bucket
system
soft structure for raising responsible free-spirits
The system that fosters independence through a collaborative and sensory approach to home care, self-care, and homeschooling.
welcome to a new way of living and learning with children.
One in which we see our children through a strength-based lens and lean into self-directed learning, embrace neurodiversity, and provide just enough executive functioning support for independence and responsibility to blossom.
Chores done; learning practiced; challenges supported.
It doesn't have to be so hard. And we can fall more in love with our children and ourselves along the way, genuinely accepting and valuing the meaningful contributions we all have to make.
class
take THE
®
"My house has not been this peaceful and productive in ages. I could cry. Best money I ever spent!"
"My house had not been this peaceful and productive in ages. I could cry. Best money I ever spent! They read together, they practiced Aikido together, their rooms are tidy, the bathrooms are clean... My 10 year old whipped through math in a quarter of the time he normally spent crying about doing it... And my partner who was skeptical about the whole thing has been doing house love all day!"
from
katie webb
Ever had the thought . . .
“I hated how I had no power or control over my life growing up, and yet, I don’t know how to get things done without repeating the same mistakes with my own kids.”
“I know I don’t want a rigid schedule, but we really need something to help us flow through our days more easily.”
“I’ve worked so hard to embrace gentle parenting, but I’m not sure how to extend that into homeschooling.”
“I’ve read enough to know that rewards, punishments, and coercive school-at-home are not for us, but what do we do instead?”
“I want to lean into freedom and trust, but I also want them to be healthy and nurtured.”
“I want to foster independence in my children, but it feels like I’m just nagging them all day long.”
me too.
I said no to all the manipulative top-down power and control-based tactics (after years of research taught me that they do not foster the life-long qualities I hoped to foster in my children), but I didn’t know what to do instead.
Then I began to extend the collaboration piece that worked so beautifully in my parenting into the rest of our family life: our homeschooling, our household, and our strengths and challenges. We brought intention to the spending of our time and energy—in conscious collaboration as a family.
Then bringing in the sensory piece of the bucket and clothespins scaffolded the tactile accountability my kids needed for their independence to blossom. For years now the Bucket System has provided the soft structure we have needed to raise responsible free spirits.
But it’s not just us. Hundreds of families have taken the Bucket System class and found it to be just what they’ve needed to unlock the ease of this lifestyle.
Are you ready for everyone to work together to maintain a clean home?
Are you ready for self-directed home education to flourish?
Are you ready to effectively support your children’s strengths and challenges?
"holy lightbulb of getting sh*t done and still smiling."
"Last clothespin on the bucket is 'creative' and let's say there's no sighing or anger. Piano has been played, shoes and coats tidied, and clothes laid out for tomorrow. And I didn't say a thing, nag, yell or feel internally frustrated. Holy lightbulb of getting sh*t done and still smiling. This dog, I mean mom, can learn new tricks!"
from
melissa lytle
the
benefits
Start now and you’ll be asking for a name tag that says, "winning."
work with your child instead of fighting against their nature.
flow through your daily rhythm with ease.
support your child's challenges and strengths.
reduce your anxiety and increase your confidence.
create more freedom for yourself and your children.
bonus
SAGE HOMESCHOOLING BOOK!
Sage Homeschooling: Wild and Free offers a natural learning path, for gentle parents who dream of living fully in joy and connection with their children while giving them all they need to be successful, with eight secrets to living a fulfilling unschooling life.
I'm rachel
hey there
The gentle parenting, natural homeschooling, and simple living mentor and founder of Sage Family. With a master’s degree in marital and family therapy, I have spent decades guiding thousands of overwhelmed families to peace and joy.
I developed the Bucket System through years of formal education, voracious self-study, and my personal experience as a homeschooling mama of 3.
"it's a game changer!"
"My nine-year-old has already showered, attended to his project work, and cleaned the kitchen floor. This, and other miracles, brought to you by Rachel Rainbolt's seriously amazing Bucket System. All three kids sat down with me and discussed goals for the season, and we came up with clothespin tasks for each. Each task needs to be completed by dinner, in whichever order the child chooses, then they have free time. Only one limit! If you have kids, do check out the Bucket System. It's a game changer!"
from
meg mcelwee
Frequently Asked Questions
CAN I IMPLEMENT THE BUCKET SYSTEM WITHOUT TAKING THE CLASS?
No, no you cannot (and you will hurt yourself and your children trying). The Bucket System cannot be implemented by browsing the pictures and writing tasks you wish to assign on clothespins, which is the opposite of the Bucket System! (That's like stabbing someone and calling it surgery.) The most powerful work happens beneath the surface and I promise to walk you through every step of it in the class.
WHAT AGE IS THE BUCKET SYSTEM FOR?
The Bucket System is ideal for ages four to forever. Any younger than 4 and the collaboration and independence might be beyond their developmental reach. The system works great for all ages beyond that, including teens and adults.
IS THE BUCKET SYSTEM ONLY FOR HOMESCHOOLERS?
Definitely not! A lot of families utilize the Bucket System for things like morning and evening routines, household chores, self-care, and life goals.
Is there a time limit to complete the class?
It is self-paced with lifetime access. This means that you can move through the lessons whenever works for you, at the pace that feels right you, and you can revisit the content whenever if feels helpful for you, for as long as the class is up and running.
DOES THE BUCKET SYSTEM EVER GO ON SALE?
Yes! The Bucket System is 20% off the first week of August (just once a year).
“my kids have never been more engaged in their learning, my house has never felt so clean and calm, and our self-care has never been so good.”
— you, next month