How to Encourage Independent Play with Myriam Sandler [Episode 361]
Ever feel like you kids’ toys are taking over, yet no one’s actually playing with them? In this week’s episode, I sit down with Myriam Sandler - creator of the popular MotherCould community and author of Playful By Design - to unpack the real reasons independent play feels so elusive…and what actually works. From play hotspots to boredom breakthroughs, you’ll walk away with practical, judgement-free strategies to help your kids play more (and fight less), without turning your home into a Pinterest project. We discuss: ● The real reason your kids might not be playing with their toys (even when the bins are overflowing) ● Why boredom isn’t a problem - it’s a launchpad for self-led play ● The hidden mindset trap that keeps moms stuck as entertainers - and how to shift out of it ● How to move from managing stuff to designing and environment that works with your kids, not against them This conversation will help you rethink what independent play really looks like and give you simple, doable ways to create a home where it happens naturally. ✨ Want more support creating rhythms and spaces that actually work for your family? Join the waitlist for the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit at survivingtothrivingtoolkit.com and get ready to move out of survival mode—for good.
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How To Stop Getting Mad When Your Kids Mess Up Your Clean Space [Episode 360]
Have you ever gotten really excited about decluttering your house, jumped in with both feet, started making progress, and then very quickly found yourself getting frustrated with your kids for undoing your work? Or maybe you cleared a space and felt great about it - until they moved in and started playing there and it drove you crazy? If that sounds familiar, I've been there too, and I want to share with you two ideas today to really encourage you on your decluttering journey. In this episode, I share: The decluttering epiphany I had during this survival season. The four distinct layers of decluttering (I guide you through all of them in the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit) The "two-minute tidy space" concept that's been incredible in our bedrooms Why decluttering is the starting line, not the finish line Decluttering isn't about creating a Pinterest-perfect home - it's about finding YOUR threshold where things flow smoothly, where cleanup feels manageable, and where you can find peace at the end of the day. It's not the finish line, but the starting point that makes everything else possible. Join the waitlist for my Surviving to Thriving Toolkit at survivingtothrivingtoolkit.com if you'd like guidance through all four layers of decluttering and beyond.
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The Best Way to Plan Summer 2025 With Your Kids! [Episode 359]
Summer’s coming, which means it’s time to start asking some questions. Not the “what camps should we sign up for?” kind, but the deeper ones that help you create a summer rhythm that actually serves your family (and doesn’t leave you burned out by mid-June.) In this week’s episode, I’m sharing eight questions I’m working through right now as we prepare for summer in our home - questions that help me make intentional choices before things get busy. In this episode I share: How I start thinking about summer (before the calendar fills up) The question that helps me avoid comparison traps How collaborating with your kids helps create a summer that works for everyone And how to work with your current circumstances instead of fighting them Whether you’ve got big changes coming, are craving more simplicity, or just want a rhythm that feels good to everyone, this episode is here to help you start making intentional decisions for the months ahead. And if you want even more support for feeling confident and grounded in your everyday life, head to survivingtothrivingtoolkit.com to get on the waitlist.
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How to Overcome Angry Outbursts and Cultivate A Peaceful Home with Elizabeth Andreyevskiy [Episode 358]
On this week’s episode, I’m talking with anger coach Elizabeth Androeski, an anger coach for Christian moms. She opens up about her journey from being an angry, reactive parent to finding peace in everyday motherhood. Elizabeth shares the practical steps that helped her cope with parenting challenges without responding in anger - changes that completely transformed her family life. In this conversation, we discuss: How Elizabeth transformed from feeling constantly on edge and frustrated with her toddler to becoming a calm, patient mom who can be light-hearted and playful. The two-part approach that made real change possible Her game-changing morning routine that took her stress levels form 8/10 to 1/10 A simple perspective shift that completely changes how you view challenging behavior One of my favorite insights from our talk is that “anger and curiosity cannot coexist.” When we’re curious about what’s happening with our kids instead of trying to control them, we create space for understanding rather than conflict. Elizabeth’s story reminds us that transformation is possible, even when parenting feels overwhelming. If you’re in that overwhelmed space right now, I’ve created something that can help. The Surviving to Thriving Toolkit offers practical, bite-sized strategies that fit within your circle of influence - small changes that can turn a hard day around and help you move from merely surviving to truly thriving in motherhood. Join the waitlist HERE. Resources Mentioned: Elizabeth’s Website:emotionallyhealthylegacy.com Free resource: 5-step training to break free from the shame cycle - available at endmomshame.com Elizabeth's podcast: Emotionally Healthy Legacy
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Traveling With Kids: Road Trip and Hotel Room Tips [Episode 357]
We just back from a six-day road trip with our family of six, and I’m excited to share my latest tips for making travel work with a bunch of kids (especially while 25 weeks pregnant). After years of taking these trips - including our annual month-long summer adventure - we keep finding ways to make things 1% better each time. In this episode I share: How we solved our food challenges by bringing an Instantpot and griddle to cook simple hotel room meals Why eating at restaurants for lunch instead of dinner completely transformed our evenings The pre-packed toiletry and activity bag system that saved me from hunting down everyone’s toothbrushes How we handled long car rides with zero screens and kept everyone happy Finding the right mix of free museum visits, hotel swimming, and paid activities I’ll also share our biggest challenge – dealing with overtired kids in tight hotel quarters where everyone can hear everything! And the important parenting lesson we learned about solving problems rather than trying to control behavior. If you’re interested in seeing exactly how our travel systems work, I’ll be sharing all of that in the Family Systems Playbook to the Surviving To Thriving Toolkit. You can join the waitlist HERE to be the first to know when the doors open again! Resources Cooking Set: https://amzn.to/3E0uwae (affiliate link) Toiletry Bags: https://amzn.to/4jkGryp (affiliate link) Activity Bags:https://amzn.to/4jghZ1a (affiliate link) Brother Label Maker: https://amzn.to/4i13Jbz (affiliate link) Sterilite Drawers: https://amzn.to/420Rw1V (affiliate link) Instant Pot: https://amzn.to/43IDJhO (affiliate link) Griddle: https://amzn.to/42py9OZ (afiliate link) Previous Travel Episodes 20 Secrets For a Fun Road Trips With Kids: https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/20-secrets-for-a-fun-road-trip-with-kids-episode-172/ Successful Family Road Trip Systems: https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/successful-family-road-trip-systems-episode-224/ Easy Car Organization on A Budget: https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/easy-car-organization-on-a-budget-episode-265/ Reflection and Travel Tips From A Family Road Trip + 5 Day Hotel Stay: https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/reflection-and-travel-tips-from-a-family-road-trip-5-day-hotel-stay-episode-309/ The Ultimate Guide to Family Road Trips: https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-family-road-trips-episode-273/
About Thriving In Motherhood Podcast | Productivity, Planning, Family Systems, Time Management, Survival Mode, Mental Health, Vision
The GO TO Podcast For Moms With Kids At Home!
Do you want to love motherhood but find yourself in survival mode or burned out more than you'd like to admit?
Do you feel tugged between enjoying every moment with your kids because it "goes so fast" and feeling mom guilt because you don't?
Are you tired of wandering around the house or scrolling social media but don't know where to find the time or energy to do something that you would enjoy?
There's a way to create a life that you are excited to wake up to each day so you enjoy your time with your family, have a smooth running home, and still move forward on your greatest goals.
Hi! I'm Jessica Jackson, homeschooling mom of four, productivity and time management expert for moms, and project enthusiast.
In this podcast, I will teach you how to:
- Navigate survival seasons with a thriving mindset through practical tips
- Create a vision for your life and get clear about what really matters to YOU
- Effective planning, productivity, and time management strategies when you have kids at home - they're different!
- Build family systems that support the entire family - including mom
- Establish habits and rhythms that nurture you
- Become a Soaring Mother so you can live connected with God, use your gifts and talents to bless those in your circle of influence, adventure with your family, and enjoy meaningful relationships
I began motherhood with hopes and dreams that I could navigate my days confidently with purpose, live intentionally, find joy and contentment in everyday life, and have God’s help and strength in this lifelong journey.
Reality:
I was in complete survival mode
I felt guilty a lot of the time
I had no clue what my days should look like
I was snappy and irritable with my family
Can you relate?
The good news - I closed the gap between what I hoped was possible and my reality.
And you can too.
I can't wait to help you live life with purpose and joy and see your growth in the everyday moments of motherhood.
Next Steps:
Watch the Free Workshop: Plan A Week You Can Win
https://pages.thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/win
Get your Thriving in Motherhood Planner
http://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/planner
Get your Thriving in Motherhood Journal
http://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/journal
Listen to Thriving In Motherhood Podcast | Productivity, Planning, Family Systems, Time Management, Survival Mode, Mental Health, Vision, Australian Birth Stories and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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