Fast Lane With Sara Jayne

Episode 04: Sara Jayne: Not Teacher of the Year

Homeschooling Update

 

In this episode of the Fast Lane with Sara Jayne podcast, our host shares an update on homeschooling her children during this time of social distancing. Sara Jayne recounts some of the challenges she has faced over the last few weeks as well as some of the surprising successes her family has enjoyed. This episode will help you think about how you can adjust your expectations as situations shift. 

 

Episode Highlights: 

 

• The first week of homeschooling went well, but it was stressful because people were getting to know the routine. During that first week, they did school from 8:30-3:00.
• Sara Jayne recounts having her child go through several workbooks.
• The second week, they went for a bike ride over the weekend and she felt dread about returning to “school” on Monday.
• Her kids complained about doing so many worksheets but she insisted.
• Sara Jayne realized that she was taking school at home quite seriously. 
• This went on for three weeks, then she slowly started going back to work at her normal job. At that point, they cut school down to four hours.
• Meanwhile, her baby loves to throw things away and assignments go missing. This was one of the challenges.
• Sara Jayne's child told her that he didn't need to do certain tasks or assignments. She ended up ripping a stack of papers in half. This became an opportunity to have a good conversation. 
• She explained to her child that she wasn't a good student. 
• Sara Jayne tells us about her struggles with math through high school.
• Before she had kids, Sara Jayne decided that she would make sure her kids were always prepared academically.
• Sara Jayne talks about how she felt she never had the option to be the smartest kid in the class because she didn't have the natural brain it required and wasn't given help when she asked for it.  
• The next week, her work became more time-consuming. They needed to get school done in just a couple of hours. This helped her back off.
• Let's take a moment and appreciate what teachers do for children.
• Sara Jayne now realizes that everyone is going to be fine.
• Sara Jayne thinks she could homeschool if she had her own curriculum.
• Sara Jayne has learned a lot about her kids since they've been home.
• This whole situation has helped them to slow down their lifestyle.
• One of Sara Jayne's children has asked for a dedicated meditation space.
• Remember that better days are ahead. 

 

3 Key Points:

1. It can be easy to want to take homeschooling during this time very seriously. 
2. Even if you back off from homeschooling, it is likely that your children will still be ok.
3. Remember to acknowledge the hard work of teachers and what they do for individual students with various needs. 

 

Resources Mentioned:

• Fast Lane with Sara Jayne Facebook page

Episode 03: Stop and Smell the Roses

Suggested Title:  Stop and Smell The Roses

 

In this episode of the Fast Lane with Sara Jayne podcast, our host emphasizes the importance of stopping to smell the roses. In our busy lives filled with checklists, it’s important to slow down and enjoy what we have and who we’re with. This episode will help you think about how you can incorporate more gratitude and self-appreciation in your daily life.

 

Episode Highlights: 

 

• We have so many to-do lists that can often dictate how we spend our time.
• People emphasize how you can never spend too much time with your kids.
• Sara Jayne takes pride in how much time she spends with her kids.
• Someone recently asked her if she ever stops to smell the roses.
• Think about giving yourself credit for what you've already done.
• Sara Jayne thought she was in a good groove doing what she needs to get done and doing it pretty well. This conversation with a friend changed how she was thinking.
• Are you praising yourself the same way you praise your kids?
• A friend asked Sara Jayne if she feels grateful for the things she’s done. 
• Sara Jayne can find herself too preoccupied with lists to allow herself to slow down.
• She reviewed her gratitude journal and found that she hadn't been acknowledging her personal achievements.
• Sara Jayne reflects on how it is easy for her to feel happy and grateful when she’s on family vacations. She recounts a trip last year to Yosemite and how present she was there.
• She is going to work hard at being grateful on a daily basis.
• We can be hard on ourselves for not being on top of everything at all times.
• Sara Jayne talks about her family's tendency to hurry through the day.
• Are we allowing our kids to appreciate the journey?
• Sara Jayne can find herself too preoccupied with lists to allow herself to slow down.
• She's not recommending eliminating your goals or checklists but don't miss out on precious time with your family and friends.
• Think about how you can stop and smell the roses.
• Take this week to enjoy your life and to recognize what you may not be appreciating.

 

3 Key Points:

1. Sometimes we are so busy checking things off our to-do lists that we forget to acknowledge what we have already accomplished.
2. Remember to praise yourself. You deserve recognition for all that you do.
3. Life is a beautiful garden we are walking through. We can slow down and enjoy what we are experiencing on a more regular basis.

 

Resources Mentioned:

• Fast Lane with Sara Jayne Facebook page

Episode 02: Pure Haven’s Amazing Products That Protect Families

In this episode of the Fast Lane with Sara Jayne podcast, our host discusses safe products for families with Bruce Jensen, Founder of Pure Haven. Hear why Bruce started a line of toxin-free products, which products are his personal favorites, and how Pure Haven uses science and innovation to create products that protect families.

Episode Highlights: 

• Sara Jayne provides an introduction to Pure Haven products.
• Bruce shares why he founded Pure Haven. When he started learning about the pain toxins inflict on families, he wanted to be an instrument of change.
• Pure Haven is different from other brands that claim to be “natural” or “organic” because their products are truly toxin-free.
• The grapefruit sugar scrub is Bruce’s favorite product.
• Bruce describes his initial resistance to switching from antiperspirant to natural deodorant.
• Pure Haven is committed to product development that is informed by science and innovation.
• Their body butter took three years to develop. Through that product development, they created their own broad spectrum preservation system, Pure Protect.
• They haven't had issues keeping things in stock during the coronavirus crisis because many of their ingredients are made in the U.S.
• Sara Jayne's first favorite product was the surface cleaner.
• They discuss Pure Haven's water-less hand cleaner.
• Prebiotics and probiotics are in Pure Haven products to help reverse aging.
• Many people start using Pure Haven and find they don't need to wear makeup.
• The general starting place for new customers is skincare.
• When people use Pure Haven skincare, they heal the good bacteria and the good bacteria takes care of the acne.
• Pure Haven's ultimate goal is not to cure cancer, but to stop the things that are causing it.

3 Key Points:

1. When you’re shopping, look for products that are labeled “toxin free” because many companies use misleading terms to describe their products.
2. Pure Haven develops products using science and innovation. 
3. Pure Haven produces high quality products that protect families from toxins.

Resources Mentioned:

• Pure Haven
• Bruce Jensen LinkedIn
• Fast Lane with Sara Jayne Facebook page

Episode 01: My New Job

In the first episode of the Fast Lane with Sara Jayne podcast, Sara Jayne discusses how she is preparing to homeschool her children during the COVID-19 crisis. Hear obstacles Sara Jayne is facing, what she’s expecting going into this new challenge, and remember that although you may be nervous about these big changes, you’ve got this.

Episode Highlights: 

• Sara Jayne recently began teaching her children from home.
• Teaching children can be challenging when it seems like they won't listen.
• Sara Jayne demonstrates that she's tough and can handle this challenge although she feels nervous.
• She outlines many of the challenges that may arise in this situation. 
• One of her children asks many questions before following instructions.
• Another thing making her nervous is that her husband is unavailable to help her homeschool.
• There will potentially be differences in how quickly her kindergartner and third-grader complete their tasks.
• In preparation, she set up two desks and will put up a desk for her two-year-old as well.
• For one hour each day, the third-grade teacher will be online with her class.
• Sara Jayne tells the story of being needed by three people at once on her way to simply purchase a new DVD player and DVDs.
• Sara Jayne describes the difficulty of keeping her two-year-old occupied.
• Sara Jayne decided to be more professional by dressing accordingly and planning out the day.
• Although she planned out the day, she realized she does not really know how the timing will work and how much time each activity will require.
• Teachers are likely very overwhelmed right now learning how to teach online and via correspondence.
• Her children are excited to start homeschool. Her husband is indifferent. She is feeling stressed.
• Her children are confused about why things are different right now.
• She feels sad for her kids that they are unable to communicate with their friends.
• She has seen many positive people trying to help.
• Sara Jayne hopes other parents in this situation enjoy their new job. 

3 Key Points:

1. Homeschooling two children while also caring for a toddler is new territory for many parents.
2. Although materials have been provided by teachers, how the day will unfold and how much time each activity requires is unknown. 
3. Many children are confused about these changes and cannot communicate with their friends.

Resources Mentioned:

• Fast Lane with Sara Jayne Facebook page

Introduction to Fast Lane with Sara Jayne

Listen to hear why Sara Jayne Klein decided to start the Fast Lane with Sara Jayne Podcast.