Are you feeling overwhelmed by the complex systems surrounding your child's mental and behavioral health? In this episode, we dive deep into how families can bridge the gap between schools, medical providers, and home life to ensure every child thrives. Join us for a powerful conversation about advocacy, collaboration, and the importance of meeting children where they are.

In this episode, host Jae sits down with Dr. Katrina Ostmeyer, PhD, the founder of Beyond the Individual and a professor at the University of Kansas. Katrina shares her unique journey from academia to clinical practice, sparked by her own experiences as a parent of children who do not always fit the traditional mold. We explore the common frustrations of siloed systems where schools, insurance companies, and parents often find themselves at odds rather than working together.

Katrina explains why true collaboration is the secret ingredient to progress and how her clinic provides a continuum of care that empowers families rather than creating long-term dependency. We also discuss the vital role of parental self-regulation, exploring why parenting is often more about managing our own emotions than controlling our children. Whether you are navigating an IEP, seeking behavioral support, or looking for ways to better regulate your household, this episode offers practical wisdom and encouragement.

Chapters

0:00 Intro and Welcome

2:15 Katrina’s Journey to Psychology and Practice

5:30 Filling Service Gaps in Mental Health

8:45 The Problem with Siloed Systems

12:00 Collaboration Over Blame in Child Success

15:15 Parenting and Self-Regulation

18:30 Focus on Guidance and Autonomy

21:45 The Beyond the Individual Service Model

25:00 Moving Toward Independence in Therapy

28:30 Working with Schools and IEP Teams

31:15 Telehealth and Reaching Families Everywhere

34:00 Final Takeaways and Self-Care

35:51 End of Video

If you found this conversation helpful, please like this video and subscribe to our channel for more insights on supporting your children. Share your thoughts in the comments below about how you navigate the different systems in your child's life!

#homeschooling #mentalhealth #parentingsupport #neurodiversity #behavioralhealth

Welcome to the Homeschool Yo Kids Podcast with your host Jae!

Today we are joined by the inspiring Antonette Elliot, a mother of four and the founder of an elite nature-based childcare center in Georgia. 🌿In this deep-dive conversation,

Antonette shares her incredible journey from substitute teaching to building a childcare legacy that supports working families with radical flexibility. We explore the critical importance of nature in early education, the power of involving your family in your business, and the honest realities of navigating the childcare industry.

Antonette also gets real about why she chose to transition her own children toward homeschooling. We discuss the current state of the public school system, the importance of child advocacy, and how to protect your child's confidence and mental well-being in a challenging world.

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a homeschooling parent, or someone looking for better childcare options, this episode is packed with wisdom on breaking toxic cycles and building a legacy of love and respect. 💖

https://aocelitechildcare.com/

Bio:Antoinette Elliott is redefining what modern childcare can look like, especially for parents navigating burnout, night shifts, foster care, or just needing a day to breathe. As the founder of All Our Children Elite Childcare Academy, she’s built a nature-based, vegetarian program rooted in flexibility, whole-child development, and deep caregiver training. Every staff member is CPR and crisis-prevention certified, every meal is plant-based, and every child is treated like they belong. Her approach proves that nature and nutrition aren’t luxuries. They’re essential tools for raising curious, resilient kids. In this episode, Antoinette shares how she’s supporting not just children, but caregivers too — offering drop-in care, extended hours, and even free Saturdaysfor foster parents. It’s a conversation that challenges outdated childcare models and offers a real-world vision for what it means to show up for families today.

Video edited by: Nexus Novanzmedia1234@gmail.comFB: https://www.facebook.com/share/16DwALXWFa/?mibextid=wwXIfrDo creative video edit, youtube video editing by Zzaman123 | Fiverr

Chapters0:00 Intro and meeting Antonette Elliot

2:45 The origin story: From substitute teaching to business owner

6:30 Spotting the red flags in traditional childcare

11:15 Starting a home-based childcare business

15:50 Transitioning to a nature-based center model

20:20 Building a family legacy with your children

24:45 The benefits of nature-based learning and inclusion

29:10 Flexible scheduling for modern working parents

34:00 Supporting teacher-entrepreneurs and community

38:30 The financial reality of running a large center

43:15 Managing family dynamics in a business setting

48:10 Why parents are choosing homeschooling today

53:20 Navigating school safety and the trenches

57:50 De-escalation and giving children a voice

1:02:30 Self-care strategies for busy parents

1:05:45 Final advice for breaking the cycle and closing

If you found this conversation helpful, please like this video and subscribe to the channel for more support and inspiration. Visit our website to learn more about our upcoming expos and resources for your homeschooling journey! 📢

#homeschooling #childcare #naturebasededucation #parenting #familybusiness

Are you a former teacher considering homeschooling, or perhaps a parent struggling to make math fun for your kids? In this episode of the Homeschool Yo Kids podcast, Jae sits down with mother-daughter duo Mary and Bobbie to explore the unique journey of transitioning from the classroom to the kitchen table. Learn how to navigate different learning styles and build a foundation for academic success that fits your family's unique lifestyle.

🌟 Key Topics in This Episode

Mary shares her experience as a credentialed teacher who discovered homeschooling via a radio broadcast and never looked back. The conversation dives into the dynamics of teaching children with vastly different learning styles and the flexibility of balancing home education with traditional school environments. Bobbie provides a rare perspective as a former homeschool student who grew up to become a special education teacher, offering insights into how homeschooling shaped her career and her own future parenting plans.

🔢 Making Math Engaging

A major highlight of this conversation is Mary and Bobbie’s new math project focused on multiplication and division. They discuss why so many students struggle with basic facts and how their new program uses games and number talks to build a solid foundation without the boredom of traditional flashcards. Whether you are dealing with your own math anxiety or looking for ways to tailor education to your child's personality, this episode is packed with encouragement and practical advice for every stage of the journey.

🕒 Chapters

0:00 Intro and Welcome

3:15 Meet Mary and Bobbie

7:40 From Classroom Teacher to Homeschool Mom

12:20 Teaching Different Learning Personalities

16:50 A Student Perspective on Being Homeschooled

21:10 Navigating the Transition Between School and Home

26:30 Special Education and Hybrid Learning Models

31:45 The Vital Role of Parents in Education

36:10 Overcoming Cultural Biases in Standardized Testing

41:00 Introducing the Multiplication and Division Project

46:25 Why Rote Memorization Fails for Math Students

51:15 Connecting Addition to Multiplication Facts

55:40 Healing from Math Wounds and Anxiety

59:20 Self-Care Tips for Busy Homeschool Parents

1:02:15 Final Advice for Your Homeschool Journey

1:03:24 Video End

👋 Join the Community

If you found this conversation helpful, please subscribe for more homeschool support and inspiration. Check out the resources mentioned to help your kids thrive in their learning journey! Remember that you do not have to take this path alone.

#homeschooling #mathtips #education #homeschoolmom #parenting