Homeschool Your Way

Latest Episodes:

TIPS FOR HOMESCHOOLING AN ONLY CHILD Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

Jessica Waldock comes back to the podcast, this time to share her experiences as a homeschooling mom to an only child. Learn if it's harder to homeschool one or many children. Find out why strewing and single-player games are key to Jessica's sanity. Jessica reveals why homeschooling one can feel lonely and what to do about it. Plus learn how to provide the socialization that an extrovert craves.

★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
TIMESTAMPS
01:57 The magic of strewing. Read more.
07:46 How Jessica chose to homeschool her only child Emily.

09:12 What's harder? Homeschooling many or homeschooling one?

11:07 Thoughts for the mom who feels less than a complete mom.

15:21 When your only child is an extrovert.

20:52 Feeling alone as a homeschool mom.

24:25 The sweet relationship that comes from homeschooling an only child.

31:01 Emily's lemonade stand.

33:10 Letting your child lead the learning.

35:47 The learning lunch.

40:01 Providing socialization for an only child.

42:48 Keeping an only child entertained.

43:51 Single-player games.

48:53 You will doubt yourself. But develop a thick skin to outside criticism and know that the grass is not greener.

If you'd like to share an aha moment, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, a book you're loving, or a suggested podcast topic/guest, leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.

RETURN TO JOY: SELF-CARE FOR HOMESCHOOL PARENTS Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

With endless to-do lists, the responsibility of homeschooling, and adulting in general, it is easy to lose focus on what brings you joy. Self-care is abuzz in homeschool circles, but how can you put one more thing on your plate? Hear the secret to sustainable self-care from Camille Kirksey, founder of The Intuitive Homeschooler. She explains how self-care isn’t an all-day spa retreat or an hour soaking in the tub (but it can be if that’s what works for you!). It’s a simple strategy to return to what brings you joy!

Camille Kirksey has homeschooled her three children since 2013 and is the author of the book, Coming Home: A Quick & Practical Guide for Preparing a Mother's Heart, Mind, & Home for Homeschooling.

02:04 Self-care can feel like another task on the to-do list.

03:41 What is self-care?

07:49 Apply the same creativity we use for lesson planning and family activities to our own self-care.

08:28 Self-care looks different at different stages of mothering and life.

09:21 How the all-or-nothing mentality will ruin your attempts at self-care.

10:14 Why it's important for your children to see you set boundaries to care for yourself.

13:29 How texting with tweens and teens can improve communication.

17:02 Finding the sweet spot of providing the structure kids need while also giving them freedom.

22:37 Releasing the need to constantly be productive and busy.

25:38 Using gratitude and indulgence as guides to self-care.

31:37 Indulgence isn't eating too many sweets. It's the ordinary delights that you enjoy simply to fulfill yourself — no other goals.
If you'd like to share an aha moment, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, a book you're loving, or a suggested podcast topic/guest, leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.

THE HIDDEN TREASURE OF READING ALOUD TO TEENS Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

Join special guest Candice Kelly from Homeschool on the Hill for a discussion about sharing books with our middle schoolers and high schoolers. Just because kids can read independently doesn't mean it's time to forfeit all the treasures of reading aloud to them. In fact, the teen years are when the richest discussions come into play! Read-aloud time is also a super way to reconnect as a family since kids tend to become more and more solo in their studies and extracurriculars as they mature. Candice gives a fantastic hack for choosing read-alouds for teens: movies!

★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.

TIMESTAMPS
04:12 Reading aloud for togetherness.

08:14 If your teens are put off by your reading aloud, try audiobooks.

12:42 Reading aloud is especially important for kids who don't choose to read on their own for pleasure.

15:32 The benefit of stumbling over pronunciations or new vocabulary.

16:55 How rereading a book as an adult will give you new insights.

18:02 The rich conversations inspired by sharing a read-aloud.

24:00 How to introduce read-alouds if it's new for your teens.

33:38 Choosing read-alouds solely for fun.

YOU ARE ENOUGH: HOMESCHOOL FROM A PLACE OF CONTENTMENT Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

Are you experiencing feelings of inadequacy when it comes to your homeschooling? Come hear how you are enough! Listen as author and blogger Kara Anderson, from KaraAnderson.com and The Homeschool Sisters Podcast addresses common issues felt by homeschooling parents.
• dealing with the fear of not doing enough as a homeschooler
• keeping expectations in check
• the key to homeschool contentment is resisting the urge to do every cool activity
• how comparison distracts you from the unique beauty of your own family
• how fear drives so many of our bad homeschool and parenting decisions
Want to see this episode? You can watch it here. ★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com.

QUOTABLES
Kara: " I always say the sweet spot of homeschooling is when you like what you're doing and your kids like what you're doing. But I mean it's like an eclipse. How often does that happen? But you look for those things."

Kara: "...we don't really know exactly what we're preparing our kids for anyway. So the things that I think are so important are, a lot of times, not the academic parts. It's, like you said, the dinner around the table. It's modeling for them, trying something brave like your daughter did. Then she knows that she has the support either way. It's like being that safe place for our kids for them to be themselves and for them to say, 'I want to try this.'"

Kara: "... what a gift it is...when we can just let people be 100% themselves, our kids and us too, as much as we can without getting nervous about it."

Kara: "I'm their mom. I'm not their computer programmer. They're not little robots. They're just kids that need a hug and a snack."

Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.

TIMESTAMPS

02:08 Kara's introduction.

03:39 What inspired Kara to write her book More Than Enough: Grow Your Confidence, Banish Burn-Out and Love Your Homeschool Life. Read a sample chapter here.

06:51 Love is the answer to all the questions and insecurities.

08:18 Setting expectations for yourself and your homeschool. Making trade-offs and avoiding comparisons.

12:12 Unrealistic expectations on steroids!

14:57 Kara's BPPP: big picture planning page.

17:52 Cheerful nonchalance: strewing with zero expectations. Read more on Kara's blog.

22:05 Finding overlap between what you and your kids all like.

23:39 Appreciating the lovely quirks of your own unique family.

29:00 Dealing with outside pressures for parenting and homeschooling like sports participation.

33:49 The fear of making irredeemable mistakes.

37:19 The sad angry song of fear that plays in the background.

HOW TO GIVE YOUR KIDS A GROWTH MINDSET Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

As parents, we want to inspire greatness in our kids. We want our them to love learning and confidently overcome the difficulties they encounter throughout their lifetime. Developing a growth mindset is key to this success. As a homeschool parent, we plant the seeds of the growth mindset with how we encourage and praise our kids. Learn what to do and what to say to nudge kids away from a fixed mindset and towards a growth mindset with host Janna and guest Amy Milcic. Also, learn why you need to take on a growth mindset yourself!

★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com.

QUOTABLES

Janna: "...what I love is in a growth mindset, you just expect some failure. And that's real, right? That is real."

Amy: "Another thing that's really great to do with your kids is to ask them a question to get their feedback, so that you're paying attention and that you've noticed the effort that they put in. So let's say for example with the handwriting. [You say,] 'Wow, the way that you fit your letters in between those lines today! How did you do that? Tell me what you did to make that happen.' And just phrasing the effort, phrasing what they thought about doing in order to make that happen. Because you might see somebody pick up a pencil and write. There's a lot of different steps that have to go on in your brain to make that happen. And so that also helps your kids slow down and say, 'Oh, wait a minute. Yeah, today I got my pencil and I just...' walking through all of that."

Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.

TIMESTAMPS
02:01 Introduction of special guest Amy Milcic from Rock Your Homeschool

05:49 Definitions of growth vs. fixed mindsets

08:38 Growth mindset is realistic and accepts the negative.

11:23 How the stories we tell ourselves or the stories we grew up hearing inform our perspective, especially labels.

12:51 How to apply a growth mindset day to day in your homeschool. First, how to handle resistance or frustration.

15:06 How to build on past success to foster the growth mindset.

17:12 Parents need to shed a lot of the public school mentality.

19:04 How the growth mindset applies to you as a parent when you face hard things!

20:47 The way we think is a continuum from growth to fixed mindset. Sometimes triggers plunge us back into a fixed mindset.

23:01 The analogy of riding a bike and turning obstacles into rewarding (fun, even?) challenges.

24:51 Expecting things to be easy or expecting things to require hard work.

28:19 Modeling your mistakes, being transparent about your own failures and how you resolve them.

33:11 The best ways to praise kids.

41:09 Growth mindset prepares kids to handle feedback and criticism (constructive or not) in the real world.

44:54 Growing doesn't always feel good. Sometimes it feels meh or bad.

46:51 Amy suggests two books to learn more:

Mindset: A New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
Grit by Angela Duckworth

THE GIFTS OF ART & MUSIC FOR YOUR HOMESCHOOL Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

Get motivated to include more art and music in your homeschool by hearing the powerful benefits the arts give our kids. And then be inspired by DeeDee and Ximena's amazing unit studies that teach history by way of music! And like they say, "You do not have to be a musician to teach this!" Art appreciation and music appreciation are easy to enjoy thanks to YouTube, Spotify playlists, and Meet the Classical Composer CD series. Imagine teaching history and science through the lens of music! For example, in the Roaring Twenties, the music industry was born thanks to Thomas Edison's inventions. Experience the music of WW2, then learn about the social movements of the 70s through the music of those days. Listen to the full podcast for more ideas! See Chips & Salsa playlists here.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
TIMESTAMPS
06:08 Benefits of including art in your homeschool. ONE: Higher math, reading, and writing skills.

07:03 TWO: more organized writing

07:59 THREE: behavioral benefits

10:09 FOUR: observational skills

10:27 FIVE: problem solving

12:00 SIX: a greater appreciation of nature

12:19 SEVEN: development of the whole person

13:49 Benefits of including music in your homeschool. ONE: fine motor skills.

14:16 TWO: brain integration

14:32 THREE: coordination and gross motor skills

15:36 FOUR: instills growth mindset

16:57 FIVE: boosts self-esteem

17:12 SIX: exposure to different cultures

17:27 SEVEN: social skills and teamwork

18:37 EIGHT: math skills and problem solving

19:04 NINE: intelligence and IQ

19:18 TEN: enhances critical thinking skills

20:32 ELEVEN: music can be used to teach nearly anything

21:36 TWELVE: boosts endorphins

28:44 Practical tips for including more music and art in your homeschool. BookShark's art/music electives.

SPECIAL SEGMENTS
01:13 Hack of the Week: Keep duplicate necessities in every bag you own.
24:30 A Memorable Idea from The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart: Are you bellows or bucket of water when helping your kids with writing?
If you'd like to share an aha moment, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, a book you're loving, or a suggested podcast topic/guest, leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.

SCREENTIME TACTICS FOR HOMESCHOOLERS Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

Special guests Dr. Meghan Owenz and her husband Adam peel back the curtain on the negative effects of too much screentime and the addictive quality of games and programs created for children. But better yet, they provide practical tips for managing screens with a healthy attitude, accepting that they can enrich our lives as long as they are their proper place.

Meghan's book: Spoiled Right, Delaying Screens And Giving Children What They Really Need
Screen-Free Parenting.

QUOTABLES

Meghan "...about a fifth of adults say they can't control their media use ... your child's prefrontal cortex isn't fully developed until they're 25. So expecting them to do something that's not designed to be regulated with a brain that isn't designed to regulate yet, just temper your expectations of what they're able to do."

TIMESTAMPS
07:39 Some of us grew up when devices were in a fixed spot in the house. Now devices are everywhere, with us 24-7.

09:18 The science behind the impact of screen time on our kids: SWAAT — sleep, weight, aggression, attention, and talking.

13:11 Screentime in this episode refers to entertainment not using devices for school work, research, or creating something.

13:37 How screentime impacts creativity. While IQ scores are increasing, creativity measures are going down for children.

18:08 We use the same devices for work/school and entertainment. For kids to make that switch without getting distracted takes a level of self-control that most of them simply don't have.

18:30 Use physical cues and boundaries to help kids with screentime.

18:57 Advice for the parent who's feeling guilty about screentime.

25:04 What about letting some kids watch TV while you're working with others on their homeschool?

27:22 Five screen-free activities that have the biggest bang for the developmental buck, providing positive social outcomes, cognitive outcomes, and physical development outcomes: the SPOIL system, which stands for social activity, play, outdoors, independent work, and literacy.

31:51 What about the family who has allowed unfettered screentime and now wants to establish some healthy standards?

33:22 Instituting a screen-free day each week.

35:01 Having screen restrictions on spaces often works better than time limits.

SPECIAL SEGMENTS
01:35 Hacks of the Week

To curb screentime, prepare a box of special toys.
Read 5 minutes of a parenting book daily.

22:53 A Reflection

Go slow!
The importance of modeling.

HOMESCHOOL HACKS TO MAKE YOUR SECOND YEAR OF HOMESCHOOLING BETTER THAN THE FIRST Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

Reduce frustrations and get more done each day with Linsey’s matter-of-fact advice about categorizing all of your day-to-day tasks. Linsey and Janna will give you permission to let go of expectations that don’t suit your family so you can homeschool confidently with your own flair. Finally, Linsey encourages families to celebrate the successes of their homeschool year—no matter how unconventional it was. Although you may not have checked all the boxes, rest assured your children have learned this year!

Linsey Knerl is a mom of six, a small-business owner, and author of Homeschool Hacks: How to Give Your Kid a Great Education without Losing Your Job or Your Mind. Because she understands first-hand the stressors homeschool parents face as they constantly juggle multiple demands, she’s uniquely qualified to help new homeschoolers make next year even better. Now that her oldest daughter has graduated from a 4-year college, she has concrete proof that homeschooling truly works! (No, her daughter wasn’t the weirdo on campus!)

Watch this episode here .

★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com.

QUOTABLES

Janna: "I just realize how much I have to change, how much I as a homeschool parent need to be less rigid in the way I think it needs to be done. Because in my mind, you don't just skip math for a day. That's mutiny. But really, that is ... is that permission, once again. Actually, you can skip math for a day, a week if you're having a hectic week. It doesn't have to be so rigid."

Linsey: "So you talking to your child about what's going on with the pandemic, that might replace reading for the day. And that's just something you have to accept. That doesn't mean that time was lost, or it didn't have value, or they weren't learning. It's just really hard to put down on your little homeschool planner, but it counts. It really, really, really counts. I want parents to give them more credit than what they do for just being that emotional, strong support for their child, which is really what they needed so much this year, I think."

Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.

TIMESTAMPS

02:04 Meet Linsey.

06:38 Evaluate the homeschool tasks that require high supervision on your part. Be realistic about these.

10:12 Be prepared for things to change year by year in your homeschool as kids mature and needs change.

14:55 Homeschool myths.

21:33 What are the criteria of a good homeschool year?

CANDID TALK WITH FIRST-TIME HOMESCHOOL PARENTS Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

Meet moms Amber Lewis, Eileen Duby, and Sharon Miller who opted to homeschool because of the pandemic. Led by host Janna Koch, these three moms talk candidly about their unexpected school year at home—what motivated them to take their kids out of public school, what they learned about their children and about themselves, their academic wins, and their day-to-day struggles. Teaching their kids at home has pulled back the curtain on the shortcomings of public school and revealed the hidden advantages of homeschooling.
Hear encouraging stories when moms realized their kids were truly learning and their relationships were blossoming. For example, one child who always hated school now loves it, thanks to homeschooling with BookShark. Learn how these moms overcame their own self-doubt and school-ish traditions to excel as homeschoolers. And finally, hear their top tips for other new homeschoolers.

Watch this episode here.

★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com.

QUOTABLES

Amber: "Yeah. I tell my husband all the time, I'm like, 'Do you know what I learned today? Not what the kids learned, but what I learned today.'"

Sharon: "Just stop and let them figure it out. You don't need to push. Or you need to push them to a point where they will do it on their own. Stop resisting and just take a breath and try again. Sometimes it works out, and when it does, it's magic."

Eileen: "I think the biggest challenge I faced was myself. My biggest hurdle was trying not to overthink everything, not trusting in the curriculum, still being in the public school frame of mind that you had to go sit at a desk, you had to do it from this time to this time, and thinking that we weren't doing enough. I overcame it by finally realizing ... that I was doing an awesome job and the curriculum was doing 10 times more than the public school was and she was learning so much more. But really, I was the issue. It wasn't her, it wasn't the curriculum, it was me."

Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.

TIMESTAMPS
02:29 Introductions

12:47 What has worked well for you as a homeschooler?

30:00 What are your top memories of homeschooling so far?

37:36 Your biggest homeschooling challenges and how you overcame them.

50:12 What surprised you most about homeschooling?

YOUR TURN

If you'd like to share an aha moment, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, a book you're loving, or a suggestion for a podcast topic or guest, leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.

POSITIVE PARENTING FOR HOMESCHOOLERS Sep 28, 2021

Show notes

If you struggle to get your kids to listen or follow directions, this session is for you! Jill Jackson, mom of 3 and a professional counselor, applies her expertise to help homeschool parents break out of negative habits so we can thrive in the daily grind of living and learning with our children nearly 24-7.

Discover the downside to telling your child no and don’t.
Learn the key perspective shift that counteracts fatigue.
Find out how shorter conversations and positive affirmations are more effective than long lectures, yelling, and negative accusations.
See how Jill uses a simple chart to give kids clear expectations and set them up for success. Genius!
Evaluate if school frustrations are caused by unrealistic standards.
Hear how a dedicated workspace cues kids for focused learning.

★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.

Watch this session here.

QUOTABLES

Jillian: "if we know anything, it's that it is very hard for us to control other people. We can't control our children. We can try, but we can control ourselves for the most part and that's the goal. If we can modify, if we can adapt, if we can control ourselves in these areas, then that is how we will see the greatest change and growth through our kids."

TIMESTAMPS
04:06 How to handle being with your kids 24-7 without breaks.

08:39 How to pace your day. Slowing down instead of rushing to avoid fatigue.

10:16 How to get kids to listen. Avoid negatives. Use positives. Shorten our speech. Confirm understanding.

22:52 How to motivate kids to do their school work (or other tasks).

28:32 Talking to kids about their strengths and weaknesses.

33:15 The value of positive reinforcement.

37:40 Are you discouraging/pressing or encouraging?

40:35 What happens when we yell at our kids.

SPECIAL SEGMENTS

32:25 Hack of the Week — Let your children decide what subject they want to do next.

If you'd like to share an aha moment, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, or a book you're loving, leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.

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