Do A Quarterly Review With Me: Survival Mode Edition [Episode 368]

When life feels overwhelming or you know you’re headed into a hard season the last thing on your mind might be a quarterly review. But I’ve found it’s exactly when I need it most. In this week’s episode of the Thriving in Motherhood Podcast, I’m walking you through how I do a quarterly review when I’m in survival mode—like right now, at the end of my pregnancy, heading into the newborn phase. Spoiler: This is not your typical "set big goals, hustle hard" kind of conversation. Instead, I’m sharing: How I reflect on what actually happened (even when the days blur together) How gratitude, small wins, and honest questions help me shift my mindset What it looks like to plan a quarter focused on surrender, presence, and creating simple joy Why your circumstances don’t have to define the memories you create If you're in a season where energy is low, the future feels uncertain, or you’re holding a lot—this episode is for you. Whether you're using the Thriving in Motherhood Planner or just grabbing a notebook, these simple prompts can help you anchor yourself and your family—even when life feels messy.

Feeling stressed about your child’s writing progress? You’re not alone—and in this episode, I’m joined by the one and only Julie Bogart to talk all things homeschool writing. Julie is the creator of the award-winning Brave Writer program and has helped hundreds of thousands of families find a more peaceful, effective way to teach writing at home. With over 25 years of experience (and five kids of her own!), she brings wisdom, humor, and so much heart to this conversation. We cover how to choose the right writing curriculum, why creative writing matters, and how to stop stressing over whether you’re “doing enough.” Whether you're brand new to homeschooling or just feeling stuck, this episode will give you some fresh perspective and encouragement from one of the best in the field.

Over the years, I’ve built a rhythms that helps me manage the things I want to do, the person I want to become, and the reality of a very digital world.  In this episode, I’m walking you through a 3-part system I use to stay focused and present: The Thriving in Motherhood Planner that helps me move forward in small pockets of time A reflection notebook based on the core of the bullet journaling method (no rulers or fancy spreads required) My Notion-based “second brain” that holds digital tasks, notes inspiration, and big picture thinking This episode gives you an inside look at how I keep things running without burning out and how you can build something similar, on piece at a time. Want to create your own system with real support? The Surviving to Thriving Toolkit is your guide through five intentional phases of growth, complete with tools, strategies, and structure. Join the waitlist here.  

At the start of each year, I don’t just set goals, I also build a personal curriculum. It’s something I first heard from Brendon Burchard years ago, and it’s completely changed how I approach growth in the middle of real life. In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact steps I’m using to design my personal curriculum for 2025. I’m sharing how I choose a few meaningful books, link them to my vision, and apply what I learn in practical, doable ways. Here’s what I cover: How I connect my learning to my bigger vision and goals for the year What it looks like to align reading, reflection, and action in real-time A behind-the-scenes look at how I organize all of this in my second brain system This isn’t about doing more, it’s about growing with intention, in the areas that matter most right to you. Tune in and get inspired to create your own personal curriculum.  

In this episode, I’m joined by time management coach Anna Dearmon Kornick to talk about what really happens when your well-oiled routines stop working. We’re diving into why systems fall apart when life shifts, how to create new rhythms without starting from scratch, and the small habits that make a big difference in your week. From weekly planning that actually fits your season to routines that help you shift from work to home (without bringing your to-do list to the dinner table), this conversation is full of real talk and doable ideas for busy moms. Resources Blueprint to Balance - https://annadkornick.com/blueprint-to-balance Anna's Website: https://annadkornick.com Anna's Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/annadkornick/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/annadearmonkornick/ 🧰 And if you want the weekly planning system I use, it’s all inside the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit

Do you want to get your kids outside more, but feel intimidated by the work it takes to make it happen? What do you even do once you're out there? In this week’s episode of the Thriving in Motherhood Podcast, I’m talking with Susie Spickle, naturalist, mother of three, and author of Forest Magic for Kids. She shares simple, practical ways to make getting outside a regular, joyful part of your life,no matter what season you're in. Whether you're juggling babies, navigating busy public school schedules, or feeling stuck on where to start, Susie offers encouragement and ideas that truly meet you where you are. Listen in as we talk about: How to spark imaginative outdoor play for every age Why kids don’t need perfect fairy houses or “Pinterest play” What real benefits outdoor time offers How to scaffold outdoor activities based on age (and attention span) Where to look in your own community for low-stakes, high-fun nature support This episode is full of ideas you can try today!

I’m planning out our 2025–2026 homeschool year, and with a 6th grader, 4th grader, 3rd grader, Pre-K/kindergarten child—and a newborn arriving soon—it’s going to be a full season. In this week’s episode of the Thriving in Motherhood Podcast, I’m sharing a full behind-the-scenes look at how we’re approaching curriculum, why we’re sticking with the Alveary, and how I’m planning in a way that actually works for our current season of life. Here’s what I walk through: The daily rhythm we’ve built to support family subjects and one-on-one learning How we rotate through four learning blocks each morning (including chores and piano!) Why the Alveary curriculum clicked for us—especially when it comes to book choices and lesson plan design How I’m using Notion to plan our school year, track progress, and stay flexible when life (and newborns) happen Whether you’re new to homeschooling, adjusting for multiple ages, or just looking for ways to plan with more confidence and clarity—I hope this episode gives you a helpful perspective. Resources Hoffman Academy: https://hoffmanacademy.com?via=jessica33 Use code LEARN for a 10% discount Alveary: https://lddy.no/1jdpq Use code JJACKSON for $25 off 

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.  

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.  

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.