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Surviving To Thriving Toolkit

Take action on what you do have control over so that you can enjoy the good of today and make tomorrow better too--in every season of motherhood.

There’s a very simple process I’ve used for years to stop surviving my days as a mom and feel like I’m thriving.

Here it is:

Step 1: Identify why I feel like I’m surviving.

Step 2: Solve the problem

Step 3: Repeat step one and two over and over again.

That’s it.  It’s not any more complicated than that.

The more problems you solve, the better daily life feels, and the more you’ll enjoy motherhood.

You can build a life that you absolutely love living with that simple framework.

I have, and so have a lot of other mothers that I’ve worked with.

But I’ve found most people – including me – get stuck on the second step.

You know, the part about solving the problem.

I used to get paralyzed thinking things like:

  • It seems like whenever I make progress in one area, something else is left unattended and becomes more difficult to dig out of. I think that's why it's so hard for me to see what's working, the progress that I'm making, and keep moving forward.

  • I am not good at delegating to my kids and husband…but doing it all myself doesn’t work.

  • Feeding everyone and eating myself is a full time job! It’s hard to get to anything else…or I do that poorly and everything is so much harder because we are hungry!

  • I’m already committed and responsible for too many things.  I try to get things off my plate but it is still full. 

  • It is so hard to stick to a routine. 

  • I set too many goals and feel overwhelmed by them. Even if I pick one there still isn’t any time or energy for me to work on it.

  • Getting enough sleep is impossible.  There is always something keeping me up at night.

  • We don’t have enough money to make our life easier.

  • There is no one to help. Our family lives too far away. 

  • Even when I take time to plan out our days, something unexpected comes up and I can’t get to the things I wanted to do.

  • I can’t get ahead on the housework and it always feels like a major project and frantic cleaning.

  • I printed out chore charts but our day fills up too fast to get to them and it’s hard to be consistent.

And here’s the thing, thoughts weren’t the only thing stopping me.

Often we really were in a hard season with real circumstances that made making progress a real challenge:

  • Hard pregnancies

  • Chronic health conditions

  • Mental health struggles

  • Major changes like cross country moves, new jobs, new schools

  • Financial challenges

  • Life changes and adjusting to different seasons and child stages

And once we were in a real survival season, we would need to walk all five phases along the path from surviving to thriving.

  1. Survival mode: life is bigger than you and you stop doing the normal things

  2. Re-entry: catching up on all the normal things you stopped doing in survival mode (dishes, laundry, house cleaning, bill paying, etc.)

  3. Normalizing: developing family systems to get the essential and necessary tasks accomplished

  4. Exploring: discovering what brings you and your family joy and what you want more of in your life

  5. Thriving: developing and executing specific goals, projects, systems, and habits to create the unique life you want to live

And each one of those phases along the path have their own unique challenges and struggles.

As a result, over the last 11.5 years of motherhood I’ve had to develop a number of strategies and systems to help me get through the hard things of the day so that I can enjoy the good parts.  

Because in the struggle it is so easy to miss the good parts.

And when I do take action, no matter how small, it also sets us up for a better day tomorrow too.

Want to know my absolute favorite strategy that has carried me from surviving my days to actually enjoying  my days and thriving–no matter my circumstances?

Working through my Problem S.O.L.V.E. Framework.

Probably not what you were expecting, but let me explain:

Once I realize I’m feeling overwhelmed, burned out, discouraged with the never ending needs and to-dos, wallowing in all the things I don’t have to make life easier, and experiencing a whole lot of mom guilt, I pause to problem s.o.l.v.e.:

Stop: Stop my mind from ruminating on what’s not going well and what I can’t do; stop escaping using my current method of choice (books, social media, movies, T.V. shows, staying out of the house); stop running around and filling my days to the brim so I don’t have space to think.

Observe: Figure out what is really bothering me and get to the root of the problem.

Leveraged Task: Identify a system to put in place or an action step to take that will solve or eliminate the problem.

Vision: Share the process with my family, invite them into the solution, and commit everyone to the new standard or way of doing things.  

Execute: Follow through and be ruthlessly determined and committed to making this one change.

What this process allows me to do is:

  • Get clear about what I do have control over and what I don’t so I can take action on the right things and let go of the rest

  • Work with my husband to lead our family to make real, lasting progress that helps us all and we see and feel the joy improvement

  • Develop a culture of teamwork in our family and have kids that are willing to step up, help, and become responsible and skilled in many areas of life

  • Get our household running fairly smoothly so we can do fun things together without lots of damage control after

  • Create time and bandwidth to dream and enjoy life with my family

Plus it’s easily repeatable.

Which means that over the last 11.5 years I’ve identified dozens of problems and solutions and implemented them with my family along all five phases of the path from surviving to thriving. 

Now when things get hard I don’t panic. I slow down and work through the challenges as they come and enjoy the good, every step of the way.

I’ve put together a course to walk you through those common problems and solutions in step-by-step detail.

It’s called the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit and it’s a complete walkthrough of all five phases along the 5 Step Path From Surviving to Thriving with systems, tips, frameworks, skills, checklists and encouragement that help you solve the problems for the season of life you are currently in.

As a homeschooling mom of 4 (almost 5!) children, I know how easy it is to buy an online course to solve a problem and then let it sit there and never access it again.

Or make a little bit of progress on it and feel like you constantly have to go back to the beginning and start over. 

I designed the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit to work for real life motherhood.

Each lesson is stand alone. You find the problem you are currently struggling with, watch that ONE lesson, take action, and celebrate your progress.

This is a guilt-free course that helps moms who don't have much time or bandwidth to take small steps and walk away with a win every time you sign in!

If you’ve found yourself struggling through your days as a mom…

Or you want to shortcut some of the learning curve that comes with motherhood (there are so many new skills to learn!)...

Or you’re tired of feeling like a victim and like there is nothing you can do to make your days better…

The Surviving to Thriving Toolkit is here to help!

Here's whats inside the course.

This is a beta course. The survival mode and thriving phases are available now. The release date for the other phases are listed below. Unique to the beta launch of this course, a marco polo group (free phone app) will open until June 2025 to work through your own unique situations and answer your questions promptly. This will inform the creation of the rest of the course material, clarify the presentation, prioritize the order things are created, and give you direct access to Jessica while we work together to finalize this program.

Phase 1 - Available Now

Manage Survival Mode with Confidence

  • What to expect in survival mode.

  • Surviving vs. Existing.

  • Thriving Mindset Basics.

  • Daily rhythm for survival seasons.

  • Crucial conversations to have with your spouse to navigate survival seasons.

  • How to ask your kids for help in survival mode.

  • How to address mom guilt in a hard season.

  • What to do when you notice yourself suffering through hard seasons.

  • The art of looking for lessons learned.

  • Principle of Loaves and Fishes.

  • The Survival Mode Kitchen.

  • How to have successful, daily quiet time.

  • Survival schooling: how to homeschool in hard seasons.

  • Keeping kids busy when you aren’t available - physically or emotionally.

  • How to stay connected with your kids in a hard season.

  • How to reset a bad day.

  • Cleaning the house in survival mode.

  • Use creativity to cope.

  • Screen time: how to use it and lose it.

  • Best books for survival mode.

  • What to do when your kids get into everything.

  • Best tips for a hard pregnancy.

  • Best tips for postpartum.

  • Best tips for moving.

  • Best tips for living with mental health struggles.

Phase 2 - Expected Late Feburary

Move Through Re-Entry

  • Pep talk: this is temporary.

  • Projects to tackle in re-entry.

  • Habits to develop in re-entry.

  • Crucial principles to manage the stress of re-entry together as a couple.

  • How to get your kids involved.

  • 6 steps for clarity when there is so much to do.

  • Initiate the Get-Ahead Plan

  • How to make lists and run a family meeting.

  • Setting up rewards to motivate everyone through re-entry.

  • Quick and Easy meal planning list.

  • Easy paper processing.

  • Emergency Mom Food.

  • How to clear the kitchen table.

  • How to clear kitchen counters.

  • How to clean messy bathrooms.

  • How to tackle laundry piles.

  • Taking care of you again basics.

Phase 3- Expected Late March

Establish Essential Normalizing Systems

  • Get the basics good enough

  • From Projects to Habits and Routines

  • Create anchors in your day: family rhythm basics

  • Make a Yes List

  • How to create family systems 101

  • How to clean with kids

  • How to include kids in day to day life

  • Meal planning system basics

  • Having positive family meals

  • Laundry system basics

  • Kitchen systems basics

  • Decluttering system basics

  • Organizing 101

  • 10 ways to tidy with kids that are fun and easy for you too

  • Create a basic morning routine

  • Create a basic evening routine

  • Transitioning between seasons

  • How to transition back to routines

  • Book recommendations for home management

phase 4 - Expected Late April

Explore With Confidence - With And Without Your Kids

  • How to stop researching and take action

  • 5 steps from curious to committed

  • How to talk with your spouse to create supportive communication

  • How to not end up back in survival mode

  • Organizing your research with Notion

  • Organizing your research with Evernote

  • Write a Risk List

  • Try a 30 day challenge

  • 100 things you can explore with your kids

  • Use the Weekly Big 3 to see balance over time

  • Addressing mom guilt

  • The importance of big wins

  • See what is actually happening with monthly reviews

  • How to explore with friends

  • Examples of exploring from my own life.

Phase 5 - Available Now

Thrive Doing the Things You Need and Want To Do with Win Your Week Academy

Congratulations on making it the Thriving Phase!! There is a lot to cover now that you are ready for the skills, systems, and mindset necessary to create a unique life that you are excited to wake up to each day. Which is why instead of another module, you'll get access to an entire course to guide you through the steps you need for success. Here's what's inside:

Clarify what you need and want to do.

How to use your energy most effectively.

How to use your time most effectively.

How to create a to-do list you can actually accomplish.

How to remove resistance and feel joy.

How to design family systems that last.

How to plan with your spouse.

Planning refresh exercise: what to do when life changes.

Plus Extras To

Keep You On Track

private community (no social media)

Thriving in Motherhood Collective

The hardest part about doing things in motherhood is feeling like you are all alone and nobody but you cares what you do.

But with the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit, you're not alone.

And when you purchase the Toolkit, you get exclusive access to the private group with other moms where you can ask questions, share updates and wins, and make sure that someone besides you cares if you do the things you said you would do.

BETA group only

Small Group Coaching With Jessica

Due to the nature of the course materials being released between now and April, you might have some questions that haven't been answered yet for the season of life you are in. You will have access to Jessica via the Marco Polo app to video chat your questions or talk through your own circumstances. This will ensure you get the support you need AND it will help Jessica in finalizing the Toolkit.

EXCLUSIVE Access - Coming soon!

Surviving to Thriving Toolkit Notion Template

This is essentially a website that you can access with all of the notes and action steps to refer to quickly. When you need a tool, you don't always want to read the instruction manual too. Once you understand the principle, you can use the template as a quick access guide for easy action.

Coming soon!

Thriving in Motherhood Second Brain

Organize your digital life into this Second Brain template in Notion. Capture notes and tasks from your email inbox, store ideas while you are exploring, and manage your projects, habits, and goals. Includes a Habit Tracker, Task Manager, Weekly Planning, Vision to Goals, Projects, and Habits, Bucket List, Knowledge Management, Thriving in Motherhood Journal (digital), Personal Life Philosophy, Notes, Books, Courses, People, Meal Planning, Travel, Gifts, and Finances. This is the perfect complement to the Thriving in Motherhood Planner and allows you to be focused and efficient when using technology.

But wait!

There's more...

Instant Access (with more coming soon)

Family Systems Vault

I've developed many systems to help us do the things we want to do over the last 11.5 years. You'll find them here in the vault. While they might not work exactly for your family as they do for mine, I hope it gives you inspiration for what is possible.

  • Zone cleaning habits and boards checklists

  • How to make bed wetting cleanup fast, simple, and easy

  • Get Ready Bins

  • Homeschool Accountability Trackers

  • Homeschool Room Organization and Systems Tour

  • Vision Workbook for Teenagers

  • Home to make travelers notebook insert

  • Easy houseplants system

Coming Soon...

  • Kitchen Jobs

  • Monthly cleaning rotation job

  • Kitchen Cups

  • Family grab and go travel system

  • Travel food system

  • Daily and weekly dot habits

  • 2nd brain book

  • Friday night sourdough pizza

  • Milk Kefir

  • Easy sourdough bread

  • Favorite green smoothies

....and more!

Instant Access

Simplify to Soar Club

Audio course to make more time for what you and your family love by creating simple systems that keep your home running smoothly - one baby step at a time.

We don't need to wait to start living our lives until our homes are perfect. Listen to a 10 minute audio lesson each month and focus on one simple task. Spend the next year creating a home that supports you while still living your life, developing your gifts and talents, and being present with the people you love most. It is time to start Soaring.

Instant ACcess

Mom Matters Too

A course to empower you to take care of yourself, so you can enjoy the people you love without the burnout. Essential Habits:

  • Time with God

  • Exercise

  • Reading

  • Gratitude Practice

  • Feeding Yourself

  • Technology Usage

  • Daily Reflection

  • 15 Minute Tidy

I believe the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit is the easiest way to start enjoying motherhood TODAY.

While you may or may not be able to change the exact circumstances or limitations of your life, there are so many things you do have influence over.

Learning to see your life through the lens of what you can actually take action on and let go of the rest is a life-changing skill.

The Surviving to Thriving Toolkit is designed to guide you through the five phases of surviving to thriving so that you have the skills, resources, systems, and templates you need to make the hard things in life a little bit easier and more manageable.

Instead of going through the hard seasons and trying to find your way to thriving alone, you get 11.5 years of systems, skills, and lessons learned that empower you in your own unique hard seasons to take care of yourself, your marriage, your children, and home in simple and effective ways.

You will have clear, easy options of things to do even when you are exhausted, overwhelmed, or at your wits end that will help you not only make it through the day but make tomorrow a little bit better too.

I hope to see you inside the course.

-Jessica

Join the Beta Group of the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit today.

We are only accepting 10 founding members into the Toolkit. I hope you'll be one of them!

Founding member bonuses include access to Jessica with the video chat group Marco Polo, and the lowest price you'll ever see on the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit for being part of the creation process.

$497

  • 5 Phases of Surviving to Thriving Toolkit (released between now and April)

  • Family Systems Vault (Instant access with growing collection)

  • Surviving to Thriving Toolkit Notion Template (coming soon)

  • Thriving in Motherhood Collective community (instant access)

  • Mom Matters Too (instant access)

  • Deep Dive Mini Courses (instant access)

  • Marco Polo Group - EXCLUSIVE FOR FOUNDING MEMBERS

Join the Beta Group

30 day money back guarantee

The "I Care If This Works For You" Guarantee

I know what it's like to be desperate enough or have just enough hope to put hard earned money towards solving a pain point. This last year we spent many thousands of dollars on medical bills from tests and meeting with a variety of specialists in hopes of solving some real pain points. You know what still amazes me? Whether they were helpful or not, provided value or not, after 5 minutes in a room with a doctor they charged hundreds of dollars for their “expertise” and thousands of dollars for tests.

Well good news for us both, this program is not in the medical system and I am personally convinced there is a better way: you buy the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit, use the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit, and gasp!, if it doesn't help you, you get a full refund. Just send me an email within 30 days of purchase, answer one question, "What could I have done to improve the Toolkit?", and I'll refund your purchase in full.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes! If you don't think this course is a good fit for you, send me an email with your answer to the question, "What could I have done to improve the Toolkit?" within 30 days of purchase and I'll refund your purchase price. I truly care if this helps you, and if it doesn't, you don't pay.

Who is this for? What ages should be kids be?

There are plenty of principles in the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit that apply no matter the ages of your kids. That being said, my oldest is 11.5 years old, so all of my practical examples, solutions, and personal experience span from baby to pre-teen.

How long do I have access to the program for?

You will have evergreen access to the course for the lifetime of the program (meaning as long as it is being hosted on the internet, it's all yours!). The marco polo group with access to Jessica specifically will last until June 2025. You will have continued access to the Thriving in Motherhood Collective for continued support.

Is this just for homeschoolers?

We've always been a homeschooling family so I do share my systems and what works for us in homeschool, but that is only a small part of the toolkit. I've worked with mothers for over four years with lots of different schooling situations for their kids: public school, private school, homeschool, and changing from year to year. The Surviving To Thriving Toolkit applies no matter what you choose for school.

Also, there is A LOT in the Toolkit for mothers with kids who aren't in school yet! The stage with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers is intense (and wonderful!) and everything in the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit I wished I had in those early years.

What kind of support do I have in applying the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit to my own life?

For the beta group of up to 10 founding members, we will be working closely together! I will have a free marco polo group where you can ask your questions and we can talk through your specific circumstances, what's working and what's not. If you don't feel comfortable sharing it in a group setting, we can have a two way chat option too. While you will remain anonymous, the problems and challenges that we work through together will help build out the lessons in the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit.

You will also have access to the Thriving in Motherhood Collective, an online community that is self hosted (meaning it isn't on social media).

I'm still not sure if this is a good fit for me...

Totally fine! Send me an email at [email protected] and I'm happy to answer all your questions so you can make a decision you feel good about.

Is this for a specific faith background or religion?

We have moms from all over the world from all different faith backgrounds and religions participate in the courses and programs associated with Thriving in Motherhood--and that is very intentional. I am a Christian and God is a very big part of my life, so I do talk about Him in this program. But I keep it general in relation to God and you can adapt it to your own faith and belief system. I love gathering with other women from all faiths and beliefs and learning from and being inspired by you!

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