Throughout the holiday season, I thought it would be fun to revisit some Christmas-related topics that I’ve recorded in the past. We have had over 50K downloads in the last 30 days, so I know there are many new listeners out there, and even if you aren't a new listener and you actually remember these episodes chances are you will STILL be encouraged by hearing them again! I have current episodes posted over these weeks as well, but I'm really trying to spend time with my family and keep things s...
Nov 26, 2021•4 min•Ep. 274
I wanted to speak directly to the fear that I know I’ve felt as I’ve seen so many directly affected by job loss, potential job loss, forced moves, and facing circumstances that they never expected. The fear is real, it’s humanly understandable, but there is a remedy for it and it’s simpler (yet harder) than one might think. However, it is life-changing. As modern people with SO many resources at our disposal, we often overindulge and end up overwhelming ourselves because we take in way more than...
Nov 22, 2021•18 min•Ep. 270
In a world that is moving and changing at warp speed, sometimes I feel like I can’t keep up. How do I navigate something that doesn’t stay the same for what feels like any longer than a nanosecond? How am I supposed to keep a perspective of my place in this world and more importantly, my role as a believer? I have been praying over this since early 2020. I have often bunny trailed into places I’ve never ventured before thinking that since everything is seeming like such a hot mess, maybe God wan...
Nov 19, 2021•22 min•Ep. 273
I encourage parents to be patient and not to put too much book pressure on their kids too early. We can often gauge what they are ready for by their response to said schoolwork. However, regardless of whether or not they are ready for it, their responses to us need to be respectful. In fact, before we ever approach solving the schoolwork issue, we must address the respect issue because our homeschooling journey won’t go well if our kids are in a habit of being disrespectful. Listen in for tips o...
Nov 15, 2021•20 min•Ep. 264
I’m super excited to tell you that Schoolhouse Rocked the documentary is now available to stream! You won’t want to miss this super encouraging film on homeschooling that will help solidify your decision to homeschool and might just be the little nudge that so many parents need to jump into their own homeschooling adventure. So many parents are struggling with school boards and their right to decide what’s best for their kids! Homeschooling frees parents from that battle and allows them to decid...
Nov 12, 2021•38 min•Ep. 272
After over 26 years of homeschooling our 8 kids (7 graduated), I can tell you that curriculum is important, but not as important as you might think. Today I’m sharing some myths/lies that we tend to believe about curriculum along with some truths that are important to keep in mind so that you can make wise choices for your family. Podcasts mentioned: 8 Great Smarts for Homeschoolers with Dr. Kathy Koch Why Chores are Essential Essentials in Early Education Here are a few curriculum choices our f...
Nov 08, 2021•41 min•Ep. 271
As promised, I am doing one short devotional a week. We can’t be godly wives and mothers unless we are godly women. That starts by making sure that our souls are being nurtured by God through His word and prayer. Typically these devotionals will be shorter than this one, but what can I say? There was so much to share from Psalm 46 that seemed too good to skip and given the increased spiritual battles that are going on all around us, we need it! Resources used and shared: New Living Translation I...
Nov 05, 2021•23 min•Ep. 268
Have you considered homeschooling your children but are overwhelmed thinking of how to teach them? Or maybe you’re a seasoned homeschooler, but just can’t figure out how to get through to one (or more) of your children. Does your child love to build things but cannot.sit.still? How can you teach based on noticeable unique strengths? Today, Dr. Kathy Koch and I continue talking about ways to recognize and teach to your child’s unique strengths and help them in their areas of weakness! Ways to con...
Nov 01, 2021•39 min•Ep. 267
Have you considered homeschooling your children but are overwhelmed thinking of how to teach them? Or maybe you’re a seasoned homeschooler, but just can’t figure out how to get through to one (or more) of your children. Does your child love to build things but cannot.sit.still? How can you teach based on noticeable unique strengths? Today Dr. Kathy Koch joins me in talking about ways to recognize and teach to your child’s unique strengths and help them in their areas of weakness! Ways to connect...
Oct 29, 2021•33 min•Ep. 265
This podcast is a little different in that I’m sharing my recent experience with burnout and how God has revealed himself to me in the midst of it. My intention is that you would be filled with courage as you continue to be faithful to the good work that God has given you in the life of your family. God is sovereign over the events that are happening in the world. We aren’t responsible for “fixing” everything. Although as believers we speak and live God’s truth, one of the most powerful and long...
Oct 25, 2021•41 min•Ep. 266
Husbands: How to Support Your Homeschooling Wife We are changing things up in this episode (and the last)! Jerrad Lopes from dadtired.com is joining us today to specifically encourage husbands! There is lots of encouragement for wives as well, so why not make it a date to listen together! You won’t be disappointed! Ways to connect with Jerrad: Community: connect.dadtired.com Instagram: @dad.tired All resources: dadtired.com (If you haven't checked out my new book, The Four Hour School Day please...
Oct 22, 2021•29 min•Ep. 263
Husbands: Protecting Your Wife from Fear We are changing things up in this episode (and the next)! Jerrad Lopes from dadtired.com is joining us today to specifically encourage husbands! There is lots of encouragement for wives as well, so why not make it a date to listen together! You won’t be disappointed! Ways to connect with Jerrad: Community: connect.dadtired.com Instagram: @dad.tired All resources: dadtired.com ( If you haven't checked out my new book, The Four Hour School Day please do tha...
Oct 18, 2021•36 min•Ep. 262
I recently received this question from a homeschool mom (Rebecca) and I thought it was so good that I would share it in a podcast! “I have listened to so many of your podcasts, and I know you believe in a very relaxed approach for the younger years. You encourage a similar approach to high school, but you work with an even stronger emphasis on owning their lives and education. My question is, do you think all of the traditional high school courses are necessary if they’re not going to college? I...
Oct 15, 2021•34 min•Ep. 261
Many parents homeschool their kids because they have one or more struggling learners, but often they feel ill-equipped and inadequate for the job. They know the traditional classroom setting isn’t working, but lack the confidence they would like to have when homeschooling their struggling high school learner. Entering the high school years as a homeschooling parent is the time when many who have average students begin to sweat bullets, but if you’ve got a struggling learner, the thought of meeti...
Oct 11, 2021•32 min•Ep. 260
Many parents homeschool their kids because they have one or more struggling learners, but often they feel ill-equipped and inadequate for the job. They know the traditional classroom setting isn’t working, but lack the confidence they would like to have when homeschooling their child. Today my friend Peggy Ployhar joined me to talk about homeschooling with confidence when teaching a struggling learner. Ways to connect with Peggy: Website: https://spedhomeschool.com/ Podcast: https://www.podomati...
Oct 08, 2021•28 min•Ep. 259
Today's podcast is a mercifully short one. I share a short story that I heard years ago that begs the question: What are we hanging on to that God is asking us to let go of? He is a GOOD God and today's short podcast is a poignant reminder of that. (If you haven't checked out my new book, The Four Hour School Day please do that! As a 25+ year veteran homeschooling mom of 8, I share WHY you can give your kids a robust education in four hours a day or less!)...
Oct 04, 2021•7 min•Ep. 258
In spite of the fact that I have been a believer my entire life, I have struggled with anxiety off and on over the years and still do. There are times it has been debilitating. I’d like to say that I have overcome anxiety and never struggle anymore, but that would be a flat-out lie. However, God has given me wisdom that I can go back to over and over again whenever I am in a season of struggling with anxiety. Today I am sharing just a few simple principles/practices that have helped me over the ...
Oct 01, 2021•40 min•Ep. 257
A while back I asked, “If you could ask a veteran homeschooling mom anything, what would it be?” Today I am answering three of those questions: How do you help/encourage teens to explore options after high school? I have a junior in high school that doesn’t have a clue what direction he wants to go. He goes between engineer and car mechanic…..very different paths! As a former public school teacher, the homeschool world was never ever something I expected to find let alone to admire it. My questi...
Sep 27, 2021•23 min•Ep. 256
Have you ever noticed that the pace of the children seems to inevitably be slower than we want or would tend to go? What if this is actually God’s plan? What if slowing down is God’s way of helping our children learn and develop naturally, instead of having to force things? Today I’m honing in on the need to slow down for the sake of the children. I’m reading a little bit from my book, The Unhurried Homeschooler, and from The Four Hour School Day. (Let me clarify that this isn't permission to le...
Sep 24, 2021•36 min•Ep. 255
Ready to start homeschooling or at least considering it? (Maybe you know someone who is?) Today I share the last 3 of 4 practical steps to get started on your homeschooling journey! (I share the first step and debunk common myths about homeschooling in part 1) Making the decision Moving forward Connecting Deciding on your approach Books mentioned in this episode: The Four Hour School Day-Durenda Wilson The Unhurried Homeschooler-Durenda Wilson Better Late Than Early-Raymond and Dorothy Moore (Th...
Sep 20, 2021•28 min•Ep. 254
Ready to start homeschooling or at least considering it? (Maybe you know someone who is?) Today I debunk some common myths about homeschooling and share the first of 4 practical steps to get started on your homeschooling journey! The other three steps will be shared in the next episode! Making the decision Moving forward Connecting Deciding on your approach Podcast: Why You Don't Need to Know Everything to Give Your Kids a Great Education Podcast: Transitioning from Traditional School to Homesch...
Sep 17, 2021•33 min•Ep. 253
Sara and I have been friends for a long, long time. We both homeschooled all of our kids and now almost all are grown and gone. There is something about walking alongside another homeschool mom for that long. It creates bonds that can never be broken. I moved across the country, but Sara came to visit, so we sat down together to talk about homeschooling. I wanted her to share some things about her homeschooling journey because I think stories are fun and inspiring! I hope you enjoy our conversat...
Sep 13, 2021•39 min•Ep. 252
So much of raising healthy, productive adults has to do with relationships throughout their childhood. Making connections with our kids and giving them opportunities to build healthy relationships with friends and with learning requires some thought and intention. So how do you make relationships with your kids fresh, exciting, heartfelt, and happy? My guest, Greta Eskridge, says to break away from the routine! Intentional adventures away from the comforts of home create bonding and sharing oppo...
Sep 10, 2021•23 min•Ep. 251
So much of raising healthy, productive adults has to do with relationships throughout their childhood. Making connections with our kids and giving them opportunities to build healthy relationships with friends and with learning requires some thought and intention. So how do you make relationships with your kids fresh, exciting, heartfelt, and happy? My guest, Greta Eskridge, says to break away from the routine! Intentional adventures away from the comforts of home create bonding and sharing oppo...
Sep 06, 2021•24 min•Ep. 249
Today I want to talk to any moms out there who have littles and might be feeling a bit (or a lot) overwhelmed! All eight of our kids were born in 13 years. We had two girls first and then 4 boys in less than 6 years. The last two (a girl and boy) were born within 4 years after that, so I’ve been there. Some days really do just feel like survival, but we want that to be the exception, not the rule. Listen in for practical tips that will help you thrive in this very special season. (If you haven't...
Sep 03, 2021•36 min•Ep. 250
The enemy is insidious and disguises himself as an angel of light. Often, without realizing it, both we and our children can easily absorb these lies and inhibit our ability to think biblically. Today, Elizabeth Urbanowitz from Foundation Worldview joins us as she shares the last 4 of 7 lies our kids(and maybe we) very well may believe! She will also give us some activities to do with our kids to help combat each lie and reinforce biblical truth! (The first three are covered in part 1) Ways to c...
Aug 30, 2021•29 min•Ep. 248
The enemy is insidious and disguises himself as an angel of light. Often, without realizing it, both we and our children can easily absorb these lies and inhibit our ability to think biblically. Today, Elizabeth Urbanowitz from Foundation Worldview joins us as she shares the first 3 of 7 lies our kids(and maybe we) very well may believe! She will also give us some activities to do with our kids to help combat each lie and reinforce biblical truth! (We will cover the last 4 in part 2) Ways to con...
Aug 27, 2021•25 min•Ep. 247
Today I want to talk about transitioning from traditional school to homeschool. I know there are a lot of parents out there with a sort of deer in the headlights feeling right now. I just did a podcast on feeling forced to homeschool and for many families, this is the case. School boards across the nation are literally locking parents out who aren't cooperating with their agenda and refusing to listen to what the parents have to say concerning their kids. Consequently, many families are choosing...
Aug 23, 2021•21 min•Ep. 246
(Part 2)One of the chapters in my book, The Four Hour School Day, is titled Overcoming Obstacles. There are testimonies from several moms who had what most would consider insurmountable obstacles to homeschooling. They each share what their obstacles were, why they decided to move forward anyhow, and what the results have been. Many would consider being a single mom an obstacle that would keep someone from homeschooling, but the truth is that there are more single homeschooling moms out there th...
Aug 20, 2021•35 min•Ep. 245
One of the chapters in my book, The Four Hour School Day, is titled Overcoming Obstacles. There are testimonies from several moms who had what most would consider insurmountable obstacles to homeschooling. They each share what their obstacles were, why they decided to move forward anyhow, and what the results have been. Many would consider being a single mom an obstacle that would keep someone from homeschooling, but the truth is that there are more single homeschooling moms out there than one m...
Aug 15, 2021•30 min•Ep. 244
