FoodandFemales.com
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By Sarah Zubiate
Founder and Farmer, ZUBI’S
Hello again! Sarah Zubiate here, eager to share more insights and address the wonderful questions I received after my
initial post. Your positive feedback was truly uplifting, and I’m deeply grateful for the community we’re building as we navigate these unprecedented times together.
It’s clear that we are all still in a state of flux, living with the pervasive uncertainty brought on by COVID-19. Daily news cycles bombard us with updates on school reopenings, business regulations, and the ever-shifting landscape of public health. This collective experience of navigating the unknown underscores a fundamental truth: we are truly in this together. My fervent hope, like yours, is that we will soon adjust to a new normal, one that allows us to find stability and rediscover joy in our daily lives.
From Highland Park Elegance to Ranch Resilience: Redefining “Normal”
In what now feels like a distant past, my family and I thrived in the vibrant community of
Highland Park, where my children attended a remarkable private school. Weekends were reserved for escaping to our serene family ranch in Athens, Texas. This ranch isn’t just a retreat; it’s the heart of my company, ZUBI’S. Our organic ZUBI’S farm and manufacturing facility are headquartered there, allowing me to be deeply involved in cultivating hard-to-source ingredients and meticulously overseeing our operations.
Before the world pivoted, my creative energies were channeled into redesigning
our Dallas home. Despite the inherent stresses and hectic schedules that come with such a project, I found immense joy in the process. My husband and I would eagerly meet our design team every Wednesday, delving into every detail – from selecting fixtures and planning structural changes to choosing colors, furniture styles, and wallpaper. It was an exhilarating and genuinely fun period. Then, the pandemic struck, abruptly halting our redesign and fundamentally shifting the rhythms of our lives. The vibrant anticipation of transforming our space gave way to a home left bare and filled with the stark realities of paused construction.
Accepting that our Dallas home renovation would be on indefinite hold was challenging. The unfinished state left our living spaces feeling empty and, at times, even a bit depressing. To alleviate this “empty nest” feeling in our primary living areas, I recently made the decision to rent beautiful furniture from
CORT. I wholeheartedly recommend their services; the high-quality, well-maintained furniture has truly transformed our home, providing a sense of warmth and comfort for my family as we patiently await the resumption of our redesign project.
With life’s compass now pointing us more regularly towards the ranch due to COVID-19, my passion for redesign has naturally redirected. The ranch house, once a weekend escape, is now undergoing its own transformative journey. Predictably, what started as a modest refresh has blossomed into a far grander project than I initially envisioned – a running joke among friends who know my tendency to “go big or go home!”
So, here I am: juggling extensive renovations, meticulously preparing for both traditional school and homeschooling, striving to be a supportive and engaged mother and wife, all while running ZUBI’S, a company that continues to boom and bustle. It’s a delicate dance, and sometimes I wonder aloud, “We can do it all, right?!”
The Truth About “Doing It All”: Power in Prioritization and Support
My honest answer to that question is: absolutely not! Following my previous post, many of you asked how I manage to accomplish so much. Let me be unequivocally clear – I do not do it all, or at the very least, I certainly don’t do it all alone. This is a crucial distinction and a lesson I’ve learned through experience.
The ability to manage my multifaceted responsibilities stems directly from the incredible support systems in my life. I am blessed with fantastic teams at ZUBI’S who are the backbone of our operations, allowing me to focus on strategic growth. My husband is an unwavering pillar of support, encouraging me to “do me” and pursue my passions. Furthermore, I am immensely thankful for the positive co-parenting relationship I share with my twins’ father and stepmother. This harmonious arrangement provides invaluable flexibility when making significant decisions concerning my children’s well-being and education.
So, how do I navigate the inherent chaos of family, children, work, and personal aspirations? It all begins with a clear system of prioritization. I meticulously rank tasks from most important to least important.
Currently, the spiritual, emotional, and physical health and well-being of my family stand as my undisputed No. 1 priority. My company, ZUBI’S, follows closely at No. 2. I ensure that these top two priorities are addressed before I even begin to tackle other tasks. If other commitments take longer than anticipated, well, that’s just life, and I embrace that reality. This structured approach to priorities empowers me to embody the mother, wife, business leader, and friend I aspire to be. You might not be stepping into a flawlessly designed home of mine anytime soon, but you know what? That’s perfectly okay!
Navigating Educational Uncertainty: Our Homeschooling Commitment
As I gaze into the uncertain future, shaped by pending elections, the ongoing COVID-19 calamity, and economic volatility, my unwavering dedication is to the health, education, and overall well-being of my family.
In response to Dallas County’s recent announcements regarding school plans, I am fully prepared for Louis and Liliana to commence their second-grade year in September, whether in person or remotely. However, given the unpredictable nature of our current situation, I’ve decided to proactively supplement their school year with dedicated homeschooling, starting as early as mid-August. As I’ve always maintained, it’s wise to plan for the worst, but always hope for the best. This proactive approach ensures continuity and stability in their education, regardless of external circumstances.
Over the past few months, both of my children have significantly enhanced their learning through engaging summer programs. My daughter, Liliana, has diligently continued her “Take Flight” courses, which are specifically designed to support her dyslexia journey. My son, Louis, a vibrant and active munchkin diagnosed with ADHD (and non-medicated), has been working diligently on developing his executive functioning skills. I cannot recommend these skilled educators and specialized training systems highly enough. If you’re a parent facing similar educational needs or simply curious to learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
In preparation for their August homeschooling start – a program that might extend longer should circumstances dictate – I meticulously researched educational resources. I ultimately selected the
Critical Thinking Curriculum, believing it to be the ideal program for fostering both learning and enrichment for my 2nd-grade twins. It aligns perfectly with my educational philosophy, encouraging deep understanding and problem-solving skills.
Additionally, I’ve discovered an invaluable resource in
Varsity Tutors. This platform will serve as an essential supplemental instruction tool, not only during our initial homeschooling phase but also as a continuous resource once in-person schooling resumes. Their comprehensive approach and adaptable learning options have impressed me greatly.
Rethinking the Classroom Environment and Ensuring Learning Objectives Are Met
To be entirely candid, I harbor genuine concerns regarding my children’s learning experience within the evolving “new normal” classroom environment. Will they be able to absorb information as effectively with the added distractions of masks, social distancing protocols, and the unspoken stress carried by our hardworking educators? My heart aches for these dedicated teachers and administrators, who are tirelessly managing these unprecedented situations with immense grace and resilience. Words truly cannot express the depth of my appreciation for their tireless efforts.
Regardless of the learning environment – whether it’s in-person instruction or our dedicated homeschooling setup – my primary goal is to work closely with my children to ensure all their learning objectives are met, and even exceeded. Here’s a closer look at our strategy:
As I previously mentioned, I’ve become a strong proponent of the web-based
Varsity Tutors option. The educators at Varsity Tutors excel at addressing new concepts and topics with clarity and engaging explanations. What’s truly remarkable is the flexibility they offer; you can even form a “Learning Pod” tailored for enrichment classes, personalized academic instruction, or a combination of both. This allows you to recruit students from the same school or class, facilitating a match with the ideal online instructor who can cater specifically to their collective and individual needs. It’s an incredibly powerful and adaptive learning solution!
The Power of Community and Seeking Support
This brings me back to that pervasive question: how do you manage it all – family, schooling, being a businesswoman, maintaining friendships, and so much more? As I reiterated, I absolutely do not navigate this journey alone. With my growing business and the demanding nature of entrepreneurship, I find very little spare time to dedicate to the direct, hour-by-hour teaching of Louis and Liliana.
Thankfully, I am blessed with two truly exceptional nannies who consistently go above and beyond their duties. While they are not professional educators, their dedication is unparalleled. Currently, I am actively training these fantastic ladies, meticulously outlining specific learning styles and objectives for each child. This ensures they will be fully prepared and equipped to assist with teaching when our mid-August homeschooling officially begins.
Of course, I will personally step in to teach whenever my schedule allows and whenever it’s necessary, and I will always be the one to review all of my children’s work comprehensively. However, the assistance from these wonderful women will be tremendous. It will allow the children to continue their learning journey seamlessly, all while I focus my energy on running and growing ZUBI’S.
Should their Dallas school need to pivot back to e-learning at any point, I have another invaluable support system in place. A brilliant friend of mine, Dana, has offered to help facilitate a learning pod, working with the school-directed e-learning curriculum. Dana is a dear mom friend whose children attend the same school as mine. She runs
@fishbowllearning, and I sincerely hope her expertise will continue to benefit my children throughout their academic lives, perhaps even guiding them through high school and into college preparation.
For those considering full-time homeschooling, there are many excellent options designed to fulfill diverse family needs. I strongly recommend starting your research by visiting
https://hslda.org/legal. This resource will provide crucial information on the legal requirements for operating a homeschool program in your area. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the various learning methods available. Since every family is unique and every child possesses a distinct learning style, a bit of trial-and-error will be essential to discover which method or program best suits your children’s individual needs. For a comprehensive overview, explore the different learning methods outlined at
The Best Schools. My hope is that this curated list will be easy to navigate and empower you to find the most effective educational approach for your family.
Real-Life Learning: The Ranch as Our Dynamic Classroom
One of the most exciting and unique aspects of my children’s makeshift homeschool program is its strong emphasis on real-life learning and practical application. Our ranch, with its expansive natural environment, offers an unparalleled living classroom. Here, learning isn’t confined to textbooks; it unfolds through hands-on exploration and direct experience.
The kids delve into diverse subjects naturally. They learn about various mammals and their habitats by observing local wildlife, explore winding trails to discover the intricacies of nature, and grasp fundamental concepts of mechanics and engineering through engaging building exercises. Perhaps most uniquely, they gain invaluable insights into farming and planting right on our very own ZUBI’S Organic Farm, witnessing the entire cycle of food production firsthand.
Regardless of where you might be teaching your children, you too can integrate similar hands-on learning tools. I highly recommend
Gardenuity for a wonderfully engaging experience. They offer a fantastic array of fun and exciting planting programs that promise to create lasting family memories. These programs are designed to be accessible and rewarding for all ages, fostering a love for gardening and a deeper connection to nature. (Please note, I am not sponsored by any of the companies I mention; I simply love sharing wonderful ideas and effective solutions that have personally benefited my family.)
With the expert guidance of Cody Robson, here are just a few of the exciting things the kids and I have successfully planted in our home garden, transforming our backyard into a vibrant learning space:
- Asparagus
- Beans
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Lemon Cucumber
- Peas
- Rutabaga
- Spinach
- Sunflowers
Each plant becomes a mini-lesson in botany, patience, and the rewards of nurturing growth. It’s a truly enriching experience that complements their academic studies beautifully.
As the adage wisely states, “The world is your oyster.” In these challenging yet transformative times, let us all seize this opportunity to make the absolute most of every aspect of our lives – nurturing our families, growing our businesses, and finding profound joy in the learning journey.
Be sure to follow my ongoing adventures and insights on
@sarahezubiate. And to stay completely up-to-date with all things ZUBI’S, including our latest products and farm news, make sure to follow
@eatzubi.
And for those who might have missed it last week, I’m running an exciting giveaway featuring some of my absolute favorite school time supplies! Don’t miss your chance to win these fantastic resources to help kickstart your own learning journey.
Enter here to WIN!
