When you first check out Happy Hive Homeschooling’s mindset coaching, you see “What do Yoda, Professor X, and Mr. Miyagi have to do with homeschooling?” written across the top of the page. It’s a great introduction, because it so perfectly encompasses what mindset coaching is (more on that soon).

I first met Christy Gandara through homeschool summits, I think, though it might have been through a freebie shared in another blogger’s email. Either way, she was launching her Facebook group and I immediately joined to participate in the launch. I really loved her method of launching (so much so that nearly a year later, I still remember it).

There’s a concept I like to follow, especially in business – start as you mean to go on. Christy did this in spades. Her launch included each of her monthly “days” squeezed into a week. So she had a training for the kids, a guest expert, mindset coaching, and more. It was a great way to get to know her exactly as she is.

Here’s the disclosure: my business bestie won a 3 month package of VIP mindset coaching during the launch. She asked to transfer the coaching to me, and Christy agreed.

Getting Started with Mindset Coaching

In any coaching journey, a big part of it is getting to know each other and seeing if you connect. Christy and I definitely connected. It was actually amazing how quickly I felt comfortable speaking with her and sharing my thoughts, my questions and concerns.

She didn’t completely prescribe to the “you have to figure it out for yourself” method, though there was some of that. If I had a question, she was great at listening to see if I figured it out on my own. If I didn’t figure it out, she shared her thoughts and ideas. Coaching with Christy felt like a collaboration. We were working together to better my homeschool experience.

What We Talked About

When you started homeschooling, did you feel confident that you knew how to do everything? You knew the best methods, you had the perfect curriculum, you knew exactly how to get your child to learn and what to track. If you did, more power to you. I did not.

When I started, I was trying to figure it out with a newborn and a 3 year old. I had an eclectic mix of resources and was trying to understand how it all fit together, how to get my child to sit long enough to learn, and how to know what she should learn.

Christy made it easier. She helped me realize that homeschooling does not have to mean “school at home.” Just because a child could be spending 4-8 hours in a classroom did not mean that I should expect my child to do 4-8 hours of schoolwork in a day. And this was especially not true for a preschooler. She also helped me give myself permission to not be perfect, to change curriculums if they no longer suited us, and to recognize that practical or life skill learning opportunities were just as important as the book work.

Mrs. Crabtree

One of my favorite parts of Christy’s coaching was that she didn’t expect me to become a duplicate of her. Although she often shared experiences of what she did as a homeschooling mom (she’s graduated her three kids from her homeschool at this point), they were shared as suggestions or examples. She didn’t judge me if I decided that something wasn’t right for me or for my homeschool.

One prime example of this is what her kids called her as a teacher. When Christy Gandara was in teacher mode, her kids called her “Mrs. Crabtree.” This is still the name she goes by in her Facebook group when she shares lessons for the kids each month. Using a separate “teacher” name allowed her to separate mommy time from teacher time. I absolutely loved the idea when I heard it, but it didn’t feel practical for my homeschool.

I shared my thoughts on this with Christy and she was fine with it. She didn’t judge me. She recognized that I could determine what would be best for my homeschool. Her job was to provide help when I asked, but she supported my decisions.

Overall Thoughts

Here’s the Yoda, Professor X, and Mr. Miyagi part: when I wanted to learn ballet, I took lessons from someone who had learned ballet before me. If I want my kids to learn Karate or take voice lessons, I would immediately schedule a time for them to meet with someone who had learned karate or practiced singing in the past, even if they haven’t done it professionally.

For a new homeschool parent, I would provide the same advice. If you don’t know what you’re doing or need support, find a homeschool parent who has already been there and can answer your questions and support you in your journey. There are a ton of Facebook groups for homeschool parents. I would recommend joining (at least) one for your state or local area in order to have a place to ask about regulations, as well as joining Christy’s group, The Happy Hive.

If you want deeper support where you can share one on one and speak with an experienced educator and homeschool mom (I forgot to mention – Christy was a classroom teacher before she started homeschooling!), then I 100% recommend Christy’s mindset coaching. I do not have an affiliate link or receive anything in exchange for recommending her services, I just think she’s amazing at what she does.

Interview with Christy Gandara

Hi Christy! Can you share a little about yourself and your business for my readers?

Hey there homeschool friends! I’m a homeschool mom and former classroom teacher passionate about the mentoring process. I have been married for over 25 years and we have 3 children. My desire to homeschool them was born out of fear, pure and simple. Well, fear and my obnoxious attitude that there would not be a teacher better than I am! My 3 kids all survived the homeschooling life and are now in their 20s putting those lifelong learning skills to good use. Happy Hive Homeschooling is my way of inspiring other homeschool moms to embrace their unique homeschool why and create happy hives of their own.

You have been a blessing in my life, and I love that you’re not just a coach to me, you’re a true friend. What inspired you to become a homeschool coach?  

Awe! The blessings go both ways! I was inspired to become a homeschool coach simply because of the mentors I had in my life. As a young inexperienced teacher, they assigned me a mentor, then I became a mentor teacher myself. When I decided to homeschool I thought my teaching experience would make the process easy. This was not the case at all, at least for me! I quickly realized I needed the wisdom and experience of someone who had homeschooled to guide me. My homeschool coach and I remain friends to this day. I’ve told her at least a million times that she was a key player in the success of our homeschool experience. 

As you know, when we started this school year and I asked my 4 year old daughter her teacher’s name, she said “Mrs. Crabtree.” Do your clients tend to meet with you with their kids, or was I the odd one having my kids on our calls?

I love this question so much! First of all it’s not odd, it’s called ‘there’s no wrong way to meet with me!’ I have a variety. Some clients have their kids playing, working, or distracted by technology as we meet. Others have the kids out of the room, especially if they are older, this way we can speak candidly. Not cursing or anything like that, but if a client needs help because a child isn’t engaged, that takes some privacy. I never want a child to feel like they are less than amazing. Other clients simply use our coaching as a form of self care while the kids are with another parent, grandparent or off on an adventure. I must say, curiosity wins every time, and I have had the pleasure of meeting all of the children of my clients. It’s good for the kids to see mom engaging in learning of her own. I also LOVE it. Children are 100% welcome on my calls, at any age. 

If someone is unsure if mindset coaching would be necessary or beneficial for them, what would you recommend as a first step?

It’s never easy to ask for help. I think of the stereotype of men not stopping for directions. Now they don’t have to… cars have GPS. (boy this tells you how old I am!)  As women, we like to strut around with our capes on, carrying the baby, our Mom of the Year award, and chopping vegetables.  Asking for help is somehow associated with weakness. But look – you are the teacher, you want your kids to ask YOU for help, right? So part of mindset coaching is getting over that first hurdle and releasing the notion that there is something “wrong”.

I have a Facebook group, you can follow me on social media, get on my email list and otherwise stalk me. Get to know me and my “voice.” When it feels right, book a session. I do the first 2 sessions completely free. You don’t even have to listen to me try and sell you a thing. It’s just you, me and some coffee. Google has made it possible to hang out together from the comfort of our own homes. 

The bottom line is this. Mindset coaching is not for you. Investing in yourself and improving your skills as a teacher is 100% a “for your kids” investment.

Having a mentor, taking classes, and participating in coaching helps you identify your core values, try out ideas you wouldn’t think of, and customize the lessons to the unique needs of your children. You’ll begin to say things in a way your kids understand and relate to. They are going to “get it” sooner and with a deeper understanding. Your confidence as a teacher will rub off and create confident little learners. 

Taking the time to get your questions answered and learning HOW to teach your kids at home is an investment in your kids’ education that will provide not only immediate returns but repeatedly throughout the years that you homeschool them and beyond. 

Where can my readers find you online?

Join my email list and get a printable with 25 easy mindset shifts to try.

There’s also a smattering of me across several social media channels. You’re welcome to find me on one or all of them.  Learn about the Holiday of the Day and get homeschool tips and tricks on Instagram. I don’t dance, but I babble about homeschool goodness on TikTok. My YouTube channel is sorely neglected, but there are some gems on there!

Oh and let’s not forget the Facebook Group – there are workshops for you, classes for kids and just sooo much goodness – I’d say THAT’S the place to be! 

Thank you so much for your time! And thanks for joining us In Our Homeschool!