![Life Update: Baby #5, Recent Projects, My Vision, Podcast Updates [Episode 349]](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts126/v4/39/a3/97/39a397b6-616f-7f3d-bda7-5dce73c376d9/mza_15054899724834148257.png/250x250bb.jpg)
Episoder
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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 weekās episode of the Thriving in Motherhood Podcast, Iām 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 donāt need perfect fairy houses or āPinterest playā
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!
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Iām planning out our 2025ā2026 homeschool year, and with a 6th grader, 4th grader, 3rd grader, Pre-K/kindergarten childāand a newborn arriving soonāitās going to be a full season.
In this weekās episode of the Thriving in Motherhood Podcast, Iām sharing a full behind-the-scenes look at how weāre approaching curriculum, why weāre sticking with the Alveary, and how Iām planning in a way that actually works for our current season of life.
Hereās what I walk through:
The daily rhythm weāve 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 usāespecially when it comes to book choices and lesson plan design
How Iām using Notion to plan our school year, track progress, and stay flexible when life (and newborns) happen
Whether youāre new to homeschooling, adjusting for multiple ages, or just looking for ways to plan with more confidence and clarityāI 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
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Ever feel like you kidsā toys are taking over, yet no oneās actually playing with them? In this weekās 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 elusiveā¦and what actually works.
From play hotspots to boredom breakthroughs, youāll 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:
ā The real reason your kids might not be playing with their toys (even when the bins are overflowing)
ā Why boredom isnāt a problem - itās a launchpad for self-led play
ā The hidden mindset trap that keeps moms stuck as entertainers - and how to shift out of it
ā 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.
āØ 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 modeāfor good.
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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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Summerās coming, which means itās time to start asking some questions. Not the āwhat camps should we sign up for?ā kind, but the deeper ones that help you create a summer rhythm that actually serves your family (and doesnāt leave you burned out by mid-June.)
In this weekās episode, Iām sharing eight questions Iām 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 youāve 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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On this weekās episode, Iām 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 āanger and curiosity cannot coexist.ā When weāre curious about whatās happening with our kids instead of trying to control them, we create space for understanding rather than conflict.
Elizabethās story reminds us that transformation is possible, even when parenting feels overwhelming. If youāre in that overwhelmed space right now, Iāve 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:
Elizabethās 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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We just back from a six-day road trip with our family of six, and Iām 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 everyoneās 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
Iāll also share our biggest challenge ā 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 youāre interested in seeing exactly how our travel systems work, Iāll 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/
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Iāve been working with moms for years, helping them plan weeks they can win. One of the biggest challenges I see is what happens when you get to the end of the week with loads of unchecked tasks still on your list.
In this episode, Iām sharing a brand new process (complete with a downloadable flowchart!) that Iāve been using for years but finally put down on paper.
This simple framework will help you:
Process every unfinished task effectively at the end of the week
Stop carrying over the same items week after week
Know exactly where each task belongs in your planning system
Set yourself up for a clean slate and a winning week ahead
Whether youāre using the Thriving In Motherhood Planner or your own systems, these principals will work for you! I walk through what to do with tasks that need to happen daily, weekly, or monthly, plus how to handle ideas that donāt have deadlines but you donāt want to forget.
The goal isnāt to do everything ā itās to make intentional choices about what matters most and create momentum in your life by having weeks where you actually finish what you plan.
Download the free flowchart HERE and start processing your own unfinished tasks today!
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Problem solving is one of those skills Iām truly passionate about - for us moms and for our kids. When our children know how to solve problems, they can face whatever challenges come their way with confidence.
In todayās episode, I talk with Linsey Jensen about three simple principles that help our kids become better problem solvers. Whether youāre dealing with homework struggles, teaching science concepts, or just trying to get your kids to clean their rooms, these ideas will change how you approach teaching this important skill.
Linsey shares:
Why making our kids the heroes of their own experiences builds confidence. How discovery creates deeper learning than following directions A simple framework for breaking big tasks into manageable stepsAs a bonus, Linsey shares some of the amazing tools sheās created.
If you enjoyed this conversation, Iād love for you to join the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit waitlist! Iāve created this program to help you move through the five steps from surviving to thriving in motherhood. Itās all about identifying what problems to solve in your life at the right time and in the right way, so you can stop feeling stuck on the endless treadmill of demands and start thriving instead.
Join the waitlist HERE.
Resources from this episode:
Lindsay's Etsy Shop for Escape Rooms, Logic Puzzles, and Science Kits
Episode 20 with Lindsay
Circuit Wiz Kits
Lindsay's Website Covalent Moments
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Today Iām sharing a delightful conversation that I had with Erin Loechner author of, āThe Opt Out Family.ā Erin and I dive into what it really means to create a low-tech family life and explore practical ways to reduce technologyās grip on your home while cultivating richer, more meaningful alternatives that both parents and children genuinely enjoy. This is longer than my usual episodes, but the conversation was just too good to cut anything out!
In this conversation, Erin shares:
Her journey from social media influencer to intentionally stepping away from screens
Simple ways to bring her family motto to life in your home
Practical ideas for discovering what truly delights your children
How to earn your childrenās trust and respect in a digital world
What it looks like to opt INTO wonder, creativity, and human connection
I hope this episode gives you plenty to think about as you consider technologyās role in your family life. If reducing technology use in your life is something youāre considering, I have a free gift for you! My Technology Fast Workbook guides you through a 30-day break from technology. Youāll create your own personal rules, set up your environment for success, and learn how to reflect on the experience to make lasting changes. This isnāt just a temporary challenge - itās a way to become truly intentional about technologyās place in your family and discover what matters more!
Get it HERE.
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The transition from quarter 1 to quarter 2 here from March to April is one of my absolute favorites because weāre not coming off major holidays, our routines are set for the next little while, school schedules are still flowing, and the weatherās warming up! Itās such a perfect time to reset in a couple of different ways.
In this episode Iāll walk you through:
A complete RESET framework for reviewing your vision for the year
How Iām decluttering my digital life ā including my email inbox, phone apps, and Google Drive folders
My approach to physical spaces now that I realize my home should work, even when Iām not my best
Iām sharing all my real-time discoveries about whatās actually working in my life right now ā practical tips you can implement even during busy seasons. Youāll hear exactly how Iām setting up systems that donāt require me to be at full capacity to maintain a peaceful home.
This isnāt perfection ā itās about taking these little windows of opportunity to make tiny changes that create big results over time.
Ready to make progress on your own reset? Click HERE to grab a checklist of everything weāre covering so you can start making progress right away!
Resources
Thriving in Motherhood Planner: https://pages.thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/wyw-page-5620
Technology Fast Workbook: https://pages.thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/technology-fast
Create Your Vision Workbook and Mini-Course: https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/vision/
Episode 218: How to Start a Prayer Journal https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/starting-a-prayer-journal-episode-218/
Tiago Forte Email System: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXdEVeoGRRc&t=287s&ab_channel=TiagoForte
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Are you feeling overwhelmed by complicated clearing systems and endless to-do lists? In this episode, Iām sharing our familyās 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.
Iāll walk you through:
How to identify YOUR daily cleaning priorities based on your familyās actual pain points
Our āconfiscate and cleanā strategy thatās transforming our tidying habits
Why weāre 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 isnāt about perfect Pinterest-worthy spaces or following someone elseās complicated checklist. Itās about figuring out what matters most to YOU, making it easy to maintain, and celebrating the progress that comes from consistent simple actions.
Whether youāre 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 youāre at and where to focus your time and energy.
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Do you ever find yourself responding to your children in ways that donāt align with the parent you want to be? As I navigate through pregnancy with our fifth child while homeschooling through Georgiaās cold winter days, Iāve found myself struggling with patience and tone - especially when cabin fever sets in.
In this weeks episode, I open up about:
One parenting skill Iām 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 Iāve learned from countless parenting books.Iām not sharing this as someone whoās 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.
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Do you ever feel like your best isnāt cutting it? Like no matter how hard you try, you canāt 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 couldnāt 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, Iām 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 ānormalā capacity versus survival mode
Why this challenging season has become an unexpected gift
A new way to think about our household standards
Whether youāre in a survival season or just feeling overwhelmed by your current systems, this conversation might help you move from despair to hope.
If youāre 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.
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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.
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In this weekās 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 donāt wait to sign up!
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When I started Alveary this year, I was drawn to their modern take on Charlotte Mason education. Now after completing our first term, Iāve discovered both unexpected joys and real challenges that surprised me.
In this episode, Iām sharing the complete picture - from the resource thatās brought more joy to our family than I expected, to the hidden costs I wish Iād known about, to whatās actually involved in implementing this curriculum.
Whether youāre 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! Weāre 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/
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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.
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Iāve 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. Iām in full-blown survival mode, and itās making me see this practice in a whole new way.
In this weekās episode, Iām walking through a tech fast looks different depending on where you are on the five-step path:
Survival Mode: When willpower isnāt enough, your environment matters more than ever. I share what Iām learning during this season of being mostly in bed - from catching up on my kidsā 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, youāll have rich data about what you love, and what youāll never do again.
Thriving: This is where the real work begins. Youāve laid a foundation up to this point, and now you can get clear about your vision for your life. Itās where you build unique systems that arenāt just about home management but are tailored to the life you want to live - one thatās truly fulfilling, rich, and beautiful. Imagine what you could do with those hours you reclaim from your technology.
Whether youāre 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 youāre looking to create a life you love during 2025 check out the Create Your Vision Mini Course HERE.
Iām looking forward to hearing what phase resonates most with you!
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What would it take to feel truly satisfied? Thomas Aquinas suggests weād need to experience everything - every restaurant, every country, every possibility. But since thatās impossible, what do we do with our constant desire for more?
In this episode, Iām 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 āloaves and fishesā 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 youāre 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.
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![Empower Your Kids (And Yourself!) To Love The Outdoors with Susie Spikol [Episode 363]](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts126/v4/39/a3/97/39a397b6-616f-7f3d-bda7-5dce73c376d9/mza_15054899724834148257.png/80x80bb.jpg)