Trailer - Welcome to Play Homeschool | Why You Should Listen & Who I Am

Hey there, my friend, it's Anya, and I am so excited to share this news with you. I'm launching my very own podcast, Play Homeschool Made Easy, where I will be sharing parenting tips for growth and potential. I have been dreaming about this moment, and I couldn't be more ready to connect with you in this brand new way.

And my mission? It's simple but powerful. To ignite, motivate, and empower you with tools and strategies to leave the overwhelm behind and step into the life that feels easy, joyful, and Deeply impactful. Here, you'll discover how to parent with purpose by cultivating the three Cs. Clarity, confidence, and connection.

Also, it's a podcast where homeschooling doesn't feel like climbing Mount Everest. Rather, something you can actually do because when you create a nurturing environment, you're not just teaching lessons, you are shaping a confident, creative, and inspired human being who is ready to thrive. Think about it.

We know exactly what a plant needs to grow, right? Light air, water, nutrients and the right temperature. So, why would you ever put a plant in a dark closet? Forget to water it and expect it to thrive? Of course not. Yet, so often, we unintentionally create environments for our children that are too restrictive, not sufficiently stimulating or fail to encourage exploration and discovery. But that stops here, my friend, because during our journey, you will know exactly what your child needs to thrive. Now, many of you might know me already from my amazing Montessori From The Heart community on Instagram, Facebook, or whatever you are.

But if you're new here, welcome. I'm Anya Garcia, an attorney who traded legal briefs for diapers to serve and help parents just like you unlock the limitless potential of their child's early years. For the last 15 years, I have helped thousands of families through my digital courses, private coaching, and my monthly kids activities plan, also known as MCAP.

And now with this podcast, I'm taking things even further. Now, you might be wondering, Anya, how's this podcast different from everything else out there? Great question. Well, it's totally different. I'm inviting you into my world in a way I have never done before. I'll share my life with you in real-time, the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

I'll bring you behind the scenes, teach you my best kept secrets, and break down the latest research. You'll hear about the moments that made me laugh, cringe, and occasionally cry. Some days, we'll dive into what's holding us back, both you and me. On other days, we'll celebrate breakthroughs together, big and small.

Absolutely everything is on the table. So, whether you're a first time parent drowning in the sea of contradictory advice, whether you asked for it or not, or a busy working mom spinning All the plates or a stay-at-home parent dipping your toes into homeschooling for the first time, or an ambitious homeschooler searching for fresh ideas, you are in the right place, my friend.

Maybe you are expecting your first newborn and second-guessing every decision because everyone and their grandma has an opinion—the pacified debate, the perfect swaddle, or the right time to start solids. And don't even get me started on sleep schedules, because honestly, is getting any sleep with a newborn a thing, or just some funny joke parents tell each other for comfort?

Or maybe you're staring at a blank corner, wondering how to set up that Pinterest-perfect space while your brain is running a marathon before you even had your morning coffee. Maybe right now, you're stepping all over toys while folding laundry with one hand and keeping an eye on your toddler, who's hard at work transforming your walls into their personal art exhibit.

And why is it always permanent markers? By the way, pro tip: sunscreen works wonders for making those artworks disappear! You're welcome. Or maybe you're a seasoned homeschooler, managing multiple kids, juggling a mile-long to-do list, and desperately trying to keep things fresh, all while wondering if there's enough coffee in the world to keep you going.

And let's not forget the never ending debate over screen time. Oh, you know, the ones—when everyone is an expert when it's not their kid! I see you. Life is chaotic and it's easy to feel like you're just trying to survive. But here is the good news. It doesn't have to be that way. Because here we will learn to simplify the process to amplify your results.

Hey, let's do things smarter. Not more or harder. Let's reimagine your home as a space where you and your child thrive together by leveraging their natural interest and love of learning. Okay. You're probably thinking, Anya, stop throwing a bunch of fancy words at me. Can we speak plain English here? Here's the thing.

The clue lies in the word natural. Since children's interest is natural, it is not something we need to develop, but rather leverage what's already there, or make use of. You see, kids, like every human being, have an innate and natural desire to grow, explore, and learn. So the truth is, there is no real problem with motivational learning.

I know, some might say, but Anya, you haven't worked in schools, there is a huge problem with motivation and learning. Sure, there is, in the conventional model, which is not based on anything natural or how children actually learn. But when we take the time to understand how children develop, you will find that there is no problem with interest or motivation.

Why? Because every living species on this planet is wired to survive, grow, and evolve. That's simply how life is designed. And human beings, your child included, Uh, no exception. So when we align education with how humans naturally develop, everything changes. Instead of forcing learning, we create an environment where natural curiosity leads the way, motivation thrives, and your child's potential unfolds naturally.

And the best part, you'll have the tools to guide them, confidence and ease. During our journey, you'll discover the profound opportunities early years hold, make the most of the sensitive periods of the absorbent mind, and create balance in your life with mindset shifts, time management, and intentional routines tailored to your family's unique needs.

Sounds too good to be true? I promise you it's not. Stick with me, because that's exactly what we're going to create together.

Now, let me share a little bit about why I am here and why I know this works. You see, I didn't always plan to be a homeschooling mom. When I was six years old in Moldova, well, I was six everywhere, while standing in a sandbox, I declared to my best friend that one day I would be an attorney living in New York City. And yes, I was very specific.

She looked at me like I just said I was moving to Mars. You see, that sandbox was in a teeny tiny Eastern European country, about the size of Maryland, if you are my American friend. And the timing, oh my God, was just perfect. It was during the geopolitical turmoil of the Cold War era.

And a total patriarchy. And everyone knew that the prospects of achieving my lifelong ambition of immigrating to the United States and becoming an attorney. We're slim, but despite all odds stacked against my dream at the age of 18, I left my Soviet homeland to chase my big dream. You see, I always wanted to make an impact on the world and I thought slaying it in a courtroom would do.

So I made it to the Big Apple, studied hard, became an attorney and fulfilled my dream, or that's what I thought ... until I held my firstborn daughter in my arms. At that moment, everything shifted. The thought of working 70-hour weeks at a law firm and missing her everything, her first steps, her first words, and even her first temper tantrum made my heart ache! I wanted to be there with her.

So, I realized that my true calling lay elsewhere, and it wasn't in a courtroom. So I did something bold. Some might even say crazy. I traded my lawyer's briefcase for finger paints, rolled up my sleeves, and dove headfirst into the homeschooling world. And an attorney in me, couldn't help but approach it like a case to crack. I devoured resource after resource, book after book, highlighting color coding and covering pages with hundreds of sticky notes. I was determined to find a process because, uh, let's face it, parenting doesn't come with a manual. And, uh, why doesn't it? I mean, think about it. When you're old enough to drive a car, you have to study for hours, pass a test, and prove you won't accidentally drive into a ditch.

But parenting, oh no, they just hand you a teeny tiny human and send you on your way like uh, "Good luck, you'll figure it out!" No manual, no instructions, just pure trial and error. And trust me. Some days it feels like more error than trial. So, my journey wasn't exactly smooth sailing. There were sleepless nights, tears, moments of exhaustion, complete overwhelm, and more self doubt than I cared to admit.

There were even times when I wanted to throw in the towel. Was I scared? Absolutely. Hey, I was walking away from a promise of a lucrative attorney job, steady career, and let's not forget the paycheck, all while carrying a massive student debt. On top of that, I was battling serious imposter syndrome, you know, that little voice in your head whispers, or sometimes screams.

"Anya, who do you think you are to homeschool your kid? You're not a teacher. You don't even have a degree in early childhood education. You don't know where to start. What if you mess it all up?"

But then I reminded myself, first of all, I'm not teaching quantum mechanics to Harvard students, and two, I survived law school, passed the bar exam, and figured out how to navigate the New York subway system. I could figure this out too!

And. I realized something else. If I wanted to make a lasting impact on this world, I had to start with the child. It's simple when you think about it. After all, we all know how hard it is to change once we're all set in our ways. So if we want peaceful, resourceful, compassionate, and innovative adults, we must raise peaceful, resourceful, compassionate, and innovative children.

And bonus, you might just save thousands on therapy bills later on by doing it right from the start. Because when we focus on early years, the foundation of child's life, we set the stage for everything else. We'll have the world where

-cruelty will be unimaginable,

-starvation unthinkable,

-insufficiency unsustainable,

-suffering insufferable,

-deprivation unjustifiable,

-indignity unbearable,

-discrimination, inconceivable.

-Exploitation impossible,

and intolerance, simply intolerable.

That is when we will not allow

-733 million, that is approximately 1 in 11 people globally, go hungry each night;

-or allow one child die every 10 seconds from starvation;

-Or let 1. 3 billion people live on less than 1. 25 per day.

That is when we will no longer accept that 2 billion people live without clean, safe drinking water.

Or 759 million people, about 1 in 10 worldwide, live without electricity.

Or 3. 6 billion people getting by without access to proper sanitation, including indoor bathrooms.

You see, the ripple effects of cultivating responsible, empathetic, respectful, creative thinking children can change the world!

Now you know why I was so determined.

Think about it. Your house is only as good as its foundation, right? We all heard it. You can't build a house on quicksand. The same is true for our children. The early years are their foundation, their golden age, or what Dr. Maria Montessori called the absorbent mind. The most pivotal and transformative period in a person's life, when a child absorbs everything from the environment, little by little, it shapes who they are, laying the groundwork for the person they'll grow up to be.

But these early years are often overlooked. These are the years when your child's intrinsic motivation and boundless potential can either or go untapped. So I'm here to shine a spotlight on this critical period of your child's life. And instead of changing the world through law, I'm doing it one child at a time.

Or more precisely, One parent at a time. Now, you might be thinking, Hey, don't throw me in this mix. What happened to the talk about raising peaceful, resourceful, compassionate, and innovative children? Yes, you're right. Raising incredible humans is the goal. But here's the thing. The key to all this lies within you.

Because here's the truth. A child becomes their environment. Whether they're born into it or adopted, it's the environment that shapes their beliefs, habits, and values. Think about it. If you place a Hindu newborn to be raised in a carnivorous American family, guess what? That child will likely grow up enjoying a juicy Stake and speaking little to no Hindi because it is the consciousness of the parent that ultimately shapes the future of our world.

So yes, my friend. It starts with you. When we align our mindset with intentions, everything else falls into place. Now, let me be clear, I'm not here to stuff more knowledge into you, because let's be honest, libraries are bursting with bugs and we're not exactly seeing long lines of people trying to get in, right?

That is because knowledge alone. It's just the potential. It's the spark. But true power ignites when we take that knowledge, apply it and turn it into intentional action. So, starting now, I will be here to connect with you every week. Twice a week, in fact. New episodes drop on Mondays with a quick 10-minute mindset boost to kickstart your week, and Thursdays will dive deeper with 20 to 40-minute episodes packed with actionable tips, real-life stories, and occasional expert guests to keep you motivated and making progress.

By the end of each episode, you'll walk away with a clear purpose. to take action because you'll feel inspired to embrace new possibilities and empowered to turn your life into a journey where you're excited to wake up to every single day. Each week, I'll share practical tips, strategies, and research-based insights that you can use right away.

I'll take you behind the scenes of my own journey, share my best secrets, and a few stories. Some inspiring, some embarrassing. Because, uh, real life, right? Some days we'll dig into what's holding us back, both you and me. Other days, you'll learn to navigate struggles and celebrate breakthroughs, and yet others, I'll bring on amazing experts to share their wisdom because hey, success leaves clues.

We'll laugh, learn, and grow together as we discover how to create a home where your child's natural curiosity and love of learning takes central stage, and how to harness Children's natural genius, yes, genius, and I will prove it to you in the episodes ahead. We'll challenge limiting beliefs and transform homeschooling from stressful to hands on, exciting, profoundly meaningful, and uniquely yours.

Because let's be real, you don't need a degree in early childhood education or Pinterest perfect home to raise curious, independent, and inspired little humans. And here is the best part. This podcast is completely free. Just follow my show now on your favorite podcast app. So that you never miss an episode and I will be here to guide, support, and cheer you on every step of the way.

And if what I share resonates with you, I would love to hear from you. Please leave a review. It's the best way to help this community grow and it allows me to connect directly with you. Plus, as a thank you, I'll be giving a personal shout out to reviewers in future episodes. And here's the fun part. Each month I will select one reviewer to win a private coaching call with me.

Who knows, that lucky person might be just you. So my friend, grab your coffee or reheat it for the third time. Hey, no judgment, I've been there. And let's dive in. And hear this loud and clear.

I am here for you.

I believe in you.

I believe in your ability to create the life you love right from the heart of your home.

Because homeschooling isn't just about lessons and schedules. It's about transforming your family dynamic. Together, we'll simplify the chaos and amplify the joy and create a home filled with balance, harmony, and endless possibilities for growth. And here's the thing. It's not about perfection. It's about showing up, embracing the beautiful mess and finding the magic in everyday moments.

It's about cultivating your confidence, deepening your connection with your child, and discovering the joy that is waiting for you. in your everyday life. So whether you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, I am here to help you become resourceful, confident, and powerful, ready to embrace a simpler, more intentional flow, where you will learn to nurture child's creativity and inspire their love of learning so that they can reach their full potential.

So my sweet friend, get ready to shake off those limiting beliefs, challenge old mindsets, embrace new possibilities, and unlock the magic of the absorbent mind.

Together, we'll uncover your child's natural gifts and help them thrive in ways you never imagined. So whether you're crawling, stumbling, walking, running, or ready to soar, know this - you are never alone!

I'm here to help you build a thriving home environment. One that's joyful, enriching, and stress free. Because let's be honest, homeschooling is like a superpower - noble, empowering, and brimming with endless opportunities for growth.

But fair warning, my friend, once you start this journey, you will not see the world the same way again, because as the saying goes, the mind once stretched by a new idea never returns to its original size.

So buckle up, my sweet friend, this is your time to transform homeschooling and parenting into the most rewarding adventure of your life that feels inspired, aligned, and uniquely yours. Cheers to a better you, a brighter future, and the childhood your little one deserves. I'll see you soon.