Moms Unschooled

Are you a feminist? Feminism is a cultural construction and has different meanings and looks throughout time and each of our lives. Erin and Sarah talk about what feminism has been in the past, how they see it today, and examples of raising kids who understand feminism. “I think the unschooling part about this is really deciding for yourself what feminism means to you?”-Sarah Resources shared in the show: “Redefining the f-word: what does feminism look like today?” Global News https://globalnews.ca/news/3292948/redefining-the-f-word-what-does-feminism-look-like-today/ The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird How to reach us: Follow us on Facebook Subscribe on Youtube Email us at momsunschooled@gmail.com Shop Moms Unschooled Products: https://teespring.com/stores/moms-unschooled Who we are: Erin and Sarah are moms who enjoy each other's unique cul-de-sac “mom perspectives” so much they want to share their thoughtful and sassy ponderings with other moms around the world. Collectively they are moms to 4 school-aged kids, and world travelers in their journeys as United States Marine Corps spouses. Erin is a homeschooling mama of three munchkins that loves running (slower than most people walk), traveling, and can recite the alphabet backwards while opening a bottle of wine. Sarah is a curious minded mama of one small human, enjoys writing, takes forever to read a book for leisure, and can order McDonald's at a Japanese and German drive through. Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

Erin and Sarah talk about the myths and truths of what working from home entails, especially for moms. Working and learning remotely takes self accountability and self-motivation, but moms have more possibilities than ever today with online and remote working opportunities. 1:51 Sarah talks about her own professional background that has never been in a traditional office and her belief in the power of mental breaks and deep mental work. 5:03 The Pearson Global Learners Study from August 2020 says that education is forever changed and learners are shifting where and when and how they want to learn and online learning is here to stay: for better or worse. 7:08 How does a mom start online working? Sarah and Erin brainstorm some ideas of careers moms can start out by learning onlining and growing a business, even if it's remote. 9:22 One of the important sets of skills for a digital workplace includes self-discipline, motivation, and time management in protecting your time for deep thought when it's your time to work. 14:31 Remote working opportunities are allowing employees, especially stay-at-home moms new opportunities to jump into the workforce, but not at a full 40-hour commitment away from home. 17:36 Sarah addresses her pet peeve of “soft skills” and how remote workers need soft skills as much as hard skills in the remote workforce. Knowing multiple languages helps remote workers find diverse benefits and job opportunities. Resources shared in the show: Fiverr.com Remote.co Vitamintalent.com Aquent.com Pearson Global Learners Study How to reach us: Follow us on Facebook Subscribe on Youtube Email us at momsunschooled@gmail.com Shop Moms Unschooled Products: https://teespring.com/stores/moms-unschooled Who we are: Erin and Sarah are moms who enjoy each other's unique cul-de-sac “mom perspectives” so much they want to share their thoughtful and sassy ponderings with other moms around the world. Collectively they are moms to 4 school-aged kids, and world travelers in their journeys as United States Marine Corps spouses. Erin is a homeschooling mama of three munchkins that loves running (slower than most people walk), traveling, and can recite the alphabet backwards while opening a bottle of wine. Sarah is a curious minded mama of one small human, enjoys writing, takes forever to read a book for leisure, and can order McDonald's at a Japanese and German drive through. Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

E26: Kids and the environment Erin and Sarah are joined this week by Erin's friend Michelle who wears many hats as a mother and woman of the world. She has put a lot of thought and discussion into her community about ways to be conscious of the environment in everyday living. Erin shares her awe of how and why Michelle's family finds ways to be environmentally conscious and the ladies talk about how other families can take steps to be conscious and aware of our actions. 3:00 Michelle says her family tries to be mindful and intentional in planning and making decisions and it starts with shopping only once a week. She shares her strategy of taking her time to make a list and only buying what they need for the week. 6:22 Michelle says she talks with her kids about reducing waste in all aspects of life from how they get up the street (walking or biking vs. driving) to not wasting time and resources. Michelle's religion drives her to take their intentional path of not wasting even though they are blessed with plenty in their lives. 9:57 Source reduction and having less of everything is the top priority followed by looking towards reusing everything possible. 12:00 Two things to do today as a family: Focus on the next purchase you make, no matter how large or how small--Ask yourself “do I really need this purchase?” Focus on food waster--Pope Francis said: ”Wasting food is like stealing from the poor.” Over 30% of food in the world is wasted, so every piece of food is important. 16:32 Michelle encourages families to not be overwhelmed by all the little things, or the enormity of big statistics about our actions in the world. Erin shares a book with lots of tips for families: “10 Things I Can Do To Help My World” by Melanie Walsh. Getting kids' buy-in is essential to start the discussions and work on Earth Day and beyond. Resources shared in the show: 10 Things I can do to help my world by Melanie Walsh World Wildlife Foundation Symbolic Species Adoptions How to reach us: Follow us on Facebook Subscribe on YouTube Email us at momsunschooled@gmail.com Shop Moms Unschooled Products: https://teespring.com/stores/moms-unschooled Who we are: Erin and Sarah are moms who enjoy each other's unique cul-de-sac “mom perspectives” so much they want to share their thoughtful and sassy ponderings with other moms around the world. Collectively they are moms to 4 school-aged kids, and world travelers in their journeys as United States Marine Corps spouses. Erin is a homeschooling mama of three munchkins that loves running (slower than most people walk), traveling, and can recite the alphabet backwards while opening a bottle of wine. Sarah is a curious-minded mama of one small human, enjoys writing, takes forever to read a book for leisure, and can order McDonald's at a Japanese and German drive-through. Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

Learning about money and finance is different for every family, but ultimately future adults need to learn about where money comes from, how much living life costs, how to save and invest, and the value of every dollar. Sarah and Erin talk about their experiences of how much and how they talked with their parents about money growing up and invited Lynn (Sarah's husband) to share his own, and different, the perspective of growing up. “I think it's on the parents to teach the habits, allowing them to have the experience. There lessons and discussions of those lessons and overall guidance when it comes to finances.” -Tracy 3:19 Start early, even as early as age 3. Finding everyday ways to talk about money in day-to-day purchases can help put money in a realistic perspective for kids. Kids ask parents tough questions and parents need to answer in terms kids understand at their level to foster a conversation of learning. 12:45 Families need to have strategies to help kids understand saving money to help them understand it beyond just what Mom and Dad say they should when they are older. Work experience and what kids pay for in their teen years is different for every family from working a fast-food job to focusing on grades and athletics. 22:55 Tips for younger kids include the basic understanding of money as a tool and the emotional vs. functional purpose and use of money. Helping kids understand how much money they've spent on their favorite toys, or things they didn't care about soon after spending the money helps put the perspective of where the money goes and the value. Resources shared in the show: How to Talk to Kids About Money Without Creating entitlement or Fear: https://selfsufficientkids.com/talk-to-kids-about-money-parents/ How to reach us: Follow us on Facebook Subscribe on Youtube Email us at momsunschooled@gmail.com Shop Moms Unschooled Products: https://teespring.com/stores/moms-unschooled Who we are: Erin and Sarah are moms who enjoy each other's unique cul-de-sac “mom perspectives” so much they want to share their thoughtful and sassy ponderings with other moms around the world. Collectively they are moms to 4 school-aged kids, and world travelers in their journeys as United States Marine Corps spouses. Erin is a homeschooling mama of three munchkins that loves running (slower than most people walk), traveling, and can recite the alphabet backwards while opening a bottle of wine. Sarah is a curious minded mama of one small human, enjoys writing, takes forever to read a book for leisure, and can order McDonald's at a Japanese and German drive through. Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

E:24 Saving Curiosity in Our Kids Box cutters, water fights in the house, and not painting pumpkins orange might not be traditional lessons for kids, but they are examples of ways to spark curiosity for kids. Erin's “ultra hunky husband,” Chris, joins MomsUnschooled again to share his ideas about encouraging kids to be curious and what he learned from listening to a parenting book about curiosity (while “daydreaming”). “Understanding how it works is beautiful, but if they have to go through that process, every time as a 40 year old, they're never going to have time to explore those mysteries that they want to explore.” -Chris 3:48 How do parents encourage and preserve curiosity in kids? Chris' recommendation of Curios by Ian Leslie. The book is different from the basic parenting books in helping parents understand the way kids think and the effect parents have in raising future adults. Explaining why or how to kids in the moment of something happening is a huge take away for adults to foster the desire to explore. 9:19 Children from 3-5 will ask an adult 40,000 why or how questions because they aren't trying to be annoying, they genuinely want to know why. They trust adult's answers to know or find the answers. Teaching kids that sometimes parents don't know the answer builds life long learners with the example of always asking questions and seeking answers. 12:03 Diversive curiosity is about being flooded with information and never getting deep down. Epistemic curiosity drives deep into what you want to know about. Technology is a blend of finding the right opportunity for epistemic curiosity for kids, adults and the family. 15:00 The value of memorization as a learning tool is being challenged in traditional education and serves kids with setting fundamental knowledge of basic subjects. Encouraging mistakes and exploration allows kids to learn these fundamentals and build curiosity. 21:00 Asking open ended questions and putting kids in situations that they get a chance to make decisions on their own helps lead to curiosity. Parents can find opportunities to teach kids instead of doing everything for them, even in mundane tasks like creating a sandwich and using their creativity to get it done. Even though it's faster and easier sometimes to just get the job done for kids, providing kids the chance to explore with independence requires extra effort and patience for parents. Resources shared in the show: How to reach us: Follow us on Facebook Subscribe on Youtube Email us at momsunschooled@gmail.com Shop Moms Unschooled Products: https://teespring.com/stores/moms-unschooled

Do you like being a mother? Erin and Sarah talk about the idea of not always enjoying motherhood. Some moms have stronger feelings than others, but this episode helps moms get unschooled about the darkness of motherhood and how moms can control the outside expectations vs. their own reality. “The reason we've created this podcast is so moms don't feel alone and, and here, this is something that is very lonely if we don't address it.” - Erin 0:01:32 What does a clinical psychologist say about the feeling of not liking being a mother? The problem is moms don't talk about these feelings enough…even with other moms who have all been there before. 0:05:53 Talking about the challenges of motherhood can help moms accept that you're not a bad mom and feel more secure in their roles. Not every moment is perfect with kids around, but we see it through every day, even when it's hard. 0:08:14 Parenting is long and thankless, but the “perfect mom” displayed on social media doesn't encourage us to be our own family. 0:11:02 Cultural norms for motherhood today define what moms “think” how they “should be,” regardless of education or career growth the mom made before having kids. Expectations of being a “happy Mom” or a “good parent” are different than reality. 0:14:10 Stress affects every person in different ways. The same stressor might even affect you differently next week than it did today. Not every mom relates to the same stresses of parenthood, but we have to support each other in the general idea of stress. Resources shared in the show: “I Do Not Like Being a Mother” Psychology Today article by Carrie Barron, MD https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-creativity-cure/201307/i-do-not-being-mother-0 I love my kids, but I don't love parenting by Liz Kreiger on Today's Parent: https://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/i-love-my-kids-but-i-dont-like-parenting-and-i-know-im-not-alone/ How to reach us: Follow us on Facebook Subscribe on Youtube Email us at momsunschooled@gmail.com Shop Moms Unschooled Products: https://teespring.com/stores/moms-unschooled Who we are: Erin and Sarah are moms who enjoy each other's unique cul-de-sac “mom perspectives” so much they want to share their thoughtful and sassy ponderings with other moms around the world. Collectively they are moms to 4 school-aged kids, and world travelers in their journeys as United States Marine Corps spouses. Erin is a homeschooling mama of three munchkins that loves running (slower than most people walk), traveling, and can recite the alphabet backwards while opening a bottle of wine. Sarah is a curious minded mama of one small human, enjoys writing, takes forever to read a book for leisure, and can order McDonald's at a Japanese and German drive through. Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

Advocating for your children is important as a parent...but do you worry about being the “Karen?” Erin and Sarah talk about the “Karen” stereotype of advocating for your children without being too pushy. “Do you think dads have this problem between determining the balance between being an advocate for your kid and being ‘that” parent or a “Karen?' Is there a male counterpart?”-Sarah 0:02:02 Sarah shares tips on how to advocate without being pushy from Megan Walbert, a parent editor for Lifehacker. Tip #1 is to share insights about your kids vs. demanding an outcome. Tip #2 is to work through the appropriate level to resolve an issue first. Tip #3: Decide if your concern is a preference of a necessity for learning or safety. 0:08:31 Go with your gut! State your case and stand up for what you know is right for your child. No one knows your child better than their mom! Don't let the “that parent vibe” change your perspective on the importance of what you are asking for. 0:14:11 Pick your battles and be an advocate. Lean on your support system to voice your concerns and make the judgment of when to be the well-intentioned advocate. Resources shared in the show: How to advocate for your child without being Pushy-- https://offspring.lifehacker.com/how-to-advocate-for-your-child-without-being-pushy-1832435377 How to reach us: Follow us on Facebook Subscribe on Youtube Email us at momsunschooled@gmail.com Shop Moms Unschooled Products: https://teespring.com/stores/moms-unschooled Who we are: Erin and Sarah are moms who enjoy each other's unique cul-de-sac “mom perspectives” so much they want to share their thoughtful and sassy ponderings with other moms around the world. Collectively they are moms to 4 school-aged kids, and world travelers in their journeys as United States Marine Corps spouses. Erin is a homeschooling mama of three munchkins that loves running (slower than most people walk), traveling, and can recite the alphabet backwards while opening a bottle of wine. Sarah is a curious minded mama of one small human, enjoys writing, takes forever to read a book for leisure, and can order McDonald's at a Japanese and German drive through. Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

E21: How to Listen to Your Kids Communication in life is a two-way street: even between parents and kids. Erin and Sarah add on to their previous conversation about getting kids to listen by talking about how to always listen to what kids are saying to us. “You want to show interest in the little stuff that will later become the big stuff, because I would rather them be coming to me to tell me those big things than going to who know who.”- Sarah 0:02:08 Tip #1: Listen first. Stop doing g all the things we do as moms and listen when kids have words to share. Set the pattern to listen with 100% attention while they are young for when they are older and conversations have significant consequences that you hope they will come to you to talk about. 0:05:55 Tip #2: Conversations don't always need to have the exact answer right away. Start your response with validating what your kids have shared with you so they know you have heard them. Show interest so they know you are a safe place to come and talk with about anything. 0:10:11 Tip #3: Create a time for conversation. Sarah's family talks about their day, in turn, around the dinner table or share last words of the day at bed time. Open conversations so everyone can contribute whatever they need to say. A safe place for conversation might be in the car when everyone is buckled in and looking in their own directions (or be honest if it's not the right time and you need 100% focus on driving). 0:15:48 Tip #4: Focus your intention and actively listen; even if you're “faking it til you make it.” Let the kids correct you to explore their own ideas and feelings in how they communicate with you. Acknowledge when kids want to be heard, even if you're talking to another adult. Erin shares her tip on how her kids let her know they have something to say without interrupting. 19:32 Tip #5: “Listening is not fixing all the time.” Don't impose your own reactions before hearing what your child is feeling. Are they venting or is it their revelation or do they need to speak out loud to have their revelation? Resources shared in the show: How to reach us: Follow us on Facebook Subscribe on Youtube Email us at momsunschooled@gmail.com Shop Moms Unschooled Products: https://teespring.com/stores/moms-unschooled Who we are: Erin and Sarah are moms who enjoy each other's unique cul-de-sac “mom perspectives” so much they want to share their thoughtful and sassy ponderings with other moms around the world. Collectively they are moms to 4 school-aged kids, and world travelers in their journeys as United States Marine Corps spouses. Erin is a homeschooling mama of three munchkins that loves running (slower than most people walk), traveling, and can recite the alphabet backwards while opening a bottle of wine. Sarah is a curious minded mama of one small human, enjoys writing, takes forever to read a book for leisure, and can order McDonald's at a Japanese and German drive through. Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

E20: Get Kids to Listen Subscribe on Youtube Getting kids out the door on time with everything they need is draining for Moms and an age-old question of how to “get these munchkins to listen to our words.” Erin and Sarah talk about who is to “blame” for the frustrations of not listening to each other. “This is soul searching right now. This is totally calling me out right now y'all because I want them to listening to me, but I don't think I'm doing it right.”-Erin 0:01:21 Other than pulling out the “Dad voice,” what tips are there for getting kids to hear us? Tip #1 to get kids to listen to us: go to them. See what the kids are actually doing and have patience if they are immersed in focus. 0:04:55 Tip #2: take in kids feelings and words for two-way communication to understand what the kids are hearing vs. what you are saying. Mom's voices have turned into white noise of nagging and kids can become desensitized to yelling. The power of silence is a Mom's secret weapon sometimes. 0:06:54 Tip #3: ask kids to do something more vs ordering them to do everything. We have conversations with our friends talking about what everyone needs/wants to do, Moms can translate that to kids to work together. Grace and patience are a Mom's best friend, but aren't the easiest skills to practice. 0:09:56 Tip #4: say yes more--or maybe-ish. Get clever about our words and solutions instead of demanding. 21:06 Tip #5: Tell the kids why you need them to do something and help them understand at their level why what you are saying is reasonable and necessary. 0:15:03 Tip #5 Get out of your comfort zone to connect with kids, even if that comes back to silly poop talk for a few minutes. Let go of the pressure of keeping up with the Joneses and focus on keeping up with how your kids respond best. 23:11 What's the timeliness in this moment? Is there a chance to find even a minute of patience to find the right time to talk to kids and see action? Other episodes mentioned in this episode: E7: The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart-A Book Review-Making Education Magical How to reach us: Follow us on Facebook Subscribe on Youtube Email us at momsunschooled@gmail.com Shop Moms Unschooled Products: https://teespring.com/stores/moms-unschooled Who we are: Erin and Sarah are moms who enjoy each other's unique cul-de-sac “mom perspectives” so much they want to share their thoughtful and sassy ponderings with other moms around the world. Collectively they are moms to 4 school-aged kids, and world travelers in their journeys as United States Marine Corps spouses. Erin is a homeschooling mama of three munchkins that loves running (slower than most people walk), traveling, and can recite the alphabet backwards while opening a bottle of wine. Sarah is a curious minded mama of one small human, enjoys writing, takes forever to read a book for leisure, and can order McDonald's at a Japanese and German drive through. Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

E19: Dads Unschooled Erin's “super hunky” husband Chris joins Erin and Sarah to ask what “Moms Unschooled” actually means. Erin and Sarah ask him what dads need to be unschooled about. Erin and Chris talk about their own family roles and challenging stereotypes of what each parent does in the family, despite the stereotypes of their roles. Moms unschooled is: “Taking our ideas, taking the status quo and flipping it on its head and seeing things for how it really is.” - Erin 1:46 The “Dads unschooled” stereotype is usually about the dad going to work and having financial responsibility for the family. “It's the one that troubles me the most...it doesn't have to purely be showing that 100% masculine role all the time.”- Chris 4:30 Chris and Erin believe in a united front between Mom and Dad with the kids and each parent addresses needed discipline in the moment. 8:55 What stereotypes of being a father do dads need to be unschooled about? Start with the challenge of recognizing when the work day ends and being “all in” with all the obligations of shared parenting. 10:56 Chris doesn't have a problem disconnecting from being a Marine all day to come home and focusing on the family, but some dads do. Dads can defy the status quo, social norms and change things up. 15:38 Questions dads can ask themselves to challenge the norm: Can it wait until tomorrow? What are we taking for granted? What will keep moving whether I'm there or not? What is important? 18:38 Chris and Erin push their kids' limits together to encourage them to think for themselves and challenge the definition of normalcy as they learn about making “real life” decisions. “Wherever we have the opportunity is to include our kids and have them observe and be at least be in the same room and the same table of real life problems and decision making.”-Chris Resources shared in the show: Todd Parr books How to reach us: Follow us on Facebook Subscribe on Youtube Email us at momsunschooled@gmail.com Shop Moms Unschooled Products: https://teespring.com/stores/moms-unschooled Who we are: Erin and Sarah are moms who enjoy each other's unique cul-de-sac “mom perspectives” so much they want to share their thoughtful and sassy ponderings with other moms around the world. Collectively they are moms to 4 school-aged kids, and world travelers in their journeys as United States Marine Corps spouses. Erin is a homeschooling mama of three munchkins that loves running (slower than most people walk), traveling, and can recite the alphabet backwards while opening a bottle of wine. Sarah is a curious minded mama of one small human, enjoys writing, takes forever to read a book for leisure, and can order McDonald's at a Japanese and German drive through. Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

Every year is a new challenge, but why not set smaller challenges for 30 days at a time? Erin and Sarah share ideas from an expert's list of 30 day challenges and chat about how the ideas might (or might not) fit in their own lives and the benefits they could see come from the goals. “Man alive! If we could devote time to that thing that we love for 30 days, wouldn't the month look a lot brighter?”-Erin 0:6:07 For 30 days set a goal to focus on something you want to try, like a side business. The 30 days don't have to start and finish a whole project, but might be the very beginning of planning the steps and learning what the new project would take. Part of a challenge that adds to your time commitments might include other goals of cutting out time used in other areas like watching TV or scrolling social media. It doesn't all have to happen at once, use each day in the 30 day block time and focus. 0:08:45 Identifying what you're grateful for or being nice to others isn't a one-size fits all for each person or each day. Being genuine in thoughts and expressions is what is important to finding joy and change in our lives. 0:10:55 More me time! Some ideas might be working out, reading (uninterrupted), or yoga programs. Don't limit the activities to your own ideas; use the resources out there to organize or guide your activities like Yoga with Adirenne's 30 Day Yoga Journey. Resources shared in the show: Fifteen 30-Day Challenge Ideas That Will Change Your Life by Christina Tiplea Yoga with Adirenne's 30 Day Yoga Journey How to reach us: Follow us on Facebook Subscribe on Youtube Email us at momsunschooled@gmail.com Shop Moms Unschooled Products: https://teespring.com/stores/moms-unschooled Who we are: Erin and Sarah are moms who enjoy each other's unique cul-de-sac “mom perspectives” so much they want to share their thoughtful and sassy ponderings with other moms around the world. Collectively they are moms to 4 school-aged kids, and world travelers in their journeys as United States Marine Corps spouses. Erin is a homeschooling mama of three munchkins who loves running (slower than most people walk), traveling, and can recite the alphabet backwards while opening a bottle of wine. Sarah is a curious minded mama of one small human, enjoys writing, takes forever to read a book for leisure, and can order McDonald's at a Japanese and German drive through. Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

How does a Mom set realistic goals for all that a new year (especially post 2020) will offer? Erin and Sarah talk about the fresh start of a new year by looking back to find joy and making plans to build on those positive (and negative) feelings in the new year. “2020 was an absolute crap show. But, we did learn a lot from it!”-Erin High hopes for 2021, what are the possibilities for the new year? 0:1:29 Research says 50% of the Western world comes up with a new year's resolution and 10% keep it for more than a few months. What is the reverse of this? Do you make worse goals for yourself just to keep the goals and be better than the 10%? 0:3:01 Start this year by making a pros/cons list of what had an emotional attachment to your life last year. What brought you joy in the year and what had negative emotions? 0:7:41 Planning for the future can generate joy before the event or activity actually happens. The act of looking forward to something can be a positive experience before it actually happens! 0:9:28 Moms aren't planning just for their own future, they have others to motivate or hold them accountable. Try setting personal and family goals that everyone is on board with in the new year. Erin shares her family's 2,021 goal! 0:11:55 Moms Unschooled New Year's goal setting tips: STOP pressuring yourselves to what others say you “should do” and find your own joy. Don't buy a gym membership in January. Get creative with what works for you. Keep going! Practice makes progress. “Don't throw the whole stroller off the cliff tomorrow... you can start with something else.”-Sarah Resources shared in the show: Tim Ferris Blog “Forget New Year's Resolutions and Conduct a ‘Past Year Review Instead.” How to reach us: Follow us on Facebook Subscribe on Youtube Email us at momsunschooled@gmail.com Shop Moms Unschooled Products: https://teespring.com/stores/moms-unschooled Who we are: Erin and Sarah are moms who enjoyed each other's unique cul-de-sac “mom perspectives” so much they want to share their thoughtful and sassy ponderings with other moms around the world. Collectively they are moms to 4 school-aged kids, and world travelers in their journeys as United States Marine Corps spouses. Erin is a homeschooling mama of three munchkins that loves running (slower than most people walk), traveling, and can recite the alphabet backwards while opening a bottle of wine. Sarah is a curious minded mama of one small human, enjoys writing, takes forever to read a book for leisure, and can order McDonald's at a Japanese and German drive through. Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

This episode was inspired by sitting on the patio with other Moms realizing everyone was dressed like “Mom Bums.” Erin, Sarah and their guest Sarah talk about definitions of Mom style and how personal preferences come to be. “You can wear whatever you want to wear whenever you want to wear it….if you feel good in it!” - Sarah 0:04:00 Why are moms pigeon holed into “Mom life” in every aspect of their life? An article from Classytrendy.com says their wardrobe capsule of 22 pieces and 100 outfits is “Perfect for Moms, retired ladies and anyone that needs an all casual wardrobe.” 0:6:22 Every Mom, including Madonna and other celebrities, has a choice of what she wears and has her own unique style that others (including children) notice. “Madonna is a Mom, do you think they are pigeon holing Madonna into the stay at home wardrobe capsule?”- Sarah 0:9:01 Even with unique personal style, staples in the Mom wardrobe exist, but have variations based on individual preference. The “expert's” staple list from Lauren McBride's blog include specific types of shoes, pants, a denim jacket, t-shirts, leggings, but every Mom has her own specific likes and dislikes about each staple (like disliking the functionality of peeing in public while wearing a fashionable romper.) #legitMomstyle 0:21:30 The Moms Unschooled wardrobe capsule includes: Long comfy cardigan Scarf Statement earrings and a long necklace Shoes that go with everything Puffy black jacket Thrift shop jeans Easy to care-for clothes and quick switch options to work from home Resources shared in the show: https://classyyettrendy.com/ https://laurenmcbrideblog.com/ https://blog.natalieborton.com/ https://www.thredup.com/ https://jane.com/categories/jewelry-accessories/jewelry How to reach us: Follow us on Facebook Subscribe on Youtube Email us at momsunschooled@gmail.com Shop Moms Unschooled Products: https://teespring.com/stores/moms-unschooled Who we are: Erin and Sarah are moms who enjoy each other's unique cul-de-sac “mom perspectives” so much they want to share their thoughtful and sassy ponderings with other moms around the world. Collectively they are moms to 4 school-aged kids, and world travelers in their journeys as United States Marine Corps spouses. Erin is a homeschooling mama of three munchkins that loves running (slower than most people walk), traveling, and can recite the alphabet backwards while opening a bottle of wine. Sarah is a curious minded mama of one small human, enjoys writing, takes forever to read a book for leisure, and can order McDonald's at a Japanese and German drive through. Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

Subscribe now: https://rb.gy/ugcqma Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

Subscribe now: https://rb.gy/ugcqma Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

Subscribe now: https://rb.gy/ugcqma Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo

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Subscribe now: https://rb.gy/ugcqma ***Shop the Episode*** Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens: https://amzn.to/34ZwUIz Sir Cumference and the Fraction Faire: https://amzn.to/341gksK Sir Cumference and the First Round Table: https://amzn.to/3j1jMri

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Subscribe now: https://rb.gy/ugcqma This episode is sponsored by Kim Merrit at Lemongrass Spa. Lemongrass Spa offers handmade, nontoxic family skin care & cosmetics with natural and organic ingredients. Save 10% off your first order! Join Kim in the Coffee & Lipstick Lounge https://www.facebook.com/groups/546408098854492/ to get 10% off, and check out Lemongrass Spa products here: https://www.ourlemongrassspa.com/KIMMERRITT/shop/preshop.aspx Shop the Episode! Origami was too complex for Sarah (but her son loved it) and decoupage was a total FAIL. She found JOY in making a DIY skin scrub instead! Totally counts as a hobby, right? :) Kids origami kit: https://amzn.to/365V46u *Sarah's DIY Hand Scrub* Apricot kernel oil: https://amzn.to/2G4cbe7 Grapeseed oil: https://amzn.to/30c2phb Glass jars: https://amzn.to/30c5u0K Young Living Lavender Oil: https://amzn.to/2S2aeRZ Young Living Lemon Oil: https://amzn.to/343Bipn

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Episode 3

Episode 2

Moms Unschooled is the ultimate "momcast" where Erin and Sarah share perspectives on all the things - from the mundane to the magnificent- to inspire you to be you! A podcast was born from conversations between moms in the midst of the “unprecedented times” of 2020. Erin and Sarah realized the discussions were deep-down more than just about covid and school choices, but about being moms and every day decisions; especially about how others' perceptions impacted family choices. “We're all in survival mode. Do we have a happy family? Do we have a healthy family? We're winning.”-Erin 0:1:58 Do what's right for you and your family and move towards “mothering as an experience.” The book Forget Having it All by Amy Westervelt, offers a perspective of breaking free from the forces that try to define what moms “should” do in American society and when shaming even starts (hint: it's before women have their own children). 5:18 Shaming and guilt are different! Shaming=other people putting judgement on you. Guilt=judging ourselves in a negative light. Cultural norms create both lines of shaming and guilt. Ashamed=allowing guilt or shame to rule a part of your life and can result in our own reactions to changing what we do or how we react. 10:11 Shame comes as non-verbal judgements (like eyes rolling) and verbal confrontations from others. We bring our own perspectives and compare our own ideas to how others handle situations, but we don't know what's in that mom's or child's story leading to that moment. 14:55 Work from home vs. stay at home shaming is rampant from both sides, even with-in each group. Give other moms grace and learn from each other. Illegal shaming from employers has a lot of improving to do. 20:27 Social media shows only snapshots of one specific moment in time, often with the “rosy filter.” Share genuine and real, or don't share at all. Use social media for ideas and information, but take ownership of your own reactions and comparison to what others post. Resources shared in the show: Forget “Having it All”: How America Messed Up Motherhood--and How to Fix It How to reach us: Follow us on Facebook Subscribe on Youtube Email us at momsunschooled@gmail.com Shop Moms Unschooled Products: https://teespring.com/stores/moms-unschooled Who we are: Erin and Sarah are moms who enjoy each other's unique cul-de-sac “mom perspectives” so much they want to share their thoughtful and sassy ponderings with other moms around the world. Collectively they are moms to 4 school-aged kids, and world travelers in their journeys as United States Marine Corps spouses. Erin is a homeschooling mama of three munchkins who loves running (slower than most people walk), traveling, and can recite the alphabet backwards while opening a bottle of wine. Sarah is a curious minded mama of one small human, enjoys writing, takes forever to read a book for leisure, and can order McDonald's at a Japanese and German drive through. Music from YouTube Audio Library [Aka YAL] Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/Ia6NYheR8Eo