It's a whole new world when it comes to education. The headlines are packed with articles about parents who are struggling with school boards across the nation to maintain their God-given liberties to make medical decisions for their children. They are also fighting against ideologies that they believe are harmful, but that the schools still want to teach. Parents are fed up and many have decided to home educate because they don't feel like they have any other choice, but deciding to homeschool ...
Aug 13, 2021•14 min•Ep. 243
"If you could ask a 25-year veteran homeschool mom of eight anything, what would it be?" This was a question I asked moms on social media and I've now got a list of questions I plan to answer here on the podcast! Today's questions were: Did you ever feel socially deprived as a mom? How do I make connections as a mom? (If you've read my new book, please leave a review so the booksellers will show it to more moms as they search the sites and you haven't read it, please check it out... The Four Hou...
Aug 08, 2021•15 min•Ep. 242
What do we need more than anything right now? Wisdom. Wisdom is what we need. What do we need more than anything right now? Wisdom. Wisdom is what we need. WHY? Proverbs 3 expounds on how wisdom bestows well-being. What that means is that even in the midst of adverse circumstances, we can have the wisdom to navigate them in such a way that we are actually doing well in spite of them! This wisdom can only come from God and He promises to give it to us (James 1) When we walk in this, we become sal...
Aug 06, 2021•25 min•Ep. 241
"If you could ask a 25-year veteran homeschool mom of eight anything, what would it be?" This was a question I asked on social media and I've now got a list of questions I plan to answer here on the podcast! Today's questions are: What to do about the bickering? How do you know you are doing enough? Tips on balancing needs and sanity What to cut out when you constantly set out for yourself more than you can do in a day? (If you've read my new book, please leave a review so the booksellers will s...
Aug 01, 2021•25 min•Ep. 239
To say our world has been in upheaval is a gross understatement. The amount of information we have to process is overwhelming and causes us to lose focus on what GOD has called us to. This is exactly what the enemy wants. I'm here today to help you refocus and I'm praying this will embolden you to continue to live with courage and clarity! (If you've read my new book, please leave a review so the booksellers will show it to more moms as they search the sites and you haven't read it, please check...
Jul 30, 2021•16 min•Ep. 240
Did you know that as a parent, you are ultimately responsible for all things concerning your child..physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually? Our culture has sent a clear message that we are not qualified for these decisions by constantly undermining our role as parents in every possible way. However, as believers, we know that God has established the family and church as the pillars of society. If they falter, society falters. It's time for the church to take back our children. We nee...
Jul 25, 2021•34 min•Ep. 238
We have seen many changes in our world over the last year and a half. All along, I've been thinking about how all of this is affecting our children and how we can lead them well as changes continue to unfold. The only source of true wisdom comes from God and I love how when we pray for wisdom and trust that He will give to us, He is faithful and does so in a variety of ways. Today I’m sharing a recent discovery that really resonated with my heart and that God used to help me discover some valuab...
Jul 22, 2021•35 min•Ep. 237
We are continuing our conversation in part 2 on the topic of high school credits. I've been talking a lot lately about homeschooling high school because this season can feel particularly intimidating. After graduating 7 of our 8 kids so far, I can tell that these can and should be some of the best years of your family's homeschooling journey! There is much to be excited about and there are also many experiences our kids have during this time that can be counted as credits on their transcripts! T...
Jul 17, 2021•28 min•Ep. 234
I've been talking a lot lately about homeschooling high school because this season can feel particularly intimidating. After graduating 7 of our 8 kids so far, I can tell that these can and should be some of the best years of your family's homeschooling journey! There is much to be excited about and there are also many experiences our kids have during this time that can be counted as credits on their transcripts! Today, Lisa Nehring from True North Academy will be helping us recognize not only W...
Jul 15, 2021•25 min•Ep. 236
Today we're going to be talking about the final educational years... That would be about 7-12th grade! Homeschooling high school can feel scary and intimidating, but today I'm sharing why there are many reasons to approach these years with a sense of excitement and adventure! We have graduated 7 out of our 8 kids so far and it's been a privilege to walk alongside our kids through this amazing time in their lives! Listen in for great encouragement and inspiration! (If you've read my new book, ple...
Jul 11, 2021•52 min•Ep. 232
The most important calling on us as parents is to disciple our children. We know we need to instill God's word and ways in them and that apologetics is important. However, it can feel very overwhelming, especially if we are not sure where to start. Today I'm sharing the why's as a reminder and inspiration to make Bible and apologetics a priority, but also some simple ways to get started! Resources mentioned: Younger Children's Catechism The Children's Scripture Catechism Firmly Planted Family Bi...
Jul 08, 2021•28 min•Ep. 231
We all know the importance of scripture. We know that God says that the words in the Bible aren't just words, they are our life! We know that his word is living and active according to Hebrews 4. It stands to reason that it would be wise to begin instilling the word into our children at a very young age. We can even read the scripture over them in the womb because we know that God's word does not come back void! (Isaiah 55:11) I have a guest with me today who is a homeschool mom and has a passio...
Jul 04, 2021•29 min•Ep. 230
I love the freedom that homeschooling affords and today I’m sharing why we opted to do school year-round. (Hint: it’s not as intense as it sounds!) We love the benefits of schooling year-round and I share many of them in this podcast. The one I forgot to mention was that while doing our “lighter” version of school in the summer, I often found it helpful to have a child focus on an area of weakness that we may have struggled to work on the rest of the year. If your family chooses not to school ye...
Jul 01, 2021•18 min•Ep. 229
One of the greatest challenges in choosing to homeschool is the struggle with being concerned about what others think. We want others to believe that we are doing right by our kids. We want our decisions to be respected and that is a natural desire because we were made for community. The problem comes when we place man's opinion above God's. The Bible calls it the "fear of man" vs the "fear of God". Listen in for some encouragement from God's word and to find out what fearing God above man might...
Jun 27, 2021•25 min•Ep. 228
Last week I did another FB/IG live and this time I was answering questions about homeschooling in the middle years (4th-6th grade) as I share from my book, The Four Hour School Day! It's an exciting time as in this season our kids are finding their footing when it comes to schoolwork and preparing for the jr. high and high school years. Listen in as we cover questions like: Did you do classes at this age? I’m concerned for my middle schooler with writing. Should I use a curriculum? What kinds of...
Jun 25, 2021•41 min•Ep. 227
The main biblical commands that God gives children are to obey and honor their parents, to follow their parent's instructions, and learn from their wisdom. That’s because children need to be able to trust their parents to establish biblical boundaries for them while they are learning to walk in wisdom. This is faith at its core: trusting when you may not understand or see. I always told my kids that honoring and obeying their parents was how they please God and they had to trust that God was lea...
Jun 20, 2021•17 min•Ep. 226
Today I'm answering questions from moms about the early educational years (K-3) based on a few of the principles in my new book, The Four Hour School Day! I answer questions like: How can I best teach a highly active 1st grader? What tools would you recommend to have on hand for a kindergartener? How can I do history and science together with my 1st and 4th graders? This was a FB/IG Live and it's loaded with encouragement to simplify! Don't forget to check out my new book, The Four Hour School D...
Jun 19, 2021•36 min•Ep. 225
Sometimes it’s wise to take the time to think through the practical circumstances surrounding our school choices. Today I’m sharing a few simple, yet important things to consider when it comes to homeschooling and how they might compare to a traditional classroom setting. There are more benefits to home education than one might realize. There are several things we often don't consider and yet they can make a huge difference in making learning happen more easily and happily! Please check out The ...
Jun 14, 2021•32 min•Ep. 224
Homeschooling: Parents You Can Do This! Never in the history of homeschooling have we had so many resources to help us, but many parents are still hesitant because they don’t feel “qualified”. Today I’m sharing some of the many reasons I believe many parents are qualified, they just don’t realize it. Listen in for encouragement whether you are simply considering homeschooling or already are and could use a dose of truthful affirmation! Please check out The Four Hour School Day on durendawilson.c...
Jun 11, 2021•28 min•Ep. 223
Many parents are scared right now. They are frightened for their children and their future and wondering how in the world they can best prepare them. What's happening right now is not a surprise to God and I can assure you that He has made you and your children for such a time as this. In fact, He has been intentional in doing so. But as parents, we need to remember and embrace our God-given role. Listen in for some bold encouragement in this short podcast! Please don't forget to check out The F...
Jun 07, 2021•24 min•Ep. 222
In our 25+ years of homeschooling, the question about socialization is the most commonly asked one. Today I'm sharing why I don't actually think it's a very legitimate question and certainly not something that most homeschoolers should be fretting about! (The Four Hour School Day is now available for pre-order at durendawilson.com)
Jun 04, 2021•15 min•Ep. 221
The role of parents is marginalized in our culture. This downplay of our very influential and crucial role in our kids' lives by society directly oppose God’s plan for the family. As parents, you have the privilege and the responsibility to make all decisions concerning your children, including their education. For the first time, I am reading a small portion of my new book, The Four Hour School Day! Please share this podcast with your friends and anyone you know who may be considering homeschoo...
May 31, 2021•25 min•Ep. 220
When we decided to homeschool, I don't think most of us realized how much time we would spend dealing with kids who are bickering and fighting. It can be easy to lose hope and feel like we are failing. Today I want to talk about what's really happening in terms of opportunity when it comes to sibling relationships! Not only is there hope, but there are also some major benefits in taking the time to deal with sibling conflict! Listen in to get some hindsight perspective from someone who's been th...
May 27, 2021•19 min•Ep. 219
It can be easy to bristle at the thought of our husbands being our covering, or even that we need one. Our husbands have a God-ordained role in our lives and it’s a beautiful thing! We can save ourselves so much grief by dialing in on biblical roles graciously given by God for our good! durendawilson.com
May 23, 2021•19 min•Ep. 218
I have said this over and over again: it's crucial to know that God is sovereign, but if we don't believe He is good as well, we're sunk. If we believe He is powerful but not good, we have no hope. So the enemy works overtime trying to convince us that God is not good. He knows the power of fully trusting in the power of God AND the goodness of God. Listen in as we zero in on the hope we have in the fact that God is both sovereign and good! durendawilson.com
May 20, 2021•20 min•Ep. 216
The enemy loves nothing more than to distract us from God's calling on our lives because he knows how powerful a woman of God can be. She poses a very real and present threat to the kingdom of darkness. I've recently had a refresher on the joy of my calling as a wife. After 31 years, I can honestly say that the blessings of walking in biblical principles have far outweighed the hard work. Listen in to find encouragement for your marriage! durendawilson.com
May 16, 2021•24 min•Ep. 215
To say that we live in uncertain times feels like a massive understatement. What we are wanting, even more than that...what we are NEEDING... is hope. Not false hope. Not hope based on lies, but REAL hope. Hope that is eternal and unchanging, a place to firmly plant our feet in the midst of uncertainty. Today we are going to visit Jeremiah who, in the midst of uncertainty and hopelessness poured his heart out to God. It's here that we have a point of entry into the suffering of God's people, Isr...
May 13, 2021•18 min
I've learned much in my 31 years of marriage and 30 years of parenting. I've transitioned into a new season and so many of the same questions I had when I started my journey as a wife and mom are needing to be asked again: What does it look like to be a godly wife in this season? What does it look like to be a godly mom in this season? How do I prioritize my days? As I revisit these, I am reminded of God's unchanging heart for us as wives and moms! Listen in to this 20-minute podcast of encourag...
May 09, 2021•22 min•Ep. 213
To say that we live in uncertain times feels like a massive understatement. What we are wanting, even more than that...what we are needing... is hope. Not false hope. Not hope based on lies, but real hope, hope that is eternal and unchanging, a place to firmly plant our feet in the midst of uncertainty. Join me for this 15-minute episode as I share the hope we can find in the midst of uncertainty! durendawilson.com
May 06, 2021•16 min•Ep. 212
I'm changing things up here on the podcast. I'm making the episodes shorter in length and digging deeply into God's calling on our lives as wives and moms because I think that in the midst of these challenging times, we need to be reminded of what our main focus should be. Faith is acting on the revealed will and character of God. What might He be doing and how should we respond? Listen in to this 25-minute podcast as I share my heart as a mentoring mom. (Head over to my website, durendawilson.c...
May 02, 2021•25 min•Ep. 211
