The Holiday Headstart

Hey friends! In this episode of Holiday Head Start, we’re sharing a fun roundup of St. Patrick’s Day ideas—some from our own childhood traditions and some fresh inspiration from others. The beauty of celebrating smaller holidays like this one is that there are no big expectations—just fun little touches to add a little sparkle to the day!

We chat about our favorite traditions, like a leprechaun visit that leaves behind tiny footprin...

Ever feel like you need permission to set boundaries, take up space, or just be yourself in tough situations? In this episode, we’re diving into one of Brené Brown’s most genius ideas—permission slips. No, not the kind you signed for field trips, but the ones you write for yourself to navigate emotionally vulnerable moments.

From work meetings to holiday gatherings, permission slips are a powerful tool for claiming your agency and s...

Traditions make the holiday season feel magical, but they can also lead to stress and overwhelm. In this episode, we’re taking a step back to evaluate which traditions are truly meaningful and which ones might be more hassle than joy. Just because you’ve always done something doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it! Using six key questions, we’ll walk through how to assess your traditions—considering their purpose, who’s involved, t...

In January, we shared five simple ways to get ahead on your Christmas prep (check out Episode 20 if you missed it). Today, we’re continuing the momentum with five simple tasks you can tackle in February to make your holiday season smoother and less stressful. 

The key to a stress-free Christmas is starting early. Taking small, manageable steps each month can spread out the workload and avoid last-minute panic. Whether it’s gett...

Welcome back to Holiday Head Start! Today, we’re sharing a roundup of Valentine’s Day traditions—some we’ve loved for years, and some fun new ideas we’ve gathered along the way. From Secret Cupid exchanges to heart-y pizza, we’re sharing our favorite ways to use Valentine’s celebrations to foster love and connection.

Highlights from the episode:

[00:00] - Secret Cupid

[7:15] - Planning a new Valentine tradition

[15:45] - Valentine’s Da...

Every year since 2001, we’ve been knee-deep in the joys (and chaos!) of holiday class parties. After two and half decades, we’ve collected invaluable insights to help make class parties fun and manageable. In this episode, we’re sharing our top 10 tips for hosting a successful class party that keeps kids engaged without the chaos.

If you’re someone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by trying to entertain 25 energetic kids, this episode is...

Christmas may feel far away, but it’s never too early to start getting ahead. In this episode, we’re sharing five easy tasks you can tackle in January to set yourself up for a smoother, more joyful holiday season later this year. Plus, we've got creative tips for celebrating lesser-known holidays like Groundhog Day, and we'll reveal the magic of reflecting on your past holiday experiences to make future celebrations even better. So...

The holidays may be behind us, but that doesn’t mean the work stops. We're here to keep the holiday spirit alive while planning ahead for a stress-free and joyful year. From meaningful, memorable traditions like celebrating Martin Luther King Day to low-key fun with half-birthday parties, we're here to make every season shine.

In this episode, we share tips for organizing your annual files, scheduling monthly holidays, and making re...

Christmas is officially behind us, but before we get too far into January, we're pausing to reflect on the holiday season we just experienced. In this episode, we share our highs and lows, lessons learned, and plans to enhance our future holidays. We discuss how we balanced holiday tasks with self-care and how we aligned our actions with personal goals. Join us on this reflective journey full of practical advice and holiday insight...

Can you believe we’ve stepped into a brand-new year? As we kick off this year, we’re here with a pep talk that skips the pressure to reinvent yourself and instead invites you to start from where you are.

Sit back, take a deep breath, and let's journey into the new year with grace and gratitude, armed with small steps for meaningful progress. January isn’t magic; it’s just another month. Let's start this year not by transforming who ...

Merry Christmas! You did it! We're here with a special post-Christmas pep talk to help you embrace the sweet, quiet magic of the time after the holidays.

Now, you’ve arrived in the quiet, magical in-between—the week after Christmas. In today's episode, we'll explore how you can give yourself permission to rest, savor the joys around you, and let the joy of the season settle in before life picks up again. So grab a cozy blanket, sett...

It’s the week before Christmas, and the whirlwind is real. Your to-do list is long, your time is short, and the pressure feels intense. But here’s the truth: Christmas isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection, joy, and being present for the moments that matter most. 

Today, we’re here with a pep talk to help you find peace in the chaos. Join us as we share helpful strategies for slowing down, focusing on what really matter...

Do you feel overwhelmed trying to keep track of everything during the holidays? Today, we’re sharing one of our best-kept teacher secrets: creating a script for big days like Christmas. A script is more than a plan—it’s a minute-by-minute outline that acts as your safety net, support system, and freedom-giver during hectic events. Listen in as we unpack how this simple tool can help you stay organized, enjoy the holiday, and preser...

In this episode, we tackle the stress that comes with the holiday season and explore proactive strategies to manage overwhelm. Instead of waiting for the inevitable meltdown, we’ll discuss how to build a plan that simplifies your responsibilities while ensuring your home stays functional and festive. From revisiting your personal holiday values to crafting a Minimum Upkeep Plan (MUP), you’ll walk away with practical tools to naviga...

In today's episode, we are diving into the festive yet sometimes daunting task of holiday planning. From managing the expectations and potential pitfalls of putting up your Christmas tree to smart strategies for tackling your gift lists and holiday checklists, we've got you covered. Learn how to streamline your holiday tasks with our unique approach to task dockets, helping you to turn overwhelming lists into manageable actions. Pl...

Welcome back to the Teacher Approved podcast! In today's episode, we're sharing 10 easy steps for starting a new tradition. We discuss the significance of traditions in building a healthy, happy, connected life and provide a comprehensive guide to starting new traditions with purpose and intention.

Plus, stick around for our "Get a Head Start Tip" on planning your holiday sensory experiences and an insight into what we're personally...

Managing the Christmas Elf tradition can feel daunting, especially as the holidays get busy. In this episode, we explore a 5-step process to create Elf Magic that keeps things joyful and manageable. With the help of our Elf Magic Made Easy planner, we’re giving you the tools to make elf planning a plug-and-play experience.

Join us as we explore the magic of holiday traditions and share creative tips for managing them without stress....

In this episode, we reflect on where we stand with our holiday preparations. With Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving quickly approaching, this is the perfect moment to pause, celebrate what we've accomplished, and figure out what still needs to be done before Christmas. We follow a simple, three-step process: first, we evaluate our progress so far, then make some course corrections, and finally, create a plan for moving forward.

W...

Ready to kick off your holiday baking season? Join us as we dive into the joys and challenges of holiday baking! From long-cherished traditions to finding that perfect recipe, we’re sharing tips and stories to inspire your festive creations.

Not a cooking enthusiast? You're not alone! But there's something magical about holiday treats. Discover how to prioritize your favorite recipes, plan ahead with premade doughs, and balance the ...