Many homeschooling parents wonder how to teach current events. Some think it only means teaching politics, some worry about how to talk to their kids about difficult topics. But current events is a much broader topic than most people realize. From local happenings to global news, from sporting events to pop culture touchstones, current events reaches every aspect of our lives. Today, we discuss how to teach current events! SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you ...
Apr 12, 2024•46 min•Ep. 125
Homeschooling in California has the reputation for being difficult, but that couldn't be further from the truth! While every state will have its pros and cons, California gives lots of freedom to its homeschooling parents. Today, we sit down with a homeschooler from California to discuss everything you need to know about homeschooling in California. Whether you're moving to California or you're already there and wanting to homeschool, or if you're just curious how homeschooling is done in our na...
Mar 29, 2024•50 min•Ep. 124
Project-based homeschooling is getting more and more popular, and there's no wonder why! By engaging your student's interests and encouraging their curiosity, you not only shape them into a motivated self-learner, but you also allow them to learn a wider variety of things than you might otherwise, using set curricula. Join us today as we discuss everything about Project-Based Homeschooling! SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, p...
Mar 22, 2024•50 min•Ep. 123
Astronomy is tied into many subjects homeschoolers may be studying. Whether history, mythology, or navigation. But it also exposes your children to the beauty of the universe, from the planets of our solar system, to igniting clouds of dust millions of lightyears away. Today, we discuss How to Teach Astronomy. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] Visit Transcript Maker and get your...
Mar 08, 2024•41 min•Ep. 122
Ever since 2020, homeschooling has been booming. As such, not only are there more people than ever needing help navigating the world of homeschooling, but the world of education in general is transforming to meet the needs of this new homeschooling population. Join Holly and Jennifer as they discuss the ever-increasing growth of homeschooling. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] V...
Feb 23, 2024•40 min•Ep. 121
Contests and competitions can create much-needed external motivation for students and can foster skills and abilities in our kids that will help them in their future. But for some people, competition is a dirty word, so how can you make sure you're doing it right? Today, we'll be discussing the ins and outs of using contests and competitions in your homeschool. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomesch...
Feb 09, 2024•46 min•Ep. 120
Geography is an important subject to teach. Through geography we can better know the world around us, the people that live in it, and how to navigate it. But many homeschoolers wonder just how to teach geography. Far from a series of dull facts and scientific definitions, geography can come alive in your homeschool! Today, we'll be discussing all of our best methods for teaching geography. How we engage our students with hands-on learning, and how to make it fun. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at...
Jan 26, 2024•54 min•Ep. 119
When you're new to homeschooling, it's invaluable to have people there to help you. Whether recommending curricula, giving advice, or just being there for you, it's a vital resource. So, when you're the experienced hand and you see someone new, it's important to be there to help them, too. Today, we'll be discussing the importance of mentoring new homeschoolers. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomesc...
Jan 12, 2024•40 min•Ep. 118
When you decide to homeschool, you feel like you're making the best choice for your child and your family. But sometimes you can face pushback from more traditional family members. Often it's genuine curiosity, but just as often it's not. How can you handle family members intruding into your homeschooling? And how far is too far? Today, we discuss handling intrusive family members. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please ema...
Dec 29, 2023•40 min•Ep. 117
As homeschooling parents, we're fiercely independent. But that can sometimes lead us to isolation when times are hard, feeling as though we have to go it alone. But you don't have to. Today, we discuss the importance of taking care of your mental health as a homeschooling parent and share how we maintain our mental health. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] Visit Transcript Maker...
Dec 22, 2023•54 min•Ep. 116
Children learn to read, so they can read to learn! But even more than an educational aid, reading is a pleasure enjoyed by millions of people every day. Today, we're joined by the Heritage Mom, Amber O'Neal Johnston, to learn how she chooses books for her homeschool and her family! SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our ...
Dec 08, 2023•52 min•Ep. 115
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and there's still a whole month of holiday season left! As homeschoolers, we value our family time, and the holiday season is full of special family activities. But we also care about our children's education. It can be hard to figure out how to balance everything. Melody, Jennifer, and Holly have been through this countless times. Today, our hosts sit down and share how they've handled holiday homeschooling. And be sure to stay until the end, when we discuss an i...
Nov 24, 2023•48 min•Ep. 114
One of the very best things about homeschooling is the freedom it provides you. We've discussed homeschooling at the beach and on vacation before, but worldschooling blows it all out of the water. With worldschooling you can be a world traveler and still give your kids a world class education! Today, we sit down with our friend Amanda Coate to learn the ins and outs of worldschooling! SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please ...
Nov 10, 2023•57 min•Ep. 113
Today, we bring you an interview with homeschooling author and podcaster, Debra Bell! Debra uses her expertise in neuroscience to teach us all the benefits that homeschooling has for students. Listen and learn all about the neuroscience of homeschooling! SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on F...
Oct 27, 2023•46 min•Ep. 112
Homeschooling has never been more popular. With more and more families choosing homeschooling for their children's educational needs, it's more important than ever to know exactly how it works. The thing is, homeschooling is different in each state, with different rules and regulations that go with it. That's why today we're beginning a new series: Homeschooling Across America, starting with Texas! Listen in and learn all about how homeschooling works in the Lone Star State. SHOW NOTES: Visit ou...
Oct 13, 2023•48 min•Ep. 111
When you make the decision to homeschool, you take on another job. With all the extra time you spend preparing and teaching lessons, it can sometimes be hard to find the time to figure out what to eat every day. Meal planning takes the stress out of your meals. With a little prep and a little forethought, dinner can end up being the easiest item on your to-do list. Today, Holly and Jennifer discuss all their tips and tricks for meal planning for homeschoolers. SHOW NOTES: If you have any questio...
Sep 29, 2023•44 min•Ep. 110
The Waldorf Method is a time-honored educational philosophy that focuses on developing students' intellectual, artistic, and practical skills. While Waldorf is often seen in the context of private schools, the freedom of homeschooling allows you to choose any educational philosophy you desire. Today, we sit down with our longtime friend (and longtime Waldorf homeschooler) Alison, to learn all about the Waldorf Method! SHOW NOTES: If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhom...
Sep 22, 2023•51 min•Ep. 109
Science is one of the most enjoyable subjects you can learn at home, and there's so many ways to teach science that put the subject right in the hands of your students. Today, we discuss how our different educational philosophies informed how we taught science and reminisce about our favorite science projects and experiments! And be sure to stay to the end, when we discuss a big homeschooling news story! SHOW NOTES: If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gma...
Sep 08, 2023•35 min•Ep. 108
Youth civic organizations like scouting can be a great opportunity to foster your child’s independence while bolstering their education. But where do you start? How do you find the right organization for your child? And are there any downsides? We answer all these questions and more today, so join us and learn all about youth civic organizations! SHOW NOTES: If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free tria...
Aug 25, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 107
Back to school can be a stressful time, even for homeschoolers! But with the homeschooling boom still going strong, there’s lots of new homeschooling families that are getting back to school in a whole new way. So today, we’re discussing back to school in two parts. First, we talk about back to school for new homeschoolers. We discuss tips to allow it to go smoothly, and we speak frankly about what challenges you may face — and how to overcome them! In the second part, we discuss how we’re prepp...
Aug 11, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 106
Dyslexia is a disability, even if you can’t see it. As a learning disability, homeschooling parents want to be on the lookout for dyslexia and need to know how they can best support their dyslexic children. Today, we welcome Stephen Yearout of the Empower Dyslexia podcast to discuss his experience with his dyslexia, what the early warning signs are, and what you can do as a parent to help your child fulfill their highest potential. We’ve been wanting to bring you this episode for some time, but ...
Jul 28, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Independence is the most important skill a parent can teach their child, but for homeschoolers it can be a bit harder. We’re always with our kids anyway, so it can be hard to loosen our grip and let them alone for a while, but with a few sensible precautions and a healthy dose of trust, it can be an immensely rewarding experience for parent and child alike. Today, we discuss the reasons for being overprotective, the pitfalls of it, and our own experiences of and ideas for encouraging independenc...
Jul 14, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 104
Homeschooling at the beach can make summer learning fun! With a variety of different experiences and things to see and do at the beach, you’ll have no trouble making sure that the learning opportunities don’t end, even when it’s summertime. There are so many things to learn about at the beach. Weather, tides, engineering, fishing, wildlife, ecosystems, the list goes on and on. Today, we discuss all our favorite beach memories and our favorite tips to ensure a successful beach trip for everyone! ...
Jun 30, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Enrichment academies are a great resource for any homeschooling family. Whether you choose one to ensure a complex subject is taught with expertise or because you need to make time to work, enrichment academies can supplement your child’s education immensely. Getting out of the house, interacting with other kids, and learning the expectations of a classroom setting will set your child up for success in their later life. Today, we discuss the ins and outs of enrichment academies! And be sure to s...
Jun 23, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 102
Every homeschooling parent will wonder how to find money for college. It can be hard enough for parents of one child, but if you have multiple children, the costs can stack up. Thankfully, Brad Baldridge joins us today to help. Brad is a financial planner specializing in last minute college budgeting. With his help, you’ll be able to identify how to save money for college, when to start, and what options you’ll have that can make a college education easier to afford. And be sure to stay to the e...
Jun 09, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 101
The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is celebrating our 100th episode! Today we pour a few drinks and enjoy a wide-ranging conversation. Topics include: books we’ve been reading, looking back at previous episodes, how homeschooling has changed since 2020, our earliest memories, and more! SHOW NOTES: If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook ! Follow us on Ins...
May 26, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 100
Homeschooling through hard times can be overwhelming, and many homeschooling parents are told they should put their children into public school. But there’s no need. The truth is when your family is facing hardship, homeschooling is your greatest advantage, because you can all face the hardships together. Today, we discuss the hard times we’ve gone through and how we continued our learning lifestyle throughout. And be sure to stay to the end when we answer a very seasonal question! SHOW NOTES: I...
May 12, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 99
One of the best benefits of homeschooling is that you can tailor your pace to suit your student’s needs. But sometimes that makes it hard to know when to graduate your child. What are the signs beyond the academic that your child is ready to graduate? What needs to happen in advance? How can you best prepare your child for the adult world? All these questions and more in our discussion today. And be sure to stay to the end, when we answer a worried parent’s big question. SHOW NOTES: If you have ...
Apr 28, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 98
Knowing when and how to get learning disability testing is crucial if you’ve noticed your child struggling in some areas. But how do you as a homeschooling parent navigate the complicated world of securing testing for your child? Today, we’re joined by learning disability testing advocate Jessamyn Putnam, who gives and all the ins and outs of learning disability testing, when and how to get it, and how to recognize if your child might have a learning disability. SHOW NOTES: If you have any quest...
Apr 14, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 97
You took the final step in your decision to homeschool, but now you’re probably wondering what to do after pulling your child out of public school. You’ve made a big change and have endless possibilities in front of you. It can be more than a little overwhelming. Today, we discuss this really big question and offer advice and perspectives from our decades of homeschooling experience. From the importance of taking a break to how you can deal with potential attitude problems, we’re here to make su...
Mar 31, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 96
