What does it mean to be a thermostat instead of a thermometer? A thermometer registers the temperature of its environment, while a thermostat influences it. I wanted to be a thermostat so I could set the tone of my home.
In this bonus episode, I share how I retrained my thoughts to be a thermostat instead of a thermometer by using the Thoughts-Feelings-Action (TFA) principle, even before I knew that meant. It's a simple strategy anyone can use!
Click here to download the printable images mentioned in the episode.
Click here to learn more about the TFA cycle in the Thermostat Approach Toolkit
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
Do you desire to have a thriving home atmosphere but feel like you just can't quite achieve it?
I get it! I've had seasons where it seemed like no matter what I did, something just didn't feel right about our home atmosphere.
But it is possible!
After talking to many women and examining my own home, I've identified four mistakes that can trip you up. In this episode, we'll examine these four mistakes and explore how you can avoid them.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Until next time,
Crystal
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
Learn the four key elements that will help you create an atmosphere where your children can thrive.
Do you feel overwhelmed?
Do you wish you and your children were thriving instead of living in survival mode?
Even though there is no guaranteed step-by-step guide or formula for ordering your da/ys, there are four key elements that will help you create an atmosphere where you and your children can thrive.
In this workshop, you will learn how to implement the four key elements that will help you to
- view your schedule with a discerning eye and gain control of your time. Having more margin in your life is the cornerstone of a thriving home atmosphere.
- set the tone of your home. Your home can become a place of refuge for your family.
- develop deeper relationships with your children. A strong relationship can increase your influence in their lives.
- help your child assume responsibility for himself, take pride in his work, and apply that mindset to help others. Understanding and embracing this mindset will start them on the road to success.
To download the handouts for this workshop visit: https://www.triumphantlearning.com/atmosphereworkshop/
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
In this episode, we are exploring seven keys to help you flourish and thrive. These are probably not new or revolutionary concepts, but they are ones that we all need to be reminded of periodically.
In the last few episodes, we've been talking about what it means to you to flourish and thrive and how to identify what areas you want to focus. As you think about working through the action steps to help you improve, these seven keys will help you continue improving and move closer to your goal.
If you have not downloaded the Thriving Life Journal yet so you can identify the area you want to improve, you can download it here:
Click here to download the Thriving Life Journal.
Until next time,
Crystal
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
Have you noticed the difference in how your day goes when you have a ton of energy and when you feel drained? When we have low energy stores, we cannot complete what we need and want to do. In this episode, you'll learn how to avoid four energy drainers so you can focus your energy on your important tasks.
Until next time,
Crystal
P.S. Want to share this episode or see the full post? Head over to the blog: https://www.triumphantlearning.com/energy-drainers/
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
Have you noticed how you are irritable and stressed when you have too many things to do? When we have too many things to do, our brains get overwhelmed, and we have trouble making decisions. These feelings also impair our ability to regulate our emotions and set the tone of our home. In today's episode, we'll dive into why that happens and how you can avoid it.
Click here to download the EQ Toolkit.
Click here to join the free Take Back Your Days Challenge and download your copy of the Daily ATM.
Until next time,
Crystal
P.S. Want to share this episode or see the full post? Head over to the blog: https://www.triumphantlearning.com/too-many-things-to-do/
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
The “Be still” meditation is helpful for slowing down and recentering your thoughts. During this meditation, you will recite the first part of Psalm 46:10. After you recite it, take a deep breath. Then shorten it by one phrase and take another deep breath. Meditate on the words as I lead you through this exercise.
Click here to download more grounding techniques in the Thermostat Approach Toolkit.
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique is designed to reengage your prefrontal cortex by drawing attention to your surroundings. I’ll walk you through the exercise and provide prompts to help you remember the order when you do this on your own. These are the prompts my daughter uses. In addition to providing a reminder of what to do, it also adds tactile stimulation for kinesthetic learners and additional grounding.
Click here to download more grounding techniques in the Thermostat Approach Toolkit.
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
Square breathing is an exercise where you breathe in and out evenly. It is also a great exercise to include tactile stimulation for an additional grounding effect by drawing a box on your leg, arm, or palm as you breathe in and out. Let’s practice together.
Click here to download more grounding techniques in the Thermostat Approach Toolkit.
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
How many times have you been wrecked by emotions?
Maybe you weren't able to respond the way you wanted.
Maybe the tone of your home was not pleasant because your emotions, the emotions of your children, or all of the above, were taking control.
It's not always easy, but you can manage your emotions and cultivate a thriving home atmosphere. In this episode, you'll learn the three simple steps to manage your emotions instead of letting them control you.
Click here to download the free Thermostat Approach Toolkit.
Until next time,
Crystal
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
We have so much we need to do in a day that it can be difficult to slow down long enough to focus on connection over productivity.
In this episode, we'll talk about three practical ways you can slow down so you can be fully present with your children.
If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, would you consider showing your support by sharing it with your friends and family as well as take a moment to rate and review it in your listening app!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- How to do the yoga lion pose
- Take Back Your Days Free Email Challenge
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
When my daughters were young, I commonly felt tired and ready to fall into bed at night. I was often short-tempered and frustrated when I couldn’t accomplish what needed to get done. It was exhausting to feel like someone always needed me and was always touching me. The days felt so long. During these challenging years, it grated on me when a well-meaning friend with grown children would say, “Enjoy these moments. They pass all too quickly.” I knew she was right. I had already seen how quickly my daughters were maturing. But her comment felt as if she didn’t remember how difficult these days were.
Then I heard a phrase that I repeated almost daily. I've been thinking about it recently during the teenage years and how the phrase still applies.
In this episode, I'll share that phrase with you and how you can change your perspective to survive long parenting days.
As you consider how you might apply this perspective in your home, think about the following questions:
- How can you change your perspective about your days?
- How can you view your days as an opportunity instead of a chore?
- What image can you hold onto as a reminder of the opportunity you have?
Links mentioned in the episode:
If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, would you consider showing your support by sharing it with your friends and family as well as take a moment to rate and review it in your listening app!
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
Sometimes it feels more like you are living in survival mode than thriving. Hear how Robin learned to find joy and peace during a challenging season. She shares tips for surviving and encouragement that good comes after the struggle.
What we talked about
- The challenges and difficulties of learning how to slow down and focus on your family. And the joys and benefits of doing so.
- The need to let go of expectations and accept a new view of what it means to homeschool during different seasons. And how learning to appreciate the mundane helped Robin find joy in the moment.
- The importance of finding joy at the end of a difficult season and what Robin did to find the joy.
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
Recognizing the needs of our children can be one of the hardest things we do as parents and home educators. In this episode, Latoya Edwards reminded us that when we take advantage of small moments of time to center ourselves by spending time with God we are able to be more observant and aware of our children's needs. She shares practical tips from her own life of how you can make the most of the small moments you have during your day.
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
Many of our struggles stem from a response to fear, guilt, or shame. Learn how you can turn the tables and break their stranglehold on your homeschool.
When you start to feel overwhelmed and are doubting your decisions, start by working through this three-step process:
- Pause — Breathe — Pray
- Ask: What are the positives?
- Choose not to live confined
Listen to the podcast for more about these three steps and how I applied them to my fears, guilt, and shame with real examples from my homeschool.
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
A reader wrote in...
I feel like I'm pulled in 100 different directions and I can't get it all done!
I'm sure we have all felt that way.
There are a lot of demands on your time that drain your energy and leave you feeling overwhelmed. In this episode of the podcast, we are talking about ten ways you can conserve and renew your energy so you are ready to face your homeschool life head-on.
10 ways to conserve and renew your energy
- Recognize that your batteries do not recharge as effectively as they did before.
- Have a daily quiet time.
- Remember to breathe.
- Get enough sleep.
- Eat well to fuel your body.
- Move every day.
- Make time for motherly inactivity.
- Identify other health problems that may be draining your energy.
- Delegate responsibilities to your children.
- Reduce distractions.
Links and resources from the show
© Triumphant Learning, LLC
117: How I Retrained My Thoughts To Be A Thermostat Instead Of A Thermometer
6:38
116: 4 Common Mistakes Preventing You From Cultivating A Thriving Home Atmosphere
10:56
114: Create An Atmosphere Where Children Thrive Workshop
1:00:46
112: 7 Keys To Flourish And Thrive
11:25
102: Avoid These Four Energy Drainers To Get More Done And Feel Better
15:02
100: Too Many Things To Do? Try These 3 Steps For Calmer Days.
9:36
Psalm 46:10 Be Still Meditation
2:15
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique
2:15
Square Breathing Grounding Technique
2:15
99: 3 Simple Steps To Manage Your Emotions
14:01
89: Focusing On Connection Over Productivity
11:57
88: The Key To Surviving Long Parenting Days
9:19
46: Finding Joy In Your Current Situation With Robin James
28:29
21: How your quiet time benefits your children with Latoya Edwards
28:12
11: 3 Steps To Break The Stranglehold Of Fear, Guilt, And Shame
19:01
5: 10 Ways To Conserve And Renew Your Energy As A Homeschool Mom
19:19