It's inevitable that seasons in life will come and go. Some feel all consuming and our mind assumes it will always be this way. That's how the years of homeschooling my children felt. Every day was full...of really good things...and I fell into bed exhausted each night. Then suddenly, our homeschoolers grow up and they are ready to move out. And we wonder where the years went and how our heart will adjust. I want to speak into that today. Whether you have a little brood of young ones or are a fe...
Jul 13, 2023•24 min
Did you know that homeschooling is so much more than the curriculum and lessons? If not, now you do! If we check everything off our to-do list and finish every workbook, but we've lost the relationship with the children in our home, then the point has been missed. Education is great, but at what cost? Leslie Nunnery of Teach Them Diligently is here today to share encouragement for the mom in the trenches. She aims to encourage and equip families to raise their children to love and serve God. Gra...
Jul 10, 2023•35 min
Everywhere you turn in the homeschool world, things are focused on your children. And that is how it should be...until the excitement wears off. It's like all veteran homeschool moms realize this after a few years. And we sometimes try and talk about it, but can easily forget our own journey to enjoying homeschooling. Over and over, I hear three excuses from the moms that I work with and I know these are holding you back from really enjoying this life you get to live of home education. I promise...
Jul 06, 2023•22 min
Summer break from homeschool doesn't have to mean putting education up on the shelf. It's actually the opposite! These next few months are perfect to dive into those subjects and topics that you didn't get to. As well as to set some new challenges and projects up. In my family's homeschool lifestyle, we see the teen years as a time to explore, learn and hone skills, try new things, and take risks. We may do life differently than the average family, but we are aligned with our vision and goals. T...
Jul 03, 2023•20 min
A home is not just for the ones who live within it’s 4 walls. Sure, it’s always a good idea to set up your home in a way that helps your family function best. But, we also get to enjoy building relationships with others by inviting them in. It can feel overwhelming to host people within our home. But I’m here to tell you that fear isn’t an excuse to hold you back any longer. I promise that after you listen to this episode, you’ll send that text and invite that family over. You know, the one you’...
Jun 29, 2023•21 min
Whether it’s a move across town or another state, the process of uprooting your family from one home to another can be extremely stressful. There is so much to do and a ton of emotions to process. But what if I told you that moving as a homeschool family is easier than if your kids attended public school? It’s true. After a few moves during our homeschool years, I want to share these benefits with you. So that you can walk through this change confident in your choices. But I also have some life-...
Jun 26, 2023•22 min
Right here, right now. This is the day you are in. And I know you don't want any regrets. But emotions can often step in and muddy the waters of our intentions. They can be a good or negative force in our homeschool days. Your days are full and the wrong mindset about the season you are in can add another layer of guilt about the day. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it when you stop and take a few minutes to evaluate your emotional well-being. And that's what we're going to do today....
Jun 22, 2023•21 min
Over and over again, you hear some really great advice when it comes to your marriage. You're told to make it a priority in your life, right after your relationship with God. But as a homeschool mom who has her children home 24/7, you're scratching your head and wondering how this can be possible. And your relationship is suffering from lack of attention. Today, let's begin to make changes in the connection you have with your husband. The goal is to grow in your marriage this summer, so that by ...
Jun 19, 2023•22 min
On a scale from 1-10, how exhausted are you as a stay at home homeschooling mom? Is rest an elusive dream {pun totally intended}? Right now is the perfect time to begin prioritizing rest. The summer break from full days of home education can allow you to incorporate some new ways to refresh yourself. And by the time your homeschool starts back up, these will have become a priority to your day. When you take the time to truly rest and refresh, you’ll find yourself a better wife and mom. And every...
Jun 15, 2023•21 min
Homeschool moms tend to focus almost entirely on the upbringing and education of our children. And that is a noble and honorable use of our time and energy. However, the only possible way to find balance in your long to-do lists and to accomplish your days with love, peace, and grace is when you are filled up spiritually. Lacking patience? Kindness? Contentment? Are you struggling with your why for life? Or wanting to infuse faith into your children? There are two specific habits that will take ...
Jun 12, 2023•23 min
It’s so easy to lose ourselves during the intense years of homeschooling children. And it feels like that’s this is the way it just has to be. Yes, there are some seasons in life that are all-encompassing. But when you start to come up for air, it can feel like you’ve completely lost yourself. What if I told you that you’re still there? And there are areas of personal growth that your heart is screaming to pursue. And you should! Today’s episode lays out a few ways you can lean into this season ...
Jun 08, 2023•21 min
Hey, Friend! Welcome to this fun summer series that begins today! Join me in this deep dive into a few key areas that you, as a homeschool mom, can focus on during the school break. Today, we’re going to tackle your health and specifically the areas of nutrition and exercise. And I get it, these can be hard topics to talk about because they bring up feelings of shame and failure. But that’s not the goal. Instead, you’ll walk away feeling inspired by these simple steps to begin making the changes...
Jun 05, 2023•24 min
Hey, Friend! This is a tricky one, right? Your homeschool child doesn’t see you as their teacher and “just” their mom. How do you get over that hurdle so that home education is a success? From my studies of the school system and what exactly is meant by teacher, teaching, education, and mom, I’m not going to hold back in breaking this down. But, on the flip side, there are a few very practical steps you can take to turn this concern around. The goal is you and your child thriving in your homesch...
Jun 01, 2023•22 min
Hey, Friend! I see you over there struggling with consistently homeschooling your children. And I promise that you are not alone in this hurdle. You also are not alone in solving the problem either! I promise to come alongside you in this episode because I want you to succeed. And to reach those goals and accomplish the plans you have set out for your homeschool. It is totally doable to overcome the inconsistency you are experiencing. And guess what? There is a ton of freedom and joy on the othe...
May 29, 2023•22 min
Hey, Friend! You've got this "crazy" idea that you want your children to go screen-free this summer. And you're wondering if it's possible...or if you can even pull it off. Whether you rely heavily upon screens or it's sparingly used in your family, the tips in today's episode are applicable. Why? Because even though it may matter how much your child needs to detox, the suggestions are still the same. I'm excited that you have this desire and want to try it out. Who knows where it will lead beyo...
May 25, 2023•23 min
Hey, Friend! It often feels lonely out here in homeschool mom world. We have so many responsibilities each day and that can make us feel isolated. And wondering if we’re the only ones who make mistakes in our homeschool. Well, today, I am going to set the record straight. And instead of covering up mistakes, I want you to learn from them. Too often, pride can keep us from having these conversations with one another. But, I hope that by me sharing first, that you feel encouraged to share as well....
May 22, 2023•21 min
Hey, Friend! Your homeschool summer break is right around the corner! But let’s not lose ground in establishing routines and living with some predictability. It is 100% possible to have a great summer, but also be intentional in how your days and weeks are carried out. I am so excited for you to hear these 3 options and get your mind going on figuring out the best routine for your homeschool family this summer. You and your children can thoroughly enjoy your school break and not live in chaos. L...
May 18, 2023•20 min
Hey, Friend! It seems like everyone everywhere is talking about reading aloud to your child. And you wonder if it’s just a trend and will fade away? To be honest, I don’t think so and I’m going to back that up in this episode. From my 20 years of reading to my children, I’m going to share with you zero statistics, but lots of facts and results of this simple practice. I was a little skeptical too, but as they say, the proof is in the pudding and there is a ton of proof…and pudding, if that’s you...
May 15, 2023•22 min
Hey, Friend! One question I hear from homeschool moms over and over again is: “Am I doing enough?” And I get it. The pressure from that thought weighs heavy on our hearts and minds. We want the very best for our children and don’t want to neglect doing anything that we should do. Your heart is so in the right place. But let’s answer this question once and for all so that you can move on and homeschool in the most authentic way for your family. First, we’ll talk about what the usual responses are...
May 11, 2023•22 min
Hey, Friend! Congratulations! You have completed your homeschool year! Woohoo! I am so excited about this huge commitment you have made to your children and your tenacity to see it through. But before we toss all the workbooks out, let’s celebrate the accomplishments of this homeschool year. Today, I am sharing a quick list of last day of homeschool ideas that you and your kids will enjoy together. Get ready to write these down and then spend a little time brain storming which you want to do thi...
May 08, 2023•21 min
Hey, Friend! It's that time of the year when we have the windows open and spring flowers growing in our garden and we have the itch to deep clean. But you're feeling overwhelmed with where to begin or how to even get these spring cleaning tasks done while homeschooling. I've got ya! How about a simple 3 step plan to get the spring cleaning done that your homemaking heart desperately wants to accomplish? That's what you'll hear in today's episode because I want you to feel good about what you've ...
May 04, 2023•19 min
Hey, Friend! It’s that super fun time in homeschool mom world: purchasing curriculum! There are so many amazing resources out there and we just want to do all. the. things. Am I right? But the inevitable happens and we end up not always getting what will work best for our family. After many years and a lot of trial and error, I wanted to share a simple 5 step plan for you to plan next year’s homeschool curriculum. Let’s get excited about home education and all the great things we can do to make ...
May 01, 2023•23 min
Hey, Friend! The concern about our homeschool children having friends and knowing how to navigate relationships comes from a place of love. And I totally get it. I used to have the same feelings. But I found there were a few key ways of thinking about friendships and then being intentional as a parent to pursue those was crucial. My kids and your kids can thrive during their homeschool years when it comes to friends. Let’s pull the veil back and use a recent Instagram message that I received to ...
Apr 27, 2023•20 min
Hey, Friend! Crazy rushed homeschool mornings. You know exactly what that looks like. And even moreso how it makes you feel. What if there was one simple solution that you could start implementing now that will help end the frantic feeling you have each morning. Let’s cut out the stress and those bad mom moments you regret. After all my years of motherhood, this is one thing I rarely skip doing because I have found that it works. And if something is giving me peace and a calm home in the morning...
Apr 24, 2023•23 min
Hey, Friend! We’re comin’ in hot with this one today, but it just needs to be openly talked about. Why? Because once you know this, you’ll have the starting knowledge to decide what to do with this information. For far too long, we haven’t had these types of conversations and we should because it greatly affects your homeschool and therefore your child’s future. I encourage you to sit down with your favorite cup of tea, coffee, or smoothie and just soak it in. Listen a second time if you want to...
Apr 20, 2023•27 min
Hey, Friend! You’ve heard it over and over again that homeschool field trips are so amazing and you should be doing them regularly. But…the reality of your life doesn’t seem to match up with this. I’ve got a treat for you today! I knew just the right person to encourage you in your desire to take more field trips and she’s spilling the beans today. Elizabeth is a fellow homeschool mom who has a ton of experience with field trips that range from day trips to international family trips. She is goi...
Apr 17, 2023•30 min
Hey, Friend! You are knee deep in little ones and all the training and possibly sleepless nights that goes along with raising and homeschooling young children. Can I encourage you to think now about the teen years? I promise that it's not too early to do so. By being intentional and deciding that you will walk into and out of the high school years, having done it well, you'll have zero regrets. Today, I am sharing 5 tips to help you bond with your teen. Begin today by laying the foundation and y...
Apr 13, 2023•22 min
Hey, Friend! There are two very well-known resources that will help your homeschool children engage and learn so much. Do you know what those are? I think you do. But you're afraid to speak them out loud for fear of not educating your child well enough. Can I encourage you to listen in with open arms and a heart ready to say yes? Because I can assure you that these two resources that you aren't tapping into could be the key to a successful home education. Grab my hand and let's jump in! I promis...
Apr 10, 2023•22 min
Hey, Friend. Welcome to the no judgement zone. We've all been there, are there, or will be there when it comes to cell phone addiction. But I am so glad you are here now. Why? Because you have recognized that the time you spend on your phone is affecting your homeschool. You start each day well and tell yourself that today is going to be the day that you won't get sucked into an app. But one quick look to check something and you've lost time that you know could have been spent better. Today, I a...
Apr 06, 2023•26 min
Hey, Friend! You got up this morning and looked outside at an amazingly beautiful spring day. The sky is blue, birds are chirping, and the temperature is rising. But... You have a full day of homeschool planned. What should you do? Especially since you know there will be more and more warm spring days coming. Let's find that balance so you can keep the mom guilt at bay, but also accomplish your homeschool goals AND enjoy the day outdoors. ♥ Leigh Let's work together and get your homeschool to th...
Apr 03, 2023•21 min