Becoming An At Home Scientist

Are you going stir-crazy trying to juggle school, work, and home—all in the same space? Me too. I’ve worked from home for more than a decade, but I never imagined I’d also be running “Mom School” alongside my consulting practice.

One revelation I’ve had: the only way to master la vida loca is to become at home scientist—an everyday investigator who observes, experiments, and asks good questions.

Reflecting back to the Covid pandemic, when my world flipped upside down, I initially clung to rituals. Rituals can be grounding, but sometimes they also box us in. What helped was shifting toward small experiments—trying things, adjusting, and keeping what worked.

To bring this to life, I’ve enlisted my co-worker, lunch buddy, and walking partner: my son, Noah (who at the time of this recording was in 4th grade).

Here's what our at-home experiments look like:

1. We anchor. Devotions, prayer, or a short meditation keep us grounded when life throws curveballs.

2. We sync calendars. If we don’t, chaos wins.

3. We eat breakfast. Non-negotiable fuel. Noah’s favorite: waffles with cinnamon.

4. We move. Walks, two-square, and—though he’ll deny it—‘80s dance jams.

5. We leave love notes. Post-its on mirrors, iPads, or any place that gives the element of surprise.

6. We aim for eight hugs. My favorite. Instant happy chemicals.

7. We connect with friends. Noah reaches out to at least one friend a day. Connection is oxygen for all of us.

   
   

The Scientist Mindset

Once you start experimenting, you’ll find the science of life isn’t complicated—it’s noticing what works and letting go of what doesn’t.

• Observe and assess.

• Ask your people what they need.

• Try options that serve you, not imprison you.

• Give yourself grace. Always.

Experiment with options that serve you, not imprison you.

This journey may be long, but it doesn’t have to be joyless. Small experiments build resilience and most important, connection. I’d love to hear how you’re experimenting these days.