Simple Educational Activities for Kids at Home with Kelsey Cook| The Mom-entum Podcast

Tanya Valentine
Apr 30
38 min read

Updated: May 5

77kelseycook

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Episode 77: Simplifying Learning at Home with Kelsey Cook

Hey friends! I want to pop in with a quick correction from my recent podcast episode. I mistakenly said you could use the code MOMENTUM at checkout to get 15% off your Learning with Kelsey activity box—but that was my bad!

Here’s how to actually get the discount:

Just click this link. It will redirect you to the Learning with Kelsey website and automatically apply your 15% off when you check out. Super easy!

If you have any trouble or questions, feel free to reach out to me—I’m always happy to help.

And while I’ve got your attention, I have to tell you how much I genuinely love these boxes. Serena and I have been having so much fun with them—and even my older two have been getting in on the action!

Here’s what I love most:

A full month of activities is already planned out, which makes it way more likely that I’ll actually do them with my kids!
It saves me so much mental energy and time—no more Pinterest rabbit holes trying to find crafts or learning ideas.
All the supplies are included, so there’s no last-minute store runs or scrambling for glue sticks.
And let’s be real: it helps with decision fatigue. When everything’s prepped and laid out, it’s just easier to say yes to fun.

Seriously, these boxes have become one of my favorite things. Give them a try and let me know what you think!

Onto today's episode...

This week, I had the pleasure of chatting with Kelsey Cook, the incredible mom of FOUR and creator of Learning with Kelsey—a monthly activity box designed to make screen-free, hands-on learning a breeze for busy moms like us!

Kelsey shares how she started her business to help overwhelmed parents bring fun, simple, and meaningful activities into their homes—without the stress! We talk about the importance of intentional play, what it’s really like running a business while raising four littles, and how she creates balance by delegating and setting boundaries.

If you’re like me and trying to cut down on screen time while still keeping your kids entertained and engaged—this episode is for you. The best part? Kelsey’s boxes come with everything you need. Just open it up and go!

Remember you can click on this link and it will redirect you to the Learning with Kelsey website, where you will automatically receive 15% off at checkout! You must use the link in order to receive the discount! So go grab a box! Try it out! I know you and your kiddos are going to love it!

Follow Kelsey for more inspo and activity ideas:

Instagram: @learningwithkelsey

TikTok: @learningwithkelsey

Guess what, guys?!

I’m officially dipping my toes into YouTube! It’s a whole new adventure (and definitely a learning curve), but I’m excited to bring you along for the ride.

If you’ve ever been curious about what it actually looks like behind the scenes when I record a podcast, click here to check it out!

Let’s keep the convo going!

Scroll to the bottom of this page, leave a comment and tell me:

Your favorite takeaway from today’s episode
Any fun, easy ideas you have for activities at home with little kids
Anything you’re currently struggling with—or questions you’d love coaching on in a future episode!

As always, thank you for being here. You’re doing better than you think!

With love,

Tanya

P.S. I've created a free resource that will change your life in less time than it takes to scroll Instagram. It’s called the 5-Minute Reset, and it’s designed specifically for overwhelmed moms who feel like there’s never enough time, never enough energy, and never enough you to go around.

Grab it now at tanyavalentinecoaching.com/reset

Don’t wait. This tiny but mighty tool is your first step toward feeling more calm, more in control, and more like yourself again. And the best part? It only takes 5 minutes. You deserve that. You need that. Let’s go.

Transcript

You guys, I am so excited about my guest today! If you haven’t heard of her yet, you’re in for such a treat. My guest is the amazing Kelsey Cook—she’s the creator of the Learning with Kelsey activity boxes, and let me tell you, you’re going to fall in love with her just like I did.

Before I read her official bio, I just have to say—this conversation was so much fun. Kelsey has the most warm, bubbly energy, and you can just tell she’s a teacher. She radiates joy and passion for what she does, and I cannot wait for you to hear her story.

Now, if you know me, you know I have the utmost respect for teachers. My best friend’s a teacher, my sister-in-law’s a teacher—I really believe they have one of the most important jobs out there. They’re shaping the next generation, guiding kids through these crucial early years, and doing it all with limited resources and a lot of heart. And let’s be honest—they don’t get paid nearly enough for all they do!

That’s why I’m so inspired by Kelsey’s story. She took this bold leap from the classroom into entrepreneurship and started something truly incredible with her hands-on learning boxes. I’m obsessed with them, and I love that she’s been so successful that her husband was able to leave his job and join her full-time. Talk about a family business with heart!

Okay, let me read you her bio real quick so you get the full picture of who she is…

Kelsey Cook is a certified teacher, entrepreneur, mom, and advocate for early childhood learning. With a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, she spent six years teaching before launching Learning with Kelsey, a subscription box company designed to help parents engage their young children in meaningful, hands-on learning. As a mother of four, Kelsey understands the challenges of early education at home and created her boxes to simplify the process while strengthening parent-child connections. What started as a small passion project has grown into a nationwide resource, helping families in all 50 states prepare their children for lifelong learning.

Ok without further ado, here is my conversation with Kelsey Cook, and make sure to stick around until the end of the episode because Kelsey has a special discount code just for you, my podcast listeners, to get 15% off your first box!

Tanya: Welcome to the momentum, podcast. Kelsey. Thank you so much for coming on.

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kelseycook: Yes, I'm so excited.

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Tanya: I am, too. So before this I recorded an introduction for you, and just read a little, bio. But can you just start by giving your own version and introducing yourself to the listeners today.

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kelseycook: Yeah. So I'm Kelsey. I am a mom of 4. My kids are 9, 6, 3, and one. And I was a teacher. I was a teacher for 10 years. I still consider myself a teacher because I do a lot of teaching stuff still. So I love teaching. I love early childhood education and I don't know. I'm from Arizona. I own a business now, and I don't know what else.

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Tanya: Oh, my gosh! So you live in Arizona now I've wanted I I've never been.

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kelseycook: Oh, my God!

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Tanya: That's just been like calling my name my friend was just there, and she posted pictures. She was in Sedona. So where?

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Tanya: How are you?

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kelseycook: So I'm in, Gilbert. It's just like east of Phoenix. It's just in the Phoenix area.

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Tanya: Okay. Oh, my, it just looks so pretty and.

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kelseycook: So beautiful! Sedona is so beautiful.

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Tanya: Oh, my God, yeah, it's just like calling my name I so want to come visit. Are you originally from there?

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kelseycook: Yeah, yeah. So I'm born and raised here. But you gotta come before July, cause then it's really hot and people hate it. Here.

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Tanya: Yeah, I've heard. So there's no such thing as like cause I've heard. Well, it's dry heat, so it's not as bad.

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kelseycook: Yeah. Well, for me, it's not like I don't mind the heat, because, you know, this is all I've ever had. But, I do not like go run around in the heat in the summer, you know. I'm like, it's like winter for other people like we're in the pool, or we're inside.

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Tanya: Yeah. And how cold does it get there like, are your winners? What are your.

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kelseycook: No, so like winter, the coldest like during the day. It's like fifties for high forties, fifties.

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Tanya: So nice.

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kelseycook: Right now. It's like primetime weather. It's like 75, 80. It's so nice outside.

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Tanya: Perfect perfect. Well, here it like literally just started getting warmer and like the trees, are blooming like I went outside for just like 5 min I just wanted like the sun on my face, and it was like the 1st time I could go outside without a jacket. It just.

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kelseycook: Oh, my gosh! It's so nice!

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Tanya: Did it. Yes, yes, I'm like, I just want to take 5 min and like, have the sun on my face.

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kelseycook: Yeah. Just feel a little bit of warmth.

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Tanya: Yeah, I was like debating whether or not I wanted to do this interview outside, because it's just it's so. It's like that. First, st like really nice day, but.

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kelseycook: Yeah, we gotta soak it up.

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Tanya: Yes, so I want to talk about. So you began your career as a teacher. You still are. Yeah.

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kelseycook: Okay.

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Tanya: But did you ever imagine that you would become an entrepreneur.

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kelseycook: Never, never in a million years like I feel like I was now looking back. I'm like, Okay, I was kind of like, entrepreneurial minded like there were a lot of different things that I did. But like I was always like, I'll never do a business that's too hard. That's too stressful like. I can't do that.

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Tanya: Yeah.

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Tanya: but you did, and you figured it out like, Do you have any kind of a business background? Or did you have like a business coach, or have you just like figured this thing out.

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kelseycook: I've just basically figured it out myself. I mean it.

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Tanya: For you.

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kelseycook: It was really great, because it started as something that I love. So it didn't feel like, oh, I'm I didn't like decide. Oh, I'm gonna make a business, you know. It kind of.

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Tanya: Yeah.

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kelseycook: It was born out of something like a situation I had, and I was. It kind of just happened. And so as it grew, I just kind of was like, Okay, well, now, I'm going to figure out how to do this. Now, I'm going to figure out how to do this, and my personality is kind of one where it's like if I don't know how to do it. I'm going to figure it out, you know, so I kind of always have been like that. So I like to say, I'm like, really good at Googling. I'm really good at like.

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kelseycook: how do I do this? And then I'll like, read it, research it, figure it out. But yeah, it's been really crazy and fun.

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kelseycook: Hmm.

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Tanya: I think that what I found is that like entrepreneurial mentality of

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Tanya: I'll figure it out. Yeah. And everything is figureable.

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Tanya: So take us back to the early days of running a preschool out of your home, and like what that was like, especially you were a mom. Were you a mom at the time when you had.

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kelseycook: Yeah.

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kelseycook: yeah. So I. So I taught school for 6 years in a public school classroom. I taught 3rd grade. And then I taught kindergarten, and I really loved kindergarten. And then

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kelseycook: I had my 1st baby. And I was like, Okay, this is, this is so much more than I really thought it was. You know. I kind of always felt like I could do both, but it was like I was being pulled in so many different directions, and so I was lucky enough to be able to stay home with him. But then I missed teaching so much. So that's why I decided to open a preschool out of my house. My mom actually did it when she was a teacher, and she did a preschool when I was little.

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kelseycook: So I was like, Okay, this is an option where I could be home and have him home with me, and he would go with my mom. And then, when he was old enough. He was in my class with me, which is so fun. And then I had my second son, and so I had both of them, and I was teaching and it was. It was only 2 days, a week, 2 HA day. But

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kelseycook: you know I'm like, I'm always telling my husband. I'm doing it low key, and then it, like all of a sudden, I'm like laminating tiny little pictures and like hot, gluing things, and he's like really low key. So it was. It was so fun. And I I didn't find a curriculum that I loved for preschool. So I created my own. So that's kind of where I started with creating activities and ideas is I was creating my own curriculum and designing it as I went for my kids

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kelseycook: and for my class. So yeah, it was. It was really fun. I love preschool.

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Tanya: Oh, my gosh, you are! How many kids did you have in a class.

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kelseycook: So I had 12.

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Tanya: Okay. And it was just you. And yeah, yeah.

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Tanya: that's a lot. Because I mean, you're, you're a mom of 4. But and I'm a mom of 3, and

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Tanya: but.

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kelseycook: It's a lot, but I'm like to me. I was like, Oh, 12 is nothing, because when I taught kindergarten I had 28 kindergartners, and then just me. So it's like.

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Tanya: But you had an aide, though.

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kelseycook: I didn't have an aid in when I taught kindergarten.

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Tanya: You did not.

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kelseycook: No.

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Tanya: That's a lot of kids.

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kelseycook: I know it was crazy.

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Tanya: Wow, okay, yeah. Cause I mean my kids that well, only my daughter, my oldest, is in 1st grade. Now.

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kelseycook: Okay.

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Tanya: And their classrooms are like around 20. Would they?

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Tanya: Yeah, paid.

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kelseycook: That's yeah. I mean, that would be. But so I I taught in an area that had was like growing so fast. And there were so many kids like we had 6 kindergarten classrooms just crazy.

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Tanya: Oh, wow! That's a lot.

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Tanya: Oh, my gosh, so okay.

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Tanya: So you transition from teaching, you become a mom. You have 2 kiddos, a preschool in your home, and then the pandemic hit.

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kelseycook: Yeah. And so I had to close, because I'm like.

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Tanya: Close.

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kelseycook: Yeah, I'm like, well, you know, everyone else is. And this was like

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kelseycook: March 2020, you know. So it's like

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kelseycook: that was kind of when we all thought like, Oh, it's gonna be 2 weeks that we're closing, you know, or whatever. And so I started making packets for my preschoolers because I was just like so sad thinking like they don't get to do all my favorite things like butterflies, caterpillars all this.

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kelseycook: So I would. I made packets. It was just what the activities that we would do, instructions for the parents, and then, like the supplies they would need, and I would put them out on my porch, and moms would just come, get them and do them with their kids. And then those moms just started posting about it on Instagram like just sharing things they were doing with their kids. And people were like, Oh, can I get one of those like in my neighborhood? And I'm like, well.

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kelseycook: yeah, I guess I could do. I'm already doing some like I could do more. And then I was like, Okay, well, maybe I'll just make an Instagram to, you know, post about these things that I'm doing. So I made a preschool, Instagram and I was making more packets, and then people were like, well, can you mail them to me?

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kelseycook: And I was like, well, I guess I could mail him so I was like, we're like, go around my kitchen table counter, and like.

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kelseycook: pick up all the little things like in a assembly line and put them together, and I would mail them. And then I kind of just realized. Like as I was doing this for like a month or 2, I was like there, there is such a need. Besides the pandemic, like there was definitely there to teach kids at home. But, like now, I think we were kind of all realizing like

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kelseycook: we need to be doing more with our kids at home, like there's so much.

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Tanya: That we can.

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kelseycook: With them, and I think parents were feeling a little lost like. Now I'm on my own.

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kelseycook: What do I do?

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Tanya: No direct.

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kelseycook: And I was.

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Tanya: Yeah.

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kelseycook: Kind of lucky that I yeah, that I had taught. And so I'm like, I know this. But like, if I wasn't a teacher, this would be even for me, like a 2 year old. I'm like, Okay, I know I've taught all the things, but like a 2 year old is so different than a 4 year old, you know. Like, how do I entertain you? So I decided, like, Okay, I'm just gonna I think I'm gonna make it into a box that would be easier to ship. And then that's just how learning with Kelsey started it. Just kind of

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kelseycook: built built from there. And it's like crazy, you know.

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Tanya: Blew up. Yes, and actually, I meant to tell you this before we got on here. But yeah, I 1st heard about you actually on the 3 and 30 podcast

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Tanya: oh, yes, I love her.

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Tanya: I remember she had talked about your boxes. I can't remember. Did you? Were you on.

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kelseycook: No, she just she we I sponsored her for like a week.

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Tanya: Yeah.

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kelseycook: Very beginning.

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Tanya: That was my 1st time hearing about you, and then so I just ordered one of your boxes, and I love it so. This is what it looks like. It's so.

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kelseycook: Thank you.

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Tanya: And then on the inside, it comes with everything that you need, for, like the crafts and activities. And she has everything pre planned out for you, and I think that's what I like about these boxes. The most is I feel like it just reduces that, like the time and mental energy.

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Tanya: Like figuring out like, okay, like, just getting ideas like, yeah.

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Tanya: saves time like looking up on pinterest like, what do I do with my 2 year old, or like, give me like, I know I've looked up before like a

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Tanya: 3 year old schedule for the day. Yeah, like a routine.

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kelseycook: Yes.

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Tanya: But it saves on all that. And I feel like I'm that much more likely to like. Do these activities with my kid, which I think it is super important when it's it's already planned. Like, literally I, she has a plan. I'm just gonna show you real quick, is this it?

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Tanya: Oh, this is just every day like what you're doing. I took everything apart because we've been doing this all.

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kelseycook: I love it.

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Tanya: At like the perfect time cause. So this is our 3rd week cutting down on screen time, like, I'm.

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kelseycook: Okay, yes.

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kelseycook: Lay down the laying down the law.

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Tanya: Gotten out of control. But it's been nice, because so I bought the toddler one for my.

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Tanya: 2 bye.

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Tanya: 7 year old, and my 5 year old like are interested, and they've been wanting to do the things.

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kelseycook: Oh, I love that.

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Tanya: Become like a family affair. But like, so, yeah, so here's the schedule. So like, it's like, you're homeschooling so like every day. So she has something planned for every day of the week, like Monday through Friday. It's like day, one through day, 5 for the entire month of May and their subscription boxes I'll let you talk about. Tell so tell us.

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kelseycook: No, I love this. This makes.

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Tanya: Yeah, I'm I'm so sold. I I love it so much. Oh, my gosh! But I have to tell you this is funny, so you can tell, like I'm not like a crafty person at all. I did not know what contact paper was.

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Tanya: gotcha, and that was a lot of people don't.

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Tanya: Yeah, like.

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Tanya: what is contact paper? And I'm like, I literally almost threw it out because it was at the bottom of the box.

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kelseycook: Yes, and it's like so like thin and.

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Tanya: Yes. And so it said, like, Okay, tape the contact paper to the wall and leave the paper side out. Well, I'm like, Okay, well, it looks like, okay. So I'm gonna tape like, Peel, this backing off and tape it.

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Tanya: There was going to be like another layer that you peel off.

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Tanya: And like, literally, I'm using chat. Gpt, I'm like, how do I remove the paper from the contact paper? Well, I already had. I didn't realize it was.

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kelseycook: It was already sticky. Oh, my gosh.

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Tanya: Literally trying like all these things, like, I'm peeling the corners back. And then it said to like, grab a hair dryer to like, try and like loosen the adhesive zone like it was ridiculous. And then my husband came in. I'm like, what am I missing here?

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kelseycook: And he he's like you're like.

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kelseycook: He pulled it off.

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Tanya: Yes, but it was really easy to like. I just peeled it off the wall and.

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kelseycook: And it was still sticky. No, that's so funny, because I get that question all the time. And I'm like, Oh, people can't people like, how do I remove this backing? And I'm like, Oh, you just do this this. But now I'm wondering, have they already removed it? And they're

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kelseycook: we were thinking it's 2 double, because I thought it was double sided tape. That's probably

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kelseycook: oh, my gosh! That's actually very helpful. Now I'll know what to say in my instruction.

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Tanya: Yes, yes, so contact paper people.

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kelseycook: Yes, contact paper.

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Tanya: It's 1 sided.

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kelseycook: One sided.

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Tanya: Learn from my mistakes.

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kelseycook: I love it.

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Tanya: Kelsey. Tell us more, though, about your boxes, and what kinds of boxes you offer the ages, therefore, and then, like some of the activities or materials that are inside.

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kelseycook: Okay, yeah. So I. So I started with just a preschool box. Because that's what you know. That's what I was doing. And then I kind of realized I had so many people saying to me, like, Okay, but can my 2 year old do this?

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kelseycook: And you know, being a preschool teacher. I know that, like the developmental level of a 2 year old and even a 3 year old, are so vastly different, so the things that my 3 year old is working on my 2 year old can't? So that kind of led me to create the toddler box, which actually is my best selling box now is

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kelseycook: the toddler one. It's for 2 to 3 year olds.

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kelseycook: So I have. Toddler. Preschool is 3 to 4 year olds, and then a kinder prep is 4 to 5, and those boxes are all my activity boxes. So there are 20 activities a month, and the supplies and instructions for all those activities. And then I also have a sensory box that's just like the supplies to make a sensory bin. And then a craftivity box which is just 8, like, kind of more hands on

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kelseycook: just crafts rather than like a learning activity. So awesome. Yeah.

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kelseycook: Yeah. And they.

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Tanya: Smart.

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kelseycook: You know, it's like, sometimes I'm creating so many activities. My mind is like, I'm in October right now, you know, for my business. But like.

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Tanya: Wow!

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kelseycook: It's not Halloween, but.

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Tanya: We.

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kelseycook: We do. We do all the packing in my warehouse here I actually have 22 employees, and most of them are moms, which is really cool.

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Tanya: Amazing.

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kelseycook: They? A lot of them will drop their kids off at school, and then come work in my warehouse and then go pick their kids up at school. Which is also really great. So we pack all the things you get like pom-poms. You get paint, you get I'm trying to think what's in your contact paper.

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Tanya: Contact paper.

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kelseycook: Whoa! We've got.

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Tanya: Construction.

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kelseycook: Remember play-doh.

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Tanya: Pops.

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Tanya: What else is in there like? I have it.

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kelseycook: Yeah, pops physics. Yeah. And it's like.

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Tanya: The yeah. So.

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kelseycook: So many things are like, maybe you think like, okay, what would we do with this? But there's so many different uses for them so in your box every month. It's a theme I love a theme. I don't know if that's probably the teacher in me. I've just always loved a theme. And so every month is a different theme. And all the activities go with that theme. So

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kelseycook: kids get really excited about that, you know, that's another reason why I love themes, because it's fun for them to learn about flowers in like 4 different ways, you know. So you get a box every month. It comes at the end of the month for the next month. And yeah, it's just so fun.

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Tanya: It is, they're so fun. And they're so cute. Okay, so you're a mom of 4. And you're running a business that serves families across the country.

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Tanya: and I'm just wondering how you manage it all, and what balance looks like for you these days.

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kelseycook: Yeah, well, it's balance is very hard.

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Tanya: Yeah, like, is there? So do you think there is such a thing as.

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kelseycook: There is. But I think you have to like, really, be intentional about creating the balance. It doesn't just happen. Yeah. Cause. As I build this business. I've had 2 babies while building it, so like my.

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Tanya: Okay.

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kelseycook: Youngest was born in 2023 in November of 2023. So

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kelseycook: I've I've had a lot going on for a long time, but I'm also. I'm not very good at sitting still, so it's like I would be doing this in the beginning. I did only during nap time and bedtime which was crazy, because, like, I'm sure, as you know, then you get like, when is the time for me? You know.

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Tanya: Yeah. Well, in bedtime. So then, well, your kids then must. What time do your kids go to bed?

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kelseycook: They would have been a 7.

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Tanya: Oh, my! I knew you were! Gonna say that like.

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kelseycook: That's another reason.

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Tanya: I knew you were going to say, Well, my kids are. Bedtime is horrible in my house, so what I mean? God! Were you up at all hours of the night doing this.

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kelseycook: Yes, I was up. I was always up late, I was always up like, and and then that came to a point where then I was just so burnt out and like.

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Tanya: Yeah.

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kelseycook: So then I was like crankier with my kids. I was, you know, everything was just like I that wasn't sustainable at all. And so I had to like. I came to my husband like, Hey? He obviously knew I was so stressed. He's like, let's why don't you hire people to help you with certain things, you know, like he's like, if this is too much, hire out this. And I always said like

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kelseycook: being a mom, that's all I've ever wanted to like that is my dream come true is being a mom. And so I didn't wanna like give up these like special years with my kids. And I felt like, but I also loved working, you know, like.

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kelseycook: yeah, like a mind game where you're like, I love

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kelseycook: being home. But I love also having this other part of me.

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kelseycook: So I hired a nanny, and it was someone that I really loved that I felt really great with, and had her come just 2 days a week.

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kelseycook: and I'm

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kelseycook: I had her come for certain hours, like I think I ever come 12 to 4, 2 days a week. It's not that much, but then I was like.

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Tanya: Something.

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kelseycook: During those times I was at work, you know, so it was like I knew that I was getting that instead of like

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kelseycook: trying to fit it in in little pockets. I'm like, Okay, I know I'm at least gonna get this time to work. And then, as that grew, then, I like hired someone to help me with purchasing supplies. I hired people to help me with like ads, like kind of just realizing like I can't do this by myself, obviously. And there's such value in building like a strong team of people that you

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kelseycook: you like trust that. See your vision. And so that for me has been the only way that I've been able to have some sort of balance is keeping that. And then also just like setting really clear boundaries for myself. Like, when I pick my boys up my older boys up from school at 4, I'm done like my phone's away. I'm doing everything with being a mom.

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kelseycook: And then, when I'm I have like 4 mornings a week, where it's just me and my daughter and my baby, and it's like we're doing something fun. Like I. I just have really built in the mom time before I built in my work time, because that to me was what I wanted to focus on.

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Tanya: Yeah, that's amazing. And I'm sure that's like, why you even did this. That's why you left teaching was.

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kelseycook: Yes, yeah. So I'm like, no, I don't wanna be working 24, 7.

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Tanya: Yeah. Yeah. And I think that is the struggle with at least I struggle with that, too, like feeling guilty about

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Tanya: spending any time on like this, the like thanks so much Jane

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Tanya: and the podcast it's like, well, should I like.

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Tanya: take that energy and like efforts and put it more like, maybe I should. Just I should just go all in on being a mom in my, it's just like such a back and forth.

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kelseycook: So much, but I also think it like makes you a better mom. You know.

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Tanya: Doing, these.

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kelseycook: Things for yourself and like and see your kids getting to see you have something that you love, that you're going after. I think that is like really important. And so I kind of have to always remind myself of that when I'm like.

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Tanya: Yes.

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kelseycook: Feeling guilty? Because mom, guilt is like the rudest. Why does it?

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kelseycook: Why don't boys have dad guilts.

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Tanya: I know it is. It is the worst. But there is this like Poll that

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Tanya: I mean, I don't know that everyone gets, but I think a lot of us and do like

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Tanya: just being at home a mom. And it's such an important job. And it's definitely something that I want to do be there, and I don't want to miss anything with my kids, and I feel like these ages.

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Tanya: It's just so precious, and it's such a like limited amount of time and.

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kelseycook: Oh, yeah.

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Tanya: It has. It goes by so fast like I do believe I was talking to. My son was having a play date. It was like last week, and of course, like the play dates, you know. I'm there, too, and I'm talking to the mom. And I just said to her, I'm like

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Tanya: this is the but like. This is the time of our life, like.

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kelseycook: Oh, yeah.

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Tanya: I really do feel like I just feel so grateful to have like just to be alive right now, and like.

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Tanya: The ages that my kids are. They're just so innocent

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Tanya: and sweet, and you know they'd still they want to spend time with you, even though, like, can you just like.

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kelseycook: No, it's it's so true, and you just feel I that's I feel exactly the same. I'm always thinking to myself, like these are the best days of my life. These are the days that I'm gonna look back and and just miss, because they're so great. And so yeah, that's been so hard for me to feel like I'm being pulled away from it because I don't want to. I want to, so I'm always.

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Tanya: Sounds like you're not. You've got boundaries and.

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kelseycook: Yeah.

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Tanya: You hired the people which I feel like. That's a huge

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Tanya: step to take. Yes, like, did you feel any scarcity at all when you started like hiring like there was. Was there any like stress that came up or were you? Do you feel like you were ready.

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kelseycook: I mean, I was ready. But I was stressed because it's like you just feel like it's so hard to give up control of something that.

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Tanya: Yeah.

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kelseycook: Done. You've built like. And to be like, Okay, now, I'm gonna let you do this. And then it's just not micromanaging, because I'm like the point of hiring you is so that I don't.

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Tanya: Right, yeah.

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kelseycook: But I've been so lucky to find people that are so great that are some of my best friends. Now that work with me and my husband actually was able to quit his job in January or December, and works full time with me now. So.

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Tanya: That is amazing. I feel like that is my dream. That is amazing.

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kelseycook: Yes, so that has been incredible. And so my husband's really good at always like reminding me like he's like my number one fan like he thinks he's always like, so supportive and so excited about everything. And he's really good at reminding me like, Yeah, this is, you've got a lot. You're stressed, you're busy. But like, look at all the things that we're able to do because of this, like I'm able to be home and I and like he takes my kids to school in the morning

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kelseycook: morning. We he picks like we do things together as a family. It's just it, and he's getting to be part of these times that he probably wouldn't have otherwise, you know. So.

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Tanya: Yeah, what a gift you've been able to give to your family and the other moms that you've been able to employ. Now, which I want to talk about like was that always part of your vision to employing other moms? And

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Tanya: why do you think it's important to create these kind of opportunities for moms.

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kelseycook: Yeah, I always did want to hire moms, because you know, as a mom myself, I knew how hard it was to find a job

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kelseycook: that you could do, but then also be an involved mom and be be able to.

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Tanya: So.

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kelseycook: Yeah, be flexible. So like, I encourage, like, I say, like volunteer in your kids class, do I love that for the moms? Go on the field trip be if your kid is sick, be home. So our warehouse is very flexible in like when they need to. If they're gonna be gone if they're gonna be missing for certain things. But then also the idea that they can drop their kids off and then pick their kids up is something that I really love.

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Tanya: Nice.

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kelseycook: And it's just been so great for them to be able to do that and to be able to be involved. Moms with their kids how they want. But then also they get to work. They get to be out and have their own thing and be around other women, which is really great.

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Tanya: Yes, and contribute like that's like my hugest thing is like just this need to contribute to feel like, even though, as a mom, let's be honest like.

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kelseycook: We're doing so many things.

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Tanya: Contributing like.

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kelseycook: Okay.

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Tanya: But I don't know what it is like. It's just this need, at least for me, for, like something else outside, like feeding, and I don't know. Teaching and just making sure

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Tanya: everybody's needs are met.

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kelseycook: Yeah.

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Tanya: So.

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kelseycook: As someone who used to work every other week. I was a nurse. Oh, you were okay.

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Tanya: Yes, and I used to work every other weekend and every other holiday which, like that's

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Tanya: like, after I had kids, I was like, I can't do.

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kelseycook: No.

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Tanya: Have to work

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Tanya: every like every other Christmas, and then 2. It was getting to the point where well, Covid happened.

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kelseycook: So.

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Tanya: Like we're always working short like. There was always that threat of like going in for an 8 h shift and then getting stuck there for a double shift, which would.

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kelseycook: My gosh, yeah, no.

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Tanya: So yeah, but anyway, like I. So that was like, my struggle was like not not wanting to like Miss out on those moments with my kids. So

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Tanya: I know many moms want flexibility and the ability to contribute financially. So what advice do you have for moms who feel that that tug to do something more, but they don't know where to start.

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kelseycook: Yeah, I feel like what helped me the most was doing something that I already loved, and it so it didn't feel like I was picking something over, you know, my kids, which you aren't. But you feel like that. So it was something that I loved and something that I really cared about, and so it felt like.

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kelseycook: besides being able to contribute. It was like an outlet for me to do something that I loved. So I think like going into it. Finding something that you really care about, something that you're really excited about will make it a little bit easier for you to find exactly where you want to be.

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Tanya: Yeah, I love that advice.

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Tanya: And then what do you think is the biggest struggle for parents when it comes to doing educational activities at home?

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kelseycook: Yeah. Well, so the thing that is really important about my boxes to me is that they're more than just like you're doing an activity. You're teaching on something. The most important part to me is like the parent connection, part of it. Because, if you notice, like, you've done the activities. They're all meant to do with your child. It's not something that you're just passing off to them

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kelseycook: for them to do. They're meant to do with your child, because I really think that the parent connection portion of it is even more important than the educational portion, the academic part. So when people are like, okay, well, what do I need to do to get them ready for kindergarten? What do I need to? Prep academically.

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kelseycook: I really say, like spending time with your kids is way more important than that. Like they're going to figure out the academic portion. They're going to figure out the letters. Those are important. And I know that people want to feel like they're doing something to get their kid ready for that. So that that is in my boxes. But like

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kelseycook: focusing on making that good connection, making that great relationship with your child makes the teaching so much easier. And then those moments will come and they'll be ready, you know. They'll feel supported. They'll feel loved, and you'll be able to point out like, Hey, this is a letter A, let's do it, and you know, it's like fun and exciting, and they're interested in it. And then that's where, like the learning magic really happens.

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Tanya: Yeah, I so believe that. And I noticed that in my kids like when I'm not forcing it upon them like, okay, like, this is like, you need to learn this.

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Tanya: Just letting them come like naturally to it, like, Oh, yeah, yesterday. So I was doing. Oh, I would think I think I was doing one of the activity from yesterday with my daughter. And then I told, though he wanted to do something I'm like. Well, before you do that, I want you to do like your workbook.

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Tanya: and he did not like he did not want to do it.

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Tanya: I was like, Okay, I'm not gonna fight with him. But then, like, just.

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Tanya: I got busy doing something else. And then, next thing I know he's doing it himself, and it's like fun for him. So it's just like this, like educational workbook that he got from his grandmother for Easter, and it was.

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kelseycook: Those. And it came with like, an erasable marker.

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kelseycook: Yeah.

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Tanya: So it like helped him like, practice his letters and like drawing lines. And it had like mazes. But it's just like, yeah, when it's forced. Yeah, he's not going to want to do it when I'm telling him, like, you need to do this.

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Tanya: Think.

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kelseycook: Just yeah, like

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kelseycook: letting them explore and letting them have fun because I get parents all the time like, especially if teaching preschool like. Well, when should my kid know all their letters? When should they? And the hard thing is is that what people don't understand letter learning is developmental, which is so crazy, so like developmentally, they may be ready at 3, and some may be ready at 5, and it doesn't mean one is smarter than the other one. They just weren't ready, you know, so.

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kelseycook: I'm sure you've noticed, like with your older kids, when all of a sudden you're like, Wait, now they know all the letters we've been doing that. How come 6 months ago? They acted like they'd never seen the letter a before. When I'd said it a hundred times. You know.

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Tanya: Yeah, so every ticket is different.

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kelseycook: Yeah. Yeah. And it just clicks. So I'm always like, don't don't panic about them, knowing certain things or doing certain like checklists more. Just expose them to it, expose them to the letters, expose them, let them trace, let them draw, let them do all these things, and it will come like it will all it always comes unless, you know, there's like a learning disability. And then at that point you're recognizing it. You're checking it. But majority of the time it will come.

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Tanya: Yeah, yeah, and stop like over stressing about.

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kelseycook: Yeah.

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Tanya: Like what you just said like if they don't know their like. I. So my older 2 have always just been like, it's just come so easy for them. They've always been like interested in like knew their letters and their numbers. But my youngest, she's like

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Tanya: I tried it like now. She's more interested in books, but initially I tried to read her a book, and she would just close it, and like she doesn't know her letters or numbers.

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kelseycook: You're like, okay.

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Tanya: But she's got. She'll be 3 in July, so she is going into preschool next year, and I've like asked like, should I be worried about that like, how can I prepare? And the teachers basically said the same thing as you do like, you know what? Just make sure she knows like how to put on her own coat.

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kelseycook: Okay.

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Tanya: Pull up her pants and.

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kelseycook: Yeah, because people would ask me for kindergarten like, what do they need to know? And those are the things I would say. I'm like. They need to know how to follow directions.

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Tanya: Yeah.

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kelseycook: Direction they need to be able to go to the bathroom by themselves, open their lunches like those kinds of the things, are the things that you can worry about. But letters, numbers like those will come.

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Tanya: It will come.

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kelseycook: Yep, yeah, I when I taught kindergarten, I would we would always test the kids coming in. And I would have some kids that would come in reading some kids that will come in knowing one letter, and by the end of the year they were all reading. So it's like they get there, you know, it's just like so crazy. How different! And even like, so your daughter's a July birthday, even a July birthday, and on October birthday are so different like.

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Tanya: Yeah.

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kelseycook: You can tell in a kindergarten class I could point out, okay, that's a summer baby that's a fall baby, you know, like you can tell.

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Tanya: Yeah, I, yeah, I can. I can see it in my own kids.

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kelseycook: Yeah.

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Tanya: But oh, that's funny.

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Tanya: So you've created these boxes, and it's something that makes early learning feel doable and even fun for families. So what are your tips for moms who might feel overwhelmed. But they want to start creating more intentional learning moments with their kids.

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kelseycook: My number one tip is, it doesn't need to take a long time. It takes.

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Tanya: Yes.

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kelseycook: 10 to 15 min. So if you can give 10 to 15 min of undivided time with your child, that will make a huge difference, and you know you'll realize when you're doing it with a 2 year old. 10 min is a long time.

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Tanya: Yeah, they don't have the attention span for it.

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kelseycook: Yeah. So it doesn't need to be. You don't need to set up some huge thing. It just is quick and easy. And that's that's why I did my boxes, because you can just take 10 min. You can pull out the activity. Everything's right there and just do it with them. But obviously I share tons of free ideas on my Instagram, too. You don't need to have. You don't need to have a box. You can do things at home, too. There's so many supplies that you have at your house, probably, that you don't even realize can make a fun activity.

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Tanya: Yeah.

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kelseycook: Like my favorite one of the biggest hits. It's always a big hit is a toilet paper tube like taped up to the wall, and then dropping pom-poms in it. That is like.

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Tanya: Oh, my! Gosh!

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Tanya: Never done that before.

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kelseycook: Yes, it's like.

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Tanya: Now, I'm going to do that today.

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kelseycook: It's so fun. And then, like what people don't realize is like, Okay, they're also working on their fine motor practice. When they're picking up these pom-poms. You can do counting. You could count the pom-poms. You can name the colors. You can do problem solving like my older boys like to put like 2 or 3 of the tubes up and like. See if they can make a little track like. There's so many things that you can do.

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Tanya: Oh, so save those toilet paper rolls.

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Tanya: Savior, too.

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Tanya: Don't! Don't throw them away.

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kelseycook: And my kids are always excited. If there's a paper towel, one cause like Wait, it's a big one. We can do.

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Tanya: Oh, my, gosh, that's so cute. I'm gonna start using those.

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kelseycook: They're fun!

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Tanya: Environment, too.

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Tanya: Okay? Well, so then, what is next for learning with Kelsey?

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kelseycook: So we're we've just started we just launched a really big ad that we did, which was really cool and exciting for me. I've never done anything like that like we cast people in an ad, and we filmed it. It was. It was like the craziest, coolest thing I've ever done. So.

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Tanya: So what was it? Was it like a Facebook ad, or was it like an ad?

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kelseycook: It will be like a Facebook and a Youtube ad, it's out right now. Actually, it's on there. It's cute. It's really fun.

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Tanya: My gosh, I'm gonna get so excited when I see.

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kelseycook: Yeah. Yeah. So it was. That was like, so surreal for me, like I was standing back watching it like all these people, like a whole crew, and like I was just like I can't. That was like a crazy moment for me, like I can't believe we're here. I can't believe we're doing this. But yeah, that was really cool. And then we're just, you know, gonna keep hopefully, keep growing and keep keep getting boxes out.

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Tanya: Yes, I I love the boxes. They're amazing kudos to you for having the courage and the gumption to start this business like I am so inspired by you.

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kelseycook: Some night.

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kelseycook: Sometimes I'm like, was I crazy like, who did I think I was?

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kelseycook: But look at because I feel like that's.

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Tanya: But I think that that's like that's like with the most successful people like in the beginning, like it's.

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kelseycook: It's almost good to just be.

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Tanya: Like just not even worry about the risk like this time.

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Tanya: Be a little.

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Tanya: I don't know crazy.

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kelseycook: Not care. Yeah, like crazy. You'd have to be like, Okay, well, cannabis would just happen.

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Tanya: Right? Yeah.

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Tanya: okay. So lastly, can you share how people can find you and where they can get their hands on one of your learning boxes?

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kelseycook: Yeah. So I'm on Instagram at learning with Kelsey. And I'm tick tock learning with Kelsey. And then I have a website. And it's learning with kelsey.com. You can order the boxes there. You can kind of get previews I share. Once a month I'll share a preview of what's coming in the upcoming box so that you can kind of get an idea. Yeah. So just check it out.

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Tanya: So that's easy. Everything's learning with Kelsey. Yeah.

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kelseycook: Hello, Kelsey.

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Tanya: Awesome. Well, thank you so much, Kelsey, for your time.

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Tanya: Thank you.

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Tanya: Been great. It's been so nice talking to you, and.

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kelseycook: Fun.

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Tanya: Yeah. And I hope that you all, if you don't, if you're not familiar with her, follow her on Tiktok, on Instagram, and I'm telling you. Try out one of these boxes, get a subscription. It makes things so much easier. And you just feel like a little like you're doing a good job as a mom.

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kelseycook: That's what we all need. We all need a little win right.

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Tanya: Yeah, yes, yes, perfect, all right. Thanks. Kelsey.

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kelseycook: Thank you so much.

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Tanya: And have a good day. I'll talk to you soon. Bye.

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kelseycook: Bye.

I hope you loved this conversation with Kelsey as much as I did! Isn’t she just the best? I found her story so inspiring—from running a preschool out of her home while raising little ones, can you imagine? to pivoting during the pandemic, to growing a business that now supports families across all 50 states. And I especially love that she’s created a work environment that empowers other moms—because we all know how hard it is to find something that works around the chaos of mom life.

If you’re looking to bring a little more intention, connection, and fun into your day with your kids—without adding stress—definitely check out her boxes. You can find her at learningwithkelsey.com and follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @learningwithkelsey for tons of free ideas and inspiration.

And just for you, my amazing podcast listeners, Kelsey is offering 15% off your first order with the code MOMENTUM at checkout!

Alright mama, go check her out, give your little ones some love, and don’t forget—10-15 minutes of focused time with your child can make all the difference.

Also real quick, I’m slowly dipping my toes into Youtube, so if you are interested in watching this interview I will be sure to include the Youtube link in the show notes.

Also, I am changing the way I do the podcast show notes, or I’m at least trying something a little different. So I really want to include a comments section, because I want to be able to see your feedback from these episodes. I also want to open up the comments for any coaching questions you have, or if there is anything you would like coaching on I will be checking the comments and answering your questions and offering coaching through that platform. So please check out that page, and leave me your comments, I would absolutely love to hear from you and help you with anything you need coaching on!

Alright that’s it from me today, thank you so much for listening today, I really appreciate your time!

Until next time, keep going, keep growing, and remember—you’re doing better than you think.

Empowering Moms to Thrive:
Find Balance, Health, and Peace in Everyday Life

Simple Educational Activities for Kids at Home with Kelsey Cook| The Mom-entum Podcast

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