston terriers that are 1 bark every time they come home. We have had to put our desks and all our stuff in my bedroom so we can close the door and do school.
Yes, yes, and yes!! I recently started doing chores after dinner instead of after breakfast and just that little change has made a big difference because I'm not waking up with a to-do list a mile long, immediately stressed. We also keep screen free in the morning now. So much easier to get them to focus when they're playing outside for an hour before school instead of glued to a screen feeling tired and lazy.
Soft and squishy days just work! We switched to MB and ditched all of our time consuming core subjects. It just allows us the time we wanted to really dig into our Gather ‘Round which is our favorite part of the day. It took me a year to make that decision. It really is just deciding it’s ours to own. Our days are so much happier now and that makes this mama happy. Life is too short to stress.
Do you like my explanation there?! Lol! Oh my goodness, I am SO excited for you and your family! Finally, making that switch that you've been wanting to do and how freeing that has been for you! I am so proud of you for taking that step! What a breath of fresh air, mama!!!! I can totally relate to that feeling you are talking about! Well done, friend! 👏🙏💜
@@SimplyLivingIt best explanation ever! 🤣 It was so freeing to ditch Abeka and TGTB. I think it was just coming to the realization that learning really does happen everywhere. Time for documentaries, read alouds, games, and just enjoying the day is so refreshing.
For us we have never stopped reading picture books for bedtime(my kids are 13 and 8), the kids pick 2-4 of whatever they want and we gather on the couch and snuggle 💗
I am currently editing a video to publish soon on this exact topic and so this video caught my eye! You have so many excellent tips here, Jamie. Time management is so critical to homeschool productivity! I can relate and second so many things you said here. TV before school does seem to "break the kids brains", lol! Starting the day with a clean house is huge. It's a home management technique I first learned from my step grandma, she was one of those perfect 1950's type homemakers. I have an auto immune disease and am not always able to get the house put together before bed, and often when I do somebody makes a mess afterwards (we have a big family-kids in high school down to tot). If I don't have energy to rally the troops to pick up their messes than we do it first thing. Not ideal, but it works.
Totally. I definitely find the difference in our day to when we come down to a tidy space. I also use timers as otherwise like you say 2hrs later bedroom isn't tidy, still in pjs but lego or craft stuff is everywhere 🤣
Hi thanks for your videos. I was wondering how you taught your boys to read and at what age did you start? I’m homeschooling my 4 1/2 year old daughter from the start. My 10 and 11 year old boys learned using sight words when they were in public school in Kindergarten. Teaching her letter recognition right now and a bit of beginning sounds. She gets read aloud to everyday and is around at times during the read alouds for her brothers unless she runs off to play. Lol
I so appreciate hearing from a mom on UA-cam who shares from a truly relatable place. I also need the house semi put together before we can begin. But your best advice was the reminder to play with your kids. Relationship over everything
Another great video! That is the biggest thing I tell new homeschooling families Every family is different and you have to find what works best for your family. Definitely not easy but so worth it.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE ALL the things you said!!! Such great advice! I am excited to start setting a timer ⏱ and starting the day with game! Thank you so much for your goodness 💓 Sending love from another 3 boys Mama 💙💙💙
I NEEDED to hear this. Thank you soooo much. 💕 I was wondering if you can give me some insight on reading with your boys. My boy likes to read books, but on his timing. I've heard about morning baskets but we do bible studies first lesson of the day and he loves to read the Bible but other than that, like I said he likes to read on his own time. Is this enough/okay? And to be clear, he also reads through the curriculum he does daily as well. He's 8 going on 9. Any advice that you can give me?
Welcome, friend! ☕️
I'm so happy you're here. I would love to hear from you on these sticky topics of boundaries and time management as well. I hope this video was encouraging to you. 💜
Please give this video a thumbs up if you found it helpful and consider subscribing for future content.
Thanks for watching and I'll see you soon! 🤗
Love it!!! And may I add distractions from our phones🤦♀️ ugh...not all mommas have boundaries and sometimes I just have to turn it off. I already do it when I’m reading my Bible or family worship time, but if ya know ya know.😉💗
Oh yes, totally agree! 100%! It's a black hole and sucks you right in! Guilty!!!!!🙋♀️
@@SimplyLivingIt Hang in there...just keep thinking “boundaries.”😉💗
Yes to no tv in the morning! Double yes to starting the day with worship!!
Setting a timer has been one of our biggest game changers. We set a timer for so many things. At first, I didn't want to use a timer because I didn't want to push so much and be what was "strict" with the timer. However, a year post-timer and I won't go back. The timer is a game changer! My daughter now wants the timer to be set, and actually requests it, because she realizes the ways that it helps her.
Yes! We learned the hard way about TV before our school day. Our mornings go so much more smoothly now without TV before our school day. I also "close" the kitchen every night. Trust me, there are nights when I don't want to, but I'm always so happy the next morning that I did. We might have to try the timer, especially for my little one.
ua-cam.com/video/iKoBujiJyfch/v-deo.htmlttps://ua-cam.com/video/iKoBujiJyfc/v-deo.html
Yes to having fun with your kids and building that connection! 🙌🏼
So good! You're right - sometimes we have to make ourselves take the time to just laugh with our kids instead of going, going, going. I love your tip of playing a game first thing! I want to soften their hearts before I have to put on my teacher hat!
Abeka is brutal!!! On and off Homeschool Mom here formate past 21 years and I am telling you Abeka is OMG!
Giggle, exactly: "don't take me literally on clean"...it's remarkable how OCDish clean I was pre-children. Turns out, not so much anymore. I just have a routine for clean. So the social worker doesn't have a reason to visit, ha.
Love the laugh with your kids suggestion. That's awesome. I always say give them eyeball-to-eyeball, but laughing takes it to a whole new level. Love it.
I've got a whole lotta great self-coaching questions for boundaries in your homeschool life through my Journaling Workbook for Building Boundaries.
Awesome discussion and super poignant discussion for homeschool mamas.
I'd love to have you on my podcast, Homeschool Mama Self-Care. Let me know what you think.
We had to set up our desks in my bedroom because I have 2 college kids in and out all day. Plus we have to pick up my youngest son from public school at 2:40 when he gets out. Me & my daughter both have adhd so we just have to get in our space & close the door.
I’ve learned if I get my bath the night before it’s so much easier for me to get up and get going so I feel put together and ready to conquer the day.
Another thing that helps us is I set our alarm an hour before we need to get up and take our adhd meds then go back to sleep. Within 30 minutes I’m awake and ready to go. My daughter needs the entire hour to get awake. Neither of us are breakfast people because of our meds so we either fix coffee or water to get us hydrated and going.
Ooh girl YES about the image of balancing it all well! 👏 The struggle is real!
Yes it is! Nothing picture perfect over here...but, we get it done and are learning, loving and growing through the process. 💜
I agree with so many things! We have soft start times and timers are the best thing I've ever implemented in our routine, especially with breaks in-between subjects once we start. Also, our school day is miserable if we start it with screen time.
I'm going to begin our first year of homeschooling this week. This is excellent advice that I believe will really work for me and my boys' personalities. I always love the idea of a set schedule, but I find it stresses me out when it doesn't go exactly as planned, because it almost never does. It HAS to be flexible. We also have a 4 month old puppy, so bouncy schedule is a must! Thanks for the encouragement. 😊
Yes, I also have to set a timer in order for my daughter to focus. I also have recently realized schedules don't work for us. This sounds just like what we do! It's great to see this is also what works for you as I've seen soany moms with schedules, etc., and have been upset it doesn't work for us.
I am so glad you are back posting videos! You help me to relax more, take a deep breath and enjoy this journey! This is my first year hs. We are doing Kindergarten and I have a toddler. I listen to several mamas on utube and was getting kind of caught up in wanting the perfect schedule that we follow each day but that was not wrking for us with a 6 year boy who is ACTIVE and a toddler in tow! I love the squishy schedule! And my type A self wants boom, boom in the day but the Lord is telling me that is not wisdom for us right now. Like u said...for usur s the soft schedule that can bounce :) thank you alsofor saying it doesn't have to be perfect in your home! I agree and need to repeat this to myself often!
💜💜💜
God may be sending me a message because two ppl I’m subscribed to made videos about boundaries. Thank you for this video!
Totally on the same page! I also like a “soft” schedule!! I absolutely have to have a clean kitchen to start the day. Any time I wake up to a mess I know it’s gonna be a rough one.
I totally agree that taking an honest look deep within ourselves is KEY to setting healthy boundaries for our days!
Yes! This is so important! Boundaries have been hard for me to develop but crucial!
This was so refreshing. Thank you. 😊 Blessings to you and your family.
soft schedule and timers! This is how we get stuff done! Its our first year but thanks to the supportive youtube community Im able to reassure me so much in what im doing and not stress so much.
Yes girl! Connection over everything 🙌
ua-cam.com/video/iKoBujiJyfch/v-deo.htmlttps://ua-cam.com/video/iKoBujiJyfc/v-deo.html
YES to the sound pollution being the worst at hindering our school day and clean house before bed! 🙌
It totally is! It takes up so much space in my brain and for the kids, too! We need a clear headspace to get the day rolling at its best! 💜
YES! I have adhd and my daughter does too. Having a messy house keeps us from concentrating. Plus I have 2 college kids with crazy schedules that also work who are in and out all day & that is very distracting because our 2 Boston terriers that are 1 bark every time they come home. We have had to put our desks and all our stuff in my bedroom so we can close the door and do school.
Yes, yes, and yes!! I recently started doing chores after dinner instead of after breakfast and just that little change has made a big difference because I'm not waking up with a to-do list a mile long, immediately stressed. We also keep screen free in the morning now. So much easier to get them to focus when they're playing outside for an hour before school instead of glued to a screen feeling tired and lazy.
ua-cam.com/video/iKoBujiJyfch/v-deo.htmlttps://ua-cam.com/video/iKoBujiJyfc/v-deo.html
Soft and squishy days just work! We switched to MB and ditched all of our time consuming core subjects. It just allows us the time we wanted to really dig into our Gather ‘Round which is our favorite part of the day. It took me a year to make that decision. It really is just deciding it’s ours to own. Our days are so much happier now and that makes this mama happy. Life is too short to stress.
Do you like my explanation there?! Lol!
Oh my goodness, I am SO excited for you and your family! Finally, making that switch that you've been wanting to do and how freeing that has been for you! I am so proud of you for taking that step! What a breath of fresh air, mama!!!! I can totally relate to that feeling you are talking about! Well done, friend! 👏🙏💜
@@SimplyLivingIt best explanation ever! 🤣 It was so freeing to ditch Abeka and TGTB. I think it was just coming to the realization that learning really does happen everywhere. Time for documentaries, read alouds, games, and just enjoying the day is so refreshing.
My take away is connection over everything ❣️ great vid👍
❤❤So many great bits of knowledge here! 👏 👏 thank you!!
I appreciate your authenticity with this subject!
Love your description of a soft plan for the day! I’m totally the same! Such a game changer!
For us we have never stopped reading picture books for bedtime(my kids are 13 and 8), the kids pick 2-4 of whatever they want and we gather on the couch and snuggle 💗
Oh my goodness, I love that so much!
I learned the timer method from Jordan Page, super helpful.
Love this video! Really hit home. Thank you for the encouragement.
Yes! Games are such a fantastic way to begin the day! My littles look forward to school when the days start in a game form! ❤🙌
Yes, everything is better when in game form, right?! 🤗💜
So helpful!!! THANK YOU for sharing honestly
Ooo thinking of our own set backs and watching for those - great tip that hells
And thank you for the part about connection ❤
Yes! Love this :)
Love the timer idea definitely want to give it a try !!! Thanks for sharing would love to see a morning routine for your boy.
Love the vlog as usual your such a inspiration
Loved this content! It made me feel whole❤️☺️
This is exactly what I need for our homeschool. Thank you ❤️
Always so refreshing. Thank you for sharing 👊🥰
❤❤❤
I am currently editing a video to publish soon on this exact topic and so this video caught my eye! You have so many excellent tips here, Jamie. Time management is so critical to homeschool productivity! I can relate and second so many things you said here. TV before school does seem to "break the kids brains", lol! Starting the day with a clean house is huge. It's a home management technique I first learned from my step grandma, she was one of those perfect 1950's type homemakers. I have an auto immune disease and am not always able to get the house put together before bed, and often when I do somebody makes a mess afterwards (we have a big family-kids in high school down to tot). If I don't have energy to rally the troops to pick up their messes than we do it first thing. Not ideal, but it works.
Thank you!
Totally. I definitely find the difference in our day to when we come down to a tidy space. I also use timers as otherwise like you say 2hrs later bedroom isn't tidy, still in pjs but lego or craft stuff is everywhere 🤣
Hi thanks for your videos. I was wondering how you taught your boys to read and at what age did you start? I’m homeschooling my 4 1/2 year old daughter from the start. My 10 and 11 year old boys learned using sight words when they were in public school in Kindergarten. Teaching her letter recognition right now and a bit of beginning sounds. She gets read aloud to everyday and is around at times during the read alouds for her brothers unless she runs off to play. Lol
Love it…u rock
these are all such goodies topics to touch on especially for me as a brand new homeschooling mama. thank you.
I so appreciate hearing from a mom on UA-cam who shares from a truly relatable place. I also need the house semi put together before we can begin. But your best advice was the reminder to play with your kids. Relationship over everything
Another great video! That is the biggest thing I tell new homeschooling families Every family is different and you have to find what works best for your family. Definitely not easy but so worth it.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE ALL the things you said!!! Such great advice! I am excited to start setting a timer ⏱ and starting the day with game!
Thank you so much for your goodness 💓
Sending love from another 3 boys Mama
💙💙💙
❤❤❤
Great video, Jamie! Great ideas as always!! Thanks for doing this collab with me! ❤️
Thank you for asking! 💜
Such a great tip to do some self-assessment about your day and putting things in place that work for you!
Needed to hear this today
ua-cam.com/video/iKoBujiJyfch/v-deo.htmlttps://ua-cam.com/video/iKoBujiJyfc/v-deo.html
Love love love this ❤
Thank you so much for this, I needed all these words ❤
I NEEDED to hear this. Thank you soooo much. 💕 I was wondering if you can give me some insight on reading with your boys. My boy likes to read books, but on his timing. I've heard about morning baskets but we do bible studies first lesson of the day and he loves to read the Bible but other than that, like I said he likes to read on his own time. Is this enough/okay? And to be clear, he also reads through the curriculum he does daily as well. He's 8 going on 9. Any advice that you can give me?