Homeschool Coffee Break

Do you ever feel like Christmas sneaks up on you — and suddenly your home is filled with chaos instead of calm? In this episode, we're talking about how to plan now so you can enjoy a peaceful Christmas filled with joy, not stress. You'll hear how one simple shift helped our family slow down, say no to busyness, and finally make Jesus the center of our Advent season.Here's what we'll cover in this conversation:-The small change we made when my kids were in elementary school that transformed our holidays-Why saying NO to some things creates space for what matters most-How we brought Jesus back into focus (without becoming the Grinch)-The one Advent book that became a game-changer for our family-A sneak peek into my "Three Clues to Keep Christ in Christmas" classIf you're ready to enjoy Christmas again instead of just surviving it, sign up for our FREE Class and start creating a plan for a peaceful, Christ-centered season.3 Clues to Keep Christ in Christmas: https://howtohomeschoolmychild.com/3clues

Fall can be full of cozy traditions — and it can also be a chance to point our families toward Jesus instead of fear. In this episode we share simple, Christ-centered ideas you can use at home or in your homeschool as meaningful Christian alternatives to halloween.You'll hear practical activities — everything from Reformation Day celebrations to service opportunities for your kids — and one “ready-to-use” idea to try this month.✅ Family Praise Night (dessert + songs + testimonies)✅ Night bags or luminaries with Bible verses to line your walkways✅ Heroes of the Faith costume idea and mini-presentations for kids✅ Harvest (Thanks) Tree, scripture scavenger hunts, and Service Night ideas✅ How we host a Reformation Day party and a ready-made Reformation unit studyGrab the Reformation Day Unit Study mentioned in the podcast: (use coupon code REF25 for the limited-time discount)Show Notes:Christian Alternatives to Halloween: Faith-Filled Fall Traditions for Your FamilyHey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop the overwhelm so you could take a coffee break. We need a coffee break every once in a while.It is fall time. I got my fall background up here. I love fall. This morning, I went for a walk. I probably could have even put a jacket on, and I live in Texas, and it's still September. I am so excited. So, I don't know what your weather is like, but it has been getting cooler here as well.Today, what I want to do is talk to you about a time in the fall season that Christians often struggle with, and that is Halloween. What are we doing? I want to talk to you about some alternatives to Halloween.We are releasing this, and this Wednesday, we are going to have a Facebook party that will dive more into fall alternatives to Halloween. So I hope you will join me. It is in Facebook. There'll be some freebies in there, but there'll be some great resources as well.Halloween Doesn't Have to Be About Darkness or FearToday, what I want to share with you are some Christ-centered and some family-friendly alternatives that you can use in your family, in your home, and in your home school as well. And let's talk about fall traditions.If you are listening to this and there is a place to put a comment, leave a comment and let me know what's one of your fall traditions. We all have Christmas traditions, or Thanksgiving traditions. What are some traditions during the fall time?You know, I love the cooler weather. We did decorate pumpkins, and we still decorate pumpkins. My kids carved a pumpkin when they were younger. I remember one time I bought these big jewel stickers and bought one of those small little pumpkins for my two oldest granddaughters. They were probably like 2 and 4, 3 and 5, and they could just put those stickers all over wherever they wanted, and they had their own little decorated pumpkin, their jeweled pumpkin, we could say.What fall traditions do you want your kids to remember? When we lived in Idaho, we went apple picking, and then we would make apple cider right there. Some of y'all might go through those corn mazes. I've done that, not with my kids, but I've done it with Steve and with some adults as well. And then some of you might go to just a pumpkin patch. I know in Dallas, they have a beautiful arboretum completely decorated with all the fall stuff there is.So, what are some family traditions you might have for fall?Christ-Centered Alternatives to HalloweenNow let's move on to Christ-centered alternatives to Halloween. You know, the world, it seems like, has hijacked all Hallows' Eve. But we can take it back for holiness and for light.It is a dark holiday now, let's be honest, but we stand for the light, the light of Jesus Christ. And so, let's talk about some alternative things you might do during October, during the last week of October, and how you could really focus on the light of the world.Family Praise Night: Maybe just have some families over and have a family praise night, where everyone brings a dessert, and y'all sing some songs and share testimonies of God's work in your family.Light Bags: Maybe you could do like the light bags, and everyone in your neighborhood just gets the little sandwich bags, and they can decorate it, maybe even cut holes if you want, and put a candle, or if you don't want to do a candle, you could put those little electric candles in there. Then line them up on your sidewalk, or line them up across the front of your house as well. You might decorate them with Bible verses if you want.Heroes of the Faith Costume: Maybe everyone chooses a Bible character and dresses up as a Bible character, and you come ready to tell at least one little fact each child does about the person that they have dressed up. So, they're going to be learning, and they get to dress up as well.Harvest of Blessings Night: I have done this, and I do not have a picture of it. We took a big piece of brown paper wrap paper, and I just drew a tree with branches, but no leaves. Then we cut out leaves out of orange, yellow, brown, those colors, and each leaf, you would write a blessing that you have. You could start it in October and continue it into November during Thanksgiving as well. Be our blessings tree, or our thanks tree. Add to it all season long. And then, at Thanksgiving, be able to sit down and read through some of the blessings that you've had in the past two months.Scripture Scavenger Hunt: You could do a scripture scavenger hunt, where you hide verses around the house, or around the yard, and maybe tied to a little prize or a little treat. But each verse is connected to some themes, the theme of light, the theme of courage, or the theme of God's protection.Service Night: I love this idea, it's called Service Night. Be a light in your community. Maybe you bake some cookies, and you are the light to maybe our first responders that are around there. You could put little verses tied onto some little Ziplocs, like you could put some cookies in there, and put some verses in there that go along with Jesus being the light. So, this teaches our kids the joy of giving instead of always getting.Celebrating Reformation Day: Our Family TraditionI want to share a story of something that we did personally, and that was Reformation Day. We did, I guess most of the ones we did were lunches. We did it at lunchtime, and we celebrated Reformation Day, October 31st, All Hallows' Eve. It's the eve of All Hallows Day on November 1st.And where did this all come about? Now, let me just say, whether you are Catholic, or Protestant, I don't really care. You still need to know what history has to say. I am... we grew up... we lean... we are Protestant, and we taught our kids the Protestant faith. But they still learned the Catholic faith. They learned about it. I wanted them to be able to think through any of those situations, anything like that. So, regardless of what your perspective and your theology is, I think it's important that we share this with our kids.The Story of Martin Luther and the 95 ThesesWe begin with Martin Luther, because on October 31st in the 1500s, he was a German monk and a teacher. He loved God, and he wanted everyone to understand the Bible. But the church at that time was asking people to pay for their forgiveness, like, give money. They are called indulgences. And many people were very confused about it, and actually some were upset. The poor people felt like they got wrangled around.And so, Martin Luther wrote these statements, 95 statements, and we call them 95 Theses. And explain what he thought the church should fix, and how it should work, and how we needed to rethink some of the things that the church was doing. I'm going to read a few of these. These are not complaints, they are just questions and ideas.Salvation is a gift from God, not bought with money. Repentance means changing your heart, not just giving money. The Pope cannot forgive sins with money. Christ followers should focus on faith and good works, not paying for forgiveness. Preachers should teach God's Word. Money cannot cleanse the soul, only God can. The church should help the poor, not profit from their guilt. Christians should study the Bible for themselves.That was a new concept. We have Bibles everywhere. And yet, they didn't even have it in their own language. That was William Tyndale, was one of the first people that starts translating the Latin Bible, the Vulgate, into English. Eventually, they started translating from the Greek and the Hebrew. He was on the run and ended up dying, but he was one of the first men trying to translate the actual Bible into the English language. The authority of the Bible is higher than the authority of the Pope.On October 31st, 1517, he took this paper and he went and nailed it to the door of the Wittenberg church. The church door, in that time, acted like a bulletin board. So when there were any announcements or notices, people could just go nail them up there, and that's what Martin Luther did. And people began to read these theses, and they shared them widely. This started a movement called the Reformation.Why Reformation Day Matters TodayNow, there's a lot more that goes over. That is just a simple view. You can teach it to your kids at different levels, but I think it's important. Why is this important? Because we need to sometimes question our church leaders, even today. You should always go back to the Bible and use the Bible. I mean, if they're doing something that goes against the Bible, then that is something you need to consider. Maybe that's not the place that you need to be attending church.This also eventually helped people read and understand the Bible for themselves in their own language, and it changed church history forever. No matter where you are, and I sort of see the church in Roman Catholicism, Greek Orthodox, and then the Protestant movement. I want to say it was protesting, and that's how we get the word Protestant, protesting Catholics and Roman Catholics, if I remember correctly.You see, the big picture is God used this reformation to bring truth, encourage and revival to that society. It actually makes me think a little bit about today. God is using something evil to bring about truth and courage and revival here in the United States. And hopefully around the world.I mentioned that last week, but you know, you could go and look. There are martyrs that died for their faith. You could go through and study some of them. I think I have the book here. There is Book of Martyrs, but this is a kid's version of Trial and Triumph, and this is stories from church history. This would be a great place for you to get started in sharing stories, and some of them are martyrs, and some of them are people that were just strong and courageous in their faith, and so that would be something that could tie in. That would be an alternative to Halloween, if you want to dive deep into this.How to Host Your Own Reformation Day PartyAnother thing, and this is what we did, we studied this time period, and then we had a Reformation Day party. We invited families, every family was responsible for bringing one food dish and hosting a booth. That booth could be a game, it could be a craft.We had some stairs up at the front of my house, and so, one of them had them, like, climbing, because at that time in the cathedral, they had to crawl up these stairs when they would go to Rome. We had people making candles at that time, because you needed candles for life. There are all different things you could do. We would always sing some songs, we might even act out a play based on one of our reformers, depending on who we were choosing, whether I think we... I know we did Martin Luther, John Calvin, Martin Bucer, any of those, and then we would always fellowship over a meal.And so that's really cool. How about you weave Reformation history into your home school, even with just one activity? You know, I think it's really important. You could host a party. It's not that hard. You don't have to do all of it. Spread the love and let other people come and bring activities for your kids. Our first one, my kids even dressed up. They made costumes, and they dressed up like a woman back in that time period, or a man.So, enjoy your family fall traditions that creates memories, look for alternatives to Halloween that point your family to Christ, and then celebrate Reformation Day to root your kids in church history. And I would encourage you to plan right now, this week, first week of October, what is one thing that you will do in October that's an alternative to Halloween, if that's something you want to do?Ready-to-Go Reformation Day ResourcesIf you'd like something that's a ready-to-go activities, I have something called a Reformation Day unit study. I pulled it together. You're going to get a book list, you're going to get stories about it, you get a slide presentation on different reformers. We have videos as well. There are recipes in there, and you know, a unit study takes the topic, and then we provide all the different subjects, history, and science, and art, and cooking, and Bible, and character, and literature. You get a little bit of all of that, and then you can pick and choose what it is you want for your family.If you happen to be listening to this, the week that this episode is published, this unit study is on sale, and so you can use the link below to be able to save some money on that Reformation Unit Study. You can get it at any time. People have bought it at all times of the year. But, right now, if you'd like to save a little money, just use the link in the coupon code CODE REF25, and you'll be able to save a little bit money as well.Hey, if you have a comment or question, reach out to me, you know, email me, DM me. If you have gotten just one little tip out of here, would you please share this with another Christian mom or another homeschool mom to help them, that would mean the world to me. Or, leave a 5-star review, because that means we can get this out to more and more people. Moms don't have the time to pull all this together, and they just need some creative ideas.Hey, thanks for spending time with me. I am Kerry Beck with Homeschool Coffee Break. We'll talk to you next time.

The world feels heavy right now, and as homeschool parents, we're navigating how to walk alongside our children through national tragedies while maintaining our faith and hope. In this deeply personal episode, I explore how God brings redemption even in the darkest moments and why talking about these difficult events with our kids is so important.We'll discuss the spiritual battle happening around us, the power of forgiveness in healing our own hearts, and practical ways to pray Scripture over your family daily.Here's what you'll hear in this episode:✅Why forgiveness is for your healing & freedom, not for the person who hurt you✅How to put on the full armor of God to protect your family spiritually✅The importance of reading real Scripture with your children, even the young ones✅Practical prayer strategies you can start today✅How to recognize that people aren't your enemy, but the spiritual battle in the heavens is your enemyReady to stand firm in faith with your family? Grab the free Joy Scripture Cards to start praying Scripture over your loved ones today.Recommended Resources:Joy Scripture CardsTrial & Triumph

Are your kids dragging their feet when it's time for schoolwork? Football season gives you the perfect opportunity to flip that around and show them how to enjoy learning in ways that connect with their real interests. With a little creativity, you can turn the excitement of the season into meaningful lessons that stick.In this episode, you'll discover:✅Simple strategies to use football to inspire curiosity in your homeschool✅Fun writing prompts that work for both younger and older students✅Easy ways to tie math, science, and history to your child's favorite sport✅Critical thinking activities that spark deeper learning✅How to highlight Godly character lessons through sports role modelsRecommended Resources:FREE Football Unit Study https://howtohomeschoolmychild.com/football-unit-study/ Sports Bundle (15 Minute Flash Sale - SAVE 87%)... includes 6 sets of printableshttps://howtohomeschoolmychild.com/hth-trip-sports-oto

Teaching manners isn't about rules and rigidity—it's about showing love, kindness, and respect to the people around us. In this conversation with Monica Irvine from The Etiquette Factory, we unpack simple and practical strategies for teaching manners in a way that sticks. You'll discover why manners are more than table rules and how they shape your children's character for life.If you've ever wondered how to teach manners without constant correction, this episode is full of practical stories, heart-tugging lessons, and family habits that make character training simple. Monica shares easy-to-implement tips to help kids feel valued, develop respect for others, and build lifelong relationship skills.What you'll learn in this episode:✅Why teaching manners is really about loving others✅The key mistake parents make with etiquette✅How to create “soft heart” moments for better learning✅Practical lessons your family can start using week✅How manners build humility, confidence, and strong relationshipsRecommended Resources:Character Training Tool KitCharacter Development Without the DramaCharacter Building in 3 StepsMonica Irvine is the President of The Etiquette Factory and co-Founder of Fundamentals4Kids. As a renowned national speaker and published author of over 20 books, Mrs Irvine delights in her passion for helping children and adults reach their full potential. Mrs Irvine is a retired homeschool mom who now enjoys the fruits of her labors watching her children raise her most loved grandchildren.Follow Monica Irvine and The Etiquette Factory on FacebookShow Notes: How to Teach Manners: Beyond Please and Thank You with Monica IrvineWhat It Really Means to Have MannersKerry: Well, let's talk about etiquette and manners. Could you tell our listeners just a little bit, maybe why is this so important? Especially in today's culture? And how does this go beyond just saying, please and thank you. I mean, please, and thank you are important, but that's just a little small part of it. So tell us why and what, how it goes beyond that.Monica: I know sometimes over the years I've told my husband I should have named the company something besides the etiquette factory, because I'll be at a convention and I can always see people's reaction. They look up and they read the sign, and I can read their brain often where they're going. Oh, that's great and all. But we've got more important things to worry about than what fork to eat your salad with and to me I know why it's so much more than that.Let me first give you the definition that we use for etiquette at the etiquette factory, and that is etiquette which manners and etiquette, chivalry all mean the same thing. Etiquette is helping those around us to feel valued, and comfortable.George Washington's Rules Changed EverythingMonica: Years ago I was homeschooling our kids, and we were studying the life of President George Washington. And what a fascinating life that man had! And as we were doing that I stumbled upon George Washington's rules of civility and decent behavior. Many of you have read a couple of those, if not just Google that. And you will see this list of 110 chivalry skills that, according to President Washington's journal, he put to memory at the age of 13 he actually copied these 110 chivalry rules out of a French book.As I started reading these rules, I just, I can just tell you the spirit penetrated my heart, and being the mom of 3 boys. I was like, Wow, you know, my boys, could benefit from knowing some of these? Of course, manners was always important to me. and so I said, You know, let's start trying to memorize one of these a week and kind of having a manners thing each week.We started memorizing these chivalry skills, and something happened. I started noticing a change in behavior. and it fascinated me because I was like, what's what's changed. I mean, I've always told my boys to have good manners. I've always taught them.The Problem with Teaching "In the Moment"Monica: I think a light bulb moment happened when it dawned on me that usually 98% of the time when I was trying to teach my children manners was in the moment of correcting, like my one of my kids would say or do something that wasn't the most polite, and I would be oh, honey, no, baby, you can't say that, that's not polite. And then I would go on to tell them why.When all of a sudden I shifted to start having a daily manners lesson during the school day, when my heart was softer. My children's hearts were softer because they weren't being fussed at. and we just had a discussion about well, how do we use our napkin correctly? Or how do you make an apology sound sincere. All of a sudden my boys would be like, Mom, let's do another one. What's the next one? Let's go ahead and talk about the next one. and it literally is what changed everything.Why Manners Really MatterMonica: Most people think of manners when they think of table manners right and usually family sit around the table, and for parents that manners are important to them. Their table sounds like this. Could you, too, with your mouth closed, honey, sit still in your chair, stop stop making that noise. Get your elbow off the table, and it's just this constant correcting.But when I teach kids the definition of manners and I use an example like this, I'm like, okay. So if I came over and had dinner with you all your family tonight. and I sat down and I started eating like a pig. I mean, y'all, I'm chewing with my mouth open. I am making some weird noise with my tongue, or I eat so fast that I'm finished getting up and leaving the table. When you're on your 3rd bite any of those behaviors, I would be sending your family a message, and that message would be, look, I'm here for one person, one person only, and that's myself.You see, the lack of manners is called selfishness. Manners is just trying to get me and you and all of us to look outward to pay attention to how our behavior or lack thereof, is causing other people around us to feel.Teaching Children to Feel Others' EmotionsKerry: I love the idea of being valued and being comfortable around someone. So I know this includes things like kindness and respect. Can you give us some ideas on how moms could either do that? Or my other thought was, how do they go from just learning the rules to actually internalizing some of that.Monica: For me, and the way we go about teaching children is we try to actually tug on their heartstring a little bit what I mean by that is, usually it's when it's when our emotions are hit that we change our behavior.So, for instance, let's say that our child has a habit of leaving their dirty clothes and wet towel on the bathroom floor, and most of us would handle it this way. Get your towel off the floor. Come, get your clothes. and usually it's in frustration right?Well, all of a sudden, when you sit down with your kids and say, let's let's talk about, for instance, the way we leave the bathroom for the next person that uses it. If if I go into the restroom and I make a mess. However that happens, whether it's my dirty clothes, my wet towel, I leave the sink full of spit and toothpaste, or I don't have the commode, you know, nice and tidy. Do you want? Do you want to come in after me?The Power of Standing to Show HonorMonica: So let me give you. I'll give you all a lesson. One of our lessons. So one of our lessons is the stand up lesson. So if if we were at an event and someone brought in the American flag, what would we all do? You know we stand up, and why do we stand up? Well, we we stand up because of the honor and respect that we have for what that flag represents.The same thing happens in our home. So the etiquette skill is that today, still, in the 21st century, it is polite for children to stand for adults and for gentlemen to stand for ladies. I use the word honor a lot because I want to raise and wanted to raise honorable children. What does it mean to be honorable? Well to be honorable. You have to do some honorable things and honorable things. Always 100% of the time require some level of sacrifice. That's what makes them honorable when you give of yourself in order to bless help someone else.So how would this look in our home? Our families still eat at the table at least 3 or 4 times a week. But so Mom or Dad might say, Hey, family, it's time for dinner. and so our family would come to the table, and all of us would stand behind our chair until the person we're honoring sits down. Typically, I would suggest that that person first be mom. So Mom is the first person that sits down or the cook.We're Creating Entitled ChildrenMonica: The last time you and your family had a big gathering, maybe 4th of July, who were actually the first people that had their plates prepared. 98% of you are, gonna say, the kids. because see? At some point our society decided that was easier. Oh, yeah. So we got to get the kids, get their plates, get their drink, make sure they have everything they need. And we think if we get the kids situated, then us adults can go over here and eat peacefully, because we're not being bothered by the needs of our children.And then we're the same adults that want to walk around this earth complaining about the entitled generation. And I'm like parents. So you're gonna let your children have their plates fixed before their grandmother. Are you crazy? We've got to stop it because I believe that this behavior is hurting our children.Simple Ways to Practice Valuing OthersMonica: When I'm teaching children and families how to help their children to greet people and introduce themselves. It's not just that we're supposed to introduce ourselves. It's just that greeting people is another way to help people to feel valued.For instance, the last time you and the children went through the Walmart checkout line. What were what were our children doing? Were they obsessing over the candy, mom, can I have this? Can I have this. Were we on our phone scrolling through social media while we're waiting, we're all getting tricked by the enemy into this self absorption.Whereas if I teach my kids how to value others right before we go through the groceries checkout line, I'm going to say, Hey, kids, what are we about to do check out, mom, what does that mean? We're going to help the cashier feel valued. That's right. And so then my children all know to say, Hello, how are you doing today? Oh, good afternoon! What's your name?Kerry: That's so good, you know, in the middle of what you were saying. But while back the word humility just kept coming up to my mind, and the idea of Philippians. 2. Where Jesus is the perfect example of humility and giving of himself. So I really appreciate you bringing this down to the gospel, and it really is sacrifice, and that there's benefits for all of us when we sacrifice.Resources and EncouragementMonica: So the etiquettefactory.com. We've got some wonderful programs. This is our preschool through 3rd grade course, called fundamentals for kids. With little kids, we find that they need to play a game. They need to sing about it, hear a story. Make a craft. And that's what fundamentals for kids is. It's twice a week you pull something out of the box and we help you have a conversation with your kids.And then the life skills for you is for 4th, 5th grade all the way through, seniors. In fact, it can count as a half a credit for our high school. We actually show videos of teenagers doing the skills the wrong way and the right way.Monica: Oh, just you know, if I could go back in time and tell my new homeschool mom self, give myself any advice. It would be relax. Relax. You know, if if we all sent our kids to public school. There would be some gaps in their education when they graduated. and if we sent them to private school there would be some gaps in their education. and as we homeschool when they graduate. there's going to be some gaps. But it doesn't matter about the gaps. What matters is that every day we try to help our children learn to love, to learn. and that's all that matters.In all the years that we homeschooled, y'all, we never finished curriculum. The only curriculum we ever finished. Every year was our math. But what happened is, we learned to love, to learn, and have very successful children who have done some really difficult things in their careers. It works itself out. But teaching character, teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no substitute for that, and have some fun because you're making memories.Ready to start teaching manners in your home? Visit The Etiquette Factory to learn more about Monica's practical curriculum that makes teaching character and manners enjoyable for the whole family.

Homeschooling isn't just about academics—it's about helping your kids discover their unique strengths and preparing them to lead. In this inspiring conversation with Heidi Christianson from Leadership Education Mentoring Institute, we explore the powerful role of mentoring youth in your homeschool, along with how to shift from a checklist mindset to a life-long learning approach.You'll hear stories of real families, practical strategies for mentoring your kids, and encouragement to see your role as a parent-mentor in a new light. Whether you're new to homeschooling or a veteran, this conversation will leave you inspired to create a family culture that values leadership, learning, and connection.What you'll learn in this episode:✅Why every child is a genius—and how to help them shine✅The difference between teaching and mentoring youth✅How to create a homeschool culture that sparks a love of learning✅Practical tips to individualize your child's education✅Encouragement for parents who feel overwhelmed or unsureCheck out LEMI, mentioned in the podcast and start mentoring your kids with confidence!Resources:The Learning Zone BookA credentialed teacher with a Master's in Education, Heidi Christianson has taught across university, community college, private, and charter school settings and homeschooled her five sons for over 20 years. Her commitment to personalized education led her to co-found a commonwealth school, develop curriculum, and co-author the book The Learning Zone. She has spoken at major homeschool conventions and serves as director of operations at the Leadership Education Mentoring Institute (LEMI). Heidi also founded The Genius Paradigm and Realizing Genius.FacebookInstagramYouTubeShow Notes: Discovering the Genius in Every Child: A Leadership Education Approach to Mentoring Youth Through HomeschoolingMeet Heidi ChristiansenHey, everyone! I'm Kerry Beck, with homeschool coffee break where we help you stop the overwhelm so you can actually take a coffee break. Today we are talking about a topic that I know y'all have heard me talk about a lot - leadership education. Heidi Christiansen from LEMI is here, and we're going to dive right into it.Heidi has 5 boys who are all grown now. Her youngest one graduated last year, and she homeschooled them for 23 years. Before kids, she actually taught at the university and at the community college level.She knew she wanted to teach, but never thought she would teach kids because she did not have a good experience in public school. When she went to enroll her oldest, she just couldn't do it. At that point she had toddler twins and a newborn, so she put him into a private school. But with that many kids already, there was no way she could continue.The Turning Point: When Traditional Methods Don't WorkKerry: So when our twins were ready for kindergarten, we jumped into homeschooling, and even though I had such a horrible time in the public school system, I found myself falling into that track and those habits. I was - I wanted my kids to love learning, but because I was, you know, especially with my experience in education I still was following, falling into those bad habits.Heidi: My 4th son, I like to say he's not my problem child, but he's the child that made me a better mother, and because of that he just fought me on the traditional education, and I knew that I was the one that had to change. You can't ask your kids to change in that way. They're kids.So I started doing research. That's when I found leadership education and I just loved it. One of the things they talked about in a foundational book, the Thomas Jefferson Education, by Oliver Demille, is how everyone is a genius. I just love that idea.What Leadership Education Really MeansKerry: When we're talking about leadership education, tell us what that is, and what that would really mean for a family, and how it's more than just a curriculum or a checklist.Heidi: It definitely is not a curriculum or a checklist. One of the important things I feel it's just so important for people to understand is that idea of what leadership is, because too often - I know my oldest son, he was about 12-13 years old when we started in leadership education, and I was all excited about it. I was trying to share it with him and he just started crying and saying, "Mommy, I don't want to be President."Leadership education is not about titles or positions. True leadership emerges when someone learns to navigate challenges thoughtfully, see patterns in human behavior and systems and guide others towards positive change. It's about developing the capacity to make a meaningful difference whether in your family, community or the broader world.Kerry: So good. I really appreciate you reminding people that not everyone's gonna grow up to be President of the United States or CEO, or even on the church elder board or something. But just like you said, moms are leaders and dads are leaders. I would say, 99% of the kids of the moms listening to this are going to grow up and be a mom and a dad. And they need to know how to lead well.Shifting from Teacher to Mentor MindsetKerry: If we're talking about leadership education, how would someone shift their thinking in the way that they would homeschool, or in the way that they would parent, because, like we said, it's not a curriculum. It's not a checklist. How do they shift, and what kinds of things might they start doing?Heidi: One of the biggest shifts is how we see - what our goals are, because too often I know as a credential teacher, and one of the reasons I stopped working for the Charter schools is that as a teacher we are looking at checking off those boxes and all of those standards. As a mentor, which is something that we look at differently, a mentor looks at the child, the student and sees where they are, where they need to go, and then helps them get there.We're looking at where do they need to go? And for every single child that will be different, for every single person it's slightly different. Yes, they need to read. Yes, they need to be able to do math. But some kids need to do statistics and calculus and all of that, and some kids don't. And that's okay.Instead of looking at okay, what does my 5th grader need to know, it's more of where do I want my child to be when they are 40. What do we want them to be doing when they're 40? We want them to be living their genius, sharing their genius with the world. We want them to be reading books and discussing them. We want them to be writing effectively and persuasively and challenging ideas.Real-Life Examples of Mentoring YouthHeidi: My youngest son is much younger. There's like 7 and a half year difference, and I was just tearing my hair out. How am I going to get him to read? My 4 older sons loved fantasy and science fiction, and my 5th son, I'm like, "Okay, why isn't he fitting into the mold?" This is after so many years of doing this, but I still - it was so easy to try and just force him into that box that his older brothers had built.He read a little bit later, but once I figured out what he liked to read, oh my gosh! He took off. We were driving to our homeschool community, and I would listen to books in the car. He started out with his earphones on listening to his own stuff. Then it's like, "Okay, take one off. What is she saying?" Then it's like no earphones, and then stopping the thing. "It's Mom, let's talk about this."That's how I figured out what he liked to read. He loves psychology, economics. It's just amazing what he will read, but it had to be individualized for him.Kerry: You know that sounds like my son - he's our youngest, and he knew how to read but he wasn't interested in it. As long as it had water in it, like Robinson Crusoe or Swiss Family Robinson, I don't know why he would be interested. He's 32 now, and he loves to read. Give your kids grace and patience. Give them time, and give yourself grace and patience, because sometimes it takes some time to figure out for each child what is best for them.Practical Mentoring in ActionHeidi: For my youngest son, once he got to that hard age of 17 where it's like, "Oh no, I'm going to be an adult, and I don't quite know how to do it" - as a mentor, I could see that one of his things that he was very concerned about is how would he literally survive on his own.One of the things I did actually made my life a win-win. I gave him a couple hundred dollars and said, "Okay, you're in charge of 3 dinners a week for the month. Here's $200. I keep the basics stocked. If you need anything else, you need to use that $200. Anything left over is yours."He got really creative. It was not only a way of him figuring out how to use what we had, it was a way for him to put some money in his pocket, but he also had to learn to go out and budget and figure out recipes. My husband and I have never eaten better. He feels so much better because he knows he can go and live on his own when the time is right.One Simple Step to Get StartedKerry: So let's say we have a mom here, and she's hearing this, and she's excited but she's also overwhelmed. What's like one simple step that she could take to just begin leadership education in her home?Heidi: The best thing I would say is the first step would be understanding that you are an example to your kids. In order to help you connect your students' heart and mind and purpose, showing them you doing that is the best thing to do. So they need to see you reading. They need to see you writing, or at least hear about it.I would highly recommend starting like a journaling routine for yourself. Every week I will write down my gains - everything that has happened, all of the positive things that have happened for the week. Too often, as homeschool moms, we have these elaborate plans that we're going to do, and then something better comes along. Then you look at your list of goals for the last week, and it's like, "Oh, I didn't do anything." That's the gap you're looking at.Instead, look at the gains. What have your kids learned? Sometimes for me, when my kids were little, at night I would think, "What went well? What worked? What did they learn?" Sometimes it was just "Well, that mommy can say she's sorry, and it's okay. Grownups can apologize." That's an important thing to learn.Being that example for your kids is just so important. Be that adult that you want them to be.Kerry: That's so good. And it covers so many areas of our whole life. You need to start with you. You don't need to go, "Oh, here's leadership education. I'm gonna make my kids do all of this" because you've got to change. It's got to be internal for you before you can share it. You may spend several months just working on you and becoming maybe a better reader, or a better writer, or have better character in your life.The Genius ParadigmHeidi: I would love to encourage people to take the time. Stop and see the genius in your kids. I call it a genius paradigm. It's not just your kids. It's your spouse, your friends, the people you work with. Having that genius paradigm just really can change the world, because you can see how one person - it might not be the right spot for somebody to do something, but they are a genius at something else, and you can give them grace.That's what leadership education is all about - seeing that amazing qualities in everybody, and having the grace to let them shine in their own path.Ready to start mentoring youth in your homeschool with a leadership education approach?Connect with Heidi and learn more about Leadership Education Mentoring Institute:Website: LEMI-u.com (includes a free online course)Email: Heidi@LEMIHomeschool.comFacebook and YouTube channels availableWant more homeschool encouragement and practical tips? Subscribe to Homeschool Coffee Break wherever you listen to podcasts, and don't forget to leave a review to help other homeschool families find us!

You see those grade-level checklists and stress out. How will you check off all the boxes? The better question is how to help each child grow at their own pace? In this episode we tackle the grade level myth, so kids can learn at their own pace. You'll discover practical ways an individualized learning plan helps your child gain confidence and real mastery in your homeschool.You'll hear real stories and step-by-step ideas you can try this week — assess strengths, adapt lessons, and celebrate mastery instead of chasing someone else's checklist.✅Why the one-room schoolhouse model was actually brilliant (and how it relates to your homeschool today)✅Real stories about kids who learned at their own pace and thrived (including my daughter who didn't know her times tables until algebra!)✅How individualized learning can turn apathy into excitement in your homeschool✅4 practical tips for teaching your kids at their own pace (even with multiple children)✅Why mastery matters more than checking off someone else's checklistRecommended Resource:FREE How to Simplify Your Homeschool - 3 part course Show Notes: The Problem with Grade-Level PressureHey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop the stress and stop the overwhelm so you can actually take a coffee break.Today we are talking about the grade-level myth. It makes me think about 150 years ago, one-room schoolhouse, and the one-room schoolhouse actually did so much good. I've actually heard more modern, younger people say, well, the reason we have grade levels now is it's such a better way to teach our kids. Well, not really.The one-room schoolhouse was fantastic. It is how people have learned for centuries. So today, I want to sort of talk about this myth of grade level and the pressure.Do you feel pressure sometimes? Are my kids on grade level? Am I doing the right thing? I see parents that are stressing out if there is this grade level that doesn't match their child's ability.Why Parents Stress About Grade LevelsSo many moms worry about those grade-level expectations, which some professor probably made up. They're comparing themselves to other homeschoolers that are following the conveyor belt model. They are comparing themselves to public school benchmarks, and they're stressing out, or they are afraid their kids are going to fall behind.Will they really be prepared for life? And let's face it, who made the grade level checklist? Y'all heard me say it before, quit checking off the checklist, especially someone else's. Now, if you make your own checklist, that's what God's putting on your heart, that's a whole different story.Real Stories of Learning at Their Own PaceLet's talk about Sarah. Sarah's my little imaginary friend. She is 8 years old. Technically, she is in 3rd grade.She loves to read. She reads chapter books that are 2 or 3 levels ahead in grade level, so she's reading on a 5th or 6th grade level. She can discuss themes of the book, vocabulary, beyond her age.Sounds like my little granddaughter, who's 6 years old, and she just finished kindergarten, and she's reading chapter books. It's awesome. But you know, we all have different strengths and weaknesses, because poor little Sarah, my imaginary friend.She still struggles with subtraction and with borrowing. She hasn't yet even reached multiplication. This reminds me of my daughter, Gentry, who did not know her times tables until algebra.We actually pulled her off of math for a whole year in seventh grade. But we let her go at her own pace, and she's an adult, 35 years old, and doing okay.From a parent's perspective, you see that grade level checklist says, Sarah should be multiplying by now, and then you stress out. You panic, and you're like, oh no, Sarah is behind.Don't worry about it. Let them move along at their own pace. Now, if they're moving along at their own pace because they're lazy and they're not doing the work, that's a whole different story. That's character, and we can talk about that in a future episode.How Individualized Learning WorksWhen we have individualized learning, some kids can dive really deep into certain topics. There are going to be fewer gaps in their learning, and it can build confidence and motivation. If it's something that they are especially if you're going in their interest as well.My friend had a son who was Hunter's age. Hunter was 6, and they're all learning to read, but not Will. Will didn't learn to read till he was 10 or 12 years old.Once he did, he went flying past all the kids on his grade level. You see, Hunter could sort of be on that grade level. He didn't like to read at the time, he does now. That's another thing. So, he moved along at whatever the grade level was, but Will didn't.His mom had to adapt his lessons for him, but once he took off, he skyrocketed.It reminds me of my second imaginary friend, James. James is 13 years old. His parents noticed, you know what, he sure loves tinkering with electronics and machines.James' parents let him slow down in some of the traditional subjects and dive really deep into his science projects. This built tons of momentum. He became motivated to finish his other subjects faster, so he could get over to his science time, because he loved it. That was just who he was. It's how God had made him.He confidently began building circuits and even tutoring some of his friends in physics. You see, individualized learning, it turned apathy into excitement. He may not have liked his reading class, which Hunter didn't, but I could let him pursue science, and he loved it.Practical Tips for Teaching at Your Child's PaceHow can we teach at our kids' own pace? You're like, I've got 5 kids, how can I do this? Well, first of all, assess your kids' strengths and weaknesses before starting.If you didn't do this this week, I would really encourage you to look at their strengths and weaknesses and write them down. Pay attention to them. I didn't really need a test to know if my child knew the math concept, because I was grading their papers every day, and more than likely, you are, too.And pray about it. God's going to show you their strengths and weaknesses and where He wants you to focus this year. So do a little assessment.Tip 2: Adjust your lesson plans, adjust your curriculum to match their level. Will's mom did a lot of adapting in elementary school. He was not doing the same thing that a third grader would do in reading, because he still didn't know how to read.I did some adapting with Gentry. She did not like math. So in seventh grade, we just said, okay, no more math. Now, that wasn't forever, but it was for one year. And you know what? She did perfectly fine.Flexible Scheduling and Mastery Over CompletionUse some sort of flexible scheduling. You might need to repeat some lessons, or you may need to pause some lessons without guilt. Like, I paused math without guilt. I'm like, we needed to change the attitude before we worried about whatever the next math lesson was.So, you may need to repeat, and mastery is so much more important. It's better. When I was a public school teacher, you got your grade and you moved on. It didn't matter if you really learned it, you're just going to keep moving on.Celebrate mastery, not just a grade-level check, check it off, completion. I love Phonetic Zoo. There's no grade levels in it. You must pass every spelling test twice with 100% before you go on. That means you've mastered it. Matthew C, same kind of thing. They are all about mastering it.It's okay if your kids learn faster than expected, or slower than expected. I was not a reader growing up. I can do it, I can get a good grade in it, but I wasn't that good at it. I loved math. Now, did that make a difference? No. Was I behind, I'm sure, vocabulary? I was always behind. I think I'm still behind in vocabulary.It's okay, your kids will still turn out to be adults who can take care of themselves. Don't worry about that grade level checklist.Final EncouragementI really want to encourage you to focus on your kids' growth, not comparing them to social media, or to the public school, or to the other homeschoolers in your area. Just know that individualized learning creates lifelong learners. It's better to slow down and learn it well than to just rush through it and not really learn anything. That's a schooling, not an education.Be flexible. Give yourself grace and patience, give your kids grace, and be patient. That is going to be a better outcome for you and for your kids, especially for your kids. You're stressing your kids, you're stressing yourself out if all you're doing is looking at all the grade level, all the rigidity from grade level.Teaching at your own pace builds confidence, mastery and joy in the learning.Would you please leave a comment and let me know what is one subject area that you are going to assess your children and adjust the pacing to fit each of your children this week? If you need help on assessment, How to Simplify My Homeschool is a free course that will be listed in the show notes.

Homeschool doesn't have to feel overwhelming or exhausting. In this episode, we'll explore the power of short lessons in homeschooling—a simple shift that helps kids stay focused, build confidence, and reduce daily stress.You'll discover practical ways to break subjects into smaller sessions, add movement breaks, and use short lessons for mastery. With real-life examples for both elementary and high school, you'll see how to make lessons in homeschooling more effective and doable for every age and stage. ✅ Why kids lose focus in long lessons (and how to fix it) ✅ How to structure short lessons for younger and older students ✅ The role of breaks and movement in keeping attention ✅ Practical examples for history, science, and more ✅ How short lessons build confidence and consistency

What if your homeschool didn't feel like a checklist, but a life-giving journey? In this Best of Homeschool Super Heroes Workshop episode, Julie Ross shares the tools of a Charlotte Mason education and how they can bring peace, beauty, and connection to your home.You'll learn how to apply these tools—atmosphere, discipline, and life—in a way that nourishes both your children and yourself. This gentle philosophy isn't about replicating school at home; it's about building something far more meaningful.Here's what you'll take away:✅ What it really means to create a homeschool “atmosphere”✅ How habits form the foundation of discipline (without nagging)✅ Why ideas are the most powerful food for the mind✅ How to foster solitude, attention, and curiosity✅ The secret to cultivating beauty and truth in your home

In this Best of Homeschool Super Heroes episode, Rachael Carman brings clarity to what matters most in your homeschool. After 26 years of homeschooling her seven kids, she shares why the most important subject to teach your children isn't academic—it's spiritual.This episode will encourage and equip you to make the Bible the foundation of your homeschool. Rachael's wisdom is practical, powerful, and deeply rooted in God's truth.You'll learn:✅ What happens when you put the Bible at the center of your day✅ How to make worship and Scripture study a natural part of homeschooling✅ Why your kids need heart-shaping more than head knowledge✅ Tips to grow in your own walk with God as you lead your children✅ What to do when you feel discouraged or spiritually dry

With 20+ years of experience, Jen Merckling, shows you how to make any homeschool curriculum work—even if it's not the "perfect" fit. These 5 tips will help you feel confident, supported, and ready for a school year full of peace and growth.You'll learn:✅Why modeling matters more than early independence✅How to pause and repeat without falling “behind”✅What to do when grade levels don't match your child's progress✅The truth about short lessons and how they help with consistency✅When and how to cut assignments and still count it as a win

As part of our Best of Homeschool Super Heroes Workshop series, we're bringing back one of our most loved super heroes—with Andrew Pudewa! In this episode, we dig deep into teaching writing through imitation, from simple copywork to powerful storytelling. Whether you're just starting out or need to reset your writing routine, this method can transform your homeschool.Here's what you'll discover:✅How to move your child away from “hating writing”✅How to build confidence in your reluctant writer✅What keyword outlines are—and why they work✅When awkward writing is actually a good sign✅How imitation paves the way for real creativity

There's a lot we take for granted when it comes to homeschooling—especially our freedoms. In today's conversation, you'll hear how homeschool freedom is under threat in places you might not expect... and how one nonprofit is working to protect it.From museum tours to national advocacy, Steven Policastro shares how God is using their work to equip homeschool leaders in 130+ nations. You'll be inspired to pray, take action, and help families around the globe.The surprising truth about where homeschool is illegal✅Why parental rights and Christian education go hand-in-hand✅How global leaders are uniting to defend freedom✅2 creative ways your family can support the mission✅How to turn this into a meaningful homeschool project

As we approach the Day of the Christian Martyr on June 29, 2025, talking to kids about difficult topics like persecution or the life of a Christian martyr isn't easy—but it's important. In this episode, Kerry sits down with homeschool curriculum author Bonnie Rose Hudson to discuss how to introduce these powerful stories to children in a way that honors truth, age-appropriateness, and their emotional makeup.From personal stories to practical examples, you'll discover ways to guide your kids in understanding faith under fire. Bonnie also shares encouragement for parents and non-parents alike who want to support the global Church and disciple the next generation with bold, faith-filled examples.In this episode, you'll learn:✅How to gauge what details kids can emotionally handle✅Tips for weaving Christian martyr stories into Bible, history, or reading lessons✅Where to find trustworthy, age-appropriate resources✅What to say when your kids ask "Why would God allow this?"✅Encouragement for moms and dads who want their kids to live boldly for Christ✅Special insights on observing the Day of the Christian Martyr with your family

If you've ever wondered how to slow down and connect while still “doing school,” this episode is for you. Today, I'm sharing how a simple walk with my granddaughter — and her obsession with roly-polies — reminded me why nature walks are a powerful tool in your homeschool. You'll discover how even 15 minutes outside can spark curiosity, lead to deeper relationships, and provide rich educational experiences — without the need for worksheets or screens.We'll cover:✅How to make nature walks meaningful (without being a science expert)✅Simple tools you can bring along for learning on the go✅Academic subjects that connect with nature walks✅How walking together builds family connection✅A simple way to turn every walk into a moment of gratitudeResources MentionedFree Nature JournalHandbook of Nature StudyChristian Liberty Nature ReadersUsborne First Book of NatureShow Notes:Hey, everyone, Kerry Beck here with homeschool coffee break where we help you stop the overwhelm so you can take a coffee break. I think I'll take one right now. Today we are talking about why nature walks belong in your homeschool, even if you're not an outdoorsy person. Before we dive into this, I would love for you to subscribe to this channel if you haven't already done so, or if you can leave a comment or a 5 Star Review. That would be awesome. And you may have a home school friend, just one home school friend that you could share this with, because we're recording this. It's summertime. It's a great time to be outdoors and do this.The Roly-Poly StoryIn fact, I'll just start. This episode was inspired by something that I did with my 8 year old granddaughter last week. She wanted to go on walks now. I'd get up early and go on my own sort of prayer, walk and fast walk, get some exercise in. But she wanted to go on walk, and on Friday, the last day we got out there, and she found a roly-poly on the sidewalk, and it was the first one. And it you know, those little ones say they roll up into a little ball. I mean she was talking to it somehow it fell off, and then she found another one, and we were walking down the sidewalk to get to the path, and there's a big stone wall, and there were roly-polies everywhere.I'm telling you we went on a 15 or 20 minute walk, and I think she talked to these roly polys the entire way, and they would be crawling, and she's like, "Oh, you don't like this hand. You like this hand. They don't ever want to go into this hand," and just went on and on they fall off, and then she'd have to get another one. The last one she actually carried pretty far all the way back to that stone wall, because she wanted to leave this roly-poly near his friends, so he would have some friends.Why This Story MattersNow, why do I share that story? I was like it reminded me so much of some of the things that we did with our kids out in nature, whether it's a nature walk, or just going out and looking, maybe even at the stars at nighttime. But she loved going on a walk. This was not a fast walk. This was a slow walk we talked, we visited, and I saw wonder, curiosity, and learning. And that does not come from a book or a worksheet.So nature walks are just such a simple, beautiful, powerful tool for your homeschool. And you can use it with all different ages, all at the same time as well.Why Nature Walks Are So ValuableWhy are they so valuable? Well, with your kids, they're going to help your kids slow down and observe. You know, you might go to a park, you know we've got a park over here, and you can wander through this trail, and there's brush everywhere, and you'll see all different kinds of leaves and plants. And actually, a few years ago, the girl, my 8 year old, her sister. They were both with me, and we're going down there, and the next day I find out she got a tick, and I was like, well, she's the only one that climbed a tree while we were out there, and so, but they slow down and they start to notice things.You can they can ask questions and maybe spark curiosity. I really had every intention of going back here and doing a little research with her about roly-polies and then rolling up, and then, when we got home, we had to get ready to take her to the doctor, and things sort of got busy. With your kids also, this can build a lifelong love of God's creation. God is the great Creator. So let them be out in that.Benefits for MomWith moms, you, mom, it'll help you get out of the house. It can refresh you mentally and emotionally. I think fresh air does wonders. I mean, sometimes I go on walks every day pretty much, but sometimes I just want to pray, and I go out. I've got a little circle drive, and I just walk back and forth 2 or 3 times, just going outside can refresh you. I remember when I did have Covid several years ago. I didn't feel good for about a couple days, but the one thing I did do is I went outside and walked up and down the driveway because fresh air and sunshine does something for you.This also gives you a chance to bond with your kids in ways that curriculum cannot. You don't have that curriculum pressure. Even 15 to 30 minutes a week can shift the tone of your home school. Romans 1:20 says God reveals his invisible qualities through what he has made. And think about it. It's not even that. It's not just what we see. But a lot of times as I'm coming home from my prayer walk, I hear this morning I hear the birds singing to each other and to me. That's just I'm like, wow! Thank you, God. And so it's not just our sight but what we hear, maybe what we touch. She could feel that little roly poly and its little legs, or whatever walking around on her hand.How to Do a Nature WalkSo lots of different ways that we can use nature walks to learn. So how do we do a nature walk? First simple, maybe just walk around the block or your backyard, or if there's a close by park. My other daughter used to live well, they both they still she still lives close to a park, but one of them you would walk down this sidewalk with trees and bushes and ponds and everything, and and that was just actually really cool.I remember one time my 6 year old granddaughter Landry. She was probably 2 or 3 at the time, and I was pushing her in the stroller, and I was like Landry, look, there's a rabbit! And we watched that rabbit run away, and the next time I was driving, driving, pushing her to the park. The next day I was like you could hear going, "Bunny, come here, Bunny, come here" yelling at the top of her voice, but she remembered there were bunnies. Actually, when I went on, I don't know which walk it was with Elizabeth last week we saw 2 bunnies right there. It was so cool, you know, and so you can take those experiences and go home and learn more.What to Bring on Nature WalksYou could take a nature journal. I was looking for my nature journal. One of the kids and I couldn't find it beforehand. Might take a magnifying glass or a Ziploc bag. Crayons might even take a phone to take pictures. I will say we went we had a natural scavenger hunt. And a couple years ago, when I did take the kids to the park, and we walked there. They each had a crayon and the scavenger hunt. So they were looking for things, and I do have a resource for you. It is nature it's a nature journal, and I think that's where I got this particular page. And it's just a fun way to keep track of what you're seeing, and there's lots of different things in that nature journal. You can look in the show notes to be able to get the link to that.Following Your Kids' LeadSo you can take some supplies if you want, or just go for a walk, let them lead, look for what they are interested in. It might be roly polys. I was interested in the bunny. She's like, "Oh, we have bunnies in our backyard." So I was like, okay, and it's not like they live in the country, but there are bunnies around there, you know. But what are they interested in? Bugs, leaves, clouds, tracks? Do they see some tracks in on the path? And let them lead and then create a rhythm. Maybe just once a week you go, and this is something the whole family can do. Even your high schoolers could go with you on a nature walk. You could have nature walk Fridays, maybe.Integrating Nature Walks into HomeschoolNow, how do we take this nature walk and integrate it into homeschool. I think, personally, just going on the walk is homeschooling. But let's talk about some academics in science. You can have observation. You can look at ecosystems or habitats, insects, weather, plant life, lots of different ways. You can tie it together.You could have them write. You could have them come back and keep a journal and write down, maybe draw what they saw, and label the parts of a bug, or whatever she did say. This is an insect. We could have had her draw a roly-poly label the part. They could write a poem, they could have a descriptive paragraph. There's several ways you could do that.Art. This is one thing we would do, and they could sketch what they see in nature. You could take your watercolors with you to a park and let them watercolor whatever they're looking at. Leaf rubbings are super easy way, especially for young kids as well.Bible and Other Subject ConnectionsYou could tie it to Bible. I've already mentioned the great Creator of God. You could study creation in Genesis One talk about the seasons, or read passages such as Psalm 19. The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech. Night after night they reveal knowledge, they have no speech, they use no words, no sound is heard from them, yet their voice goes out into all the earth the words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent, for the sun is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber like a champion rejoicing to run the race. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit together. Nothing is deprived of its warmth. Talk about that. Use some of this for copy work as well.Geography. You could learn what the native plants and animals are in your region. PE let's face it. Just going on a walk is physical movement, exercise. They may dance, they may run, they may do whatever, but they're moving, and that's PE so many ways you could tie it into your academics.Building Relationships Through NatureOne of my favorite things is, nature walks, build relationships through nature, just walking side by side opens up conversation. Sometimes when you're face to face. They're a little afraid to say something, but if you're both walking in the same direction, or all of us. You may come up with topics that you may not normally talk about, because it's not that face to face tension.Time in nature can help regulate some emotions. There's usually less fussing, although sometimes they I want this. I want that. But there's just more connection. Usually when we're walking, you can use it to connect, not just with your kids, but also with God, and talk about the things that God has made. Let your kids know you see what they see. Well, tell me more about that bug. Tell me more about that. What do you see here? What colors are they?So one of the things my kids are like. "Yes, mom, you tell us every year we have oak trees." So in the winter all the leaves fall looks dead. But I love watching in spring. It just has these little dots that eventually turn into oak leaves, and I'm like "Y'all let's go look!" And each day let's draw what we see, and I think, after saying that for several years they got tired of me. But anyway.Cultivating ThankfulnessBut one of the most important things I think you can do is use your nature walks to cultivate thankfulness, to cultivate gratitude. They are a built in way to practice gratitude, and maybe, as you're walking, ask each child. I want you to tell me 3 things that you're thankful for on this walk. And just, and you know not a lot of pressure. But they can say whatever it is, model your own thankfulness aloud. I'm so thankful for the blue sky.I mean on my way home from my walk. I'm like. Thank you for the purpose. Sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me. Ignore that but thank you for the sunshine. Thank you for the rain. Thank you today that I got to walk in before it started raining 5 minutes after I got home. So look for things, you know. And going back to the roly-poly story that even a tiny bug leads to a sense of wonder and gratitude, and we can slow down, and that can help them be thankful.The ChallengeJust something to consider. You don't need an elaborate plan. You don't need an elaborate science unit. Just take a walk. Let your kids explore, ask a few questions and thank God for what you see together. So I'm going to challenge you. Plan one nature walk this week and just see what your kids discover.I do have a free nature journal. It's normally $10. But you can get it free through this podcast and there'll be a special link in the show notes that you can use, and I do have another blog post that'll be in the show notes about rest and renewal for mom, because I really think getting outside helps a lot.Resource RecommendationsIf you're watching on the video, I'm going to show you a few things. This was sort of overall our go-to book. It is big. Look at that Handbook of Nature Study, but that's the microscope wheel. Or you couldn't use a microscope. You can see it has all sorts of stuff in here. We've got insects. We've got plants how to begin a plant study, weeds, garden flowers, trees, climate weather. This is just a go to that you can do. There'll be a link there in the show notes.Now, these are for younger kids. Usborne puts out the First Book of Nature, and I'll let you just see it's very simple. And it is going. This is actually, I think, a combination of 3 or 4 books, and it has birds, trees, flowers, butterflies, and moths, wild animals, fishes, and creepy crawlies, so that's a great one. I don't even know if this is still in print, but we'll look for a link and put it there and then.Christian liberty has some nature readers. This is book one you can see, very simple. So this is a coyote. The coyote trick. Let's see what we have the bear's coat, and it's just simple reading for a young reader. Then we can move to. This is Book 4. And you can see this is more like stories. Well, what is that? I don't know what that is. So let's see if we find something. Oh, it's a moth, anyway, you can, if there's reading on that level. And this covers a lot of different areas as well, it's got. Looks like 10 or 15 different animals in this one. So we'll put links to all of those in the show notes.ClosingMost of all have fun, build relationships and enjoy yourself. Get out of being in front of your phone. Don't even take your don't even take your camera. Don't take your phone. Be away from your phone for just a little while, enjoy your kids, build relationships both with each other and with God. And just see what your kids discover. Hey, I am Kerry Beck, with homeschool coffee break. We'll talk to you next time.

Need some fresh ideas to keep your kids learning this summer—without pulling out the curriculum bins? Whether you're a year-round homeschooler or ready for a much-needed break, there are simple, creative ways to make summer learning fun, meaningful, and totally stress-free.From read-alouds to banana caterpillars, this episode is packed with tips that encourage curiosity, build character, and keep everyone engaged (without screens!). We're talking:✅How to build a summer reading rhythm the whole family loves✅Why boredom is actually good for your kids (really!)✅Tips to combat negative attitudes with God's Word✅Fun weekly learning ideas with zero worksheets✅How to set family reading goals with big rewardsGrab Read Aloud Book List mentioned in this episode to make your summer easier and more fun!Resources Mentioned:Read Aloud Book List Cell Pizza Oreo Moon PhasesSummer Science Experiments

Feeling overwhelmed by grumbling kids, comparison, or stress in your homeschool? In this episode, we talk about the power of being thankful for what you have—even in hard seasons—and how it can transform your heart, your home, and your family.You'll hear personal stories, powerful Scripture, and practical steps you can take to build a daily gratitude habit. This episode will help you fight overwhelm and experience the joy that comes when you shift from complaining to contentment.✅Learn the science-backed benefits of gratitude✅Hear how Kerry's 10,000 gratitude journal entries shaped her mindset✅Get 3 simple tips for creating a family gratitude habit✅Discover practical ways to help your kids choose gratitude over grumbling✅Be encouraged with real-life stories of thankfulness in hard seasons

If you're wondering where to start homeschooling, the answer may surprise you—look in the mirror. In this episode, we talk about why your own education as a mom is the first and most important step in your homeschool journey. Education and leadership don't begin with lesson plans—they begin with you.You'll hear why your kids will follow your lead more than your curriculum, and how a simple growth routine can shape your homeschool for the better. Whether you're a new homeschool mom or simply looking to refresh your perspective, this episode will help you take a powerful first step.Here's what we cover:✅Why Charlotte Mason said, “There is no education but self-education”✅The simple 3-step plan Kerry used for personal growth ✅How to model a love of reading and lifelong learning for your kids ✅How reading, journaling, and sharing weekly simplifies your homeschool and gives YOU freedom to study what is important to your family ✅Why summer is the perfect time to start your growth habit

What's the #1 thing you can do to raise confident Christian leaders? Teach your kids to own their education. Independent learning isn't just a homeschool perk—it's a leadership training ground.In this episode, we explore how independent learning shapes responsible, motivated, Christ-centered leaders. You'll hear stories, examples, and practical steps you can start using today. ✅Why independent learning builds leadership and responsibility ✅What Charlotte Mason and Benjamin Franklin can teach us about self-motivated kids ✅The shift from teacher to coach—and how it sets your kids free ✅Practical ways to build ownership in your homeschool ✅How real work and self-direction grow lifelong learners

When life is busy and homeschooling feels overwhelming, it's easy to fall back on textbooks just to get through the day. But if you're ready for a more meaningful approach, this episode will show you how to be a lifelong learner—and raise kids who love learning too.We're breaking down the mindset shifts and practical steps that help you get off the educational conveyor belt and spark curiosity, creativity, and deep thinking in your homeschool.✅The real reason textbooks feel safe—and what to use instead✅How curiosity fuels lasting learning far beyond any test✅Easy ways to integrate your child's interests into daily lessons✅The 4-step method to develop real-world learners and leaders✅Why boredom might be the best gift you can give your kidsGrab the free class mentioned in the episode to go even deeper!Resources Mentioned:Homeschool Freedom Bootcamp - May 13-234 Steps to Raising Christian Leaders in Your Homeschool (FREE Masterclass)Want help starting these conversations? Grab my free 3-Step Chart to Develop Critical Thinking Skills.Use Read Aloud Book List for suggested readingsShow Notes:

Every day, your kids face choices—from what to eat for lunch to how to treat others. And as homeschool moms, we want to raise children who make wise, godly decisions… but how do we actually teach them how to make good choices?In this episode, we talk about how to help your kids develop discernment, wisdom, and decision-making skills through stories, conversations, and daily life moments rooted in Biblical truth.✅Why wisdom matters more than knowledge alone✅ A simple, homeschool-friendly way to teach discernment✅What King Solomon can teach your kids about making wise decisions✅ How to create a “wisdom culture” in your family

Homeschool burnout is real—and if you've ever felt overwhelmed, stretched thin, or just plain exhausted, this episode is for you. You don't need a rigid schedule or a packed curriculum to be a “good homeschooler.” You need peace, purpose, and a plan that fits your family.Let's talk about how to simplify your homeschool, focus on relationships, and stop chasing perfection. These mindset shifts and practical tips will help you prevent burnout and enjoy the journey again. ✅ Why homeschool burnout happens (and how to recognize it) ✅ Simple shifts that bring peace to your homeschool days ✅ The power of rhythms vs. rigid schedules ✅ How to focus on relationships over checklists ✅ Real examples from Charlotte Mason, Finland, and more

What if you didn't have to force your kids through every lesson? What if they actually wanted to learn? That's the power of curiosity learning—and in this episode, we're talking about how to go from forced lessons to self-motivated learning.You'll hear simple mindset shifts and practical tips to create an environment where your kids want to explore, ask questions, and dive deep into what fascinates them. Yes, it really is possible! ✅How to follow your kids' interests without losing structure ✅Real-life examples of how to spark motivation using everyday tools ✅Why curiosity is hardwired into your kids—and how to nurture it ✅The problem with rigid curriculum and checklist-style learning ✅What Albert Einstein's childhood can teach us about homeschooling

Want to make Easter day the most joyful, faith-filled celebration of the year? In this episode, we're sharing simple ways to start & finish the day focused on Jesus—without adding stress to your day. ✅ Start with Sunrise Worship – Ideas for family prayer, praise, and Scripture reading. ✅ Resurrection Breakfast – Fun, hands-on ways to connect faith and food. ✅ Jesus-Centered Easter Traditions – Balancing egg hunts with a resurrection focus. ✅ A Simple Easter Challenge – Encourage kids to share the Gospel!

Are you looking for simple, hands-on ways to teach your kids about Holy Week? As busy moms, we want to make Easter meaningful, but finding fun and faith-filled activities can be a challenge. That's why I've gathered four easy Holy Week activities to help your family focus on Jesus from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday!✅ Palm Sunday Parade – Make palm branches & shout "Hosanna!"✅ The Last Supper Meal – Take communion & talk about Jesus' sacrifice.✅ The Darkness of Good Friday – A simple but powerful object lesson.✅ Resurrection Rolls Activity – A visual way to explain the empty tomb!

Are you looking for simple, hands-on ways to teach your kids about Holy Week?As busy moms, we want Easter to be meaningful, but finding engaging, faith-filled activities can feel overwhelming. That's why I've gathered simple, hands-on ideas to bring the Easter story to life in your homeschool! Your kids will love these Easter homeschool activities.✅ Read as a Family Daily – Use the easiest tool in your homeschool tool belt to inspire your kids' faith in Jesus✅ Discussion Questions That Spark Faith – Open-ended prompts to help kids process Jesus' sacrifice.✅ Hands-On Easter Crafts – Create cross crafts, a resurrection garden, or Stations of the Cross.

Does Easter sneak up on you every year? Between homeschooling, daily tasks, and family activities, it's easy to feel too busy to slow down and focus on Jesus. But Easter is the greatest day of the year—and I don't want you to miss it!In today's episode, we'll talk about: ✅ Why Easter is more than bunnies and eggs—it's about Jesus' victory over sin. ✅ How busyness can steal our joy and keep us distracted from Jesus. ✅ How to overcome that busyness and focus on what's most important ✅ 3 simple ways to prepare your heart for Easter—even when life is chaotic.✨ Join me for this episode and discover how to refocus on Jesus this Easter!

Are you ready to boost your homeschool art and music lessons? In this episode, we dive into fun, simple strategies to integrate music and art into your daily homeschool routine—no matter your child's age. Whether you're teaching littles, elementary, middle, or older kids, you'll find practical tips to get started without feeling intimidated.In this episode, you'll discover:✅How to stop being intimidated with music & art in your homeschool✅Simple tips to weave art and music into your existing lessons✅Fun activities to help your kids remember and memorize key concepts✅Where to find free demonstrations that make teaching music and homeschool art a breezeJoin us and transform your homeschool with engaging, hands-on ideas that will make your lessons come alive!Resources: Music & Art Homeschool SummitThe Composer DetectiveThe Artist DetectiveJustina Thurston of Jus' Classical is the host of the Music & Art Homeschool Summit and Bundle. She is a musician, video and course creator, and songwriter. She has a degree in music therapy and has worked as an early childhood music teacher for over 20 years. At her church, she also helps with the music ministry, playing oboe in the orchestra, and teaching Sunday school to early elementary-aged children, using her Westminster Shorter Catechism songs. Justina is also a blessed wife and homeschooling mom of three.At Jus' Classical, she seeks to encourage other homeschool moms and families, especially in focusing on Christ, and in enjoying classical music and great art through her courses, like The Composer Detective, a music appreciation course for families, The Artist Detective, an art appreciation course for families, Making Music with Handel, a music fundamentals and tin whistle course, and Drawing with Rembrandt, a beginning drawing course. She brings them all together for families to get both music and art in the Jus' Classical Fine Arts Membership.WebsiteYouTubeFacebookFacebook groupInstagramPinterest

Homeschooling is more than just finishing lesson plans—it's about shaping lifelong learners. If you've ever wondered, “Am I doing enough?” or “Are my kids learning what they need?” this episode is for you. You'll discover the mindset shift that will help you finish the homeschool year with confidence and purpose.I'll share three key strategies to help you let go of stress and focus on what truly matters. Plus, don't miss the free class at the end, designed to give you the tools for homeschool success with peace and success!In this episode, you'll discover✅ Learn why shifting from productivity to purpose changes everything.✅ Discover how real books and meaningful conversations create deeper learning.✅ Find the secret to mentoring your kids, not just teaching them.✅ Get access to a free class to help you finish the homeschool year strong!Resources Mentioned3 Tips for Homeschooling Moms to Finish Strong this Year {FREE Class}

We know our kids will continue having to eat every day of their lives, and we all want to raise independent adults. Come learn about the vast benefits your kids will experience when they learn to cook and get strategies to make it work in your busy life.From therapeutic creativity to the exposure bucket that banishes picky eating, from the biggest mistake parents make when bringing their kids in the kitchen to the 3-step superpower process to build skills safely, your parenting toolbox will be overflowing after this session.In this episode, discover✅ 3 steps to building confidence in the kitchen✅ Biggest mistake parents make when they bring their kids in the kitchen✅ 3 steps to build safety skills in the kitchen✅ How to use the exposure bucket to stop picky eatingDiscover more life skills at home to use with your kids when you join us for Life Skills Leadership Summit on February 24-28, 2024 … completely freeSign up for this year's 2025 Life Skills Leadership Summit FREE Basic Pass

We're excited to introduce our partner, Unbound BCS, and share their inspiring work in combating human trafficking. Join Kerry as she interviews Naomi Rijpstra, director of Unbound Now BCS, for a candid conversation that shows how trust and relationships pave the way for healing and safety. You'll find out different types of trafficking and the 3 keys of Unbound's mission.Don't miss this opportunity to learn about upcoming classes for parents and students and discover practical tools to keep your loved ones safe. Tune in and be part of a movement that empowers our community!In this episode, discover✅ Unbound's Mission: Learn how Unbound Now is fighting human trafficking and supporting survivors.✅ Trust & Relationships: Discover why building strong bonds is key to healing.✅ Community Outreach: Get insights into their training and outreach programs.✅ Upcoming Classes: Find out about special sessions designed for parents and students at the Life Skills Leadership Summit (Feb 24-28, 2025).The Life Skills Leadership Summit is donating 5% of their profits to Unbound Now. When you upgrade to VIP, you are helping Unbound Now fight human trafficking. Some of our speakers are also donating 5% of their commissions, which I will also match another 5%.Upgrading to VIP is about more than lifetime access or the bundle. You'll also be helping Unbound stop human trafficking and journey with survivors.Upgrade hereDiscover more life skills at home to use with your kids when you join us for Life Skills Leadership Summit on February 24-28, 2024 … completely freeSign up for this year's 2025 Life Skills Leadership Summit FREE Basic PassNaomi Rijpstra, LMSW is the Director of Programs for Unbound Now in Bryan College Station (BCS). In her current role she carries out the mission and vision of Unbound Now in BCS providing leadership for staff and overseeing BCS' programs including the Brazos Valley Human trafficking Task Force. Naomi received her Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Baylor. Naomi provides specialized training both within the organization for staff and externally for partner agencies. She was born and raised in The Netherlands and has worked as a Social Worker for over 12 years with different populations in different settings both abroad and in the states. Naomi is passionate about equipping the community so that they can help identify victims and foster healing and growth to survivors as she believes relationships are the agent of change. Resources Mentioned: Unbound BCS VolunteerRequest Training for Your Group (church, co-op, neighborhood, etc)DonateNight of Hope Fund Raiser Kerry: Hey, everyone, Kerry Beck here with Life Skills Leadership Summit. If you've been around me, you know I love partnering with great organizations. Today, I have the privilege of talking to Naomi, the director of our local Unbound group. You may not know much about them, but you're going to learn a lot. Naomi, thanks so much for being here today.Naomi: Yes, thanks for having me, Kerry.Kerry: Well, I'm not going to sit here and just talk—I'm going to ask you all the hard questions and put you on the spot. I was going to ask you beforehand how to say your last name properly since I never got it right.Naomi: I know people always get uncomfortable announcing it, but my last name is Rijpstra.Kerry: There you go! Letting you say it is so much better than getting it wrong. I've known about Unbound and participated with them, even back when I was on the prayer team at church. My heart goes out to what they do—fighting against human trafficking. So, let's get started. Naomi, tell people a little bit about yourself and Unbound, and how you connected with them.Naomi: Sure. First, I want to say thank you so much for being involved with Unbound. You've been around as long as I have, involved in so many ways, and we're really grateful for that. I started with Unbound in 2021—so that's four years ago. I'm originally from the Netherlands, where I worked as a social worker with diverse populations. I came to the States, and that's when I first encountered trafficking. I began working as a house parent at a ranch for girls who were trafficked. That was my introduction to understanding the trauma of human trafficking. I never thought that would be God's journey for me, but that's how it works.Since then, over more than ten years, I've worked in the anti-trafficking field both in the Netherlands and here in Texas. After graduating from Baylor University with my master's in social work, I joined Unbound. I already knew about Unbound through the founder of our location—I loved their work and vision. I started as the Director of Survivor Advocacy, and last year I became the director.At Unbound, our mission is to support survivors of human trafficking—both sex and labor trafficking—and to provide resources to the community to combat trafficking and ignite hope. Unbound began when some brave women in a Waco church started praying. The founder, Susan Peters, felt compelled after her overseas experience to say, "Oh my gosh! This is trafficking. We need to do something." Then they realized it wasn't just overseas—it was here in our state. So, they started with prayer, moved quickly into prevention outreach, and began working with the first survivor. Since then, we've expanded to six locations in Texas, two in Louisiana, and two offices overseas in Mongolia and Poland.Kerry: That's incredible. So, what do you do to support survivors and resource the community?Naomi: We focus on three key areas. First is training and outreach. We provide community training about human trafficking—what it is, what it looks like, how it happens, and what to do. We offer this training to anyone interested, and also provide specialized training for law enforcement, social workers, counselors, hotel staff, hospital staff—basically, anyone who might interact with potential victims. We also train volunteers who go out to local businesses, distributing flyers and raising awareness. Additionally, we're part of coalitions and a Human Trafficking Task Force here in the Brazos Valley, working with the sheriff's office on proactive investigations and outreach.The second area is youth prevention. We visit juvenile detention centers regularly, spending time with both girls and boys. We build relationships and work through a curriculum that covers human trafficking, social media, safe relationships, and more—helping them recognize red flags and stay safe.The third area is survivor services. We have a 24/7 crisis referral line with seven trained advocates, including three bilingual ones, who respond to calls from community partners, law enforcement, and survivors. They provide immediate crisis response, often at hospitals, and then offer long-term advocacy by connecting survivors with community resources and building trust-based relationships. This ongoing support is essential, as many survivors struggle to feel safe and trust the people around them.Kerry: That was awesome, Naomi. I've heard different perspectives on what you do, and I always learn something new. I know some homeschool or Christian moms might say, “This wouldn't happen in my city,” but as you explained, it's happening everywhere—even here in the United States, not just overseas.We're recording this right after the Super Bowl. I remember learning about human trafficking during a snowstorm in Dallas after the Super Bowl, and it really opened my eyes. Do you notice more activity during big events, like sports tournaments, when people need to be more alert?Naomi: It's always a common question. I don't have data to prove a trend, but trafficking happens regardless of events. Many people assume trafficking happens only when a kid is kidnapped, but research shows that less than 7% of cases involve kidnapping. Most of the time, it happens within relationships—someone the victim trusts, like a family member, or through online grooming. So while big events might make people more alert, trafficking is an ongoing issue that we must always be aware of.Kerry: That's so important. You also mentioned that people often think trafficking only affects girls and women, but men and boys can be trafficked too. Can you talk about that a bit?Naomi: Absolutely. We serve both males and females. Just yesterday, I was speaking with a survivor leader who explained that he was trafficked because he identified as LGBTQ. He was rejected by his family and became vulnerable. There's a significant stigma around male victimization, as society expects men to be protectors. This stigma makes it even harder for them to identify as victims or seek help, and there are fewer resources available for men. We need to overcome these barriers because there are many male victims too.Kerry: Okay, can you share a quick success story? I know some listeners might feel burdened, but it's important to hear that many people who go through Unbound find success and healing.Naomi: Sure. Last year, we served 174 clients, which is a testament to the impact of our work. One story that stands out is about a youth who was referred to us—not because she was trafficked, but because there was significant concern about her situation. She ran away, and though she was initially labeled a missing child, our task force and her advocate brought together all the necessary partners. Within a few days, we found her in another state. She had been a victim of human trafficking while away from home. Now, she's doing well, receiving ongoing services, and working through her trauma. We're so proud of her journey toward healing and restoration.Kerry: That's amazing. We want to get people out of trafficking and help them heal, and that's exactly what Unbound and its survivor advocates are doing by building trust and long-term relationships. For those of you who might not know, this week we have two classes—one for parents and one for students—that have been eye-opening for many. Could you give us a snippet of what to expect?Naomi: Yes. On Wednesday, parents will meet with Laura, who will explain what trafficking looks like, how to recognize it, and what steps to take to keep students safe—practical tools, essentially. Then, on Thursday, Laura will meet with the students at an age-appropriate level to cover similar topics, including red flags and healthy relationships. We always start with parents so they're informed, and then we encourage conversations between parents and students.Kerry: That's excellent. I highly recommend these classes. For anyone concerned, we suggest the content is best for 6th grade and up. And for those wanting to support Unbound financially, when you upgrade from the Free Pass to the VIP Pass, I donate 5% of our profits, and several speakers donate 5% of their commissions, which I match—sometimes making it up to 15%. For anyone wanting to donate directly, where can they find you?Naomi: Our website is unboundow.org. There, you can learn about who we are, what we do, volunteer options, request training for your church or community, and even donate. Also, don't miss our upcoming annual fundraiser, Night of Hope, on March 28th. It's a powerful event with survivors sharing their stories and community partners coming together. Tickets are available on our website.Kerry: That sounds great. Thank you so much, Naomi, for sharing all of this. It's a heavy topic, but your work is so important, and I appreciate you helping to spread the word. Hopefully, more people will understand that this issue is happening right in their backyard.Naomi: Thanks for letting me share, Kerry.Kerry: All right, I'm Kerry Beck with Life Skills Leadership Summit. We'll talk to you next time.

“Nice Nerds”—that is what people think of Christian homeschoolers. It's a better reputation than the public schools, but not good enough to compete with the prep schoolers who run America, and the world. Leadership is the hallmark of an elite prep school education, and it shows—our last four Presidents: Bush, Obama, Trump, and now Biden, were all prep schoolers, not to mention billionaire tycoons like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Elon Musk.In this interview, Britton LaTulippe gives real life examples in raising children for greatness. He will draw from his leadership training in prep school and the US Army Special Forces Qualification Course to show homeschoolers how to transform “nice nerds” into kingly Charlemagnes, Christian men and women who lead their teams to victory no matter the odds!In this episode, discover✅ 8 C's of Leadership✅ How to raise kids to lead teams✅ Why an elite education is imperative for our childrenDiscover more about leadership for children when you join us for Life Skills Leadership Summit on February 24-28, 2024 … completely freeSign up for this year's 2025 Life Skills Leadership Summit FREE Basic Pass

We know our kids will continue having to eat every day of their lives, and we all want to raise independent adults. Come learn about the vast benefits your kids will experience when they learn to cook and get strategies to make it work in your busy life.From therapeutic creativity to the exposure bucket that banishes picky eating, from the biggest mistake parents make when bringing their kids in the kitchen to the 3-step superpower process to build skills safely, your parenting toolbox will be overflowing after this session.In this episode, discover✅ 3 steps to building confidence in the kitchen✅ Biggest mistake parents make when they bring their kids in the kitchen✅ 3 steps to build safety skills in the kitchen✅ How to use the exposure bucket to stop picky eatingResources:Selling on Etsy Masterclass for TeensDiscover more life skills at home to use with your kids when you join us for Life Skills Leadership Summit on February 24-28, 2024 … completely freeSign up for this year's 2025 Life Skills Leadership Summit FREE Basic Pass

Thirty years ago, we wouldn't believe our culture is talking about changing genders, but that's where we are. How do you navigate these issues with your tweens and teens? Dannah Gresh, of True Girl, offers encouragement and practical advice you can use immediately. We discuss your tweens/teens identity in Christ, preparing your children for future conversations in the world, and even pronouns to use. If you have children of any age, you need Kerry's interview with Dannah. You will walk away with tools to help your kids stand up for Truth and build their heart on God's plan.In this episode, discover✅ How to guide your tweens and teens to anchor their identity in Christ amidst cultural pressures✅ Tools for navigating tough conversations✅ How to handle pronouns with grace and truth withr a balanced approach to addressing pronouns while staying rooted in your values✅ Actionable steps to prepare your kids to face future conversations with courage and clarity.Stop the homeschool overwhelm when you join us for Life Skills Leadership Summit on February 24-28, 2024 … completely freeSign up for this year's 2025 Life Skills Leadership Summit FREE Basic Pass

As we continue our Best of LSLS”, let's talk about the foundation of good leadership, where to start raising leaders, not followers. Godly character is the foundation for academic success, as well as success in life and raising a leader for the future.Discover how character is learned and how to establish a plan for teaching it to your children. Kathie will give several creative ways you can encourage your children to develop in this important area. After hearing this, you will be motivated, and full of ideas to use with your own children.In this episode, discover✅ An actionable plan to help you instill godly character in their children.✅ The ripple effect of character so your children can prepare them to influence and lead others in the future.✅ Motivation to take action with fresh ideas to implement character education in your homeschool.Stop the homeschool overwhelm when you join us for Life Skills Leadership Summit on February 24-28, 2024 … completely freeSign up for this year's 2025 Life Skills Leadership Summit FREE Basic Pass

We often can become so focused on “covering the basics” that we forget the importance of filling our homeschool days with truth, beauty, and goodness- then we wonder why homeschooling can feel so draining! In this “Best of LSLS” episode, Julie Ross, the creator of A Gentle Feast, will explore how we can easily add more beauty in our days through nourishing routines and rhythms that will breathe life into our homes. Julie will show you how poetry, art, music, etc. are just as vital as any other subject in the educational feast. In fact, they are absolutely essential if our goal as homeschoolers is to develop students that are whole persons and magnanimous citizens that can bless the world with living ideas and love to learn for knowledge's sake through the rest of their lives.In this episode, discover✅ How you can and should go beyond the basics of academics✅ The power of nourishing rhythms✅ Why truth, beauty, and goodness matter and how you can easily incorporate them into your daily routine, without overwhelm✅ 5 ways to add beauty easily into your daily homeschoolStop the homeschool overwhelm when you join us for Life Skills Leadership Summit on February 24-28, 2024 … completely freeSign up for this year's 2025 Life Skills Leadership Summit FREE Basic Pass

In this episode, Kerry discusses the importance of raising leaders in homeschooling. Leadership encompasses more than just academics; it encompasses character, thinking skills and relationships. She outlines four key aspects of a leader: godly character and vision, a lifetime learner with both tools and love of learning, critical thinking and decision-making skills, and communication skills. Kerry also introduces the upcoming Life Skills Leadership Summit, a free event in February that will cover various leadership and life skills topics.In this episode, discover✅ What leadership really is and why you should be raising leaders✅ 3 steps to helping your kids become the best leaders possible✅ 2 simple strategies for homeschooling kids who become lifetime learnersResources Mentioned:Life Skills Leadership Summit FREE Basic PassFree Class: 3 Tips to Finish Strong in Your Homeschool

When we think of being good parents, we think of giving our kids a good education and growing them spiritually. But, we are also called to care for our kids' health as well. One of those ways to care for your family's health is with homeopathy. Today, Amanda Pelser, shares her story and how homeopathy is their solution to health concerns. In this episode, you'll discover:✅ What is homeopathy✅ How homeopathy fits well with homeschooling✅ What is Biblical homeopathy✅ How you can get started using homeopathyMentioned Resources:Free quick start guide to using homeopathy Consults Amanda Pelser is a wife, a homeschooling mom of four boys, and an aspiring homesteader. After finding herself bedridden with chronic pain, fatigue, and autoimmune conditions, Amanda was left hopeless by the conventional medical community. Desperate for a change, she used her background as a seminary-trained researcher to integrate her Christian faith with the practice of homeopathy and reclaim her health. With 10+ years of experience using homeopathy, now, as a certified homeopath, Amanda gives hope to Christian moms who are ready to find biblically aligned health for themselves and their families

Celebrate Epiphany with your family through hands-on activities that bring the story of the Wise Men to life. In this episode, we'll explore creative crafts, thought-provoking questions, and global traditions to help your children understand the meaning of this special day. Learn how to incorporate the gifts of the Wise Men and act out the Nativity story together. Make Epiphany unforgettable with these fun and meaningful activities:✅ Questions to ponder during the 12 days of Christmas until Epiphany✅ 8 activities for families to celebrate Epiphany✅ Feast of Epiphany ideas✅ Create crafts like crown and star ornaments, stained glass windows, and glittery gifts✅ Explore the symbolism of frankincense, myrrh, and gold with sensory activities✅ Act out the Nativity story and discuss its significance with thought-provoking questions✅ Discover global Epiphany traditions and bring them into your own celebrationMentioned Links:Christmas Celebrations EbookStar of Bethlehem Family Bible Study EbookPosts to Help with Epiphany:Epiphany Traditions from our FamilyItalian Feast of Epiphany

Before you celebrate at church today or tomorrow, let's take a look at two of my favorite Christmas carols. Often, we sing these songs, without paying attention to their meaning. Let's not do that this year.In this episode, you'll discover:✅ A hidden verse in a popular Christmas carol ✅ The significance of phrases and words✅ Beautiful descriptions of Jesus that you can share or teach to your kids.Mentioned Links: O Come, O Come Emmanuel - 8 questions to discussFree Christmas Unit Study

Advent is more than the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. As believers, your advent should look different from the world's advent of shopping, baking and lots of activities. What tips can you get from today's episode✅ What is Advent season ✅ How would Christians celebrate Advent as a family✅ Practical tips you can prepare your heart and your kids' hearts for Christmas✅ How to use advent calendarsMentioned Links: Best Christmas Books to Read Aloud during Advent, including Jotham's Journey, our family favorite! Christmas Celebrations EbookChristmas Around the World Unit StudyStar of Bethlehem Family Bible StudyAdvent Wreath & Devotional Christmas Nativity Finger PuppetsChristmas Memory Match Game & DevotionalHow to Use an Advent Wreath (Free Advent Calendar Printable)

December is the perfect month to take a break from formal homeschooling and integrate Christmas into your kids' learning. The place to start is by learning simple Christmas around the world traditions that you can use in your December homeschool.My friend, Bonnie Rose, offers some easy and simple ideas you can use this year. In fact, I suggest you choose 4 countries this year. One for each week … then choose 2 Christmas around the world traditions for that country to do one week. Use the four weeks of Advent do learn about four countries and their Christmas around the world traditions.In this episode, you'll discover:✅ 2 very simple activities you can use to learn how others around the world celebrate Christmas✅ How other countries use a Christmas tree, when they don't have pine trees✅ What type of nativity set to use with your kids✅ The number one thing that ties believers around the world at ChristmasResources Mentioned:Christmas Recipes & CraftsChristmas Homeschool Units (50% off through 12/31/24): Bonnie Rose Hudson is the owner and publisher of WriteBonnieRose. She serves homeschoolers and home educators around the world by creating practical resources that are fun, affordable, and easy to use. She has written for numerous publications and educational websites and has hundreds of resources in many subject areas for preschool through high school on WriteBonnieRose.com.

Feeling overwhelmed this season? As homeschool and Christian moms, the holidays can bring stress, worries about finances, family tensions, or even feelings of loss. Let's face it. The holidays are tough at times. God calls us to be thankful, even in the tough times, but how do you do it?You're stressed out from all the thingsWorried how to pay when there is more month than moneyYou keep arguing with your spouseIt's your turn to host your in-laws are Friends "look" like they have the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas Someone will be missing at Thanksgiving or Christmas this year A loved one (or you) have chronic illnessIn this episode, you'll discover:✅ How to trade the holiday overwhelm for a heart of gratitude✅ 3 steps to being thankful when the holidays are hard✅ A simple daily tool that can change complaining to thankfulness in your family

With all the hustle & bustle of the holidays, it can be overwhelming. Thankfully, some moms have survived, like Jan Burt. Jan homeschooled her children over 30 years and is quite honest about her ups & downs during holidays. Learn from someone who has gone before you as Jan shares tips to truly survive AND enjoy the holidaysIn this episode, you'll discover:✅ How to curb the temptation to do “all the things” in November & December✅ How to not cave into peer pressure, even within the Church and the Christian community✅ How to plan & schedule your time during the holidays, as a homeschooler✅ How much should you do outside your home during the holidays✅ 4 tips to use with teens during the holidays Resources Mentioned:Homeschool Planning Made SimpleJan L. Burt is an author, speaker, podcaster, married to Tony for 33 years, mom to five adult children, a grandmother and most importantly, a disciple of Jesus. She served in youth ministry alongside her husband for 12 years & is the founder of the Praying Through the Storm Online Prayer Retreat & is the host of the award-winning podcast The Burt (Not Ernie) Show. Her books The Power of God's Will - 40 Days of God's Promises Devotional, The Homeschooling Mother's Bible Study, & A 60-Day Prayer Journal for Parents are available on Amazon. Her audio-based Bible study course on praying & believing the promises God makes to us via Psalm 91 can be found at her website, JanLBurt.com. Stop by her website & grab your download of God's Promises in Isaiah while you're there!The Burt (Not Ernie) Show PodcastThe Power of God's Will - 40 Days of God's Promises DevotionalThe Homeschooling Mothers Bible StudyA 60-Day Prayer Journal for ParentsPsalm 91 Bible Study CourseGod's Promises in Isaiah free download

Forgiveness is not about the other person. It's all for you, your healing, your freedom, your joy, your peace. And it's one of the most important lessons you can teach your children.Today, I'll share personal stories because I've been through the wringer the past 8 years. Lots of experience from rejection and betrayal. Then, show how forgiveness can truly heal and replace bitterness in our livesIn this episode, you'll discover:✅ Why we should always forgive✅ 2 choices we have when we've been rejected, offended, hurt or betrayed✅ What types of offenses should be forgiven✅ Where to find the strength & courage to forgive✅ 2 steps to healing, victory, joy and peaceResources MentionedHow to Forgive When You Don't Feel Like It, by June Hunt Choosing Forgiveness, by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

Today is Election Day. No matter what the outcome, we can always find something to be thankful for. We can always trust that God is in control. This leads us to use “gratitude” to replace any anxiety or worry we have.In this episode, you'll discover:✅ 3 practical gratitude tips you can use with your family, no matter your kids' ages✅ 2 resources that kids can use to increase their thankfulness ✅ What moms need to do to encourage a grateful spirit in their kids✅ What we all must do, especially when circumstances are falling apartResources Mentioned:30 Day Gratitude ChallengeGratitude Journal for Kids Gratitude Journal Ideas FREE Thanksgiving Bible Study Things to Be Thankful For List

It's that time again…time for our annual 30-Day Gratitude Challenge. To kick it off, I'm sharing some ideas about gratitude and how it can help you (mom) and your family (kids). Gratitude & giving thanks are scattered all through the New Testament. Many sections tell us how to live for Christ and end with “give thanks”. Plus, being thankful is God's will. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God. I Thessalonians 5:17So, mom!Are you modeling a thankful or critical spirit? How are you encouraging your kids to be thankful and not complain? Listen today to get practical tips for your family. Then, sign up for our 30-Day Gratitude ChallengeIn this episode, you'll discover:✅ Biblical perspective of thanksgiving✅ Number one thing a mom can do to get rid of complaining✅ Verses & Truths to encourage gratitude✅ What to fight for in your familyResources Mentioned:30-Day Gratitude Challenge (FREE)Thanksgiving Bible Study (FREE)

I tend to shy away from talking politics on this podcast or my Facebook group. But yesterday, I was challenged to speak truth. If I don't speak, who might? Christians often don't want to mix the church with politics. Historically, the church & state were one. What should Christians do today? How involved should they be in politics? How might this affect our voting for President this year?In this episode, you'll discover:✅ 2 Biblical points our government should offer ✅ 7 men's view of Christianity in America✅ Is the USA really Christian? Why or Why not?✅ Do you vote on the platform or the personality?✅ How to use the Bible to decide who to vote forResources MentionedPatriotic Holidays Bundle City on a Hill, October 20, 2024, Antioch College Station

When you hear the word, Marxism, what do you think? Is it just one of those “isms” that is only for philosophers. Join Linda Lacour Hobar and Kerry as they discuss these ideologies and how important they are to your homeschool today.In this episode, you'll discover:✅ Who is Karl Marx & What is Marxism✅ 6 Main points of The Communist Manifesto✅ What is a Biblical perspective & reaction to the Communist Manifesto✅ Where do we see Communism & Marxism in today's society✅ How to apply a Biblical perspective to Marxism when you vote in this year's electionResources Mentioned:Homeschool Planning Made SimpleLinda Lacour Hobar, author of The Mystery of History, is a passionate follower of Jesus Christ, a genuine “people-person,” and a fan of comfortable high-heels. Through homeschooling her children, and service as a missionary, she discovered a deep love for world history. In 2000, Linda sensed a clear call to write The Mystery of History for her children, grandchildren, and generations to come that they might know “the mystery of God . . . in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col 2:3) With 20+ years of worldwide circulation, The Mystery of History has been well received by all ages. While fact-filled and historically accurate, Linda's writing style remains warm, personable, and thought provoking. The four-volume “Chronological, Christian, Complete” series is user-friendly and includes activities for multiple ages, timeline work, mapping exercises, quizzes, literature recommendations, audio books, and much more to fully engage students of all learning styles. In 2016, Linda broadened her scope of teaching to include cutting-edge online classes and lectures, which she maintains with great care, compassion, and conviction for biblical truth. The Mystery of History has been awarded: “Back to Homeschool Awards (2021),” “1st Place Middle School History—TTD Family Favorites Award (2020)”, “1st Place Middle School History—The Old Schoolhouse Excellence Award (2019)” “TTD Family Favorites Award (2019)” “Reader's Choice About.com—Best Homeschool History Resource (2012),” Mary Pride's “Practical Homeschooling Reader Award (2009),” “A Top Back to Homeschool Resource” Award (2009), The Old Schoolhouse “Excellence Award (2008),” and “Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks.”A native-born Texan, Linda holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University, where she first fell in love with world history. She presently resides in Tennessee where she continues to research, write, teach, and obsess over matters big and small. WebsiteFacebookFacebook GroupInstagramPinterest

When we think about teaching history in our homeschool, it usually only includes world history, American history and state history. But, there is a more important history to teach your kids.As Christian parents, we should also include church history. It doesn't have to be that hard, so let's look at creative and fun ways to include church history in your homeschool.In this episode, you'll discover:✅ Why teach church history to your kids✅ How to teach your kids church history when you only studied American & world history✅ Tips on integrating church history with other subject areas to simplify your planning✅ Books & biographies that are age-appropriate to teach church history✅ Creative ways to include God's work through the ChurchResources MentionedCelebrating Reformation Day Unit Study Veritas Press Timeline CardsSongs:A Mighty Fortress (2 versions)Version 1Version 2St Patrick's Breastplate HymnBooksBook List for Reformation Day

Too often we focus only on academics in our homeschool. There are many other areas of life that kids need to be prepared as an adult. One of those topics include social & emotional skills. Are you teaching your kids how to have emotional & social skills?Today, Dr. Melanie Wilson shares tips & tricks to prepare your kids to have social skills they will need in life.In this episode, you'll discover:✅ How to teach social & emotional skills✅ 1 Tip parents can use to teach emotional skills✅ How to use stories & picture books to teach social skills✅ What strategy does not work in teaching social & emotional skills✅ Why parents neglect teaching these skills in their homeschooolResources Mentioned:Dr. Melanie Wilson is a Christian psychologist turned homeschool mom of six graduates. She is the host of The Homeschool Sanity Show podcast and author of Grammar Galaxy language arts curriculum and Training Aliens social and emotional skills curriculum. She is passionate about helping moms enjoy their homeschooling journey.FacebookInstagram(Homeschool Sanity)Instagram(Grammar Galaxy Books)YouTube