The Real Kathy Lee

Kathy Lee
The Real Kathy Lee

The REAL Kathy Lee is an honest podcast for REAL moms. It's where we talk about real life… real motherhood. Topics will include helicopter parenting, how to really connect with your children, how to find your joy in motherhood, why every mom needs an “all by herself” vacation, how to refrain from jumping in the car and just driving away, and why saying YES is the most powerful response to a young child’s requests.

  1. 11/19/2024

    Are you a good guest? (Replay)

    Many of you will be traveling with young kids during the holidays. My friend, Ashley will be traveling too. She and I had a great chat today about traveling with young kids and tips for being remembered as a good guest. Thanks to NowProgams for sponsoring this episode. * Make a phone call to the host family. Ask if you need to bring high chairs/portable cribs/ sleeping bags, etc. Also, ask if any special clothes will be needed for events happening during your visit. * Pack some activities in Ziploc bags for the car ride and trip. Blocks, cars, animals, puzzles, books, crayons, stickers and paper work great! * Discuss with your spouse who will put kids to bed each night so that each of you get some “adult” time on your trip. * Ask for the tentative meal schedule and inform hostess of any scheduling conflicts your family has, so everyone can plan. * Ask before doing. Ask about the house rules (no shoes on carpet, no eating in family room, etc…) and let your kids know these up front. Just because you have certain rules at your house doesn’t mean your host family will have the same rules. * Keep your space picked up. Even if you don’t make your bed at home, it is good manners to make your bed, daily when visiting others. * If children are disruptive, remove them from the situation. Very few children suddenly start behaving again after a big meltdown. Often this is due to lack of sleep and extra sugar during the holidays. * Take your host a small token of appreciation (wine, candle, loaf of bread, etc…) and a handwritten note. * Ask what needs to be done with dirty linens. It is standard etiquette to take sheets off bed, fold them and put them on the end of the bed and remake the bed. However, not every host wants that done. Asking is always best. 10.Leave things better than you found them. Visiting others does not have to be stressful. Preparation should make things easier on you and your host family. “A Year of Playing Skillfully is the most beautiful, inspiring curriculum I could have imagined and three weeks into our pre-K year, I have fallen completely in love.“ - Meghann

  2. 10/29/2024

    Even Second Generation Homeschoolers Make Mistakes

    Special Replay: Even Second-Generation Homeschoolers Make Mistakes Episode #4 Do second-generation homeschoolers make mistakes? As I travel across the country, I am fortunate to meet some amazing people. Two of those I have met along the way are Mike and Jessica Somerville with Tapestry of Grace. Recently, I met up with Mike and Jessica at the Great Homeschool Conventions in Fort Worth, TX. Mike and Jessica Somerville are homeschool graduates that are now homeschooling their three beautiful daughters. If you are like me, you assume that they must be the PERFECT homeschooling family. However, in this podcast, they share some lessons they have already learned from mistakes already made. You don’t want to miss this time together.   After you listen, please take a moment and click on the review button in iTunes to write a review. Thank you so much!!!   You’ve got this, Kathy     Show Notes for Even Second Generation Homeschoolers Make Mistakes Ctcmath.com 0:00 Meeting the coolest people. 2:13 Learning to say yes to reading. 5:26 Set a shared vision and flexible vision. 11:21 Lesson 2: Don’t panic. 14:11 Make the right curriculum choices in the early years. 16:52 Where to start with homeschooling? 23:12 The importance of having a plan. 25:08 Space is the final frontier. 28:45 Find and read good books on homeschooling. 34:22 We’re not working for them. 37:36   This podcast is sponsored by CTC Math Homeschoolers – 1/2 Price after FREE TRIAL. Click the link to get started. Enjoy Even Second-Generation Homeschoolers Make Mistakes? Try these podcasts!   https://ultimateradioshow.com/how-to-homeschool-practical-tips-and-advice-to-launch/ https://ultimateradioshow.com/homeschooling-with-vision-and-purpose/

    48 min
  3. 10/18/2024

    Special Replay: Why NO and MINE are good words for Toddlers

    I often get asked how to deal with NO and MINE in toddler world. I see them both as positive words for this age. Toddlers are realizing that they are indeed human and separate from their parents. Isn’t what we hope all of our children realize! ;) Up until this point someone has made all the decisions for them and they FINALLY have a voice. NO, they don’t want peas for dinner. NO, they don’t want to take a bath. NO, they don’t want to go to bed. I bet some toddlers are sooooo excited that they can finally state their opinion. ON this episode, we will talk about this world of toddlers and the many reasons that no and mine are their favorite words. It really is a good thing. Also in this episode, I will quickly address some other toddler topics… potty training, biting, and pitching fits. I know for many parents, this toddler stage is challenging. I often suggest that parents try and approach this time with a lighthearted spirit. I always encourage gentle, playful parenting whenever possible, especially during the young years. Find a way to #sayyes today. Thanks to CTCMath.com as our sponsor!  Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Thank you to The Homegrown Preschooler for sponsoring this Podcast! Check out the blog post Kathy mentioned, Farmhouse Schoolhouse, to read more about A Year of Playing Skillfully. Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

    16 min
  4. 10/11/2024

    Special Replay: Creating Inviting Spaces in Your Homeschool with Your Little Ones

    Special Replay | Creating Inviting Spaces for Your Homeschool for your Little Ones   When my sweet friend, Misty sent me a Marco Polo (a cool video app) asking my opinion on her child’s playroom, I thought it would be a good idea to share my thoughts with all of you on creating inviting spaces for your little ones! Everyone is worthy of feeling as if they belong, especially our children and most definitely in their own home. Before you begin designing an inviting space for your children, I suggest you get on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. YEP, literally get on your hands and knees. Spaces look so different from a child’s eye level. Ask yourself, how do things look and feel from that level. Are there enough “small” areas for your children to work, play, discover and explore?   Work, An Element of Inviting Spaces in Your Homeschool Children need small ways to contribute to the family. They need work. Create spaces for their belongings on their level. Have a drawer for their cups, plates, utensils, and special cooking items. Have a bucket with basic cleaning supplies and cloths. Place hooks low enough so that children can hang up their own coats. Creating good habits at a young age pay off. Play, Building Relationships through Ideas Children are meant to play. How easy is it to say YES to their ideas for play? Less is definitely more in this area. Children do not need 20 containers full of toys in a playroom. During the early years it is likely that everything that is in a container will end up dumped on the floor, all at once. Buy quality toys and items that inspire open-ended play. This is more engaging for the child. I suggest you keep it basic. Some quality blocks, some arts and crafts materials, something that inspires pretend play (dress up, kitchen, baby dolls, etc..) and a cozy corner with books. Put everything else in a large plastic bin and keep it for a month. During that month, move anything your child asks for into a different bin. Whatever is left in the original bin after a month, donate. Discover and Explore, The Great Outdoors Kids need permission to get outside in search of discovery and exploration. Do you have a space for them to do that? Do you have materials such as nature journals, pencils, binoculars, and bird/flower books to inspire them? Keeping these type of items handy will help you say yes! Creating inviting spaces is worth the time and effort! Get down on your hands and knees and start crawling around your space today!   Love this post? Discover more on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network Homeschool Lifestyle Last Minute DIY Tips Money Saving Field Trips All About Teaching Raising Spiritually Strong Kids Six Homeschooling Insider Tips Best Staycations for Kids Avoid Curriculum Pitfalls Top 10 Parenting Secrets 45 Family Date Night Ideas Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

    17 min
  5. 09/19/2024

    What If I Think My Child Needs a Diagnosis? Replay

    What if I think my child needs a diagnosis? This is a common mom-question and today on Momfessions we're going to tackle that topic. Thank you to today's sponsor: CTC Math. I have the coolest friends. Sometimes I forget that they are even more amazing in their careers. This is the case with my friend, Lei Rhyne. Not only did she homeschool her kiddos for several years, is beautiful and funny, she is also a psychometrist… say that three times fast. When she mentioned to me that she helped families who saw their children struggling, I wanted to know more. In This Episode: What if I Think My Child Needs a Diagnosis? In this episode Lei shares the full process involved of having your child tested and diagnosed, putting your fears to rest. She explains the first meeting with the Psychologist, the fact-finding mission that usually involves a couple of days of testing and observations, and the results of meeting with both the Psychometrist and Psychologist. I think one of the best parts about getting a diagnosis from Lei her team at Fresh Start Mind is the fact that in the end, parents will be armed with the information and tools needed to help their child succeed emotionally, socially, and academically. If you suspect that something is not quite right with your child socially, emotionally, or academically, you should consider giving Lei or another qualified educational consulting team a call. You’ve got this! Find a way to #sayyes today. Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Thank you to The Homegrown Preschooler for sponsoring this Podcast! Check out the blog post Kathy mentioned, Farmhouse Schoolhouse, to read more about A Year of Playing Skillfully. Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

    23 min
  6. 09/10/2024

    How to Have Those BIG Talks with Your Kids with Christy Montes (Replay)

    How to Have Those Big Talks with Your Kids | Momfessions with the Real Kathy Lee We know we need to have those big talks with our kids. But, where to start? Thanks to our sponsor, CTCMath.com – we are pleased for their continued excellence in education and dedication to the homeschool community. It is due to sponsorships that our programs continue to come to you without cost. Please visit the website and check out their curriculum. Christy Montes is back to chat about those BIG talks. Christy and I have had many talks with all of our kids over the years and thought you guys might benefit from hearing from us on this topic. We have done some things well, but we have messed up plenty. If you want to have a relationship that promotes open communication, start early and talk often. Some other things we suggested were: 1. Make time for each child. 2. Stay in the moment, that means put away your phone. 3. Don’t be fearful about the BIG talks. 4. Take advantage of car rides, it is a great place to talk. This picture is of sweet Christy and her husband at a recent history night. I wonder if they had any talks in that car. ;) 5. You will make a mistake, which is why GRACE exists. 6. You will feel like your drowning in toddlerhood, know that your investment pays off later. 7. You are not meant to be friends with your young children, but if you do not invest in them when they are young, you will not be friends as adults. 8. Find a friend you trust and encourage each other through this mothering gig.   Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! Thanks to our sponsor, CTCMath.com – we are pleased for their continued excellence in education and dedication to the homeschool community. It is due to sponsorships that our programs continue to come to you without cost. Please visit the website and check out their curriculum.       Enjoy this Podcast? Check out These! https://ultimateradioshow.com/why-you-should-homeschool-with-christy-faith-pt-1/

    21 min
  7. 09/05/2024

    Teens Speak Up About Everyday Life

    Teens Speak Up About Everyday Life My 17-year-old nephew drove over from Alabama to spend the weekend with us. I love having chatting with him and hearing his perspective about life and the struggles that come with being a teenager in 2018. I thought you might enjoy from Alex, as well. My daughter, Sarah was hanging out with us, so I invited her to jump in on the conversation and share her thoughts, as well. In this episode we talked about the stressors that teenagers have to deal with, both in public school and home school settings. Both Alex and Sarah agreed that time management was super stressful at this age. Next, we chatted about the pressure of Social Media and how to help teenagers navigate the stress caused by likes and follows. Alex and Sarah were willing to be honest about relationships, exposure to drugs, and the pressures to fit in with the crowd. I know most of you have preschoolers and teenage parenting is still in the future. However, I think this episode will be so beneficial for you because Sarah and Alex share their thoughts on how parenting plays a big role in a teenager’s future. This would be a good episode to listen to with your spouse and make a game plan when the time comes that you have teens in your home. I am so thankful for teenagers who are willing to talk. Set the stage when they are young that heart to heart talks are good and let your children know that they are loved, no matter what.   Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor, CTC Math.   Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE. .

  8. 08/20/2024

    Loving Children Who Have Experienced Trauma

    What is trauma? trau·ma ˈtroumə,ˈtrômə/ noun 1. a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. What causes trauma in young children? * Past or Present Abuse * Stress in the home * Divorce * Death of Pet * Death of Family Member/Friend * Unhealthy environment * Adding a new family member. * Move * Witnessing something horrible, scary, or stressful. This can be a real life event or witnessed via media. You don’t need to know what caused the trauma in order to help. Behavior is Communication GET CURIOUS…What is their behavior saying to you? * Withdrawn * Anxious * Misbehavior * Angry * Fearful * Powerless * Exhausted THIS ISN’T ABOUT YOU If it is a big deal to them, it is a big deal. Try to stay unemotional during  the most emotional times. Children from hard places need to know they are safe, loved and Accepted, no matter what. Essentials of TIC (Trauma Informed Classroom) Connect – Focus on Relationships Protect – Promote Safety and Trustworthiness Respect – Engage in Choice and Collaboration Redirect (Teach and Reinforce) – Encourage SkillBuilding and Competence Hummer, V., Crosland, K., Dollard, N., 2009 10 ways to help… 1. Have a Routine. 2. Choose Your Words Carefully. 3. Provide a space for one. 4. Give permission to feel. 5. Honor their feelings. 6. Be available. 7. Be flexible. 8. Educate others. 9. Don’t expect to have all the answers (Ask them). 10. Create opportunities in the classroom for the child to experience success. Make a plan… What do you need to be prepared? Who do you need to talk to? Any unresolved trauma in your own background? What needs to change in you OR your environment? Thank you to our sponsor, CTC Math.

5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

The REAL Kathy Lee is an honest podcast for REAL moms. It's where we talk about real life… real motherhood. Topics will include helicopter parenting, how to really connect with your children, how to find your joy in motherhood, why every mom needs an “all by herself” vacation, how to refrain from jumping in the car and just driving away, and why saying YES is the most powerful response to a young child’s requests.

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada