Joyful Mud Puddles - Gentle Parenting

Social media only shows us what people want you to see. You may not know that I got overwhelmed and burned out just before Christmas. Thanks to scheduling posts and episodes you never noticed. Today I'm sharing some tips on how to help deal with the overwhelm and about being a highly sensitive person. Full Blog post here https://joyfulmudpuddles.blogspot.com/2021/01/highly-sensitive-part-1.html In this episode I talk about: Resources Mentioned: Digital homeschool conference Homeschooling...

Debbi Sluys specializes in helping people elevate and improve their physical, mental and spiritual well-being, expanding the brain’s potential, and with living intentionally in a state of gratitude and kindness. With nearly 30 years experience in early childhood development, Debbi has gathered a wealth of valuable knowledge about the power of mindset, visioning and success. With her background in professional development and skills in public speaking, Debbi can help you use your brain’s full...

Happy New Years. Although we can not tell what this year is going to be like, we do know our God is unchanging and steadfast. We can have peace going in to this year with confidence. Full Blog Post: https://joyfulmudpuddles.blogspot.com/2020/12/happy-new-year.html What are your goals for your family? What is your long term vision for your family? Let's talk about: One word for the year Taking baby steps Recommitting to gentle parenting Connecting with me Challenges facing peaceful...

Back in March of 2020 when the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt the itch to start blogging again after a long break. God placed it on my heart to do more than just blog occasionally. He wanted me to become a parenting coach so I could offer support to struggling parents. As time went on the idea grew larger. Not only did I start blogging again, I became a parenting coach, started a podcast, built a growing online community and published a book! Not to mention the many...

Read the full devotional here: https://joyfulmudpuddles.blogspot.com/2020/11/christmas-treasures-lessons-from-mary.html As we get closer to Christmas our thoughts turn towards Jesus' birth. Over the years I have considered different parts of the Nativity. Often wondering what it would have been like for each of the people involved. This year as I have been wrapped up in the middle of writing a devotional book for mothers, a single verse stuck out in the book of Luke. As a mom I can relate...

Kids and toys go hand in hand, don't they? Not necessarily. What do you do if your child isn't really interested in toys? I can't be the only one whose children would rather play with the egg beater or a hammer over race cars and dolls. Does it make you feel uncomfortable? How do you handle it? Full blogpost: https://joyfulmudpuddles.blogspot.com/2020/12/help-my-kids-dont-play-with-toys.html Some toys may hold your kids' attention longer than others, and your children may go through...

The Holiday Season has arrived and with this crazy year of COVID-19 and social distancing, it is even more important than ever to care for your mental health. Lets take a look at how to avoid Holiday overwhelm and burnout. Read the full blog post here: https://joyfulmudpuddles.blogspot.com/2020/12/how-to-avoid-holiday-overwhelm-and.html I've included journaling and reflection questions for you to think about. These are meant to help guide you towards a more joyful peaceful holiday...

Managing children, working and being a mom can be overwhelming at times. It can be hard to find time for ourselves and keep a positive mindset. Hearing about how other moms handle the demands of life can be inspiring and give us some great tips we might now have thought of. This year I have met some of the most amazing women. This week I'm chatting with a fellow entrepreneur and homeschooling mom. Full show notes/blog post:...

Many moms are juggling working and parenting. It can be a delicate balance some days to make sure that you don't burn out. It takes being intentional about your time and priorities in the choices that you make each day. Join me today on the Joyful Mud Puddles Podcast as I chat with Lori Ervin Network Marketing Specialist all about balancing working and being a mom. In this episode we talk about: Meet Lori Hi I'm Lori, I am obsessed with helping women build businesses, on their terms and...

Can you imagine the incredible impact we'd all have on the world if mothers could gather together and support one another? Some times it feels like we are all in this together, yet mom shame and guilt is still such a problem. Today on the Joyful Mud Puddles Podcast I chat with Ashley Davis a fellow homeschool mom and podcaster. In this episode we talk about: Honest real motherhood on social media Mom envy Importance of community Mom shame Build your own spot on the wall from...

Teenage years can often throw parents for a loop. It is so wonderful that there is support and guidance available. What a blessing to chat with another mom to share her wisdom and advice on connecting more with your teens. Charlene Clark is the founder of Legacy Moms, a program geared toward Christian mothers who desire more resources and support for themselves & their teens. She is passionate about teaching & empowering children to recognize their potential. She is a certified K-6th grade...

How to Simplify your life by balancing your schedule. I’m usually mindful of our time, balancing busy and calmer days. Today let’s take a look at why it is important to guard our time. Why simplify your scheduleToo many scheduled activities may limit internal motivationConstant activity without downtime is not sustainableBoredom often leads to creativityLearn to appreciate the ordinaryFree play offers so many learning opportunitiesToo much of a good thing is still too muchHow to simplify...

What does your day look like? Is it random and unpredictable? Strictly predictable? Calm and peaceful? Each family will have their own style so take what resonates most with you.Why simplify the rhythm?-Creates space in the day for active and calming times-Priorities are taken care of-Children thrive on predictability-Less stress when we know what will come next-Routines help lessen challenging behaviour-Rhythm builds islands of consitancy throughout the day-Commitment to rhythm builds...

Are you drowning in clutter? Does is make you anxious just looking around at all the stuff piled up around your house? Everyone in your home, especially your children benefit from a calm peaceful environment. In this episode I will talk more about the benefits of deculttering our environment, how to go about doing that and why it is important to consider other areas of the home that can be...

So you are tired, overwhelmed and weary…Maybe you feel like the joy has been sucked out of your family or you just aren’t experiencing motherhood or parenting the way you wish you were.You are not alone. I can very much relate to those feelings. I am right there in the trenches with you and I know where you are coming from. In fact I bet you have a friend or relative who is feeling the same way. I encourage you to share this post and podcast episode with them. Today I’ll share a few things...

Imagine a slower more simple life. One in which you were intentional about what came into your home and your schedule? How would that affect your parenting and your kids' behaviour? This week I had the pleasure of chatting with Kim John Payne author of several best selling books and creator of the Simplicity Parenting movement! He is so lovely to talk to and I was able to ask Kim questions directly rom my followers. Pillars of Simplicity Parenting Environment: De-cluttering too much stuff...

Michelle is a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA), dog behavior consultant, mom, and former classroom teacher. With over 16 years of teaching experience, Michelle loves both the human and canine members of dog families, which shows in her warm and supportive demeanor with clients. She specializes in working with families who are expecting babies and those who already have children and dogs. In this episode we talk about: Membership community and supportBlog post mentioned Did we...

As an adult would you want to be in a controlling or forceful relationship? How do you feel when you are told what to do? Think about being volunteered for a position that you didn't really want to take. You would likely feel the urge to push back, or feel angry. This is how our kids feel about being told what to do all day long. I know that there is a lot of debate around obedience, especially when the bible does repeatedly does mention obedience. Jesus himself was obedient, even to death...

Rebecca is a registered Speech-Language Pathologist (reg. CASLPO). In addition to being the mom of 2 small children, she supports families through independent private practice at Bloom Speech-Language Therapy and is the creator and coach behind The Parent's Blueprint to Reading Confidence online course. Rebecca is passionate about empowering parents by thinking #outsidetheclinicalbox. Sharing information about communication and literacy development, and supporting parents in becoming active...

In this episode we talk about: Heather Boyd is a private practice occupational therapist from Niagara, Ontario and mother to three boys. She has nearly 20 years of experience in family-centred infant development. Heather provides virtual consulting to families who are concerned about infant sleep, parenting, child development, and environmental health. She takes an attachment-based approach to supporting families and helps parents increase knowledge and change perspective rather than change...