Keep Calm and Homeschool On

We’re back! I’m so excited to be back to podcasting. Our goal is to share a new episode every week. You can also watch the live video version on Youtube. In this episode, Jonathan and I discuss failure, how to overcome feeling like a failure, and how to properly define success and failure so that […] The post Help! I’m Failing My Kids! appeared first on Homeschool On.

You know the popular saying, Ignorance is bliss ? So often in our lives it is easier to just pretend everything is okay and allow ourselves to be like a rubber dingy in the ocean, tossed around by the waves of what life brings. But this isn t what we were called to. You and I have been called to be rooted, to stand firm, to suit up, and to be on guard. We all talk about spring cleaning our houses, but what about spring cleaning our hearts? As quickly as our kids bedrooms can be destroyed, our perspective can be tainted by the lies we believe and the license we give ourselves to be entitled to our feelings. Come join me for a podcast about taking your thoughts (and feelings) captive and how important it is to be on guard for those little foxes (Song of Solomon 2:14-16). The post #9: Freedom appeared first on Homeschool On.

What are you taking ownership of? We've talked about taking our thoughts captive, but what happens when we don't? Today we'll be talking about some practical tools to get up and fight and teach our children. If you've been speaking "I am, I have, I'm not, I can't, I don't . . . " it's time to test them against the Word. Are they true? Are they life? If not . . . they're about to get an eviction notice. This one's a doozy! The post #8: Ownership appeared first on Homeschool On.

Today s podcast episode is all about the heart: The power of a heart that has been unraveled and is weak so that He can be strong. Whether you are walking through a season of being undone or just feeling desensitized and not even realizing how hard you have become, God seems to be highlighting to be a recurring theme of the heart. Hear some real stories of the power of compassion and gentleness as Rebecca shares some of her victories and failures, and walk away with hope in the midst of your storm, or a call to action to rise up and engage in the battle that you are most assuredly in whether you are engaging in it or not. Be strong and very courageous, it s time to fight! The post #7: Undone appeared first on Homeschool On.

To the overwhelmed...I see you. I see the weight that seems to be pressing in on all sides. I know what it is to feel like you can t breathe, to feel like you are failing on all sides. But I also know that the enemy of your soul wants you to believe it and stay stuck there and that is NOT what God has for you. Even in the midst of the storm, He has peace. Even in the midst of the pressure, He has joy. If you have been feeling crushed, come refocus your perspective so that you can remind yourself of what is true and start walking in victory. Come on and take my hand, and let s walk out of this pit together . . . The post #6: To the Overwhelmed appeared first on Homeschool On.

Do you struggle with confidence? Do you feel like a wave blown and tossed by the winds of the many different opinions and perspectives that you are faced with? Are you often uncertain or plagued with doubt and insecurity? In this episode, Rebecca shares her life passage and the invitation she feels we have as Christians to rise up and walk in maturity to stop looking to the world for affirmation, confirmation, or qualification, and start learning how to hear God s voice and discern for ourselves. Whether you are insecure about your homeschool decisions, your theology, your marriage, your parenting, or anything else, this one s for you! The post #5: Confidence appeared first on Homeschool On.

Staying soft and flexible despite hurt and disappointment is not easy. It takes intentionality, it takes practice and purpose. Like a shield around us, we put up walls, distance ourselves, or become more rigid and set in our ways determined that we are right and only those who agree with us can stay. In today's episode, Rebecca shares a picture God gave her of how we can stay soft and flexible even amidst the hurt and disappointment. It is much harder, but it brings freedom. Come sit at the table and let's talk about it! The post #4: Stay Soft appeared first on Homeschool On.

Are you hungry for true community and discipleship in your life or is God laying on your heart the desire to be that for someone else? Let s talk about it--what it can look like, what it definitely does not look like, and what she sees as some of the core problems. God is bringing healing and restoration to His body, and one of the ways He is doing this is through family and community. It is time for the older to teach the younger, for the mothers and fathers to rise up and speak life, and for us to lean on one another as the body of Christ. The post #3: True Discipleship appeared first on Homeschool On.

Join Rebecca in her morning devotions as she shares from Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." We'll be talking about the difference between judgement and condemnation, the problem with extremism in the body of Christ, and how we can walk with discernment rather than judgement, being led by the Holy Spirit rather than our own self-righteousness. This is a dig deep, pull out your Bible, and "search me and know me" kind of episode . . . it ain't no milk. If you're hungry for a little bit of "spiritual solid food", this one's for you. The post #2: No Condemnation appeared first on Homeschool On.

Join Rebecca as she shares her struggles, her burnout, her low points, and her failures and the calling God is laying on her heart to slow down and find some peace in the midst of the storms of life. Sometimes you can't stop the doing life goes on, kids need you, businesses don't "slow down" when you want them to but like Jesus, we can sleep in the bow of the boat, unconcerned. Like Peter, we can step out onto the water. Or maybe just like the disciples, we can only manage to cry out "Master! Save us!" No matter where we are at in our relationship with God, let's stop trying to bail out the water on our own strength and take a minute to seek what God has for us instead. The post #1: Sustainable Rhythms appeared first on Homeschool On.

Who is Rebecca Spooner? What is this podcast about? In this intro, hear how Rebecca hopes to use this podcast to talk freely about whatever God is laying on her heart. Come walk alongside Rebecca for encouragement as God uses her journey and imperfections to point everything back to Him.   The post Gather Round with Rebecca Spooner (Intro) appeared first on Homeschool On.

This past week I have been wrestling. Wrestling with my Christian response to everything that is happening right now in our government, in our country, in our province. God, when do I stand, when do I wait? The biggest thing I am personally feeling (and I do believe we all have to go to God […] The post What Should We Do? appeared first on Homeschool On.

Have you ever faced a season in your life where you just feel lost in a sea of mud? Maybe you are facing judgement and condemnation, maybe you are feeling pressured or rejected, maybe you are busy and overwhelmed. Whatever the situation is, the idea of running your race can feel downright daunting. In today’s […] The post #75 Put on Your Blinders… appeared first on Homeschool On.

Today’s episode is all about the tongue. In our reading through the rest of 1 Samuel this week and David’s psalms and praises, I have been so struck by the power of our words. From declaring who God is, to declaring to our soul, to speaking truth, to being for peace… it can be incredibly […] The post #74 The Power of Life and Death appeared first on Homeschool On.

In our Bible reading plan (which you can download for free by the way) we have been reading about David, who was known as being a man after God’s own heart. And it made me ponder why. Why was he called that? Who were the “greats” in the Bible, the fierce women in the Bible, […] The post #73 A Woman After God’s Own Heart appeared first on Homeschool On.

I actually recorded this podcast last week but have been so busy I never got around to posting it. For anyone wanting the most instantaneous podcast updates, I am now posting them first in my free app: Gather ‘Round Homeschool as soon as they are done simply because I don’t have to write a blog […] The post #72 He Is Close appeared first on Homeschool On.

It’s been a long time guys. I’m tired: 3 launches this month and 2 next, online conventions and the insanity of covid-19. I edit, I write, I pray, I homeschool, I don’t cook very often these days so I send Jonathan out to buy food, a lot. Then it starts all over again the next […] The post #71 Why I Think Our View of Education is Broken appeared first on Homeschool On.

Even in the storm, he is good. Even in caronavirus, he is good. Today’s episode is a bit different than some of my others. We talk about the current situation that is impacting everyone everywhere in this completely new way and my thoughts on it. I tie in what I’ve been learning in Job and […] The post #70 And Yet… God is Good appeared first on Homeschool On.

Welcome to our first podcast about our Read Through the Bible in a Year plan! I am fascinated by Genesis. Beginnings are telling, are they not? We get a glimpse not just at a different time period, but of a different set of rules. A set of rules where there was no sickness, where the […] The post #69 Awe and Wonder appeared first on Homeschool On.

Spiritual authority: what does that mean and what does it look like? Do you ever feel tired of praying for something and feeling like your prayers aren’t powerful? Today’s episode is my musings on spiritual authority and what I feel God has taught me about this topic. It isn’t about praying a certain way or […] The post #68 Spiritual Authority appeared first on Homeschool On.

Today I am so incredibly excited to be announcing the release of the completely free chronological bible reading plan that I created. This has been something God laid on my heart a few months ago that I put on the shelf but I have felt really strongly that this is supposed to happen so here it […] The post #67 GODCAST: Read through the Bible with Me appeared first on Homeschool On.

Today I talked about everything, just processing all the changes, all the things I think God is calling me into for this blog, podcast, page, group, etc. and where that all came from. I talk about my testimony, I share my heart for why worldview matters, I talked about my speaking schedule, the plan for […] The post #66 New Direction appeared first on Homeschool On.

I got nothing, no fancy blog post, no fancy pictures. But I figure I can post this episode or I can wait until I have time to blog about it. In today’s episode I interview my 6 year old daughter, and then I finish it off with my thoughts on our interview. If you are […] The post #65 Homeschooling in the Early Years appeared first on Homeschool On.

From the earliest I can remember, I was a “Christian”. The word itself grades on me. I feel like it doesn’t mean what it should mean, I feel like it doesn’t accurately portray my relationship with God. You see, I am not a go to church on Sunday, pray when life is hard, ask God […] The post #64 Godcast: Intimacy with God appeared first on Homeschool On.

Someone, somewhere out there, is going to be offended by my title. And if you are offended by my title, you will MOST definitely be offended by my examples in today’s podcast episode. Addicted to curriculum, something we laugh about and yet something that can have serious damaging effects on our homeschool journey: discontent, lack […] The post #63 Confessions of a Curriculum Junkie appeared first on Homeschool On.

Earlier this week I posted a podcast episode where I promised a mid-week special. It is late, but it is here! Today’s podcast is a Godcast… it’s all about Him. I hardly mention the word homeschooling so I want to make sure that everyone knows I’m going deep and wide today and am not staying […] The post #62 Godcast: Dream and Plod appeared first on Homeschool On.

I am hesitating. It is 9am, hours after my podcast normally goes live and here I sit convincing myself that this one should just sit on the bench. But somewhere along the way, I have learned that it is often these posts, these videos, these podcasts that I don’t want to post, that I doubt… […] The post #61 Homeschool Joy appeared first on Homeschool On.

Unqualified. It’s just a word, but it is also a judgement based on someone’s opinion. What qualifies you to teach your children or walk in your ministry or help anyone with anything? If we are always looking to someone to qualify us, stamp us with their seal of approval, our qualifications are fickle and in […] The post #60 Unqualified appeared first on Homeschool On.

What is a real life homeschool day in your home? If you’re anything like me, it doesn’t mimic the YouTube videos we see with the cutesy little music and the smiling mom with the pristine house. Maybe you are homeschooling crammed around your kitchen table with crumbs on your books, or maybe you are working […] The post # 59 The Real Homeschoolers of North America appeared first on Homeschool On.

True story, I am 100% loading this without writing just to get it up for you guys. I also didn’t really mention any links but I will come back and write a bit before I share it tomorrow socially. In case you come here before I get to that though… this episode is me talking […] The post #58 Being a Homeschooled Child appeared first on Homeschool On.

How did a girl who got married when she was 19, had no college or university degree and greatest desire was to just be a mom and homeschool her kids get where I am today? How did I write books and start writing Bible curriculum? How did I start a blog and grow it to […] The post #57 My Story appeared first on Homeschool On.

It’s like the unspoken thought settling uncomfortably in the back of our heads: the one we push back when our kids hate their school. It’s the elephant in the room when we feel overwhelmed, exhausted, frustrated, angry, and disappointed with homeschooling. Everyone talked about it like it was so great, it looks somehow more beautiful […] The post #56 I Thought It Would Be Better appeared first on Homeschool On.

This week I received an e-mail from Lindsey and her question was so good I decided to do a podcast episode about it! Her question was: “You talk a lot about accepting your kids where they are and removing heavy burdens and expectations that they live up to the long list of requirements that public […] The post #55 What I Want My Homeschool To Be… appeared first on Homeschool On.

I am sitting in my trailer, the rain pitter-pattering on the roof and my kids strewn haphazardly on their bunks in our 29′ trailer. There is sand on the floor, all of our clothes are soaked, there’s a weird smell coming from the fridge and we are beyond exhausted… all the signs and symptoms of […] The post #54 The Conversation Episode appeared first on Homeschool On.

I get asked all the time what I do and how I do it. What is my homeschool style? What does a typical day look like? Today’s podcast episode is a glimpse into reality. What happens when you get sick and summer is in full swing and you have a lazy day? How can you […] The post #53 My Homeschool Style appeared first on Homeschool On.

Talking about my marriage isn’t easy for me. It is Monday afternoon, hours after my podcast usually goes live and yet I am hesitating pushing the publish button. Some of the things we are sharing in today’s podcast episode are things we haven’t really shared with even our own families and friends before. As I […] The post #52 The Marriage Episode appeared first on Homeschool On.

I asked what your biggest homeschool challenges were and was inundated with answers! In today's podcast episode I address some of the top ones with some practical solutions... The post #51 Your Homeschool Challenges–My Solutions appeared first on Homeschool On.

Sometimes I feel like my brain is just not organized enough for what I do. There are so many thoughts jumbling around in my head it is difficult to focus on just one thing… for any length of time. After staring at my computer for a good 15 minutes going over ideas for this weeks […] The post #50 The Rabbit Trail Episode appeared first on Homeschool On.

Dear kids, I am tired. Tired of being the bad guy. Tired of pushing you to do what you don’t want to do and trying to convince you why you need to. I get it, I don’t like doing what people tell me either, especially when I don’t understand why. So I’m raising the white […] The post #49 Dear Kids: Your Time is Yours appeared first on Homeschool On.

Homeschooling is so much harder than I ever imagined it could be. Nothing could have prepared me for the amount of stretching and pressing that would occur in this homeschool environment. It is both the most challenging and most rewarding experience of my life–a wild ride. In my line of work I get a TON […] The post #48 The Problem with Homeschooling appeared first on Homeschool On.

Brave Writer is so much more than just a homeschool language arts curriculum, it is a way of life! I’ll never forget the day we stumbled upon one of Julie’s videos. Her words resonated with me deeply, her approach seemed so unique, could it really be that simple? Could I really teach my children the […] The post #47 Brave Writer in a Nutshell appeared first on Homeschool On.

Today’s podcast episode is a little bit different than my regular deal because I invited my hubby to join me. I had so many good ideas for today’s podcast and couldn’t decide so we ended up doing it Q&A style and tackling a few different topics in one episode. This post is your resource for […] The post #46 Homeschooling Q&A appeared first on Homeschool On.

Planning speaking engagements and presentations, writing curriculum and books, blog posts, live videos, responding to comments and emails, creating courses… this is my life. This is what I do into the wee hours of the morning, this is what I do when my kids are sleeping or playing outside. This is what I do instead […] The post #45 Balancing Work and Homeschool appeared first on Homeschool On.

If you follow me on Instagram you have probably heard the melody of change. Something new is on the horizon and I am in the middle of processing what it is and what it looks like. I feel a calling, a stirring deep within, to step out of the shallows of homeschooling into deeper waters. […] The post #44 Can You Homeschool Without Curriculum? appeared first on Homeschool On.

Homeschooling is one of the most challenging journeys I have ever embarked upon. I have been tested and stretched and pulled and tried beyond what I thought I could handle. I have learned that many of my perceived limits only exist in my mind. I have grown as a person. In the midst of the […] The post #43 Why Homeschooling is Worth It appeared first on Homeschool On.

Whining, fussing, crying, and general bad attitudes can be like a pin to the bubble of your homeschool day. No matter how much enthusiasm and planning you bring to the table, if your kids aren’t on board it can pop even the best of plans in no time! Today’s episode is your lifejacket in the […] The post #42 When they Don’t Want to do School appeared first on Homeschool On.

Featuring Julie Bogart from Brave Writer: learn more about her amazing new book, a free 90 page resource PLUS some practical tips to help you go beyond homeschool survival and make homeschooling more than you even imagined it could be! The post #41: More than Homeschool Survival appeared first on Homeschool On.

Have you ever felt angry? Frustrated? Impatient? Irritated? DONE with homeschooling? Parenting is hard enough on its own but with the mounting pressures and responsibilities of homeschooling, it can be a volcano waiting to erupt. Some days are harder than others, some are easier. Sometimes you have a good strong streak and all of a […] The post #40 Dealing with Homeschool Anger appeared first on Homeschool On.

How do I know it’s enough? Should I add more? What if I miss something? What are kids learning at this age? The questions swirl in our minds and instead of walking forward in confidence that we know our children best, we are frozen with insecurity. Homeschool doubt is a real thing and today’s podcast […] The post #39 Dealing with Homeschool Doubt appeared first on Homeschool On.

I have seen the posts: What homeschoolers wish their friends knew, 5 things homeschoolers want you to know, etc. etc. But I have never seen one from a mom to her homeschooled child and that needs to change. I mean, I don’t really care what my friends or acquaintances think but I DO care (a […] The post #38 10 Things Homeschoolers Wish Their Kids Knew appeared first on Homeschool On.

Some days I come to sit at my computer with no agenda. In the past when I didn’t know what to talk about I would walk past my podcast mic. Each week I watched the dust settle and each week the emails trickled in, “Where was I?” This year I am attempting to go for […] The post #37 Real Life Homeschool Chat appeared first on Homeschool On.