Our Homeschooling Curriculum for 2024-2025 Pre-K, 1st, 3rd, 5th Grade: Alveary Update [Episode 347]

Are you feeling overwhelmed by complicated clearing systems and endless to-do lists? In this episode, I’m sharing our family’s journey from complete survival mode (where we abandoned all cleaning systems) to creating simple, sustainable routines that keep our home relatively clean without exhausting my limited pregnancy energy.  I’ll walk you through: How to identify YOUR daily cleaning priorities based on your family’s actual pain points Our “confiscate and clean” strategy that’s transforming our tidying habits Why we’re tackling deep cleaning with music and turning it into a family activity How just 20-30 minutes of focused cleaning each morning is creating dramatic results This isn’t about perfect Pinterest-worthy spaces or following someone else’s complicated checklist. It’s about figuring out what matters most to YOU, making it easy to maintain, and celebrating the progress that comes from consistent simple actions. Whether you’re pregnant like me, in a busy season with young children, or just tired of the clean-then-crash cycle, this episode offers practical inspiration for creating cleaning systems that actually work for your real life. Ready to move from surviving to thriving? Grab my FREE 5-Step Path from Surviving to Thriving checklist HERE to help your figure out where you’re at and where to focus your time and energy.  

Do you ever find yourself responding to your children in ways that don’t align with the parent you want to be? As I navigate through pregnancy with our fifth child while homeschooling through Georgia’s cold winter days, I’ve found myself struggling with patience and tone - especially when cabin fever sets in. In this weeks episode, I open up about: One parenting skill I’m trying to master right now.   How a moment of frustration with one of my kids led to an unexpected heart-to-heart.   The simple, yet profound principles of maintaining respect even when kids make bad choices.   Why this approach encapsulates so much of what I’ve learned from countless parenting books. I’m not sharing this as someone who’s mastered respectful parenting - far from it! This is my real-time journey of growth alongside my children, inspired by divine guidance when I needed it most. For those feeling stuck in reactive patterns or discouraged by family tensions, this episode offers a gentle reminder that parenting provides endless opportunities to grow beyond our automatic responses.

Do you ever feel like your best isn’t cutting it? Like no matter how hard you try, you can’t keep up with what it takes to run your household? I hit this wall recently in my fifth pregnancy. Despite giving it my all, I couldn’t maintain the peace and systems I was used to. But through this struggle, I discovered something important about the standards we set for our homes. In this episode, I’m sharing: Why linking household management to family peace is a flawed mindset How to shift from feeling stuck to finding solutions The reality check about “normal’ capacity versus survival mode Why this challenging season has become an unexpected gift A new way to think about our household standards Whether you’re in a survival season or just feeling overwhelmed by your current systems, this conversation might help you move from despair to hope. If you’re struggling to figure out how to do the things you need and want to do, I have a free training for you. Head to thrivinginmotherhood.com for the Plan a Week You Can Win workshop.

I wanted to give a personal update today - I haven't shared much about what's been happening behind the scenes with the podcast and my own life, and there's a lot to tell. Our fifth baby is on the way (I'm about 17 weeks), and while this pregnancy has brought some unexpected challenges, we're so excited. I've been mostly horizontal these past months, but that hasn't stopped our family from dreaming and doing. The kids have been incredible - helping with everything from digging out tree stumps to managing our new two-tier garden. In this episode, I'm sharing: The projects we tackled this past year (including a rock climbing wall and that garden story!) Our vision for transforming our yard into an edible landscape How homeschooling has clicked in a whole new way What's really happening with the podcast while I'm learning to work from bed Why I'm finding more joy in home life than ever before For those who've been around a while and feel like we're friends (some of us are!), this one's for you. P.S. The beta group for the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit opens next week to just 10 people. Join the waitlist at thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/toolkit.

In this week’s episode let's discuss problem solving and how it applies to motherhood.  We'll get super practical with my new S.O.L.V.E. framework to help you get practical and apply this powerful principle today.  Be part of our  beta group of the surviving to thriving toolkit. Join at: thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/toolkit We are only taking 10 members for this first group.  This beta launch includes exclusive coaching access so don’t wait to sign up! 

When I started Alveary this year, I was drawn to their modern take on Charlotte Mason education. Now after completing our first term, I’ve discovered both unexpected joys and real challenges that surprised me. In this episode, I’m sharing the complete picture - from the resource that’s brought more joy to our family than I expected, to the hidden costs I wish I’d known about, to what’s actually involved in implementing this curriculum. Whether you’re considering Alveary or just curious about Charlotte Mason education, this honest review will help you understand what this curriculum looks like in a real home. You can learn more about the Alveary here: https://lddy.no/1jdpq Use the code JJACKSON to get $25 off your membership! And a quick update: The first run of the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit opens next week! We’re only accepting 10 people into the beta group.  If you want to hear about it, make sure you've signed up on the waitlist so you will get the emails! https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/toolkit/

During our January technology fast, I've been diving into some books that are shifting how I think about life beyond screens. Today, I want to share four powerful reads that are helping me envision what I want my days to look like instead of defaulting to technology. Here are the books that are transforming my perspective: The Opt-Out Family by Aon Lochner - Through a series of essays, she shows how one family helped their children observe and understand technology's impact Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke - Understanding the science of pleasure and pain in our high-dopamine world For the Family's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay - A beautiful perspective on creating home and family culture (written before smartphones took over) Habits of a Sacred Home by Jennifer Pitts - Using historical examples to help us think about living out our values Whether you're in the middle of your own tech fast, thinking about starting one, or just wanting to be more intentional with your technology use, these books offer both inspiration and practical steps for creating the family culture you want. Remember, a 30-day technology fast isn't just about taking a break - it's about resetting habits and creating new desires. Sometimes things just naturally fall away after that break. Other times, we develop new pleasures, like enjoying bedtime without our phones. Either way, the results are remarkable! Want help starting your own tech fast? You can find the workbook at thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/techfast. Need help creating a vision for your life in 2025? Check out the Create Your Vision Mini Course HERE.

I’ve done technology fasts in previous years when my life was more stable - when I was in the thriving stage or at least normalized. This year is different. I’m in full-blown survival mode, and it’s making me see this practice in a whole new way. In this week’s episode, I’m walking through a tech fast looks different depending on where you are on the five-step path: Survival Mode: When willpower isn’t enough, your environment matters more than ever. I share what I’m learning during this season of being mostly in bed - from catching up on my kids’ book recommendations to what happens when we move key tools closer to where we actually are. Re-entry: This step on the path pairs beautifully with a tech fast. Without digital distractions splitting your attention, that frantic re-entry energy calms down. You can focus on the next right thing with more peace and momentum. Normalizing: This is the perfect time to dig into your Thriving in Motherhood planner and set up your systems. With added mental bandwidth, you can actually execute your quarterly, monthly, and weekly goals. Exploring: This is the most fun phase during a technology fast. The world becomes your oyster - from playing an instrument to painting, to volunteering, to trying new things. After you spend time in exploration, you’ll have rich data about what you love, and what you’ll never do again. Thriving: This is where the real work begins. You’ve laid a foundation up to this point, and now you can get clear about your vision for your life. It’s where you build unique systems that aren’t just about home management but are tailored to the life you want to live - one that’s truly fulfilling, rich, and beautiful. Imagine what you could do with those hours you reclaim from your technology. Whether you’re in survival mode or any other stage, a tech fast can meet you exactly where you are. Want help getting started? You can find my Technology Fast Workbook HERE. And, if you’re looking to create a life you love during 2025 check out the Create Your Vision Mini Course HERE. I’m looking forward to hearing what phase resonates most with you!

What would it take to feel truly satisfied? Thomas Aquinas suggests we’d need to experience everything - every restaurant, every country, every possibility. But since that’s impossible, what do we do with our constant desire for more? In this episode, I’m exploring this tension between desires and contentment, especially as it relates to motherhood and creating our vision for the year.  I share: Why understanding our infinite capacity for wanting more can actually be liberating The balance between setting big goals and finding peace where we are How the “loaves and fishes” principle changed my approach during a recent survival season Why turning off outside influences (through a technology fast) can help us hear what we truly need Whether you’re in a season of big dreams or just trying to make it through each day, this conversation about wants, contentment, and vision-creating might shift how you think about your own desires. If you want to join me on my 30-day technology fast you can get the workbook I created with step-by-step guidance HERE. If you want help creating your vision for 2025, grab the Create Your Vision Mini Course HERE.

As we wrap up another year, I’ve noticed my technology use creeping up. Maybe you’re feeling it too - more scrolling, more shows, more social media. It’s easy to fall into, especially during the holidays. That is why in January, I like to combine two practices that set up my entire year for success: a technology reset and creating my vision for the new year. Here’s why this matters: When we’re constantly connected, our brains don’t have the space to think deeply or receive new ideas. Whether you’re in survival mode, overwhelmed by your house, or trying to figure out how to make time for the things you want to do - reducing technology use can make a significant difference. I’ve been amazed how after just one week, my mind feels sharper and more focused - it’s like rediscovering how your brain is meant to work. What does a technology reset look like? It’s different for everyone, but here are some key steps: Start with your “why” - Get clear about your reasons for doing this Write your yes and no list - What are your personal rules? Set clear dates - I recommend a full 30 days Create an environment that supports your goals This isn’t about perfection or permanently giving up technology. It’s about creating the space to think clearly, connect meaningfully, and set intentions for your year ahead. If you’d like to join me in January, I’ll be sharing weekly encouragement and practical tips throughout the podcast. Whether you decide to go all in or create modified rules that work for your life, the key is to make them clear and doable for you. Want to pair this with creating your vision for 2025? You can find the Create Your Vision Mini Course at thrivinginmotherhood.com/vision. I hope this will help you start 2025 with clarity and intention.