It Takes a Forest

CAMPING WITH KIDS. We talk about our experiences taking our kids camping. From what to pack / what not to pack, hygiene in the woods, and setting up camp, to activities and involving kiddos in the camping process.  As the weather gets cooler, we're going to be doing a lot more of this - and sharing tips and what we've learned!  

Guest + friend Rachel Wilson chats with us about her experience as a substitute teacher in public school - the good, the bad, the ugly. We discuss classroom management, some weird things that go on, and the philosophy behind discipline and behavior solutions. This fun and lively episode will make you feel like you're sitting at the table with us!  Rachel's book recommendations: There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather: https://amzn.to/3kZhtqW Bringing Up Bebe: https://amzn.to/2Q8eka9

We are joined by Vanessa Hartmann - and traveling homeschool mom who shares with us how she created / started Homeschool Co-Ops and other community groups in places she's lived.  "When you trust your child and your child trusts you, you have everything you need to homeschool." Follow Vanessa on Instagram at @vanessasholisticliving

Special guest Tyler Hooper joins us to talk about the "dad perspective" on pregnancy, starting a coffee business that puts community first, re-thinking how our local parks are designed, looking ahead at our relationships with our kids when they're adults, and how to not dictate our child's potential, but still help them reach it.  Tyler sets a great example for his kids by being a lifelong learner and hobbyist: gardening, coffee-brewing, and more!

In this episode, we reflect on past guests: what we've learned from them, and ways in which they've changed our lives, both big and small.  Starting a homeschool co-op, natural body hair removal, following your dreams, finding your identity. . . all the good stuff. We want to give a big thank you to all of our wonderful guests so far!

Mandy Cave comes on and talks to us about loss, fear, growing and finding identity outside of motherhood and external things. We discuss homeschooling as a "want" and not a right vs. wrong, how homeschooling can strengthen your relationship with your child, and how we're all just trying to do better than the generation before us.

Alicia Claytor comes on to discuss zero waste living, balancing minimalism and motherhood, making common household products from scratch, and how eating whole, plant-based meals actually makes life MORE simple. 

We do a little brainstorming activity to discuss what the perfect, ideal school would look like - if we could make one from scratch. 

We discuss Black Lives Matter and the current revolution. How do we talk to our kids about race? How can we raise our kids to be ANTI-racist? What can we, as white parents, do to help right now?

In our first episode back from a hiatus, we talk about calming strategies for children (and moms!), the health benefits of a sauna, Russian banas, awkward moments in stores, playgrounds being closed, and of course--coronavirus. 

We talk about pregnancy + how isolating it can be, what it's like having hyperemesis gravidarum, and Emily speaks eloquently and powerfully about women and birthing. We both cry. 

Emily + Taylor talk about the bright sides of some pretty serious lifestyle changes due to Covid - learning to be happier with less - and how Emily is starting "Hugelkultur" in her back yard.

We talk about food, COVID, survival mode, the robot future, the importance of creativity, slime, Tiger King, Jim Carrey, knowing people who make the things that you use, and finding a new self-care routine in light of quarantine.     P.S. Tyler, I’m serious about the pancakes.

We talk about coronavirus + how it's impacting our daily life, pregnancy cravings, fresh eggs, and little ways of finding community during a time of isolation.

We talk about COVID, the recent influx of homeschoolers, finding your forest in times of social isolation, and how we do (or don't) parent when other parents are around.

Our first-ever guest episode with Marti Lathrop was so much fun, we couldn't decide on a name for it. We hear about homeschooling from a mama and educator who homeschooled her two boys all the way through--and loved it. 

We discuss whether or not we're "qualified" to homeschool--and what those qualifications look like, mean, or don't mean, when it comes to teaching our kids at home. Emily also introduces us to a "septarian nodule" in our first Crystal of the Week segment. Super cool!