One year into our journey at Apollo Academy, I can honestly say our family is not the same. We started thinking it was a school for our child, but what we didn’t anticipate was the ripple effect it would have on our whole family—our rhythms, our conversations, even our mindset. Looking back, here are some of the biggest shifts we’ve experienced:
🌟 How Our Family Has Grown
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From Managing to Empowering
We no longer feel the pressure to over-manage every detail of our child’s life. Instead, we’ve learned the joy of stepping back and letting them lead. Empowering our child has opened doors we didn’t even know were there—and honestly, their way is often better than “our way.” 😉 -
Comfort in the Uncomfortable
Parenting comes with messy, unpredictable moments. Apollo has helped us become more comfortable being uncomfortable. We don’t overreact as quickly, and we can breathe through challenges with more calm and perspective. -
Redefining Progress
Before Apollo, we thought progress meant grades or checking boxes. Now, we see progress in resilience, problem-solving, empathy, and confidence. The growth is everywhere—once you redefine what it means, you start noticing it daily. -
Leaning Into Struggle
We’ve learned to let our child struggle. It’s still hard to watch, but we value the growth on the other side of the struggle more than rescuing in the moment. -
Celebrating Both Success and Failure
Celebration in our family has taken on a deeper meaning. Success and failure are celebrated equally because both are signs of growth. Our child has built confidence in trying new things—not just in “getting it right.” -
Better Communication at Home
Perhaps the biggest gift has been in how we communicate. A year ago, we weren’t great at listening or asking questions. Now, we invite conversation in a way that builds connection instead of shutting it down.
💡 What I Wish I Knew at the Start
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Ask More Questions
If you don’t understand, ask your learner to show you. Then ask 10 more questions. Then 10 more. You’ll be amazed how simple—and how brilliant—their answers can be. -
Start Weekly Check-Ins Early
Hold a weekly family meeting. Ask your child what they’re focusing on, what excites them, and what they’re proud of. The information is always there—you just need to ask the right questions. -
Rethink Growth
Growth isn’t just academic. It’s grit, resilience, making friends, handling conflict, and learning when to push yourself. Once you see it that way, you’ll be blown away by how much your child is growing. -
Lean Into Community
Attend every parent gathering and event you can. Having other parents to lean on when you’re confused or uncertain makes all the difference. -
Pause Before Reacting
When something comes up at school, give yourself 24 hours before reacting. Ask yourself what assumptions you’re making versus what’s actually happening. And always ask your child curious questions first. -
Lead With Curiosity
Your first reaction should always be: “That’s interesting. Tell me more.” Your second: “What do YOU want to do about it?” Encouraging your learner to be empowered in the situation, not a victim, is what this is all about. -
Be a Learner, Too
Read, listen, and explore resources on growth mindset and learner-driven environments. The more you learn, the easier it is to support your child—and yourself—on this journey.
Belonging to a Community
Another gift we didn’t anticipate was how much the Apollo community would impact our whole family. Tribe events, bootcamps, and moms’ nights have created meaningful connections for us as parents—reminders that we’re not on this journey alone.
For our child, the friendships forming here have been equally transformative. The sweetness, encouragement, and genuine care these learners show one another is beyond what we expected at this age. Even more surprising has been their ability to work through conflicts with maturity and kindness, modeling respect and problem-solving in ways that often feel well beyond their years.
It’s not perfect—it’s perfectly messy. And that’s where the beauty lies. In the everyday ups and downs, the small conflicts, and the celebrations, learners are discovering how to be part of a community that supports, challenges, and grows together.
Being part of this tribe—where families grow together and learners lift each other up—has been one of the most meaningful parts of our Apollo journey.
Let’s be honest: none of this felt natural at first. But one year in, I can tell you—it’s worth it. Apollo has given our family the gift of growth, connection, and the freedom to thrive. It’s not just our child’s journey. It’s ours, too.
Curious to learn more? Schedule an intro call here or check out our resources here. You can also find us on Instagram @ApolloAcademyTampa.
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