It’s been a minute since we’ve been behind the mic! Life got busy with summer activities, kids’ schedules, sports, and the never-ending list of home repairs. In this episode, we’re catching up, reflecting on the chaos, and sharing how we’ve been working (and sometimes failing) to keep balance along the way.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Life Lately: Parenting highs and lows, homeschooling moments, new hobbies, and a few unexpected curveballs.
• Balance Check-In: Did summer throw us out of balance? From jam-packed schedules to house repairs, we talk about where we struggled—and the little wins that kept us going.
• Looking Ahead: What’s coming up on Chasing Balance, plus how you can be part of the conversation by sending us your questions.
• Parenting in a Digital World: Why we gave our toddler a gaming device, how it’s helping with motor skills and cognitive development, and real-life examples (like Brayden and soccer) that show the crossover between play and growth.
• Keeping It Real: We wrap up with a candid confession, because balance isn’t perfect—and we wouldn’t want it to be.

Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or you’re tuning in for the first time, thank you for listening and sticking with us. We’re back, refreshed, and excited for what’s ahead!

Tough love and real-world conversations — why honesty matters, even when it hurts.

As parents, we strive to protect our kids—but shielding them from the truth doesn’t prepare them for the real world. In this episode of Chasing Balance, we tackle the uncomfortable but essential role of honesty in raising strong, resilient children.

We revisit our belief in treating kids like capable thinkers and ask: What happens when the truth stings? From the realities of rejection and unfairness to accountability and emotional grit, this episode dives deep into why tough conversations matter.

🎙️ Inside the episode:

• How to talk to your kids about the darker sides of life—manipulation, favoritism, and failure—without crushing their optimism
• What to say when they don’t make the team, and how to balance support with self-reflection
• When it’s okay to soften the blow and when it’s time to give it straight
• Why delivering hard truths with love is one of the most respectful things we can do as parents

We’re not here to scare them—we’re here to prepare them.

💬 This week’s challenge: What truth are you avoiding in your house right now? Choose one—and have the real talk.

Summer break is a time for sunshine, relaxation, and—if we’re not careful—slipping behind academically. In this episode of Chasing Balance, we dive into the reality of the “summer slide,” a common but preventable loss of academic skills during the summer months.

From eye-opening statistics to practical, real-life strategies, we’re sharing how parents can keep their kids mentally engaged all summer long. Host [Your Name] shares a personal approach to maintaining a balance between fun and learning—starting each day with at least one hour of schoolwork before play—and how that small routine pays off in big ways when school is back in session.

Tune in for:

• The surprising extent of summer learning loss
• Why math takes the hardest hit
• The benefits of a structured summer routine
• Creative, low-pressure ways to keep kids learning
• How to stay motivated (and keep your kids motivated too)

Whether you’re looking for ways to prep your kids for the next school year or just want to bring some structure to the summer chaos, this episode is packed with tips to help your family chase balance while beating the summer slide.

🎒💡 Let’s make this summer count—for fun and learning.

Learn Materials that helped our kids:

Summer Bridge Activities 6th - 7th

Summer Learning HeadStart Grade 3 to 4

GO Fish Card Game

Preschool Learning Dry Erase Marker Book

Learning Resources Mini ABC Pops

IXL 3Rd Grade Math

Butterfly Growing Kit

References:

Kumon - What Your Kids Gain/Lose in the Summer

New Yorker - Summer Slide

Lets Go Learn - Summer Slide