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    Education

    Homeschooling IRL | Parenting & homeschooling — unfiltered.

    Homeschooling in real life — the messy, funny, faith-filled truth about raising and teaching your kids. Hosts Fletch and Kendra Fletcher pull back the curtain on what homeschooling and parenting actually look like day to day: the wins, the meltdowns, the questions that keep you up at night, and the conversations most parents are afraid to have out loud. Every episode brings honest talk, plenty of laughs, and practical encouragement — often with a favorite guest — on everything from curriculum and burnout to marriage, faith, and the hard stuff: talking to your kids about sex, screens, growing up, and keeping your sanity along the way. If you’re homeschooling from a Christian worldview and you’re tired of the highlight reel, pull up a chair. You’re among friends who get it. Honest, evergreen conversations for every season of the homeschool journey. Part of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

    Advertise
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    Latest Episodes:
    How to Deal with Homeschool Burnout When the Load Is Too Heavy (Replay) Oct 23, 2026
    Show notes

    Running on fumes? Fletch and Kendra get honest and practical about homeschool burnout: why it happens, how to lighten the load, and how to refuel.This is our second stab at the topic of homeschool burnout. Back in Episode 39, we interviewed four homeschool moms and discussed the topic: I Love Homeschooling, But I’m Totally Burned Out. On that episode we verified that homeschooling moms burn out often and regularly.

    Our listener Anna, wrote in and asked if we would expand the topic a little more. “I’m just having a really hard time figuring out how to carve out some (consistent) space in our life for me to recharge my batteries, and I’d love to know how other moms manage to do that.” Anna, this episode is just for you!

    We decided to hit this topic alone. We are not strangers to burnout. In fact, we are in the middle of our own homeschool/homeschooling/homeschoolers burnout as we sat down to record this show. Our listeners get a front row seat as we discuss honestly how we are choosing to work through our own burnout.

    Tune in as we offer practical advice to both mom and dad as we answer the question about how to deal with homeschool burnout.

    Sponsored by Eden’s Table

    Show Notes

    Are you running on fumes? In this honest conversation from the Homeschooling IRL archives, Andy “Fletch” and Kendra Fletcher take on a listener’s question: what do you do when homeschool burnout isn’t about your attitude, but because the load really is too heavy? They were in the middle of burnout themselves when they recorded it, and they get practical about how to prevent it and how to climb out of it.

    In this episode

    • Why burnout often starts with a standard God never gave you
    • The “productivity idol” and why rest in the middle of the day is okay
    • Taking time for yourself without guilt, and why waiting until you’re on fumes costs more
    • Real ways to lighten the load: babysitting, occasional household help, and rethinking the family budget
    • Exercise, friendships and getaways that have nothing to do with homeschooling
    • Saying no to good things (yes, even leading co-op) when it isn’t your year
    • Removing whatever gets in the way of your relationship with your kids

    Key takeaways

    1. Go back to your why. If you’re homeschooling because someone told you it’s what “good Christians” do, or that it will save your kids, that pressure will burn you out.
    2. Drop the formula. As Kendra puts it, God may have called you to homeschool, but He hasn’t called you to use a specific text every year for every child.
    3. Refuel before you’re empty. Taking time for yourself isn’t selfish. It’s maintenance.
    4. Get help, even a little. A housekeeper once a month, a sitter one afternoon, or simpler meals can make a real difference.
    5. Ask, and let others help. Asking for help isn’t weakness. Pride keeps a lot of moms stuck.
    6. Protect the relationship. Most of us homeschool for the relationship with our kids, so remove whatever stands in its way.

    More help on the Network

    • Homeschooling a Struggling Learner: Real Help → /homeschooling-struggling-learner/
    • When Your Homeschool Owns You (Homeschooling IRL)

    The post How to Deal with Homeschool Burnout When the Load Is Too Heavy (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

    Sweet 13 Bonus: Somebody Says You Are Doing It Wrong Oct 01, 2026
    Show notes

    Homeschooling IRL | Sweet 13 Bonus Episode

    The Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network turns thirteen this month, and for the birthday every host sat down and answered one real question from a homeschool parent. One question each, all in one episode.

    Homeschooling in Real Life is in it — because of course it is. This was always the show that covered what the convention would not.

    Their question: “Somebody in your homeschool group has made it clear you are doing this wrong.”

    Fletch and Kendra go to 1 John 5 and land on the thing nobody wants to hear: the passage says pray for them. It does not say write them a letter telling them how wrong they are in 25 points. It does not say lambast them on social media. It does not say keep your kids away from theirs. The clip comes from When My Convictions Aren’t Your Convictions.

    Felice has something to say about this show in the episode, too: “Their podcast is still getting played and listened to because their message is timeless.” She is right.

    Also in this episode: Felice Gerwitz on whether to homeschool at all · Hal and Melanie Young on boys who will not sit still · Dr. Melanie Wilson on why you are already behind · the 7Sisters on the high school transcript · Sue Myers on a fever and a two-year-old · Meryl van der Merwe on teenagers and AI · Meredith Curtis on getting the joy back · Lisa Nehring on life skills before they launch.

    🎂 The Sweet 13 Giveaway is open. More than $1,500 in prizes, four drawings across October, and a free party favor for everyone who enters. Enter at ultimateradioshow.com/sweet-13 — October 1 through 29. No purchase necessary, US residents 18+, official rules here.

    Presented by Eden’s Table, a Bible-rooted herbalism unit study for K–5. Get Week 1 free, or use code EDEN13 for 10% off through October 31.

    The post Sweet 13 Bonus: Somebody Says You Are Doing It Wrong appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

    From “Not Tonight” to Talking It Out: Intimacy in a Christian Marriage Aug 14, 2026
    Show notes

    ⚠ Grown-ups only. This episode contains mature content — guard little ears before you press play.

    How Christian Couples Can Finally Talk About Sex & Intimacy in MarriageMost homeschool families are great at talking to their kids about sex. Talking to each other? That’s where things get quiet. In this Homeschooling in Real Life encore, Fletch and Kendra open a listener email from “Jenny” — a mom who left a legalistic, fear-based church culture and wrote in with a brave question: you’ve taught us how to talk to our kids, but how do we talk about sex as a couple?

    To help them go there, they invited back two of their favorite people, Barrett and Jennifer Johnson of InfoForFamilies.com — ministry leaders who speak at marriage conferences on exactly this subject. Together the four of them have an honest, funny, refreshingly real conversation about intimacy in a Christian marriage: why the church stays silent, why God’s design for sex is good, and what to actually do when your marriage isn’t firing on all cylinders.

    In this episode you’ll hear:

    • Why “our current sex life is a mess” is the unspoken reason many parents freeze up talking to their kids
    • How to raise the subject with your spouse without triggering defensiveness (“we’re the problem, let’s work on this together” instead of “you’re the problem”)
    • Reframing intimacy as the primary way many husbands connect emotionally — and how Jennifer’s shift in perspective changed everything
    • The physical side no one mentions: hormones, exhaustion, nursing, perimenopause, and why a real conversation with your doctor matters
    • Simple marriage disciplines that work — the quarterly 24-hour getaway, being (embarrassingly) affectionate in front of your kids, and making the book or the podcast “the bad guy” that starts the conversation
    • When to bring in outside help, and letting go of the shame around counseling or a therapist

    This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Part 2 is coming, with another special guest — so subscribe and stay tuned.

    Resources & books mentioned:

    • Barrett & Jennifer Johnson — InfoForFamilies.com, including their talk Sex & Marriage: Moving from “Not Tonight” to “We Can’t Wait”
    • Intimate Issues — Linda Dillow & Lorraine Pintus
    • A Celebration of Sex — Dr. Douglas Rosenau
    • Sheila Wray Gregoire — To Love, Honor and Vacuum (a listener favorite — more on her in an upcoming episode!)

    Related listening — the Johnson family arc: 👉 When Your Kid Discovers Porn: A Parent’s Guide — the companion conversation on guiding kids through what they stumble into online.

    Connect with the show: Email info@homeschoolingirl.com · Facebook /homeschoolingirl · and if this one helped, leave us a rating on Apple Podcasts — even just the stars.

    This episode is brought to you by CTC Math — a complete K–12 math curriculum with short, engaging video lessons that fit your family’s schedule. Start a free trial today.

    The post From “Not Tonight” to Talking It Out: Intimacy in a Christian Marriage appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

    When Your Child Sees Something They Shouldn’t Online: A Parent’s Guide Aug 07, 2026
    Show notes

    Fletch & Kendra talk with Barrett & Jenifer Johnson about what to do when your child sees porn online: how to respond calmly, start the conversation early, and lead with hope.

    When Your Child Sees Something They Shouldn’t Online: A Parent’s Guide

    Parent note: this episode discusses pornography and its effect on kids and families. The conversation is frank but never graphic — it’s meant for grown-up ears, so you may want to listen before the little ones are in the room.

    It’s not a question of if your child will see explicit content online — it’s when. That’s a hard sentence to read, but it’s the honest starting point of this conversation. Andy “Fletch” and Kendra Fletcher sit down with Barrett and Jenifer Johnson of INFO for Families to talk about what actually helps: not panic, not shame, and not a false confidence that the right filter will keep the world out. Filters and boundaries matter, but the real protection is an ongoing, calm, gospel-shaped conversation you start long before you think you need to.

    Whether you’ve just discovered something on a device and your heart is pounding, or you simply want to get ahead of it, this episode gives you language, resources, and hope.

    In this episode:

    • Why exposure is a matter of “when, not if” — and why no fence or filter is enough on its own
    • How to respond in the moment without freaking out or shaming your child
    • Starting the conversation early (yes, even with young children) so you’re the first voice, not the last
    • Where filters and accountability tools genuinely help — and where they fall short
    • Teaching wisdom and compassion, including seeing the people in the industry as exploited rather than villains
    • Bringing the gospel into it: “hope shifting” and the path to restoration
    • Why restoration is spiritual, relational, and physical — retraining a brain that’s been wired by exposure
    • Why this isn’t “just a boy problem” — girls and young women are affected too
    • What it means to “run into the burning building” for your kids instead of away from it

    Chapters (approximate):

    • 0:00 — Fresh intro & parent heads-up
    • 0:30 — Fletch & Kendra: the “when, not if” reality (and a nod to The Village)
    • 4:00 — Why no filter or fence is enough by itself
    • 7:30 — Meet Barrett & Jenifer Johnson, INFO for Families
    • 11:00 — Don’t freak out: how to respond in the moment
    • 15:00 — Talk to your kids before the world does — starting young
    • 20:00 — Filters and tools that help (Circle, accountability software) — and their limits
    • 25:00 — Wisdom & compassion: the people behind the industry are exploited
    • 30:00 — The gospel and “hope shifting”
    • 35:00 — Restoration: spiritual, community, and retraining the brain
    • 41:00 — It’s not just boys — girls and young women too
    • 45:00 — “Run into the burning building”: encouragement for weary parents
    • 49:00 — Next week: Sex Ed for Parents (for couples)

    A couple of lines worth remembering:

    “It’s not if your kids will be exposed — it’s when. And the best filter you have is the conversation you’re already having with them.”

    “Don’t freak out. If your kid feels like they can come to you with the hard thing, you’ve won something no software can give you.”

    Resources mentioned:

    • Barrett & Jenifer Johnson — INFO for Families (“Imperfect Normal Families Only”): infoforfamilies.com
    • The Talks — book and companion 6-part DVD series from the Johnsons
    • Good Pictures, Bad Pictures — a read-aloud book for introducing this topic to young children
    • Brain Buddy — an app supporting recovery and retraining
    • Circle — a home device for managing screens and filtering across your network

    If you’re a parent in the thick of this right now: take a breath. You are not behind, and you are not alone. Start the conversation, keep it going, and lead with hope.

    Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, CTCMath.com

    The post When Your Child Sees Something They Shouldn’t Online: A Parent’s Guide appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

    I Love Homeschooling, But I’ll Tell You Its Flaws Jun 23, 2026
    Show notes 📚 Part of our guide: How to Start Homeschooling

    This is one of Homeschooling IRL’s more honest, “hot potato” conversations. Fletch and Kendra interview a guest whose beliefs and choices differ from their own and from many listeners’ — not to endorse, but to model gracious, open dialogue. As they put it, when your identity is anchored in Christ, you can listen to anything without fear.

    Special Replay: The Flaws and Benefits of Homeschooling
    Homeschooling IRL — Episode 15 | Updated replay for 2026

    From the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. This episode is a special replay, updated for 2026. In it, veteran homeschooling parents Fletch and Kendra sit down with homeschool graduate Matthew Mason for one of their most-talked-about conversations — an honest, gracious look at the good, the hard, and the complicated of growing up in the Christian homeschool world.

    Sponsor

    This episode is brought to you by CTC Math.

    Finding a math curriculum that works for your family can be a challenge! With CTCMath, all of your kids from K–12 can learn at their own pace with one family subscription. With a CTCMath membership, you have access to all grades and lessons, which means your children can work at whatever level is best for them — whether they need to catch up, keep up, or move ahead. CTCMath is offering listeners a half-price discount plus a bonus 6 months when you register for a 12-month membership. That means a complete online homeschool math curriculum for all your kids for 18 months! Learn more and claim the offer →

    About This Episode

    Matthew Mason is a homeschool graduate and a longtime friend of Fletch and Kendra’s family. Homeschooled K–12 and adopted before birth by a pro-life activist mother, Matthew grew up inside what he calls “the bubble” — a reformed, close-knit Christian homeschool community. As a young adult he came out as gay, left that community, and began searching for truth on his own terms. In this candid studio interview, he reflects on what homeschooling gave him and where it fell short.

    Together they dig into the questions a lot of homeschool families are afraid to ask: What do we do when a child walks away from the faith or the lifestyle they were raised in? How do we love well when we disagree deeply? And how do we keep our hope anchored in Christ rather than in our parenting?

    What Fletch & Kendra Talk About

    • The fear of raising a “prodigal” — and why hope shouldn’t rest in your parenting or results
    • “Hope shifting”: where homeschool parents quietly place their trust
    • Matthew’s story: adoption, the pro-life movement, speech competitions, and leaving the bubble
    • The pros of homeschooling — a tailored, interactive education from the person who knows the child best
    • The flaws — filtered books and music, a single worldview, and kids who never learn to think for themselves
    • How the church and homeschool community can respond with compassion instead of rejection
    • Listening to your kids — really listening — and keeping the lines of communication open

    A Listener Note

    This is one of Homeschooling IRL’s more honest, “hot potato” conversations. Fletch and Kendra interview a guest whose beliefs and choices differ from their own and from many listeners’ — not to endorse, but to model gracious, open dialogue. As they put it, when your identity is anchored in Christ, you can listen to anything without fear.

    More From Homeschooling IRL

    If this episode resonated, here are other Homeschooling IRL conversations referenced in it:

    • Love in the House — with Chris Jube, on a large homeschool family that decided to “figure out the love thing.”
    • How to Raise a Pagan Kid in a Christian Home (Ep. 13) — with Barrett & Jennifer Johnson.
    • Homeschooling Will Save Your Children — the two-part series on where our hope for our kids really belongs.
    • How Do I Talk to My Kids About Sex? (Ep. 16) — the follow-up episode, again featuring Barrett & Jennifer Johnson on their book The Talks.

    More Shows on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

    There’s a homeschool podcast for everyone on the network. A few you may enjoy:

    • The Homeschool Sanity Show — Melanie Wilson on keeping your sanity while you homeschool.
    • Vintage Homeschool Moms — Felice Gerwitz with practical, been-there encouragement.
    • Making Biblical Family Life Practical — Hal & Melanie Young on faith and family.
    • Finish Well — Meredith Curtis on homeschooling through high school and beyond.
    • The Homeschool Highschool Podcast — Vicki Tillman on navigating the high school years.
    • Homeschooling with Technology — Meryl van der Merwe on tech tools and tech wisdom.
    • Creation Science Podcast — faith-based science for curious families.
    • Homeopathy for Mommies — Sue Meyer on natural remedies for the home.
    • Homeschool Curious Podcast — for families just exploring the homeschool path.
    • Ultimate Homeschool Radio Show — foundational help for getting started.

    Browse the full lineup at ultimateradioshow.com.

    Connect With Homeschooling IRL

    • Website: HomeschoolingIRL.com
    • Facebook: facebook.com/HomeschoolingIRL
    • Email: info@homeschoolingirl.com

    The Homeschooling IRL podcast is a production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. This 2026 replay is sponsored by CTC Math.

    The post I Love Homeschooling, But I’ll Tell You Its Flaws appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

    Homeschooling The Struggling Learner Mar 03, 2026
    Show notes

    Homeschooling the Struggling Learner | HIRL Podcast CTC SponsoredAre you homeschooling a struggling learner? Fletch and Kendra share three practical ideas for you as you consider homeschooling a child who struggles.

    Join us for this week’s episode as we answer a listener’s question about how to give struggling learners the time and attention they need.

    EPISODE TIMELINE
    :50 Fluff – shout out to John Wilkerson
    6:33 Homeschooling the Struggling Learner
    23:25 Wrapping it up
    25:41 The show is over. Goodbye!

    SHOW NOTES:

    Recommended Resources:
    Betty the Surf Dog – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website
    Fletch Twitter
    Kendra Twitter

    Previous Episodes Mentioned:
    All of them

    Music clips used on this episode:
    None

    SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW:

    Allow the magic of the internet to deliver Homeschooling In Real Life to your tablet or smartphone. Let us show you how easy it is:

    1. Follow this link to our iTunes page.
    2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our big red HomeschoolingIRL logo, just click on View in iTunes
    3. The iTunes program will automatically launch and take you to our podcast page.
    4. FIRST – Click SUBSCRIBE. Voila! All or our podcasts will come directly to your computer and smartphone.
    5. NEXT – Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. Remember the best reviews are 5 stars (hint hint!).
    6. Thanks for being one of our listeners! HIRLers rock!

    WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LISTEN TO HomeschoolingIRL?

    1. You can listen right on this page. There is an audio player below.
    2. You can listen on your iPod, Smartphone or tablet. Open the PODCAST app on your device, search podcasts for “HomeschoolingIRL” and click subscribe. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
    3. Subscribe to the HomeschoolingIRL website and you will be notified when every new episode is released. Follow this link and begin your FREE SUBSCRIPTION.

    ADVERTISERS/SPONSORS:

    CTC Math | A Great Math Curriculum for Homeschool Families

    LISTEN HERE

    Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

    Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades.

    The post Homeschooling The Struggling Learner appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

    Homeschooling The Struggling Learner – HIRL Episode 102 Replay Jan 27, 2026
    Show notes

    Homeschooling the Struggling Learner | HIRL Podcast CTC SponsoredAre you homeschooling a struggling learner? Fletch and Kendra share three practical ideas for you as you consider homeschooling a child who struggles.

    Join us for this week’s episode as we answer a listener’s question about how to give struggling learners the time and attention they need.

    EPISODE TIMELINE
    :50 Fluff – shout out to John Wilkerson
    6:33 Homeschooling the Struggling Learner
    23:25 Wrapping it up
    25:41 The show is over. Goodbye!

    SHOW NOTES:

    Recommended Resources:
    Betty the Surf Dog – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website
    Fletch Twitter
    Kendra Twitter

    Previous Episodes Mentioned:
    All of them

    Music clips used on this episode:
    None

    SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW:

    Allow the magic of the internet to deliver Homeschooling In Real Life to your tablet or smartphone. Let us show you how easy it is:

    1. Follow this link to our iTunes page.
    2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our big red HomeschoolingIRL logo, just click on View in iTunes
    3. The iTunes program will automatically launch and take you to our podcast page.
    4. FIRST – Click SUBSCRIBE. Voila! All or our podcasts will come directly to your computer and smartphone.
    5. NEXT – Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. Remember the best reviews are 5 stars (hint hint!).
    6. Thanks for being one of our listeners! HIRLers rock!

    WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LISTEN TO HomeschoolingIRL?

    1. You can listen right on this page. There is an audio player below.
    2. You can listen on your iPod, Smartphone or tablet. Open the PODCAST app on your device, search podcasts for “HomeschoolingIRL” and click subscribe. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
    3. Subscribe to the HomeschoolingIRL website and you will be notified when every new episode is released. Follow this link and begin your FREE SUBSCRIPTION.

    ADVERTISERS/SPONSORS:

    CTC Math | A Great Math Curriculum for Homeschool Families

    LISTEN HERE

    Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

    Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades.

    The post Homeschooling The Struggling Learner – HIRL Episode 102 Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

    How to Raise a Pagan Kid in a Christian Home (Replay) Jan 14, 2026
    Show notes

    In this episode, Fletch and Kendra sit down with Barrett and Jennifer Johnson to talk about how Christian families (especially homeschool families) can unintentionally raise kids who know the rules—but don’t know grace.How to Raise a Pagan Kid in a Christian Home

    (with Barrett & Jennifer Johnson)

    Sponsored by CTCMath.com

    Episode Snapshot

    What happens when “good behavior” gets mistaken for gospel transformation? In this episode, Fletch and Kendra sit down with Barrett and Jennifer Johnson to talk about how Christian families (especially homeschool families) can unintentionally raise kids who know the rules—but don’t know grace. They unpack legalism, “recipe parenting,” identity, and what it looks like to shepherd kids toward Jesus instead of toward performance. ✨

    This is a replay of an earlier broadcast and links and events mentioned in the podcast have been updated in the show notes.

    In This Episode, You’ll Hear About…

    • Why legalism and moralism can quietly “check God out of the equation”

    • The viral blog post: “How to Raise a Pagan Kid in a Christian Home”

    • The difference between raising well-behaved kids and raising kids who understand grace

    • The trap of recipe parenting and the myth of “perfect outcomes”

    • Moral Therapeutic Deism and why it resonates with many Christian families

    • Homeschool pressure: when kids become a reflection of the parent’s identity

    • “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” (what’s good, what can go sideways)

    • Helping kids engage the world with discernment instead of fear

    • Why kids need space to ask questions and wrestle with faith

    • What dads need to hear: modeling humility, confession, and relationship

    Guest Spotlight: Barrett & Jennifer Johnson

    Barrett & Jennifer Johnson share their family story, ministry background, and what led Barrett to write the viral post that sparked this episode.

    About the Johnsons:

    • Live in Atlanta (after moving from Texas)

    • Married 23 years

    • Parents of five kids, including a sweet adoption story with an open adoption relationship

    • Barrett runs INFO for Families (Imperfect & Normal Families Only)

    Barrett shares how the post went viral:

    • 150,000 views in 5–6 days

    • 500,000+ views in the first month

    Big Takeaways

    • Christianity isn’t primarily about “being good.” It’s about Jesus.

    • Kids can learn rules without learning grace.

    • Homeschool culture can unintentionally encourage identity-driven parenting (“Don’t embarrass me.”)

    • The goal isn’t to “have your kids’ hearts”—it’s to point their hearts to Christ.

    • Parents modeling confession (“I was wrong. Forgive me.”) matters more than image management.

    • Dads play a powerful role when they lead with love + relationship, not distance + pressure.

    Encouragement for Dads (Don’t Skip This 👇)

    Barrett speaks directly to fathers about being the “lead confessor” in the home:

    • Don’t confuse leadership with being harsh or distant

    • High standards without grace create discouragement and disconnect

    • Kids are more likely to listen to someone they like and trust

    • Model repentance, humility, tenderness, and truth

    Jennifer adds what mattered most in their homeschool years:

    • Being united as a team

    • Dad reinforcing mom’s work and providing “buck stops here” support

    • Emotional encouragement—because homeschooling can feel thankless

    Links & Resources Mentioned

    Barrett & Jennifer Johnson’s Blog: INFO for Families

    • infoforfamilies.com (also referenced as INFO4Families)

    • Search Facebook for their INFO for Families page

    (Fletch mentions adding links in the show notes to Christian Smith, “Soul Searching,” and “Christless Christianity.”)

    Listener Shoutout 🎉

    A special shoutout to Rebecca, who listens while exercising early in the morning. 🙌

    Production Note:
    Homeschooling in Real Life is a production of the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network. For more info, to contact the hosts, or to connect on social media, visit UltimateRadioShow.com

    The post How to Raise a Pagan Kid in a Christian Home (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

    Special Replay: HomeschoolingIRL Episode 6: I’m Thinking About Homeschooling, But… Sep 23, 2025
    Show notes 📚 Part of our guide: How to Start Homeschooling

    Thinking about homeschooling but have reservations? Let's address them!

    Thinking about homeschooling? Have a friend who is?

    Are you thinking about homeschooling? On this episode of Homeschooling IRL, we’ll answer your burning questions about homeschooling, such as, “Will my kids have to raise their hands to ask to go to the bathroom?”, “What about the prom?”, and “Who gets to be the lunch lady?” Just kiddin’. We’ve polled moms and dads who are thinking about homeschooling and asked them what concerns them most. We didn’t prompt or suggest their comments, and you just might find yourself relating to what they have to say. When told they fear burnout, kids who turn out wacky, and their own academic shortcomings, we responded with honesty and transparency with some good old-fashioned humor and self-deprecation mixed in. This is the stuff of real life!

    This podcast is sponsored by CTC Math

    Homeschoolers – 1/2 Price after FREE TRIAL. Click the link to get started.

    Thinking About Homeschooling Show Notes:

    Summary of Thinking About Homeschooling

    Ctcmath.com. 0:00

    Intro to homeschooling in real life.

    1:19

    It takes a lot of time and commitment.

    6:25

    The reality of homeschooling in real life.

    11:50

    I don’t know if I can do this right.

    21:06

    Why science is hard to homeschool?

    23:30

    Q and A with Candy.

    29:27

    What do you mean by socialization?

    34:00

    How to bring Jesus into your home?

    39:52

    CTC Math Sponsored Podcast

    Are you looking for a new math curriculum? Well, CTC Math specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning favorably reviewed in Kathy Duffy’s 102 Topics and the Old Schoolhouse Crew Review.

    The lessons are short and concise to help your children break down concepts and appreciate math and a whole new way. The lessons are taught their traditional way, not to the test. Each one of the video tutorials is taught by an internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, who is renowned for teaching math concepts in a simple, easy-to-understand way. And in only a few minutes at a time.

    Using a multi-sensory approach, having the combination of effective graphics and animation synchronized with the voice of a friendly teacher together with a practical assessment, even students who struggled with math are getting fantastic results. And the ones that were doing okay before now are doing brilliantly. Visit CTC math today and start your free trial. That’s CTCmath.com.

    Loved Thinking About Homeschooling? Try These Recommended Podcasts

    Find a Math Curriculum That Works

    How Do I Make Homeschooling Fun?

    Best of Homeschooling IRL: I Love Homeschooling, But I Hate Teaching Writing

    SUMMARY KEYWORDS

    homeschooling, kids, homeschool, teach, people, question, child, thinking, public school, year, podcast, boys, coffee, friends, picture, fletch, homeschoolers, school, high school, multi-sensory approach

    The post Special Replay: HomeschoolingIRL Episode 6: I’m Thinking About Homeschooling, But… appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

    Special Replay: What To Do About Sibling Relationships? Aug 22, 2025
    Show notes

    Sibling relationships. Sibling rivalries. Siblings fighting. We put out the question to our listeners and they responded with story after story of siblings who know how to tease, fight and use sarcasm like professionals.Special Replay: We received a message on the HomeschoolingIRL Facebook page that said, “Please, please, please do an episode on siblings fighting. Thanks!”

    Sibling relationships. Sibling rivalries. Siblings fighting. We put out the question to our listeners and they responded with story after story of siblings who know how to tease, fight and use sarcasm like professionals.

    On this episode, we dig into the topic of parenting through sibling relationships in your homeschool. Fletch and Kendra open up about their own family and share practical advice for handling those tricky, sticky moments when brothers and sisters want to be anything but best friends. We also announce our coffee contest winner and we each answer the question: “What Ben/Jerry’s ice cream flavor would you create and what would you call it?”

    Music clips used on this show:

    “George Street Shuffle” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

    Three Little Birds, Ziggy Marley (Click on link to purchase)

    Pick A Little/Talk A Little, The Music Man (Click on link to purchase)

    Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

    The post Special Replay: What To Do About Sibling Relationships? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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