Podcasts about homeschool moms

If you feel like you're trying not to blink this holiday season... you might be battling the scarcity of time. The desire to put your kids in a time bubble stems from fighting the past, which only steals your presence and creates the need for perfect memories. So what if you could create micro moments of joy that last forever? Press play and choose intentionality over holiday chaos so you can find those little tiny things your kids crave rather than trying to tackle all the big to-do's.  PS. Want to bend time so you can maximize your moments and make more money? CLICK HERE

What happens when vaccine mandates, school regulations, and a mama's intuition collide? In this episode, I sit down with Tiffany, a homeschool mom of almost-seven-year-old twin boys in West Virginia and an occupational therapist who now serves the homeschool community.Tiffany shares how COVID, vaccine requirements, and a strong Christian conviction opened the door to homeschooling—not just for her twin boys, but for her stepkids too. We talk about co-ops, jujitsu, piano lessons, state requirements, and why “freedom” is the first word that comes to mind when she thinks of home education.As an OT, Tiffany also dives into reflex integration—how primitive reflexes can affect things like handwriting, reading, attention, picky eating, emotional regulation, and why some kids “can't sit still” no matter how hard they try. If you've ever wondered, “Is this just a phase, or does my child actually need help?” this conversation is for you.In this episode, we cover:Homeschooling energetic twin boys with totally different strengthsNavigating co-ops, church life, and daily rhythms in West VirginiaHow vaccine mandates and religious convictions pushed some families toward homeschoolingThe difference between classical education and programs like Classical ConversationsWest Virginia vs. New York homeschool requirements (portfolio reviews, testing, paperwork)What pediatric occupational therapy actually is for homeschoolersReflex integration 101 and how unintegrated reflexes can show up asPoor handwritingTrouble sitting stillVisual scanning issues when readingPicky eating, chewing on clothes/pencilsBig emotions and meltdownsWhy it's okay to ask for help and build your “village” as a homeschool parentConnect with Tiffany:Www.agapelove.comFacebook: The Homeschool OT, Tiffany ParsonsOther therapy resources: Www.HomeschoolOT.com Facebook: The Homeschool OT, Sarah CollinsHarkla (parent trainings): https://harkla.co/?rfsn=8716597.365cfaeLearn more about Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb—the new prequel book from S. D. Smith—and explore the companion video game now available on Steam: sdsmith.com/helmer Perfect for parents seeking meaningful, courage-building stories for kids ages 8–12.

If you've been longing for your Christian homeschool and home to feel more Christ-centered—but real life feels loud, messy, and overwhelming—you are not alone. In this listener-favorite episode, I'm sharing gentle, practical ways we can disciple our kids right in the middle of dishes, laundry, and homeschool lessons, without adding a bunch of extra pressure to your already full plate.In this encore, I talk about:Why constant noise, mess, and mental overload make it so hard to feel God's peace (and why that doesn't mean you're failing)A simple prayer + reset phrase you can use in the moment when you feel like you might breakOne tiny, grace-filled shift to move from striving and self-blame into resting in God's care—right in the middle of real lifeMy heart in this episode is to remind you that you don't have to become a different person or run a “Pinterest-perfect” homeschool for God to work powerfully in your family. Tiny faith-filled choices, done consistently over time, really do shape the atmosphere of your home and the hearts of your kids.So if your homeschool days feel chaotic, your motherhood feels heavy, or you're just craving more of Jesus in the middle of it all, I pray this conversation gives you practical ideas and a big exhale of grace.

Join Me for the 12-Day Homeschool Mom Self-Care Challenge A homeschool mom self-care challenge that honours you. Homeschool mama, I see you. December is here, and it feels like an avalanche of ALL the things.Every month as a homeschool mom is full, but December? It's a whole new level. You're trying to finish things up, or you’re moving into a unit study on Christmas, you’re purchasing, prepping, planning, and playing—and you just added a part time-job to your full-time job. But as a homeschool mama, when December rolls around, mama ain’t looking after herself, she’s looking, after ALL the things. And though ALL the things are a whole lot of things EVERY other month, December’s ALL the things is an exponential set of things. Though you’re trying to do all the things, fulfill the expectations, and make it magical for your kids, you can’t do a little bit more if you didn’t already incorporate an approach to maintain margins and pursue purposeful living. That's why I'm inviting you to join me for the 12-Day Self-Care Challenge for Homeschool Moms. This isn't another TO DO list. It's a TO GIVE list—a way to give back to yourself. Join the 12 Day Self-Care Challenge Why Self-Care Matters As homeschool moms, we have a unique calling. We're deeply present with our kids, invested in their well-being, and working hard to create meaningful memories and learning experiences. We savor moments of: Watching our kids harmoniously play together (sometimes). Cheering them on as they tackle new challenges. Seeing their excitement as they pursue new interests. Building lifelong memories as a family. But there's another side to this season: The constant stream of emotions (theirs and ours). Sibling squabbles. Complaints and meltdowns. And, of course, the never-ending mundane tasks—laundry, dishes, meals, and errands. Even when we handle these challenges with grace, the emotional and mental investment is enormous. Add the holidays to the mix, and it's no wonder we feel stretched thin. The Secret Ingredient to a (more) Peaceful Holiday Season Here's the thing: you matter too. Your well-being is not just an afterthought—it's the foundation of a happy family life and a peaceful holiday season. Self-care: Refills your energy so you can approach the holidays with calm and joy. Models healthy balance and boundaries for your children. Helps you manage stress and let go of perfection. Strengthens your emotional resilience to handle challenges with patience and grace. Creates space for joy and presence, helping you savor the small, magical moments. When you care for yourself, you're giving your family the best gift of all—a peaceful, grounded, and joyful mama. What You'll Get in the 12-Day Challenge In just fifteen minutes a day—maybe even five—you'll explore simple, practical self-care strategies that fit into your busy December. These strategies aren't just for the holidays; they're tools to carry into the new year, helping you nurture yourself and your family with greater ease and satisfaction. By the end of these 12 days, you'll feel: More energized. More connected to yourself. And more at peace as you move through this beautiful, busy season. And so we must take care of ourselves. Join the 12 Days of Homeschool Mom Self-Care Challenge Join Me—You Deserve This So, homeschool mama, this is your invitation to take a breath, step back, and remember that you are worth nurturing. Let's do this together. This December, give yourself the gift of care, calm, and connection. Join the 12-Day Self-Care Challenge for Homeschool Moms and rediscover the joy of the season—not just for your family, but for you too. Just fifteen minutes a day. You've got this. Bolster Boundaries at the Holidays for Homeschool MomsIntroducing the ultimate guide for homeschool moms navigating the holiday whirlwind: the ‘Boundary Bolstering Journaling Workbook.’ Crafted to help you thrive amidst unique seasonal challenges, this 31-page gem offers strategies and thought-provoking journal prompts. Discover how to establish boundaries, clarify needs, and embrace your true self. Make this holiday a time of internal empowerment and joy on your terms! $9.99 Original price was: $9.99.$5.99Current price is: $5.99. Shop now People also ask: Create a Practical Plan for your Self-Care so you can Thrive in your Homeschool How to Incorporate Ten Basic Self-Care Tips for the Homeschool Mama Check out the Homeschool Mama Self-Care: Nurturing the Nurturer book How do I get a virtual homeschool mama retreat? a simple guide to unschooling your holiday homeschool Access the Toolbox for Big Emotions Journaling Workbook Join the 2024 Homeschool Challenge for Clarity, Confidence & Vision Homeschool Mom's Guide to Holiday Boundaries in 5 Steps Antidote for Holiday Homeschool Overwhelm & Expectations A Vulnerable Story of an Overwhelmed Homeschool Mom Journey Introducing the 12 Day Self-Care Strategies for Homeschool Moms Teresa Wiedrick I help overwhelmed homeschool mamas shed what's not working in their homeschool & life, so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently in their homeschool & life. Book a conversation with with Teresa Latest episodes 12-Day Homeschool Mom Self-Care Challenge to Come Back to Yourself December 2, 2025 What is the Reimagine Your Homeschool Group Coaching? November 18, 2025 Not Just a Homeschool Mom — Why You’re Disappearing (And How to Come Back) November 11, 2025 Teaching World War to a Homeschooled Eight Year Old November 10, 2025 Reimagine Your Homeschool: Feel Free, Inspire Curiosity and Do What Works November 5, 2025 the role of imagination in a home education November 4, 2025 Helping Our Kids Live Their Lives on Purpose: A Practical Guide for Homeschool Moms October 28, 2025 Human Development for Homeschool Moms: Realistic High School Expectations October 20, 2025 How to Build Homeschool Routines that Support YOU October 14, 2025 Why Deschooling? To Feel Confident, Certain & Good Enough October 7, 2025 The Ultimate Guide to Building Boundaries and Healthy Relationships for Homeschool Moms September 23, 2025 Ultimate Homeschool Overwhelm Quiz That Reveals Your Hidden Stress Triggers in 5 Minutes September 15, 2025 Start Homeschooling in British Columbia: How to Decide September 9, 2025 How to Create an Effective Homeschool Routine that Works for You September 2, 2025 Interest-Led Homeschool for Confident Moms: An Enneagram 8 Mom's Story of Growth August 28, 2025 How Do I Unschool My Child? 5 Simple Steps to Spark Natural Learning August 19, 2025 9 Mistakes That Make Your 1st Homeschool Year Stressful (& How to Avoid Them) August 13, 2025 Top Tips for New Homeschool Moms in Season 3 August 11, 2025 5 Challenges Working Homeschool Moms Face—And How to Overcome Them August 5, 2025 How to Manage Overstimulation as a Homeschool Mom July 30, 2025 Reclaim You: Rediscover Life Beyond the Homeschool Mom Role July 22, 2025 A Summer Reset for Homeschool Moms: The Secret to a More Peaceful Year Ahead July 15, 2025 How to Help Reluctant Writers: Julie Bogart on Homeschool Writing July 7, 2025 7 Ways Brené Rescued Me from One of those Homeschool Days June 30, 2025 Morning Affirmations for Homeschool Mama: A Simple Practice for You to Parent with Intention June 24, 2025 5 Overlooked Mistakes That Are Stressing You Out as a Homeschool Mom (& How to Fix Them) June 18, 2025 The Soul School Way: Books as Mirrors, Windows, and Voices for Homeschool Families June 3, 2025 Sibling Bickering in Homeschool Families: What's Normal & How to Handle It May 27, 2025 Homeschool Mom Boundaries: 6 Truths That Will Set You Free May 20, 2025 How the Mother Wound Affects Homeschool Moms—and How to Break Free May 12, 2025 Homeschool Mom Boundary Issues? You’re Not Doing This… May 6, 2025 How to Deschool as a Homeschool Mom and Rediscover Your Identity April 30, 2025 How my story of deschooling brought more freedom & purpose April 22, 2025 How to Know if Deschooling is Right for You: 7 Signs you Need to Deschool April 13, 2025 Why Do You Want to Deschool? Understanding Why it Matters April 11, 2025 Is My Homeschooler Behind? The Truth About Learning at Their Own Pace April 1, 2025 A Homeschool Mom’s Guide to Purposeful Living March 25, 2025 10 Simple Steps to the Homeschool Life (& Live it on Purpose) March 17, 2025 The Three Lies Homeschool Moms Tell Themselves March 11, 2025 The Myth of the Perfect Homeschool: 3 Common Challenges March 5, 2025 Tired of Homeschool Sibling Fights? Try These 3 Simple Strategies! March 4, 2025 11 Powerful Affirmations Every Homeschool Mom Needs to Hear February 25, 2025 6 Homeschool Burnout Signs that Suggest You Need to Try Something New February 18, 2025 7 Red Flags That Say You Need Homeschool Wellness Coaching—Before Burnout Hits February 12, 2025 How to Motivate Your Homeschool Child toward Curiosity & Independence February 4, 2025 How I Learned to Build Healthy Relationships in My Homeschool Family (And How You Can Too) January 27, 2025 Reignite Your Spark as a Homeschool Mom in 10 Powerful Ways January 21, 2025 Fed Up with Homeschool? 18 Strategies to Regain Joy January 13, 2025 6 Challenges Every Struggling Homeschool Mom Faces — and How to Transform Them January 7, 2025 Re-Envision Your 2025 Homeschool: A 5-Day Vision Challenge Homeschool Moms December 31, 2024 What 2024 Taught Me About Supporting Homeschool Moms December 17, 2024 Write Your Truth: How Vulnerability Shapes Homeschool Wellness & Mindset December 10, 2024 11 Practical Tips How Homeschool Moms Can Let Go of Unrealistic Expectations December 3, 2024 Foster Strong Relationships in Your Homeschool Family November 26, 2024 Finding Healing & Purpose When Life is Life-ing November 19, 2024 Awakened Homeschool Family: Living with Purpose, Learning from Heart November 12, 2024 Declutter Your Homeschool Mama Mind: Overwhelm to On Purpose October 31, 2024 Why you Don’t Need a Perfectly Decluttered Homeschool (and How a Little Decluttering Can Bring Big Calm) October 28, 2024 The Heart Of Homeschooling: Essential Lessons From Two Experienced Moms October 22, 2024 The Helpful Homeschool Mom’s Guide To Intentional Living October 15, 2024 Need Change in Life? Discover Balance as a Homeschool Mom October 8, 2024 7 Remarkable Lessons from a Weekend Away: Homeschool Realities October 1, 2024 Rethinking Homeschooling: It’s About the Child, Not the Method September 23, 2024 Discover Your Unique Voice: Beyond your Homeschool Mama Identity September 17, 2024 Homeschool with Integrity: How to Stay True to Your Values September 10, 2024 15 Fun Activities for First Day of Homeschool Party September 3, 2024 Finding Her True Self: From Anxious to Authentic Homeschool Life August 26, 2024 7 Easy Ways to Incorporate Writing into Your Homeschool Mom Life August 21, 2024 The Joy of Slow: Homeschool & Wellness with Leslie Martino August 13, 2024 Why I Homeschool, Unexpected Challenges & My Transformation August 3, 2024 John Holt & Pat Farenga Teach Homeschoolers How to Learn July 29, 2024 Empowering words for your new homeschool year July 22, 2024 Crush 1st-Year Homeschool Frustrations and Plan a Smooth Year 2 July 17, 2024 9 Steps to Thrive: Confident Homeschool Mom in Year 1 July 11, 2024 Can I Homeschool in Canada? Your Ultimate Guide to Support & Resources July 2, 2024 Dive into 10 Helpful Books for Homeschooling Moms! June 17, 2024 7 Important Reasons for Project-Based Homeschooling June 10, 2024 The Ultimate Homeschool Burnout Prevention Plan June 3, 2024 “Should I Homeschool My Child?” Here’s What You Need to Know May 31, 2024 5 Reasons Why Self-Care is Essential for Homeschool Moms May 27, 2024 Own Your Learning, Own Your Life with Stephanie Sewell May 21, 2024 Customized Homeschool Help for Parents that Can Transform your Life May 14, 2024 Get Started Homeschooling in 2024: A Guide for a Successful & Satisfying Journey! May 7, 2024 Unraveling the Art of Learning with Andrew Pudewa April 30, 2024 Counseling 101: a Homeschool Parent’s Most Important Skill April 22, 2024 How Can You Live a Charged Homeschool Mom Life? April 15, 2024 how to become more you as a homeschool mama April 9, 2024 An Energizing Homeschool Mom Retreat for your Heart April 2, 2024 Becoming Authentically You with Britt Acciavatti March 26, 2024 how to deal with homeschool mama guilt (in no easy steps) March 18, 2024 16 Practical Self-Compassion Tools to Help for Homeschool Moms March 12, 2024 How to homeschool without losing your mind in 11 Steps March 4, 2024 10 Declutter Tips for Homeschool Moms with Simple by Emmy February 27, 2024 Self-Care & Deschooling: Is there a Helpful Connection? February 21, 2024 Crack the Loneliness Code: How to Find Homeschool Community February 12, 2024 how to deschool 101: Embrace Freedom and Individualization February 5, 2024 Breaking Free: How Deschooling Helps You Live a Purposeful Life January 30, 2024 The Readaloud Revival Podcast: A Homeschool Mom's Vision That Sparked a Literary Movement January 23, 2024 How to Develop Boundaries in your Homeschool Life January 16, 2024 Find a Vision for your Homeschool Family in the 2024 New Year January 9, 2024 Join the 2024 Homeschool Challenge for Clarity, Confidence & Vision December 21, 2023 Tis the Season: 10 Steps to Simplify Homeschool Christmas December 12, 2023 Encouragement for Homeschool Moms in the 1st Year December 4, 2023 50 ways I nurture myself as a homeschool mama November 28, 2023 A Homeschool Mom Podcast for Boundary Breakthrough November 21, 2023 Healing the Mother Wound for Homeschool Moms November 14, 2023 A Candid Conversation with Unschooler at Virtual Kitchen Table November 7, 2023 13 Ways Taylor Swift can Inspire your Homeschool Life October 24, 2023 Grow Yourself Up: A Guide for Homeschool Mom Personal Growth October 16, 2023 Nurture Resilience & Big Emotions with Lindsey Casselman of Schoolio Learning October 10, 2023 The Homeschooling Option: How to Decide When It’s Right October 3, 2023 6 Hidden Challenges of the Homeschool: Support for Parents September 26, 2023 Unshackle Homeschool Mom Frustration: Unleash for Growth in 5 Ways September 19, 2023 5 Creative Ways to Design a Homeschool Mom Personal Vision September 11, 2023 6 Game-Changing Ways to Streamline your Homeschool Routines September 5, 2023 Child-Led Learning Benefits Your Kids (& You) Will Love August 28, 2023 Crafting a Simple Homeschool Vision Statement with Your Family Values August 24, 2023 How to Plan for Your Homeschool if You Don’t Want to Continue August 14, 2023 Unique Homeschool Help to Reimagine your Homeschool August 8, 2023 6 Fresh Ideas on How to Homeschool Plan August 1, 2023 How to Plan Homeschool: What I Want My Kids To Know July 25, 2023 Why you Might Want to Incorporate a Project-Based Homeschool July 18, 2023 What It’s Like: Homeschool to High School Transition July 11, 2023 How to Do Kindergarten in Your Homeschool: A Fun & Effective Guide June 27, 2023 Navigate the 2nd-5th Homeschool Years: Challenges and Insights June 22, 2023 Can I Homeschool My Child? 9 Simple Steps to Confidently Start the Journey June 20, 2023 How to Reimagine Your Homeschool Support: 7 Essential Lessons June 12, 2023 Teach Your Own: Homeschool Confidently Without Being a Certified Teacher June 6, 2023 Raising Wildflower Kids: Embrace an Authentic & Customized Homeschool June 2, 2023 Homeschool with Purpose: Honouring our Values & Priorities May 25, 2023 Planning for Your Upcoming Homeschool in 11 Important Steps May 23, 2023 What should success look like in our homeschools? May 18, 2023 Reimagine Homeschool: Nine Simple Steps to Plan for Confidence & Clarity May 16, 2023 6 ways to live your homeschool life on purpose April 23, 2023 7 Ways to Live your Best Life: Self-Care for Homeschool Moms April 17, 2023 A 2023 High School Graduate’s Thoughts on her Homeschool Life April 11, 2023 How to Use Internal Family Systems for Homeschool Moms April 3, 2023 How to Help your Kids Read with Confidence March 22, 2023 How to Show Up for You (& your Kids) as you are a Working Homeschool Mom with Charlotte Jones March 13, 2023 How to Celebrate Diversity & Kinship with Amber O’Neal Johnston March 6, 2023 How to Encourage Happiness in Our Homeschools? March 3, 2023 How Marie Forleo Informs my Homeschool (& makes it figureoutable) February 20, 2023 John Taylor Gatto Informs your Homeschool in 7 Freedom-Loving Ways February 13, 2023 How Rachel Gathercole Clarifies Concerns on the Homeschool Socialization Question February 6, 2023 A Journey of Self-Nurturing for the Homeschool Mama’s Heart January 30, 2023 How Elizabeth Gilbert infuses our Homeschools with Big Magic January 24, 2023 5 Ways We Can Include Self-Compassion for Homeschool Moms January 17, 2023 How Brene Brown’s Atlas of the Heart Influences our Homeschools January 10, 2023 Homeschool Help Podcast for Your (Real) Homeschool Mom Life January 3, 2023 Tackling Homeschool Mom Overwhelm in the Homeschool Mom Podcast December 12, 2022 How Charlotte Mason Can Help you Change & Grow with Modern Miss Mason November 28, 2022 how to build and create community as a homeschool mom November 16, 2022 Journaling for the Homeschool Mom to Overcome Overwhelm November 7, 2022 Intuitively Grow your Fearless Homeschool Flow with Vanessa Wright October 31, 2022 The Art of Talking with our Homeschool Children October 17, 2022 More than Enough: How Kara S. Anderson Informs my Homeschool October 11, 2022 Making our Homeschool A Little More Beautiful with Sarah Mackenzie Readaloud Revival Podcast October 5, 2022 Understanding the Enneagram for Homeschoolers September 19, 2022 Are you homeschooling good enough? September 14, 2022 Unleash Homeschool Potential: Embrace Flexibility & Growth with Aimee Otto September 5, 2022 Time Audit to Address Unrealistic Expectations in your Homeschool August 31, 2022 How to manage unrealistic expectations in our homeschool August 19, 2022 Growth Mindset for Homeschoolers with Jenny Mouse August 12, 2022 How to Handle Homeschool Overwhelm August 2, 2022 Supporting the Overwhelmed Homeschool Mama on the Podcast July 25, 2022 when you buy new homeschool curriculum: 5 clever suggestions July 5, 2022 why kids don’t need school socialization & why they need you instead June 28, 2022 why homeschool your child? 8 reasons my family homeschools June 20, 2022 How to Facilitate Child-Led Learning in your Homeschool June 14, 2022 curiosity and education: how to facilitate it June 8, 2022 What about gaps in my child’s home education? June 2, 2022 the surprising transition from school to homeschool May 24, 2022 A Beginner’s Guide to Your First Year of Homeschool May 17, 2022 A Homeschool Mama Will Benefit from Coaching for Homeschool (& Life) April 20, 2022 How to Deal with our Stuff so We Can Help our Kids with Jenn Dean April 11, 2022 Homeschool Mama Big Emotions Toolbox Part 3 April 5, 2022 Confidently Homeschool Differently-Wired Kids with Colleen Kessler March 28, 2022 Deal with Your Homeschool Mom’s Big Emotions: Taming Thoughts March 23, 2022 Overcoming Frustrations with Jennifer Bryant, Practical Family Podcast March 14, 2022 Homeschool Mama’s Big Emotions & How to Address Them March 8, 2022 Bust Confusing Homeschool Myths with Alison Morrow February 28, 2022 How Listening to our Trauma Stories can Enable our Homeschool Families with Norm Quantz February 14, 2022 How to Love Myself as a Homeschool Mama February 8, 2022 Why Homeschool High School is Better with Mary Hanna Wilson January 31, 2022 Homeschooling in a Pandemic: 14 Approaches to Address Overwhelm January 27, 2022 How Gordon Neufeld Informs my Homeschool January 19, 2022 How to Deschool with Kelly Edwards from 90-Minute Day January 18, 2022 A Meaningful Step-by-Step Guide to Plan your Homeschool Year January 4, 2022 how to naturally care while homeschooling special needs with Julie Polanco December 7, 2021 Manage Impatience in your Homeschool: 14 Strategies to Freedom December 1, 2021 4 ways essential oils contribute to homeschools with Kristin Mercer November 24, 2021 A Parent’s Guide to Raising Critical Thinkers with Julie Bogart November 9, 2021 the truth behind homeschool socialization: 10 secrets that surprise November 3, 2021 Freedoms of Self-Directed Education with Robyn Robertson October 26, 2021 Should you be a homeschool mom: how do you know you’ve got what it takes? October 12, 2021 How to Address Your Big Emotions with Christine Dixon October 12, 2021 How to Keep Sane as a Homeschool Mom: 5 Simple Principles October 5, 2021 How to Address Worry & Overthinking for the Homeschool Mama September 28, 2021 how to live your simple homeschool life on purpose September 22, 2021 How to Maintain Authenticity in our Homeschool with Betsy Jenkins September 14, 2021 a Letter to My Homeschool High School Daughter September 8, 2021 3 Things You Need to Know Before You Homeschool August 24, 2021 How to Plan for your Upcoming Homeschool August 18, 2021 The Not So Big Life with Sarah Susanka June 29, 2021 Homeschool Teens Perspective: How to Homeschool High School June 23, 2021 a Perspective Shift on the Art and Science of an Education June 21, 2021 A Homeschool Dad’s Thoughts on How to Homeschool June 14, 2021 How Homeschooling Requires us to Face our Shortcomings June 11, 2021 How to Be Conscious in Your Homeschool with Erica Kesilman June 8, 2021 How to Marie Kondo your Homeschool June 7, 2021 Grow your Confidence & Banish Burnout with Kara S. Anderson June 1, 2021 How to Journal to Process Stress, Anxiety & Trauma with Nicolle Nattrass May 25, 2021 How to Use Nonviolent Communication in our Homeschools May 18, 2021 How to Survive the Pandemic when you Homeschool May 3, 2021 How to Deal with our Traumas as Homeschool Parents April 28, 2021 How to Tackle Unhealthy Habits for the Homeschool Mom April 20, 2021 A Love of Learning, Despite Challenges with Diane Geerlinks April 13, 2021 How to Care for Mama’s Six Selves with the Homeschool Genius April 7, 2021 How to Influence Your Homeschool with Self-Awareness March 31, 2021 How to Be a Stay-At-Home Mom & Stay Inspired with the Kids March 22, 2021 How to Create a Simple Homeschool Routine with Kelly Briggs March 15, 2021 Incorporate your Interests in your Homeschool with Kimberly Charron February 9, 2021 Let’s Chat with Vicki Tillman of Homeschool High School Podcast February 2, 2021 Thriving, not just Surviving Homeschooling after Pregnancy January 26, 2021 How to Incorporate Ten Self-Care Tips for Homeschool Moms January 18, 2021 How to Create a Fresh Start to Unhappy Homeschool Days January 12, 2021 A Proactive Guide for Planning Your Homeschool in the New Year December 29, 2020 Introducing the 12 Day Self-Care Strategies for Homeschool Moms December 8, 2020 7 Effective Tools to Build Boundaries (& Why You Require Them) December 3, 2020 How to successfully balance working while homeschooling December 1, 2020 Building Boundaries and Requiring Time Outs with Stacy Wilson November 25, 2020 How to Address Doubt in your Homeschool Choice with Confidence November 17, 2020 How to Develop Self-Confidence as a Homeschool Mom with Sarah Gorner November 11, 2020 Encouraging Words for Homeschool Mom October 28, 2020 Building Connection with Tamara Strijack of the Neufeld Institute October 14, 2020 How to Homeschool & Find Your Thing with Julie Bogart October 7, 2020 How to Help Homeschool Mom when she’s Frustrated September 30, 2020 How to Deal with Anger in Your Homeschool with Judy Arnall September 23, 2020 How to Get Quiet Time as a Homeschool Mom with Rachel Le September 16, 2020 How to Homeschool During a Crisis with Lynda Puleio September 9, 2020 How to Work from home While Homeschooling with Meaghan Jackson September 2, 2020 Debunking the Myth of Balance with the Canadian Homeschooler August 26, 2020 7 Things to Structure a Grade 1 Homeschool Curriculum August 19, 2020 Self-Care from 30 Years of Homeschooling with Bonnie Landry August 12, 2020 Creating Learning Opportunities, not Recreating School Subjects August 5, 2020 How to Do Unschooling with Robyn Robertson July 29, 2020 If You’re Planning for your Homeschool Year: 10 Lessons in 10 Years July 22, 2020 How to Homeschool as a Single Mom with with Sarah Wall July 15, 2020 A Day in the Life of Homeschooling: 18 Years with my Kids July 6, 2020 Unveil Education Insights: Your Guide to Homeschooling Success July 2, 2020 What about homeschool socialization? June 22, 2020 Exploring Your Identity with Pat Fenner June 18, 2020 Homeschool Mama, Are you Living a Life Worth Living? April 14, 2020 How Changing your Perspective Shifts your Homeschool with Sarah Scott April 6, 2020 Homeschooling Little Kids & Taking Care of Yourself with Isis Loran March 4, 2020 Welcome to the Homeschool Mama Self-Care Podcast (& Why I Homeschool) February 19, 2020 The Mistake of Multitasking in our Homeschools: 5 Tips to Be More Present September 16, 2013 Subscribe to the Homeschool Mama Self-Care podcast YouTube Apple Audible Spotify (function(m,a,i,l,e,r){ m['MailerLiteObject']=e;function f(){ var c={ a:arguments,q:[]};var r=this.push(c);return "number"!=typeof r?r:f.bind(c.q);} f.q=f.q||[];m[e]=m[e]||f.bind(f.q);m[e].q=m[e].q||f.q;r=a.createElement(i); var _=a.getElementsByTagName(i)[0];r.async=1;r.src=l+'?v'+(~~(new Date().getTime()/1000000)); _.parentNode.insertBefore(r,_);})(window, document, 'script', 'https://static.mailerlite.com/js/universal.js', 'ml'); var ml_account = ml('accounts', '1815912', 'p9n9c0c7s5', 'load'); The post 12-Day Homeschool Mom Self-Care Challenge to Come Back to Yourself appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

If you feel at the beck and call of every single notification, constantly chasing that dopamine hit... let's set some digital boundaries. We're diving into some simple shifts you can make to stop feeling "owned" by your device and be more intentionally present in your life and business. Press play to reclaim your time and energy by choosing peace and profit over constant distraction.  PS. Want to connect with your higher self on a deeper level and set boundaries that help you create the life you desire? Join PATH TO THE ALIGNED SOUL

Feeling overwhelmed by the busy holiday season and not sure how to make Advent meaningful for your family? In this conversation with Jamie Suel (artist, former missionary, and mom of five grown kids), we're exploring advent family ideas that create space to encounter God instead of just adding more activities to your already-full schedule.Jamie shares honest wisdom about slowing down, renewing your mind when life feels chaotic, and using beautiful visual reminders to help your kids focus on hope, peace, joy, and love throughout December.In this episode:✅Advent family ideas for creating physical and mental space to prepare your heart for Jesus✅Why traditions aren't just activities—they're cornerstones that help kids remember what matters✅How to interrupt negative thought patterns and renew your mind with God's truth (Romans 12:2)✅Beautiful Advent card traditions using hope, peace, joy, and love to teach kids to wait well✅Why your kids don't need you to be perfect—they need to see an imperfect person walking with GodReady to make Advent meaningful this year? Check out Jamie's beautiful Advent cards and devotionals at her Etsy shop or jamiesuel.com—perfect for creating visual reminders that bring your family back to Jesus all season long!Jamie and her husband of 31 years homeschooled their 5 children who are now all adults. She now has the joy of being Grandma to 3 precious little ones! "I spent the first part of my journey of motherhood stressed trying to do it perfectly. I am now seeking to live authentically with my children, and others, so they can know the deep love of the amazing God who created them for purpose in His world. I really want the people in my life to know that!"Follow Jamie on her socials:InstagramFacebookPintrestMentioned Resource:Prepare Him Room Advent Digital Prints Show Notes:Welcome and Friendship StoryHello, everyone! This is Kerry Beck with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop the overwhelm so you can take a coffee break. We are here with one of my very best friends, Jamie, and I don't say that lightly. I don't know how long we've known each other, 20 or 30 years. It's been a long time. We actually live in the same town, and y'all are in for a treat today.Seriously, Jamie and I—her kids are all adults now, but when her oldest was about 3, and her second one was about 1, she would come over for Bible study, and my kids were, like, 5 to 10, or somewhere in there, and they would play with her little kids, just so we could have some quiet time at the dining room table, and we could read God's Word, and we could pray together, and it's just been a blessing ever since.Meet Jamie SuelTell us a little bit about you and what you're doing right now.Jamie: Yeah, so we homeschooled throughout, there were different seasons when we did different versions of school. We served as missionaries in Kenya for a period of time, and so we homeschooled there, and just all different things with homeschooling.When we came back from serving overseas in Kenya, we began working with missionaries and doing security. My husband has a law enforcement background, and then I just had such a heart—I discovered on the field, actually, that my heart was to actually care and come alongside missionaries.In Kenya, I got to work with the homeschooling—so many people have to homeschool in Kenya, or when they're overseas—and so I got to work with them and helping them gather all their supplies, which is so fun. It's like getting to kind of spend other people's money. And create fun plans.I also just really love art, and that's kind of what I think prompted this time. Art is something that really ministers to me and helps me connect with the Lord. Also, bringing His truth into that is really important to me, so I feel like creating safe places where people can just slow down, get off the hamster wheel, and encounter the Lord, and create a joyful way forward. That's kind of my thing. That's really what I love.Five kids, they're all grown.Yeah, she's got grandkids. We're just sort of moving on in life. Before we talk about the art, I would like to spend a little bit of time talking about Advent, because I know you and I are on the same page, everyone's so busy. We're heading into—this is gonna publish right before Thanksgiving. We are in the busy season of the year.What Slowing Down for Advent Looks LikeWhat does slowing down for Advent look like to you, personally?Jamie: I love that. As I was thinking about coming on and talking with you about Advent today, I was trying to think, yes, today, it looks much different than it did when I had littles. But even when I had littles, there's something about the Advent season that is just really special.It is a time when the whole purpose of it is to focus us in on the Savior and His coming, to prepare for Him, and prepare our hearts for Him. For me now, currently, it looks like having special time—my reading changes, my focus kind of changes a little bit more on that, what were the prophecies? How did Jesus fulfill it? What does peace look like?This is where I was thinking about being a mom of littles. It's hard to slow down, especially in this season. So, I think, yes, there is a sense of slowing down. Like, I said no to a conference that I would really love to be at, but I know that if I go to that conference, that I will—I won't have any margin.I value that in this season, because I know it's gonna ramp up. Naturally, there's gonna be things going on, there's gifts and gatherings, and things like that. So, it's more about, like, okay, what can I calm, because I know this season is going to be more busy, what can I calm?I really try to be really intentional about November, December, whatever I can, slow down in my calendar. But then also, I think, just with being intentional with Advent, it's how do I slow down my mind? That not everything is the most urgent. Not everything is priority number one, but what is it that is the work for the day?Primarily, how do I engage my mind in keeping my eyes on Him? Really, we all want to make this season about Him.That's so good. I know you've used the phrase, creating spaces, which is sort of what you're talking about here. We need to slow down to spend time with God.Creating Space to Encounter GodWhat does creating space so you can encounter God, what does that look like maybe now, or what did that look like when your kids were at home and you were homeschooling?Jamie: Yes, immediately, I thought of a moment when all the kids were little, I think we didn't even have our fifth kid at the time, and I just remember that after the kids would go to bed, I would sit by the tree, by the light of the tree, and just be still. Even if it was just for 5 minutes, just really being still and looking at the tree, there's something just so beautiful about that.Another thing I really love to do is to—when we have a fireplace, I love having a fire going in the fireplace, and we live in Texas, so sometimes that's just too hot, but now you have apps on the TV. My kids laugh at me, but I really will, I'll keep that going throughout the day, because when I see it, it just kind of reminds me of, I can calm down.I think creating space is, yes, creating it physically. So, when my family was young, we would have book corners where there were Christmas books, or we'd have soft music playing in the background, soft Christmas music, we still do that.Read-alouds, oh my gosh. One of our favorite read-alouds, my kids still ask me to read it to them at Christmas time, is "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."Oh my gosh!Jamie: Oh, it makes me cry every year at that book, and it just is such a reminder of why Christ came and how he loves everyone, and even those little Herdmans. Especially those little Herdmans.I think that's part of it, is like, okay, if I'm gonna create space for Him, I'm just being intentional, I'm being aware of what are the things in my home. How can I create little places? We were a one income family, my husband was a police officer, and you just kind of—how can I get creative with this space? How can I take what I have and make it a little more meaningful?I think the things that we came back to year after year were the read-alouds. The Christmas book corner was a big thing, and the traditions of when we put up our Christmas tree, we'd do hot cocoa.I know I'm talking more about traditions and things like that, but I think it is all connected, in that I'm creating space for these holiday traditions. So in the same way I do that, I do that with the Lord. I'm creating intentional time to think about Him, to prepare room in my heart and in my home to celebrate.That's so good, because that's what Advent is about. We think Advent is a whole bunch of activities, and then we have Christmas, and yet it's all about preparing our hearts, slowing down, even times of reflection and confession. I wasn't that great at teaching my kids that.I feel like I've learned a whole lot more once my kids have left, and yet we did do things, and traditions may sound like, oh, traditions, but they're sort of like cornerstones or something, where it's like, oh, yeah, it's time for this, and my kids have carried on some of those same traditions as well, which is sort of exciting to see.Best Christmas Pageant Ever, that's a great book. One that we read several times is Jotham's Journey.Jamie: Yeah, you gave me that one.I know, I'm sort of thinking that Ashley's kids would be ready. She asked me when they were, like, 5. I was like, that may be a little scary for them, I don't know. But Advent is more about us preparing our hearts for Jesus and the celebration of His coming.Renewing Your Mind When Life Feels HurriedThe other idea, I know you've mentioned in Romans 12, too, is transformed by the renewing of our mind. What practices help you renew your mind when life feels hurried and crazy, and we need to slow down, but we also really do need to renew our mind?Jamie: Yes, I think that is something I'm so passionate about. The first thing that comes to my mind, and the word that jumps out to me is awareness. I was talking with one of my daughters just today, and I just was hearing her say some things, like, I can't, you know, whatever.I just said, you know, every time you're saying that, you're driving—talk about neural pathways, right? You're reinforcing that belief, and that's not what God says about you. We need to be rehearsing what God says about us.If I could say anything about transforming our minds, this is where I've really been camped out recently in my own life. My husband and I both—catching—I think about that verse in Song of Solomon, catch the little foxes for us, the ones that ruin the vineyard. But it's catching those thoughts as I'm saying them, becoming more aware of, I'm having this negative thought, that's a lie, because I think we're just so used to it that we're used to that tape in our head.We've got to stop that. We have to cut it short, so we have to engage in that, and becoming aware, oh, that's a lie. That's not how God would talk to me. That's not what He would say about me. And then, speaking that truth out loud.I think that is one of the biggest ways. To know His truth, to know what God would say about us, we have to spend time with Him. We have to be in His Word, and hearing His voice, and listening for Him, and looking for Him.We only get to know someone through time spent. I can know about you, Kerry, I can read about you, but I have spent time with you, and I know your heart. I know what—if someone said, oh, Kerry said this, I'd be like, that doesn't really sound like something Kerry would say, because I know you.That's so important. It's so interesting, because I had Bible study this morning. I listened—it was a crazy morning, but I was listening to a podcast on the Word and how we need to take the Word out of the corner of our life and put it in the center of our life, which is truth.Then I go up to Bible study, and I'm meeting with the leaders, and we pray before our Bible studies, the leaders do, and, like, 3 of them kept using the word, the Word, and how important the Word is, because it is the truth. When we spend time with God and His Word, it makes me think of being in the presence of the Lord, which brings us joy, and then the joy of the Lord is our strength.In the presence of God, if you are stressed and overwhelmed, you may need to quit doing all that, spend time with God, because that is where true joy is. It will also give you strength, because the joy of the Lord is our strength.Jamie: Yes! I just want to, on a super practical level, when we interrupt those tapes, because those lies and those negative thoughts, they keep us in this kind of anxious mindset. But when we stop and we remind ourselves the truth, and I'm really big about—I'll say it out loud, because I want to hear it. I think it's really helpful.If I could go back and talk to my younger self as a young mom who thought she had to do everything perfectly, what I would now tell her is, oh, Jamie, your kids don't need you to be perfect. They need you to show them what it's like to be an imperfect person walking with God, receiving forgiveness, learning, growing, they need to see your process.I just felt like I had to do it all perfectly. But anyway, so being able to interrupt that and focus on the truth, and focus on what is real, actually helps us think more clearly. God wired us so cool. When we calm down and fix our eyes on Him, when we're in that place of peace with Him, and just in our minds, we think more clearly. We're able to make better decisions!It really is true, and y'all have heard me talk about some of this, and changing those neurons, and changing—get the lies out of your head and replace them with truth.Beautiful Advent Card TraditionsWe're going to move on to Advent, and since I brought up the idea, I am just going to show you this beautiful artwork that she did. She gave me a set of these for Christmas last year, and this card, and then on the back is the third Sunday of Advent, and has verses and things for you to talk about. There's one for all four weeks of Advent, so I would love to just know what inspired you to create these cards.Jamie: Yeah. So, like I said, I love art, I feel like it's the way I connect with the Lord, and we do support-raised ministry, and so every year, I do send to friends and family, and also our supporters, a gift that I've created.I just had it on my heart. Growing up, our church always did the Advent candles. You light one every Sunday. Well, the church we're at now doesn't really do that, and I was missing that tradition.I just kept thinking about the four Sundays. I was like, I really would love to create something like that, because one of my favorite things is creating spaces of reflection and places of encounter with the Lord. I just started painting, based on the four Sundays of Advent, and the Isaiah 9:6, the four names of Jesus—the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—and I wanted to coordinate those.I bought these on Amazon, because I wanted them to be reusable, and I wanted them to be able to stay lit the whole time and not burn down. So, I've got my little set here. I painted these, and I'm going to show you the originals, but the first Sunday, and each one—with the set that I sent you, I did do the devotionals on the back, but just because of the way the print system works, I created a download that has the different Sundays, and also there's a QR code for the playlist and everything.But every week, there's some scripture to read, there's a reflection, there's a pause and pray time, and a worship section. But I kept them intentionally very brief, because I wanted them to be doable and accessible, because that's creating spaces. It is a busy time, but I thought if you can engage with it on Sunday, and then you see the card throughout the week, it's reminding you of that, and bringing you back to it.Starting with hope. That's the first Sunday. We always put up our Christmas tree the first weekend after Thanksgiving, and it's just kind of all my kids love it, they want to be a part of picking the tree, and all those things, and putting it up. It's just kind of the anticipation of the season, and so for me, I painted a Christmas tree because that's what it is for me.The second candle that goes along with the candles is peace, and just the peace that Jesus brings to the world, and so, of course, I thought of a dove, and green always just kind of reminds me of peace.Third Sunday is joy, and this is the shepherd's candle. It's the pink candle, because it's like a break in the advent of celebratory. The shepherds received this great news, and I did a wreath, because that just seemed festive and fun, and I love wreaths.The last one is the love candle, and Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and he's just the light of the world. This one is signifying the love of God demonstrated by sending His Son.They are beautiful. I am blessed that I get her little artwork, but I had these, like, I sit at this table when I read my Bible, when I pray in the morning, and there's a little thing I could set them on, and they were just so—one, they're beautiful, and we should teach our kids to appreciate beauty, and your kids may not be able to paint something like this, but they should be able to appreciate that as well.Teaching Kids to Wait WellThe other thing I wondered about—Advent is all about waiting and anticipation for Christmas, and most of our kids are all waiting and anticipating, what gifts am I going to get under the Christmas tree? We need to sort of rework their brain. How could moms use these cards to teach their kids to wait well and focus on Jesus?Jamie: Yeah, so there are several different—there are the hard copy cards, but also in my shop, there's a digital download that comes with the thing, and so you get all four on one page, and it's yours once you download it.One of the thoughts I had was, wouldn't it be fun to shrink them down, to print multiples, and that each kid could kind of collect their Advent card every Sunday? So you could have the big one on the table, or in your room where you do homeschool, or whatever, but then they could have their own in their room.Another way I thought of engaging with this for the waiting, specifically, is it's just a way to slow down and to take a moment. Typically you would do these on Sundays, because if you're lighting the Advent candles, but you can do them whenever. But the point is to do them, and then to keep it visible throughout the week, and you can re-engage.Just having something visual helps you remember and re-engage. One of my thoughts was, if you printed it out—one of my favorite traditions that we did at Thanksgiving was this Thanksgiving box. I think you even told me about it. But every year you would write down what the person is thankful for, each week of that year, and you'd write it down at the table as you prepared for Thanksgiving. We love going back and reading those. It's so fun!So one of my thoughts was they could print this off, because you can print off as many as you want, every year you could do this. On the back of that card, you can put the child's name and what they hope for, what peace means to them that year, what joy, what love, or how does Jesus demonstrate hope, peace, love, joy, whatever. Whatever questions your creative minds come up with.Write that down on the back, and keep it as a keepsake of every year coming back to, oh, remember when you were four, and you said that, so fun. But yeah, just it's just a way to engage and slow down and have that visual reminder of what Christmas is about.Again, they're brief devotionals. I just want to tell you one part of that is, taking time to breathe. Every time I come into my time with the Lord, I just take some deep breaths, and now, it's like it's trained my brain, retrained my brain to, when I sit down in my chair, I automatically get calm, because I know that's what I'm about to do.It's just a way to help your kids learn, breathe, we're just gonna be with the Lord, and so there's prompts for that in there as well.That's so good. Jamie's a wealth of information, and more importantly, a wealth of encouragement in the Lord, and I am just so grateful to be able to call her my friend, and thankful for these. I know these cards could bless, so if people are interested in maybe finding out more about how to get some of these cards, where's the best place for them to go?Jamie: Yeah, so I have an Etsy shop. I opened an Etsy shop because my friend Kerry told me I should. I have an Etsy shop, and then I also have a website, jamiesuel.com, but the Etsy shop is where you can find the Advent package.Final EncouragementThat's awesome. Advent's really important to me. I didn't grow up celebrating Advent, our kids did more so. It's been just on my heart to be able to provide different tools, and every family's different in what they want to do, and seasons of life, what you do when they're 2, 3, and 4 might look different than when they're 12, 13, or 14.I love the idea of printing these out every single year, and then writing—letting the kids write something on the back for that year. What great memories! I wished I had written down all the things that our kids said thank you for. Maybe I need to get started with it. I've given them all a gratitude journal, but I don't know what all has been in there.Thank you for being here. Is there anything you'd like to leave our listeners and viewers with?Jamie: The thing that just jumped out of my mind was just how much God loves you and wants to be with you. I think going back and being able to talk to my younger self when I was a young mom, I think the thing I would have wanted to hear and be reminded of is that He loves your kids, he's got your kids, and also that we can't give away what we don't have.I spent so much time trying to be perfect for them, when now I know, I wish I would have just been able to bring them along in the journey with me a little bit more. But yes, this is to share with your families, absolutely, but my prayer is that you will engage it for yourself, because He loves you and wants your heart, and that will spill over to your children.The peace in your heart will spill over to your children, and to your husband, your families, and friends.Thank you for carving time. I'm not going to say anything, because that was so good. Thank you for just spending time with us and pulling aside some time from your day. I really appreciate it, Jamie.Jamie: Oh, I loved it. Thank you for having me.Ready to make Advent meaningful this year? Check out Jamie's beautiful Advent cards featuring original paintings of hope (Christmas tree), peace (dove), joy (wreath), and love (light of the world). Each includes brief devotionals, reflection questions, and worship prompts perfect for busy families. Find them at her Etsy shop or visit jamiesuel.com to bring visual reminders of Jesus into your home all season long!

Have you ever looked at your planner and thought, “I'm behind in everything — I can't keep up”?”If you're an overwhelmed mom with a to-do list that feels like it's running your life, this little episode is for you. These past few weeks have been a blur here—ER visits, medical to-dos, homeschooling catch-up, family visiting, and a cold—and even with all of that, my planner is still covered in crossed-out tasks and undone lists. Maybe you're living a week like that too.In this gentle mini-reflection, I share the moment everything broke open for me—when I was moving nonstop yet still felt painfully behind—and the simple, faith-filled reset that helped me breathe again. You'll hear why our brains get stuck in the “I can't catch up” loop, the verse that steadied my heart, and a tiny shift that can bring clarity right in the middle of a very full life.If your mental load is heavy and you feel behind in everything, this episode will give you a breath of grace and a practical next step without adding more to your plate.XOXO,KatieWould you like to bless this show? Consider buying a coffee!

What if you could still enjoy "free time" while making intentional time for profit? As a Money Making Mom, we are torn between two worlds - but you don't have to do MORE... What if you could just harness the power or intentionality, and time? Well, if you haven't heard - success loves speed. So listen in to see how you can work WITH time to focus on intentional actions that build profit in your business WITHOUT sacrificing those precious parenting moments. Listen in to see how you can make money even faster with the 60 minute sprint  P.S. Want to get more time on your side? Take the TIME TURNER QUIZ to see how. 

Homeschool moms need friends. They should have someone close by to cheer them on, someone a bit further ahead in the journey, and someone beside them to remind with Jesus this homeschool mom life is possible. Thanks for letting me be that person for you today.  As friend in your ear buds, I'm here to share a little lesson that will help you thrive as a homeschool mama. Today I have a recording from our local homeschool mom's night for you. This is the second of two recordings from that evening. On this recording, Tara Maxheimer shares her journey with cancer. Enjoy!Follow The Encouraged Homeschool Mom podcast that I mention in the middle of the show: https://open.spotify.com/show/4PtAcmCHlSXz76MON7hAqpGrab a Bible study for your Christmas Season here: https://amzn.to/49jahlc (affiliate link)

Homeschool moms need friends. They should have someone close by to cheer them on, someone a bit further ahead in the journey, and someone beside them to remind with Jesus this homeschool mom life is possible. Thanks for letting me be that person for you today.  As friend in your ear buds, I'm here to share a little lesson that will help you thrive as a homeschool mama. Today I have a recording from our local homeschool mom's night for you. This is one of my in person friends, Michelle Silvertri. This is the first of two recordings from that evening. Enjoy!Follow The Encouraged Homeschool Mom podcast that I mention in the middle of the show: https://open.spotify.com/show/4PtAcmCHlSXz76MON7hAqpGrab a Bible study for your Christmas Season here: https://amzn.to/49jahlc (affiliate link)

You might be the one making the holiday magic... but you get to enjoy it as well. As a high-achieving mom, the pressure you feel isn't about the endless to-do list; it's about the deep-seated belief that you have to earn your joy by doing everything perfectly. And with the holiday season quickly approaching, this feeling can amplify. That's why I'm sharing some Magic Wand secrets to help you reconnect with your body and energetic alignment, shifting you from the chaos of people-pleasing to being powerfully present. Press play to reclaim your energy and create the beautiful memories that matter most in a way that feels truly magical. P.S. Ditch the holiday chaos and replace it with the holiday joy

If you've ever felt that homeschooling can slip into a checklist of math pages and grammar drills, you'll love this conversation. Pam Barnhill, a veteran homeschooling mom of over 15 years, reminds us what education can truly be: a chance to connect deeply with our kids and nurture a lifelong love of learning.Resources We Mention for Homeschool Routines Get Pam's free Advent Morning Time PlansCheck out her books: Gather; Better Together (Amazon/Bookshop.org); Plan Your Year (Amazon/Bookshop.org); The Confident Homeschooler Is homeschooling right for me? What is a morning basketNurturing Young SkepticsGet on the wailist for Teens Cook Real FoodVisit Pam on her website Homeschool Better Together, and follow her on social media: Instagram, Facebook, YouTubeShop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today. Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Feeling like “just a homeschool mom”? Karen's story shows how to reconnect with yourself and reset your homeschool life. She admitted feeling nervous, even selfish, for wanting to invest energy in herself. But the process revealed something profound: when Karen came alive, her kids came alive too. The post Not Just a Homeschool Mom — Why You're Disappearing (And How to Come Back) appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

What if cultivating joy in your homeschool could be as simple as saying "good morning" with intention or creating one silly family tradition? In this conversation with Amber Smith (mom of 10!), we're exploring how gratitude practices transform not just your homeschool, but your relationships with your kids and your ability to handle the overwhelming seasons.From speaking life over a strong-willed child to filling your own tank when you feel depleted, Amber shares honest, practical wisdom that will help you step back and see the beautiful life you're actually building.In this episode:✅How cultivating joy through simple habits like "good morning" changes your family atmosphere✅The power of speaking life over difficult children instead of defeat✅Why remembering where you've come from creates gratitude in overwhelming seasons✅Practical gift-giving traditions that build thankfulness (including a hilarious "most beautiful of women" story!)✅How to find community and fill your tank when you're running on emptyReady to practice gratitude with your family? Grab the FREE 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge hyperlink mentioned in this episode and join hundreds of families starting November 1st!Recommended Resources:30 Days of Gratitude ChallengeGrand Prize GiveawayThe Six Keys to Your Successful Homeschool Year: Self-paced Course & Guided Journal. Book available on AmazonIn Due Season CoursesAmber Smith Amber Smith and her chef husband of 28 years raised ten wild children in southern Iowa. Her desire to help homeschool parents avoid burnout and build their best lives with strong relationships led her to start blogging at 200 Fingers & Toes. That is where you can find the latest articles, product reviews, and new In Due Season Homeschool Podcast episodes.Show Notes:Why Gratitude Can Give You PeaceWe are talking about a topic that I really think can slow you down and move you to a little bit of peace and joy, and a chance to maybe take that coffee break, or a bathroom break, or whatever you need to just get some peace. We are talking about gratitude today.My friend Amber Smith is here, and she's gonna be able to just bless you in your homeschool and in your family.Amber: I really enjoy getting to share with you and connect with the audience, and I'm looking forward to this 30 Days of Gratitude. I feel like it's such a good and important season to remind moms to just kind of step back and evaluate and assess kind of where we're at, and bring back an attitude of gratitude so we can kind of go forward into the holiday season realigned.Y'all, I'm gonna tell you right now, if Amber can focus on gratitude, and she has 10 kids, she calls herself 200 Fingers and Toes, then any homeschool family, any family at all, can take a step back and not get into the pressure.Meet Amber Smith: Homeschool Courage LenderAmber: One of the reasons why I started the blog was because so many people were hesitant to homeschool, and thought they weren't capable or equipped, and didn't have enough of X, Y, or Z. Really the main reason that I started sharing my story was because I wanted to show people that anybody could homeschool.Really, the desire to homeschool was the most important thing. Beyond that, it's just skills that you could learn. I was a high school dropout, I was involuntarily homeschooled for my last two years of high school. I got a job and took some classes at the community college.Coming forward as a homeschooling mom, I really didn't have a view of homeschooling and kind of had to find my own way. I have a heart for moms who are jumping into homeschooling and discovering it for themselves, and kind of making a roadmap for themselves that makes the most sense.I call myself a homeschool courage lender. I want to lend the courage to moms who are starting, so that they can get that for themselves, and then take that and start building homeschool that really fits them and is personalized to their life and family.We have 10 kids. I have graduated 7, and I have the last 3 at home right now. I am kind of on the downward slide. We're all down to high schoolers, and it's a very exciting time at our house, because I get to see the fruits of that, and I get to see the fruits of all of our children's lives, and how homeschooling has provided them with some skills.Cultivating Joy Must Be PracticedYou have made a comment that gratitude must be cultivated, nurtured, and practiced. What does that really look like in a real family life, especially when you have 10 children, or you still have those 3 at home?Amber: I was thinking back, what were the things I had to reset my brain to imagine me back at the table with 7 children, 7 and under, starting our first day of homeschool. Even that just makes my heart just so excited to see it was just an idea at the time, and we weren't really confident about what it was going to look like long-term in the future.One of those things that I think is so important about practicing gratitude is kind of looking at where you've come from and looking at what you have accomplished so far. I think so many times, we get to this certain place, and there's so many obligations and so many things we need to do, but sometimes it's just to sit back and be like, hey, you know what? This was the struggle we started with this year, and we really have come a long way, and we really have overcome that challenge.We kind of do yearly evaluations, and we talk about the skills that we want to build with our kids, or maybe character things that we want to address. At the end of the year, we go back over that list, and we see what we wanted to work on at the beginning of the year.Some years we've missed the mark completely, and we just put that on the list for next year. But oftentimes, as we go back and look at the things that we've wanted to learn or establish with our family, we can see that, oh wow, actually, we did make a lot of groundwork.The Power of Simple Daily HabitsOne of the things as a homeschooling mom is your job is never done. Never. The dishes will always be there, laundry will always be there, school will always need to be done. Without a finish line, I think it's really important to set some artificial places where we can stop and kind of evaluate what we've done personally.Amber: With our kids, a few really small ways we've established gratitude—I think it was a quote from Little House on the Prairie, but Pa said, good morning is one of the best words. I deeply feel that. Good morning is probably the most important thing that we can say to each other every day.That's just a tiny habit that we've established. When you wake up in the morning, when you see that first person, we greet each other, and we say good morning, and we usually give each other a hug. We're a huge I love you family, so we obnoxiously say I love you in our house, and we say it to our friends, and we say it to people's parents.That's just a habit that we've created, because we do love each other, and we want to acknowledge that. Taking the time to acknowledge the people in the room, taking the time to stop and say hello and how are you—those are little things that sometimes we just think are niceties, but actually they're establishing a heart that looks at other people and sees them.That is so good. When you started, you were talking about homeschooling just keeps continuing, sometimes you need to take a stop and look at what's happened. It made me think of the word remember, and it's a word in the Bible that's used over and over.God was telling the Israelites, remember when I did this, and remember this. Now, whenever I see it, I use colors in my Bible. I put an orange rectangle around it, and it just pops out. That idea is used over and over in the Bible, and I think we do need to remember all the good things that God has done.I also like that you didn't say, we failed in this. You said, we missed the mark, and I was like, what a great way to say, okay, we missed the mark, but we're going to keep moving forward.Gift-Giving Traditions That Build GratitudeLet's sort of take that gratitude. We're in the holidays, the Thanksgiving holiday, which is all about thanks. How do you use gift-giving and your family traditions to build gratitude during the holidays?Amber: The first holiday I thought of, was we actually have a tradition for Valentine's Day. I buy a little cup, and I fill it with candy, and we put them all around the table, but I always put a card and pens. I make all of the children write a little note, so each person has their name on the card, and then all of the other kids go around the table and just write a little message to their siblings, just what they love about them.I just think it's just one of those times—we can create different opportunities. I just felt like Valentine's Day is about love, and so it was a great opportunity to tell our siblings what we love about each other.Now my oldest daughter's married, and my son-in-law came over for Valentine's Day, and he got a card with all of the things that the kids love about him. About a month later, I went to their house, and it's on the fridge. Those are actually really meaningful things.I'm a words of affirmation person, and so sometimes maybe our gifts and our love languages we can use to kind of bring out things in other people. You can create your own holidays, you don't have to wait.Definitely at Thanksgiving, it's busy, and so I really try to create some intentional opportunities that we don't bypass and forget. We try to just create some times where we sit together, because the holiday I host, it's 30 people plus at our house.When She Forgot to Actually Give ThanksI know we had one Thanksgiving where everybody left, and I thought, oh my gosh, we did no actual Thanksgiving things. We just ate. We ate, and we visited, we played games, and we moved on, and I just remember feeling like a check in my spirit that I don't want to do this again. I don't want to miss the opportunity of having gratitude and sharing with each other what we value about each other and what we're thankful for.So we try to set a time that we can say what we're grateful for. For me, Christmas is really busy, and so the same thing kind of happens. We host, we have family come in, it's just a swamped, crazy house over here.Amber: I bought—I can't remember who it was—but they had a Christmas tree fold-out book that just did an Advent every day, and it was an ornament that you got out of the little book, and you hung up, and it had a little card. I just thought, I just need a crutch. I need something to help me become grateful. I need something to help me practice gratitude.I love how the Lord had the Israelites build pillars, and build remembrances, and build things that they physically saw in front of them to help remind them of that moment, and to help them be grateful for what happened. When they passed the river, they had them put the pillar of stone so they would remember their crossing and remember what God did.I think it's very on task to say, let's use tools that we have in front of us to help us be in the front of our mind about gratitude. If you find a devotional—the She Reads Truth had some kids cards that had a little Advent plan all the way to Christmas.Finding a tool that helps you be intentional, I think, is a great way to just help you all focus. The kids loved it, so if the kids like it, they will make you do it, and I think that's a great way to have your kids involved, because they will make you remember.Kids will remind you. When I was at my daughter's last January, she just had a baby, and I had the other two. She was at the hospital longer than was expected for various reasons. I was going through this devotional that I had given the kids.By the end of the week, they come home with the baby on Friday or Saturday, and the little 3-year-old at the time, he's like, GG, Bible book, Bible book, Bible book, because every day we were doing this little devotional. Even a 3-year-old, they're like, we've been doing this for 4 days, so get us going.You said something I think is really important, and that is you need crutches. I think crutches are not bad. You don't feel like, I'm not good enough, so I've got to use this other stuff. That's why God's given us a lot of different gifts, to be able to be intentional. Sometimes we have to think ahead, and then we need to choose what might help us the best.The "Most Beautiful of Women" StoryLet's talk about self-care and taking care of ourselves. If moms are struggling to sort of take care of themselves, or to just feel grateful about what God's doing in their life, what would you suggest to them? I know some of them are overwhelmed and not appreciated, and they got a lot going on.Amber: First of all, I thought of a funny memory. I had a period of time where I am a words of affirmation mother, and I felt very empty in the gas tank. I had 7 little ones, and just a high-intensity need life. I just felt like I was not getting enough positive words fed back to me.So I made a rule that the oldest boys, whenever they answered me, they had to say, yes, mother, most beautiful of women.It was hilarious. It went on for a year. For a year, every time I said, boys, go do this, yes, mother, most beautiful of women. I tell you what, it was kind of a joke, but it filled my tank, and it made me—it just really did. It filled my heart.Sometimes a silly game—sometimes just take the stress and anxiety and horribleness out of it, and just try to be fun, and create some silly ways that you can maybe communicate things that you need to hear, or that your kid needs to hear.It was very funny, but it was at a really hard time in life for me, and I really needed positive words. It was such a great season that the kids answered me that way, and they would do it at church, they would do it at the store. It was very, very entertaining, and it just became a fun little habit. Sometimes you can be creative, and you can fill your own tank in ways that maybe just are silly and cute.Building Community That Fills Your TankAmber: I have a book, Six Keys to Your Homeschooling Success, and one of the chapters is about community, and building community. I really think that in seasons where we are the sole person at home with our kids, and carrying the responsibility of homeschooling, we need support.It's really, really important to find people that are maybe in your same life area, people that you can talk to, and people that can support you, and also people who can reflect back to you the same situations or what's going on.I have probably changed friends groups 3 times. My early friends who had kids that were my oldest kids' ages stopped having kids. Then we kind of outgrew those friendships, because then I had a whole bunch of little kids again, so we made some new friends.Each time that we have come to a place where I had a different set of needs, and I had a different set of situations that I was dealing with—when I moved to having high schoolers, our church had closed. We really forcibly lost our community because we were a very rural church, and so when it closed, all of those people lived 70 miles outside of our circle.I remember hitting a place where it was about a year that we didn't go to church because we were kind of in a place where we weren't sure where we wanted to go. I remember just telling my husband, I need people. I'm gonna find somewhere, because I have high schoolers, I am in the middle of just all of these things, and I need support.I think it's really good for us to kind of maybe evaluate and say, where do I need support? If that's joining a women's group, if that's getting involved in your church community, if that's joining a homeschool co-op, wherever it is that you can maybe find a place that fills your tank.Even if that's something outside. I started blogging and writing because that was one of the things I really wanted to do. I wanted to be a writer when I grow up. Working with other writers and bloggers—something that filled my tank so that then when I had to give out and homeschool and do all those things, I had some things that I looked forward to.In whatever capacity that is, looking at somewhere that fills your tank and can kind of give back to you, but I think in building community, it's one of the best places where you can get human interaction that feeds your soul and fills you up.I love that story with your kids. We should have fun together as a family. You do need to fill your tank. I also think sometimes when I write down things that I'm grateful for, that actually lowers my stress and gives me peace and joy, because it's like, get your mind off your problems and get it on to God.Laughing and having fun together—when you just have that really deep belly laugh, it just feels so good. Find ways to add some fun to your family, even if you're a really serious, somber person. Everyone needs to laugh as well.We do have different seasons of life. You might need to find some new people. You want to find people that will encourage you in your season of wherever you are right now.Speaking Life Over Strong-Willed ChildrenI know you also mentioned how gratitude changed your relationships with your kids. Is there anything that you could say about gratitude, about how maybe it changed your marriage, your relationships with your kids, or maybe even the way that you homeschooled?Amber: One of the ways that gratitude has really helped me in my relationship with my kids—I am not a controlling person, and I'm a pretty mellow, even-keeled person. I have some intensely control-oriented children. That can be a conflict, and it can be really hard.There are personality things that we have to resolve as homeschooling mothers that can feel all-consuming, and can feel really difficult. I remember going through a really difficult time with my oldest daughter. It was hard, and her personality is very different than mine, and it can feel personal.When you're dealing with a child who just doesn't think like you think, and maybe challenges you and your parenting, it can feel like they're out to hurt you. That's just because our mother hearts are tender. We want to love our kids, we want to do best by them, and so when things are hard, that can be really difficult.I remember going to my best friend, and I was just complaining. I just needed somebody to hear me. I remember she just kind of called me out, and said, hey, you know what? I'm hearing the words that you're saying about your daughter, and what a brave, beautiful friend to say this. She just said, I think that you should really think about the words that you're speaking, and maybe look at that and see if you could speak life over your situation.For half a second, I was deeply offended, because your friend should hear you, and should hear your heart, and let you complain, but you know what? God bless that she loved me so much that she called my attention to that. I was being really negative, and in my negativity, I was being defeated about that situation. I was really giving up my power and claiming that I was powerless.In that check that she gave me, I really became intentional and started to speak life over my daughter. Even though she was very strong-willed, I just said, you know what? God made this child this strong-willed. That means that he has a purpose for her that is so great that she needs all of this tenacity to be able to accomplish that.If I destroy that, she will never be able to do what God has called her to do. My job as her mother and the person who's helping her hone these skills and talents is to help her use this power well. I started being like, I'm a partner with God in helping this child create her purpose.I just started to speak life over her, and I think that is gratitude. When we can look at a situation and step back and call out what is true and what is real, because we know who God created us to be, we know who God called our children to be, and speak life.That was just one of the ways, and that really was a turning point in our relationship. As I began speaking life over her, we went from screaming at each other in the living room. It was a hard season. Now, she's 25, and I will say that child is my best friend.All of her siblings are kind of shocked that we are so closely knit together, but we did the work. We worked really hard on our relationship, and really worked on being grateful and kind and forgiving and grace-filled to one another, even in difficult situations.Sometimes stepping outside of what you see and just shaping your view of your family, your view of your situation—sometimes husbands can be frustrating. They live in a different world, and they come home with different mindsets and different things that they've got on their mind, and so we can battle, but also we can step back, and we can be like, you know what, I'm so thankful for the things that my husband does so that I can be here in this place and in this position I am now. We're a team.I think gratitude kind of puts us back on the same level again and gives us a heart where, hey, we're equals in this place. Sometimes my husband and I will sit in bed at night, and we just talk about when we first met, or the funny things that brought us together. I think that's one of the ways that we practice gratitude, is by remembering all of the ways we've succeeded, and all of the hard things we've gone through.I think it's important in our relationships to remember the struggles and the difficulties and the overcoming, so that we can get back to this place where our hearts are knit together and we're on the same team.The Power of WordsWords are so important. Words can cut you down, but they can build you up. Too often, I can get really negative and start saying things, even about—I love my children, but they could do something that sort of grinds on me.I have a statistic—something like, kids hear 300-something negative words a day and 17 positive. That applies to probably our marriages, our kids. We need to—you don't do false positive words. You don't just say good things to say them. You need to speak truth to them and speak life.Words are so effective, and even if they aren't acting like it, you can speak the truth of who they are. Like, you're a strong-willed child. God's got things in her life that she's got to be strong. My mom would have told you I'm a strong-willed child, too, and my husband would say I was stubborn.Yet, that stubbornness can be used to be faithful for years and years and years, despite bad things going on in our family and our lives. Use even things that grind on you—speak life to them, and really focus on speaking truth, and building them up, and noticing. You gotta pay attention to when they're actually doing something that you can praise them for as well.The other word you used was forgiveness. We were talking about this at Bible study, because we were going through Ephesians 5 on husbands and wives. We need to forgive, and they're going to get on our nerves. Forgive and go on and let God take care of that. He's the only one that can change anyone.Six Keys to Homeschooling SuccessYou mentioned your book, Six Keys to Homeschooling Success. Can you tell people a little bit more about that, and where they could get it if they're interested?Amber: Actually, it started off as a course, and so I have a full course online that basically helps parents build their own roadmap, because I think so many people are trying to fit themselves into homeschooling, and trying to fit a model or the school.I think if we step back and really ask some deeper questions, we can personalize our homeschool to fit, A, our goals, but B, our kids' needs the best way. It started as a course, but then I thought, you know what, I need this to be accessible to people in a broader sense.We took it to Kindle KDP, and now it's available on Amazon as well. It's the 6 Keys to Your Successful Homeschool Year. I just wanted every parent to have access to ask the right questions before they start.It's just a course and a guided journal in the back, and it asks questions each week. As you answer those questions, you build a roadmap for you. I remember reading online, somebody asked the question, hey, I'm in a homeschool, what curriculum should I use?I just thought, that is a crazy question. Anybody who answers that question to you right now is doing you a disservice. There are a whole bunch of questions that we should ask before that, so that you know exactly what you want.I think if we could help parents ask better questions, then they know exactly what they're looking for, and I want people to start their homeschool year knowing exactly what they're looking for and what they want to accomplish.I have a ton of articles and things, 200 Fingers and Toes, because I had 200 fingers and toes to clean up after for a lot of years. One thing that people always remembered about me was that I had 10 kids, so I thought, I'm gonna capitalize on this.The blog is 200 Fingers and Toes, and there we have probably 300 articles that are reviews, devotionals, curriculum ideas, and just life situations that we've shared about what our homeschool looks like, and maybe problems that we've overcome. You can search by topic, you can search by questions. We've done graduations and college prep, and just lots of things that we've covered over all the years that we've been homeschooling. Just a resource to get information and answer questions.You make a good point, because you need to do what's best for your family, not the family next door. Amber has 10 kids. Maybe you live in downtown Chicago and have one kid in a high-rise. Your homeschool will definitely look different than Amber's.For you to say, what's the best third grade curriculum, you need to use some of these questions that Amber is providing for you, because you need to find out what's best for you, your children, your family in this season of time, and it may change.

Have you ever looked around your house and realized you've been moving for hours—but can't remember actually connecting with anyone?That's me in busy weeks: physically present, mentally gone.In this short, practical episode, I share what's really happening in our brains when we're distracted and the simple 2-minute habit I use to come back to the present moment. You'll learn how to calm your nervous system, refocus your mind, and reconnect with your people—even when life feels nonstop.If you're a Christian homeschool mom juggling kids, medical appointments, housework, or just a very full life, this tiny grounding habit will help you feel centered and connected again—without needing a quiet house or a perfect schedule.At the end, I'll pray over you and show you one quick way to record a “fully present moment” in your Life Well Lived Planner so your brain learns to come home faster next time.

Rachel Winchester sits down to share with us how she MAKES time for reading enjoyable books for herself in spite of all the to-do's that happen each day. She shares her daily routine of creating space in her day for reading plus some tips on how to resist the urge to pick up her phone. She also gives some great book recommendations that feed her curiosity and give her encouragement as a stay-at-home mom. Join us!RESOURCES+For a complete list of the books listed in this episode, click here.+Build Your Family's Library: Grab our FREE book list here+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!CONNECTHomeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestMentioned in this episode:The Biggest Story Family Devotional From CrosswayTry CTCMath-Half Price Discount

Text Us, We Love Hearing From You:)Hicunni (aka Coach Keenie) opens up about what really happens when homeschooling ends, not the cute “empty nest” version, but the quiet identity free-fall no one talks about. After 15 years of building life around lesson plans, lunches, and learning rhythms… what happens when the kids graduate, the schedule disappears, and you're left asking:“Who am I now, and what do I even want anymore?”Inside this episode, you'll hear:The surprising moment at a fall festival that shifted Hicunni's whole directionWhy retired homeschool moms don't just “get their life back”, they have to build a new oneThe 3 mindset shifts that make midlife feel like a comeback, not a crisisA journaling question to help you reconnect with who you are now (not who you used to be)This one is especially for the women who didn't leave a job; they left a whole identity. You're not broken. You're in transition. And you don't have to “start over”… just start after.Mentioned in this episode • Join the circle (email list + deeper conversations) here: https://howtobefitover40.com/pages/midlife-circle • (Week 22) 180-Day Becoming Challenge - we are still going strong • Giveaway: Win $300 store credit + wellness goodies  here: https://howtobefitover40.com/

Ever whisper, “Why is everything always so hard? I just want my energy back”?In this week's episode, I share the journey that taught me how exhaustion can be biological, not just spiritual, plus the four faith-and-science habits that renewed my strength and clarity.You'll learn:✨ Why you can still wake up tired after doing “everything right”✨ How oxidative stress affects your body—in plain, mom-friendly language✨ Four habits that blend simple biology and real-life faith✨ Encouragement to stop blaming yourself and start supporting your body naturallyIf you've been longing to finally feel awake again, this conversation will meet you right where you are and help you begin fresh.XOXO,

Feeling successful without sacrificing those precious parenting moments IS possible. As a high-achieving mom, you know the feeling of being down to the wire on a deadline... and the unwanted stress that being 'behind" can bring. Lucky for you, there is a surprising hack that you can use to bend time every single day. Press play and get ready to shift your procrastination into productivity. P.S. CLICK HERE to take the quiz and see how you can timebend to make more money FAST. 

Stop second-guessing your homeschool days. A complete guide to helping our kids live their lives on purpose with actionable steps. The post Helping Our Kids Live Their Lives on Purpose: A Practical Guide for Homeschool Moms appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

In this personal and insightful episode Jessica shares what she's learned about how to make homeschooling sustainable for the mom, including specific self-care ideas and tips for moms in all stages. About Jessica Jessica is a wife, homeschool mom of three, author, and blogger. She lives in sunny North Carolina on a big family farm with chickens, goats, cousins, and lots of mud. Resources  Jessica's Weekly Review Favorite Things Connect Jessica Smartt | Instagram | Facebook | Website Homeschooling.mom | Instagram | Website Subscribe to our YouTube channel | YouTube Have you joined us at one of the Great Homeschool Conventions?  We hope to see you there! For more encouragement on your homeschooling journey, visit the Homeschooling.mom site, and tune in to our sister podcast The Charlotte Mason Show. View full show notes on the blog.

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Kami Melton, founder of Arkwright Microschool, to hear how her journey from homeschooling mom to microschool builder unfolded—inside a yurt! Kami began her homeschooling journey in Virginia, later moved with her family to Poland, and returned to rural southwest Georgia during the pandemic. In a county of fewer than 5,000 people, Kami and her community did something extraordinary: they raised money for an authentic Blue Ridge Yurt that now serves as the heart of her microschool. Together, we talk about what it means to stay anchored through life's transitions, the power of community, and how faith and perseverance shaped the dream that became Arkwright Microschool—a creative homeschool hybrid offering à la carte, half-day, and full-day programs with Learning Quests designed for twice-exceptional learners. Kami shares how she built her own proprietary curriculum, balanced family and faith through challenges, and leaned on a strong marriage as a foundation for both homeschooling and entrepreneurship. Her story reminds us that innovation doesn't have to happen in big cities or big buildings—it can grow right in your backyard, even under the canvas of a yurt. If you've ever wondered what it takes to blend creativity, courage, and community to bring your educational vision to life, you won't want to miss this conversation.

So much of your time as a homeschool mom is spent with your own children and it can feel like an island at times. You're probably wondering how your days match up against other moms who are homeschooling their children. But there is also the question looming in your mind about what you should be doing each day. Are you doing the right thing? Are you wasting time on things that don't matter? Today's episode will tackle some of your questions and give you an insight into what your days should look like as a homeschool mom! ♥ Leigh     DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint   CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome    GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship   SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal     Website -  https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com Newsletter -  https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeschoollifestylecommunity Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/     Listen to these related episodes: 150. Help! How Can I Know Once and For All That I Am Doing Enough In My Homeschool?    220. I Love Being With My Homeschooled Kids But The Teaching Part Makes Me Frustrated And Angry    298. Fun Homeschool Ideas You May Not Have Heard Of But Need To Start Doing Now

How human development for homeschool moms helps to set realistic expectations for teens. Includes discussion on transcripts! The post Human Development for Homeschool Moms: Realistic High School Expectations appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

Is it too late to start homeschooling—or to reclaim your joy as you get further into the school year? Zan Tyler joins homeschool moms Veronica Whitley and Abbie Knott for honest conversations about October burnout, unmotivated learners, and preparing kids for college success. Discover how BJU Press Homeschool curriculum brings structure, flexibility, and biblical worldview to families navigating their unique paths. Be inspired to embrace your family's one-of-a-kind homeschool journey without falling into the comparison trap. SHOW NOTES https://zantyler.com/podcast/167-knott-whitley     LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE Join Zan Tyler and a special guest each week for real encouragement, engaging stories, and practical wisdom for surviving and thriving on the homeschool journey. YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thezantylerpodcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3QmTyC3   Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3vLipG2  CONNECT WITH ZAN & FOLLOW HER ON SOCIAL Website: https://zantyler.com/podcast  Instagram: https://instagram.com/zan_tyler_podcast  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ZanTylerHomeschool  TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@thezantylerpodcast  Twitter/X: https://x.com/ZanTyler  SPONSORED BY BJU PRESS HOMESCHOOL https://bjupresshomeschool.com/zan

In this empowering episode of Behind the Boom Podcast, host Amber Orfaya sits down with Rosa Santos—educator, entrepreneur, and the powerhouse behind one of the fastest-growing lash academies in the beauty industry. Rosa's journey is a masterclass in reinvention: from her early days in network marketing to becoming a devoted homeschooling mom, and finally, launching her own thriving lash business at 38.Rosa opens up about the fears of starting over, the myth of balance, and the mindset shifts that helped her transform burnout into purpose. She shares how embracing risk, involving her family in her dreams, and trusting her inner drive turned her into a top industry educator with international reach.Whether you're a mompreneur, aspiring business owner, or anyone craving a second act, Rosa's story will remind you that success has no age limit—and that the only permission you need to start is your own.

This week's episode is coming to you straight from the hospital with my child. The sound might be different, but the message is the same: God is faithful—even here.In today's short reflection, I share how quickly life shifted for our family, what God has been doing in the middle of the chaos, and how faith deepens in hard seasons of motherhood. You'll hear real stories of His provision—moved appointments, kind helpers, even hospital laundry—and the reminder that trusting God during hardship and surrendering control are powerful ways to find peace in chaos.If you've been walking a hallway of your own—whether it's fear, waiting, or uncertainty—this short encouragement for overwhelmed moms will help you pause, breathe, and remember that God's goodness and faithfulness are steady, even when life feels unpredictable.

Discover how one mom transformed her family's life by leaving traditional school behind for homeschooling on a 30-acre farm. In this inspiring episode, Brooke shares her journey from suburban Long Island to rural farm life, and why she chose to pull all five of her kids from conventional school.What You'll Learn:How COVID sparked a complete lifestyle change and homeschool journeyWhy common core curriculum pushed one family toward homeschoolingReal strategies for teaching reading, math, and science through daily farm lifeHow to overcome the fear of homeschool paperwork and requirementsBridge Academy review: A curriculum that supports natural learningThe truth about socialization and homeschooled kidsWhy boys especially struggle in traditional classroom settingsTeaching real-life skills: banking, cooking, animal care, and moreHow to handle homeschool burnout and maintain patienceSpecial Guest: 10-year-old Savannah shares her honest perspective on school vs. homeschool lifeResources Mentioned:Bridge Academy with Leah McDermott (natural learning curriculum)Timbernook School outdoor learning approachNew York homeschool laws and IHIP requirementsWhether you're considering homeschooling, already homeschooling, or curious about alternative education, this conversation reveals the beauty of child-led learning, the importance of play, and how everyday moments become powerful teaching opportunities.Perfect for: Homeschool moms, parents considering homeschooling, farm life enthusiasts, natural learning advocates, unschoolers, Charlotte Mason followersCheryl's Ebook: Check out The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide- Cheryl's eBook compiling everything she's learned from her interviews on The Homeschool How To Podcast. 

Is your home school feeling stale? Here are five ways to practice self care for homeschool moms. 5 Tips for Self Care for Homeschool Moms originally appeared on Simply Charlotte Mason.

Do you ever find yourself replaying the same decision in your mind—curriculum choices, discipline, meal planning, screen time limits—only to end up feeling like nothing you do is ever good enough? If so, you're not alone. I know firsthand how exhausting it can be to live in a loop of second-guessing, especially when you're juggling homeschooling, ADHD tendencies, medical needs, and the daily demands of mom life.In today's episode, I'm sharing a biblical mindset reset for the overthinking mom. You'll hear both the science and the scripture behind why our brains get stuck in these spirals—and, more importantly, you'll walk away with two simple tools you can use immediately: 3 Simple Questions and Pause, Name, Reset. These are practical strategies you can tuck in your back pocket to calm the noise, build confidence, and trust that God has equipped you to lead your family with love.We'll talk about why even doctors struggle with decision fatigue, why naming your emotions helps calm your brain, and how anchoring your choices in biblical truth can bring peace to your days. My hope is that you'll finish this episode feeling lighter, more confident, and encouraged that you don't need to carry the burden of perfection.

Is your home school feeling stale? Here are five ways to practice self care for homeschool moms. 5 Tips for Self Care for Homeschool Moms originally appeared on Simply Charlotte Mason.

Listen to the honest truth about homeschool mom burnout. Learn why honesty with yourself is the key to overcoming homeschool overwhelm. The post Honest Truth About Homeschool Mom Burnout (It's Not your Routine) appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

Text Sue what you think!Worried you're not doing enough as an unschooling parent? In this episode, Sue Patterson tackles common doubts about reading, math, technology, and “falling behind.” Learn how to reframe fears, spot real learning, and build confidence — plus hear about the Unschooling Parent Toolkit - with 25 Guides - to help you every step of the way.Are you lying awake at night wondering: Am I doing enough for my kids? You're not alone. Let's dive into the doubts that creep in when families move away from traditional homeschooling and into unschooling - and find some SOLUTIONS!You'll hear why worries about reading, math, technology, and “falling behind” show up for nearly every parent — and how to reframe them so you can see the real learning that's happening in your home. Sue shares practical examples from everyday life, mindset shifts that help you shake off school conditioning, and encouragement from her 30+ years of unschooling experience.

Are you wondering if you'll make it through this season in life, year, week, maybe even day? All of the responsibilities and being "on" 24/7 is overwhelming and exhausting. Maybe you just weren't cut out for being a homeschool mom. But, what if it IS what you are meant to do. You've just been looking at it all wrong. In today's episode, we'll tackle the hard head on and I won't mince words. But, we should not stay in the overwhelmed frame of mind because there is a better way to live. Warm that cup of coffee up again and let's have a chat! ♥ Leigh     DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint   LITTLE BY LITTLE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE TICKETS:  https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/conference   CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome    GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship   SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal     Website -  https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com Newsletter -  https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeschoollifestylecommunity Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/     Listen to these related episodes: 82. How to Build the Best Bond and Relationship With Your Homeschool Elementary Age Child: Motherhood and the Younger Years    159. Want Your Spiritual Life to Grow as a Homeschool Mom? 2 Important Habits to Consider Adding    366. 4 Controversial Things We Did As Christian Homeschool Parents 

Have you ever found yourself working until midnight (or later!), just trying to catch up… because it's the only quiet time you get all day?I've been there. In the early days of motherhood, and again when I was launching this podcast while caregiving full-time, I fell into that cycle of late-night productivity and early-morning exhaustion—until I realized what it was costing me.In today's episode, I'm sharing a very personal story about the rhythms that saved me, the ones I forgot, and how I brought them back. We'll talk about what's really going on when you can't get anything done unless you stay up too late—and I'll walk you through four simple habits to help you protect your energy without guilt.If you're a Christian homeschool mom who feels like you're constantly “on,” this episode is for you.Let's build rhythms and habits that honor your limits—and restore your peace.

Ready to build boundaries and healthy relationships in your homeschool? Grab my free Building Boundaries Checklist for Homeschool Moms. The post The Ultimate Guide to Building Boundaries and Healthy Relationships for Homeschool Moms appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

Happy Fall Friend! If you haven't visited claiming simplicity on instagram recently, you may not know that I have been teaching families how to eat dinners for less than $75/week and have taught over 3000 families so far after starting that in July and now I have expanded into a month of our favorite  crockpot dinners and am working on a snack guide to save money as well.  I love love love teaching people that you can eat healthy on a budget and it all started because that is what people were asking me. Now, I have people reaching out that want to live the lifestyle that we have, so I'm transitioning into showing them exactly how I was able to quit my full time nursing job to become a homesteader & homeschooling mom and it all started with knowing how to save money on groceries and then once I had that figured out, then I would reduce wasteful spending in other areas like making my own natural cleaning supplies that saved money and now I create an income just showing people how I did it because that is just how it has evolved!   I am very passionate about families raising their own kids and homeschooling….shaping them to be Jesus centered in everything they do is the ultimate goal in life.  You can't take your home, your cars or material possessions to heaven with you, so why not chase something with eternal rewards and teach your children to do the same. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. If you are ready, I want you and your spouse to talk about this and see if it is something you both want & pray together about it. Talk about how you want your life to look and feel. My husband was on board and he found out quickly how much easier. How much money do you actually need to live comfortably and where could you reduce expenses if you need to.  Figure out all of you bills and then you will need to figure out all the bills you won't have if you decide to be a SAHM or homemaker such as daycare, gas, convenience items, maybe even one less car or less insurance.  There are many ways to make it possible!   There is so much peace and joy in intentional and slow living, that you will probably not ever want to go back to the hustle.  The time with your family will be treasured forever.  You can't ever get the moments and memories back, so live in the present every single day. Freedom & Time are much greater asset than money if you value memories.    If you have any questions about any of this, please send me an email or DM on Instagram, I would love to help you get started or even help you take next steps if you are ready!   Have a Blessed day!

#143 Discover the heartwarming and inspiring homeschool journey of Kamika Raby in this episode of the Homeschool Yo Kids Podcast!

Ever looked around your homeschool and thought, “Am I even doing this right?” You're juggling curriculum, caregiving, emotional support, and keeping everyone fed—and it can feel like everything is slipping through the cracks. I've been there. And I want to speak directly to your heart today.In this episode, I share a personal story about a year I felt like a complete failure—when even my simplest plans fell apart. Together, we'll unpack what it really means to feel like you're failing, why that feeling doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong, and how God meets us in the middle of the mess.If you're starting this homeschool year already wondering if you've messed it up—this is for you. You'll leave with encouragement, biblical truth, and a simple reflection tool that can reframe your perspective and anchor your heart.Let's walk through this together.

In this episode of the LiberatED podcast, Kerry McDonald talks with Maggie Van Camp, founder of Happy Hens Farm & Forest School in New Hampshire. Maggie shares her journey from teaching in the Boston Public Schools to building a thriving microschool inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, blending outdoor learning, the arts, acdemics, and homesteading on her 11-acre property. She explains how her licensed home daycare and K-8 microschool program serve both young children and homeschoolers—most supported through New Hampshire's Education Freedom Accounts—and why universal school choice is creating fertile ground for microschools across the state. Maggie also discusses her new yurt classroom, the role of play in learning, and her vision for keeping education small, personalized, and deeply connected to nature. ***   Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org. Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, is available now wherever books are sold!

What does it take to step outside the system and build something new? Nadine Smith, founder of The Gathering Place, an all-girls microschool in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sits down with Kerry McDonald to share her story of leaving the public school system to create a microschool focused on personalized, mastery-based learning. They discuss the realities of running a small school, Nadine's plans for expansion—including a potential farm-based campus—and why Nadine believes the future of education lies in microschools. Born in Jamaica and raised in New York City, Nadine is a proud graduate of the New York City public schools. She began her career as a humanities teacher, spending over a decade teaching English Language Arts, Reading, and History. She went on to serve as an instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. For more than 12 years, Nadine led schools in some of Washington DC's most historically underserved communities. Nadine ultimately made the decision to walk away from traditional education to become an education entrepreneur. ***   Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org. Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, is available now wherever books are sold!

It's Thursday, September 4th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Sudanese police interrupt funeral service to arrest 5 Christians Police in Sudan disrupted a funeral prayer meeting last month to arrest five Christians. The Christians are South Sudanese. Police have been targeting Ethiopian and South Sudanese nationals for deportation as civil war rages in Sudan. Muslim extremists in the country are also calling for officials to arrest South Sudanese Christians in particular.  A local church leader told Morning Star News, “There is a growing fear among the South Sudanese Christians. So, they remain indoors in order to avoid being arrested.” Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Sudan. The Northeast African nation is ranked fifth on the Open Doors World Watch List of the most difficult countries to be a Christian.  Sudanese landslide killed 1,000 people Speaking of Sudan, the country suffered one of its worst natural disasters in recent history.  On Sunday, a landslide wiped out the village of Tarasin in the western region of Darfur. Only one person survived, leaving an estimated 1,000 people dead. The landslide came after weeks of heavy rainfall in the mountainous region. Getting aid to the area is already difficult due to the ongoing civil war. In recent years, Sudan's conflict has generated what is considered the world's largest humanitarian crisis.  25.9 million digital Bible downloads in 2024 The United Bible Societies Fellowship reached 240 countries and territories with millions of copies of the Bible last year. The Fellowship of Bible Societies facilitated 25.9 million digital Bible downloads in 2024. This outpaced full Bible printings for the first time. The fellowship distributed 22.5 million printed Bibles last year. It also distributed 8.6 million printed New Testaments and over 118 million printed portions of Scripture.  Brazil led the way in printed and digital distribution, followed by India, China, Nigeria, and the Philippines.  Brazilian homeschool mom lost her case in court Earlier this week, a Brazilian court heard a case of a mom prosecuted for homeschooling her son.   Regiane Cichelero was facing fines of $20,000 and threats of losing custody of her child, for daring to choose home education on religious grounds.   Alliance Defending Freedom International has taken up the case. Her legal counsel, Julio Pohl, points out that “No parent should fear state punishment for choosing to homeschool their child. Regiane made a lawful and conscientious decision to teach her son at home. We are hopeful that the court will affirm her rights and take an important step toward protecting parental rights in Brazil.”   Sadly, Cichelero lost the case.  She was ordered to re-enroll her child in Brazilian public school and ordered to pay the equivalent of $20,000 for not complying. She said, “We will take the case to the Supreme Federal Court and from there, if we continue to receive a ‘no,' we will take it to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.” She had a special message for the Christian homeschoolers who have been praying for her. Cichelero said, “To you who prayed, my sincere thanks. Remember, prayers never return empty. The Lord is sovereign over all things. The Lord has called us for this time, for this cause, for this moment. We are writing history. … He is still the God who controls everything. He has not abandoned us!” US military strike kills 11 Venezuelan terrorists in boat with narcotics The United States conducted a military strike on Tuesday on a drug boat from Venezuela. On Truth Social, President Trump wrote, “The strike occurred while the terrorists were at sea in International waters transporting illegal narcotics, heading to the United States. The strike resulted in 11 terrorists killed in action.” Listen to comments from President Trump. TRUMP: “On the boat, you had massive amounts of drugs. We have tapes of them speaking. It was massive amounts of drugs coming into our country to kill a lot of people. Everybody fully understands that. In fact, you see it, you see the bags of drugs all over the boat. And they were hit obviously. They won't be doing it again. And I think a lot of other people won't be doing it again when they watch that tape. We have to protect our country, and we're going to.” President Trump said the terrorists belonged to Tren de Aragua. The Venezuelan gang is responsible for mass murder, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and acts of violence.  Trump supports Christian pregnancy centers The Trump administration is supporting Christian pregnancy centers in New Jersey in a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. First Choice Women's Resource Centers is challenging New Jersey's unconstitutional investigation into its operations. Erin Hawley, Senior Counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, said, “New Jersey's attorney general is targeting First Choice—a ministry that provides parenting classes, free ultrasounds, baby clothes, and more to its community—simply because of its pro-life views. The Constitution protects First Choice and its donors from demands by a hostile state official to disclose their identities.” 50% of Congress are people of Biblical principle The Christian Employers Alliance released their new report card on U.S. Congressional leaders. The index scores lawmakers on a 0-to-100 scale based on their alignment with Biblical principles. Republicans tended to score better than Democrats. Of the 535 members of Congress, half scored 50% or better. Margaret Luculano is the president of the Christian Employers Alliance. She told the Washington Examiner, “Our faith is the foundation of how we live and lead, and lawmakers need that same compass as they face complex policies. That's why we launched the Biblical Business Index — a first-of-its-kind tool bringing together theologians and policy experts to connect Scripture with today's legislation.” Wisdom says in Proverbs 8:15, “By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice.” Gen Z & Millennials attend church more often than older Americans And finally, the Barna Group released new research from its ongoing State of the Church initiative. The report found Christians from younger generations are attending church more frequently than before. They also attend more often than Christians from older generations.  Churchgoers from Gen Z attend 1.9 times per month, while Millennials attend 1.8 times per month. The average for U.S. churched adults is 1.6 per month. Also, Gen Z and Millennial churchgoers attend nearly twice as much as they did in 2020. Psalm 122:1 says, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD.'” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, September 4th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

In this episode, I sit down with a thoughtful homeschool mom who opens up about a common challenge: What do you do when your child doesn't want to come back to homeschooling? Her daughter was homeschooled in kindergarten, went to public school for first grade, and now Mom is wrestling with whether to bring her home again. We talk through her honest concerns—like taking her daughter away from beloved teachers and friends, and how her child seems to respond better to other adults.We also explore the idea that it's okay if your child isn't thrilled about homeschooling—and why your homeschool doesn't have to look or feel like school to be meaningful. If you've ever second-guessed your decision or felt torn between what's good for your child socially and what feels right for your family long-term, this conversation will speak to you.

In this episode, I sit down with a homeschool mom who's feeling the weight of overwhelm as she looks ahead to the school year. We talk about the common pressure to "do it all," how to simplify your approach, and how to know what to teach your kids.If you've ever wondered:When should I really start teaching formal writing?How do I know if I'm doing enough?What matters most during the early years of homeschooling?…then this conversation will feel like a deep breath. You'll hear practical, grace-filled guidance and walk away with permission to slow down and focus on what truly matters.Tune in and get grounded before the homeschool year begins!

DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint   Your to-do list is jam-packed with all the things and it probably feels like too much at times. How is any one person supposed to get it all done, including all of the laundry, cooking, and cleaning too? Oh and with a good attitude as well, right? Today's guest, Mystie Winckler of Simply Convivial has been a homeschooling homemaker for over two decades. She has experienced that sane overwhelming feeling and responded in a few different ways until she took into consideration what the Bible says. She is here to encourage you in this current season of life that you find yourself in with practical advice, wisdom, and peace. You don't want to miss this one! ♥ Leigh   Mystie's website: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/ Simply Convivial podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-convivial-biblical-homemaking-homeschooling/id1150854418 Simplified Organization https://rstyle.me/+oVgFj8IOLED36wK0ls6cyA The Convivial Homeschool https://rstyle.me/+oVgFj8IOLED36wK0ls6cyA   LITTLE BY LITTLE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE TICKETS:  https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/conference   CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome    GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship   SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal     Website -  https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com Newsletter -  https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeschoollifestylecommunity Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/     Listen to these related episodes: 19. 5 Steps to Stop Drowning in Housework as a Stay-at-Home Homeschool Mom TODAY! Be the Homemaker You Know You Can Be!    228. Why A Routine Matters And How To Create One That You Will Actually Stick With    25. How Your Marriage Affects Your Ability to Homeschool Well and Why Making It a Priority Matters to Your Family and Parenting 

Today I'm joined by my friend, author and speaker, Kristi Clover! Kristi is the queen of practical systems that bring peace into the home. If you've ever felt like you're drowning in laundry, dishes, or clutter, this episode is for you!Kristi Clover | kristiclover.comPrime Sponsor: No matter where you live, visit the Functional Medical Institute online today to connect with Drs Mark and Michele Sherwood. Go to homeschoolhealth.com to get connected and see some of my favorites items. Use coupon code HEIDI for 20% off!BRAVE Books | heidibrave.comLifestone Ministries | Lifestoneministries.com/heidiGive Send Go | givesendgo.comAnswers in Genesis | AnswersBibleCurriculum.com/HEIDIRVL Discipleship Curriculum | RVLCurriculum.com/heidi HEIDI10Show mentions: heidistjohn.com/mentionsWebsite | heidistjohn.comSupport the show! | donorbox.org/donation-827Rumble | rumble.com/user/HeidiStJohnYoutube | youtube.com/@HeidiStJohnPodcastInstagram | @heidistjohnFacebook | Heidi St. JohnX | @heidistjohnFaith That Speaks Online CommunitySubmit your questions for Mailbox Mondayheidistjohn.net/mailboxmonday

ASK YOUR QUESTION TO BE ANSWERED ON THE PODCAST: https://bit.ly/homeschoolquestion   Your questions are amazing and I had so much fun answering these. I love delving into a variety of topics and today's episode covers so much. Even if you don't find yourself in any of these circumstances, I think it really helps us to understand other homeschool moms better when we stop, listen, and place ourselves in their position. We all really are trying to do right by our own family and the best place to find ourselves is cheering one another on! ♥ Leigh   DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint   CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome    GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship   LITTLE BY LITTLE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE TICKETS:  https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/conference   SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal     Website -  https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com Newsletter -  https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeschoollifestylecommunity Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/   Listen to these related episodes: 375. Tips For The Part-Time Working Homeschool Mom Or The Mom Thinking About It    182. The Importance of Like-Minded Homeschool Mom Friends and How to Find Them    89. How to Create the Love of Reading in Your Homeschooler and Why This Is Important for Their Education    116. How To Balance Technology In Homeschool When You Are Trying To Provide An Old-Fashioned Childhood    23. How to Keep From Falling Behind in Kindergarten and What a Homeschool Mom's Attitude Should Be When Choosing Curriculum  

Think of Alexa Achille as an "Alexa" for innovative education in South Florida. A former special education teacher in the New York City public schools, Alexa finds great fulfillment in helping families discover the benefits of unconventional education. She is the founder of The Collabo in West Palm Beach, Florida, which empowers homeschooling families by providing enriching learning experiences for students, strategic resources for parents, and expert guidance on educational and post-secondary opportunities as a Choice Navigator.  ***   Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.  

DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint   Do you feel the weight of the world upon your shoulders as a homeschool mom? You are responsible for, not only the physical growth of your children, but now their education and the discipleship of them 24/7. It's a lot. And you're probably putting even more pressure upon yourself to get it all done and to get it all right. With just enough effort, you can be the best homeschool mom out there. Right? But, what if the idea of being a super homeschool mom is something we've made up? What would it look like to shatter that notion and to actually just live in reality? Would that be enough? Let's explore what life could look like on the other side... ♥ Leigh     LITTLE BY LITTLE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE TICKETS:  https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/conference   CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome    GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship   SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal     Website -  https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com Newsletter -  https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeschoollifestylecommunity Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/     Listen to these related episodes: 141. Where the Real Learning of Homeschool Happens: How A Homeschool Mom Can Confidently Taps Into These Resources    177. 6 Steps to Lay Down Busy and Create the Homeschool Lifestyle Your Family Will Thrive In    236. Use This System So You Know What To Do On The Bad Homeschool Days  

Ever feel like your homeschool days are barely held together by coffee and duct tape? I've been there. And I've discovered something that changed everything: the foundation of peace and progress isn't a perfect curriculum—it's habit formation—for our kids and ourselves.In this “Summer Throwback” episode, I'm opening up about how the Charlotte Mason approach to habits has helped our family navigate military life, special needs parenting, and everyday chaos. We'll dive into how to start small, set realistic expectations, and use habit training to create consistency and peace.If you've been craving more peaceful homeschool days, less yelling, and a family rhythm that works, this one's for you❤️ Katie