Gotta Love Family Podcast

Last week, I shared an experiment I did with real families using the Spark Station. I reiterated the five rules that make everything else work and shared real family experiences for three of those rules. Today, we will cover the last two rules. I am also going to address what to do if it isn't working for your family and how to manage the hard days. Join me as I round out all the information so you can begin to find successful family connection with this fun tool.

I want to tell you about an experiment I did years ago. I had been talking to families about the Spark Station and quickly realized that something wasn't clicking for a lot of them. They liked the idea, but it wasn't working the way it should. I could see clearly that these parents were missing the vision of the real power this tool could have in their homes. So, I decided to test what I knew worked with real families — five of them, over two months. The families were wonderfully different from each other. I talked face-to-face with parents and children, and what I learned from those two months shaped everything I now teach about the Spark Station. What I found was this: the tool itself wasn't the problem. The principles behind it were. Join me as I share stories and examples from these real families that illustrate how and why the Five Principles of Power work. I want to convince you that these rules work, not just in learning but in family connection and fun.

When I was in fifth grade, I learned to crochet. It wasn't easy to learn. I had never done anything like it before. I felt all thumbs, and it wasn't always easy to conceptualize what it was I was supposed to do. With time, I did learn, and I made a small purse. My teacher coached me through almost every row until it was done. I still have that purse. The next hurdle was learning to read actual directions. Yikes. It was like reading Greek. I had learned how to crochet, but without a teacher constantly at my elbow or being able to read the directions, I couldn't really use my new skill. To learn to read directions, I had to go back to the beginning and learn to connect the skill with the actual execution of a pattern. The same is true for the Spark Station. You may have heard me mention it, but hearing about it and actually creating and using one are two different things. During April, I'm going to give you the instructions you need. Today, let's look at the basics - why it's called the Spark Station, what a Spark Station is, and the rules for success. You're going to LOVE this!

"Mom, come on. It's almost Easter, and we need to color the eggs." These words were spoken in a voice of desperation and a full two weeks before Easter. I love holiday traditions, and this egg-dying ritual was one of ours. Some years went better than others, but each one brought us closer as a family. Each one tied us together in a bond that exists today. Traditions matter to children. These are the things that they can depend on: certain foods on the table at holidays, special activities done year after year, and favorite people gathered together. Family traditions were important to me, too. Let me share some Easter egg-dying tips I learned as our family established this tradition. If you keep them in mind when dying Easter eggs, things will go smoother.

I've taught hundreds of children to make sugar eggs. I taught two groups of kindergartners every year for over 15 years. I taught children how to make sugar eggs in Girl Scouts, community groups, and for the city in Laurel, MT. I traveled to Colorado to help over ninety children in my grands school classes. I flew to Washington, where more grands lived and helped many other children, do the same. It has become an Easter tradition in our family, and traditions matter. Join me as I share a hilarious Easter experience making these eggs with kids, and also a wonderful spiritual comparison. I share the directions so you can help your family make some fabulous Panoramic Easter Eggs.

Some children love math and science, while others find these topics unenjoyable or uninteresting. My grandson, Ben, was interested in both. He spent time on the computer looking up science questions rather than playing outdoors. As a child, I wanted to understand both math and science. I was intrigued by them, but my learning style made both very challenging. I had children who weren't interested at all! Math and science are important subjects that our kids will encounter in school, regardless of their educational setting, whether public, private, or homeschool. What can we do to respond to our children who are sparked by these topics, while creating interest in children who aren't? Join me as I share a TON of ways you can make math and science into fun, exciting, interesting, and at times, messy family activities.

When my youngest daughter, Kate, was a senior in high school, she was in an advanced writing class. One of her assignments was to write a poem using iambic pentameter. She was overwhelmed by the assignment and wasn't clear as to what iambic pentameter meant. They had talked about it in class, but most of you will relate to how clear it was by the time she got home. LOL So, it wasn't a happy circumstance when she came to me and asked for help. I had no idea what iambic pentameter was. But how could I say no to my daughter who needed my support? So, we sat at the computer together and began. Join me in this session for an excellent real-life example of what being Present looks like

A mom in our neighborhood has become a family friend. She has spent time in our home. She has shared meals, and we have had the opportunity to talk. She has observed our four-generation family, our little ecosystem, as my daughter calls it, from inside and out. Not too long ago, she said, "I wish you were my mom. You're the best mom. My mom didn't share love; she was a stone." This comment has caused me to ponder my past, my in between, and my now. I could understand some of what Christy was feeling when she made her comment. However, as genuine as what she said was, I realized that she only knows the person and mother I am today. Join me as I share the legacy we can and will leave our children as we learn, grow, and let go of our baggage.

The day of my hip surgery, September 3, after returning home, I was going up and down our two stairs, caregiving, and managing as if I had never had surgery. At the end of the first two weeks, reality descended. I fell into extreme fatigue and became depressed. What had happened? I was desperate for answers. So, I did what I do. I prayed for help, resources, and thoughts. As I knew it would, help came. I had a thought that when heard, trusted, and followed through with, was life-changing. Join me as I share this very odd thought, where it led, and why it made such a difference.

Here's an informative article from my friend, Laura Pearson. She's taken the time to dive into a topic that can seem tricky for parents. It's an easy read, contains useful information, and has helpful links. I loved her section on Entrepreneurship. Most of my grands have had small businesses of one type or another before going to or completing high school, a great way to practice resilience and gain confidence. Enjoy and learn!

Sometimes it can be a challenge to get kids to talk at the dinner table, especially teens. But having dinner conversations helps create a culture of togetherness and is worth the effort. This year marks the Year of the Horse. It begins on February 17, 2026, and will end on February 5, 2027. I know that seems odd compared to our calendar, but the moon cycle determines the dates each year. The Chinese New Year is a great jumping-off place for some happy dinner conversations. Join me as I share a plethora of ways to help your family enjoy the Year of the Horse and have fun and interesting conversations.

On March 9, 2025, I shared truths that I had written when I was 62. I shared them again because from 62 to 75, they hadn't changed. I had lived them, and they were still true. I ended the article with these words: Our dreams can come true. We can live up to our expectations. There is a plan, and we fit perfectly into it. It may not happen in the time frame we want, but if we hold on to hope and believe in ourselves, we will win. As I've shared in past articles, I wanted to be a writer as early as age 8. I wanted to be a speaker even earlier. In my late 50s and 60s, these two dreams came true. I had a book published and spoke on stages all over the country. I taught workshops and mentored other adults. Then my life took an unexpected turn. Join me as I share how these dreams were put to bed, and new dreams took their place. A very unplanned and unexpected turn of events that has blessed my life. How it happened can bless you!

I mentored parents for many years. One of the issues for all parents was how to help children/youth want to learn, enjoy the process, and take responsibility for their learning. No one system insulates parents from this dilemma. I began writing a series of articles titled The Education Adventure. These articles contained real experiences, from real families. Their stories are helpful when working to help children take on the adventure of education. Join me as I share a family's story and how they began answering two important questions - • How do you help them want to learn? • How can you help children/youth take responsibility for their learning?