TopPodcast.com
Menu
  • Home
  • Top Charts
  • Top Networks
  • Top Apps
  • Top Independents
  • Top Podfluencers
  • Top Picks
    • Top Business Podcasts
    • Top True Crime Podcasts
    • Top Finance Podcasts
    • Top Comedy Podcasts
    • Top Music Podcasts
    • Top Womens Podcasts
    • Top Kids Podcasts
    • Top Sports Podcasts
    • Top News Podcasts
    • Top Tech Podcasts
    • Top Crypto Podcasts
    • Top Entrepreneurial Podcasts
    • Top Fantasy Sports Podcasts
    • Top Political Podcasts
    • Top Science Podcasts
    • Top Self Help Podcasts
    • Top Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Top Stocks Podcasts
  • Podcast News
  • About Us
  • Podcast Advertising
  • Contact
Not in our directory?
Add Show Here
Podcast Equipment
Center

toppodcastlogoOur TOPPODCAST Picks

  • Comedy
  • Crypto
  • Sports
  • News
  • Politics
  • True Crime
  • Business
  • Finance

Follow Us

toppodcastlogoStay Connected

    View Top 200 Chart
    Back to Rankings Page
    Education for Kids

    Vintage Homeschool Moms

    Preserving the best of the past with an eye to bless future generations the show offers no excuses, perfection or compromise. Felice hosts this weekly show on Monday at Noon Eastern, often with guests.

    Advertise

    Copyright: © @2018 Media Angels, Inc.

    • Apple Podcasts
    • Google Play
    • Spotify

    Latest Episodes:
    Homeschool Year End Shortcuts May 23, 2022

    Are you ready for some homeschool year-end shortcuts?  Are you finished with your school assignments or are close?Homeschool Year-End Shortcuts ~ Episode 467

    Are you ready for some homeschool year-end shortcuts? Are you finished with your school assignments or are close to them being done? Well, now is the time to show how much you’ve accomplished this year. Here are some of my best-kept year-end secrets. Listen to this podcast to learn more.

    Visit Media Angels to find out more about curriculum and summer reading books for your children.

    Year-end has such a final ring to it, and often I’d cringe thinking about all the work I had to do, paperwork that is to finish off our school year. It turned into a nightmare until I finally clued in that it was something I needed to do all year long and it made my end of the year a breeze. So much of this depends on your state laws, and how they require homeschoolers to report student progress. Some states are less strict than others. It also depends on whether or not you are using an online curriculum that reports grades and progress for you or if you are putting together a portfolio (with or without your child’s help) in order to see growth and progress throughout the year.

    Homeschool Year-End Shortcuts ~ The Questions

    Here are some questions to ask before you dig in:

    1. What are my state homeschool requirements and how will I fulfill this with an end-of-the-year report or summary.
    2. Are my children required to take standardized tests? Can the ACT or SAT fulfill this requirement (middle school and up)?
    3. What type of progress report or portfolio (samples of the child’s work in each subject area) will I compile?
    4. What is missing?
    5. Do I have my child’s reading list for the year? This includes textbooks, workbooks, and other curriculum guides as well as books that were assigned or were read to the children as a family.

    How do you keep track of your progress? One of the best ways is to create a portfolio of your child’s accomplishments, even if they are enrolled in an online school or class. It is wonderful to create new ones each year or to keep adding to a master portfolio year after year. Doing it during the school year is a plus because it cuts out the mess of trying to create this at the end of the year. One way that makes this painless is with a memory keepsake the children can help put together.

    Catch this replay – Yearly Evaluations

    Yearly Evaluations

    Best Homeschool Year-End Lists

    My best homeschool year-end shortcut is not to have to scramble because you’ve been putting together bits and pieces throughout the year. Here are some things you can add to your portfolio or the children can add to a memory keepsake:

    1. School days or hours *calendar suffices
    2. Awards
    3. Reading lists
    4. Special projects such as science fairs or history fair
    5. Art projects or samples (pictures) of artwork.
    6. Chapter tests or summaries
    7. Reports
      1. Book reports
      2. Subject related reports
    8. Samples of quizzes
    9. Clubs or sports
    10. Hobbies or accomplishments

    Homeschool Memory Keepsakes

    With a memory keepsake, the children will take pride in adding their special ribbons or pictures of sports trophies. Perhaps they’ve learned a difficult music piece for the piano, or sing in the choir at church. All of these things are “school-related” and can be added to a memory book with pictures or even just a list. If you keep track of progress throughout the year it is so much easier and it is fun to see how much has been accomplished.

    Short-Cuts:

    1. Gather completed work samples weekly or at least monthly.
    2. Enlist the children’s help.
    3. Use the best samples from different subjects. Minimum of twelve per subject.
    4. Use samples from the beginning, middle, and end of the year.
    5. Make a plan to document special events.
    6. Create Calendars that you can use to jot down memorable events.
    7. Tests? Grades? Optional in most states, add this to the end-of-year lists
    8. Keep track of schooling days each week/or month
    9. Use pictures whenever possible.
    10. Stop and evaluate.

    Sometimes it is unavoidable and leaving things to the last minute can not be helped. If this is the case, don’t panic. Use copies of your child’s best work and put together a reasonable timeline of accomplishments. This can include extracurricular activities. For many years I assigned the children reports based on our field trips. This was one way to make the fun field trip tie into schoolwork and they were able to practice their writing and spelling skills with this project.

    I love the idea of keeping a yearly memory book or portfolio because it shows you that yes, you have accomplished so much during the school year. And, if you have not? No worries there is always next year. I believe if your children are working to their ability even if it does not fit into the academic plan that is okay. I had some struggling learners and some children that were gifted, and struggling learners who were gifted. This is one of the bonuses of homeschooling it helps to allow your children to succeed in a safe and loving environment. Encourage your children daily, and believe me I know it is hard at times. After five children completed their homeschool journey successfully I’m happy to report they are now all well adjusted and thriving adults! All those times I worried about spelling or reading lags were wasted time. Enjoy your children and your homeschool journey and hug your kids daily, telling them how much you love them.

    The post Homeschool Year End Shortcuts appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Best Experiential Gifts May 16, 2022

    Please follow me on iTunes or your favorite cell phone app!

    itunespodcast

    What are the best experiential gifts you can give? The ones that last a lifetime in memories! Check out this podcast for great ideas!The Best Experiential Gifts – Special Replay

    What are the best experiential gifts you can give? The ones that last a lifetime in memories! Whether the gift is for graduation, birthdays for that hard to buy for person in your life. While opening presents can be fun, the glamor soon wears off and the gift is forgotten. In fact, how many times can you remember wanting a gift, only to receive it and see that it wasn’t worth the wait! In this episode, I explore various trips, and events to create lasting memories with your teens or even for the adults in your life who have “everything,” or want “nothing!”

    Thanks to our sponsor – Media Angels Membership. For your curriculum needs on a budget visit the website to learn how to receive all the books and classes I’ve created to give your children a Christian worldview!

    The Best Experiential Gifts

    1. A trip – giving an experiential gift and making a lasting memory on a trip can be the most rewarding with some planning. As a caution, I am not a fan of allowing your teens to travel to far-off places alone, especially trips to the Islands, where cheap flights and hotels lure many unsuspecting tourists. However, visiting as a family is recommended:
      1. Hiking
        • Plan ahead.
        • Check the weather
        • Know the trails you will hike
        • Bring neem spray or bug repellent
        • Wear comfortable clothing
        • Bring food
        • Take lots of pictures
      2. Camping
        • Plan ahead
        • Off the beaten trail
        • At the beach
      3. Beach
        • One day trip
        • House rental
      4. Extreme Sports
        1. Cave exploration
        2. Water Rafting
        3. Mountain Climbing
        4. Sky Diving/ Para Sailing
        5. Sailing
        6. Water Skiing
      5. States Exploration
        • Planning Trips State Side
        • State Fairs
        • Rodeo
        • Williamsburg
        • Visit New York
        • Yosemite Park
        • San Antonio Texas
        • Grand Canyon
        • Theme Parks
      6. Europe
        • Deals – DIY – Vacations to Europe
        • Packing tips – Great ideas here
        • Plan ahead!
      7. A staycation event
        1. Party
        2. Family Camp Out
        3. Town Events
      8. Lessons
        1. Art Classes
        2. Cooking Classes
        3. Tennis Lessons
        4. Sports Training
        5. Flying Lessons
        6. Parachuting

    The post Best Experiential Gifts appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Party Shortcuts May 09, 2022

    Birthdays. Graduations. Special Events. Oh. My! Party shortcuts and planning are the only way I survive hosting events over the years.Party Shortcuts – Episode 466

    Birthdays. Graduations. Special Events. Oh. My! Party shortcuts and planning are the only way I survive hosting events, and in the many years of motherhood, grandmotherhood (yes, that is a thing), and having the largest house so of course family comes here. Join me as I share my best secrets for hosting with you.

    Visit my website at Media Angels.com for great books, character planning guides and so much more.

    The latest and greatest party I finished hosting was the Easter Sunday meal. We had 24 people, then 28, and then 29, and we ended with 32 people in all. We had sixteen children, sixteen and under, and seventeen adults. Truthfully, the numbers this year threw me because we typically have a sit-down meal – buffet style, but still, everyone has a seat and the odd number at one big table with extensions and additional tables added was a bit of a juggle. But, we did it and everything went beautifully down to the previously prepared casseroles and dishes and the last-minute baked ham and tenderloin roast.

    My short-cuts have taken me years to perfect and it has taken years of slowly buying one new thing to add to my party arsenal, but it has been money-saving in the long run. I tried many different things. One year I used disposable plates. The next year I added disposable utensils, cups, and napkins, but I didn’t like how they looked and they were expensive especially if I wanted party store variety rather than bargain-basement styrofoam.

    The first thing I did was gather tablecloths. Not super expensive or linen, but cotton. Something that would hold up to years of washing and continue to look good. Also, it had to be something that could handle the invariable stains and spills. I ended up with two color schemes that also went with the colors of my accent walls. One was a deep burgundy table cloth that I paired with matching cloth napkins, and the next was a golden color that I paired with blue napkins. I made napkin rings after the ones I wanted were five dollars each! I used shower curtain plastic circles as well as wood dowels – each had different colors of ribbon wrapped around and glued in place. For the wood, I used a light, glimmery (not glittery – I do not like glitter!) and those were translucent and so pretty.

    So with tables done, I searched for decorations that could be used for birthdays as well as holidays and found sales on candles after the summer bridal season in white and off-white. I purchased these back in 2005 when my daughter married and I still use them on special occasions – I don’t light them, although I have them they don’t look as great placed out as decorations.

    My biggest expense was cut flowers that I purchased. I stretched bouquets with baby’s breath and smaller vases to place on the tables. It stretches your flower budget remarkably well!

    Next was food – what do I serve that will again not break the bank? First off appetizers help tremendously in cutting down the food cost. It can be as easy as a cheese platter and crackers, veggies, and dip. This year I assigned appetizers to the guests and it was remarkable in that they arrived on time or early (then you have free help if you need last-minute things) and it took the early prep work off my list.

    Baked ham is relatively inexpensive if you do not buy the already sliced and prepared. I know many people like the honey-baked ham, but a large pre-cooked ham roast you get at the grocery store can feed an army. Potatoes are another way to fill people up and of course, there are rolls. Round it off with a salad and chips (if you have kids) and you are ready to go.

    I bake or prep casseroles ahead of time so they need to be taken out to warm up slightly before baking or it take way too long. Our family is a fan of lasagna and at any given time I have no less than three prepared in the freezer ready to go. All it takes is a salad and bread to round off that easy meal. (Well, easy once it’s prepared.)

    So last minute and party shortcuts in a nutshell:

    1. Collect reusable table cloths, napkins, and serving trays.
    2. Use plastic wear and disposable items when there is a large crowd, or want less clean up.
    3. Assign a dish for others to bring.
    4. Plan out the menu at least three weeks in advance and shop sales.
    5. Bake and freeze whenever possible.
    6. Set out tables and chairs the day before with assigned seating. Guest appreciate this and of course, people can change or move, but it gives everyone a place to sit and put their stuff.
    7. Use name cards for place settings (I keep mine year after year).
    8. Use fresh flowers for a splash of color.
    9. Take out the trash the day before (don’t forget to clean the bathroom guests will use.)
    10. Make a time chart of when dishes need to be baked or reheated as well as when to take things out of the refrigerator or oven (once items go in!).
    11. Use juice boxes for the little kids – so much easier and less spilled.
    12. Have water, lemonade and tea for everyone else – if people want special drinks they can bring them.
    13. Use plastic cups with a sharpy to keep everyone’s drinks straight.
    14. Have one or two people in charge to help you.
    15. Assign clean-up!

    As much as I try to prepare ahead of time there is always last-minute things that need my attention, and truthfully the hostess rarely gets to mingle with the guests until the meal is served! In our home we have the oldest go through the line first, and when it is the parent’s turn with the little ones, they can get their children’s meals. Usually, everyone has snacked on appetizers that no one is starving and it works out well.

    The post Party Shortcuts appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Best Graduation Gifts May 02, 2022

    How do you select the best graduation gifts? And what do graduates really want? In this post you'll receive a gift giving guide to help you select the perfect gift.Let’s Talk About The Best Graduation Gifts that Teens Really Want!

    With five children and a group of friends with many children, I’ve participated in my fair share of graduation celebrations in recent years. However, it was after really thinking about my own graduation and those of my children that I realized what children really desire is not what they receive. In this podcast, Felice shares her ideas of what a graduation celebration should be and ways you can make lasting memories with your own special graduates.

    Show Notes – Best Graduation Gifts

    A study by Hallmark reveals:

    • 95 percent give money for gifts for graduation from high school or college
      • $25 is about the average amount spent for a close friend (or child of a close friend)
      • 67 percent believe that $50 or more is appropriate for a close relative
      • $20 is the average for a not-so-close friend
      • And many would give no gift to a not-so-close friend, but they might send a card.

    Some of the Best Graduation Gift Ideas:

    1. A book where the child can begin their memoirs – one leather-bound book entitled: “My Life Story Thus Far”
    2. Jewelry
      1. Necklace, bracelet, earrings
      2. Watch
    3. Money Clip Holders
    4. Posters with great sayings on it.
    5. Personalized gifts
      1. Personalized wooden box
      2. Personalized jewelry – necklace/ ring/ bracelet
      3. Mugs, glasses
      4. Candy wrappers
      5. Picture albums
      6. Backpacks
      7. Picture frames
      8. Baseball bats
    1. Luggage
    2. Throw Rug
    3. A Bible with their name engraved – if they don’t already have one.
    4. Popular gifts but they also become dust collectors
      1. Paperweights
      2. glass shadow boxes – elegant glass boxes with your grads name so they can store and see their special treasures
      3. a globe that is made of cork with pushpins to mark the countries visited
      4. The year with a spot in the 0 for their picture
      5. Personalized wooden box
      6. Personalized jewelry – necklace/ ring/ bracelet

    Nothing replaces spending T-I-M-E with your teen or soon-to-be graduate, making memories through gift-giving, if the right gift is selected helps.

    Podcast #83 – Creating Memories on Vintage Homeschool Moms

    • Are you an eZine member? If you are you received a LINK to the free eBook
    • You must be a subscriber to receive yours – Subscribe here

    The post Best Graduation Gifts appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Gifts Moms Love To Receive Apr 25, 2022

    What are some gifts that moms love? Here is a shortlist you can share with your family, especially with Mother's Day around the corner.Gifts Moms Love – Episode 465

    When was the last time you received a gift you really wanted? Sometimes the answer is never. Gifts moms love really don’t cost much and yet convincing your husband and/or the kids can take some work. In this podcast, I discuss talking to your children and even your spouse about giving gifts that show an understanding for the person who is receiving it, rather than focusing on spending money.

    Please visit my website at MediaAngels.com for books, classes and so much more! Do you need monthly planners, or what about Character Planners for the entire family? Be sure to check out our specials.

    We give presents for many different reasons, but one is to make the recipient, the person receiving the gift feel special. It is also a way for children to understand that giving and thinking about other people is important. It is a lesson in humility and appreciation. Children should be given the opportunity to participate in gift-giving, especially gifts that do not require money. Some children struggle with the concept of giving and for others, this comes more naturally. Giving your children different opportunities to share their special talents such as drawing, or doing nice things for family members is a way to encourage this type of behavior.

    Here is my replay on Mother’s Day.

    Mother’s Day Gifts

    Why do we give gifts? Is it a tradition or is there a deeper meaning for you and your family? We give gifts for birthdays, special holidays like Christmas, and other holidays like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day. The idea of gift-giving is to show appreciation. Unfortunately, many purchased gifts are afterthoughts or what some large company or corporation says you want or should gift. Often the presents fall short of their intent.

    Before you begin think about the following questions and discuss them with your family.

    1. Why do we give gifts to each other in this family?
    2. Why do we give gifts to extended members of the family? (Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, etc.)
    3. What is the purpose of a gift?
    4. Is there a special gift that you remember? What made it special?
    5. Is there a gift you wanted and when you received it, you realized it was not what you really wanted or needed? Again, think about why.

    Going over these questions will help you and your family really focus on the real meaning behind giving a gift and that is getting to know the person receiving the gift and giving them something they will use or enjoy. I think my favorite gifts are things that I cherish, and spending time with the family is one of the most important.

    Here is a shortlist you can share with your family, especially with Mother’s Day around the corner.

    Gifts Moms Love

    Flowers: not the expensive bouquets that whither and die quickly but the gifts that keep on giving. Plants that bloom and can be picked. Roses and gardenias are favorites. See what grows in your area.

    Herb kits: This is a gift that keeps on giving. When you plant the herbs you can enjoy them for an extended period of time and it is so much fun to pick the herbs to flavor your meals.

    Date Night with Dad: Time for just the two of you. Either an older child will babysit or perhaps your kids will make you dinner.

    One-On-One Time: Before moms with big families tell me it is impossible – it is not! Spending one-on-one time with each child will deepen your relationship. This can be a coupon for one trip to the grocery store with mom or dad and a special treat. Such as the child picking out the dessert for movie night (Friday nights were pizza and movie night at my home when the children were little). Use a coupon gift for a child’s birthday to redeem during the birthday month or week. (Your child can do this in reverse as a gift to mom or dad by a coupon for their choice of movie and dinner picks.)

    Family Vacations: As the children grew we began taking regular camping trips. One year we purchased year-long passes to Busch Gardens. It was about a 2-hour one-way trip and we arrived after lunch and stayed until they closed. The children brought pjs and changed in the car for the trip home, often falling asleep. There are many family-type passes to the zoo, the science museums, aquariums, and more. Shopping during special sales helps the budget.

    Gift Card: To a bookstore, or even a used book store. Drop hints if you have a favorite shop you enjoy!

    Gift card tastes vary. Several friends learned I had never had a manicure and purchased a gift card for me, it took me an entire year to finally use it, and I loved it. I don’t often get manicures but I do enjoy how my nails look afterward.

    Coupons Kids Create:

    1. Coupons – for free car wash
    2. Doing an extra chore of your choosing
    3. Quiet time Promise – to give me 30 minutes of non-interrupted time.
    4. Neck massage.
    5. Dinner dishes off week.

    Did you notice I did not give you a list of gifts that can be purchased? The good news is that there are many novelty types of items to purchase as gifts, but they often come with a steep price tag. This year for Christmas I sent family members a group present, I found a wonderful pretzel shop that delivered frozen pretzels that could be heated up at home. They also had waffles. It turned out the waffles were a bigger hit than the pretzels for some, but the kids loved the pretzels. Food is always a good choice for a crowd or family gift.

    The ideas are endless and getting together with your family is a good way to figure out what the likes and dislikes are in the gift department and see ways to maximize your time and wallet!

    The post Gifts Moms Love To Receive appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Communicating Love And Kindness To Your Kids Apr 18, 2022

    Yes - there is hope! Communicating love and kindness to your kids does not come naturally. Ask me how I know! We discipline our children because we LOVE

    Communicating Love and Kindness To Your Kids – Special Replay

    Yes – there is hope! Communicating love and kindness to your kids does not come naturally. Ask me how I know! We discipline our children because we LOVE them – it is vital, and especially IF you want our children to grow up to become responsible adults.

    Show Notes:

    Realize your parental style –

    1. Authoritarian
    2. Neglectful
    3. Permissive
    4. Authoritarian – democratic

    Kids are:

    1. Kids are gamblers
    2. Kids often say what they mean
    3. Kids are have many character flaws – anger, temper tantrums, jealousy, self-centered, etc.
    4. Kids want to get their own way – news flash, who doesn’t
    5. Kids can manipulate like the best attorney’s in court out there
    6. Kids are easily distracted
    7. Kids don’t often follow instructions the first time.
    1. Kids need positive reinforcement and repetition and patience
    2. Kids do not need to be spoiled

    These are Don’ts!

    1. It goes without saying – but I will say it here – fear and abuse – mental and physical
      1. Screaming at them
      2. Hitting in anger
      3. Discipline that doesn’t fit the crime
    2. Using your child as a pawn to hurt your spouse.
    3. Character assassination –I can’t believe how horrible you are – I hate you, you are ….
    4. Treating kids as objects that you own

    Discipline techniques – I’ve heard them all

    1. Withholding something – dessert, phone, etc.
    2. Time Out
    3. Spankings – of course not while angry… um, yeah, that works
    4. Punishing – removing an item or taking away a privilege
    5. Ignoring
    6. Isolation
    7. Reasoning

    The secret sauce? Consistency – when consistency does not work that is when the consequences must be metted out.

    Model good behavior – a niece of mine has colorful language to say the least and when her young son used this same language in Kindergarten and the teacher spoke to her about it she realized she needed to clean up her expressiveness

    Kids are sponges

    With kids here are some rules of conduct:

    1. Calm
      1. Get your kid under control if they are an emotional wreck
      2. Deal with the issue at hand – before you launch in
    2. Sensitive to tone
    3. Keep it simple – teach as you discipline – start young
    4. Ask the kids to repeat back what you said
    5. Ask the kids to think… instead of why are you leaving the ball in the laundry room ask ‘where do you think the ball should go” (this is instructive and if this isn’t followed through with discipline may follow)
    6. Be positive
    7. Use “I” instead of you … “I want you to get down” I don’t want you to bounce the ball in the house” instead of you are such a bad kid for climbing up there you will get hurt and fall and then…
    8. When you do this – then this will happen
    9. Use your words … if you expect good response model it…
    10. Listen
      1. Active listening – where they really know you are listening, that you check to be sure YOU understand what they are saying and you go from there.
      2. Eye contact and body language
    11. Decide rules and discipline – if you do this – this is what will happen
    12. Teens:
      1. Checking In
      2. Game plan
      3. Giving them ground rules
      4. Risks – explain

    One Minute Discipline

    1. Make sure there is no danger – if so, get the issue under control.
    2. Eye to eye – little? Get on eye level – taller – be sure they are looking at you.
    3. Be sincere.
    4. Explain they cannot talk while you are talking
    5. Tell your child what they did wrong – in one or two sentences. Explain clearly why you are upset –
    6. Big Sigh – signifies a change…
    7. Tell them what you LIKE about them – that they are an amazing person – that you are happy they are your son or daughter – that you know they try hard – that you will help them learn how to try harder if they do not already, etc. I’m here to help you – I love you – I think you are an awesome person… if you can’t figure out what you like about your child do this exercise ahead of time. Pray – ask the Lord to help you love your child –
    8. Hug and a kiss if appropriate

    Matthew 18:6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones–those who believe in me–to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

    Photo Credit @Copyright Deposit Photo ia__64

    The post Communicating Love And Kindness To Your Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Easter Traditions Apr 11, 2022

    What are those special Easter Traditions you share as a family? In this episode, with Felice Gerwitz and Crystal Niehoff.Easter Traditions ~ Episode 464

    What are those special Easter Traditions you share as a family? In this episode, with Felice Gerwitz and Crystal Niehoff, you will learn that many Christian families have a diversity of ideas on how to celebrate this holiest day of our Lord’s resurrection.

    Welcome to Crystal Niehoff who along with her husband, Kevin, an Army Chaplain host the History For Christian Teens podcast on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. Be sure to subscribe to their wonderful show for teens (and tweens can listen in as well!).

    What makes Easter special? Remembering the time of the life, death, and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ! This is a day of celebration for many families and it is more than cute Easter bunnies and chocolate. What makes Easter special in your family. If you have not given it thought think about this, and brainstorm with your family.

    • Some Easter Traditions:
    • Lent (celebrated by Felice’s family 40 days before Easter).
    • Resurrection Eggs – Tokens with the remembrance of Easter for children. Plastic eggs contain a symbol the depiction of something that represents Easter with a guidebook.
    • Good Friday – suffering, and death of Christ.
      • Felice’s family fasts from all meat on Fridays leading up to Easter. We also attend church on Thursday and Friday before Easter.
    • Sunrise Service. Crystal’s family attends (her husband officiates)
    • Easter Vigil – Saturday evening before Easter. Evening service with Scripture readings from Genesis to the Resurrection.
    • The best Resource is the Bible
      • Four Gospels have a different perspective
      • Older teens can read the Gospels and compare the Bible account
    • Thankfulness is not just for Thanksgiving – Easter is a great time to be thankful.
    • Easter is the eternal lesson for celebrating the gifts of the sacrificial love of Christ.

    Easter Traditions do not need to take much money (See Easter on the Cheap, last week’s Vintage Homeschool Moms episode). The most important thing to remember is the time we spend with our family can not be replaced.

    The post Easter Traditions appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Easter On The Cheap Apr 04, 2022

    Why is it that everything costs so much money. In this episode of Easter on the Cheap, Felice and Meredith share their ideas on Easter devotions and best of all many of these ideas are free or cost very little money.Easter On The Cheap – Special Replay

    with Felice Gerwitz and Meredith Curtis

    Why is it that everything costs so much money. In this episode of Easter on the Cheap, Felice and Meredith share their ideas on Easter devotions and best of all many of these ideas are free or cost very little money.

    What is the true meaning of Easter? The children need to realize it is more than bunnies and colored plastic eggs. When the children get older, have them participate in the Easter planning. Are they helping to decorate? Is there an activity or perhaps church play they want to attend? All these things add up to Easter on the Cheap.

    Here are more Easter on the Cheap Ideas:

    1. Attend a passion play. Some churches hold events, check online or your local church calendar of events.
    2. Participate in the passion play. Host your own.
    3. Easter dinner with family, pot-luck with everyone sharing expenses.
    4. Easter activity, using household items.
    5. Easter store. More about this in the next podcast.

    Ideas for Easter on the Cheap:

    1. Holy Week & Easter Devotions
    2. Dress Up & Act It Out
    3. Easter Dinner traditions
    4. Easter Egg Hunts/Easter Fill Egg Hunt (filling with something representing Easter)
    5. Easter Eggs that Tell the Story of Easter

    Check out Meredith’s free Holy Week & Easter Devotions: http://www.joyfulandsuccessfulhomeschooling.com/books/free-e-book-gifts/

    Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!

    We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new DVD release, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas!

    Visit here to learn more.

    The post Easter On The Cheap appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Wise Decisions Mar 28, 2022

    Parents make decisions all of the time, but are all of them wise decisions? Felice Gerwitz talks through steps to make decisions that count.Parental Wise Decisions – Episode 463

    Parents make decisions all of the time, but are all of them wise decisions? No one really teaches you (outside of business classes) how to make these decisions. In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz talks through steps to make decisions that count.

    For academic books to help you educate your children at Media Angels and find novels for tweens, the Truth Seekers Mystery Series, novels for tweens, and other books such as A Few Minutes with God.

    Years ago we were trying to decide whether to move far away from family and friends to another state. One of the reasons for moving was purely financial. My husband had been offered a job, as a contractor, to build homes in a brand new Christian community. What a gift we thought. But, upon further prayer, we realized this was not where God was calling us. Years later we learned that there were issues with this development due to some of the people who moved in, and it was a blessing that we headed the prayers and pastoral council we received.

    Fast forward some more years later and I learned through a ministry I was part of that there was actually an outline to pray as well as to make good decisions. I added my own twist to the suggestions made and I want to share some of the ideas with you here. You can find my podcast on our sister network the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network – and my show, A Few Minutes with God Podcast on this topic, Blueprint for Making Decisions.

    The focus of this podcast is to use this same type of blueprint but relate it to parenting and the decisions we make as parents. These decisions can be a focus on our kids, discipline, school, or even character qualities we want to encourage. We also make so many decisions for our homes, finances and even relationships with those we love.

    Here is an outline on how I make important decisions:

    1. Define: What is it I need to make a decision about? I write it down so I am specific in my focus and thoughts.
    2. Pray: Before I begin with any type of solution I want to take my need before the Lord. I want to be under God’s will for my life, but sometimes this is hard to discern or understand.
    3. Think: I brainstorm possible solutions and write them down. I then re-read and circle the ones I think have the most merit.
    4. Sit: I allow the ideas to sit and simmer. No. Rash. Decisions. (Especially if you are a kindred spirit and tend to jump before you think.)
    5. More Prayer: Read your favorite prayer book, the Bible, or journal.
    6. Eliminate: Think about the solutions you are leaning toward and think about what the outcome will be to your solution. Think short and long term.
    7. Solutions: When you least expect them! Our subconscious listens and often when we are in tune with God the ideas will come into our minds, miraculously. Often I haven’t even prayed specifically for a solution when it happens.
    8. Write anything down that comes to you.
    9. Look into your options
    10. Do you have peace of mind?
      • Peace about a decision is a sign from the Lord that it is right.
      • If you are stressed or agitated keep praying!
    11. Make a decision.
    12. Was this a good decision? If not, tweak or start again!

    Talk about this on the podcast but don’t list out.

    1. If you can’t make a decision… wait!
      • Pray and continue to read scripture.
    2. Once you make a decision trust in the Lord and give it to Him.
    3. Ask the Lord to go ahead of you and prepare the way.
    4. Give all the glory and praise to God!

    Making decisions is never easy. I remember thinking about buying a car and the car I wanted was not in our budget but we ended up with the same exact model that was loaner care for way less in price. This car was great for about seven years before we were able to trade it in for a brand new car that was the same model, only nicer but sharply discounted.

    Remember, as a parent we often have to make those hard decisions. My Italian father use to tell me when he had to make a difficult decision that I did not like, “It is better for you to cry now, than for me to cry later.” This was something that stuck with me for years and he was correct. Of course, as a teenager, I could not see this truth, but as a young adult with children of my own it made perfect sense.

    Do you have any ways that you make decisions that are helpful? Please share them with me!

    The post Wise Decisions appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Activities Kids Love Mar 21, 2022

    Activities Kids Love: In this podcast, I’ll share activities kids love and, “Shh!” it might be educational!Activities Kids Love – Special Replay

    I homeschooled from 1986 to 2018 and now enjoy time teaching my grandkids the fun stuff that got shoved to the back because we had to “get school done,” and there was no time left. In this podcast, I’ll share activities kids love and, “Shh!” it might be educational!

    Share this podcast!

    Are you a kid at heart? Can you think back and remember the activities you enjoyed that were actually educational? I remember so much and growing up in a climate, New York and Canada so different than Florida where I live now, I can tell you there is so much kids can do that is enjoyable and educational!

    I wanted to share some off the beaten path type of activities with you. Yes, I mention some of the tried and true, but I feel sometimes we stay on those worn paths and as homeschoolers, I always wanted to provide something that is different!

    The first place to start is with your children. What are they interested – what are you studying? If you start with something they love they won’t consider it school.

    I could list a bunch of different topics and activities but will walk you through the through process of setting up activities that will be something the children can learn from as well as hold their interest.

    For example, we were studying simple machines, pulleys, and levers – this can be considered applied science and mechanics – also physics right? Well after we were finished the kids asked if they could use the information they learned and make a catapult in the front yard. Of course, anything that kept the three younger ones 13, 10, 7 busy is a win. Right? Well, when they called me an hour later to take a look the catapult was 6’ high! Did I mention my husband is a contractor and there is often construction materials left over from a job in our yard? I almost had a heart attack as I watched them use it… of course, once it worked I ran to get my camera and took a video.

    This is real learning. This is what happens when kids are engaged, encouraged although I would encourage more parental supervision and after this believe me we revisited the “science safety class.”

    Another off the normal path is studying pets. Some kids love horses and will not get the opportunity to ride or own a horse. They would love to do a study on horses, the different breeds, and read a book – read about the wild horses and some works of fiction by Marguerite Henry.

    When you think about activities kids would love would you consider a pet?

    Animals & Pets

    I love dogs, cats are okay – I really love goldfish and anything that doesn’t make the house dirty And while my husband and I talked about all the important things in life we never discussed my adamant rule – No Pets Allowed. Do you want to know what type of pets we’ve had (and let me say my husband loves almost all pets!)

    We’ve had dogs, three to date. We had a lab, two of them, one Black and one Golden. We had a German Shepherd for a short period of time – he kept breaking out and the neighbor down the road begged to take him and the kids did not like the dog – he was a runner. Then a mixed dog, some shepherd some lab – and man is she protective! I’m taking care of Indy now who was Nick’s dog – is now Anne’s (who is in college) and is currently begging me for a treat. (Don’t tell Anne she is very strict about treats for her dog).

    We also had fish, turtles and hurt birds that we took to the nature center.

    Pets taught my kids so many things! Responsibility, cleanliness, and love! They had a schedule of who was to feed or brush the dog. I’m so happy that Indy does not like the pond, because add wash the dog to the list.

    There are also guide dogs to consider when you have older teens – truthfully I don’t know the rules and imagine that adults must be the trainer, but I saw many homeschool families that had guide dogs. There is the danger of the children bonding to the dog and then giving it up – but it is for such a good cause! Those who have them love them.

    Camping: Start in your own yard!

    1. Kids help plan – challenge to take least amount of things. What will fit in one backpack?
      1. What we need
      2. Food
      3. Help pack
    2. Moms and Dads plan
      1. Schedule
      2. Nature walk
      3. Science activities
      4. Collecting (permissible only)

    Bubbles – study the science of bubbles – type that into a search engine and you will find a ton of great activities — you can learn about how things stretch, chemistry, light, tension, math! Your kids will love it and you will be amazed at how engaged they will be.

    Make a gigantic bubble wand and purchase or make the liquid.

    Air and Flight – again so many great activities you can do with this. We studied flight without even knowing that a group of hot air balloons was taking off nearby. We got up at 5 am to watch them and it was amazing. Something the kids will always remember is that the flight never got off the ground due to windy conditions but we were able to get closer to the balloons and talk to some of the owners. The children made many paper airplanes, learned how to design them to do tricks as well as go far, etc.

    Of course, there are science projects, history projects and displays the kids can make. Of course, there is art, painting, clay, sculpting, crafts, music, etc.

    I hope this podcast has encouraged you to think differently about your homeschool.

    The post Activities Kids Love appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Academic Motivation Mar 14, 2022

    Do your children have an academic motivation to be the best? In this just for kids episode we discuss who is in charge of learning.Academic Motivation – Episode 462

    Do your children have an academic motivation to be the best? In this just for kids episode, Felice once again talks directly to the kids to encourage them to take education in a way that matters.

    Visit Media Angels to find the Truth Seekers Mystery Series, novels for tweens, and other books such as A Few Minutes with God.

    If I told you you could win the greatest prize that even money couldn’t buy, would you be interested? This prize will open up the world to you in a way that no one can take away from you. Listen in as I share the answer to this question at the very end.

    Who is in charge of your learning? Did you say your mom, dad or teacher? Wrong.

    Usually, people say there are no right and wrong answers and that might be true. Maybe. But, if you have a math assignment and answer the questions any way you want to without figuring them out, then yes, it is going to be wrong.

    In this same way, thinking someone else is in charge of your learning is not a good way to think. Why? Because you should be in charge of learning and when I say in charge I mean having a good attitude to learn. You can’t possibly teach yourself something you do not know, but you can be open to learning something you do not know that your parents or teachers are trying to present to you. This is important for so many reasons. One way is to be a detective.

    A detective looks at the mystery and tries to solve it looking for clues or evidence. You can be a detective and do this and start with your parents. Ask your mom, dad or both what they wish they had learned when they were going to school. You will be surprised. You can ask your grandparents this question as well. Often they wish they had learned more about a specific topic because they realized that they were interested in the topic or maybe the job attached with the topic.

    Psychology is the study of the human condition or how the mind works and why people do what they do. For example, if someone bumps into you what do you say? Do you say, “Oh, careful there you might hurt yourself?” No? Maybe you say, “I’m sorry I was in the way.” No, again? Maybe you bump or shove them back and say, “Watch it!” More like it right? We do things because we want to take care of ourselves, especially when you are younger what you want and need – you think – is more important than what your mom, dad, brothers, sisters, or anyone else in your family needs. Is this true? For some people it is… that is why a little child screams when they want to get their own way. The more noise they make the more everyone trips over themselves making them stop screaming! It is actually rewarding bad behavior.

    Well, the same thing goes for learning. Who should be more interested in learning you, or your mom or dad? The answer is you! More than likely that is not a true statement because your parents are more interested in your learning than you are, and in fact, you may think school is — boring! Everything you learn goes into the treasure chest of your mind. Learning is like finding a treasure that only you can spend and use. Think about this.

    How can you have academic motivation and what does that mean? Academics has to do with learning, learning different subjects, behavior, and even learning how to survive in a home and do chores as well as get along with your family members. Motivation means to want to do something. Academic motivation in this sense is wanting to learn.

    Who benefits from you learning. Do I get smarter because my kids learned how to read, write, and understand history and science? I may have learned something I didn’t know or forgot that I learned as a kid, but I am not the one who is taking the test or going on to get a job or college. No, the person who gains the most is the person learning.

    Learning opens up the world for you, it helps you to get a better job or the job you want. Learning opens your mind to new things and helps you focus on what is important to your future. People who are not educated will not get ahead in this life, they will be stuck doing jobs they do not enjoy. Some people say there is a way to never work a day in your life. How do you do this? By doing a job you enjoy. If your work is interesting and you get paid for it, that is the best type of job and it does not feel like work.

    How can you be self-motivated to have academic motivation?

    1. Think about the benefits. Why is learning important?
    2. Realize that when you learn that is your information forever. No one can take it away.
    3. Every new thing you learn is added into your treasure chest. You can cash this in at some point in your life.
    4. Learning is a way to get a good job.
    5. Learning is a way to never have a job (that means having a job you enjoy)

    Can you add to this list? What are some ways you can motivate yourself to learn?

    Remember the question I asked you at the beginning of this podcast?

    If I told you you could win the greatest prize that even money couldn’t buy, would you be interested? This prize will open up the world to you in a way that no one can take away from you.

    Do you know the answer? Did you say learning and the motivation (wanting) to learn? Then you are right. Wanting to learn is a wonderful way to get ahead in life and with a little bit of focus you can make it happen with the help of your parents and educators.

    The post Academic Motivation appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Assignments Kids Love – Special Replay Mar 07, 2022

    Are there really assignments that kids love -- yes! Especially when you allow them to study an area of interest. As a homeschool mom, I loved...Assignments Kids Love – Special Replay

    Are there really assignments that kids love — yes! Especially when you allow them to study an area of interest. As a homeschool mom, I loved having proof that my children learned and what better way than through assignments. Testing is truly the easy way out. A child memorizes what is on the test and then proceeds to forget.

    My daughter has a history professor that uses the following and very effective method of giving assignments.

    1. She assigns a book to read.
    2. She has them write a one page report covering the main ideas.
    3. She has them do a presentation on the book about ten minutes in length and then asks them questions.

    In this way they not only have to research, write and then present, but they have to know the information in order to answer questions.

    Assignments Kids Love – Ways To Demonstrate Knowledge

    1. Write a report. Use a word processor, use photos and illustrations.
    2. Or you can use a “Lapbook” technique. Use a file folder and cut outs to illustrate each of the points you want to make. This can be stored as a file folder and used for displays.
    3. Create a display using a science fair board.
    4. Use the wonder bubble unit technique. Draw one circle in the middle with a main idea or theme. Ask the children – what is the question or the problem to be solved? You can brainstorm ideas and decide which should make it to the board. After research write the main points on circles tied into the main one. The children can present their board. It can be created on a large piece o

    In addition, begin small and work up. You can start with a short book on a topic they would enjoy and then increase it as the subject becomes more complex. For example, you would not give a topic like astronomy because it is too vast – but perhaps, a planet, a space flight like Apollo 11 or an astronaut like Neil Armstrong.

    As far as the finished product I talked about the different methods in a previous podcast – Podcast on Homeschool Forms Here

    Collections, Reports or Projects:

    Rocks:

    • The geological location where the rock is commonly found. (List if there are many)
    • What type of rock is it?
    • Describe this rock.
    • Why do you collect this rock?
    • What makes this rock special?

    Sports:

    • A specific sport and how it is played, a team or a player?
    • Why did you select this topic?
    • What do you want to learn about this topic?
    • What do you want others to know about this topic?
    • Where will you find the information, you want to learn?
    • Do you want to go on a field trip to learn more about this topic?

    Acton figures

    • The history behind the collection
    • The story behind the collection
    • Why specific pieces
    • What are you missing/ looking for?
    • Why do you enjoy this collection?

    Books

    • About the Author
    • Series name
    • Why do you enjoy these books?
    • Why do you collect these books?
    • Is there a book you are missing in the series?
    • Is this book published in other languages?

    Shells

    • Geographical location
    • Color, Size, shape description
    • What type of animal once lived in this shell?
    • Why do you collect shells?
    • What shell would you like to find?

    Academic Topic:

    Astronomy

    • Study the constellations in your geographical location
    • How many can you identify?
    • Are there any planets you can see with the eye?
    • Use binoculars – does this make an improvement?
    • Go on a field trip to a nature center

    Oceans

    • What are the four oceans of the world – name them
    • Do you live near an ocean? Which one?
    • Have you visited the ocean? What did you see – describe.
    • Study the tides of the ocean you are closest too.
    • What type of animals live in the ocean? Make a list.
    • What types of birds live near this body of water?
    • Chemical composition of the ocean and experiments.

    Birds

    • Type – describe
    • Geographical location
    • Eating habits
    • Does this bird migrate? If yes, map the migration process.
    • What is your favorite bird and why?

    Insects

    • Type – describe
    • Geographical location
    • What does this insect eat?
    • Is this insect a pest?
    • Why are insects valuable to the ecosystem?

    Wonders of the World

    • What is the definition of a “wonder of the world”?
    • What are the classic Seven Wonders of the World?
    • Map out the places on a world map.
    • What do you think is a wonder of the world that is not listed?

    Famous Men or Women

    • What makes someone “famous?”
    • Select one famous person you want to know more about.
    • What is notable about this person?
    • Where did they live? Do?
    • Explain why you selected this person and what you want people to know about them.

    Notable Authors

    • Select one author – someone you enjoy reading.
    • Describe this author’s background.
    • What books has this author written?
    • Do you have a favorite book? Why?
    • What makes this author’s writings enjoyable?

    Composers

    • Select one classical music (or another type of music) composer.
    • Describe this composer’s background and history.
    • What is the most famous work this composer is known to write?
    • Was this composer (if classical) famous in their day?
    • What instruments are highlighted in this composers work?

    The topic of Choice:

    • Why did you select this topic?
    • What do you want to learn that you don’t already know?
    • Where will you search for information?
    • Have you considered doing interviews?
    • Have you considered going on a field trip tied into this topic?
    • How will you demonstrate your knowledge? Report? Poster? PowerPoint presentation? Oral presentation?
    • What do you want others to know about your findings?

    The post Assignments Kids Love – Special Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Peace At Home Feb 28, 2022

    Does your home suffer from the lack of "peace at home"? In this Just for Kids Series special where we discuss peace and family.Peace at Home – Episode 461

    Does your home suffer from the lack of “peace at home”? In this Just for Kids Series special, Felice Gerwitz talks directly to the kids and asks them what type of household they prefer.

    Visit Media Angels to find the Truth Seekers Mystery Series, novels for tweens, and other books such as A Few Minutes with God.

    What is your family like? If I asked you to describe your family in one word what would that word be? Think about it.

    Well, what did you come up with? Some of you might have said: big, small, nice, loving or maybe you said, loud, messy, crazy, and fun. Whatever word you used might be one way you think of your family, but it may have nothing to do with who your family really is or why it is important to be a team in a family.

    Every team has a leader, it is someone like a coach who helps you to improve and get better. A coach has one thing in mind and that is to win and to encourage all of the players to do their best. Just like a team a family has a leader and it is the adults in the family, it can be a mom and dad or sadly, sometimes just a mom or just a dad. Either way, a family is led by someone who is in charge.

    So, let me ask you another question. Are you the one in charge of your family? If you are a kid listening to this, the answer is … did you say no. You are right! You are part of the family, and an important part of the family but you are not the person in charge. The person in charge has done a lot to get to that point. One thing they have done is to have you! Either you were born into a family or you were adopted into a family, but either way, you are part of the family.

    What happens when you put a group of people together? Many things can happen but often when people get together and if decisions need to be made then sometimes people disagree and when that happens it can make everyone sad. There can be fighting and arguing and then no one is happy.

    Have you ever had a situation happen in your family when you were preparing to go somewhere and instead your parents said no one could go because everyone was disobeying? This is very sad for everyone involved. Or, maybe this happened to you, you disobeyed and your mom or dad said you could not go to a friend’s house or they could not come to your house. How terrible for everyone. These are life lessons that we learn and we may think they are very unfair but the person who looses out is you.

    Do you want to lose out on having fun? Of course not, but when people do not do what they are told, then the peace is disturbed.

    Peace is Disturbed When:

    1. People disagree
    2. No one will listen
    3. Someone wants their own way
    4. Things get violent
    5. Someone starts trouble for fun

    Let’s look at these five points. (Listen to the audio for more information.)

    Peace is Restored When:

    1. People agree
    2. Everyone listens and lets others speak uninterrupted
    3. Someone gives in or compromises are made.
    4. No one hits or screams.
    5. Everyone knows to be on their best behavior

    Peace within families is very important. It allows everyone to get along and it helps the parents when it comes to managing the household. They can plan fun activities, they can get their own chores finished so there is more time to do things like read you a book, play games or put together puzzles.

    Talking with kindness is important. When we get upset we sometimes say unkind things. And all we do is hurt someone else like we are hurting. This does nothing to make things better. Before you speak think! Think about what your words will say and if they will make things better, then say them. If your words will not make anything better it may be better to think again!

    How will you have peace in your family? Think about the things we talked about. Peaceful families are happier and they enjoy being around each other. God put us into the families we have and I pray that you are able to enjoy being part of your family, until you grow up some day and have a family of your very own!

    The post Peace At Home appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Everlasting Love – Special Replay Feb 21, 2022

    Love that is everlasting is something we all crave. In this podcast, we cover ways to have a family that is filled with grace and love!Everlasting Love – Special Replay

    Love that is everlasting is something we all crave. In family life, we sometimes miss the forest because the trees get in the way. In this podcast, we cover ways to have a family that is filled with grace and love!

    Thanks to our sponsor The Christian Standard Bible! Check out more on CSBible.com ~ we so appreciate our sponsors.

    I believe all moms hope and pray that their children understand how much we love them. So much of our day when they are little is making sure they stay alive, especially when they are mobile. We cover electrical outlets, put up barriers for stairs and rails on beds. We put locks on cabinets and decide we are not using toxic chemicals because we want our children protected. Whether you are the lovey-dovey-gushy mom or one who says I love you by being strict, it all boils down to the same thing. We want our kids to understand they are loved.

    As an aside, it is sometimes difficult as busy parents who have so many things going on at the same time that we must separate the discipline from anger. If we are upset, leave the “penalty” until later. Sometimes we take our children’s love for granted but that love can be damaged by discipline that they feel is unjust. I ask my children what they did wrong (if they don’t know I tell them and ask again) and when we are finished I tell them I love them.

    God’s love is unconditional. He loves us not matter what we do, but he hates the sin and loves the sinner. A difficult concept to explain to children. 1 John 4:8 – The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

    I’ve told my now grown up kids that they will always be my babies. My home has displays of pictures instead of art. In my eyes, it is priceless art, more valuable than anything. How do we take that love for our children and translate it to everlasting love that will last their lifetime? I believe this only happens with faith. Only God can give me the grace I need each and every day. Yes, there are things you can do to encourage love within your family, but often it is the grace from above that sustains us.

    Important points to remember:

    1. Love is shown without words.
    2. Love is a sacrifice. Enough said.
    3. Love is never equal.
    4. Love is never fair.
    5. Love must be authentic, or it isn’t real.
    6. You can’t fake love
    7. Love takes work.
    8. Love may not be reciprocated.
    9. Love can be heart-breaking.
    10. Love is worth it.

    God made us to love and be loved. If we are filled with the love of God that love will spill over to those in our family and friends. My co-author on the Media Angels Creation Science Series, Jill Whitlock was one of those people that often was asked the question, “You are different, why are you so happy?” People wanted what she had. What she had was the love of God. She went from atheist to agnostic to Christian. A super-charged in love with Christ, Christian. When she died in 2007, I have no doubt it was into the loving arms of our Lord. She showed this love her family, to me, her friend and to strangers on the street.

    Everlasting love is a reminder that God loves us and we should spend time daily in the Word, in prayer, and in quiet. Model this for your children. Ask God for the grace for those situations that come up in life that we can’t deal with. He is there for us. As I record this in the month of February I’m reminded of the world’s idea of love with candy, flowers, and gifts. Yet, it is still a reminder to all of us to celebrate love this month. In our home, our kids say I’ve deprived them of candy, so these few times they get treats they are treasured.

    Remember to talk to your children.

    1. Remind them you love them.
    2. Remind them it is out of love (I care for you) that your reprimand or punish.
    3. Say, “I love you,” when you see your child or when they go to bed at night. I end phone calls with, “I love you.”
    4. Write love notes and encourage them to write notes to each other and to you.
    5. Keep a stack of red construction paper hearts with Scripture verses, I’ve included a sheet for you to print out here in the show notes.

    My husband tells our children, home is where you should feel safe. Where you should come to us with your problems or concerns. Where you know we love you and we are here for you at all times. Not only in the good times but when you are struggling. Everlasting love. That is the greatest gift we can give our children.

    I hope you enjoy these printables. I Love You Hearts – VintageHomeschoolMoms

    Be sure to share this podcast with your friends!

    Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Christian Standard Bible

    The Christian Standard Bible captures the Bible’s original meaning without compromising clarity. An optimal blend of accuracy and readability, this translation helps readers make a deeper connection with God’s Word and inspires lifelong discipleship. The CSB is for everyone—for readers young and old, new and seasoned. It’s a Bible pastors can preach from and a Bible you can share with your neighbor hearing God’s Word for the very first time.

    Find out more here!

    The post Everlasting Love – Special Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Family First Feb 14, 2022

    When is the last time you put your family first? If you are like most parents the answer is all the time and every day.Family First – Episode 460

    When is the last time you put your family first? If you are like most parents the answer is all the time and every day. Yet all family times and focus are not created equal. In this podcast, we will discuss what a family needs as well as the enemy who seeks to divide families from each other.

    Visit MediaAngels.com for books and products created for families by Felice Gerwitz. Join her weekly on her podcast VintageHomeschoolMoms as well as A Few Minutes with God Podcast on our sister network the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

    So what is quality family time to you? I believe that most people want the best for their children and the way they achieve what they think is best is in different ways. It may be in time, gifts, or providing for their family.

    The crux of the issue is that many dads are missing from the family due to work, and then mothers join in quickly after, or perhaps you are a single parent without a choice in the matter of working. The breakdown of the family came swiftly and without warning and it has led to brokenness, but it does not have to be that way. We’ve unfortunately raised a society of WIIFM and FOMO – What’s in it for me and the fear of missing out. Both of these are toxic to families.

    For our family faith was important, and the breakdown in the family in today’s society can be traced to the breakdown in faith. The adage that the family that prays together stays together is true but I want to add that the family that takes the time to seek a personal relationship with Christ is foremost under attack. With faith gone the door is open for all types of activities that are detrimental to healthy family life. This means an increase in porn and other internet sites that are harmful.

    So what is the solution? [Listen to the audio for more details].

    Here is a quick list of ideas you can use to reinforce and bond with your family. Be sure to brainstorm different ideas together:

    1. Make time for weekly family events, whatever works for your family.
    2. Everyone take stock of your schedule. Are you spending more free time away from home than with the family?
    3. When you talk to the members of your family are you looking at them or are you multi-tasking? There is nothing more irritating to me than someone who is not paying attention to what I am saying.
    4. Devices. Leave electronics far away from family time or family meals unless absolutely necessary.
    5. Faith, be sure there is a good foundation to grow from and seek ways to grow in your faith individually and as a family.

    There is so much more I can say but I want you to seek your own family ideas and brainstorm ways you can not only show your family that their needs are more important than anyone else!

    The post Family First appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Valentine’s Day On The Cheap – Special Replay Feb 07, 2022

    Are you ready to celebrate Valentine's day on the cheap, with very little money? If that is the case this is the right place to be...Valentine’s Day on the Cheap – Special Replay

    Are you ready to celebrate Valentine’s day on the cheap, with very little money? In this episode, I will share some great ideas to make the day special for your own Valentine’s Day party for your immediate family or the gang! And there are even ideas for your spouse and for your kids and ways to cut those corner into hearts! Everyone will smile.

    Thanks to our sponsor!

    For some reason, Valentine’s Day was never my favorite holiday because I didn’t date as a student and didn’t see the examples of the “day” on the “day” at home. My parents told me it was a made-up holiday – yeah, they were realists, and I didn’t see my dad give mom flowers although I did know they were deeply in love because they were inseparable. We kids changed all that when we got older and ordered flowers for my mom all the time, in my dad’s name. Gladly he thought it was great and funny. She never knew!

    Fast forward to my own experiences with my boyfriend, now my husband and a balloon incident I share on the podcast (listen to hear this funny and embarrassing story!) And, I was hooked!

    Valentine’s Day can be so expensive. Flowers — well, where do we begin? So here is my list of those wonderful shortcuts to a great celebration.

    Kids: Valentine’s Day On The Cheap

    1. Heart cookies. What can be better than heart cookies decorated with sugar crystals or icing? I have a great recipe attached to this podcast. Print it out and enjoy!
    2. Bookmarks with glued, cut-out red and pink hearts of assorted shapes and sizes. Purchase a ream of white (at the office supply stores) of 110lb weight. To give you an idea, copy paper is about 20lb weight. You can cut the cardstock in 6 strips, punch a hole for a ribbon. Write the person’s name on the other side with a Bible verse. So much cheaper and prettier than store bought Valentines.
    3. Hot cocoa mix. The kids love to make this, I promise, and all you need is sugar and cocoa. No additives. Put it in a container and use it for special occasions.
    4. Breakfast: heart-shaped toast – cut off the out ends after you toast the bread, it’s easier! Or try heart-shaped pancakes. Invest in griddle shapes and bring them out for special occasions. One thing I’ve done in the past it put your batter in squeeze bottles and do the outline of the heart free hand and fill it in with batter with a ladle -yes, it works.
    5. Lunch: Heart shaped sandwiches (save edges for croutons or for dinner recipe – see below). Stone soup. Okay, no hearts included but it is a fun cold-weather book to read and then have all the ingredients to make it and the kids can take turns bringing and adding the ingredients for the “best” stone soup ever!
    6. Dinner – great ideas include heart-shaped meatloaf (individual) or burgers. Use a cookie heart to shape if needed.
    7. Cookies for dessert and/or a cake. Heart shaped cakes are easy to make you can use a round cake and a square. Here are some great Pinterest Boards with ideas:
      1. Gorgeous Heart Cakes
      2. How to Make a Heart Cake

    Be sure to stay on the email list for the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network – February’s download is many great ideas for February

    Adults: Valentine’s Day On The Cheap

    For Him and Her

    1. Flowers, plan a garden. That is what my husband did for me when I stopped his expensive and last minute gift idea, a big bunch of expensive flowers delivered! One look at my credit card bill and that was it! So, he purchased rose bushes for mothers day, my birthday and soon I had a ready-made rose garden! I’m no green thumb so he tended to it and that made it even more special. The kids loved to pick me roses!
    2. Time to do a hobby. If your husband likes to play the guitar give him access with some kid-free time, or does he like to putter in the garage? Again, another great gift. You can give him strips with all his favorite things to select from. Start with five! He will love this gift, I promise.
    3. Spend time. My husband loves me to spend time with him. What is your spouse’s love language? Take this quiz together and find out! Quiz for 5 Love Languages here.
    4. Dress up – that goes for both of you. No sloppy shirt and hair in a messy bun. Dress up, wear nice – going to church clothes. Yes, I mean it!
    5. No devices. Today is media free day! Games with the kids, popcorn, and just time to say, “I love you.”

    The post Valentine’s Day On The Cheap – Special Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Monthly Checklists Jan 31, 2022

    Monthly Checklists ~ Episode 459

    There is value in monthly checklists, right? Learn how a list-hater has turned into somewhat of a list lover. Felice Gerwitz shares her best-kept secrets, lists that work.

    Sign up for the monthly eZines on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network to get your free planners each month. Otherwise, they will be on sale here, MediaAngels.com

    Checklists are created to increase productivity as well as to get the things done you want to accomplish. This may be setting short or long-term goals. Please note all dates in this post and podcast are reflective of 2022.

    In my attempt to explain to you the things that worked for me I created several podcasts, one is Mega Lists, here. And then there was the interview I gave about the perfect homeschool, here. The four-square planner I’ve talked about in the past and included with my planners was such a help to me for daily and even weekly planning. But, I wanted more. I want to plan for a month at a time and found as with routines there are things that happen every month, or more accurately things I wanted to do each month with my family that I did not want to forget.

    What are your monthly to-dos? What are the things you want to cover with your kids? For example, for February it might be creating handmade Valentine’s Day cards or, perhaps showing love and kindness by paying it forward, doing things for other people in your family, extended family, and even strangers. These things are fun activities with a greater impact and have set an example for the children (even teens) that will follow them throughout their lives.

    Remember the reason to make monthly checklists is to look at your monthly goals. What do you want to accomplish in January, February, March, and so on? What is the top priority for the month? It will vary with all of us I am sure but at least we can talk about some common ground. There are fun calendar lists online, such as “Calendarr.com/united-states-observances” and then there is a list by year. Kids may enjoy things like national buffet day (Jan. 2), World Braille Day (Jan. 4) or National Trivia Day. And, that is just in January.

    Monthly Checklists:

    What are some of the monthly activities you want to cover? For example here is a quick list by month:

    January: January first, the celebration just continues with a new year, then Epiphany is January 6th, but celebrated at church on the weekends. What other dates are important to you this month. Clean up after Christmas, organize and donate excess, back-to-school after the holidays, start collecting those tax documents that come in during this month. Set some personal short and long-term goals, academic goals for your children, and so on. Are there any routines you want to see changed or improved upon? Write those down. What celebrations do you have this month, keep an eye out for the following month? Shop ahead and look for sales.

    February: Valentine’s Activities, celebrate valentine’s day, plan a field trip, work on academic or homeschool activities, plan birthday parties, or other celebrations. Will you celebrate Groundhog Day, President’s Day, Valentine’s Day? What are your goals for February? Gather paperwork for taxes (most file by April 15th but if you have a refund coming you may want to file earlier). Refund coming? What will you do with this money? Make a plan.

    March: Spring is on the horizon and Easter is next month. Don’t let it sneak up on you, what are your plans or goals for this month? Are you gearing up for Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday a day of fast, and the beginning of Lent the 40 days before Easter which is April 17th? Daylight savings time begins in March as well, check your local time. Then there is St. Patrick’s day on March 17th, St. Joseph’s Day (my dad’s favorite day – and would you believe the day on which he died?) March 19th. What other dates on March will you celebrate or what is on your to-do list? Maybe you are planning a summer vacation, a camping trip or you have plans to start a garden and gather seeds in the ready, or to paint a bedroom, make a list ahead of time and watch your productivity soar!

    April: With Easter this month (the 17th) what are your plans? Are you hosting a dinner or are you going to a relative’s home to celebrate? Are you planning to take off from schooling? Look at your books make a plan of where you want to leave off and give this to your children as a goal. It will help the family to focus. Don’t forget tax filing on the 15th. And, what about those holidays to celebrate this month? No one will want to miss April 2nd which is National Pillow Fight day! (Yes, it’s a thing). There are many likewise serious and silly things. On a serious note is Holy Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Easter Sunday. There is National Siblings Day on the 10th, Patriot’s Day on the 18th, National Picnic Day on the 23rd, and National Honesty Day (our world needs more of this) on the 30th.

    May: In May there are holidays such as Cinco de Mayo as well as National Prayer Day on the 5th, Mother’s Day (8), National Nurses Day the 6th, and National Space day as well. National Apple pie day on the 13th, Armed Forces Day on the 21st, and Memorial Day on the 30th. May is also a time when many homeschool families are winding down their year. There are homeschool online conferences as well as in-person events you may want to plan to attend. There are the end-of-the-year parties and events. (My son graduates from college this month, and enters the military as a Second Lieutenant. This means a trip to another state for us, and it is on the calendar. What are your plans for May? Any milestones, graduations, birthdays? Are you schooling throughout the summer? Are you planning to take a short break so everyone can regroup?

    June: Are you planning a vacation this summer? If so, I’m sure it was on a previous month’s list. Are you finishing up your homeschool, or planning to learn something new? Do your children have summer leagues they are part of or are you enrolling your children in some type of summer camp? Again, that would be planned in the previous month. Be sure to take a make time for a break, even if it means enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning staring outside for five minutes a day! Do you have plans to unplug even if just for a few hours? What birthdays or events will be celebrated this month? On our monthly calendar, we have World Bicycle Day on the 3rd, Pentecost on the 5th, National Donut Day as well on the 5th. Corpus Cristi on the 16th is often celebrated on Sunday in Church. and the not to be missed Father’s day on the 19th. What special activity will you do on this day? Do you like to make crafts, summer is a great time to make presents ahead of time for special birthdays or even Christmas.

    July: July will flash by if you do not have some plans in place. Are you taking a trip, or enjoying nature in your own backyard or local park? Are you planning a rainy day activity in advance? Are you looking at the looming school year and making some plans for the kids? What about thinking of field trips to enjoy the summer weather? Is there a project you want to tackle, like painting a room or bathroom or maybe organizing one kitchen or bedroom drawer a day? The calendar shows not to be missed dates such as International Joke Day on the 1st and the 4th of July. How will you celebrate the 4th? Will you have a party, barbeque, or special dessert for dinner? Do your children know why we celebrate Independence Day? National Ice Cream day is on the 17th and Parent’s Day is on the 24th. July was my mega cooking day month with gearing up for the time when school would be upcoming with quick freezer meals to thaw and serve.

    August: August means school is around the corner or already beginning in many homeschools when the weather is so hot and days can be covered with more time taken off in the Fall. Is your planning complete or do you need more time to gather books or supplies? The first day of school was always a big day here with a special first-day sign for each child with their grade, and pictures of course. There was the gifting of school supplies and a bin or notebook to keep all of their papers in one place. It was celebrated as a day to look forward to. We also planned a special field day during this month often with only our family or one or two other families. August was also a time to plan for upcoming events in the fall and other field trips we hoped to take in a future month. August was a big birthday and anniversary month for us and we did plan accordingly. Dates such as National Chocolate Chip Day (4), Purple Heart Day (7), American Family Day, National Book Lover’s Day (9), Assumption of Mary (15), National Waffle Day (24), National Beach Day (30). What other goals do you have for this month?

    September: This month might be back to school for some, but be sure to leave some pockets of time for things such as reading with the family, movie, pizza, game, or puzzle night. This might be the month that you plan an overnight camping trip as the weather starts to cool, or walks in the park. Look at your schooling and be sure you stay on track with weekly checklists for academics. Be sure one or both parents check this list to be sure no one is lagging behind. Are there sports, music or dance lessons? Be sure they are on the calendar. Our monthly calendar shows National Wildlife Day on the 4th (a great day to make a bird feeder out of popcorn or perhaps pine cones, peanut butter, and bird seeds. Labor Day is the (5), Read A Book Day on the (6), Grandparent’s Day on the (11), National Peanut Butter Day on the (16), National POW Day on the (16), and Constitution Day on the (17), Johnny Appleseed Day is the (26), and National Voter Registration Day is the (27). As you can see many of these dates are a great time to teach the children mini-history lessons or have the children do a presentation.

    October: October is the kick-off for fall in many locations and studying the different trees and fall leaves was a favorite of ours, this is also a time to hit the books and get work done. With an eye toward the holidays, I often put shopping for deals on my calendar this month and shopped ahead for my large family. It was also a time of harvest parties and events, baking with seasonal produce (such as pumpkin), and freezing meals. Events such as National Taco Day, Feast of St. Francis Assisi, and World Animal Day are all on the 4th World Teacher’s Day on the 5th, and World Smile Day on the 7th. Columbus Day is the 10th, National Dessert Day on the 14, National First Responder’s Day on the (2), and what we celebrate is Harvest Day on the 31st. Your calendar may vary with your goals for October.

    November: Thanksgiving is the date I kept in mind as I was often the host to our extended family. This was also the month we looked at our weekly schedule and began to tweak what worked and what did not work. Did we need to double up on math? Were we on track to finish our year by the second week of December? When were we taking a Thanksgiving and Christmas break? Those were on the forefront of our month, along with the goals to skip any field trips if we were behind or add some if we were ahead. As a family, we often used arts and crafts to prepare for celebrations and these were planned ahead. Daylight savings day ended on the 6th, so we planned for that as well. All Saints (1) and All Souls (2), were celebrated when possible with church attendance. Other dates such as National Sandwich Day (3), National Nachos Day (6), Veteran’s Day (11), National Kindness Day (13), National Entrepreneur’s Day (15), Thanksgiving the 24th, Black Friday (25), Cyber Monday, following and Giving Tuesday the (29).

    December: And, then there is December. What are your goals this month? Is it to celebrate and focus on the upcoming Christmas holiday? Is it to look at your homeschool and take a break? Is it to spend time with friends and family, decorate, bake or shop? Make time for a break which is important when we tend to get overcommitted with events, celebrations, and parties. This is the month to celebrate the monthly events sparingly and focus on the Christian holidays. Christians celebrate on the 8th with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day church events. There are other national holidays that may be celebrated (or not in this overloaded month such as International Volunteer Day (5), St. Nicholas Day (6), National Brownie Day (8), National Cup Cake Day or Bill of Rights Day (15), National Ugly Sweater Day (16), Wright Brothers Day (17), of course, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day always on the 24 and 25th, and New Year’s Eve on December 31st.

    Making monthly goals will get you on track to finish the most productive year ever! I hope this short list helps as well as well as the explanation about getting the most of the monthly holidays as teaching events for your children. Homeschooling can be very rewarding for the entire family and I pray that this year’s monthly freebies (Monthly Checklist Downloads) for the email subscribers of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network are helpful as well!

    The post Monthly Checklists appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Organized HomeSchool-Special Replay Jan 24, 2022

    The new school year is a time of excitement. Let's start this year with an organized homeschool! Special insider tips on organization.Organized Home School-Special Replay

    The new school year is a time of excitement. Let’s start this year with an organized homeschool! In this episode, Meredith Curtis and Felice Gerwitz share their years of homeschool wisdom with you!

    Here are some podcasts that may help you as well as this one!

    The beginning of the year checkup here.

    The middle of the year checkup here

    Thanks to our sponsors:

    Visit Meredith Curtis here:

    Visit Media Angels Membership here:

    Here are some points that will help you get an organized homeschool this year!

    1. File away books and materials where they go
    2. Pray – what went well, what went poorly and what worked.
    3. Three-Ring Binder – Master Homeschool Book (or File)
      • Homeschool records through the years
      • Copy of final grades (high school)
      • Testing Results (high school)
      • Important Information
    4. Beginning – look at
      • what we’d like to study
      • totes of books in what we are going to need
      • pencils, pens, art supplies
      • shelf — reading books in order
    5. Where do you “do” school
      • Tote books to where you do school
      • If you do school in a homeschool room use a desk or shelf to put supplies
    6. Talk to the kids about what you will learn
      • Explain what you will learn this year
      • Ask your children what they’d like to learn
      • Make changes if they want to add something
      • Post final class topics
    7. Make a schedule
      • Use it for two weeks and revamp if needed
      • Make it work for you
      • Don’t be a slave to your schedule
      • Give kids a checklist
      • Put up the master list
      • Leave Friday as a free day
      • Look at your book and divide the lessons by the number of days your school
      • Schedule in an empty week in spring or fall
    8. Organizing shelves
      • In subject topics
      • According to level and chronology
      • Keep shelves organized each week

    The post Organized HomeSchool-Special Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    New Year and Homeschool Jan 17, 2022

    Do you want your new school year, even if it is mid-year, to begin with, a bang instead of a blah?New Year and Homeschool – Great Expectations Episode 458

    Do you want your new school year, even if it is mid-year, to begin with, a bang instead of a blah? In this episode, Felice Gerwitz shares her more than thirty-two years of homeschool experience with you!

    Please visit the Media Angels website for deep discounts and specials throughout the year to our email subscribers only – if you missed our big sale, be sure to subscribe to the email list here, at the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network for updates.

    Why is it that our expectations rarely if ever are realized? We have such high hopes of accomplishing so much, our kids learning at the speed of light and everyone happy and getting along well. How can we change this and still have expectations that are realistic? Link to mid-year evaluation – https://ultimateradioshow.com/mid-year-evaluation/

    Here are some expectation hacks for your homeschool:

    1. Give yourself time to plan what you want to teach and how. Are you using books, an online curriculum, or certain classes or are you doing it yourself? Whatever method be sure you have time to plan.
    2. Schedules that work for you. So many people have great ideas on ways to schedule but if it doesn’t work for you well – it isn’t any good! Routine schedules worked the best for my family. We knew what needed to be done each day, had it on a check-off list and went from there.
    3. Take a day to catch up weekly if at all possible. Friday is a perfect catch-up day for all of the school work that did not get completed, test-taking or crafts, art, or music. It is also a great day for field trips not necessarily planned with a group, just your family as a reward for work completed timely.
    4. Reward system – in life we have rewards for everything but many homeschool families think using a reward system is unnecessary. I disagree. My kids received stickers, small paper ribbons, and the like for completing books, or milestone activities like completing a reading list. We also had pizza and a movie on Friday evenings for a good week of school. The kids loved this.
    5. Being present. Kids know when you are not paying attention or on a device instead of focusing on them and their school work or needs. Use school time specifically for school and save the distractions for before or afterward. This teaches the children that they are important to you and also sets an example. Character is caught not taught.
    6. Give the children examples. If you want them to read the Bible, be reading the Bible when they wake up in the morning or in the evening. If you want your children to learn to speak a foreign language learn it with them. You will be surprised at how enthusiastic the children are when their parents participate.
    7. Healthy competition. I’m not talking about pitting kid-against-kid, but I am talking about encouraging your children to strive for their best. My kids made everything a competition and I truly believed it started with the example I set. Walking on the beach turned into a race. (More on air.)
    8. Self-competition. Allow the children to beat a previous score in math, or memorization work, to improve their writing or art skills. These are ways to encourage your children to keep improving and moving forward.
    9. Memorization work. Very important when the children are younger and their minds are sponges but still works well with any aged children. Greek and Latin roots, Chemistry periodic table, multiplication facts, etc.
    10. No matter how smart or accomplished your child is without good character their lives will be difficult. Good character is one of the number one job skills required by employers. They want people they can trust, that they can count on and that will be honorable.

    You can add to this list, but be sure to keep your expectations to what is reasonable to accomplish in a year. If that is difficult you may want to teach in blocks of time. There are all types of methods for teaching and scheduling and finding the one that fits you and your family is ideal.

    Realize that it is okay to change. We went from books and workbooks to unit studies in the middle grades back to books in high school. Depending on what you want to accomplish with your family there is no one size fits all. Each child is different and in our quest to just get done we overlook the greatest gift that is right in front of us.

    The biggest gift you can give your children is the desire to learn. After schooling there is work and family for our children, that is the end goal, right?

    What are your children’s gifts? Is there something you can look at encouraging even if it does not turn into a full-time job someday? Take the time to talk to your spouse about your children and then ask them what they like doing. Who knows a hobby can turn into a lucrative side business!

    The post New Year and Homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Organized Homeschool Forms – Special Replay Jan 10, 2022

    Being organized in your homeschool means selecting the right homeschool forms to make your life so much easier.Special Replay: Organized Homeschool Forms

    Being organized in your homeschool means selecting the right homeschool forms to make your life so much easier. Do you want to avoid burn out? Do you want your homeschool year to just flow instead of coming to a screeching stop? Well, it can happen if you have some forms to make it easier.

    Our sponsors make these broadcasts free! Visit our sponsor Time 4 Learning

    Well, friends, it is time to get out that paper and pencil or visit the website for the show notes because this episode is going to be packed with the information you need to make life easier. I purchased all kinds of fancy planners throughout the year and found that the one that made the most sense for my life was a huge calendar (the wall is preferable) and a 4-Square Planner (I have some templates for you with the show notes). This was the best method. Ever. If only I had found it earlier in my homeschool journey.

    I thought I needed forms for everything and found out I had a big mess! And those gigantic planners – they were more confusing.

    I found the 4 Square Planner by accident – and it was something I was making up on my own. You don’t have to purchase anything – it is in every printable – planner we give away each month on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network – and it works!

    Take a sheet of paper – you can use a spiral notebook if you don’t want to lose the paper and make a grid. One line in the middle of the paper and one across. (Those who are perfectionists have my permission to use a ruler!).

    Write the 4 most important things in your day. Mine grid has the topics of Faith, Kids, School and Household. That is pretty much all-encompassing of a homeschool mom’s day. You can also do 4 grids that are the seasons – Fall – Winter – Spring or Summer. Begin with whatever season you are currently into thumbnail sketch your year. You can use the grids – of course, you will need more paper.

    Friends, I use this system to plan out my podcasts now as well as to organize events, trips or my husband’s schedule. It helps to have a central place to put items that take you out of the home.

    Ask yourself these questions about homeschool forms:

    1. What is my biggest obstacle to using planning forms?
    2. What planning forms do I like?
    3. What type of planner do I like?
    4. Can I keep organized with a calendar?
    5. Can I use a calendar instead of forms for some of my planning?
    6. Can I use a wall calendar as a master plan and a smaller notebook calendar for a daily plan?
    7. Can I use the 4-Square Planning method effectively in my home?
    8. Do I like to plan from August to July – a school year?
    9. Do I like to plan yearly from January to December?
    10. What is the easiest way to keep track of my forms? Digital or printed?

    Analyzing these questions will help you figure out the best method for you!

    The second set of questions – yep, there is more!

    1. How do I want to store the information? Digital or Paper
    2. Do I want something portable?
    3. Do I want to keep papers, samples and important information in one place?
    4. If I am using paper where will it be – file, three-ring binder – or spiral notebook

    I always kept a yearly three-ring binder with important information, the kid’s schedules, master lists, and their grades/ evaluations from each year. Keeping it in one place was easy for me. Of course, this was a 3” Mammoth binder and not portable.

    I really like a month at a glance scheduler because they work best for me. Again, use what works for you.

    I have some great online tools that are free and I am so thankful for Meryl host of the Homeschooling with Technology – one of my new favorites is Trello.

    Just think of it as one large piece of paper with sticky notes. It is a wonderful way to organize things and allow your family to add to it – you can add assignments, plan and more.

    This is great when you share it with your family members – you can listen to Meryl’s podcast (link is in the show notes or go to her podcast page or follow her on your podcast app – her shows are great, informative and do not overload you with techie stuff!).

    5 Ways Homeschool Parents Can Use Trello

    You can also use Google Docs and share your schedule – I have mine connected to my phone. I have reminders set up so I don’t forget an event or to do something important. You can use the word processor on Google Docs to share papers and

    Scheduling Forms:

    Check off List, Book Reading List, Book Report, Movie Report: Homeschool forms

    Field Trip Guide: Field Trip Guide

    Sample Homeschool Mom’s Schedule: ChristinaMoss-DailySchedule

    HSLDA – Statewide requirements for homeschooling here.

    Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -TimeforLearning.com

    The post Organized Homeschool Forms – Special Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Curriculum Planning in the New Year Jan 03, 2022

    Need some curriculum planning tips? In this podcast Felice and Meredith combine their many years of homeschool expertise...Curriculum Planning in the New Year ~ Episode 457

    Need some curriculum planning tips? The new year is here and you may or may not want to continue with the curriculum you picked at the beginning of the year. Join Felice Gerwitz and her special guest, Meredith Curtis.

    Please visit Meredith Curtis at MeredithCurtis.com and PowerlineProd.com

    Visit Felice at MediaAngels.com for books, curriculum, character planners, and more.

    Both Meredith and Felice have homeschooled their children for many years. Meredith has written curriculum for all ages and she is an expert at getting homeschooling done! Mid-year, in January, is a great time to evaluate and look at how you are doing. It helps to get input from your children, especially if they are teens.

    Do you know why you use the curriculum you use? Meredith brought up a really good point about how many families just buy curriculum because they hear about it, or a friend is using it, without really looking at whether or not it is a good fit for their own family. Usually a friend who is like-minded can be helpful. However, be sure this curriculum is worth the expense and will fill the needs of your children.

    Curriculum Planning Tips for the New Year

    In this podcast, Felice and Meredith discuss:

    1. Creating schedules for yourself and your children, then tweaking them especially the first few weeks
    2. Teaching children organizational skills
    3. Using various methods such as living books (definition on the audio), hands-on activities, co-ops, etc.
    4. Analyzing why you want to use a specific curriculum – Meredith shares that often parents use a specific curriculum without really taking the time to examine whether it is right for them and their families. I the curriculum user friendly?
    5. What is important to you and your family? What are your goals?
    6. Are you flexible or regimented in your homeschool?
    7. Giving kids time to explore their passions.
    8. Looking at curriculum with a world view that you agree with – is the philosophy of the authors one you can embrace? You don’t want an unbiblical curriculum if you are a Christian.
    9. Planning during the summer is helpful – taking a week or more to plan.
    10. Scheduling time during the year for weekly breaks to plan and give the children time to explore their passion.
    11. Looking at the schedule in regard to time. When do you plan to school each day?
    12. Setting boundaries. Help each family to be effective. Work smarter not harder.
    13. The pitfalls of changing curriculum mid-year. (Sometimes it is a must!)
    14. Getting back to school after a break.
    15. Getting the family involved. Working together.

    When we look at curriculum planning it is not one size fits most. Every few months it is helpful to look at the children’s progress and adjust as needed. Sometimes that means skipping sections of a chapter or switching to unit studies. Whatever works for your family is the best!

    The post Curriculum Planning in the New Year appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay – New Year New Focus Dec 27, 2021

    New Year New Focus: Meredith and Felice cover three important goals each have set for their well-being.

    Special Replay – New Year New Focus
    Meredith Curtis & Felice Gerwitz

    Join Meredith Curtis and Felice Gerwitz monthly for Lunch with Meredith and Felice the first Monday of each month. This month Meredith and Felice cover three important goals each have set for their well-being. If you are a Christian wife, mother and a homeschooler you will benefit from this session.

    Here is a printable for you to hold onto or take notes on as you listen to today’s session. NewYear_NewFocus_LunchwithMeredith&Felice

    The post Special Replay – New Year New Focus appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Christmas Traditions Under Ten Dollars Dec 15, 2021

    Here are some last-minute Christmas traditions under ten dollars! There are so many things I want to share that I had to limit myself to the top ten that I love and have enjoyed with my children.Christmas Traditions Under Ten Dollars – Episode 456

    Here are some last-minute Christmas traditions under ten dollars! There are so many things I want to share that I had to limit myself to the top ten that I love and have enjoyed with my children. I hope this episode blesses you, and while it is last minute, you can do some of the activities all year long.

    Please visit the Media Angels website for deep discounts and specials throughout the holiday season – if you missed our big sale, be sure to subscribe to the email list here, at the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network for updates.

    First of all, what is a holiday tradition? My definition is one that your family celebrates year after year. These things can consist of but not be limited to decorating the house, buying or setting up a Christmas tree, baking cookies or bread for the family or to share, taking pictures for Christmas cards, volunteering or visiting those who are in need, purchasing gifts for those in need, singing carols, Christmas get together’s, tree lighting, and local activities and parties, celebrating the days leading up to Christmas with an advent wreath and prayers and so much more.

    What is on your Christmas tradition list? That is the first place to start. Look at this list and see what items you want to keep and what needs to go. One year I cut out all of my local friends from my Christmas card list – then next year out of state friends came next. I kept my list to immediate and extended family only. Why? Because writing and sending out cards was a huge stress factor in my life and something had to go. The next year I removed all of the baking for those who were not directly related, such as accountants, hairstylists, and more. It was again, just too much! The only baking I do is for immediate family and those that come for the actual Christmas meal.

    Christmas traditions for our family revolve around our faith and this is something I consider very important. We celebrate the countdown to Christmas with an Advent Wreath. We pray using the Scriptures and lighting one candle each week as we count down to Christmas. The children made and decorated a wreath at church one year, and we used it for many, many years. The candles cost less than ten dollars and it is a wonderful celebration. My favorite book is The Season of Light which is available on Christian book’s website.

    There are many holiday traditions that we cherish and as life goes on you can be sure they will change through the year, but spending time with family is precious and should be treasured. As a young mom, I wanted to create my own holiday memories with my new husband. (Story on the podcast.)

    The first thing is to clarify with your spouse what you want your holiday to look like. That helps alleviate all of the issues that can crop up from misunderstanding. I made a point to look at things in a realistic way realizing you can not make everyone happy all of the time. Another is that I would strive to not allow my feelings to get in the way and to let things roll off that are meant to harm, or perhaps were said in innocence. I’ve been married for over 42 years so this method worked for us.

    Ask your children what they want to do to create Christmas memories. You may be surprised at what they say!

    Here is a list of Christmas activities under ten dollars:

    1. Advent wreath. The kids can make one easily, there are many directions online and the candles are inexpensive. Lighting a candle each evening brings the focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
    2. Singing Christmas songs around a campfire, invite some friends and those who can play the guitar or piano for up North and indoors.
    3. Baking cookies. This can turn into gift-giving for neighbors or family.
    4. Watching Christmas movies. What are your favorites make a list? Ours consists of: Good King Wensalus, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, The Star, and my favorite The Nativity.
    5. Secret Santa. In larger families, there is often a gift exchange with one person. You draw the person’s name out of a hat and you make or purchase a gift for that one person. You will receive one gift back as well from someone who draws your name. This can be done on top of gift-giving as well and instead of buying a gift, your job is to gift that person with kindness.
    6. This is free and such a blessing for those in need.
    7. Homemade decorations, the traditional Popcorn strings, paper wreaths and paper chains. Photos of the Children and the date are always fun for Christmas ornament gifts.
    8. Play games. My family turns everything into a competition with dual checkers or chess games and winners are in the playoffs. Or learn a new game.
    9. Make a gingerbread house.
    10. Scavenger hunts. The kids can break up into teams with the younger ones teamed with older kids – use homemade gifts or dollar store gifts, and hide them before using a set of clues (at least ten) to get you to the final destination. This is a super fun game and I often did this with the children to find their birthday gifts.
    11. Use groupon or yelp to find things happening in your local area. Many are free such as the local Christmas tree lighting.
    12. Take a drive with the family viewing neighborhoods that decorate their homes for Christmas. For the longest time one of our close neighbors had five acres they decorated and people parked and walked around their property looking at all of the decorations. They did this in memory of a child who had died and loved Christmas. This was a free activity to the local community.
    13. Outdoor activities like building a fort or a snowman – up north of course!
    14. Grateful Journal – you can begin this on December 1st or even the week leading up to Christmas or after. Each evening you can take turns sharing what you are grateful for as a family and putting this in the journal. It is fun to go back and see what everyone had to say.
    15. Hot chocolate and marshmallows and a good Christmas story. Reading the Scriptures and the Christmas story especially the gospel of Luke.
    16. Sending card to the military – this needs to be done earlier in the year but you can call your local recruiting office to find out information about this… my son will soon be in the Army and I’ll probably do a podcast next year on this topic.
    17. Listen to audiobooks together as a family. A public library gives you access to many audiobooks for free.
    18. Blessings Game. One year I created an activity for my family handing them slips of paper, one for each person in our household. They were to write what they believed was this person’s God given gift. For example, hospitality, generosity, charity, joy etc. and why they thought this. Then, each person added the slip into one envelope that was given to this person on Christmas Day. It did not need to be completed at one time, but over the course of a few days, in plenty of time for Christmas. This was opened first.
    19. A prayer first, then finding baby Jesus or the Christmas pickle. The evening before the child Jesus was hidden in a different part of the home, and the children had to find it on Christmas morning so he could be placed back in his manger scene. The Christmas pickle was a gift from an Aunt. The person who found it first could begin opening a gift first.
    20. Taking turns opening gifts. There is so much time, effort and money poured into purchasing or making gifts that half the time I would miss the kids opening theirs, especially in large families you know what I mean…so we would each take turns opening gifts, and yes – it wasn’t always perfectly even but the kids learned early that some gifts were more costly and that meant less presents in number. I think this was a wonderful way to have a longer but slowed-down Christmas morning.

    I wish we were gathered in a large room drinking a hot beverage and sharing Christmas ideas and suggestions for under ten dollars and in that way we could learn from each other! While I love podcasting I do miss visiting with all of you at homeschool conferences as I did in past years.

    I pray that you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas, or whatever holiday season you are celebrating and enjoy your family and friends. You are all so special to me and I appreciate you!

    The post Christmas Traditions Under Ten Dollars appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Stress-Free Holidays With Children – Special Replay Dec 13, 2021

    Stress-free the holidays with children rarely go hand in hand. In this episode learn ten tips to have the best time with your children.Special Replay – Let’s Talk About Stress-Free Holidays with Children ~ Felice Gerwitz

    What do you do when you have a party planned that you are hosting or attending and you have children? Felice shares some tried and true ways to have fun during the holidays, at parties and with your kids.

    Show notes:

    1. Be prepared
    2. Help your kids to be prepared
    3. Give your child a code that means help me
    4. Let others know what you expect
    5. Older kids assigned a person
    6. Let go of your expectations
    7. Ask for help
    8. Give your child a job
    9. Watch for smells
    10. Make things easy

    More help for Stress-Free Holidays with Children – Ideas that work:

    Parties with Kids

    Fun Holiday Ideas

    Holiday Planning and Homeschooling

    Apps that helps –

    Choice Works

    Learn to Play the Piano

    Graphic Credit: @DepositPhoto.com copyright @yanlev

    The post Stress-Free Holidays With Children – Special Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Holiday Road Trips Dec 06, 2021

    Are you taking several holiday road trips?Holiday Road Trips Episode 455

    Are you taking several holiday road trips? Whether it is Thanksgiving (already passed by the time I record this podcast) or Christmas it is important to be prepared! Take it from one who has traveled with kids in the car on extended trips, I’ll share some must-haves with you!

    Please visit the Media Angels website for deep discounts and specials throughout the holiday season – if you missed our big sale, be sure to subscribe to the email list here, at the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network for updates.

    Are you packed and ready for a holiday road trip? Whether you are heading to grandma’s house that is in another state or a trip that is a few hours away, these holiday tips will save you time and money. The most wonderful time of the year tends to be filled with stress and anxiety as we prepare not only to decorate our own homes and create some holiday family traditions but then to pack up the family and head out of town to celebrate the holidays somewhere else.

    When we think of road trips we remember asking our parents the age-old, “Are we there yet,” after twenty minutes or less in the car, or complaining of hunger. This was because we were bored and today with built-in audio systems for audiobooks or video the trips go so much more quickly with the children entertained. But there is more to keeping them engaged and also thinking of this as a time to create a family bond and memories.

    There are many reasons people plan holiday road trips:

    1. Visit family or friends
    2. Vacation time with the family
    3. A way to leave sad memories behind

    Planning a trip can be fun with the right tools. One is to plan ahead if at all possible. This means having someone take care of things at your own home if you have pets or pipes that might freeze. It means giving away perishable foods or freezing things that will keep. It can mean planning to purchase clothing for the kid’s cooler items if you are heading to a warmer climate or warming items if you are heading somewhere colder (or asking if you can borrow extra coats and jackets for the kids whenever possible).

    Handy List of Planning Ahead:

    1. Make provisions for your home and/or pets.
    2. Plan for appropriate clothing depending on the climate. Borrow whenever possible if you are not planning extended trips (and even if you are, kids grow out of their clothing so quickly).
    3. Driving or flying? Mode of transportation and checking early enough to get flights at a discount or plan on a car tune-up before a big trip. Proper tires, etc. for snowy weather.
    4. Planning wardrobe. Items that can be worn more than once (jeans, leggings, etc.) and paired with other things to make it look like a new outfit. Harder with kids who seem to get every item of clothing filthy without trying.
    5. Suitcases and carry-on if you are flying – be sure you look over the list of what is needed and sizes for carry-on luggage.

    If you are driving, perhaps your road trip is a time to bond as a family and create some holiday memories of your own. I remember times we took day trips with the children. It was during a busy time of the year and it was one day to unwind and see some local sites such as a science museum we passed often but never made the time to visit. This locale became a family favorite for years. (More on the audio – listen in!)

    Try to think of family trips not only to get to an end destination but also to create family memories that are special and the kids will talk about and remember fondly. Again, less is more and we can over plan, but here are some ideas.

    Here is a quick list of things that will help if you are planning holiday road trips.

    1. Plan to stop. If you are going long distances it helps to get into the mindset of frequent stops, especially with little kids. If you can map out the rest stations this is a tremendous help.
    2. Car activities: some kids get carsick so be sure they are not looking down. An activity like matching license plates with a state map that is labeled with each state is fun. The kids can add a tally to each state where they see a license plate. Use clipboards to keep the maps in tack. Of course, there are audiobooks for the entire family. Adventures in Odyssey was a family favorite and now there are longer audiobooks you can rent from the library or purchase on online services. Of course, there are videos on devices such as tablets, but if at all possible I’d keep those to a minimum.
    3. If you are going a long distance consider printing out state maps with the route you will take. You can print this on mapquest or a similar website. The kids can use a marker to circle towns you pass as well as keep track of how far you are from your destination. It keeps the question, “Are we there yet?” to a minimum!

    Here is a quick list for flying:

    1. Leave enough time to get to the airport and plan ahead if you are leaving a car in extended parking. Sometimes it takes time to get from the parking garage to the airport, longer than expected!
    2. Carry-on for the kids should be back packs with things the kids can do. Simple activities like mazes, puzzles or one year I brought a rock collection and wrapped up the rocks in tissue paper and gave the kids a marble bag with the rocks and a tiny rock identification book. Each of my two kids had different rocks and once they identified them, they traded with each other. This kept them busy on a two hour flight and the older gentleman on the other side of the aisle was so fascinated the kids had to share their rocks with him.
    3. Be sure to pack hard candy or gum, and bring an empty bottle to fill (there are places to fill up water bottles) or plan to buy water after you go through security. This helps with equalizing air pressure in the kids ears. Snacks are also a good idea. You can bring food even through security check just be sure it is in clear bags. You can also buy food once you are through security to bring on the plane.
    4. Audios are a good idea but be sure to download them on your device. Steaming costs money and the service is very slow. An audio book or music works well. You can download videos to your tablet ahead of time as well, usually the entertainment available on some airlines may not be what you want your children to view.
    5. Books are always a good idea if your child is a reader and a new book is fun to pick out ahead of time.

    You may want to have gifts shipped unless you are driving or consider gift cards as gifts for the year you travel. Some families open gifts ahead of time at home before they leave, others use the trip itself as the family gift. Whatever you do, make this time special, stop daily and enjoy that day with your family and thank the Lord for all the blessings you have each and every day!

    And I thank God for all of you, you have helped me tremendously in these years by sharing my podcasts with a friend and giving me a star rating on your mobile devices and I thank you!

    The post Holiday Road Trips appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Christmas Season Ministry – Special Replay Nov 29, 2021

    Christmas Season Ministry is something we forget because we are so busy.Christmas Season Ministry with Denise Mira

    Christmas Season Ministry is something we forget because we are so busy. In this episode, we discuss some ways that children can understand the lesson it is better to give. Felice Gerwitz and Denise Mira share their successes with ministry with you!

    Thanks to our sponsor – the movie, Overcomer!

    Denise Mira, author of No Ordinary Child: Unlocking the Leader Within Your Child, has been married to Gregory for 39 years. They are the parents of five extraordinary home-educated sons. Denise has traveled extensively, inspiring revolutionary change in households as she shares her impactful message for families. She is passionate about helping moms and dads raise No Ordinary Children! Find more inspiration and free tools for success at DeniseMira.com

    During the holidays it is always nice to give back. Us this as a checklist starter and listen to this podcast for more information and great ideas. Remember that God has given us seasons — some seasons may focus only on family and others on those in need.

    Ministry During Christmas

    1. Adopt a family
    2. Take care of single mothers/kids (kids keep it a secret or maybe they shouldn’t know who it is if they can’t yet keep a secret)
    3. Angel tree by the late Chuck Colson is a favorite of ours – children of prisoners get new gifts from their Daddy who is incarcerated
    4. Create a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child
    5. Relationships – people are God’s priority
    6. Provide and share with elderly widows and widowers neighbors and invite them to our parties
    7. Pray about your specific Family Ministry: One family we know takes on a hefty schedule to ring the bells for the Salvation Army each year taking shifts to collect the change in the red buckets with their spouses, kids, and the grands!
    8. Write letters of appreciation at the holidays to deployed troops via SolideirAngelsorg
    9. Collect coats, gloves, and hats for the homeless
    10. Baggies of deodorant toothpaste toothbrush snack bars socks kept in the vehicle etc for the homeless beggars
    11. The reason for the season. The overarching theme is to be Jesus — shining His light so bright to the world around us. Be intentional about making this your aim over the holidays.
    12. Add to this list here with your ideas!

    Thank you to our Sponsor -Overcomer Movie

    NOW AVAILABLE: OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?

    Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey.

    Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box-office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson.

    Click here to buy the DVD!

    The post Christmas Season Ministry – Special Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Most Wonderful Time of the Year Nov 22, 2021

    The most wonderful time of the year is not what you think. It is not overloading or overdoing, it is rejoicing in what is the most important in your life. In this podcast, we drill down on how to make this season the best ever.Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Episode 454

    The most wonderful time of the year is not what you think. It is not overloading or overdoing, it is rejoicing in what is the most important in your life. In this podcast, we drill down on how to make this season the best ever.

    Please visit the Media Angels website for deep discounts and specials throughout the holiday season – if you missed our big sale, be sure to subscribe to the email list here, at the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network for updates.

    Are you singing it with me, the refrains of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year?” well if not, let’s remedy that with this podcast that will hopefully get you to number one, put things into perspective and number two give you permission to not overstress the holidays.

    So, when are you listening to this podcast? Is it weeks before Thanksgiving and Christmas, or is it right around the corner? No matter what time, I pray that this show helps you to see that life is too short to stress the stuff that really isn’t important in the long run. If you are a long-time listener you’ve heard me come full circle in many ways. I was the person that had to bake or make everything from scratch. I knew about DIY before it was even a thing. I could take those scraps like toilet paper and paper tubes from paper towels and come up with craft ideas and decorations for our table, of course with the kids helping and checking art off our homeschool list.

    The Not So Wonderful Times

    During the holidays if there is a family crisis, illness, or worse, it is difficult to be jolly and want to participate in all of the holiday festivities. At times like this, we lean on our other family members or friends. We look for the joy that comes from our faith and those loved ones we can surround ourselves with as a reminder of what is important.

    Trying to do everything yourself can be was exhausting and terribly frustrating at times. But, if you keep things in perspective you can have a wonderful time this year with decorations, food and so much more that will not break the bank. I am a great believer in having the kids help if they are age-appropriate. And, kids love to feel needed and wanted.

    Most Wonderful Time of the Year

    First things first. What is really important to you this holiday season? Is it:

    1. Spending time with family and friends?
    2. Entertaining?
    3. Holiday traditions?
    4. Getting rid of stress?
    5. Making Memories?

    Always remember the reason for the season. Most of us celebrate Thanksgiving because it is a day on the calendar, but taking a few minutes to talk about this with your children (all ages) allows us to put things in perspective. While it is nice to remember the past, my family’s focus is on how to create memories and focus on how thankful we are for our faith and family and the blessings in our lives. Sure, some years we have to dig deep to find a reason to be thankful but that too is a learning moment.

    The same with Christmas. Are we caught in the trappings of putting up two or three trees, of buying gifts that cause us to go into debt, or are we focused on the real reason, celebrating the birth of our Savior into the world and rejoicing that there is a hope that brings us joy? We celebrate with extended family each year and sometimes even friends, but we look at our lives and balance these times with a look at the days leading up for our family which means an Advent Wreath and prayers each night leading up to Christmas Day.

    What makes this time of the year wonderful? It is the feelings of love that bring joy. I think if I had to select one word I would say, love. There is love in the making and baking of foods, the decorations, and even in the giving of gifts. We give of ourselves and put thought into what we want to gift our children and our neighbors and friends. Then there are the smells of the season, beginning with cooking and baking but also in the scents of pine cones, or pine needles, or cinnamon and cloves. These things bring back memories and hopefully, they are good, if not make new memories with your children.

    We live in a world that puts an emphasis on the material the things we can buy. Yet, our focus should be on the things that money can not buy. During a time of financial difficulty I use to look at the sky and say to the Lord, thank you for the beauty of your creation and for all the things I enjoy each and every day that are free and cost nothing. That year we were inspired as a family to make many gifts and those gifts are still treasures I’ve kept throughout the years. The kids painted shells they found at the beach and the larger ones were glossed and I used them as a place for paperclips on my desk. Those crafts last longer than most of the store-bought gifts. I will be recording a podcast on holiday road trips and Christmas traditions you can celebrate for less than ten dollars. These are wonderful reminders that the most wonderful time of the year should focus on the importance of the love we have for each other.

    Let me take a minute and talk about that love. If you are in strained relationships in your home, take the time to sit with your spouse and children and figure out solutions to the problems. Just saying I’m sorry, or will you forgive me goes a very long way in mending fences. Talk honestly about working as a family during the holiday season to give the gift of generosity and love to each other. (If you missed my character planners on the topic you can find them in my Media Angels store – go to MediaAngels.com). They are free currently for all email subscribers.

    The most wonderful time of the year means different things to different people. This Thanksgiving I will hand out brown, orange, and yellow slips of paper to each person and ask them to write, not what they are thankful for — but what makes this the most wonderful time of the year. We will read them out loud as a family. (They do not need to sign them unless they want to!) The idea is to think of this time of the year as a new beginning and a new start, not a marathon to just get Thanksgiving or Christmas or even at some point Easter over with!

    Is there something that bothers you or you detest doing? Take it off the list. If you are not in the best frame of mind for entertaining if it is your turn to host the family, get on your knees and pray that the Lord blesses you and keeps you focused on Him. If we do something for someone and we are not thanked we can remember that the Lord was not thanked for His sacrifice either. Friends, I get it especially if you are a parent it is the most rewarding and the most thankless job there is, however, we do it because as I said earlier of that one word – the word love. I pray that the Lord blesses you and your family this holiday season and brings you the real joy that makes this, the most wonderful time of the year!

    The post Most Wonderful Time of the Year appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Kids Choosing Good Behavior – Special Replay Nov 15, 2021

    Are you a kid? If you had a choice of choosing good behavior over bad, which would you pick?Special Replay: Kids Choosing Good Behavior

    Are you a kid? If you had a choice of choosing good behavior over bad, which would you pick? Is that a silly question? That is what I want to talk to you about today. You are going to be very surprised when I explain some things to you so that you can take charge of your actions.

    Check out this episode – Kids Making Good Decisions.

    Books for tweens – Truth Seekers Mystery Series.

    I love talking to kids. I think you guys are great. You have so many good ideas, you are full of energy and fun. Even those of you that are quiet have amazing things to say if someone would take the time to listen to you. I have five kids and eight grandkids and each of them is a blessing. While we might not always agree, and yes my kids messed up (but so have I), I think they are amazing people. I really wish I could see you and tell you this while I am looking at you. But you are an amazing person. You may not think you are, but I believe that God made us and He does not make junk. I want you to think about that if you really do not think you are amazing and special. You are here for a reason. So, let’s begin!

    Do you know an adult in your life? Is it a mom, a dad, a grandparent, aunts, or uncles? Did you know that these adults in your life were once your age? I bet you don’t think about that often. Yes, we adults were once kids, we were teenagers, we were young adults, and we finally, after many years and possibly getting in trouble ourselves we grew up, got married and had kids of our own. We learned from our past mistakes and we want to pass on this wisdom to our kids. That is why you get in trouble. We do not want you to make small mistakes now that can turn into big mistakes later. And that means we want to teach you how to choose good behavior.

    It’s not easy to do what is right all the time, because no one is perfect. Right? Well, that may be true, but we can make our lives a whole lot easier if we take charge of our own behavior. Since I can’t see you, I don’t know if you are listening. But, I’m going to challenge you. If you want a happier life, please take the time to listen. As I talk, I will ask you some questions and you can stop this recording and answer them before you hear my remarks.

    I like kids who think for themselves. Do you think? Of course, you do. But do you think before you speak or act? Sometimes you do and sometimes you don’t. You see the problem is when you act badly, say or do the wrong things, sometimes you get in trouble and sometimes you don’t. So you might be confused.

    Let’s talk about what type of behavior gets you in trouble:

    1. Being disrespectful to your parents or adults (arguing, yelling, and saying, “no I didn’t do it.” when your parents clearly see you did.)
    2. Hitting others in your family. Many kids actually think this is fun!
    3. Breaking a rule. For example no snacks before dinner.
    4. Forgetting to do a chore or something your parent asked you to do.
    5. For homeschoolers – losing a book or not completing your schoolwork.

    Now, let’s take each of these things and talk about what won’t get you in trouble.

    1. Being respectful to your parents. If you mess up, saying you are sorry or taking responsibility for your actions.
    2. Keeping your hands, feet–you know, general body parts to your self.
    3. Following the rules.
    4. Remembering to do your chores or follow through if your parents ask you to do something.
    5. Keeping your books together and finishing your schoolwork.

    Wow, that was easy. Just be respectful, keep your hands to yourself, follow the rules, do your chores, and finish your schoolwork. So, what am I missing? How many of you think you can do this? Hmm… why or why not. Let’s think about this. Will life be easier and happier when you do what is right? Of course.

    Choosing Good Behavior: You Are Not A Puppet.

    Do you know what a puppet is? A puppet is controlled by someone else. The puppet has can’t think for itself or do something it wants to do on its own. Maybe you have never seen a puppet, but you know what I am talking about. A puppet has no free will. You on the other hand have free will. You can make decisions, you have a choice. You can decide to be the kind of person you want to be. Right? Do you agree? If not, why not?

    Do you want to know what I think? I think there are many reasons why kids get in trouble.

    1. Laziness. Sometimes it is easier to not obey.
    2. React out of anger or because you are upset.
    3. Don’t think about the consequences. If you do something wrong what will happen?
    4. You are a gambler. What does that mean? A gambler takes chances. You know what you are doing wrong and you hope that you either won’t get caught OR if you do get caught the punishment won’t be bad, or maybe you are hoping for no punishment at all.
    5. Simpy forget to do what you are supposed to do. And one reason this happens? You really don’t care.

    Did I forget anything? Is there another reason I did not list as to why you get in trouble?

    I think the reason most of us get into trouble is that we do not consider what will happen afterward. This is called cause and effect. If I drop a glass on a hard surface, like concrete on purpose what will happen? If you said break, you are correct. We know glass sometimes shatters. Not all glasses but most. Have you ever dropped a glass? Or spilled milk or water? Sure, everyone has accidents. The cause of the incident – in this case, the glass breaking was done on purpose. The effect of my dropping the glass is it breaks. What about the accident? That is different. If we did not mean to do something then while the cause is the same – we are at fault or we did it (we dropped the glass) the motivation – or the why we did it is different.

    So, let’s break this down.

    1. Things happen because we cause them. On purpose or by accident.
    2. We can sometimes control our actions or words and sometimes it is truly an accident.
    3. If we can control our words or actions, that means we are in charge.
    4. If we are in charge and are in control we can choose right or wrong. Because, hey, we are not a puppet.
    5. If we have a choice, which will we do?

    So, there you have it. Choosing good behavior is up to you. You are not a puppet. You can make your own decisions. And, I for one hope you decide today, right now to make good choices. Think about what will happen if you make a good choice and what will happen if you make a bad choice. The decision is up to you! If you mess up and make a mistake apologize. That is different than saying you are sorry and not really meaning it. You should ask my kids how many apology notes I have written over the year.

    One last thing to think about. Do you want to be around people who always get in trouble? Do you want to listen to people who do the wrong thing on purpose, or just because they think it is fun to have everyone yelling or arguing? Some people actually like to cause trouble. If you would not follow someone like that, then you should be the person God created you to be–and that means making choices that are wise.

    One more thing – I have more shows planned just for you this month. So, stay tuned!

    The post Kids Choosing Good Behavior – Special Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Discipline Kids and Holidays. Oh. My! Nov 08, 2021

    When kids misbehave parents get upset, and rightly so! In this episode, we tackle discipline, kids, and the holidays. We bring you real-life examples and the results that work.Discipline, Kids, and the Holidays. Oh. My! ~ with Meredith Curtis

    When kids misbehave parents get upset, and rightly so! In this episode, we tackle discipline, kids, and the holidays. We bring you real-life examples and the results that work.

    Visit Meredith Curtis at Powerline Productions here.

    See all of Felice’s books and classes here Media Angels, Inc., and her Media Angels Membership here.

    Our sister podcast network, The Ultimate Christian Podcast Network is here with podcasts relating to Christian topics, faith, and family.

    More podcasts on discipline here.

    During the holiday we are distracted and we want to spend time visiting with our family and friends. After all the holiday prep we are so busy serving others we often forget to enjoy the day ourselves. Yet, in the midst of distractions, our children can be struggling for attention or worse, get into situations that are not permitted.

    Here are some ideas to help you in the midst of the holiday so that you can spend time enjoying your family!

    1. We either train our children to obey or we train them to disobey. When we raise our voice and do not follow through – or train our children to only listen when we are yelling, our children will only respond when we are angry. Pay attention to this and see how and when your children respond.
    2. Follow through. If we are going to ask our children to do something and they chose to disobey we have to follow through or we are again, training our children not to listen.
    3. Remember: you are the adult. The child must listen to you – require obedience.
    4. Teach your children to honor people rather than dishonor and disrespect. An important aspect in their future emotional well-being.

    Some parents only discipline their children in public when they are embarrassed by bad behavior. This again trains our children not to listen. Tell your children what you expect, especially ahead of time if you are going to an event such as a party or a place where you have certain expectations. If you do not tell them how will they know?

    When Discipline Kids and the Holidays Work:

    Commandments: Honor thy Father and thy Mother –

    Use the following as an outline toward changing misbehavior in your children:

    1. Tell your children that you love them too much to have them be disrespectful and that you require respect.
    2. Practice at home, especially when there is cause to correct disrespectful attitudes.
    3. Explain to your children that if they see others misbehaving that does not give them permission to misbehave as well.
    4. Gray hair is a crown of splendor – it is wisdom that comes from living life and learning from our mistakes. Honor of the elderly must be explained.
    5. Children who act out often have an underlying cause for this – find out why. Is it for additional attention, feelings of selfishness, or insecurity?
    6. We are children of God and as such are held to a higher standard! As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

    Holidays can be a joyful time, take a few minutes and explain what you expect to your children. You can also explain there will be a consequence for misbehavior, it may be the next request is a no, or perhaps the loss of time (the time it takes to discipline is your time lost.)

    The post Discipline Kids and Holidays. Oh. My! appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Great Gifts Kids Can Make Nov 01, 2021

    Are you ready for the just for kids series? Here are some great gifts kids can make! And for cheap.Great Gifts Kids Can Make – Special Replay

    Are you ready for the just for kids series? Here are some great gifts kids can make! And for cheap. The holidays are coming soon and you may be thinking about what to buy people in your family. Well, it is time to think about this and to be on the lookout for the things people really need.

    Here are some more great podcasts for gifts kids can make!

    1. Gifts Kids Make
    2. DIY Christmas Gifts
    3. Thanksgiving Crafts
    4. Gifts Especially for Mom

    I’m going to give you some great ideas about the things that your family may want and also some ideas of how to make things instead of buying them. Sometimes you will need to look at information online so make sure you have an adult with you. They can use the links I have on my show notes page. Some of these gifts take the help of an adult so you may want to ask another adult –not the person you are making this gift for, to help you! I am a grandmother and I love to help my grandchildren to make things for their parents or even their aunts, uncles or cousins.

    I love handmade gifts much better than store bought gifts because it shows that the person making these gifts really cared about me and took the time and used their talents to make the gift. I’m going to share some of my favorite gifts. One is potholders. Some of these were decorative that means you can’t really use them on hot things, but they looked pretty when they were hung up on the wall. Others were paintings or pictures. Sometimes the kids made me jewelry—and I have to admit that I did not wear the necklaces or even earrings they made. But, my mother—their grandmother did! She loved the bead necklaces so she just added the ones the kids made her to the group of necklaces she already wore.

    So, here are some things I want you to do.

    1. Look around. So, here is where your deep-deep-undercover skills come in. You don’t need binoculars for this assignment but you do need to look around you and think about what people need or want. Does your mom or dad have a favorite mug they use every morning? If you look at the things your parents like, maybe your mom or dad collects different things. My grandmother loved wind chimes and I do as well. These are easy to make. Or you can’t have enough hot pads for the table. So, take some time to look around.
    1. Think about the gifts you liked. Think about the gifts you get and try to remember your favorite presents. What are they? So many times we cannot remember any super-favorite gifts because they either broke or we didn’t really enjoy them that well. I really wanted a camera, but when I got one I didn’t really use it that much. Why did I want a camera? Because I liked painting and I thought I could take pictures of the things I wanted to paint to make it easier to remember what I wanted to paint. I could paint but only if I looked at a picture. So, think about why you liked the gift—and maybe your reason is like mine.
    1. How much time to make a gift do you have? Often we don’t have as much time to make a gift—but then we can be creative. I’m going to give you some great ideas of some other podcasts I did for creating gifts that might help you. Easy gifts are ones that take the things you have around your house, and here is a great insider’s tip—did you know that you can turn things that are broken into presents? Yes, you can and for pennies!
    1. How much do you like crafts or making gifts? If you say, not very much—don’t worry! I have a great solution for you so hold tight. The solution I have will have some that are super-fast-gift giving ideas. But even though it is fast, you have to put some thought into what you will do and wrap it up beautifully.
    1. Do you have a talent that can be turned into a gift? Time to think—again! What is something that you do well that can be turned into a gift? Can you draw or paint? Can you bake? Can you make something out of wood –or even legos? Do you collect things? Think. Think. Think.

    So, here you go –here are my top 5 gift making ideas for kids.

    1. Office accessories. For example a pencil holder. Yes, I know this sounds lame but it is one of my mom’s favorite gifts that I gave her. Here is how you do it. Supplies: A middle-sized empty can playdough or fast-drying clay, and pasta shells, seashells, old buttons, or something to stick on the clay.

    You cover a can with the clay and then you can use pasta shells, or button, or even seashells to cover the can. Have someone help you to put a clear spray over the can, or you can even paint the pasta shells ahead of time. You don’t even need glue because the shells stick really well.

    Once it dries you can add some pens, pencils, highlighters, or sharpies to this set! You can use a variation of this covering a small box and using it to hold office supplies like paper clips.

    1. Decorations: For example wall art. You need a piece of art paper, glue, and either spray paint like white or some other solid color. You will need an adult to help you. Also, look for a place where your family can put these on the wall—sometimes you do not have much wall space, but be creative. Can you put these pictures in a hallway or even the bathroom?Do you have plants in your yard that would not miss a few leaves? Or even weeds that might work? You can take a big piece of art paper, like watercolor paper, or even a piece of thick cardboard and pick an odd number of leaves. Bigger leaves work well—but in the winter they may be hard to find. You can even use twigs, pine needles, or pieces of pine cones. Be creative! So, what you do is you make a design on a piece of paper. Once you have a design in mind you can take these things and glue them to the paper. Be sure that you do not have any dirt on your leaves, twigs, etc. Once glued allowed it to dry. Then, take a solid color of spray paint and paint over the entire thing—you may need an adult to help you and do this somewhere where the overspray won’t be a problem. You can also take a large brush—like a wall paintbrush and paint and paint a solid color. Believe me this looks great! You can make a pair of pictures to hang up. They do not need to be big.
    1. Personal care items. For example hand scrubs. You will need a glass container with a lid, sugar or salt, and some type of essential oil. You an even add a few drops of light oil like olive or cooking oil.

    In the winter, especially our hands tend to get dry and you can make a sugar scrub very easily with a few items. You can use sugar or salt, and what you do is measure out one cup of sugar or salt in a bowl, add a few drops of essential oils like lemon or even lavender (ask your parent’s permission for these things!), and stir them up. Many people like to use sugar for a sugar scrub but I actually like the salt scrub better. You then add a few drops of oil. Put a tiny bit of oil in a bowl and add ¼ of a teaspoon at a time and mix it up. How does it smell? If you can not smell anything you may want to add a few more drops of oil. Now, you can place this in a glass container, add a ribbon, and wrap it up! Variation: You can make bath salts as well. This is super cheap and it works great. (One of my favorite presents) Take Epsom salts and just add a few drops of essential oils an mix them together, and then place it in a mason jar. Add ribbon and wrap it up!

    1. Fun Gifts Wind-Chimes, hot-pads, and vases. Now it is time to get creative. If you are not holding on I saved the best and easiest gift for last! So, for this gift, you need scraps, broken items, and creativity. Wind Chimes: You can make wind chimes using things that make noise. Is there a bent spoon, fork, or something that your parents are throwing away that when it clinks together makes a nice tinkling sound? You can make a wind chime.

    Hot pad: Did a pretty glass dish or glass break? Instead of throwing it away, with your parent’s permission ask if you can keep the flat pieces. You can either use a scrap tile or even wood and cover the bottom with material or felt. That is to keep it from scratching a countertop or table. Then you can draw a picture and cover it with the glass OR you can make a pretty mosaic out of the broken glass. Be careful, glass cuts. You will need clear drying glue for this activity. Flower vase. Do you like to bring your mom flowers from the yard—they may be weeds but they still are pretty! You can search for a tiny container that does this… keep an eye out! Lots of times small olive jars, or small containers that contain things your mom or dad buys at the store are often thrown away or used to recycle. You can use these as a flower vase. Either add a ribbon to the top and tie it or you can use sheets of tissue paper. Tear off the sheets of tissue paper and use clear drying glue. You can paint on the scraps of tissue paper. You can even use a mason jar and add a candle for a votive light that is pretty. Again, ask for things that your parents have around the house and be on the lookout!

    1. Gift Cards: One Free Gift Card – you will need note cards or small pieces of paper and neat handwriting or do this on the computer and cut it out!

    Another of my favorite gifts include gift cards from my kids to me! For example, one free car vacuuming and cleaning up, or one free car vacuuming, or neck rub, or do the dishes or baby-sit the little kids. Believe me, your mom or dad or grandparents will really love these gifts! And the best news you do not need any craft or artistic talent to do this. And, for fun, you can wrap it in a small box, but the small box in a bigger box and keep wrapping it up—again ask your parents for permission to use cheap wrapping paper and tape!

    So, what do you think? Do you like any of these ideas? There are other ones I listed in my post but these take a little more work and sometimes even spending money on supplies. Do you have a favorite gift idea? Please share it with me!

    Links for the parents:

    These crafts looked great –but they need an adult to help. Marbled Coasters

    The post Great Gifts Kids Can Make appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    The Best Holiday Homeschooling Tips Oct 25, 2021

    What are the best holiday and homeschooling tips? When things get crazy these ladies Felice Gerwitz and Lisa Nehring come to the rescue.The Best Holiday Homeschooling Tips ~ Episode 452

    Join Felice Gerwitz and special guest, Lisa Nehring as they discuss the best holiday homeschooling tips. When things get crazy and you can not add one more thing to the schedule, Lisa comes to the rescue with great tips and planning.

    Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc., and the online membership here.

    Visit Lisa Nehring at True North Homeschool Academy and her podcast at LifeSkills101podcast.com

    So what are the best holiday homeschooling tips? One is not to stress yourself trying to do too much. We are busy with managing a home and family, then adding homeschooling, and then when the holidays come it is…one-more-thing! Take a look at what stresses you out and cut it out if at all possible.

    Holidays are Holy Days – set apart because they have meaning and relevance and there is something special about this day. Holidays bring relevance to our lives. There are special foods we eat, perhaps an exchange of gifts and other things that happen that set the stage for the event itself.

    Lisa calls the mom the “magic maker” that can bring that extra fun into the holidays even with simple meals. She celebrates using a liturgical year. She talks about planning and taking time off from schoolwork in your schedule. This can be done by planning ahead of time.

    Lisa’s Best Holiday Homeschooling Tips:

    1. Scheduling a break from schoolwork, or reworking your schedule so you have time for celebrations.
    2. Morning basket: 1 hour spent with the things you want to go over, such as flashcards, faith, etc. Be sure to pause and give thanks to God.
    3. We celebrate all of our feasts with our senses, think about how we can use our senses to the best.
    4. Biblical feasts, holidays, and festivals are great ways to celebrate.

    Lisa shares how she and her family celebrate Old Testament festivals, which is a remembrance of God “tabernacling” with us. It helps to bring faith and community among family and friends. Being together and enjoying where you are at the present time. She reminds us that God dwells in community with family and friends.

    Holidays remind us that we are part of something bigger, and even if we have to postpone some of our academic work, this is a lasting tribute we will remember. We are making memories with our families using the senses, such as twinkling lights, cinnamon, and music.

    Sometimes keeping to the schedule is important such as homeschooling special needs and consistency is important to keep things on an even keel. Perhaps cutting back a little and allowing your child to know what is coming up in the near future. Planning with your child helps.

    Teaching your children that giving is important during the holidays is another lasting tradition. Either adopting a family or singling out a person such as a neighbor in need.

    Be sure to visit Lisa Nehring at True North Homeschool Academy.

    Here are some other Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network Podcasts to enjoy:

    Best Kept Holiday Prep secrets

    Planning the Holiday with Tech

    The post The Best Holiday Homeschooling Tips appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Discipline That Makes Sense And Works Oct 18, 2021

    Let's Talk About Discipline That Makes Sense And Works with Felice GerwitzLet’s Talk About Discipline That Makes Sense And Works with Felice Gerwitz

    What do you do when discipline doesn’t work – or what about discipline methods that are unfair. What about just being your kid’s friend? Yes, there are all kinds of different types of advice about discipline but in this podcast Felice explores discipline that makes sense – and actually works.

    Listen to Raising Moral Kids Here – with Felice Gerwitz

    Thanks to our sponsors – Media Angels, Inc. – Visit the website here

    Show Notes:

    This audio isn’t so much about prevention – that is wonderful when it works and consists of:

    1. Warning the kids ahead of time of what to expect
    2. Being CLEAR and going over the rules so they understand what is expected

    For example bedtime – make sure it is a specific time and have a routine/ baths, story etc. If they take too long no story – etc.

    1. Practicing especially when younger “coming” when you call them, answering yes mom or yes dad when directed with a question – that they heard you, etc. – Saying “Sorry” if they are wronged or admitting a wrong.
    2. Rewarding good behavior

    Basically discipline falls into these three very broad categories:

    1. Intervention
    2. Time Outs
    3. Taking Away

    Which works for your child is a puzzle you have to figure out – but one thing I want to discuss in this podcast is the discipline techniques that I have found really work well for my family – and this is no matter what their age.

    1. Discipline that fits the crime.
    2. Life isn’t fair
    3. Enlist the help of the first born – teach kids to be kind to each other – rule with love or privileges are taken away
    4. When kids have a meltdown or are whining etc.
    5. Money
    6. Consistency
    7. It is never ending – once kids do it once it is fun and they ask all the time.
    8. They are exhausted from staying up late – and eating too much junk and it takes days to get over it.
    9. Their behavior is atrocious and it takes days to get them “back to normal”
    10. When you say no – mean it

    The best advice I can give is prevention, consistency and PRAYER not necessarily in that order.

    The post Special Replay: Discipline That Makes Sense And Works appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Best Homeschool Parenting Tips with Melanie Wilson Oct 11, 2021

    What are the best homeschool parenting tips? Well, you are about to find out. Join Felice Gerwitz and Melanie Wilson, podcaster on The Homeschool Sanity Show, here, and learn what works and ways you can overcome disrespect.Best Homeschool Parenting Tips with Melanie Wilson ~ Episode 451

    What are the best homeschool parenting tips? Well, you are about to find out. Join Felice Gerwitz and Melanie Wilson, podcaster on The Homeschool Sanity Show, here, and learn what works and ways you can overcome disrespect.

    Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. with an entire line of online classes, books, and audios to help you with your homeschool journey.

    Today we will discuss parenting tips to help you gain control of your family and your life!

    Melanie is a Christian Psychologist and she spoke about the difference between disrespect and disobedience, and how important it is to identify and remediate. Simply, disrespect is a child’s willful defiance of authority and poor treatment with a lack of respect. Whereas, disobedience is when a child doesn’t do what he is told. When children are allowed to disrespect a parent it is a recipe for disaster. There are reasons why a parent does not discipline, and this could be due to temper, anger management issues, or abuse as a child. However, there are ways to discipline without using physical punishment, and one is taking away privileges. [Melanie and Felice discuss various types of discipline that work well in this case.]

    1. Parents often use too many words. There is no need to explain why you are disciplining your child.
    2. Building a child’s character is important. A child is not what they do. [Felice shares her definition of character assassination and why it should never be used.]
    3. Validating a child’s strengths is important. If a child feels validated, they will feel respected.

    Listen to the audio for many more insights about parenting.

    Visit Melanie’s website here: Psychowith6 and her online store Fun To Learn Books

    My Facebook: http://facebook.com/psychowith6 My Instagram: http://instagram.com/psychowith6

    Here are some of Melanie’s shows that you don’t want to miss.

    1. How to Prevent Sibling Rivalry
    2. Parenting Practices for Christian Homeschoolers
    3. 3 Child Discipline Lies That Make Homeschooling Harder
    4. 3 More Child Discipline Lies That Make Homeschooling Harder
    5. Have a New Kid by Friday by Kevin Leman
    Show Notes Continued:

    We as parents can do the following:

    1. Respect is required. It is not an option.
    2. If needed be firm, raise your voice. Mean business.
    3. Remove from the room.

    We can say things such as, that was disrespectful. Sometimes less words works well.

    Have a business attitude. You mean business and you deserve respect. You are the parents.

    While none of us are perfect, some parents do not parent because they think they are imperfect. False notion and can hinder parenting.

    How to discipline:

    1. Require obedience
    2. Use discipline that makes sense. If your child wastes your time, you can have your child do one of your chores, make the punishment fit the problem that was caused as much as possible. (Taking away free time.)
    3. Easiest response to disobedience is to deny the next “ask” – whether it is screen time, phone privileges, time with friends, etc.
    4. You don’t have to go into a long explanation of why – sometimes that distracts the child from the situation and they still think there was an injustice on your part, and they forget why they are in this situation to begin with.
    5. Sometimes a child may pitch a fit – ride it out. Remove the child for misbehavior, but be sure that you do not give in. Consistency is important.

    The post Best Homeschool Parenting Tips with Melanie Wilson appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Homeschool Lifestyle Oct 04, 2021

    The very first podcast I ever created for Vintage Homeschool Moms was a podcast on the homeschool lifestyle.

    Homeschool Lifestyle ~ Easy Way to Homeschool Episode 450

    The very first podcast I ever created for Vintage Homeschool Moms was a podcast on the homeschool lifestyle and I asked the question is homeschooling what you do or who you are and it has had thousands of downloads and is probably one of my favorite all-time shows… so this podcast today is a revisiting of the topic eight years later and a question I’d like you to consider.

    First – happy birthday to us! It is the 8th bday of the UHPN – I want to give a shout out to our homeschool podcast network and the wonderful podcasters! They work hard to give you wonderful content for free – you can thank me and them by subscribing to their podcast channels – giving them a star rating and sharing the episode with a friend. Thanks so much for listening and your support!

    I think it is appropriate that we celebrate year 8 of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network with a look at the Homeschool Lifestyle podcast I created years ago – it was and still is a major part of my life to consider that I am a homeschooler. I say it proudly because so much has changed from 1986 the year I began homeschooling to now. Back in the day the only homeschoolers I knew were a little on the strange side, they didn’t get out much but part of the reason was they were doing their schoolwork and many people still thought that homeschooling was not legal since the battle had been won not that long ago.

    Homeschooling soon became of us a way of life. My kids were with me 24/7 and sometimes it was a bit frustrating to not have a minute to myself. But soon there were boundaries, rules learned and relearned and some character building and encouragement were taking place in order to forge a greater bond and friendship between each of my kids, I had two at that time.

    We learned to do things together as a family. Schoolwork was the center and focus of our day and once that was completed the other items quickly stacked up such as grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking, and more. We worked and played together and once dad got home I was beat!

    I realized as I struggled at times that I was trying to compartmentalize things. School here. Cleaning here. Groceries here. Cooking here. The score was kids, home and husband 100, me—zero. But, that was fine. I was young and had boundless energy until I didn’t.

    I soon learned that homeschooling was more than a sum total of the time it took to complete academic subjects but that we could roll with the learning outside of the books, activities, and plans. We could incorporate learning no matter what we did. A trip to the grocery store turned into a lesson in math, or character wants vs. needs, and the quality of flexibility or self-control. A ride in the car turned into finding license plates from various states and finding the state on a map. We could count all the cars or trucks of one color – find all the blue trucks or green trucks. And, we would listen to lessons.

    We began to incorporate the idea of day trips. On a weekend we’d take a Saturday or a Sunday and visit a local landmark, park, or museum. Of course, these turned into mini-lessons and the children thrived. We rescued a dog – several through the course of our homeschool, housed turtles and fish tanks, as well as learned about nature and the creatures that inhabited our lands. They looked at the world and saw a classroom beyond books. This was an exciting time for our family.

    As the children got older their needs became focused. Several of my children were athletically gifted (they got this from their dad, not me!) and this meant trips to tournaments and practices. Again, all life lessons and incorporated into the overarching theme of their homeschool. We realized that looking at the world as a classroom meant that learning took place no matter what we were doing and this gave them a chance to pursue their interests.

    One of my sons learned about mechanics, another would forge things out of metal and made a set of metal gloves that fit over his hands. He has these hanging on a plaque in his bedroom at college along with other things he made. My daughter, a natural athlete spent much of her time practicing softball, without being told. She loved the sport and played it in college on a scholarship and currently teaches at a prep school where she is also an assistant softball coach.

    All the kids gave presentations, wrote papers, and studied history, science, and the like. Yet, they used their time to create, explore and work toward their goals and objectives.

    Homeschoolers are still a little on the strange side and I say that in a positive way. We are not all fashion plates, although we might like fashion and shopping. We are not up on the latest song, viral video, or social post, not to say that we don’t have accounts. We are focused on our homes, our families, and what we can do for each other.

    Homeschoolers volunteer – whether it is at a homeschool function, organizing a science or history fair, an inventors convention, or a field trip. We do things for others, when a family needs help we roll up our sleeves, babysit, or make meals. We are active in our church and volunteer there as well.

    I think that this generation of homeschoolers who celebrate the homeschool lifestyle are trendsetters in that they lead rather than follow. The kids take initiative; they are creative they are innovative and have ideas that are well beyond their years. They are not afraid because they have not been belittled or bullied. Personally, my kids were pretty fearless in that they knew that if they tried something new and had a less than stellar outcome, we’d say something like – well, at least you tried. Great effort.

    What is the typical classroom experience? It is set up for failure. Most kids can’t read, answer questions and remember everything that is important in the subject. Information is memorized, tests are completed and then the information is forgotten. How can you as a homeschool mom look at your family, your legacy and decide to create an atmosphere where learning is achieved not only in the traditional way but in a way that sparks creativity, innovation and ideas.

    I interviewed an author a few weeks ago that shared that creativity is considered one of the most important traits in job hiring. Employers want employees that can figure out a solution without asking them every other second for the answer.

    I invite you to listen to my first podcast, take the unofficial VHM test that is on the website. It is still as valid today as it was eight years ago – and as we celebrate this eighth year I once again thank you for being part of our listening family, and creating lasting memories in your own family! Subscribe, share and give me a star rating on your favorite podcast app –

    A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor: Courageous Movie

    From the Kendrick Brothers, creators of the No. 1 box-office movie WAR ROOM and OVERCOMER, comes the remastered re-release of COURAGEOUS Legacy, in theaters September 24. Celebrating 10 years of impact on families and fathers, this updated version of the film includes new scenes and an enhanced look and sound.

    Filled with action-packed drama, COURAGEOUS Legacy will once again have viewers laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children. Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That’s courageous.

    Check out the trailer here!

    The post Homeschool Lifestyle appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Mega Lists ~ Organize Now Sep 27, 2021

    Learn about mega lists the easy way to organize now! Homeschool. Meals. Laundry. Oh, my. That is how I felt when I was attempting to school my kids as well as complete my other homeschool duties.Mega Lists ~ Organize Now Podcast 449

    Learn about mega lists the easy way to organize now! Homeschool. Meals. Laundry. Oh, my. That is how I felt when I was attempting to school my kids as well as complete my other homeschool duties. Fast forward and the kids are all grown, and they survived! And, now I can share this information with all of you!

    Thank to our sponsor Courageous Legacy – after ten years the feature film Courageous which has changed so many lives for the better is back, this time as Courageous Legacy – this movie has been remastered, it includes a new ending as well as bonus scenes. If you missed this, you will want to catch this version, I saw the original movie and it is another wonderful Kendricks’s brothers production. You can find more information at Courageous The Movie

    Are you a supermom? I really don’t try to be I just can’t do things halfway. I can not let things go and I can be the absolute worse micro-manager. Well, I am describing the old me! I was attempting to school my kids as well as get a healthy meal on the table. Until I realized that if I didn’t have it on a list (even a ready-made one I purchased) it was not getting done. In today’s podcast, we will explore the value of having your own custom lists that are ready to go, as well as a surprise in the show notes – VintageHomeschoolMoms.com – episode 449 – Mega Lists Organize Now.

    Raise your hand if you have at least one book on the bookshelf, eBook, or bookmarked blog or podcast that deals with Organization. In 1998 before my second child was born I purchased a book entitled the Busy Woman’s Checklist. As with any checklist book, there are so many non-applicable things – such as I didn’t need to layout my close for work, or set aside money for tolls, or keep a to bring list before I left for work because at that point in time I had retired from teaching and was a full-time stay-at-home mom. But what I loved about her book was the categories she had:

    Daily time savers. Managing Your Life, Kid Stuff, Finances, and Record-Keeping, Travel, and Planning, and Medical Matters. These categories and others were ones I could work with short and long term.

    In the mid to late 1990s to the current time, I spoke at conferences. Now I host some of my own conferences, but I have spoken for years in person, stand-alone conferences where I was the only speaker, moms groups, homeschool groups, state conferences, and online conferences as well as hundreds of podcasts. The organizer of the state conference called me one year and asked what homeschool moms were struggling with and I answered organization and I am not the person who can do that talk but I do have someone I know that I can recommend!

    In all my years of speaking there is one question that never changes and that is how do you get so much done. I use to answer, I a lot done but none of it is done well. It was meant as a joke, but the Lord convicted me that was not the right thing to say. So, while I may not consider myself the best person to teach you – I too have struggled with organization so maybe you can learn from my struggles.

    Before we get started with lists let’s look at your own situation. People jump to the best ever organization lists without any thought to one size does not fit most – that is why we attempt these things and fail. First, analyze your household, your work, or your stay-at-home schedule. Are you still homeschooling? Are you taking your kids to lessons, are your kids older but you still flounder?

    Your Situation:

    1. Do you have help in the form of a spouse or older kids?
    2. How many kids do you have under the age of three?
    3. What is it that you need to accomplish each day?

    Let’s begin there – take a moment to think through these questions before we forge ahead with custom lists.

    Since we are not in a place where you can share numbers one and two with me, let’s jump to number 3 – what do you need to accomplish each day.

    Here is a generalized list that applies to all households.

    1. Kids – Our jobs are to keep them alive if they are younger, and to help manage their time if they are older. This can be lessons, homeschooling, or playing chauffeur.
    2. Eat – food needs to be purchased, prepared and cleaned up.

    That’s it two things – kids and food. Those are the only things we have to do each day and look, you have all of the other hours of the day to accomplish the rest. Feel better about your day? I know I do! I did not add all of the other things we do – such as work (I work from home), or chores, cleaning, laundry, shopping, lessons. These things have to be done at some point during the week but you can pick your day.

    Routines are the best advice I can give you when planning your lists. What routines do you do each and every day? My favorite lists that work great and are adaptable are category lists. I can divide a paper and add categories that remain the same daily, and then add to this list. I divided a sheet of paper into four sections and wrote out the things I needed to do under these headings. Later it got fancier and the name – the 4-Square Planner came to be! I am currently working on this planner that I hope will be out soon. This has the templates so you can create your own custom planners. Well, this one page was much more manageable than making a bunch of lists that I would then proceed to lose. If you can’t wait for the 4-Square planner book I have a set that is a 12-Month Planner ready to download here!

    Here is the freebie 4-Square Planner sample. It is being created as we speak, and hopefully, this will help you get started. 4-Square planner and forms

    So, take a sheet of paper and either fold it into quarters or draw a line horizontally from end to end and vertically. You now have 4 squares to write 4 categories which can be anything you want. In my homeschooling days, my squares looked like this…. [Listen to the audio for details.] You can use this method for parties or shopping. The 4 headings on my planner for a party are…[Listen to the audio for details.]

    Now we can break each segment up into details and you can use another page for that or the same one. I like master lists that I use all the time. Another time-saver is to use sticky notes either on the refrigerator if you can stand it or on the side of the frig. When you run out of something you need to purchase write it on the note – this is store specific if you shop at more than one store. A lifesaver for me is ordering online. You can do it for free and pick up the stuff or have it delivered – which can then incur a fee.

    So where is the mega-list to organize now? It is within each of the categories which makes it so much more organized! You can do this monthly and then the smaller lists weekly.

    1. You have your 4-Square Planner
    2. You have subcategories underneath each of these.
    3. If your subcategory needs its own list – you would add that to another page, for example, your household list is going to be products to clean and cook vs. actual groceries.
    4. Your additional lists will focus on each additional category. For example, one page may be household and your four squares will be cleaning/ laundry, grocery, errands, cooking. You can be detailed under each of these 4 squares – remember routines. Recently I started cooking different things as I was tired of our go-to meals, burgers, Mexican food, Italian food, and baked chicken. But what happened is it caused me to add to my grocery list and that took longer than before. Also, I like to mega cook meals, and could not with things like baked chicken.

    Additional lists can be kept on your calendar. This is a set it and forget it. I love to add birthdays, appointments, etc. You can remind yourself for upcoming bdays a month ahead and weekly if you use something like google calendar that comes with a Gmail account, or you can add things to the notes section of your phone. For example the kid’s sizes, or ideas for presents.

    What I have done is taken a huge list and made it routine-oriented as well organized under topics on one sheet of paper whenever possible. You can make your paper and 8-square instead of 4 square or whatever you want! Hopefully, this has helped, and don’t forget to get your free planning sheets-this is just a sample of the larger planner that is in the works! VHM Ep. 449 and thanks to our sponsor…

    Friends, can you do me a favor? We are approaching another network birthday with lots of giveaways and fun planned and I’d appreciate it if you’d share this network with a friend, on social media. In addition, if you could give this podcast a star rating on your fav podcast app!

    A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor: Courageous Movie

    From the Kendrick Brothers, creators of the No. 1 box-office movie WAR ROOM and OVERCOMER, comes the remastered re-release of COURAGEOUS Legacy, in theaters September 24. Celebrating 10 years of impact on families and fathers, this updated version of the film includes new scenes and an enhanced look and sound.

    Filled with action-packed drama, COURAGEOUS Legacy will once again have viewers laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children. Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That’s courageous.

    Check out the trailer here!

    The post Mega Lists ~ Organize Now appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Classroom Creativity – Key To Education Sep 20, 2021

    Classroom creativity is so much more than arts and crafts, yet with so many subjects to cover classroom creativity may be the last thing you as a parent think is important, especially in the home. Today along with my special guest, Chad Stewart we will learn that it is important to overall education.Classroom Creativity – Key To Education ~ Episode 448

    Classroom creativity is so much more than arts and crafts, yet with so many subjects to cover classroom creativity may be the last thing you as a parent think is important, especially in the home. Today along with my special guest, Chad Stewart we will learn that it is important to overall education.

    Thanks to our sponsor Courageous Legacy – after ten years the feature film Courageous which has changed so many lives for the better is back, this time as Courageous Legacy – this movie has been remastered, it includes a new ending as well as bonus scenes. If you missed this, you will want to catch this version, I saw the original movie and it is another wonderful Kendricks’s brothers production. You can find more information at Courageous The Movie

    Today we are going to focus on the topic of Creativity my guest, today I want to introduce you to Chad Stewart also known to his readers as CR Stewart, the author of what is soon going to be a series of books you will want to collect for your home library. Visit Britfield.com as well as BritfieldInstitute.org

    Purchase books here: https://www.britfield.com/store/

    Our nation is in a crisis, and the lack of creativity is one of the areas that schools have failed our children. Schools not only do not give opportunities and most destroy the real love of learning. The importance of children who are encouraged to be creative, independent, and who are nurtured to learn fits in perfectly to the homeschool model.

    He shared a Ted Talk on Creativity by Sir Ken Robinson. One of the most played Ted Talks of all time.

    Key Points:

    1. Creativity is the single most important subject.
    2. Employers look for people who are creative.
    3. Introducing children to various experiences is key.
    4. Creativity is important for leaders, inventors, brainstorming, figuring out a crisis with options and ideas, and thinking outside of the box.

    [Listen to the audio for the full broadcast.]

    Currently, there are two books in the Britfield series with book three soon to be published. The exciting goal is to have seven books and seven movies upon completion of the series. The books take place in different countries, the first in England, and the second in France. [Chad shared all the books and countries they will cover on the podcast.] These are wholesome and engaging stories for the entire family.

    About Chad Stewart: A prolific writer, highly respected producer, creativity specialist, international consultant, and prominent speaker. Founder of the prestigious Devonfield L.L.C., a comprehensive company dedicated to the highest quality in film production, publishing, and education, Stewart’s areas of expertise are writing film and media production, global strategy, and international marketing.

    A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor: Courageous Movie

    From the Kendrick Brothers, creators of the No. 1 box-office movie WAR ROOM and OVERCOMER, comes the remastered re-release of COURAGEOUS Legacy, in theaters September 24. Celebrating 10 years of impact on families and fathers, this updated version of the film includes new scenes and an enhanced look and sound.

    Filled with action-packed drama, COURAGEOUS Legacy will once again have viewers laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children. Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That’s courageous.

    Check out the trailer here!

    The post Classroom Creativity – Key To Education appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Greatest Homeschool Tips Sep 13, 2021

    What are the greatest homeschool tips of all time? Well, wait until you hear from veteran homeschool mom, author and speaker, Felice Gerwitz. In this session, she shares some of her best homeschooling tips from over thirty years of homeschooling.Greatest Homeschool Tips – Episode 447

    What are the greatest homeschool tips of all time? Well, wait until you hear from veteran homeschool mom, author and speaker, Felice Gerwitz. In this session, she shares some of her best homeschooling tips from over thirty years of homeschooling.

    Thanks to our sponsors! The movie – Show Me The Father

    This film is sure to change hearts and point people to the true father in heaven. It is a story of parenting and how faith can really make changes for the better in people’s lives. I teared up just watching the trailer and you will too! The links to the movie trailer are on the show notes page – you can find more information about local airing on the website as well as streaming in the near future. This is not to be missed.

    In my years of homeschooling I purchased many different programs on getting your homeschool organized or homeschooling from the first letter of the alphabet to the last, or comprehensive this or that, and found after the first few pages that it was not for me. I learned that I had to know what I could and could not do well and focus on my strengths and that is where we will get started. I cover homeschooling, family, and even touch on extended family, faith, and relationships. You should look into your homeschool laws for your state to be sure you are compliant. Here are the HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense) homeschool laws by state.

    This is not meant to be a comprehensive list, but it is meant to give you some 25 tangible tips that you can do starting today.

    Let’s Begin!

    1. You – Parent: You are in charge. You and your husband are the only two people whose decisions and choices matter in your homeschool journey. If you both agree or agree to disagree, then that is the law of the land (or your household). Stand firm and do not let anyone and I mean anyone (even me) change your mind.
    2. Each Other: Relationships matter. You and your spouse started together and should end your homeschool journey together. This happens if you A. Value each other. B. Appreciate Each Other C. Encourage Each Other D. Love each Other E. Take Care of Each Other and F. ALL of the Above.
    3. Faith Matters: A family that is focused on personal gain instead of everlasting gain will do so much better. Faith brings a family together and leaves a legacy for your children. Films such as Show Me The Father is an excellent example.
    4. Your Kids: You kids are not in charge. Not even close. And, your kids are not your friends. You are the parent and God gave you these kids for a purpose. (It may be a little fuzzy right now, but you’ll figure it out at some point.) Kids are wonderful, a blessing but need to listen.
    5. Discipline is Key To Your Sanity: If you have kids that won’t go to bed and talk back when they are little the nightmare is just starting if you are going to homeschool them. You have to have consequences for your actions. Think about it, make a plan, and beyond all else? Follow through.
    6. Others – Extended Family – Friends – Neighbors: Have opinions, and they have right to their opinions but you do not, and I repeat do not have to A. Listen B. Follow Their Advice C. Feel Guilty D. All of the Above. Refer back to point one. You are the parents.
    7. Key to Homeschooling 101: Do not try to duplicate traditional school in the home. It is set to fail, especially if you have multiple ages and grades.
    8. Lifestyle: Homeschooling is more than what you do, it is who you are in the sense that you are focused on the most important people in your life and the education of their hearts, their minds, and their souls. It is the greatest job you will ever have.
    9. Not About You: Yeah, I said it – homeschooling is not what the kids are or are not doing. It is not a hobby. It is a full-time commitment. It is not for the faint-hearted. When the kids misbehave or do not get their work done it is not personal, and it does not reflect on you – you are not at fault unless you are a permissive or threatening repeating parent with no follow-through. Sorry. This was me at one time and I fell hard for the fact that I could not blame the teacher, because I was the teacher. So I took charge and the rest is 30+ years of homeschooling. Was all of it perfect. No but I do not regret it at all.
    10. Ideal Learning Environment: This is one that fosters your child’s innate curiosity about the world around them. If your children are interested in the topic they will want to learn more about it, and that naturally builds and builds until they are studying various subjects within the framework of a topic. For example: Learning to plant a garden includes many different disciplines, soil, nutrition, reading, science – seasons, weather, discipline, patience, etc.
    11. Curriculum: There are way too many choices, so what you do is figure out A. How you want to teach and B. How your kids will learn best. If you are starting out you will definitely want to have something done for you, such as an Abeka or Bob Jones if you are looking for Christian based curriculum. I do not recommend (but I am not the parent) totally online schools, but online learning for a class or two is great. And while you are learning the ropes of juggling home, school, and having the kids around 24/7 you can branch out into other things. If you are a hands-on, do-it-yourselfer, then sure pick and choose your own books. You can check out the Media Angels curriculum at MediaAngels.com/store and MediaAngels.com/books
    12. Different learning levels: Kids do not fit neatly into grade-level boxes. Some are great students and will have no problem academically no matter what book or curriculum you use, and others may struggle. Reading is key and many kids need some type of reading remediation. Starting with the phonetic sounds and building on this helps. There are Facebook groups such as one I’m a member of and participate as a curriculum provider: Top Picks Homeschool Curriculum. There are many different knowledgeable people in the group that can help you.
    13. Work together in one room whenever possible. Sure, some kids may be distracted by talking or working with another child. But, sending younger kids to their own rooms is a recipe for disaster, and walking out of the room is another one!
    14. Stay off your phones and social media during school time – this means everyone. It will suck your time and ruin your mood. Leave research for a lunch-time or after-school activity.
    15. Research: If you get on the computer to research something, set a timer. Give yourself thirty minutes and that is it. Also, research websites without the kids around. Even with safe settings, it is amazing that the suggested ads on websites, even with good information are often inappropriate ads. There is an ad setting on websites that is family-friendly but whatever they deem family-friendly is not what I think it is therefore my websites do not contain third-party automated ads. Any ads or sponsors we have vetted.
    16. Tests: This is something you may choose or not chose to do. I didn’t give a lot of tests but my college kids complained about this when they were in college and had to deal with all types of exams. They said they wish I had given them more – so there you have it.
    17. Motivated Kids: I had a child who asked for a Trigenotry book for a summer project. He was thinking of going into engineering and did not feel like the Algebra II class he took the previous year covered it well enough. So, we ordered a book and he went through it and the video tutorial himself.
    18. Letting Kids Work On Their Own Pace: Especially if your child is highly motivated. It is not unheard of to complete two grades in one subject area in one year. Or only half a grade.
    19. To Push Or Not To Push: Working your children right below (not at or above) but below frustration level pushes them to learn. If a child is frustrated that means that they are not getting a concept or something is too difficult at this time. Does that mean you don’t push – no, but understanding your child is part of the homeschool journey.
    20. Evaluation vs. Standardized Tests: I prefer evaluations especially in the lower grades. The teacher can give you key points to work on and help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Get good resources before beginning.
    21. Making excuses: Look at the root cause of bad behavior. Is it for attention, it is to push attention to someone else, etc. Do not make excuses for children who act poorly but get to the root of the problem.
    22. Households can be divided into parts: Budget/Paying Bills, Cooking, Cleaning, Laundry, Yardwork. This is an area to divide and conquer. Who is good at what? That is their job. I am terrible at budgets, but I can pay bills, cook, clean and do laundry. I do not do yard work. When the kids were little I tried assigning jobs and taught them to do all of the various jobs, but once they had the experience I let them chose, and guess what? Doing chores was not a hassle. If they tired of a chore they could trade or enlist me for help. It worked so much better than just assigning jobs.
    23. Kids should help. Kids that help around the house are responsible. My first two did not do much in the way of chores, but the last three did – and I mean they really helped out. I had more energy, time, and help with my two oldest but not with my three youngest.
    24. Family Unity: We are a family, we are in this together, we work hard and we all enjoy the fruits of our labor. This is something my kids learned early on, if there is infighting everyone has to hear it and it makes for a miserable life. Teaching children the importance of getting along and having punishments that fit the crime goes a long way in helping.
    25. Family Mission statement: What is it that your family stands for? Write it down, have the kids learn it. Write down a family prayer and say it every night before bed.

    Last Thoughts:

    There are going to be days that are horrible and days that are amazing. Through it all, you can thrive with a close network of people that will give you the encouragement that we provide on our social media accounts. We have this page specifically for you the homeschool mom and dad.

    A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor: Show Me The Father Movie

    The Kendrick Brothers, creators of WAR ROOM and FIREPROOF, have some exciting news to share: they have TWO films coming to theaters this fall—SHOW ME THE FATHER on September 10 and COURAGEOUS Legacy on September 24.

    Featuring a variety of amazing, true stories, the Kendrick Brothers’ new feature film SHOW ME THE FATHER takes audiences on an inspiring and emotional cinematic journey. Their first documentary film has something for everyone and invites you to think differently about how you view your earthly father’s story and also how you personally relate to God.

    Check out the trailer here!

    The post Greatest Homeschool Tips appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Get More Done Sep 06, 2021

    Get more done in a schedule that is already packed? Are you kidding me? Well, friends - this is the goal and in this podcast, I will explain how you can do more in less time. (Sorry I can't grant you more time, but I can help you with the time that you have.) Please join me and bring a friend!

    Get More Done – Episode 446

    Get more done in a schedule that is already packed? Are you kidding me? Well, friends – this is the goal and in this podcast, I will explain how you can do more in less time. (Sorry I can’t grant you more time, but I can help you with the time that you have.) Please join me and bring a friend!

    Thanks to our sponsors! The movie – Show Me The Father

    Tear jerk alert! This is a snapshot of ordinary and extraordinary people and the effect that parents have on their children. I teared up just watching the trailer and you will too! The links to the movie trailer are on the show notes page – you can find more information about local airing on the website as well as streaming in the near future. This is not to be missed.

    Okay friends here we go, it’s time to get more done without stressing ourselves out and it begins with a pep-talk and motivation. Think back to a time when you really wanted something and had a goal. Do you have that picture in your mind? Was it…

    1. To lose weight?
    2. Get a new job?
    3. Get married and have kids?

    Well, if you are listening to Vintage Homeschool Moms my guess is that you achieved goal number three anyway! You are married with kids and wondering, “What happened to all of my time.” and “Thank you Lord for my blessings.” All kidding aside what needs to get done? We can probably put this in a series of five things with a ton of subcategories.

    What are the things you need to get done? Listing them here – we will go over these later.

    1. Faith and Relationships.
    2. Household.
    3. Kids.
    4. Teaching.
    5. Errands
    6. BONUS – YOU – taking care of you.

    How are you going to get more done when you really sub-categorize this list you will be exhausted and need a nap! Well, we will tackle that in a bit, but first … the test. Yes, there is a short series of questions you need to answer and I promise this will help you with productivity!

    You need at least thirty minutes to an hour to do this activity but I’m going to lay it all out for you in way less time. I’m giving you information that has super helped me and it has increased my productivity to way beyond what I thought I could do.

    So where we go – and you have to really answer these questions honestly for this to work!

    1. What are the distractors in your life?
    2. Are you motivated to get more done? Why or why not.
    3. What is holding you back from accomplishing more?
    4. Are your goals unrealistic?
    5. Do you have help or can you enlist (trade) help with others?

    So, spend some time really answering these questions, and then the ideal would be to come back to this audio. So, you have looked over these questions and given them some serious thought, and I want to break them down quickly for you.

    What are the distractors in your life?

    Problem: Kids, health, a messy home, too much to do without a plan, relatives, neighbors, spouse…

    Solution: By identifying the problem you can figure out a solution. Some days all we are meant to do is thread water. Other days we can be super productive and it counts for two days. Look at the distractions and take care of them – from the most important to the least. Don’t look at the entire room that is a mess, tackle one thing… for me it is the things on the floor, I can’t handle that…or opened cupboards. Once things are picked up from the floor (and this is where kids can help – dump into a laundry basket and then deliver them into their rooms -you can make it a game for the little ones), I feel refreshed and can tackle the next thing.

    Are you motivated to get more done? Why or why not.

    Problem: I’m not motivated. This is a major issue in the problem with getting things done! It’s just like our kids and not finishing schoolwork. We say, “Just do it!” Some days I have to make myself work some days when I don’t feel like I want to get out of bed! So why are you not motivated? Can you figure it out.

    Solution: Figuring out your motivation issue can be as simple as setting short-term goals for the day. Maybe one hour of productivity each day broken up into five-minute chunks. You can clean up for five minutes – sort laundry – start the wash, etc. Tell laundry story.

    What is holding you back from accomplishing more?

    Problem: If you are super unproductive there could be an underlying issue. Depression, lack of motivation, feeling that no one cares.

    Solution: Do it for yourself, not others. In this lifetime no one is really going to appreciate all we do – and think about it, how much are we appreciated. I recently heard a talk by a pastor where he applied a Biblical passage to marriage and he said that men want to be appreciated and women want to be loved and the breakdown in relationships happens when there is a lack of these two factors that are so important in our lives. When we feel loved we feel appreciated and will move mountains to get things down. So look in the mirror and know you are loved by the Almighty and set those short-term goals (worry about long term later) and get some things down on paper and accomplished. You will feel so much better.

    Are your goals unrealistic?

    Problem: We set these lofty goals for ourselves that there is no way we can accomplish unless we have a ton of help. Look at your goals and really see if they are doable and if not…revise and chop!

    Solution: Bite-sized goals that are achievable in this lifetime. I know everyone says to make these long-term goals but those freaked me out for the sheer reason that I might fail and that held me back. Once I did things just because they had to get done and focused on the job at hand, guess what? Dishes got washed at the right time and life went on. Just do it. Set reasonable goals. Work in pockets of time you have.

    Do you have help or can you enlist (trade) help with others?

    Problem: Let’s face it if you have a bunch of little ones underfoot you can’t get much done without neglecting the kids. Some kids are super needy and sometimes having older ones can spoil little ones. So think about your immediate needs and a solution.

    Solution: It is great to trade with a friend or better yet have a babysitter over to the house while you are at home. Or can shop without little ones. Here is an invaluable tip that really helped me… I had toys the kids never used unless I needed them occupied. Once when my two-year-old got into a box of rubber bands and was quiet (you know that means they are getting in trouble) after a quick peek to see that he was okay, I let him go for it and play with the box. There was a mess afterwards but I was able to bulk cook some meals and picking rubber bands out of the seat cushions (about a ten-minute job) was way worth it. In fact, he helped.

    Last thoughts and Get IT Done Tips:

    Most of the time we waste time on things that we later regret like social media. Promise yourself ten or fifteen minutes, put on a timer and stick to it. Also, if you are wandering around the house without purpose it is time to make a plan. Remember the old adage, “Rome was not built in one day.”

    Let it go is another mantra that has served me well. I’m not a great housekeeper so years ago I hired help. It made us all happy and it was two times a month. Even if it is once a month it will be great if you can afford it, or hire a homeschooled high schooler they will love the extra cash.

    Also, some things do not need to get done. For example spring cleaning or baking cookies for the entire neighborhood!

    And lastly if you are not feeling well, this is difficult. Some of you suffer from chronic fatigue. Check your diet, cut out sugar and too many carbs. Ladies I’ve done it and not it is not easy but my energy soared. Whatever is the problem you can overcome it. Someone recently told me that balance of nature was something they took – and I think this is similar to Juice Plus I took in my thirties when I had no energy. I’m in my 60s now and feel better than ever – why? Because of what I eat. Once you get your health in check the sky is the limit.

    I hope this helped you, and please share this podcast with a friend, share it on your social media page (set the time, 10 minutes!) and join our private Facebook pages. And, give me a star rating on your podcast app.

    A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor: Show Me The Father Movie

    The Kendrick Brothers, creators of WAR ROOM and FIREPROOF, have some exciting news to share: they have TWO films coming to theaters this fall—SHOW ME THE FATHER on September 10 and COURAGEOUS Legacy on September 24.

    Featuring a variety of amazing, true stories, the Kendrick Brothers’ new feature film SHOW ME THE FATHER takes audiences on an inspiring and emotional cinematic journey. Their first documentary film has something for everyone and invites you to think differently about how you view your earthly father story and also how you personally relate to God.

    Check out the trailer here!

    The post Get More Done appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: The Best Homeschool Year Ever Aug 30, 2021

    Let's Talk About making this The Best Homeschool Year Ever!Let’s Talk About making this The Best Homeschool Year Ever!

    Lunch with Meredith Curtis and Felice Gerwitz

    Don’t forget to click the subscribe button and follow on iTunes or download your copy today!

    Thanks to our sponsors for allowing us to bring you this show as well as others on this network to you, absolutely free!

    Visit our sponsors:

    K12 Logo

    K12.com – Visit the free online school here

    Our sponsors make these shows free to our subscribers.

    Visit Media Angels HERE andPowerline Productions HERE

    sponsors vintage - Media Angels and Powerline-1

    Meredith’s List

    1. Commit year to prayer
    2. Kick off with enthusiasm “We’re going to learn about ….”
    3. Organize all your books, supplies, etc so they are easy to access
    4. Schedule — General and for each student

    Felice’s List

    1. Begin with prayer – what does the Lord want you to focus on this year.
    2. Look at each child’s strength’s and weaknesses – let’s work on building up the weakness
    3. Goal vs. Plan – how to make it all work together in the time you have.
    4. Plan ahead. Make sure you have a backup plan.

    Photo Credit: DepositPhoto.com Copyright Angels_a

    The post Special Replay: The Best Homeschool Year Ever appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Math The Easy Way Aug 23, 2021

    Are you ready for math the easy way? Enjoy my special guest Pat Murray – he’s been a math teacher and coach for more than thirty-six years.Math The Easy Way – Episode 435

    Are you ready for math the easy way? Enjoy my special guest Pat Murray – he’s been a math teacher and coach for more than thirty-six years.

    And would you believe that Over that time, the programs and courses Pat and his company developed have helped students and families numbering in the tens and hundreds of thousands in more than seventy-two countries. So no matter where you live this information is accessible!

    Pat and his beautiful wife Maree live in Sydney Australia, have 10 children, and 7 grandchildren – soon to be 8 (next month).

    So, we are going to delve into seven of the most valuable tips for teaching math to kids –of all ages. I was amazed that your math programs have one low cost for a year, per family and it covers grades 1 through high school which is amazing and only a man with a big family understands what a blessing that is to parents with many children….

    1. Short concise explanations – clarity is important.
    2. Immediate practice – get them to practice it quickly and feedback.
    3. Rote learning memorizing, times tables, important facts. [Great examples given on the audio!]
    4. The sequence can make a difference. Start with the easiest stuff first, encourage success.
    5. Discovery and inquiring learning that is taught first by example.
    6. Puzzles and problem solving – a fun activity. Build interest.
    7. Parents – avoid frustration. Kids will avoid help, due.

    Pat shares a mathematical trick – kids can learn as a parent to impress their kids.

    Visit our sponsor:

    Are you looking for a new Math Curriculum?

    CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Favorably reviewed in Cathy Duffy’s 102 Top Picks and The Old Schoolhouse Crew Review, the lessons are short and concise to help your children break down concepts and appreciate math in a whole new way!

    The lessons are taught the traditional way, not to a “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 practical assessment. This three-pronged attack makes learning so much easier and more effective. Even students who struggled with math are getting fantastic results! And ones who were doing OK before are now doing brilliantly.

    Visit ctcmath.com today to start your free trial.

    The post Math The Easy Way appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Four-Hour School Day Aug 16, 2021

    Have you considered a four hour school day? Well if not, my guest today will share how she trimmed the fat of her school day. How did she do this? Listen to find out.Four Hour School Day ~ Episode 434

    Have you considered a four hour school day? Well if not, my guest today will share how she trimmed the fat of her school day. How did she do this? Listen to find out.

    Check out her book, The Four-Hour School Day!

    Book press release:

    Buy the book here:

    Durenda Wilson Facebook

    Durenda Wilson Instagram:

    Why take all day when you can finish your school day in a way that is great for mom, dad and the kids.

    This was a great interview and I hope you listen to the entire podcast – here is a nutshell version of our chat! Much more is on the interview. Durenda has some great insights on homeschooling!

    Durenda shares about the beginning of her homeschool journey. [For details listen to the audio] She says, “…we always just tell people we were selfish, we did not want to share our kids with anybody else, especially not for that many hours a week. And we felt like there were some things we really wanted our kids to have. We, we wanted first of all time with them because we wanted to disciple them. And we know that that takes time and we didn’t feel like we could do the kind of job we wanted to by sending them away all day, five days a week. And then the other thing is we really wanted our kids to have a childhood.

    Some of the key points:

    1. giving them time and space to play and grow and develop at their own pace.
    2. A combination of directed learning and self-directed learning.

    God was calling us to do it. He was going to give us what we needed to do that. And I tell parents all the time, you have to understand that your role in your child’s life can’t be underestimated. You have a very, very significant role in their lives. You know, God ordained the family. That was his idea.

    1. In the book, the Four Hour School Day, there is a challenge to parents. After laying out the plan I hope to broaden their view of what education is. And this book is for people who are thinking about homeschooling on the fence or already homeschooling and
    2. There is such a strong thread of growing a strong, healthy family. And that’s at the end of the day, that is one of the biggest blessings of homeschooling. And we’ve found this with our own kids. I spent a lot of time along the way, learning conflict resolution so that I could teach it to my children along the way because I wanted them to not only be friends. I want them to understand how important relationships are, how important family relationships are. And so we, I really made a concerted effort to nurture sibling relationships. And that means taking time along the way to nurture those relationships.
    3. Homeschooling and family… this is really training ground. It’s, it’s sometimes the hardest place to do it because you feel safe there. And so you tend to not behave yourself as much and you take each other for granted. And so we were always working on that, you know, is that how you would treat a friend or is that how you would want to be treated in that situation? And so just all of that just has ended up affecting our children in so many positive ways. Not only are they best friends, they also know what it looks like when they, when they’re working with other people on jobs, in their careers.

    The author of the Four Hour School Day:

    I always tell parents to be stubborn about your goals, but flexible about your methods. So the mission statement would be about your ultimate goals. And then, and then we’re flexible about the methods of how we’re going to get there depending on the child, depending on the season of life we’re in developmentally where our kids are on that, scope as well. We always have a direction. I think this is important because we can get caught up in the minutiae of homeschooling.

    (Much more on the audio)

    The Four-Hour School Day will help you to:

    • Work with your child’s interests and passions for an enjoyable learning experience
    • Cultivate independent learning in your child so you have more time and your child
    • develops more curiosity
    • Navigate the different schooling stages your child will go through
    • Find an engaged community so that you can start this adventure with all the support you
    • need.

    About the Author:

    Durenda married Darryl in 1989, and she is a mom to eight kids born less than thirteen years apart. She always considered motherhood to be the ultimate career, but she had no idea of the countless ways it would deepen and humble her. Many, many times she found herself unsure and struggling, only to discover God’s strength at the end of her rope. She realized she experienced the grace she desperately needed when she took the time to slow her heart and listen for His still, small voice. Her greatest joy is helping moms discover that grace as well–and with it the courage to put their full trust in Him as they learn to hear His voice above all others. Connect with Durenda at durendawilson.com.

    Visit our sponsor:

    Are you looking for a new Math Curriculum?

    CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Favorably reviewed in Cathy Duffy’s 102 Top Picks and The Old Schoolhouse Crew Review, the lessons are short and concise to help your children break down concepts and appreciate math in a whole new way!

    The lessons are taught the traditional way, not to a “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 practical assessment. This three-pronged attack makes learning so much easier and more effective. Even students who struggled with math are getting fantastic results! And ones who were doing OK before are now doing brilliantly.

    Visit ctcmath.com today to start your free trial.

    The post Four-Hour School Day appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Scheduling Hacks For Homeschool Moms Aug 09, 2021

    When you are a busy mom it is important to have scheduling hacks that work. And, that goes double for anyone out there who is a homeschool mom. In this episode, I share scheduling hacks that work well for me and how I get so much done in the little time I have each day.Scheduling Hacks ~ Episode 433

    When you are a busy mom it is important to have scheduling hacks that work. And, that goes double for anyone out there who is a homeschool mom. In this episode, I share scheduling hacks that work well for me and how I get so much done in the little time I have each day.

    Check out this amazing website for deep discounts on books and products that can save you time.

    When we think about scheduling so many things to come to mind. Scheduling time for work, cooking, cleaning, shopping, errands, and lessons. Each day there are so many interruptions as well as unproductive times. If we could bottle all of that time wasted it would add up to hours and hours each week. You know your problem areas so I’m not going to list all the of the downfalls to trying to schedule and to keep to a schedule. We have interruptions each day and how we handle these will help.

    Scheduling takes planning. And, scheduling takes prioritizing. Two things we can improve up. Scheduling also takes flexibility. So, planning, prioritizing, and flexibility. Saving time also includes understanding what is a time-waster. Is it talking on the phone, social media? Is it text messaging? Whatever pulls you out of your train of thought wastes time.

    Also, when we talk about scheduling we are talking about using the time you have the best you can. So, what makes the most sense in your already busy life, and… what is the best use of your time? Is it time-effective? Can you have someone else do this task or it is something you have to tackle? These are questions we can ask ourselves as we look at our projects!

    Look at your schedule with the thoughts of planning to get the most out of your time, setting up your schedule with the most important things first and remembering that life happens.

    1. Schedule time to schedule. We are usually too busy to even stop and plan. I love to plan months ahead of time and that gives me such a sense of accomplishment. If you can trade off with someone to watch the kids or hire a babysitter if you have little ones. Uninterrupted planning time can really help. For example, you are going to work on scheduling household chores, or homeschool days. Maybe you want to schedule your year. Remember that we can be overscheduled and to leave time for flexibility.
    2. Schedule out-of-the-house trips. By planning trips in one day, you can save so much time. And do your errands in order. Just think it through where you have to go and start from the farthest location from home and work back. Or prioritize if necessary. Some families leave Friday open for catch-up days, or to schedule a field trip or something fun to do.
    3. Schedule online tools. Do you pay bills online? Shop? When do you do these things? If you can set up auto-payments that is a huge time saver. I have a spreadsheet I use (Google Docs) and I look at it one time a week for about 5-10minutes to be sure payments have been made. Some payments I still manually pay. However, others are set up on auto. Huge time saver.
    4. Block time. This has been a lifesaver for me. Knowing when you are going to do which task helps tremendously and cuts way down on the actual time to do the project or task. Block times for answering emails, grocery shopping (even if it shopping online), and other tasks that can be done in increments of 15 minutes. You will be shocked at how much you can get done in 15 minutes. Also, I block mega-cooking time or — cooking double or even triple and freezing the rest. These are ways to schedule your time in a way that is the most useful.
    5. Schedule break, exercise, reading time with your kids or without kids. I found that if I have something to look forward to I am more productive. You will feel better and while I didn’t think I had time for a break it was amazing that just a few minutes could be invigorating!

    Does this give you ideas for the ways that you can increase your productivity by smart scheduling? I hope so! One last word. There is some debate about whether multi-tasking is effective, and I think it depends on the person. For some, it works fine and for others, it can disrupt their concentration. So, think about this when you schedule and work on ways that will enhance your productivity. Scheduling is just one way.

    Visit our sponsor:

    Are you looking for a new Math Curriculum?

    CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Favorably reviewed in Cathy Duffy’s 102 Top Picks and The Old Schoolhouse Crew Review, the lessons are short and concise to help your children break down concepts and appreciate math in a whole new way!

    The lessons are taught the traditional way, not to a “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 practical assessment. This three-pronged attack makes learning so much easier and more effective. Even students who struggled with math are getting fantastic results! And ones who were doing OK before are now doing brilliantly.

    Visit ctcmath.com today to start your free trial.

    The post Scheduling Hacks For Homeschool Moms appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay – Family Loyalty: For Kids Aug 02, 2021

    Do you have family loyalty? Do you know what it means to be loyal?Family Loyalty: For Kids

    Do you have family loyalty? Do you know what it means to be loyal? In this episode we are going to talk about your family, your parents, and those adults in charge of you. And we are going to talk about that and so much more. Another episode for the kids!

    Listen to these past episodes just for kids!

    1. Kids Making Good Decisions.
    2. Making Good Choices – Why Should You?

    Books for tweens – Truth Seekers Mystery Series.

    What do you think being loyal means? If you said it has to do with standing by someone or some idea or purpose these are all correct. We hear about loyalty when we think about the military. The men who fight for our country to keep us safe, they are loyal to an idea or a cause. When people described people that were loyal they used the word chivalry. Chivalry means to protect, to be honest, to be kind and to care even to the point of giving your life. But did you know being loyal applies to your parents and your family as well?

    So, again – let’s think about this word loyalty. Are your parents loyal to you?

    Your parents put you first, above people not in your family, right? They feed you, make sure you have clothes to wear and a place to sleep. And, for homeschoolers you know your parents are your teachers. You listen to your teachers whether it is a parent or a teacher outside of the home. So, what happens when someone tells you to trust? Well, trust is earned for the most part. If you are a kid, maybe you have lost your parent’s trust by making the wrong choices. But, generally, people who are authority figures should be trusted.

    Do you remember in your early grades you studied about community helpers? These are people who had jobs within a community where you live that serve in a job that helps, for example, law enforcement, teachers, firefighters, emergency personnel like ambulance drivers and EMTs or paramedics. These are people in authority. There are many people that fall into this category. They pretty much get our trust because they are an authority figure. You really don’t want to argue with a firefighter who is trying to rescue you from a burning building.

    Well, our parents are authority figures as well. Some parents are great and some, well not so much. Some kids in a family are great, some are not so great, but no family is perfect. We all make mistakes and when we do, we should all apologize and say we are sorry. I have written many apology notes to my kids during times when I messed up. Yes, even adults make mistakes. But we are still a family.

    We should have family loyalty. It is important. Maybe you yell at your siblings but if someone else says something bad about them you want to fight with that person to defend your sister or brother, or maybe mom or dad. We should be loyal to our family because we know our family cares about us, even if they do not always show us they care.

    Who put your family together? Are you a person of faith? If so, you believe that God had a hand in putting your family together. Maybe you wish that God didn’t give you the family you have because you think another family is better. God gives us all free will, we are not puppets, and we can make our own choices. Some people make good choices and others do not. So, where does that leave us?

    But why have family loyalty? Why is that important? For some of you, you may think that is a strange question. I started thinking about this the other day when I caught the tail end of a superhero movie on television. Well, I think it was a superhero – it was an X-Men movie–are they superhero? I don’t even know. Anyway, at the end of the movie I heard one of the characters say some words that I have heard before. I heard these in my college classes. It started with this:

    “Forget everything your parents have taught you.”

    What! Why would someone say that to you? Why should you forget everything your parents taught you?

    1. Would your parents teach you something that is bad?
    2. Would your parents want to harm you?
    3. Would your parents teach you something that your teachers or other authority figures may not want you to know?Hmm…

    You are a kid no matter how old you are. You will always be a kid to your parents. Your parents love you and they care about you. They want you to be loyal to your family and believe what they have taught you at home is right and just.

    1. Parents teach you about right and wrong.
    2. Parents teach you about faith.
    3. Parents teach you about values and morals. Basically, families teach you important things that they want you to learn.

    If someone tells you to forget everything your parents taught you and listen to them, doesn’t that make you suspicions? When I heard a teacher say that to me, this is what I thought.

    1. Why should I listen to you, OVER my parents? I don’t know you or what you believe.
    2. I will respect you if you are a teacher or authority figure, but you are making me pretty suspicious if you are telling me not to believe my parents.
    3. I will not believe everything YOU say, without thinking it through.

    An authority figure that tells you to forget what your parents say that does not know what your parents said, is wrong. Why do they say this? A fancy way of saying this is they have an agenda. They think they know better than your parents. They want you to think the same way they do, and they do not want you to have an opinion that is different from theirs. There was a movie God’s Not Dead and in that movie the professor wanted everyone to sign a piece of paper that said that God was a myth and the belief in God was not true. Everyone in the class signed the paper except for one student. And the professor was very angry with him, and tried all different ways to make him back down.

    This is why family loyalty is important but also what you believe. If you are confused, ask your parents.

    Many teachers really do a good job and they care. But, some teachers really don’t want you to have an opinion and view that is different than theirs. This happens to some adults at work as well. If people really care they should understand that we all think differently. Yes, even if we disagree. You should be allowed to have your opinions and other people should be allowed to have their opinions.

    So, why are we talking about family loyalty? Because if we are loyal to our families we:

    1. Put our family over your friends. We are committed to each other.
    2. We enjoy the family that God gave us.
    3. We stand up for members of our family.
    4. We stand with the members of our family.
    5. We work together as a family toward common goals.
    6. We make a commitment to our families.
    7. We encourage our family members and not put them down.

    Each one of you is amazing and important and each one of you—I believe was created in the image and likeness of God. God does not make junk! he made you and gave you to the family you have, and we make the best with our family. Our family is practice for the family you will someday be with and do your part to be the best you can.

    The post Special Replay – Family Loyalty: For Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Summer Reading List Jul 26, 2021

    Let’s Talk About Summer Reading ListsLet’s Talk About Summer Reading Lists

    Most schools public and private assign reading lists for upper elementary OR middle-high school years — but we, as homeschoolers were never known to be the norm. Right? Right! We beat to a different drummer and in this broadcast Felice shares her love of books, when that came about and how you can foster that love with your children during the summer months. Who says school has to end in May or June? Enjoy the lazy days of summer with some great reading choices and see your child’s imagination and love of learning soar!

    Handouts Below

    Show Notes –

    A. What are your goals in having your children read books during the summer?

    B. Do you want your children to learn to love reading?

    C. Do you want to get a head start on your school year by reading good books?

    You can find many of these books at the public library or purchase them for your

    • Good Reads
    • Abe Books
    • Amazon
    • Thrift Books
    • Alibris
    • Better World Books

    Suggested Summer Reading List

    Younger Children—K-3

      1. Children’s Bibles / Bible Read Aloud Stories
      2. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmens
      3. Paddington by Michael Bond
      4. The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Anderson
      5. Goodnight, Moon! By Margaret Wise Brown
      6. The Gingerbread Boy—Folk Tale (Grimm’s Fairy Tales)
      7. Stone Soup—Folk Tale
      8. A Crayon for Harold by Ruth Krauss
      9. The Children of the King—Max Lucado
      10. Blueberries for Sale by Robert McCloskey
      11. Little Bear by Minarik
      12. Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parrish
      13. Curious George by H.A. & Margaret Rey
      14. Nate the Great by Marjory Sharmat
      15. Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
      16. Noah’s Ark by Peter Spier
      17. A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
      18. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
      19. Billy and Blaze (series) by C.W. Anderson
      20. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
      21. Little Bear by Else Homelund Minarik
      22. Elementary & Classics
      23. The Storykeepers (series) by Brian Brown and Andrew Melrose
      24. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
      25. Matilda by Roald Dahl
      26. The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
      27. Pocahontas by Ingri and Edgar d’Aulaire
      28. Bobbsey Twins of Lakeport by Laura Lee Hope
      29. Cul-de-Sac Kids (series) by Beverly Lewis
      30. An American Girl Series (Addy, Kirsten, Kaya, etc.) by Janet Shaw
      31. Charlotte’s Weby by E.B. White (Stuart Little)
      32. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

      Upper Level Elementary & Middle School

      1. Cooper Kids Adventure Series by Frank Peretti
      2. Truth Seekers Mystery Series by Christina (Gerwitz) Moss & Felice Gerwitz
      3. Hardy Boys by Frank W. Dixon (read older books in the series)
      4. Nancy Drew by Caroline Keene
      5. The False Prince (Ascendance Trilogy) by Jennifer A. Nielsen
      6. The Sugar Creek Gang Mystery Series by Paul Hutchens
      7. Chronicles of Narnia—Series—The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
      8. Anne of Green Gables (series) by L.M. Montgomery
      9. The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
      10. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
      11. Little Men by Louisa May Alcott
      12. Because of Winn Dixie by Kate Dicamillo
      13. Hoot by Carl Hiasen
      14. National Velvet by Engid Bagnold
      15. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
      16. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (skip the “chant”
      17. Hans Brinker Silver Skates by Mary mapes Dodge
      18. My Side of the Mountain by Jean George
      19. Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
      20. Justin Morgan had a Horse by Marguerite Henry
      21. In the Heart of the Rockies by G.A. Henty
      22. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
      23. Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
      24. Come on Seabiscit by Ralph Moody
      25. Rascal by Sterling North
      26. Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
      27. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
      28. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
      29. The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
      30. Mary Poppins by Pamela L. Travers
      31. Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
      32. The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss
      33. Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr, and Ernestine Gilbreth Carney
      34. My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara
      35. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
      36. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
      37. White Fang by Jack London
      38. The Yearling by Majorie Rawlings
      39. Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevnson
      40. The Adventures of Huck Finn by Mark Twain
      41. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
      42. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain
      43. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

    High School

    1. The Complete Father Brown Series by G.K Chesterton
    2. Ann of Green Gables
    3. The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
    4. Death of the Nile by Agatha Christie
    5. The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
    6. The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas
    7. The Adventures of Sherlock Homes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
    8. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
    9. The Princess Bride by William Goldman
    10. Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield
    11. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
    12. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
    13. The Screwtape Letters (Mere Christianity) by C.S. Lewis
    14. This Present Darkness (Three books in the series) by Frank Perreti
    15. The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson
    16. Emma / Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austin
    17. Jane Eyre by Emily Bronte
    18. The Man Who Knew Too Much by G.K. Chesterton
    19. Deer Slayer by James Finmore Cooper
    20. Divine Comedy by Dante
    21. Great Expectation by Charles Dickens (A Tale of Two Cities)
    22. The County of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
    23. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemmingway
    24. Les Miserable by Victor Hugo
    25. Animal Farm by George Orwell
    26. Last Days of Socrates by Plato
    27. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
    28. Ben Hur by Lew Wallace
    29. Time Machine by H.G. Wells
    30. City of God by St. Augustine
    31. Everlasting Man by GK Chesterton
    32. Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
    • Handout of all the books with an easy check off list to keep track of your books – Reading List – Felice Gerwitz
    • Reading List Record Keeping. Reading-List-Record-Keeping

    The post Special Replay: Summer Reading List appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Fun Summer Project: Write A Book Jul 19, 2021

    Why write? It is fun, and what better fun summer project than to write a book.Fun Summer Project: Write a Book – Episode 432

    Why write? It is fun, and what better fun summer project than to write a book. For some children, this may be just what they need to get their creative juices flowing and for others, it may be better to begin with baby steps. This is a just for kid’s episode but parents are always invited, so get your kids and let’s begin!

    Did you know storytelling is something that people did long ago for entertainment? Now we have television, video, and streaming apps, but long ago the way that people enjoyed themselves was to tell stories of real events or to exaggerate things that happened to make them more exciting.

    For example, instead of saying… I was walking down a path, and I got to the end, and I turned right. After that, I kept going until I got home. Boring right?

    Well, someone might tell the story like this. As I was walking down a path I thought I heard something rustling in the bushes, in fact, the noise got closer and closer, so I hurried along trying not to make it obvious that I was afraid and really, really scared. There are often lions in the woods and I knew that it was close to their feeding time, and if I didn’t hurry I might be some lucky lion’s dinner. As I walked I looked back, and the rustling was still following me and it was getting faster. So, I picked up my speed. And, yes – you guessed it the thing – whatever it was in the bushes was also picking up speed as well. I saw my house ahead and I ran as fast as I could as if my life depends on it. Because it did. As I opened the door and threw myself in, I heard a roar and a whoosh of air right behind me. Then a horrible scratching at my door. I looked out of my front window and there is was an angry, pacing lion who had just lost its tasty dinner. Me.

    Which story would you want to read? The first one or the second one? I agree the second one sounds more exciting and both say the same thing just in different ways.

    Fiction is very close in some ways to true events and if you can think of something that has happened to you, you may be able to turn it into a short story that people will enjoy. Because that is what storytelling is, it is a way to entertain or bring enjoyment to another person. And, who doesn’t want to make someone else happy?

    I wrote three novels with my daughter and that is called being a co-author. We wrote different parts of a story and put the parts together. I wrote some scientific facts in the book and she wrote the fun, action-adventure, mystery part. We worked on it together and it was a wonderful experience. You can find the books on my website at MediaAngels.com and they are the Truth Seekers Mystery series.

    How did we come up with this idea? I wanted novels that taught good information and my daughter wanted to write an action novel with kids that actually did something that wasn’t dumb. For example, if there is a noise in the basement no one is dumb enough to go down the dark stairs alone to check it out like in all the books where they get caught. I have a podcast where I interviewed my daughter and you can get more of an idea, here. PUT LINK TO OTHER PODCAST

    So – back to writing.

    Let’s say you always wanted to write a book and just didn’t know how to begin. One of the best ways to begin is through brainstorming. If you can brainstorm an idea, it helps to work out the angle you want to take. My daughter and I did this with the Truth Seekers Mystery Series TM. So you can begin with a marker board or a large sheet of paper. You can draw a diagram, and start with a circle in the middle and write the word, story… then draw spokes around your primary topic or goal. And add to these, it can have characters (and spokes off of that circle to name your main characters), or it can have a setting, or a theme, or problem that must be solved.

    Most books have a specific theme or another word for it is TrOps… look up the word tropes – which is pronounced trOp – the o is long. This is an overused or cliché … this may give you something to start with. For example, think typical kid mysteries, or time travel, finding treasure, you know things that most books or movies are about.

    You keep drawing these spokes and circles until you run out of ideas. This is also called mind mapping and you can look that up as well.

    What if you don’t think you can write a long story? Well, start small.

    Here are some quick tips:

    1. Start with a short story
    2. What is the problem? If there is no problem to overcome there is no story.
    3. Write one chapter at a time – and before you do – write a few sentences about what the chapter is about.
    4. Know your character. What is it about your character that makes him/her lovable or not likable? What is going to be different or change in the character? Will the character be stronger, or happier? Will the character learn something or be better for the trial they experienced?
    5. Keep the story moving… add a lion or two (remember the story I told you about walking home with the lion in the background?) I kept you in suspense not telling you what was rustling in the woods. Authors or good storytellers do this to keep the reader engaged – you want to know what is going to happen next OR you put down the book.

    For more practice one thing you can do is retell a favorite story – you can change something in the story. For example, if the character is a boy make it a girl. If it is set in a mountain town make it a beach town. If they are finding buried treasure, change it to a valuable artifact – something that may be washed up on the seashore after a storm. So, the book is similar to the book you like but you change everything you can… the character’s names, and more to make it your own story. That is one way to start writing if you don’t know how.

    Storytelling is all about the “what if” questions. What happens if the lion is faster than the person running away, what if the person had a bow and arrow, what the kid’s best friend or little brother was outside playing when the kid came running home chased by a lion?

    Another way to jump-start ideas is to use open-ended stories or story starters … you can start reading a book and then put it down and write the rest of the story yourself. Don’t peak! After you are finished you can read the book and see how yours is better or how you can improve upon your idea.

    You can do what I did with the first novels I wrote and that is to write with a partner. It is important if you do that one of you at least can take criticism. Because we were going to publish our books and they were going to be in catalogs and online stores, I gave the book to over 40 families to read and got feedback from the people reading the book to see what they liked or did not like. Then we changed our books to include the good ideas that people gave us. Some people do not like feedback or their feelings get hurt. Like an artist or anyone who puts their work or ideas out there – if you like it, and your family likes it? Well, that is all that matters. If you want ot look up the Missing Link Found on Amazon, you can read some of the comments that people have made on the book. As you can see there are good and bad. Another book I wrote, A Few Minutes with God also got good and bad reviews. But, you know what? It is okay. Some people do not like to share their work with others because of fear of what someone might say. I am not like that or I would not have over 20 different books published.

    You can use software like Google docs if you have a Gmail account. You can share this with a parent or they can set it up for you.

    Use Google docs – allows parents and children to access the document if permissions are set correctly at the same time, OR use a word document and allow tracking for corrections and comments when you edit.

    So, what are you going to write? Is it a mystery? Is it a nature story? Is it a discovery? Did your character discover a lost island, or what about a bug? I have a friend who did discover a specific type of bug. Maybe you are writing about a tropical rain forest, or a vacation on the coast, and a big storm comes in and you find something exciting (or someone exciting) that is washed up on the shoreline. Imaginations can begin working if you give it some ideas to start with…

    I wrote a book on writing and publishing for adults, but it is valuable if you ever want to publish your book, it is called Information in a Nutshell Writing and Publishing, and tells you more about the keys to writing. Another book on how to write fiction is by a good friend of mine, Susan Marlow, and it is called Reach For the Stars and is available with my eBook bundle on the MediaAngelsMembership website and if you want the print version, Susan sells it on her website. This book walks you through step by step guide on how to write fiction.

    If you have any questions stop by this post and I’ll be happy to answer them.

    The post Fun Summer Project: Write A Book appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Best Summertime Day Trips Jul 12, 2021

    Best Summertime Day Trips —

    Planning for summertime day trips or day trip is easy, fast and fun! It was the only vacation my family took for many years. With both my husband and myself, self-employed the business did not run if we were not here. Being the ever-resourceful couple, we decided to ditch our car and buy a conversion van, and the fun began! Our journeys started close to home. Museums, state parks, and the planetarium. We asked the big question — is this a day drive? If not, we planned a week-end trip.

    Out of our day-trip journeys, we soon found a love for nature and purchased our first pop-up tent in 1998. It was brand new and the camping trips began. It was small enough to fit behind our now, SUV and the best news was that it fit our entire family of five kids and two adults. Recently our pop-up was infested with critters that tore it up, but it lasted twenty years!

    Supply list for summertime day trips:

    Things to bring:

    1. Backpack
    2. Binoculars
    3. Fishing pole
    4. Portable chairs
    5. Picnic lunch
    6. Bug spray
    7. Sunscreen
    8. Water – plenty!
    9. First-aid kit
    10. Umbrella

    Places to visit or things to do for summertime day trips:

    1. State park – hiking, backpacking, picnic, field trips.
    2. Museums – local displays, rotating or traveling exhibits
    3. Local culture – car show, horse shows, boat racing, sand sculptures, etc.
    4. Visit a farm / you pick
    5. Go to a fair – state fairs are in abundance in the summer
    6. Rodeo – a bit of culture for the cowboy or cowgirl in each of us
    7. Pet Store – just visit! Some stores feature exotic animals
    8. Flea Market – local culture at its best.
    9. Create an adventure
      1. Do something different, ride a roller coaster
      2. Taste exotic foods
      3. Visit interesting restaurants or cook these foods at home
    10. Horseback riding

    Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Well Planned Gal

    Rebecca from the Well Planned Gal understands the challenges of working within a budget, managing multiple children, and trying to keep up with a variety of information. That is why she created popular planner bundles!

    Combine organizational tools with year long encouragement by bundling Well Planned Day planners with the popular Family Magazine. For a limited time, Save 30% with one of her popular planner bundles. Each bundle contains 2 planner products with a one-year subscription to Family Magazine.

    Click Here to Go to Well Planned Gal

    The post Special Replay: Best Summertime Day Trips appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Fun Summer Projects: Family Business and Entrepreneurs Jul 07, 2021

    Summer seems to be a good time to have fun, but it also is a great time to think about a business for the entire family. Are you ready, here are some great ideas to get you started.Fun Summer Projects: Family Business and Entrepreneur – 431

    What are some fun summer projects? What about starting a family business? Summer seems to be a good time to have fun, but it also is a great time to think about a business for the entire family. Are you ready, here are some great ideas to get you started.

    Visit my website at MediaAngels.com for great books, memberships, and classes.

    Years ago I gave a talk at a state homeschool conference on family businesses, and then later at a smaller conference and there was a real interest in working from home. When we fast-forward today we find that many businesses are cropping up online and are based at home. I grew up with a family that was self-employed. My parents owned a bakery…(more on podcast).

    We have been conservative in our investments and our businesses and we’ve never had a business not succeed – so, I feel a little bit qualified to give you some advice about beginning a home business. There are many questions you should ask yourself and the teacher in me always starts with the questions…because it is a great place to begin.

    Keys to beginning a home business:

    (Details are on the podcast – here is the short list)

    1. Keep it simple.
    2. Learning curve.
    3. Is there a demand?
    4. What makes your product stand out?
    5. What is the start-up costs?
    6. Do you know how to write a marketing plan?
    7. How much time are you willing to invest?
    8. How are you willing to do it right?
    9. Is this something you can do on the side until it can be a standalone job?
    10. How much do you love this idea?

    Our kids worked and helped in our business throughout their time as homeschoolers. There were book sales and books to pack and ship, they helped with all aspects of the business that were within their ability. One of my children, Christina (now an adult) was the co-author of a three-book series we wrote together. She learned firsthand that there is no free lunch it takes work and perseverance. There is a booth at homeschool conferences, there are speeches to write and to give, and there is selling online and websites – business cards to design and slogans or catchphrases to create. If you want something that keeps the family together and teaches a good work ethic, this is it.

    Well, what do you think? Do you have the next best idea? Well then, I hope you look through these suggestions, add some of your own and let me know if I left anything out that I should have added in the comment section below –

    Check out these Information in a Nutshell books about Business!

    Information in a Nutshell Writing Tips – Are you passionate about your writing? Do you have an idea that may be the next best seller? Do you have a story that must be told? Do you aspire to share your experience or knowledge with others? It took me over ten years to get my first book published, not because I didn’t have the desire, but because many books I read about the entire process left me feeling lost or overwhelmed. This book is easy to read and will give you a quick understanding with insider’s secrets and tips. Don’t wait for ten years like I did! Discover today how to turn your ideas into a published book. Learn insider’s tips from successful published authors. Don’t wait another day. This book will give you the tools you need to jump start your writing career.

    Information in a Nutshell – Business Tips and Taxes for Writers – This long awaited companion book of the Information in a Nutshell line is finally here! Authored by Carol Topp, CPA this short book packs a powerful message ~ Authors MUST know the business tips, strategies, bookkeeping and tax advice in order to keep those profits from their writing. Whether you are an author of a book, blog or magazine articles you will want to read this book from cover to cover.

    The post Fun Summer Projects: Family Business and Entrepreneurs appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: The Best Summertime For Kids Jun 28, 2021

    What are the best summertime outdoor activities — well they can range from those that please the most active child to those who would rather sit and read a book. Yet, there is just something about being outdoors that makes us happy! The sun, the sky the bugs… okay, well we want to avoid those as much as possible but still enjoy being in the beautiful world that God gave us.

    Thanks to our sponsor the Well Planned Gal, Rebecca Farris! She has various planners for every homeschool need and the Prayer Journal is brand new. You can visit wellplannedgal.com – and in just a few minutes I can’t wait to tell you more about them…

    In my last podcast (Best Summertime Rainy Day Activities Episode 277) I went over some things like rules that are important for kids to know before you begin any activity as well as encouraging positive character qualities – you may want to listen to episode 279 in order to learn more. It is important to realize that the minute kids get outside all they want to do is run. It’s like the saying, “Free and in the wild!” But, kids can also be directed once outside and I’m excited to share these ideas with you.

    My list would not be complete without the following:

    1. Sports with little skill
      1. Badminton – minimal fuss – there is a skill involved
      2. Archery
      3. Tennis
      4. Water balloon fights
      5. Messy relay races like water balloon toss
    2. Camping
      1. In the backyard or at a park!
      2. Set up a minimal tent – bug spray!
      3. Sleep under the stars
      4. Cook over a small charcoal grill/ fireplace
      5. Cook on skewers – veggies or meats (wood – soak in water first)
    3. Stargazing at night – summer skies are awesome for this.
      1. Download a phone app
      2. Use a handheld device that helps you identify your sky
      3. Learn the constellations – lifelong skill
    4. Bike riding
      1. Take bikes to a local park
      2. Ride off the beaten path
      3. Put noisemakers in spokes
      4. Decorate bikes
    5. Nature Walks/hikes
      1. Learn something new – plant, terrain, or wildlife
      2. Use a map and learn map reader
      3. Use a compass for directions
      4. Night walk – use only the moon no flashlight, notice the vegetation in the night light – this is an amazing experience!
    6. Fishing
      1. Use a stick and string
      2. Research what types of bait work best
      3. Fish in a pond (be sure an adult is present) use hotdog, corn or worms
      4. Make your own fishing pole
    7. Picnic
      1. Pack easy to assemble foods
      2. Finger foods
      3. Fruit
      4. Picnic in your backyard
      5. Picnic in the back/ tailgate of your car
    8. Competition/ training for a marathon
      1. Research times for local or nearby marathons
      2. Check out the possibility for kid entries. (Disney)
      3. Train slowly!
      4. Learn about foods that help you when you train
      5. What do you eat before a marathon?
    9. Water Sports
      1. Swimming
      2. Sail Boating
      3. Paddleboard
      4. Make a boat! Create paper boats – try to make them float
    10. Geocaching – Find treasures!
      1. Go to a geocaching site for locations of treasure
      2. Teaches map skills
      3. Create your own in your home.

    Do you have a great idea I left out that is a win-win? Please share them with us!

    The post Special Replay: The Best Summertime For Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    50 Summer Projects For Kids Jun 21, 2021

    50 Summer Projects For Kids – Episode 431

    There are so many fun ideas for summer, but what about 50 summer projects for kids? Summertime is a chance to learn new things, explore and have a great time, but it can also be easily wasted doing nothing. Here is a list of ideas to get you started.

    Welcome to this Just for Kids episode!

    Here is a list of my 50 top ideas for kids and they are not in any particular order, but it gives you a starting place to come up with ideas of your own. For example, anyone can read one book, but what about an entire series? Sure, this may take time if you are reading something like the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew. But, it will take less time if you are reading Little House on the Prairie. Even if the book is for younger kids take a chance, especially if you have not read the series before.

    1. Read a series of books.
    2. Start a business. Think of things you’d like to do.
    3. Manage money. See how much you can save.
    4. Learn to cook, bake or create new recipes.
    5. Learn a new skill.
    6. Learn a new sport.
    7. Learn to play a musical instrument.
    8. Learn a new language.
    9. Create an obstacle course.
    10. Create something that flies.
    11. Make something out of recyclables.
    12. Learn to draw.
    13. Write with your non-dominant hand.
    14. Make a list of things you’d like to collect and start a collection.
    15. Make a list of movies you’ve watched and the ones you want to watch.
    16. Make a list of books you have read and the ones you want to read.
    17. Make a new friend.
    18. Help a neighbor or friend.
    19. Each day say something nice to each member of your family.
    20. Start a new habit, like fixing your bed.
    21. Plan a trip for the family.
    22. Plan a family event, like a game night.
    23. Plan an entire month of fun activities. These can be simple.
    24. Stage a play. Write, and produce it for others to act.
    25. Write a short story.
    26. Create a podcast. What would your show be about?
    27. Create a scavenger hunt.
    28. Learn about geocaching.
    29. Go on a treasure hunt.
    30. Organize pictures. On a phone, or computer.
    31. Learn to take good pictures.
    32. Learn to sew a button.
    33. Write an mail a letter to a relative or a friend.
    34. Learn to write a thank-you card.
    35. Jobs – what do you think would be fun to have as a job.
    36. Build something.
    37. Create a fort.
    38. Learn first aid.
    39. Create a list of rules for different things.
    40. Play a game using a different set of rules.
    41. Create something new. Think about this.
    42. Create an exercise routine.
    43. Learn to eat healthy.
    44. Grow something from a seed.
    45. Start a garden.
    46. Create a challenge with someone in your family.
    47. Learn to play chess – or another game you don’t know.
    48. Learn a new craft.
    49. Create a kite.

    As you can see some of these fun projects can take some time and others can be done easily. If you like some of these ideas, make a plan on when you will start to do them and write them in your calendar. Learning to set deadlines and goals is an important part of learning to accomplish and get things done! This also helps us to be creative and figure out ways to make things work. I hope one or many of this ideas help you.

    The post 50 Summer Projects For Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Summertime Rainy Day Activities Jun 14, 2021

    Best Summertime Rainy Day Activities

    Are you ready for some fun rainy day activities? Unless you live in a frigid place there will be a time that rainy day activities will come in handy. I guess it if is winter change it to “snow day” activities! Here we have some fun ideas that will help you entertain children with the least amount of tears!

    This month it is all about making memories and keeping some last minute plans in place for those unexpected events is so helpful. In my early years as a mom and homeschooler, I subscribed to different mailed sets – one was a kit to do with your kids and it involved crafts and things to build. However, I found that while some of the ideas were great many were not anything that interested my children. So I started and proceeded to lose lists! Sound familiar.

    Rainy Day Activities

    Now that I’m so much older I have a wealth of experience and information at fingertips! I know what works and what does not, and it is amazing how these old ideas still work well. I’m happy to share my ideas with you—and you can keep these handy and we plan for your own rainy day activities.

    I know, I know – kids are all different, and what makes one kid excited can leave the rest yawning, so I add a few little ideas to the list of my favorites and that enforcing good character qualities in our children through every-day events.

    My children all struggle, we all struggle with different things such as patience, sharing “our” things, waiting for others who are slower, perfectionism, doing things we don’t want to do.

    At times I would plan out fun things to do only to have kids say they don’t want to participate! Talk about a fun-damper, right? So… instead we want to set up the kids for success and keep our sanity by planning out even their reactions!

    Before we do anything, especially with little children I remind them of the rules.

    1. We are thankful for everything and everyone.
    2. We will be grateful
    3. We will share and be happy for others
    4. We won’t touch anything until given permission

    Quick opinion on rules: I grew up as a teacher in the era of coloring without lines and classrooms without walls – this permissive atmosphere cause kids to be confused about what was expected and certainly did not encourage the creativity and “free thinking” it was meant to instill and allow. Yet, I continued to use this type of methodology in my parenting. It made parenting at times very difficult because I had little kids that were “exploring” and loving their surrounds but certainly not listening to anything I had to say. I learned to change my methods and teach them some rules of what I expected and wonder of wonders, they learned to obey and listen! Life was much happier.

    An overview of rules allows kids to know what is expected when we played games or before we left the house – even in the car, I made sure to go over what I expected. I didn’t want to be embarrassed on our outings and my kids were sure to get excited when they saw friends or shelves full of fun things to pull off in the store! I think shopping carts are probably an invention by a mom to keep kids contained while shopping!

    Kids will still enjoy themselves and believe me rules will not starve creativity! I met a lady recently who works with parents, she is a parenting expert and helps moms and dads learn how to parent — there is even a certification for this! For many of us this is probably not surprising and I’m sure it is much needed.

    So, as we look forward to rainy day activities be sure to let the kids know – we will have fun, but we do have some rules we want to follow.

    Are you ready for these tried and true ideas for 10 fun rainy day activities?

    1. Reading
      1. Books saved particularly for rainy days – read aloud – get the pop corn out and erect a tent!
      2. Books kids want to read on their own – again save special books for a special occasion.
    2. Crafts
      1. T-shirts – use fabric makers or paint
      2. Clay
      3. Mason Jar terrariums
        1. Use soil and small plants – poke holes in lid and keep an eye on the soil moisture
        2. Use sand and shells for a great beach memory craft and something to do with those shells the kids like to collect
    • Use for rock collections or any type of “nature walk” collections the kids bring home.
    1. Paints
      1. Use ink pens – draw a picture and color it with watercolors
      2. Make a mural – use large pieces of paper (packing paper – keep it!)
    • Use fingers to make prints and create fingerprint creatures
    1. Balsa wood – models, etc.
    2. Mini-marshmallows and toothpicks – build!
    3. Ready made kits
      1. Beads
      2. models
    4. Games
      1. Board games with Play offs
      2. Video games
      3. Active games
        1. Charades
        2. Hide and Seek
    • Don’t step on … avoid different areas.
    1. Learn a new dance
    2. Games that are interactive
    3. Inflate balloons and allow the kids to play games with them!
    1. Movie marathon
      1. Series of movies to watch
      2. Short movies and then act them out
    2. Indoor tents or forts
      1. Set up a pop up tent
      2. Use sheets and blankets and chairs
    3. Puppet show / Plays
      1. Use an box as the puppet stage
      2. Make hand puppets
      3. Act out a movie, or characters from a book
    4. Indoor Scavenger hunt
      1. Monthly printable for June – subscribers only
      2. Go to the place where you enter the home – there you will find the next clue
      3. Be sure to set up your rules first
    5. Baking cookies or bread
      1. Be sure to have ingredients on hand
      2. Create a dough that requires rolling out and cut outs for added fun
      3. Learn to braid bread
      4. Make cinnamon rolls or other breakfast breads
    6. Learn something new
      1. Learn simple vocabulary for a new language – Spanish, French, Italian learn how to say hello, please, thank-you, etc.
      2. Learn how to eat with chop-sticks
      3. Learn to juggle
      4. Learn to paint
    7. Activities
      1. Ice or roller skating
      2. Sock skating indoors
      3. Make and fly paper airplanes
      4. Create slime
      5. Exercise
      6. Give the kids a bag of recyclables and ask them to create something – have contests to see who wins.

    Remember, whatever you do –do it with fun in mind! Have some activities ready for when the rains come, and you will create a fun atmosphere without resorting to placing the children in front of the TV!

    The post Special Replay: Summertime Rainy Day Activities appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Fun Summer Projects For Families Jun 07, 2021

    Are you ready to launch some fun summer projects - what about ones that are a bit unusual but teach? It is a time when you can give your child time to explore or direct your children in an organized way. Depending on the ages of your children the amount of direction may be less focused for the older ones.Fun Summer Projects– Episode 430

    Are you ready to launch some fun summer projects – what about ones that are a bit unusual but teach? It is a time when you can give your child time to explore or direct your children in an organized way. Depending on the ages of your children the amount of direction may be less focused for the older ones.

    How do you spell summer? F-U-N Summer Projects!

    Do you want good books written for homeschool moms by homeschool moms? Look no further and check out my products and classes at MediaAngels.com and MediaAngels.com/books and the products in my online store now available for shipping – and stay tuned, I will soon have information about Creation Kids Classes as well as the Creation Camp for kids I hope to offer. The notebooks are available in digital form for you to use for your own children on the website, but more is coming. If you don’t want to miss out be sure you are signed up for our mailing list where new character planners are still be created each month. This month’s topic happens to be Enthusiasm. When you miss the free planner, you can purchase it in our store.

    Fun Summer Projects For Families

    One of my goals as a homeschool mom was to give my children time to think and create on their own. I really believe that children don’t have time to really think. School is typically made up of reading the information or have it read to you – then answer the questions. Kids often ask, “What is the right answer?” Giving the children time to explore when they are younger in a directed way (to keep them out of trouble) is a good idea.

    When they were younger I gave them tools such as measuring cups and other household items that they could play with, pouring water in and out, and measuring. I gave my young son a box of rubber bands (and yes he made a mess with them and I kept finding them stuffed under cushions and other unlikely places for weeks after), but he loved the texture of the rubber and lined them up and put them into buckets and boxes. As the children get older the items can become more involved.

    Recyclables become a great treasure trove for kids to build and create. These can be anything from plastics to glass. In an upper-level art class I took, we used small posters and then took glass, broke it, and used the flat pieces with clear glue to create a mosaic on top of it. The results were stunning. Clear glass or colored glass can be used. Paper towel rolls are great for creating different projects as well.

    We used maps to track our journey from home (southwest Florida) to Georgia one year. I used maps glued to file folders and the children placed their names on the folders. The kids could tack our journey using road signs as we crossed into different towns. It took us two days with lots of stops in between, but the kids didn’t ask me, “How much longer.”

    Another one of my homeschool goals was to teach using fun projects to do it. Teaching skills that are not often covered in school such as money management, planning, etc. Give the children a chance to add to the following list of ideas and you will be surprised at how many they come up with themselves.

    Here is a list of ideas for fun summer activities:

    1. Bubbles: There are so many great things you can do with bubbles, such as making them from scratch (dish soap and water), to using your hands to create bubbles or pipe cleaners, even straws – be sure the kids are blowing out and not sucking in!
    2. Drama: Do your kids like to act? They can do one-act plays and write their own script. It can be of a famous character or a favorite movie character.
    3. Water tension: Float or sink? Give the children a bag full of items and have them divide them into the ones they think will float and those they think will sink. Then allow them to experiment in the bathtub or kitchen sink.
    4. Collections: Summer is a great time to start a new collection. It can be something found in nature—which is the easiest or perhaps researching something they would like to collect. Bottle tops, stamps, coins, etc. State coins are a fun thing to collect and each state quarter has a little bit about the state history. You can find a list of state quarters and their symbolism on Wikipedia.
    5. Scavenger Hunts: These can easily be set up within a home, a yard, or even the park (but stay together and go in a group). Clues can be given and the end “prize” can be something simple like picking out a movie to watch as a family or perhaps a favorite meal.
    6. Learn to cook: Many of my college friends had no idea how to do the basics. Make sure your children have an idea of the essentials! If your children have mastered the basics it is time to experiment with new flavors, recipes, or dessert ideas.
    7. Planning: Have the children plan a fun family outing or a fun family time “in” that is different than something you may often do. It may take some help and direction. For example, planning a homemade pizza night where everyone makes an individual pizza, helps with clean up afterward and then plays board games. You can brainstorm ideas as a family.
    8. Money Skills: Allow the children to open bank accounts and keep track of their savings. It is amazing how little kids want to spend when it is their own money. You can set up stores in the home as well and the kids can use actual boxes of food to play store. Teach the concept of giving change as well.
    9. Decorating/ Organization: Decorate an area of a bedroom or maybe help with a party. There are celebrations almost every day and you can look up a holiday calendar online. There are pizza days, chocolate days, and more! The kids can help with making decorations or even making decorations you can keep from year to year—my favorite. Or, you can use summertime to organize. Take one thing like a drawer. Start small and branch out from there. It is not overwhelming if you start small!
    10. Pictures: How many great photos are sitting on your phone? This could be a time to go through them with the children – pick one night and connect your computer to the TV and go through them as a family or do this on a computer directly. You can print out the ones you want to place on a wall, or send them off to be printed and give them as gifts.

    You can place one fun summer project idea into a paper bag and draw out ideas randomly. You may need to plan for certain things, but you can put these on a calendar to do one time a week. You can assign different people (or ask for volunteers). You can put the older children in charge of organizing as well. It is a good time to oversee their “people skills,” and ask them to use nice words and encourage each other. One year I had “banned words” implemented like the words can’t, stupid, or shut up were not allowed. (Remember you are the parent and what you say goes!)

    I hope this gives you some ideas of what you can do this summer and hopefully, this will get you started with many, many ideas of your own. Stay tuned for my summer projects for the kids show coming up soon

    The post Fun Summer Projects For Families appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Best Family Memories May 31, 2021

    Let’s Talk About Creating the Best Family Memories

    One of my uncles has 14 siblings and whenever he showed me photos, aging and in black-and-white from the “old country” Italy, I always strained to find him mother in the group. She looked young, happy and so engaged! He always said, they were poor but they had love and she worked hard at making family memories. This stayed with me throughout my lifetime and is a very important part of my own family life and those of my children.

    The post Special Replay: Best Family Memories appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Being Present To Your Family May 24, 2021

    When you talk to your kids do they hear you? What does being present mean, and how can you be present to your spouse and your kids in a way that impacts your relationship (in a good way). Join me for this discussion on the importance of listening and hearing what people are really saying.Being Present To Your Family – Episode 429

    When you talk to your kids do they hear you? What does being present mean, and how can you be present to your spouse and your kids in a way that impacts your relationship (in a good way). Join me for this discussion on the importance of listening and hearing what people are really saying.

    Do you want good books written for homeschool moms by homeschool moms? Look no further and check out my products and classes at MediaAngels.com and MediaAngels.com/books and the products in my online store now available for shipping – and stay tuned, I will soon have information about Creation Kids Classes as well as the Creation Camp for kids I hope to offer. The notebooks are available in digital form for you to use for your own children on the website, but more is coming. If you don’t want to miss out be sure you are signed up for our mailing list where new character planners are still be created each month. This month’s topic happens to be Enthusiasm. When you miss the free planner, you can purchase it in our store.

    What does it mean to be present? Think about this and if you can turn off this recording to take a moment to write down your thoughts do so now. Well, what did you say? As usual, I wish I was in a room or even across a table sipping an herbal tea and hearing your response. Being present (to me) means being totally focused on the person speaking. No distractions. No dinging from the phone that you just have to look at. Nothing but the person talking to you during that time matters. Does this sound like fiction? Maybe, but in the world in which we live we are pulled in so many different directions there is no time to make those lasting connections with friends…never mind family!

    I had a family member who was the most outgoing and jovial person in the world around friends. When this person was in a room with people not related to them they would light up, and be so personable and attentive. When around family the opposite was the result, the person was sullen and critical. Why is it that we hurt those we love the most? We can say that we don’t want them making mistakes and they need to be corrected, and for each family the answer will be different.

    I want the best relations I can get with my kids and being present is just one way to do this. Being present means keeping promises and not making promises I can’t keep. Being present means putting down or turning away from whatever I was doing when one of my children needs me. Being present means that nothing else is as important as that person. If you want to see a change in your relationship with your kids, well, watch out! Being present means all of these things and then some!

    How do you introduce the topic of being present to your family? A good place to start is a family meeting and if you don’t have family meetings it may be a good time to begin. Family meetings are when the entire family (without digital devices – pen and paper are fine) gather around the table and talk about a list of concerns. Normally the parents are in charge of the topics, but the kids can add input if they do it ahead of time. Of course, use any method you want, but this has worked for us in the past. When my dad was alive – he lived with us the last 12 years of his life, he would join our family meetings and complain about things that bothered him. (Share the salt shaker situation.) I tell you this to show you that what we consider important (case in point with my dad) others may consider funny – or insignificant! But a family meeting is a great way to introduce the topic of being truly engaged in conversation with each other.

    Ground Rules For Being Present:

    1. Don’t abuse the privilege.
    2. No negative body language.
    3. Stay focused.
    4. Ignore interruptions.
    5. Set a time limit.

    What are your ground rules? These may change but then it depends on your family! Please let me know if this does improve your family relationships. I realize it isn’t always possible especially in larger families and one child or another may take up more time – which is why number one is so important. You can encourage your children to do this with each other, and it can teach them great skills for the future. Our homeschool lives change and as the children get older the demands seem to lessen in some ways and increase in others. Being present is the most important thing you can do, with your family as well as in your prayer life.

    The post Being Present To Your Family appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Inexpensive Graduation Ideas On The Cheap May 17, 2021

    Inexpensive Graduation Ideas | Homeschooling families can benefit from frugal ideas for graduation | graduation on the cheap #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #graduationideas #inexpensivegraduationideasInexpensive Graduation Ideas On The Cheap with Felice Gerwitz and Meredith Curtis

    We have inexpensive graduation ideas on the cheap – are you ready? Have you started your high school graduation party plans yet? No worries! We’ve got you covered. Inexpensive graduation ideas are our specialty. Meredith has graduated five children and Felice five and two from college, so between them, they have quite an arsenal of ideas that you can implement even if you waited until the last minute. Grab your notepad and listen in.

    Graduation Party Ideas Here

    We enjoy hosting parties so it is no wonder that this podcast is a labor of love for both of us. With such large families, parties can be pricey so we want to be sure we that we can enjoy the fun without going over budget. Some of these ideas are often used for other parties and hosting friends. You can join in with other families to reduce the price.

    Be sure to share our show with your friends – and rate us on iTunes, GooglePlay, or your favorite podcast app.

    Show Notes: Inexpensive Graduation Ideas On The Cheap

    1. Location: churches, park, church fellowship hall, party at home
    2. Invitations – VistaPrint, at home computer
    3. Food
    4. Decorations
    5. Personal Touch

    We discussed deciding on the type of graduation you want, planning the type of graduation early, and saving up money. Pray about the type of graduation that is right for you. Include your teens as well.

    More great ideas

    • Food -finger foods – fun: candy bars – ice cream with toppings
    • Open house – visiting times staggers friends
    • Photo booth with props for teens
    • Personal touch – poster boards, items important to the teen

    The post Special Replay: Inexpensive Graduation Ideas On The Cheap appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Enthusiasm and Encouragement May 10, 2021

    If you lack enthusiasm and encouragement you are not alone. I believe the understatement of all time is that life is not what you planned.Enthusiasm and Encouragement Episode 428

    If you lack enthusiasm and encouragement you are not alone. I believe the understatement of all time is that life is not what you planned. If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say? Are you anywhere near the person you use to be? The person that was fun, enthusiastic about life, and couldn’t wait to get up in the morning? Well, it is time to reclaim that person, and if that does not describe the younger you, no worries, the new you will be even better.

    Check out my website at MediaAngels.com and MediaAngels.com/books and the products in my online store now available for shipping – and stay tuned, I will soon have information about Creation Kids Classes as well as the Creation Camp for kids I hope to offer. The notebooks are available in digital form for you to use for your own children on the website, but more is coming. If you don’t want to miss out be sure you are signed up for our mailing list where new character planners are still be created each month. This month’s topic happens to be Enthusiasm. When you miss the free planner, you can purchase it in our store.

    So, back to you! Are you ready to change and before you turn off this podcast hold on…there are no twelve steps to follow or even two or three, but there is one thing and I’ll share that with you in just a minute. First, I want to talk to you about, well you. Moms especially are the ones that handle the management of a family. We are the ones who hold it together in a crisis, school the kids, and take care of the home and all that entails. In fact, we do more than most CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. And, we are supposed to do it with a smile.

    When I look at the reasons I often “lost it” for lack of a better descriptive word… meaning, I yelled at my children and often was upset with the way they handled everything from school work, to helping with chores–I found that the children’s disobedience increased. It did not decrease. When I was upset they were upset and I often set the tone for what happened each day.

    Moms and Dads… because they play a role too, there is no class on how to be a good wife, husband, mother, father or balance work and home. There is no one perfect and definitive guide that gives each one of us every specific thing we need to do, a box to check off in order to find that happiness and family peace we all crave. And, even if there was, how much would you really embrace. If you read twelve points there are often six that you are thinking, “You have got to be kidding me, there is no way!” One of the reasons that many self-help books do not work is because if you are a thinker, and most of my audience is — we think for ourselves, we are wired in such a way to do things as others want us to do them. We, or I anyway, want to do things my own way. Think about this, is there a book or even a friend who has tried to help you in some way.

    I remember as a young mom having a wonderful mother-in-law who kept a nice clean house, cooked meals from scratch and showered and had make-up on before her husband returned from…well, wherever he was because my father-in-law was retired by the time I married my husband. I had just finished two years of teaching and was staying home to raise my son. She had plenty of well-meaning and valuable advice to give me. But I am not a regimented person. If I had to follow her schedule that meant waking up each Monday with the thought that it was vacuuming and dusting day and I probably would want to roll over and stay in bed to avoid it. I cleaned, when I saw that it needed to be cleaned, and having a tiny house back then it was easy to do within an hour when the baby slept. I remember being miserable because I had no outside interaction after years of stimulation from friends, college life and even working life. I had to realize my priorities and began to make the best of everything.

    I was blessed to have a husband who was very happy to be married and have a child at home when he arrived from work. He took a job he detested just because it paid well and soon, praise you, Jesus, we had our own company, which he still works at to this day. Before we married he told me how he spent much of his middle and high school years being unhappy. Once in college he made a decision that he was going to chose to be happy and make the best of whatever happened. The person I know today is usually a very happy person and has a smile for everyone – I can not imagine him unhappy. That person he described is not at all the man I know today. And he made a decision. For him it was that easy.

    Of course we know that no one can be happy all the time, but we can all figure out how to make the best of a bad situation. His one decision not only changed his life – but everyone around him. He decided to dwell not on the negative but the positive in life.

    And, that is the key. If you see a glass that is filled with water to the middle line do you think it is half-full or half-empty? If you can start seeing things as half full then this philosophy will truly change your life! When is the last time you laughed without reservation or the last time you woke up excited to start the day? Where is that enthusiasm and excitement about what is planned? Well, that is going to change and it begins today.

    Every single person has a list of all the things that are going wrong in their life and I’m sure if I asked you to write them all done you’d fill at least one sheet of paper, but what if I asked you to fill in a sheet of paper with all the good that is going on in your life? A friend of mine recently posted that his home is falling apart, literally. The foundation is off, the interior needs major work, the plumbing, and even electrical systems have issues and I believe he said there was mold in the home. In addition, he recently posted about a freezer full of food that just broke and the washer and dryer not working and they have quite a few children. It made me think that sometimes we confuse our problems with a loving God who does not hear us and this is very far from the truth! These things are not an issue if you have money to make these repairs or replace whatever is broken, but for those that struggle? Well, it remains an issue.

    God does hear us every single time, but we tend to be putting out fires daily instead of getting a sense that we can handle what life throws us… Whatever it is you are struggling with I am sending you a virtual hug. I am at a place in my life where I am finally living a dream I had so many years ago when I had not time to talk to moms because we were all homeschooling, and park days were far and few between. Now I can talk to you – sure it is a one-way conversation, but I know many of you online and that is where we share our hearts.

    What is your passion? It may not be realized this second, but again, God knows, and maybe someday you too will be able to fulfill this ideal. My main passion has always been my faith, my husband and caring for my children,, and homeschooling. Homeschooling was never my choice, it actually picked me, but I can not think of any way I could have better spent thirty or so years of my life, that my friends are the total number of years I spent homeschooling my children. God gives us one day at a time, take that one day or maybe that five-minute break in your life and find some way to be grateful.

    Please know there are thousands of hours of podcasts on this network that will enrich and engage you in a way that I pray is beneficial and helps! Thanks for joining me! Find me on social media – I’d love to chat!

    The post Enthusiasm and Encouragement appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Teaching Kids Responsibility Apr 26, 2021

    What is responsibility – does this mean work? Does this mean not having any fun, does this mean I must watch my brother, my sister my neighbor, my neighbors next door neighbors kid? No, no and no. Responsibility is something you may already have but it is a little dusty and you need to take it out, polish it up and allow it to shine.Hi and welcome to this just for kids’ series episode – my name if Felice Gerwitz and I want to encourage the kids today to not only become more responsible but also to think about being responsible but also to see how much good they can do in the world, that truly needs brave souls!

    Check out my website and the Truth Seekers Mystery series available for immediate download! And for kids – the Character planners that are available on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network – you can sign up and start receiving planners each month for free.

    SO, let’s begin. What is responsibility – does this mean work? Does this mean not having any fun, does this mean I must watch my brother, my sister my neighbor, my neighbors next door neighbors kid? No, no and no. Responsibility is something you may already have but it is a little dusty and you need to take it out, polish it up and allow it to shine.

    Being responsible as a kid means you will turn into a responsible adult – and what you can do is look at your parents as an example.

    Responsibility means doing what is right and just and treating others the way you want to be treated. Just think about this… you are hungry and your mom says, dinner is ready. You go to the table, and there is no food, in fact you didn’t smell anything cooking. You get to the table and see a loaf of bread, peanut butter and jelly, and some stale chips. The bread is frozen, the peanut butter is the kind with the oil on top that must be stirred, and the jelly has mold on the top of the container. Your mom breezes into the room and says – hey, everyone! So, sorry, I was texting my friends, and talking on social media so I just forgot all about dinner, help yourself, I’m going out to eat, see you later!

    Is that being responsible? Do you think that would ever happen? If you are listening to this podcast I think the answer is no. Being responsible means to take charge of the things that you are supposed to do and get them done, it does not mean eating and leaving your dishes in the sink for someone else to wash, especially if you are the only one left eating. It means helping without being asked and taking care of your own things –your bed, your room, your dirty laundry.

    One of my children just couldn’t remember to hang up his towel after his shower, pick up his dirty laundry off the bathroom floor and put it in his clothes hamper. I would nag and ask him to pick it up and he just did not remember. He was a very polite child however and told me how sorry he was, over and over again. He truly forgot to do this simple task. So, what did I do? I didn’t plan to do this but it happened this way… once he was in bed, all snuggled up, and I left his room… I walked into the bathroom to turn off the lights – because of course that was forgotten as well – and what did I see? The normal pile of clothes that I would pick up and his towel that I would hang up – so, I decided enough was enough and I went into his room and asked him to pick up his clothes, hang up his towel and turn off the light – He said, sure mom! You are the best, I’ll do it right now… no, he didn’t say that he said, NOW? I just got to bed! I insisted and guess what It only took that one time and he never forgot again. I have another son and it took him a few more times to remember.

    I told you the story because one key SECRET to responsibility is to DO. It. Now. Don’t wait, because you may forget, the zombie apocalypse might happen and you might miss your chance. I’m kidding about the zombie apocalypse – but you get the point! If we wait until later that means, we think that whatever we are doing is more important.

    Have you had to wait to talk to an adult before? What happens if you interrupt – probably nothing good, you get in trouble, but you know that ANTOHER the key to repsponsibility is realizing your job – what is your job do you know? Your job is to be a kid. That does not mean you get to sit on the couch watch movies and eat bon-bons – bon bons are fancy candies in case you want to know.

    A kid must be a welcome member of the family, helpful, ready to listen, excited to get to eat meals each day and sleep in a warm or cool bed (if it’s hot outside) and understand that it is a privilege to be part of a family. Families are usually small, medium or large, families are loud or quiet or somewhere in between, families are full of love and laughter. OR they would be with responsible kids.

    Just like you would not be happy with oily peanut butter and frozen bread, and moldy jelly for dinner which shows a lack of parental responsibility – you should realize that when you don’t do your part as a good member of the family then you too are dropping the ball. You are not being a responsible kid.

    Your parents are responsible – they provide a place for you to sleep, meals, and give you opportunities to learn.

    How can you be responsible?

    1. Honoring your parents.
    2. Being aware of your part of being a family.
    3. Being helpful.
    4. Taking care of your personal things.
    5. Doing your chores and school work.
    6. Doing the best you can.
    7. Being accountable for what you do.
    8. Not make excuses.
    9. Keep promises.
    10. Remember the Golden Rule.

    Can you, do it? Can you be responsible? Just remember that you are part of a family and that means you enjoy the good times and you enjoy all the blessings that God has given you – so be thankful and rejoice, and I pray that you will ask the Lord to bless you with a gift of responsibility not only for yourself but for your family.

    The post Teaching Kids Responsibility appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay – Teaching History Apr 19, 2021

    In this session you’ll hear some of the ways that both Meredith & Felice have taught history to their children from the zany to the classes Felice asked her brother-in-law to teach to homeschool kids!Special Replay: Let’s Talk About Teaching History

    with your co-hosts, Felice Gerwitz & Meredith Curtis

    History is about a bunch dead people and stuff that happened long ago or so I thought when I was a kid. As a homeschool parent I found that history is actually “HIS” story and when it is revealed we find so many wonderful lessons to learn. In this session you’ll hear some of the ways that both Meredith & Felice have taught history to their children from the zany to the classes Felice asked her brother-in-law to teach to homeschool kids!

    Please give us a rating on iTunes – go to iTunes, find our show (Vintage Homeschool Moms – or type in Felice Gerwitz) and rate it! AND… use the social media buttons on this page to share the show with your friends.

    Meredith and Felice discuss their favorite resources – here is a list of their combined books, below the audio player.

    American History: Class DVD hosted by Media Angels, Inc (Felice Gerwitz)- Fabulous Facts & Pres Event – $50 discount coupon VHM50 – HERE

    World History Reading List – All rights reserved Media Angels, Inc. 2014

    September Reading Books

    1. In the Days of Noah by Gloria Clanin
    2. Life in the Great Ice Age by Michael and Beverly Oard
    3. The Mystery of the Ark by Paul Thomsen
    4. The Lost Kingdom (Reg Danson Adventure #2) by Clint Kelly
    5. Adam and His Kin: The Lost History of Their Lives and Times by Ruth Beechick
    6. Genesis: Finding Our Roots by Ruth Beechick
    7. Dinosaurs in God’s World Long Ago by Henrietta Gambill
    8. What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs? (DJ and Tracker John) by John Morris and Ken Ham
    9. Priceless Jewel at the Well: The Diary of Rebekah’s Nursemaid, Canaan, 1986-1985 B.C. (Promised Land Diaries)
    10. The Magic School Bus Shows and Tells: A Book About Archaeology by Jackie Posner
    11. Exploring Ancient Cities of the Bible by Michael and Caroline Carroll

    October Reading Books

    1. Tutankhamun by Robert Green
    2. Tirzah by Lucille Travis
    3. Mummies, Tombs, and Treasure: Secrets of Ancient Egypt by Lila Perl
    4. Miriam’s Cup, a Passover Story by Fran Manushkin
    5. Learning About Passover by Barbara Soloff Levy
    6. Shadow Hawk by Andre Norton
    7. Adventures in Ancient Egypt by Linda Bailey
    8. The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
    9. The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt by Elizabeth Payne
    10. The Riddle of the Rosetta Stone : Key to Ancient Egypt by James Giblin
    11. Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
    12. Mummies Made in Egypt by Aliki
    13. Kids Discover: Ancient Egypt
    14. The Peaceful Warrior: The Diary of Deborahs Armor Bearer, Israel, 1200 B.C. (Promised Land Diaries)
    15. Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson
    16. Journey for Tobiyah by Barbara Morgan
    17. King Solomon’s Navy by Nora Benjamin Kubie
    18. The Temple at Jerusalem by Jacqueline Morley

    November Reading Books

    1. The Usborne Story of Music by Simon Mundy
    2. The Usborne Story of Painting by Anthea Peppin
    3. The Usborne Book of Living Long Ago: Everyday life through the Ages, by Felicity Brooks and Helen Edom
    4. God King: A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah by Joanne Williamson
    5. Aesop’s Fables for Children
    6. Hour of the Olympics (Magic Tree House #16) by Mary Pope Osborne
    7. The Seven Voyages of Sinbad (and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights) retold by Gladys Davidson
    8. King Solomon’s Mines (Puffin Classics) by H Rider Haggard

    December Reading Books

    1. The Odyssey for Boys and Girls by AJ Church
    2. Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne
    3. Famous Men of Greece by John Haaren and AB Poland
    4. The Librarian Who Measured the Earth by Kathryn Lasky
    5. Usborne: The Greeks by Susan Peach & Anne Millard
    6. Adventures in Ancient Greece by Linda Bailey
    7. Cyrus the Persian by Sherman A Nagel
    8. Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher
    9. Within the Palace Gates: The King’s Cupbearer by Anna P. Siviter
    10. The Greek and Roman Eras: (Journey Through History) by Carme Peris and Gloria & Oriol Verges
    11. Hand Me Another Brick by Charles Swindoll
    12. Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights

    January Reading Books

    1. Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile, Egypt, 57 B.C. (The Royal Diaries) by Kristiana Gregory
    2. About the History of the Calendar by AE Evenson
    3. Battle of Actium (Great Battles Through the Ages) by David Califf
    4. The Runaway by Patricia St. John
    5. Fountain of Life by Rebecca Martin
    6. Adventures in Ancient China by Linda Bailey
    7. A Grain of Rice by Helena Clare Pittman
    8. Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
    9. The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
    10. Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace
    11. Titus: A Comrade of the Cross by Florence Morse Kingsley
    12. Augustus Caesar’s World by Genevieve Foster
    13. Famous Men of Rome by John Haaren & A.B. Poland
    14. Rome and Romans (Usborne Time Traveler) by Heather Amery and Patricia Vanags
    15. I and II Maccabees from the Apocrypha (available in Bibles that include the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books)
    16. Life Stories Of Men Who Shaped History, From Plutarch’s Lives
    17. Pompeii…Buried Alive! by Edith Kunhardt
    18. The Robe by Lloyd C Douglas
    19. Masada by Tim McNeese (Sieges That Changed the World)

    February Reading Books

    1. Devil’s Island by John Hagee
    2. Outcast by Rosemary Sutcliff[
    3. See You Later, Gladiator (Time Warp Trio) by Jon Scieszka
    4. Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld
    5. The Eagle (previously published as The Eagle of the Ninth) by Rosemary Sutcliff
    6. The Story of Valentine by Wilma Pitchford Hays
    7. Augustine, the Farmer’s Boy of Tagaste by P. De Zeeuw
    8. The City of God by Augustine
    9. Ancient Rome: How It Affects You Today by Richard J. Maybury
    10. The Ides of April by Mary Ray
    11. Beyond the Desert Gate by Mary Ray
    12. Jesus Freaks: Martyrs by dc Talk
    13. Foxe’s Book Of Martyrs by John Foxe (many different editions of this work are available)
    14. Saint George and the Dragon retold by Margaret Hodges
    15. Saint Patrick: Pioneer Missionary to Ireland by Michael McHugh

    March Reading Books

    1. Anna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett
    2. Famous Men of the Middle Ages by Haaren and Poland
    3. Augustine Came to Kent by Barbara Willard
    4. Beowulf
    5. The Shining Company by Rosemary Sutcliff
    6. Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People
    7. The Big Wave by Pearl S. Buck
    8. Against the World: The Odyssey of Athanasius by Henry W. Coray
    9. Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam by Diane Stanley
    10. The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow by Allen French
    11. Le Morte D’Arthur by Sir Thomas Mallory
    12. The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla
    13. The Book of Pastoral Rule (also published as Pastoral Care) by St. Gregory the Great
    14. The Song of Roland (an epic poem)
    15. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain
    16. Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle
    17. Idylls of the King by Alfred Lord Tennyson
    18. Camelot by AJ Lerner (script for the Broadway play)
    19. Viking Raiders (Usborne Time Traveler) by Civardi, Graham-Campbell, & Wingate

    April Reading Books

    1. Famous Men of the Middle Ages by Haaren and Poland
    2. Son of Charlemagne by Barbara Willard
    3. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
    4. A Chaucer Reader edited by Charles W. Dunn
    5. Leif Eriksson: First Voyager to America by Katherine B. Shippen
    6. In His Name by Edward E Hale
    7. Paula the Waldensian by Eva Lecomte
    8. Lost Baron: A Story of England in the Year 1200 by Allen French
    9. Macbeth by Shakespeare
    10. Hamlet by Shakespeare
    11. El Cid, retold by Geraldine McCaughrean
    12. Don Quixote (also published as Don Quijote) by Cervantes
    13. A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E. L. Konigsburg
    14. The Hidden Treasure of Glaston by Eleanore M. Jewett
    15. Castle by David Macaulay
    16. Cathedral by David Macaulay
    17. The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli
    18. The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman
    19. Knights and Castles (Usborne Time Traveler) by Judy Hindley
    20. The Striped Ships by Eloise McGraw ***
    21. The Third Crusade: Richard the Lionhearted vs Saladin (Great Battles Through the Ages) by Samuel Willard Crompton
    22. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle (who also drew original illustrations for this book)[
    23. The King’s Shadow by Elizabeth Alder

    May Reading Books

    1. Men of Iron by Howard Pyle
    2. If All the Swords in England: A Story of Thomas Becket by Barbara Willard
    3. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
    4. Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde by Harold Lamb
    5. A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael Chronicles–we recommend this series) by Ellis Peters)
    6. Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray
    7. The Dragon and the Raven (The Days of King Alfred) by G. A. Henty
    8. The Magna Charta by James Daugherty
    9. The Inferno of Dante: A New Verse Translation by Robert Pinsky
    10. The Life and Words of St. Francis of Assisi by Ira Peck
    11. In Freedom’s Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce by G. A. Henty
    12. The Beggars’ Bible by Louise Vernon
    13. Ink on His Fingers by Louise A. Vernon
    14. Morning Star of the Reformation by Andy Thomson
    15. Henry V by Shakespeare
    16. Joan of Arc by Mark Twain
    17. The Pied Piper of Hamlin by Robert Browning
    18. The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric Kelly
    19. Constantinople (Sieges That Changed the World) by Tim McNeese[/easyazon_link]
      [easyazon_link asin=”0374457433″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”ultihomeradin-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]A Parcel of Patterns by Jill Paton Walsh[/easyazon_link]
      [easyazon_link asin=”0375802320″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”ultihomeradin-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Joan of Arc by Nancy Wilson Ross[/easyazon_link]
      [easyazon_link asin=”0891076026″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”ultihomeradin-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]The Hawk and the Dove by Penelope Wilcock[/easyazon_link]

    The post Special Replay – Teaching History appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Teaching Kids Problem Solving Apr 12, 2021

    Teaching Kids Problem Solving | Maybe your kids think too much or maybe not enough. In this episode, Teaching Kids Problem Solving, Felice once again challenges kids to make wise decisions and weigh the pros and cons of rash decisions they can possibly make! Just For Kids Series!  #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #teachingkids #problemsolvingTeaching Kids Problem Solving ~ Episode 426

    Maybe your kids think too much or maybe not enough. In this episode, Teaching Kids Problem Solving, Felice once again challenges kids to make wise decisions and weigh the pros and cons of rash decisions they can possibly make! Just For Kids Series!

    Please visit my website at MediaAngels.com and be sure to sign up for our monthly planners. We have new character planners each month with fun activities that you can do with your children and I think parents really appreciate the page with scenarios. I ask the children questions that they can act out or write their answers. They are open-ended. At the end of the month, the children can even earn a character award that is provided. After the month is over you can only get the planners by purchase on the Media Angels website.

    Here we go! Another episode in the JUST for Kids Series of podcasts.

    Has your mom or dad or another adult ever asked you, “What were you thinking?” If they have that is probably not a very good thing! When we think we can use our minds to figure out a right or wrong answer or to solve a problem. When we solve a problem what happens? We come up with a solution. We do this in school every day. We solve math problems we solve answers at the end of a chapter in a book, we solve for a mystery if we are reading a novel. Solving the problem is only half of the answer. What are you using to solve the problem?

    Sometimes we use “What if” questions to solve a problem. This is part of thinking ahead or thinking for the future. It can also be used for looking at something in the past, for example, a past mistake. Is there something that you would like to change? What if you had done something differently?

    Another way we think is by comparing and contrasting. How do we do this? Well, we look at the information and come up with all of the things that are the same and different. Sometimes we do this by looking at different aspects or angles. We see things from a different perspective depending on what the question is, and there are many questions that are asked when you are learning. This series of podcasts in the Just for Kids Series is a perfect example. Can you think of all the different ways we solve problems? It may be as easy as figuring out what piece of a puzzle fits to make a picture, or it can be something really complicated like how to fix an engine or computer. Many inventions start with someone trying to solve a problem and asking a what-if question.

    There is an acronym for solutions that is called SODAS – this is an easy way to talk about problem-solving because each letter stands for something different.

    1. S is for the situation
    2. O is for options
    3. D is for disadvantages
    4. A is for advantages
    5. S is for solutions

    We are going to use this method to go through a problem-solving activity using a dog covered in paint. Yes, it gets even better. This happened on your watch and it is your fault. Right? How did this happen? If you are like most kids you probably act without thinking — but don’t worry! After this podcast, you will be an expert at figuring things out. So here is what I want you to do — I want you to download this PDF that is right on the show notes on the website so you can follow along with me.

    Download Graphic Here: Making Choices and Problem Solving

    If you are not near a computer or printer, imagine this…your mom and dad have been painting the rooms in the house and everything looks great. They stacked up the paint neatly in the corner of the garage, waiting for a chance to put it up high on the shelf. You have a lab and this dog is a handful. He is only about a year old and you are still working on training him. Let’s give our dog a name, let’s call him “Dakota.” Your parents went out to buy more paint and asked you to keep an eye on the dog. Your sister is next door at a friend’s house and the twins went with your mom and dad to the store. You turn your back for one minute to get a book to read, and when you look back the dog is gone. All of a sudden you hear a horrible noise. It sounds like a band decided to play a song, mostly off-key in the garage. In fact, it sounds like symbols. You know there is not a drum set in the garage and least of all symbols. ALl of this goes through your head in a split second as you wonder where the dog is and head to the garage to find out. You gasp! What do you see?

    There is your beautiful white lab covered in paint, and what’s more, there is paint and dog tracks all over the floor. Yep, Dakota somehow managed to knock the cans over and not only did they spill all over but they spilled on him as well. So let’s stop here. You have this picture in your mind or you are looking at this picture on the screen of your computer or printed out.

    Okay let’s stop here. We are going to look at this situation with our problem-solving SODAS toolbox. The first is the situation.

    How do you feel? Are you upset? What should you do? Stop this audio here and think about this. If you want to go through each of the SODAS items before you come back you can.
    So, what do you think, what did you do?

    S is for Situation: What is your first reaction when you see something like this? Maybe it is to tell the dog to sit and stay – afterall, you’ve been working on this command and it usually works. Maybe you feel like this is not your problem but you still need to look at the situation and make a plan, and quick. A first reaction when you are upset is to yell at the dog. But what might happen if you do this? You might scare the dog and he will run and get more paint everywhere! So, while you are experiencing upset feelings, try to look at this issue, problem or situation, calmly! Yes, in this case, it would be difficult. I agree.

    O is for Options: What are the options? These are the choices that you have– what are some of the things you can do to fix the problem or work out an answer? Maybe the problem is too big and you can’t handle it all at once. One thing you can do is break up the problem in chunks. For example, what would you do first, second, third? Even if the choice is easy—in this case, a clean dog and cleaned-up paint, you still need to get to the solution through solving the problem. If you have brothers or sisters you may want to do this activity with them and see what they would do. What makes the most sense.

    Some of your options are:

    1. 1Put a leash on the dog, pull him through the paint, and get him sprayed off outside
    2. Pick up the paint and put the lids on so more paint does not spill out.
    3. Scream at the dog
    4. Call your parents and ask them what to do. Get help quick from your sister next door or the neighbor.
    5. Take a hose into the garage and just start spraying it is a mess anyway.

    Once you look at your options the next question to ask is what do I do first. Out of this list put them in order one through five or cross off things that are a no.

    D is for Disadvantages – A disadvantage is also called a con, something that is not a good idea or option. An advantage is also called a pro—or something that is a good idea or option. We call these pros and cons. Okay, so looking at your options what are the disadvantages and advantages or pros and cons? You can go through each one of your options. Looking at the solutions one through five we can see that screaming at the dog is a bad idea so I would put that in the disadvantage column – why is that a bad idea? Because the dog could knock off more paint and run away, besides screaming is never a good idea unless you are in trouble. 4. Calling your parents and getting help from your sister or neighbor is an advantage but not sure you have time so that is not a good solution. And, taking a hose and spraying the dog and the paint is a definite disadvantage because it will make more of a mess in your garage. If one of your options is to pull the dog by the collar through the paint what might happen? If you said he could track paint all over the place, or get paint on you? This would definitely be a disadvantage!

    A is for Advantages: This is a pro and we determined that putting a leash on the dog so we can contain the mess is a pro, and spray the dog off outside. Also, putting the lids on the paint cans is good as well so that more paint does not spill. Getting help is an advantage but you do not have time. Getting the leash on the dog is the best answer without stepping in teh paint yourself as well as pulling the dog out by the collar if you can not get to the leash quickly enough.

    S is for Solutions: What is your final solution what would you do? A solution is figuring out a problem, it is looking for an answer and solving the problem – so a solution is an answer to a problem after you problem-solve and then taking action to accomplish the answer or solution. In this case, you might leash the dog, take him outside and hose him off, wash the dog, and then dry him. Also, put him somewhere out of the way. Then, grab some trash bags and paper towels and place the lids on the paint and clean up the mess. During this time, you may have called for help. In fact, this might be number one on your list! In real life, you can’t look at a situation like the picture of this poor dog full of paint with paint cans all around and go through all of these steps – but you understand the process and that is what is important.

    If you practice this with different scenarios – you can make some up or look for some pictures online to help you come up with ideas, you will be able to calmly think through solutions for the times that things do not work out as you planned. All you wanted to do is sit and read and your dog caused you a ton of work! Practicing helps us to be ready and prepared.

    Just like you practice your math and your reading and your spelling you can practice thinking. Thinking is an important skill and why is that? Because if you think through solutions you will have a good idea of what you want to do, what you think is right and wrong. Many times people who do not think can be lead astray. What does this mean? They can be lied to or taken advantage of by others. If you can think for yourself and come up with your own ideas and answers when other people tell you things that may not be true, you can think through the answer for yourself. Is this right or wrong? Is this true or false? That is the big question!

    ReplyForward

    The post Teaching Kids Problem Solving appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Time Boosters for Mom Apr 05, 2021

    With the time boosting strategies I'm about to share with you - you will learn how to be the master of your own time, increase your productivity and never let the lack of time get the best of you!Let’s Talk About Time! Time Boosters to Increase Your Time Daily

    with host Felice Gerwitz

    Everyone lives under the impression that there is not enough time to complete all the things you want to do each day, and I know, because I’ve lived with this concept for years. However, with the time boosting strategies I’m about to share with you in this podcast- you will learn how to be the master of your own time, increase your productivity and never let the lack of time get the best of you!

    FREE Handout Instant Download: TimeBoosters_Handout_VintageHomeschoolMoms

    Books I recommend:

    Mary Jo Tate: Flourish at Home

    Crystal Paine: Goodbye to Survival Mode

    The post Time Boosters for Mom appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Teaching Kids Compassion Mar 29, 2021

    Can you really teach kids compassion?  Felice shares the answer to this question in this week's "Just for Kids" episode.Teaching Kids Compassion Episode 425

    Just For Kids Series

    Can you really teach kids compassion? You know some kids are compassionate toward others and they understand the hurts and failings of others without making the person feel bad, and others just love to antagonize and hurt for the fun of it – how help our compassionate children and those who do not become more compassionate? In this, just for kids episode, Felice asks the kids some hard questions and the answer… well, that is for you to address.

    Please visit my website at MediaAngels.com and be sure to sign up for our monthly planners. We have new character planners each month, and this month it is on the topic of Tolerance. This planner has some fun activities that you can do with your children and I think parents really appreciate the page with scenarios. I ask the children questions that they can act out or write their answers. They are open-ended. At the end of the month, the children can even earn a character award that is provided. After the month is over you can only get the planners by purchase on the Media Angels website.

    ***

    Do you like getting advice? Do you like having people tell you what to do and when to do it? Well, I hate to say this but you might as well get used to it because even adults have to do things we don’t like. And, today I am going to talk to you about something that you may or may not think you need, and that is more compassion. What is compassion?

    You may have your own ideas about what this means but it is thinking about the other person’s feelings and trying to understand the person better. It is also respecting the other person’s feelings. You may think your brother or sisters or someone you know is a crybaby because they cry at every little thing – but by making fun of this person does that make it better, does the person toughen up and not cry. No, not too often all it does is make the person feel worse. Having compassion means that you feel something for this person and anger and disappointment are not showing compassion. Why should we be compassionate? It is part of getting along with other people.

    Why? Well, because believe it or not you live in a world with lots of people in it and God gives you the opportunity to grow and learn in the safety of your families. Your family life is pretty sheltered and that means you don’t have to worry about where you are going to sleep or what you are going to eat. You know, even if we get in trouble your parents love you. You know that even if you get upset with your brother or sister, mom or dad that they care about you. They want what is best for you.

    There is something called giving a person the benefit of the doubt. This means before you jump to conclusions and think the worst of people – I know, this is easy to do – you look at the situation carefully before you say anything. Here is the deal, many times it is not what you think and you might get upset with someone, hurt their feelings, and then need to apologize. But, by that time the damage is done.

    Usually, we show people a lack of compassion when we feel we are wronged or someone has hurt us. Our first reaction is to fight back – because strong people fight and don’t get taken advantage of right? Of course, no one wants to be made a fool and taken advantage of but then, we really have to look at the situation and figure out why we are upset. Some people enjoy making others angry and that is never nice or kind.

    Let’s say you built this amazing Lego creation and you just finished it and left it on the living room floor because you want to show your mom – you go and get your mom and when you get back you see your brother standing over a mess! You scream and yell at him, he starts crying and your mom gets upset with you. You then find out it was the dog that sat on your creation and not your brother, and your brother was trying to pick up what was left before the dog came back to do more damage. How do you feel?

    Is it possible to go back and undo the yelling and making someone cry? I am sure your brother felt horrible to see your amazing creation messed up and was trying to help – that is showing compassion. When you see the other person’s reaction. We speak many times with body language and that is one way you can try to figure out what the other person is saying without words.

    Body language is a frown or crossing your arms – which may show you are closed off and angry – standing with your arms crossed while someone is trying to talk to you means, I am not really going to listen to what you have to say. In the same way, smiling and nodding your head yes means I am in agreement with what you are saying. Of course, you know that crying means the person is upset.

    Do you know someone who is understanding in your family, who gives the other person the benefit of the doubt – meaning they wait for that person to explain what happened without jumping to conclusions that could be wrong. Who is that person? Is that person you? Do you want it to be you?

    For those of us who have faith, there are so many Bible verses that speak about God’s love and the way that Jesus spent time not with those who were perfect but with sinners. Why did He spend time with sinners? Because Jesus was compassionate. God is love and you may have heard that before, well if you have the love of God in your heart it will actually be easier to be compassionate to others because God will give you that grace, and compassion is truly a grace.

    Sure, you can try to be compassionate on your own – go ahead and try it and let me know how it works out for you. But, I will tell you now that it will be so much easier to pray to the Lord and ask for this gift. This is truly a gift to love others as God loves them.

    Do people mess up and hurt you? Of course. Was it possible in the story I told you about your messed-up blocks that your brother could have destroyed it – sure! But if you don’t hear the other person out and allow them to help to make it better you will not be showing compassion.

    Compassion is a gift that we give to others and it is the same gift we get from those who love us and care for us. Most of us are blessed to live in homes that are safe, and we have the example of parents who love us – and because of this love, you too should love others.

    Wait or count to ten the next time you want to show a lack of compassion for someone else. And see if you can figure out a way to say things better. This takes practice. And, the next time that you can, try to show compassion to those you care about, and guess what? It may be the biggest blessing in your life.

    The post Teaching Kids Compassion appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Easter Celebrations On The Cheap Mar 22, 2021

    Easter Celebration On The CheapEaster Celebrations On The Cheap

    Easter celebration on the cheap includes fun and easy ideas. Celebrating Easter on the cheap doesn’t mean skimping on our favorite time of the year, it means celebrating in style and saving money along the way.

    Remember, it’s about Jesus not the candy! Remind your children about the true meaning of Easter which is the Ressurection of our Lord. This is what you are celebrating. Let’s review some fun, cheap activities you can plan this Easter!

    • Potluck:

      • Ask family to bring a side
      • Delegate ice or drinks
      • Baked ham goes far and is a favorite
      • Little kids love chicken fingers
      • Cold salads – make ahead.
    • Reuse and Repurpose – Eggs:

      • Those plastic eggs should be saved each year
      • Fill with coins instead of candy – redeemable in the store (see below)
      • Use as decorations
      • Have little ones hunt for specific colors, or count how many they collect
    • Easter Store – order online or dollar store (Explain easter egg hunt Gerwitz style):

      • Shop sales, for everything.
      • Candy bars, candy kisses, everything is a mini.
      • I look for candles at odd times, discounts on decorations after the holiday, etc.
      • Store under the bed in plastic bins or farm out to a family member with more storage space
      • Less is more. I like minimalistic decorations. The more understated the better. Fresh flowers with outside greenery is wonderful.
    • Make Your Own:

      • Create your own dips or salads
      • Rolls are very cheap, easy and fun to make. Kids love to help.
      • We love chocolate. Many of our treats are chocolate based such as trays of brownies and dipped strawberries (hint: I use 2 cups of chocolate chips with a spoonful of unflavored coconut oil, helps it to harden – this is so much cheaper than buying them!), make a big cookie – use disposable (can be reused) round pizza trays. Be sure to leave room for expanding dough.
      • Easy appetizers: fresh fruit with marshmallow dip, salsa, and chips, melted cheese poured over chips, cream cheese and packaged dressing for an easy dip (add mayo to liquify if needed.)
    • Decorations – Easter egg tree from kids “blessing others”

    By performing these activities with your family, not only do you save some money, you teach your children the real meaning of Easter! Thank you for joining us for today’s special replay, “Easter Celebration On The Cheap”! Be sure to check out my other podcast episodes at https://ultimateradioshow.com/vintage-homeschool-moms/.

    Have a great week!

    The highest form of flattery is to share this page and podcast with a friend!

    How to Listen:

    1. Listen right here
    2. Subscribe on iTunes – give five stars! Click the purple icon above thank-you!
    3. Follow us on Stitcher
    4. Follow us on all other social media platforms!

    The post Special Replay: Easter Celebrations On The Cheap appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Teaching Kids About Cause and Effect Mar 15, 2021

    Cause and Effect | What is cause and effect and how can we teach our children to understand that everything they do has a ripple effect on our world? In this Just For Kids Episode, Felice explores the meaning and how we can encourage our children to lay the foundations they need in their lives, now. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #homeschool #justforkids #teachingkidsTeaching Kids Cause and Effect

    What is cause and effect and how can we teach our children to understand that everything they do has a ripple effect on our world? In this Just For Kids Episode, Felice explores the meaning and how we can encourage our children to lay the foundations they need in their lives, now.

    Please visit my website at MediaAngels.com and be sure to sign up for our monthly planners. We have new character planners each month, and this month it is on the topic of Tolerance. This planner has some fun activities that you can do with your children and I think parents really appreciate the page with scenarios. I ask the children questions that they can act out or write their answers. They are open-ended. At the end of the month, the children can even earn a character award that is provided. After the month is over you can only get the planners by purchase on the Media Angels website.

    ***

    If you drop a pebble in a body of water, like a pond what happens? That’s right. You see a ripple effect. The act of dropping a stone causes the water to ripple and this is something we can see with our own eyes, but the reason this happens is because of any action on your part. You took the time and energy to throw the stone. The same happens without actions.

    This is a scientific law, did you know that Issac Newton had theories about laws and motion, and there is actually a third scientific law of motion that is taught as part of physics, it states for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. So, that explains scientifically why this happens but now for the hard part, controlling our own actions.

    In the last podcast, we talked about the golden rule and how this is something that we should do, treat others the way we want to be treated. In this way, we are setting an example for others and we can cause a good effect as a leader who does things that are right and trustworthy. This causes a positive effect.

    An effect happens because of what we do or it also follows a “what will happen if…” question. What will happen if I punch my brother? What will happen if I spill this glass of water, what will happen if I eat an entire bag of chocolate? The effect comes directly, once again like the pebble from our actions.

    An amazing thing happens if we are aware that what we do – through our entirely given by God-free will – can cause things not only today but in the future. How does this happen? Well, now you know…by your direct actions. Some things are very easy to figure out and others are what we would call gray areas, those areas that are harder and take thinking or work to figure out. We can brainstorm some of these areas with our family. Here are a few you can discuss with your parent at home:

    1. If I spend all of my free time playing games I will…
    2. If I fix my bed every morning the effect will be…
    3. Treating others as I want to be treated will lead to…
    4. If I pitch a fit and am loud and rude I will… (helpful hint here: no, you will not always get your way.)
    5. I can lead by example doing what is right and just or I can lead by example doing what is always right for myself and this will cause the effect of…

    What are some of your answers? Can you imagine a world where we think through our actions before we do them? What do you think the outcome would be of this way of thinking first before we act? In many ways, we as adults do this because we have already lived longer and have had the experience. We have learned by our mistakes and we have learned to fix these by actions that are right and just.

    Long ago when I taught school I remember a sixth-grader telling me that I didn’t understand him at all, and there was no way that I could. I looked at him and said, “That’s right. I never was a sixth-grader, I skipped right over the sixth grade. I went from 11 to 23 (my age at that time) … do you think that is right? Of course, he said no. So, I said, I was in sixth grade and our teacher made us sit with our hands folded on our desks while she spoke, no paper, no pencils, and definitely no devices anywhere to be found. After she was finished we took our lessons and worked on them, copied from the board, and never spoke up unless spoken to. I knew at that time that I didn’t like school and would work hard to be done with school — and here I am years later a teacher. Obviously, that plan didn’t work well! Here I am many years later still writing curriculum and still teaching kids. Why? Because I love it!

    We can make plans as a kid and guess what? Our plans might change but one thing you can do as a kid is to realize that what you do has an effect on others and you may or may not get away with bad behavior, this time. But realize at some point it will catch up to you. When we see people who commit crimes or have no self-control because of drug or alcohol use, we know they were not born that way, at some point one bad decision, on top of another and another made them the way they are today.

    So, look at your life and take charge. Look at the decisions you will make and chose wisely. It can be the difference between a life that is filled with joy and happiness (as much as possible on this side of heaven) or one that is filled with mistakes that we have to constantly apologize for. A quick aside here to the idea of accidents. I do believe accidents happen but I also know that saying, “It is just an accident” can lead you to lie to yourself. You know deep down in your heart if it really was an accident or it was done on purpose. And, if you continue to lie to yourself, guess what? You will soon believe your lies and you are heading down the wrong path… a path that is wide and leads to, at some point judgment.

    So, what is it going to be? One thing I do love about kids is that you get it – you see the big picture and I think we as parents often do not give you enough credit for understanding. You know what is right, you know what is just you know that you can make a difference in your world for the better. So the question is are you going to think before you act? Yes or No? This may be one of the most important decisions you ever make!

    The post Teaching Kids About Cause and Effect appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Easter Faith Filled Family Activities Mar 08, 2021

    Let’s Talk About: Easter Faith-Filled Family Activities

    Podcast #125

    with your host, Felice Gerwitz

    I like activities that teach and in this episode I will discuss some fun ways to teach deeper theological concepts to very small children, all while making memories that last a lifetime. Many links provided below from other blogs with printables!

    Visit Today’s Sponsor – Media Angels

    Wonderful novels, books and classes all with a Christian focus. Visit MediaAngels.com for more information.

    Show Notes: Easter Faith-Filled Family Activities

    1. The purpose of the days leading up to Easter

    2. What are your goals?

    3. What are some fun activities that are tried and true.

    Activities:

    a. Fasting – from something as a reminder of self-control from sin.

    Make an Easter Garden visual parable

    b. Cross and Paper plates

    d. Easter Story Bag

    e. Easter tree – medallions with “catch you being good”

    f. Tie Dye Cross

    g. Christ Centered Easter Activities

    h. He is risen craft

    i. Random acts of kindness

    Budget-minded activities

    a. Scavenger hunt

    b. printables

    c. Resurrection nature walk

    d. Make our own Resurrection eggs – Link Here – preschool Resurrection eggs Link Here

    e. Visual Parable

    f. Cross Fingerprint Art

    Recipes To Make:

    Resurrection Cookies

    Easter Bread – with or without hard boiled eggs

    Coloring Easter Eggs – teach “eggs” symbolize new life – new life in Christ!

    Printables:

    Resurrection Scavenger Hunt

    Lenten eBooks Here

    Christ Centered Printables

    He Is Risen – Two Printables

    Make Words Out of Resurrection Here

    He is Risen Puzzle

    Empty Tomb Coloring Page

    Christ Centered Easter Books

    Easter ABC Fill-In

    Lenten Count-Down Calendar

    He’s Alive Flannel Set

    Flannel Set Resurrection

    Resurrection Cards

    The post Special Replay: Easter Faith Filled Family Activities appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Teaching Kids About The Golden Rule Mar 02, 2021

    Golden Rule | We've heard about the golden rule but are you sure you can apply this to your life? In this JUST for kids episode, we will discuss the golden rule and how you can use this in your home, with your family, friends and in your life. | #podcast #goldenrule #justforkids #kidspodcast #homeschoolpodcast #truth #teachingkids #teachingkidstruthTeaching Kids the Golden Rule Episode 423

    We’ve heard about the golden rule but are you sure you can apply this to your life? In this JUST for kids episode, we will discuss the golden rule and how you can use this in your home, with your family, friends, and in your life.

    Visit the website for more information on Media Angels books and products. Including the Truth Seekers Mystery Series.

    We have communities filled with people, there are laws and people who govern. If we look at these people who govern we see decisions, we agree with and other decisions that we may not agree with. Sometimes we feel that people have lost their moral compass – that is a direction that points to what is right and just. If you do not know what is right and wrong, how will you know as you get older what to follow? Well, you have parents who help you by modeling good behavior. They let you know if what you are doing is right.

    What does is the golden rule? In the Bible, Jesus of Nazareth quoted Scripture from the Old Testament when he said, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,” You can find this in Matthew 7:12 Another way people say this is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. So, you can paraphrase this – that means put it into your own words, which will help you remember the main point and that is to “treat others the way you want to be treated.” Some people like to memorize the words exactly the way it is in the Bible, but that is up to your family. The Golden Rule applies to all people, but especially for you and others in your world because it is a just and fair rule.

    Doesn’t everyone want to be treated kindly? Doesn’t everyone wish that others treated with more respect? Well, one thing to remember is if you lead the way and you treat others the way you want to be treated, this will happen. Can you think of yourself as a leader? Sure, anyone can lead to, but not everyone is just and kind. Some people think it is right to take advantage of those who are younger and will listen, but it is never right to do this. If we want those younger than us -or even our same age to see us as a leader we should set an example for others to follow. Having a good attitude with this rule is gaining wisdom. And this is a key truth to life. We learn wisdom from past mistakes. A mistake is often something we do not want to repeat again. And learning not to do something wrong is the beginning of wisdom. Of course, learning and remembering are gaining wisdom as well and that is the purpose of learning and school.

    Let’s quickly talk about a lie. Often people lie to themselves — how do you do this? But thinking you are fooling others. The only person we are fooling is ourselves. If we fool ourselves that bad is good then we are believing an untruth. Many times, we make excuses for doing something wrong and truth should be a big part of your life. Practicing telling the truth in all things means accepting the consequences, something we will talk about in another podcast. Wisdom is understanding truth.

    An interesting fact is that anyone who believes in a higher power, we as Christians call God, the creator of heaven and earth, know that all of our freedoms, and all of the blessings we receive are from Him. No one here on earth can take away our beliefs, what we learn, and who we are. We have rights and freedoms that do not come from any government but come from God Almighty. We have free will this is the ability to do whatever we want to do.

    Did you hear that right? Did I just say we have the freedom to do whatever we want? Yes, you do. God gave us the ability to make a choice and this choice is either right or wrong. Just because we have free will and can do anything that we want, that does not mean we should. Think about this. I’m going to say it again but another way. If we have free will and can do anything that we want, we should carefully decide what we should and should not do. Why? Because sometimes it means we will not do what is right or honorable, and that is not wise. Using our free will also mean that we do not break the laws.

    Wisdom is knowing right from wrong, good from bad, and having self-control. Wisdom is learning not only from our own mistakes but from the mistakes of others. Do you know why self-control is important? Self-control is the key to being a good student, a good worker and, also avoiding trouble. Did you know that people that have self-control are better students? This makes sense because to deny yourself or tell yourself no—to the thing you’d rather do besides learning is important to learn. Young people who have self-control go on to become successful as adults.

    For example, you may not want to sit and listen to this podcast, a lesson in school, or do your math lessons, but what would you do if you were not learning? Whatever it is I am sure is not as important as becoming a better person and learning, again something that no on can take away from you. What does this have to do with the golden rule? Wisdom is choosing not only for your own good but the good of others and this is similar to the teaching of the golden rule.

    Golden rule and treat others the way we want to be treated, that helps us remember self-control when tempted to do something that is wrong. When we practice the Golden Rule we may feel like things are unfair. But, practicing the Golden Rule just because we can is our own reward. We may not get anything special back or even someone saying “thank-you,” but the reward is knowing we did the right thing. If we do what is right it is for the common good, and maybe that will help others to also see your example. Working together is called collaboration and when you work in a group, whether it is helping your parents at home, or helping a neighbor, or volunteering this is showing others that you care. There are many ways to apply the Golden Rule to your life. It can mean something simple like sharing a treat with a brother or sister, or a friend or helping with a younger brother or sister. Offering to help is always nice think about how nice it would be if someone offers to help you with your chores.

    The Golden Rule is just – and what is justice? Justice is something that is morally right or fair. Justice has to do with the law. It is using wisdom to know what is right for the common good – the good of all people. This is very important in government and often we find people who are not just in leadership roles, which is very sad. Not everyone makes good decisions. Some people make decisions that are not good for all people but for themselves or special interests–we never want to be those people. We must pray that those in authority—the people who make the laws use justice and wisdom in their decisions and that is why voting is important.

    Usually, adults will demonstrate or show you the Golden Rule without using words—it is in their actions. They care for you, teach you and help you. They love you and help you to be a better person. For example, you do not see your parents sitting down, and watching television, and expecting you to make dinner all on your own … every night. Can you imagine? It might be bowls of cereal for everyone! But, you can see what I mean. Your parents give their time to make you a good dinner and they care about you. They may expect respect in return but isn’t that natural? They love you so it is easy for them to demonstrate the Golden Rule – but what about for people you do not like?

    There are many different people that make up our communities and the world. No two people are exactly alike, even twins can be different. But, the Golden Rule and wisdom are important for all. They are the foundations of a just society. Those that practice the Golden Rule, share, are kind, tell the truth—even if there is a punishment, care for others, do not steal or hurt others. People who practice the Golden Rule do what is right because they wanted to not because of the laws. When people are lawless, they break the laws.

    At home, you may not break a law, but if you go against what your parents teach you this is breaking a family rule. Hurting others because they hurt you is not doing what is right and truly it is unwise. That shows no self-control. No one likes people who are mean just because they can be! That is called a bully. Taking revenge is never a good thing because it not only hurts the other person but doing something wrong hurts you as well. Hurting others causes bad behavior and it is not a good way to act. It creates a cycle of people doing mean things to each other. How do you stop this cycle? Someone has to have self-control and be the first one to stop. It may be hard, but it is just and wise.

    The key here is to remember, wisdom is not only learning from our past mistakes but the courage to make a change, even if it is hard. That is being honorable. There is a saying that two wrongs do not make a right. Does that mean you let someone hurt you? Of course, not. It does mean you stay away from people who are hurtful and if you must – you should defend yourself. This can mean defending your property as well. We all have freedoms but no one is allowed to take what does not belong to them. We must practice the way we want to act and practicing the Golden Rule is a great thing to do with your family!

    The post Teaching Kids About The Golden Rule appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    A Novel Approach – Teach Creation To Kids Feb 22, 2021

    Teach Creation | When you teach creation to kids it can seem overwhelming, perhaps you don't know where to begin. #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #creationpodcastTeach Creation To Kids With A Novel – Special Episode

    When you teach creation to kids it can seem overwhelming, perhaps you don’t know where to begin. In this interview (listen to the first one here), author Felice Gerwitz interviews her co-author, and daughter Christina Gerwitz Moss. Christina had a passion for writing and she turned her interest in science and writing into a novel that will teach creation to kids.

    The Truth Seekers Mystery Series is chock full of science facts. The series was reviewed by several creation scientists and there is even a vocabulary list at the back! You can purchase the book on Amazon or via the Media Angels Membership website.

    Thanks to our sponsor! Homeschool Connect Expo Felice Gerwitz is presenting three video teachings and there are over 70 speakers and sponsors – sign up to get more information about upcoming events. And, thanks to our sponsors who make these episodes free!

    The Truth Seeker’s Mystery Series is comprised of three novels, The Missing Link Found, Dinosaur Quest at Diamond Peak and The Keys To The Past Unlocked. In each novel, the children uncover a mystery and discover different aspects of creation. It is easy to teach creation to kids when they are captivated by a story that engages and encourages discussion. Thousands of people have read the novel and the feedback has been wonderful. These novels were written when Christina was homeschooled and finished when she entered college. Now Christina is a homeschool mom and is able to teach creation to her children.

    The post A Novel Approach – Teach Creation To Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Teaching Truth To Kids Feb 15, 2021

    Teaching Kids About Truth | We all want our kids to tell the truth, and it is time that we focus on teaching truth. How do we do this? How do we teach our children to discern what is true in our toxic culture? Well gather the kids - this is another just for kids and teens this time, episode.| #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #truth #teachingtruth #lieshurt #truthfulnessTeaching Kids About Truth Episode 422

    We all want our kids to tell the truth, and it is time that we focus on teaching truth. How do we do this? How do we teach our children to discern what is true in our toxic culture? Well gather the kids – this is another just for kids and teens this time, episode.

    Please visit my website at MediaAngels.com and be sure to sign up for our monthly planners. We have new character planners each month, and this month it is on the topic of Tolerance. This planner has some fun activities that you can do with your children and I think parents really appreciate the page with scenarios. I ask the children questions that they can act out or write their answers. They are open-ended. At the end of the month, the children can even earn a character award that is provided. After the month is over you can only get the planners by purchase on the Media Angels website.

    ***

    So what is truth?

    Hey kids! I know your mom probably thinks this is a good podcast for you to listen to and I am sure you are thinking – “What is this lady talking about I already know what truth is…” and you know what? You probably do, but not only am I going to talk to you about truth, I am going to talk to you about lies and I am going to ask you a bunch of questions. I hope that you write these questions down and you use them to see if you can learn to be better about not only telling the truth but spotting lies when you are told lies by other people.

    And, I want to show you why truth is important and how twisting something just a little bit can really change the way people think about something. And, the example I am going to use here is Climate. [In this episode I am not going to go into Climate Change – because I already did one that you can listen to here.]

    So, first I think it is important to care about our climate. It is important to be good stewards over our land and this earth. We don’t throw garbage out the window do we? We put it in the trash. We do not pollute on purpose, we do our part. So, why am I talking about climate? What does that have to do with truth? Well, I want to walk you through the way a little lie can hurt us and make us think something that is not true.

    Talk about climate began when I was in school. Pollution was bad in some cities and people thought we should care for our environment. It was a good thing to learn to take care of our planet so what did I learn that was bad? I learned that if we did not hurry up and do something that in ten years all the polar bears would be gone and all the ice would melt in the artic and the Southpole. This was in the 1970s and in the year 2021 we still have polar bears and we still have icebergs. What did this lie do? It caused us to be afraid. I wrote many papers and did a big project on this topic. How do you think I feel now knowing the truth? Again I don’t want to go into the climate aspect here because I want to focus on the lie – the lie caused me to fear. Scientists didn’t really know. It was a guess, and not a very educated guess. They caused the kids in the 70s and beyond to fear.

    The idea here is that we have to understand the motivation that goes into what people say. Why would people say this? What was the reason? That is something to talk to your parents about… why would people say something that is false? Why would people say things that cause kids to fear?

    Let’s look at another example. The Green New Deal. The people who want the Green New Deal for example said the world would end in 12 years. The green new deal is six pages long and you can read it for yourself on a Congressional website – if it is not there look at the Congressional archives, they keep copies there. Later this person said they were only kidding–especially when people pushed back and said this was not true. But why would someone say this? What is the motivation? Is a politician allowed to lie? Does it make it okay if they are just kidding?

    Let’s dig a little further, what does this deal talk about? It talks about getting rid of all cows, getting rid of airplanes, getting rid of billionaires, and having a universal wage – that means all people make the same amount of money. What does that have to do with pollution, what does that have to do with saving the environment? If we get rid of airplanes how would we travel? Train? Bus? Car? Again what is the motivation – why would someone say something like this? Are people afraid? Yes, some people are especially if you are in public schools you hear a lot of information about climate change.

    I heard that our world would not have polar bears in ten years in the 1970s and was afraid for our world. Kids today are being told it will be 12 years until our world ends. This is not the truth, this is not science, this is to cause you to fear.

    What is truth? Some people think it has to do with how your feel about something. That is not right. Truth has to do with facts and reality – or what is real. Truth can not be subjective. Let’s talk about the word subjective. Subjective truth would be that truth is what you think it is. So, is it okay if I think it is true to take your money? Or to take something else that belongs to you? No, of course not – so that means subjective truth is not right.

    What about lying for a greater cause – like when you ask your mother if they bought you something for your birthday and Christmas and they say no, and then later you get what you asked for? Is it okay to lie about this? The bigger question here is it right for you to set up your parents to lie by asking something because you can not wait to find out the answer? Think about this.

    So, do you see that by using words you can twist things and make them more than what they are? What does truth mean to you? Do you know? What is it that you believe in? A starting point is helpful. I know what I believe and I believe that all truth comes from a Creator God. If God is the truth then anything can be held up to the ten commandments, or the Bible.

    Can you imagine living in a world where absolute truth does not exist? What is truth? At the time of Jesus, this very question was raised by Pontius Pilate As Jesus stood before him waiting to be tried for something he did not do, absolute truth did not exist in the world of Pilate — he felt he could do whatever he wanted if he had enough money, power, and control over the people. Pontius Pilate had truth standing right before him and he could not recognize it. Even non-believers believe that Jesus was innocent when he was crucified. If you are a Christian, look up all of the verses that teach about truth in the Bible. There are some very strong Scriptures verses about this and the sin of lying.

    Little kids tend to lie. You can look at a little kid and watch them take a cookie and there are crumbs all over the place and on their face and you can ask, did you take a cookie? And the child will shake his head no, and say they did not even with the evidence all over their face. Why do people lie? For many reasons, but probably the biggest is for fear of rejection or to keep from getting in trouble.

    Think about this – why do you lie? What is the reason or motivation behind a lie? Have you thought about this before? I was in third grade and I was in trouble with my mother, and she put me in my room. I was in my room screaming at the top of my lungs that I. Did. Not. Do. It! In fact, I was screaming this over and over again and my throat began to get sore. It finally hit me — wait! I did do it, why am I screaming. I believe that was by the grace of God. I always prayed as a kid and felt I could talk to God. God showed me as I was pitching a fit in time-out in my bedroom that I was guilty of sin. I later apologized to my parents and all was forgiven. Has that ever happened to you?

    If that happens to you that means you are becoming wise, you are standing up for what is right and just, you are starting to see that there is truth in your heart and your life will change for the better.

    Or if you lie and get caught you might say, “Sorry, I was kidding or sorry, it was an accident.” If you do this think about the politician that lied about the world ending in 12 years and later said, I was kidding. That is the same as saying, “Oops it was an accident.” When you really know, deep down in your heart that it was not an accident or you were not kidding but if you say it was you can get away with not being punished. This is a lie. Who are you lying to? Well, your parents but more important you are lying to yourself.

    What happens when you lie to yourself. You begin to see things with yourself in the center. If it is the truth that means you are doing something to someone else, but when it is false, it is when someone is doing something to you. It is all about you–is this right? Do you know anyone who puts only themself first? How do you feel about this?

    Can you recognize the truth? Do you know when someone is lying to you? How do you feel when someone lies to you? Think about this. Write these questions down, and really think. The next question is that when someone lies to you what do you want to do? Do you want to call them out? Do you want to scream, “Liar?” What is the right way to handle it. I’m going to give you a hint here, screaming liar is not the right way.

    I want you to take the next few weeks and listen to people talking and see if you can figure out if they are telling the truth or not. But here is what I want you to do — you must not tell a lie. If you can look at someone else and spot the truth, they can do the same thing to you–and you want to be the one telling the truth. If you see someone telling a lie, what will you do? It is best not to say anything unless it will hurt someone. For example, telling a little kid to stand on a high step stool that is wobbly to get down the snacks your mom hid up in the closet so you could tell your mom the truth that you were not the one who got the snacks down — this is not being truthful. Get it?

    Kids, can I tell you a fun-fact here? Your mom, your dad, your grandparents, your aunts and uncles — they were all your age at one time. They already lived their lives and know what you are up. Sometimes kids think parents or adults don’t get them and don’t understand. Oh, yes! We get you and we remember what it was like to be a kid – and it was not always easy.

    Truthfulness is hard, it takes work and it is the most rewarding thing you will ever do. Truth means apologizing when you are wrong and you tell a lie, and realize this is not right. Truth makes us free and it allows us to lead lives that have no guilt because we have nothing to hide. I pray that you can live lives with nothing to hide!

    The post Teaching Truth To Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Family Date Nights Feb 08, 2021

    Family Date Night | 45 Date Night Ideas! So many times we are not making memories we are getting by! Family date nights are a great way to create those lasting memories with our kids! Join Felice Gerwitz and Denise Mira in this fun episode. | #podcast #Homeschoolpodcast #45FamilyDateNightIdeas #DateNightIdeasSpecial Replay: Family Date Nights

    with Felice Gerwitz and Denise Mira

    So many times we are not making memories we are getting by! Family date nights are a great way to create those lasting memories with our kids! Join Felice Gerwitz and Denise Mira in this fun episode.

    Thanks to our sponsor Media Angels, Inc

    Our world drives chaos-we can find ourselves ships passing in the night, over-scheduled, too many lessons, extracurricular and cell phones constantly dinging and buzzing; we have to be intentional about family time. Often family night fun is determined by the weather region we live in or the season of the year as well as the age of the kids as well as your personal preferences.

    Example: We are not a soccer family, but we are a baseball and football family. Your kids may be young elementary age or high schoolers; age determines a lot. Here’s a variety of activities to choose from depending on the weather and the preferences of your family!

    Rule #1 ~ Cell phones OFF, landlines unplugged. Engage!

    45 Family Date Night IDEAS

    Physical, outdoor fun

    1. Backyard family softball/T-ball games.
    2. Backyard family soccer play.
    3. Backyard badminton or slippery slide play
    4. Snow play-make a snowman and clothe him, have a snowball fight
    5. Leaf play-rake piles and jump and roll in them
    6. Basement bowling or rollerskating.
    7. Ping pong tourneys on the dining room table.
    8. We had a sports court on our property – pickleball and basketball were much enjoyed.
    9. Late summer blackberry picking is free and abundant and very messy! Make a cobbler or pie or simmered sauce for ice cream.
    10. Hikes or bike rides

    Indoor Fun

    1. Have a Christian stand-up comedy night– Thou Shalt Laugh is a great video to start with – it boasts a variety of comedians to choose from. Michael Junior, Jeff Allen, Tim Hawkins, Thor Ramsey and more.
    2. Pull out the ancient family photo albums or family home videos, or mom and dad’s wedding video to watch and giggle at.
    3. Build a fire from the logs up w the kids.
    4. Make s’mores over the fire.
    5. Snuggle up and Daddy reads aloud to us. (Little House, Patrick McManus, the Redwall Series)
    6. Musical? Have a family jam night and play your instruments.
    7. Pizza night with take home to bake or frozen pizza, LaCroix with juice instead of soda.
    8. Do a DIY project or Pinterest project together-finger puppets, decorative photo frames, bath bombs
    9. Have daughters? Make it a spa night with facials, nail painting, foot massage, and special beverages.
    10. Dress up and role play night or do a puppet show -video the play and watch it on the big screen.
    11. Charades for kids – a card game from Walmart is a lot of fun to play together.
    12. Play board games/do an entire 100 (or more) piece puzzle in a night/play traditional card games.
    13. One of our favorites do-together activities is cooking. Build your own homemade pizzas, prepare Mexican food, build your own sub sandwiches or other fav meals
    14. Make cookies or a favorite dessert/play background music=kitchen dance party!
    15. Everyone builds a sundae on the sundae bar you create.
    16. Rent a movie and make stovetop homemade popcorn
    17. Nerf gun wars.
    18. Create a scavenger hunt.
    19. Create big cardboard box forts for each kid and let them decorate, cut windows and doors etc. (furniture stores or appliance stores will gladly contribute their boxes if you ask ahead of time.)
    20. Hide and seek in the house.
    21. Build a blanket fort.
    22. Build card houses with playing cards.
    23. Balloon volleyball.
    24. Hot tub nights together even in the rain.
    25. Invite a fav family over to share in the fun.

    Cheap Fun Away

    1. Family bike rides around the neighborhood or to a park, or Jamba Juice or along the beach walk. Baby bike seats are great for including the littles.
    2. Pocket parks are everywhere here and many include water spray park fun – all free entrance and lots of fun exercise.
    3. Kids eat free night at restaurants for the win!
    4. Find a public school w an indoor pool/YMCA open pool night for cheap Friday night swims.
    5. Head to the Dollar Tree with a $3 limit each kid to spend in cash-even the parents like browsing the Dollar Tree for fun finds. Play with the finds together later at home.
    6. A sporting goods store like Bass Pro Shop is fun to meander and take pics with the giant stuffed animals.
    7. Beaches are a stone’s throw from our house. We walk together and observe the wildlife, the shells, the driftwood, the clams, the boats-here in Seattle it’s often grey and cloudy but we make it fun.
    8. National Parks – free for families! Every kids outdoors challenge.
    9. Camping
    10. Water gun or water balloons

    The post Special Replay: Family Date Nights appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Teaching Tolerance Jan 31, 2021

    Teaching Tolerance | Teaching tolerance is possible without selling your soul. How do we educate our children in our beliefs if we have parameters of what we can and can’t say? In this episode, I tackle this question with some ways to begin the journey into our uncharted world. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #homeschool #teaching #tolerance #morals #faith #christianity #Christ #beliefs #moralbeliefs #character #goodcharacter #characterqualities Teaching Your Child Tolerance Episode 421

    Teaching tolerance is possible without selling your soul? Too harsh? Okay, how about without compromising your beliefs. We live in a mixed-up world right is wrong and wrong is right. You are allowed to have an opinion if it is the right one. How do we educate our children in our beliefs if we have parameters of what we can and can’t say? In this episode, I tackle this question with some ways to begin the journey into our uncharted world.

    Please visit my website at MediaAngels.com and be sure to sign up for our monthly planners. We have new character planners each month, and this month it is on the topic of Tolerance. This planner has some fun activities that you can do with your children and I think parents really appreciate the page with scenarios. I ask the children questions that they can act out or write their answers. They are open-ended. At the end of the month, the children can even earn a character award that is provided. After the month is over you can only get the planners by purchase on the Media Angels website.

    When Did Our World Change?

    Okay –where do I begin? Many of us feel abandoned. We have been deserted by everyone that we thought we could trust, especially those in authority in our world. The news, politics, our friends, and neighbors, our relatives, and even some of our pastors. It is as if the world has been turned upside down. So, if we teach our children values and teach them to be tolerant of others who may not agree with us, where does that get us? In this volatile culture do we need to teach our children to compromise their beliefs? The word tolerant means to put up with in some way. To put up with noise, or hardship, or annoying people. But does it mean that we have to be accepting of the beliefs of others? One definition is from the American heritage dictionary that says and I quote: tolerance is “The capacity for or the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others.”

    I think we can all agree that that is an even-minded and fair assessment of how we as Christians should be. We can recognize and respect the beliefs and practices of others as their free will and choice before Almighty God, but on the other hand, that means they also need to respect our free will and choices before Almighty God. But that is not what we’re finding in this world. We cannot serve two masters if we have 1 foot in the world trying to please all those around us who disagree with our beliefs, and 1 foot in the spiritual world where truth is compared to the teachings of the Bible and perhaps your particular denomination, well we will find ourselves in a situation where we are on unstable ground.

    So now that we’ve determined the problem with is a solution? Here’s a shortlist:

    1. Clarify your beliefs. And explain these to your children.
    2. Explain the difference between tolerance and compromise.
    3. Explain the concept of the line in the sand. What is the point not to be crossed? Is it the value of life from conception to death? Is it social justice? What is the issue that you will not compromise?
    4. Explain when compromise when is possible.
    5. Explain acceptance does not mean agreement.

    This just gives you an outline to start with of course you can add more to this, let’s go over each point.

    1. Clarify your beliefs and explain them to your children. Many times, we expect our kids to pick up our beliefs through osmosis. This is an impossibility we must spell things out clearly for kids of all ages. Do you teach them right and wrong is? Do you give them examples of consequences, do you explain how to make good decisions? These are Lessons I am currently working on And hope to have completed it sometime in the near future.
    2. Explain the difference between tolerance and compromise. Tolerance is allowing accepting that we are all different and not bullying or calling someone out for their difference in opinion, and compromise is the ability to make a decision that is agreeable to both people. Compromise and tolerance never allow for allowing your own beliefs to be trampled for the sake of what someone wants you to say.
    3. Explain the concept of the line in the sand. What is the line you will not cross? When do you say no and walk away? This must be clear. Do your children know and understand, and further do they know what to do in these situations? When is compromise not possible?
    4. Explain when compromise is possible. It is for choices, in areas of selecting a game to play or a movie to watch that are all acceptable but might not be a favorite. Basically, it is giving in to what someone wants for the sake of peace and unity. Again, not compromising your ethics or beliefs.
    5. Explain that acceptance or tolerance does not mean you agree. If you tolerate the decision that someone makes that does not mean you agree with them, this is a fine line and children need to again understand what that means. I can tolerate you making noise but that does not mean I want you to make noise, etc.

    Our children need to be given scenarios so that they can practice how to talk to people that they disagree within a loving and kind manner. As you may or may not have experienced there is extreme vitriol on social media among those who disagree with a point of view. Since when have we been unable to discuss things rationally?

    I think we can give our kids a very simple explanation of people who get very upset when they disagree with your viewpoint. In fact, this possibly happens in your home. Have you given your child instructions about something you want them to do and they get upset and talk loudly and anger? Of course, as parents are tempted to return the reaction with anger. Use these as teaching moments. If your child is the one getting angry you can have them sit until they are calm, and I would highly recommend not sending them away. Kids tend to be put in their rooms and there they become distracted or feed on their anger and continue to think about the injustice in their opinion. The best advice I have is to ask your child why they’re so angry. You’ll be surprised at the answer. And doing this over my many years of parenting I have learned that my children’s concept of why they are in trouble is way different than mine.

    The idea here is to look at the way we react when people do not share our opinion. Tolerance can be beningn. I’m going to tolerate a messy room, or loud music, or staying up late. That does not mean I agree it means it’s okay if you want to live in a room where you can’t find anything, not hear anything else but music, or experience tiredness the next day from staying up too late. This tolerance does not compromise faith or morals.

    And, that is the bottom line when our constitutional rights starting with the First Amendment are trampled upon for the sake of someone else’s ideal of what is right and just it is time as a people that we look at our own families and begin there before it is too late.

    The post Teaching Tolerance appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Physical and Mental Health Jan 25, 2021

    Physical and Mental Health | Where is your physical and mental health! What a year! As I record this we have just dipped our toes into a new year and already emotions are high and low and the overwhelming consensus is that we just want life to return to "normal." | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #stress #homeschoolmoms #physicalandmentalhealth Physical and Mental Health ~ Episode 420

    Where is your physical and mental health! What a year! As I record this we have just dipped our toes into a new year and already emotions are high and low and the overwhelming consensus is that we just want life to return to “normal.” But there is hope, and in this episode, I’m going to talk to you about balance and getting healthy both body and mind!

    Check out all the great products, books, membership website, character planners and so much more at MediaAngels.com

    This podcast does not have a focus on weight loss, but if you are looking for episodes on this topic, here they are:

    Missing Key to Weight Loss

    Body Weight and Good Health

    Weight Loss Secrets

    Can we just tall take a collective deep breath. No one expected what has come over our nation with illness and mental stresses. It is all around us and I for one am ready to take charge of my life and focus on what is really important and that starts with my faith and my family. So, how do we balance our lives in a way that makes sense and is doable?

    I wish we were having a coffee somewhere quiet because this message has been on my heart to share and I just didn’t know exactly how I wanted to say it and finally it is falling together. Sharing this message with you has helped me as well.

    First, I want to share with you something that I’ve observed from the most successful and busiest people I know in the homeschool curriculum community and they just put their minds to something and get things done. We need to assess our situation and our lives and make that commitment to change. Now, I’m not going to give you a list of 100 stress busters or 100 ways to lose weight, but what I am going to talk about today is very doable and it is more of a mind over matter.

    Physical and Mental Health

    What do I mean? First, we have to make a decision that we are going to make a change. I know in all the times I’ve failed to lose those ten pounds, it was because I was not really committed. First, we needed to get past Thanksgiving and Christmas. Then there was New Year’s and what about Valentine’s Day right around the corner. See what I mean? . Make a decision that you are going to make a change even if you are not crystal clear what that change will be, and now for the easy part.

    How do we do this? Easy. Seriously it is easy. We must take ownership only for the things we can control. What is in your sphere of influence that you can personally control? Look around you, begin with your relationships. Relationship with God, with your spouse, with kids. Stop! That’s it. Just your family because we are going to get our own life worked out before we head out to the wild yonder. Now, your family duties. What are the things you must do each day? Feed people, homeschool, keep the house clean, wash clothes, etc. Look at this list. Where can you get help? And, who can help with some of these things? For moms with little ones I know it is an uphill task just to get chores done and watch those babes, but it is so worth it. Don’t’ be so hard on yourself. We all started that way, some of us with more kids than the other but all of us at times overwhelmed.

    Are you done? What else do you have direct ownership of, the things you can control? Add those to your list. It is time to combat physical and mental stress.

    And, now? Those things you can not control, what are they? You know, those things that stress you out. List those. Is there something you can do? Is this something going to stress you out? If so, drop it now. If not, add it to your sphere of influence.

    The answer for the things that you can not control is to let them go and let God. God is in control even if you look at this chaos and can not see the hand of the Lord, He is there. On my podcast A Few Minutes with God, I spoke about this fact in Stress and God and go through the scriptures I love beginning with Luke 12:22-31 – Here God talks to us about how he provides for the birds in the air and how much more He loves us and will provide for us. But here is the catch. Are we willing to let go?

    You can pray but that is it, and here is what I pray. Your will Lord. Because my will sure isn’t getting done! We have to let go at some point friends and we can’t create the world in our image. Each thing that happens in our lives has great consequences not only for ourselves and others but stressing about the things we can not control does us more harm than good. I also pray to the Lord that he helps me to see what he wants me to see and ignore the rest. Look into the gift of discernment. It is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and it has been a blessing for me to pray in this way.

    Now onto the physical side of things.

    If you are sick, it’s time to take care of yourself. I struggled with a problem and refused to go to the doctor, and finally did not have a choice. It all worked out well, but why I fought it I have no idea and I feel so much better. Peace of mind goes a long way toward our mental health. And finally getting to the doctor helped me remember something, and that is the Moringa plant. It is amazing, look it up. My doctor happens to grow it and I have to tell you that I started taking Moringa – from my doctor’s farm, it works in giving me energy and perking me up. I take it at about 1-2 in the afternoon, whenever I started feeling tired.

    If you are super unhappy with one aspect of your life it can weigh you down and add that unneeded stress. If you are tired and run down (stress can do that!) or you want to shed a few pounds, do it. How can you solve your problems?

    Moms, we are resourceful, there is always a way and if you have little ones, it is time to give yourself a break! Quit expecting to accomplish so much, some days it is just not going to happen.

    Our minds are the issue even with our weight. While we place more merit on the interior than the exterior, sometimes we just have to look in the mirror. Are you happy with your appearance? Okay, let me rephrase that! None of us are totally happy with our appearance and now with so many more conference calls and seeing our faces, we are reminded that age knows no time. Let me share a quick observation. Have you looked at a photograph of yourself in your younger years? Maybe you were leaner, had fewer wrinkles, and no gray hairs, you know before kids. Did you think you looked great? Do you see where I am going? Even when you looked great or greater than you do now, you were not satisfied, so here is what I’d like you to do. You are going to decide you are going to take care of yourself and you are going to be happy with yourself no matter what.

    If not, what are you going to do about it? If you are not going to do anything about it then you are not going to complain. Do you see a pattern here? I am going to talk about weight loss and I’ll have some links to other podcasts on the topic in my show notes, but for now, I want to focus on your outlook on things in this session because it is important to not only your well being but also your weight and your health.

    Often we allow our goals our insecurities to get in the way, no one believes that I was once very shy. No one! But, I was and somehow I was passionate enough about my message and what I had to say that I allowed that to move me forward instead of focusing on my insecurities – we all have them, I focused on the message and the goal.

    Do what makes you comfortable and what is within your ability at this stage of your life. Don’t keep thinking you will do this and that when the kids grow up because my kids are grown up and I still run out of time each day and take on projects So moms, take a breath and first things first, take control of that wandering or racing mind and get it under your control, don’t let it control you. If you can do something to change it, fine, do it and if not, we are going to let it go!

    Once again I wish we lived closer, I’d give you a hug of encouragement and tell you – you’ve got this! And, I believe you do.

    The post Physical and Mental Health appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Teaching With Laughter Jan 18, 2021

    Teaching With Laughter | Just thinking about teaching with humor makes me smile. I stumbled across this recently when I tried this technique first-hand. It worked! I can’t wait to share the details with you. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcastTeaching With Laughter – Special Replay!

    Just thinking about teaching with laughter makes me smile. I stumbled across this recently when I tried this technique first-hand. It worked! I can’t wait to share the details with you.

    We all love to laugh. Often we read things on social media that are so funny we share them with our friends. Laughter makes us happy, it reduces stress. Laughter crosses culture, all over the world people laugh. Babies even laugh before they can speak. It is a form of communication.

    Teaching with Laughter has benefits!

    Research shows that that laughter:

    • Increases blood flow
    • Decreases stress
    • Triggers endorphins
    • Promotes well-being

    The use of humor in an education setting is beneficial and I found this out the other day. When I was working on a reading program, I found my student (aka grandson) was becoming stressed. We were pushing it to right under his frustration level in order to create new neuro-pathways. This is one of the ways to teach a child who may struggle in a specific area. We don’t want the child frustrated, so it is under this frustration level where a child will say it is too hard.

    I decided to use humor to defuse the tension so I began with all the jokes I had on hand – believe me, I’m not the best teller of jokes.

    1. What time is it when the elephant sits on a fence? (Time for a new fence)
    2. Why did the man throw the clock out the window? (To see time fly) etc.

    It was wonderful – he began telling me jokes and we laughed, went back to our work and they were able to get a bunch done!

    Telling jokes or teaching using humorous antidotes does encourage a healthy learning environment. While humor in itself does not cause learning it does affect the brain. It causes the brain condition to fire up and get ready for learning.

    You may not be a comedian – very rarely do our own kids think we are funny; we can use humor as a tool.

    1. To get your kids attention.
    2. To defuse bad behavior.
    3. Help to get their neurons to fire up.
    4. Help pave the way to learn difficult subjects.
    5. Makes learning fun.
    6. Encourage your kids to participate.
    7. Helps the kids remember the information
    8. Soothes anxiety if the child has difficulty with a subject
    9. Causes relaxation.

    It is a good tool for laying groundwork for learning. But, if you are not funny – then what?

    You can use the child’s names in a book you are reading. Switch out the character’s names with your children and watch them sit up and listen.

    Set up a Pinterest Board –

    1. Use funny memes. (Look up.)
    2. Use video just search for funny video for kids

    You are not going to use humor all the time otherwise it does not become effective.

    The post Special Replay: Teaching With Laughter appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Best Marriage Tips Jan 10, 2021

    Best Marriage Tips Ever | After 40+ years of marriage I have some of the best marriage tips ever and these really work. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #marraigetips #marriage #happymarriage @godlymarriageLet’s Talk About Marriage – Best Marriage Tips!

    with your host Felice Gerwitz

    After 40+ years of marriage, I have some of the best marriage tips ever and these really work.

    You are probably thinking… oh great! Another know-it-all podcaster trying to tell you how to make your marriage work! Well, I have 35 years under my belt – I’m no expert, but I’m a hard-headed, first-generation Italian, New Yorker, married to a German-Irish-American! It has taken years of give-and-take to make our marriage great. And, I wanted to ask some others who have been married for years to chime in with their tips! This podcast contains advice from:

    Carol Topp: Dollars & Sense Radio ; Hal & Melanie Young: Making Biblical Family Life Practical; Meredith Curtis: Finish Well Radio ; Andy & Kendra Fletcher: HomeschoolingIRL

    Show Notes:

    Scriptures to Study in Regard to Marriage:

    • Genesis 2:22-24
    • Proverbs: Some I love!! Proverbs: 5:18-19 ; 20:6-7; 30:18-19; 31:10
    • Matthew: 19:4-6
    • 1-Corinthians: 7:1-6
    • Mark: 10:6-9
    • Ephesians: 5:22-33
    • Links:

    Test – Learn Your Love Language

    Recommended Books:
    The Bible!

    Look for Books on “Love Language” at the library or your favorite book store.

    Advice and Tips:

    Jeff Gerwitz: Keep Communication and Smooch Them Often!

    Felice Gerwitz: Don’t go to bed angry: A. You both agree to solve your issues before bed — B. Understand the resolution will be a compromise for Both of You! and If you love giving gifts – A. Don’t expect anything in return and B. Accept gifts graciously

    Carol Topp: One key to marriage success is to set aside time each day to catch up, even if it’s just 10 minutes. A co-worker gave me this advice over 20 years ago and he was right! My show http://dollarsandsenseshow.com. BTW my husband and I had our 30th Anniversary this year.

    Hal Young: When God created marriage, the very first reason the Bible gives is companionship – “It is not good that the man should be alone,” God said (Genesis 2:18). We should make it our goal to make our mate our best friend as well as our spouse. That takes time and commitment, but don’t we know how to keep up a friendship? Why not use the same relationship skills in our marriage? Their show, Making Biblical Family Life Practical and you can find it on this network – here is an easy way to find them –(HalAndMelanie.com/radio/) and they wrote a wonderful book on marriage “My Beloved and My Friend: How To Be Married to Your Best Friend Without Changing Spouses.” (www.mybelovedandmyfriend.com).

    Meredith Ludwig Curtis: Another Mom with a large family, who has a show on this network specifically for teens and that is Finish Well Radio – FinishWellRadio.com – she is married to a Pastor and says, “A key to marriage success: Put Jesus first! Serve Him together! Love Him together! Raise godly children together! Change the world together!”

    Andy Fletcher: We were given two pieces of advice. The first was very simple: Outserve one another. If you make it your goal to out serve your spouse, you will be in the right mindset. The second piece of advice was just silly: … you’ll have to listen to their podcast to find out! Catch their show on homeschooling and marriage, What Homeschooling Does to Marriage

    The post Best Marriage Tips appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    New Year Memory Book Dec 31, 2020

    New Year Memory Book ~ Episode 419

    Want to remember all of those great memories? You can with a new year memory book your kids create. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but it can hold those treasures that are priceless!

    Check out the Media Angels books on Media Angels.com

    I have some fun novels for kids – one is A Few Minutes with God which is a story about two kids who are siblings who have identical dreams. Another is a series of books, The Truth Seekers Mystery Series that focus on two siblings who are great at solving mysteries and uncovering truth… just like the series name. These books can all be found on my website.

    This is another show that is Just For Kids – so get your kids and get ready to make some memories!

    Okay kids I want to ask you a question – what was your favorite Christmas gift this past year. Okay, now what was your favorite birthday present this year. What about the year before? What about two years ago? See my point? We can sometimes remember things from the past, especially presents we receive but often we can’t remember those really important memories like the times we spend with our families on a nature walk, or a backyard picnic or maybe building a fort in the living room with sheets and towels. These are things that are fun to look back on and remember those good times.

    Why do we like to remember good times? Because sometimes we are sad and we think that everything is going wrong. We all have days like that when we are feeling like we just want to go to bed an have a “do over” the next day. But, when we keep a journal, or a memory book and write or draw some of the things that are special that happen during the year we can go back and revisit and remember those good times.

    How do you make a memory book?

    1. You can use a notebook with lines.
    2. You can take blank pieces of paper and staple or glue them together.
    3. You can use a notebook with plastic slip sheets to preserve pages that have fun things you might find in nature.
    4. You can use pages you create on a word processor such as a publishing program or maybe Canva.com – you can get a free account and try it out, and you can make all kinds of pretty graphics and things with their free templates.

    What are some things you can put in your memory book?

    1. You can put in field trips that were fun or special.
    2. You can add things you find that are special – for example, my kids use to find snakeskins and wanted to put them in slip sheets – I still find them to this day whenever I’m cleaning out old files, and they are still as new as the day they found them long ago.
    3. You can add pictures you draw or have taken with a camera and print them out. SO many people leave things on a phone or camera that it is fun to have pictures that are printed.
    4. You can add special journal entries about special things that happen, or school papers you’d like to save like a story.

    Have you thought about the things that are special to you? What are some things you’d like to remember? Do you know I still have a small autograph memory book from when I was younger? In this book I had things like the names of my friends and even their signatures. Autograph books were fun in those days and we would go around asking people to sign our books. One of my friends put in a rhyme when she learned I was moving to Canada. It said, “May our friendship last until America drinks Canada Dry.” Canada Dry was the name of soda pop! Yes, I did live in Canada from third grade to sixth grade. But we moved back to the United States when I entered the seventh grade. It is fun for me, even as an adult to have something from my childhood.

    What would you like to write about in your memory book. Maybe you like the idea of an autograph book and want to start one of those. For those of you who don’t like to write, remember you can draw or take pictures to make this memory special.

    Whatever it is, make it unique. How can you do this? Well, one way is with an online service. I saw a memory book that was pictures people uploaded on a website and had it printed into a book. It was a gift to a grandparent and it was a wonderful gift. So, maybe you want to use some of the things in your memory book as a gift to a grandparent or even one of your parents. Have fun with this and enjoy the memories you make with your family. Each family is special and unique and I hope you put an effort to get along with your siblings and listen to your parents!
    Thanks for joining me today and I’d love to hear how you are sharing your memories with your family and friends!

    The post New Year Memory Book appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Staycation Planning Dec 28, 2020

    Staycation Planning | If you are not sure how to plan a staycation, stay tuned – this episode is just for you! We will learn how to plan your staycation and enjoy the time with family and friends. #podcast #staycation #homeschoolpodcastStaycation Planning Episode 349

    If you are not sure how to plan a staycation, stay tuned – this episode is just for you! We will learn how to plan your staycation and enjoy the time with family and friends.

    1. Be sure to take the time off.
    2. Indulge – reading, events, food.
    3. Make a plan for the day, week-end or week.
    4. Research

    Begin by brainstorming. What are some of the things in your area that you could do with the kids, and maybe even with just your husband? In our area these things revolve around water sports. There is boating, Skiing, Jet skiing, parasailing, fishing, SCUBA diving, and more. We have a shell museum, actually two – we have a hands-on museum for kids, and a small zoo nearby.

    There are sporting events such as baseball. We have two indoor ice-skating rings and an island nearby. There are also many outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, outdoor concerts at the local mall and more. There are art events, theatre and music festivals. Once you have a list of ideas, narrow it down to the top ten.

    Which of these top ten ideas are feasible? Now it is time to make a plan.

    Five Things To Think About In Staycation Planning

    Budget

    1. What is the amount of money you will spend for these events?
    2. If you do not have a set budget think about a max you are willing to spend each day?

    Activity or Event or Both

    1. List your event – be sure to figure in the time.
    2. Is this free or is there a cost?
    3. How long will it take to get there?
    4. Will you pack breakfast/ lunch or eat out?

    Planning – Schedule

    1. What is your time frame?
    2. Can you take the time off of work?
    3. Do you plan to go out to eat? If so, where?
    4. What will you do during the day – the more planned out the better your vacation will go even if the schedule deviates.

    Eating:

    1. Try something new.
    2. Enjoy an appetizer/ or dessert or both
    3. Go to restaurants that are family owned and not chains.
    4. Think of conversations you can have with your family.
    5. Take your time – there is no hurry! You are on vacation.

    Rules:

    1. Relax! Make a decision you will enjoy yourself (think about how much money you are saving!)
    2. Enjoy each other.
    3. No drama – set boundaries for fighting, etc.
    4. Make time to see the little things you would normally overlook.
    5. No work. This is a vacation so be sure to leave your work behind temporarily.
    6. No electronics during the outing.
    7. OR – your kids can enjoy unlimited electronics if you decide this is their vacation!
    8. Relaxed dress – unless you are going somewhere that requires fancy clothing.
    9. Enjoy the events – look at the little things and enjoy!
    10. Praise God each day and what are your thankful for?

    The post Staycation Planning appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Joyful Kids Dec 21, 2020

    Joyful Kids | This is an episode just for kids! Can you be joyful? Do you think someone would say, "There are those joyful kids again!" No, well in this episode I am going to show you some special things about joy and how you can be joyful each and every day.| #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #homeschool #joyandkids #joyfulkids #kidsandjoy #joy #childrenattitudesJoyful Kids – Yes, This Means You! Episode 418

    This is an episode just for kids! Can you be joyful? Do you think someone would say, “There are those joyful kids again!” No, well in this episode I am going to show you some special things about joy and how you can be joyful each and every day. If you want to give your parents the best present every no matter what time of the year it is, this is an important podcast to listen to!

    Sponsor Media Angels, Inc. – One More Child book — A Few Minutes With God

    TruthSeekersMysterySeries

    Other episodes you may enjoy:

    Christmas Memories

    Special Christmas DIY Gifts

    Christmas Eve Celebrations

    Some people are naturally happy, and this might or might not be you. But, wouldn’t it be nice if people thought of you as a happy person? Do you know any people that are happy or seem like they are happy? What makes someone happy? Let’s think about this.

    1. You get something you want.
    2. You get your own way.
    3. You get to have a special food you like to eat.
    4. You do not have to do school work or homework.
    5. You get to do a hobby or something fun that you like to do.

    I am sure you can add to this list but this is enough to get you started. Did you notice that all of these things, one through five are all about you. What is in it for me is a pretty selfish way of living your life, and that is why people are so miserable and not joyful. When things are all about you and not others it is difficult to have joy in your life because we can always find something wrong – something we did not get or something that did not turn out as well as we would have liked it to!

    What are some of the things that make you joyful or another word for joy can be happy, but joy I believe is a deeper sense of happiness. Here is why.

    Did you know that joy is a choice. You can either decide you want to be joyful or not. You can say, “Wow, today I don’t want to be upset or mad and I am going to choose to be joyful.” Does that work? You may be thinking no, but it does! You can choose to be miserable or joyful. It is as easy as that. And, I am going to show you what I mean.

    First, if you have our joyful planner that will help. It is freely available in the month of December if your parents are on our mailing list, but if not your parents can find it on my MediaAngels.com website. That will help you, but here are some things I am talking about.

      1. When you wake up decide to smile. Yes, it is that easy. Put a smile on your face. Maybe you do not smile often so you may want to practice this in front of a mirror. You don’t want to scare people in your family by showing your teeth without a grin!
      2. Say something nice to others. Maybe you don’t know what to say, so practice. You can say, “Your hair looks nice,” or “Can I help you with anything today,” (This might be something dangerous if your mom or dad is eating something–it might cause them to choke if it is not something you say often, so use caution when saying this! And, yes I am kidding!) Think. What can you say that is nice to someone. It can be a compliment or an offer to help.
      3. Help without being asked. Would you believe this will bring joy to your life? Just doing something kind for someone else is payment enough. If you can do it without expecting praise that is even better!

    Did you notice numbers 1-3 are all about other people? Being kind, smiling at others, being helpful. All about other people and that is the key to happiness and joy. People who give of their time and talents are much more joyful than those who are selfish. Yes, this is true and I am sure it is a statistic somewhere. Truthfully if you get in the habit of smiling at those in your family you will find that they can’t help to smile back at you.

    This is just the beginning of deciding that you will be happy and find something each and every day to be thankful for. Each day you can find something, some little thing to be thankful about. Look at your family and start there. Some people do not have families and some people have even less than you do. Yes, somewhere in the world this is true. The most important things in your life are free. The air we breathe and the joy that a smile brings to the heart of someone sad or lonely. These are things you can do, starting today.

    What else can you add to this list on being joyful and choosing joy each day? Are there joyful kids in your home? I am sure if you start this trend you will find that others in your family will also choose joy! I pray this happens in your own life.

    The post Joyful Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Best Gift Giving Tips Dec 14, 2020

    Best Gift Giving TipsBest Gift Giving Tips with Meredith Curtis and Felice Gerwitz Episode 384

    Best Gift Giving Tips are easier than you think. Here are some great ideas for gifts that will last throughout the year.

    Another great show is here – Gifts You Can’t Unwrap

    I’m so excited to talk Meredith Curtis who is the queen of Christmas! Meredith is the “Christmas girl” and likes to turn her home into a Christmas Wonderland — on a budget!

    Both Meredith and I have big families, and sometimes it is difficult to juggle both school and home. We’re going to talk more about that but, also how to save money while living within the big family budget!

    Here are some quick tips to get you started.

    1. Plan to make schoolwork lighter in December and set some deadlines for Christmas vacation.
    2. Try to do Christmas related unit studies. Read Anne of Green Gables, or a very British Christmas, or study Christmas during Colonial America. We learned not only how people celebrated Christmas, but we would learn as we read through the book aloud. And we also watched Christmas movies and made crafts, created recipes and had tea. When we studied a British Christmas, we tried to cook a goose and we read a Christmas Carol aloud. All of our projects had a purpose. For example handwriting in December focused around Christmas letters and addressing Christmas cards. One of our crafts with wrapping Christmas presents.
    3. One of our projects was making a Christmas budget and Christmas shopping. One of our school projects was creating Christmas gifts.
    4. We baked Christmas cookies. So we would bake cookies and freeze them or we made gifts in a jar. And so by the end of the unit study, we had read all these delightful picture books, but we had also finished all of our presents for neighbors and people at church and all we had to do the final day was just delivered them, you know, right before Christmas.

    A focus on Christmas really put things into perspective and to make the time for the things that we really want to do rather than feeling like we have to do the things on a checkoff list and what better time than Christmas!

    Best Gift Giving Ideas:

    1. Christmas Carols – if you can sing, give the gift of music.
    2. Prayers – record some prayers and create a CD as a gift.
    3. Keepsakes – whether they are handprints or pictures, be sure to put the date on the gift.
    4. Budget gifts – set a price point or limit.
    5. Books – add to a series of books, or begin a new series as a gift with a few books to begin. Shop used book stores.
    6. Movies – something that is a keepsake like The Star Movie for example. Or the Nativity.
    7. Home-baked goods such as breads, quick breads like pumpkin loaf, cinnamon rolls, or cookies.
    8. Mixes – you can give as gifts. Use decorative tins. Be sure to add the recipe taped to the outside.
    9. Create a recipe book, duplicate and give as gifts. You can print out recipe cards for ease if you want to make your own homemade version.
    10. Create gift photo books. These are wonderful and can be stored easily.

    The post Best Gift Giving Tips appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Christmas Memories Dec 06, 2020

    Christmas Memories | What are your favorite Christmas memories? Each year we have so many wonderful memories of Christmas but soon we forget. Here is the solution! A Christmas Memory book! In this episode of Vintage Homeschool Moms, Felice shares another just-for-kids episode with you! | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #christmasmemories Christmas Memories – Episode 417

    What are your favorite Christmas memories? Each year we have so many wonderful memories of Christmas but soon we forget. Here is the solution! A Christmas Memory book! In this episode of Vintage Homeschool Moms, Felice shares another just-for-kids episode with you!

    Don’t forget a kid favorite! Novels for tweens – that are Christian based. Check out the Media Angels kids series, Truth Seekers Mystery Series and the book, A Few Minutes with God!

    Check out the Media Angels books on Media Angels.com

    Be sure to go to VintageHomeschoolMoms.com – a copy of the Christmas Memory Book

    Holiday Memory Book-2020

    Advent Calendar: Here

    What are your favorite Christmas memories? Was there a special gift you received? Maybe a special food you get to eat during the holidays. Is it a favorite activity, like roasting marshmallows or sipping hot cocoa when it is cold outside. Maybe it is a visit from special family members like grandparents or cousins. Do you like the Christmas decorations? The special books that your parents may read, or a special trip you take for example going camping or visiting a relative or friend?

    There are so many different things that happen around Christmas time but often we forget these things once the holiday is over, and so in this episode, I want to share with you a special book I’ve put together just for you! A Christmas Memories Book. You can print it out and put it in a notebook or binder and add to it each year. Or, maybe this will give you an idea of creating one of your own. What are those memories that make Christmas truly special?

    Sometimes the most important things are the things that cost nothing! This can be praying in what we like to call the count-down to Christmas, and that is the days before called Advent. It is a time when we gather as a family each night and light one candle per week as we read a passage from the Bible. Then we pray for special intentions. For example, “Peace on Earth,” or we pray for “Those who do not have anyone special to pray for them.” This is a time to think about what is truly important at Christmas time and that is the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

    I want you to think about the best toy or gift you ever received for Christmas. Do you remember this? Did it break? Did you lose it? Did it not meet your expectations, that means when you got the gift did it not seem as special as you thought it would be? This happened to me when I was a kid. I wanted a camera so badly and when I finally got the camera I wanted that printed the instant pictures I was super disappointed. For one thing, the pictures were not that great and for another, the film was super expensive. It was better to wait to have your pictures printed rather than have a camera that prints out instantly but the quality is not that great. Today we have wonderful cameras on our phones and rarely do we ever print anything out!

    Look around you this Christmas. Notice the beautiful decorations, enjoy each sip of your favorite drink, and make some new holiday traditions of your own! Here are some things that families like to do to celebrate the Christmas Holidays:

    1. Use an Advent calendar or wreath and pray each day or evening as the count down to Christmas begins. You can start this at any time. Be sure to read different Bible passages you can read the Nativity passages in the New Testament, but don’t forget the prophetic ones in Isaiah that talk about the coming Messiah!
    2. Read each evening from a special book. Some families like favorites like the Christmas Carol or the Night Before Christmas. What is your favorite book? Take this out and maybe this is a great time for a new family tradition to begin.
    3. Does your family like to bake? What are the Christmas cookies that you enjoy? Write these recipes in your memory book. There are some special recipes that are passed down from family to family that are very important and can be lost or forgotten. This way you will have your own copy.
    4. Plan a special trip. This can be a picnic in the park if you live somewhere that is not so cold – if you live in a cold area, do a drive through looking at the Christmas lights at different homes in the early evening. Or maybe put lights up on your own home for others to enjoy. When you get home think about your favorite part of this even.
    5. Spend time as a family. Look around you! Being a kid only lasts a short time. This is a special time to journal and remember because soon you will be grown up, have a job and a family of your own. So, enjoy this time with your family.
    6. Make a special Christmas ornament. This can be with a family picture or it can be something you draw. Be sure to write the year you made this and place it on the tree.
    7. Secret notes. Write a note to someone in your family that is kind and positive and put it somewhere they will notice. Do not sign it! It is nice to say things that are nice and special to encourage others.
    8. Make an outdoor fire with your family of course, and roast marshmallows -even if it is cold! You can bundle up and tell stories about past Christmas events or ask your parents to share their favorite Christmas past stories with you!
    9. Joyful attitude. Each morning wake up with a smile on your face – or one soon after you wake up – and greet each person in the family with a smile when you see them first thing in the morning. They will wonder what is going on, but smiles are contagious!
    10. Be kind! It is not always easy to be kind to others, but try this Christmas season to be joyful and uplifting to those in your family and only say things that are kind…or nothing at all!

    Can you think of other things? I am sure you can! Use this as a beginning of making your own Christmas special this year! And, I pray a joyful and blessed Christmas on each one of you!

    The post Christmas Memories appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay – Best Ever DIY Christmas Gifts Nov 30, 2020

    Do it yourself or DIY is all the craze, but only when it is simple and the gifts are truly worth giving.The Best Ever DIY Christmas Gifts Episode 311

    I know, we’ve heard it before the best ever DIY Christmas gifts often are more expensive than buying something on sale at the store. But, when you have a large family or many additional family and friends to consider these gifts are a life saver.

    Thanks to our sponsors – The Truth Seekers Mystery Series – brought to you by Media Angels, Inc.

    Do it yourself or DIY is all the craze, but only when it is simple and the gifts are truly worth giving. One year I received bath salts that smelled great and were different colors. When I looked at them closer I noticed the coloring was actually food coloring and could turn my skin the bright yellow, green and purple of the bath salts! Needless to say, this item was not used for baths at all.

    Here are my go-to rules for DIY Christmas Gifts:

    1. Must be tried and true. This is not the time to experiment.
    2. Nice presentation. No one wants to open a box to see a hot-glued mess.
    3. Something someone would actually want. Think cheesecake vs. fruitcake.
    4. Take into account dietary needs. These days there are gluten, dairy and nut allergies. Stay away from these offenders if at all possible.
    5. Gift certificates do not need to be impersonal. Stay tuned to learn more!

    The best every DIY Christmas Gifts can be every bit as charming as a high priced item that more than likely will break, wear out or possibly be something that is returned or regifted. Think about the person you want to gift an item. What are their likes? Dislikes? Take these into account.

    Here are a few of the favorite gifts I have given and received:

    1. Recipe book: Tried and true family recipes. Think about making these into a book online that can be duplicated.
    2. Coupons: The kids have gifted me with coupons for the following and all were much appreciated! Car wash, make beds, wash dishes, babysit, neck rub, vacuuming, organizing.
    3. DIY personal: Bath Salts, Homemade Sanitizer, Rag rug,
    4. Food: Applesauce + recipe for muffins; Tomatoes + recipe for sauce; Pumpkin + recipe for pie; Fat Bombs + recipe; Baked goods + recipe; Mixes + recipe and decorative containers
    5. Gift Certificate to a: nature center, zoo, museums, amusement parks, Amazon, bookstore, coffee store, etc. Make it personal by going with the person whenever possible to enjoy their gift.
    6. Slide presentation with pictures
    7. Prayer audio
    8. Painting or other art projects
    9. Decopauge – a favorite saying or special memento on a wood plaque.
    10. Experience: Rooftop star gazing, impromptu road trip, see hot air balloons, country visit or city visit, camping

    The post Special Replay – Best Ever DIY Christmas Gifts appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Thanksgiving Memory Book Nov 23, 2020

    Thanksgiving Memory Book | What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory? Another episode just for kids! Join Felice as she shares her encouragement to notice those little things that are important to appreciate. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #thanksgivingmemory #memorybook #thanksgivingmemoriesThanksgiving Memory Book ~ Episode 416

    What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory? Another episode just for kids! Join Felice as she shares her encouragement to notice those little things that are important to appreciate.

    Check out the Media Angels books on Media Angels.com

    Be sure to go to VintageHomeschoolMoms.com – episode 416 and you will find a copy of the Thanksgiving Memory Book – Thanksgiving Memory Book

    Thanksgiving is a time to make memories and share joy with others. A fun craft is to take branches and make a Thankful tree. You add leaves to the tree and on each, you can put a word that reminds you of something you are thankful for.

    Think About This:

    What are you thankful for? People may ask you that question and you may say, “I don’t know!” I get it, sometimes it seems that the questions you get asked don’t really have good answers. Here is a challenge for you. Do you think you can do this? Start looking around. What do you see?

    Here are some possibilities. You see people in your family, you see the things that you own, you see the things that are part of your world. Maybe a pet, or something you think is important. It may not be valuable meaning it costs lots of money, but it is valuable to you.

    So what are those things? Maybe you are thankful for:

    1. Your family.
    2. Your home.
    3. You brothers or sisters.
    4. Your friends.
    5. Your toys.
    6. The food that you eat.
    7. Your pets.
    8. A favorite vacation.
    9. A favorite sport you play.
    10. A hobby you have.

    These are just a few of the things you may be thankful for. We did this quickly, but you can take more time to do this on your own. So, the next time someone asks you what you are thankful for you will be able to answer it quickly.

    Have you ever had a super fun time doing something and wish you had pictures or written down exactly what you did? How about keeping a memory book? Have you ever kept a journal? A memory book is something like that. I have a free one you can download here: – Thanksgiving Memory Book

    You can add things like what you are grateful for but you can also list who was at your celebration, what you did, and what you ate. Maybe your family plays games. What is it that made the day special. What are some traditions that your family does every year? Think about this.

    1. Do you have your celebration at your house?
    2. Do you go somewhere special for Thanksgiving?
    3. Do you eat turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy?
    4. What is your favorite dessert?

    One time, friends of mine lived far away from their family and friends, in fact, they had just moved to a new town. So they decided they wanted to have a different type of Thanksgiving and had a picnic. They had turkey sandwiches, and fun sides, and they played games at the park. The kids all said it was one of their favorite Thanksgiving memories. Have you ever heard that what makes something special is what you put into it? You might not think the food at Thanksgiving is very good, maybe you don’t like turkey and gravy. But, either way what you are celebrating makes it special to you. (Remember – what are you putting into the celebration?)

    I had another friend who used Thanksgiving as a day to help out at a soup kitchen, a place that cooks meals for the poor. She said she felt so thankful for all that God had given her that she wanted to give of her time for others. That is truly being unselfish, isn’t it? Each person can give from what they have and share it with someone else. You can do this in your family as well.

    Whatever you do to celebrate this happy day, I pray that you make memories that you will always remember. I hope you have a very special thanksgiving with your family and your friends. Even if you have a turkey sandwich at the park this year, make it the best Thanksgiving memory ever!

    The post Thanksgiving Memory Book appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Best Kept Holiday Prep Secrets Nov 16, 2020

    Let's Talk About The Best Kept Holiday Prep SecretsLet’s Talk About The Best Kept Holiday Prep Secrets

    with Felice Gerwitz

    The holidays are around the corner, and ready or not it is time to learn about the best kept holiday prep secrets. We are celebrating all the time – whether it is the biggies like Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter – or the other big events like birthday celebrations, anniversary, baby showers and other parties! Are you ready? In the many of preparing large family gatherings and parties, I’ve had quite a bit of practice. I’ve learned many shortcuts that make party planning fun! If you have a few things on hand your parties will always be spectacular. From food to decorations – and the best news? It won’t break the bank.

    Special sponsor – Media Angels Inc.

    Homeschooling with Proverbs! Check it out.

    Join our Private Facebook group –

    Show Notes: Holiday prep secrets.

    1. Make a list (mine tend to be general – if you are detailed go for it!
    2. Prepare things way ahead of time. Ideal items: casseroles, prep items like onion, onions and peppers, soups, stews, lasagna, mashed potatoes, stuffing, etc.
    3. Buy in bulk – crackers, appetizers (salsa, hummus, etc.)
    4. Extra gifts to have on hand (bless people twice with this holiday prep secret)
    5. Bake extra – two cakes and freeze one, make smaller cakes to gift, extra cookie dough and more.
    6. Fresh fruit and nuts for decorations
    7. Use “broken” ornaments upside down in a glass bowl
    8. Kid decorations – make it special
    9. Music – get that playlist ready.
    10. Wrap gifts as you buy them.

    More great episodes

    Keeping Sane for the Holidays

    Fun Holiday Tips

    Holiday Planning

    The post Special Replay: Best Kept Holiday Prep Secrets appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Great Gifts Kids Can Make Nov 09, 2020

    Great Gifts Kids Can Make | Are you ready for the just for kids series? Here are some great gifts kids can make! And for cheap. The holidays are coming soon and you may be thinking about what to buy people in your family. Well, it is time to think about this and to be on the lookout for the things people really need. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #giftsfromkids #cheapgiftstomake #DIY #DIYKidgiftsGreat Gifts Kids Can Make – Episode 415

    Are you ready for the just for kids series? Here are some great gifts kids can make! And for cheap. The holidays are coming soon and you may be thinking about what to buy people in your family. Well, it is time to think about this and to be on the lookout for the things people really need.

    Here are some more great podcasts for gifts kids can make!

    1. Gifts Kids Make
    2. DIY Christmas Gifts
    3. Thanksgiving Crafts
    4. Gifts Especially for Mom

    I’m going to give you some great ideas about the things that your family may want and also some ideas of how to make things instead of buying them. Sometimes you will need to look at information online so make sure you have an adult with you. They can use the links I have on my show notes page. Some of these gifts take the help of an adult so you may want to ask another adult –not the person you are making this gift for, to help you! I am a grandmother and I love to help my grandchildren to make things for their parents or even their aunts, uncles or cousins.

    I love handmade gifts much better than store bought gifts because it shows that the person making these gifts really cared about me and took the time and used their talents to make the gift. I’m going to share some of my favorite gifts. One is potholders. Some of these were decorative that means you can’t really use them on hot things, but they looked pretty when they were hung up on the wall. Others were paintings or pictures. Sometimes the kids made me jewelry—and I have to admit that I did not wear the necklaces or even earrings they made. But, my mother—their grandmother did! She loved the bead necklaces so she just added the ones the kids made her to the group of necklaces she already wore.

    So, here are some things I want you to do.

    1. Look around. So, here is where your deep-deep-undercover skills come in. You don’t need binoculars for this assignment but you do need to look around you and think about what people need or want. Does your mom or dad have a favorite mug they use every morning? If you look at the things your parents like, maybe your mom or dad collects different things. My grandmother loved wind chimes and I do as well. These are easy to make. Or you can’t have enough hot pads for the table. So, take some time to look around.
    1. Think about the gifts you liked. Think about the gifts you get and try to remember your favorite presents. What are they? So many times we cannot remember any super-favorite gifts because they either broke or we didn’t really enjoy them that well. I really wanted a camera, but when I got one I didn’t really use it that much. Why did I want a camera? Because I liked painting and I thought I could take pictures of the things I wanted to paint to make it easier to remember what I wanted to paint. I could paint but only if I looked at a picture. So, think about why you liked the gift—and maybe your reason is like mine.
    1. How much time to make a gift do you have? Often we don’t have as much time to make a gift—but then we can be creative. I’m going to give you some great ideas of some other podcasts I did for creating gifts that might help you. Easy gifts are ones that take the things you have around your house, and here is a great insider’s tip—did you know that you can turn things that are broken into presents? Yes, you can and for pennies!
    1. How much do you like crafts or making gifts? If you say, not very much—don’t worry! I have a great solution for you so hold tight. The solution I have will have some that are super-fast-gift giving ideas. But even though it is fast, you have to put some thought into what you will do and wrap it up beautifully.
    1. Do you have a talent that can be turned into a gift? Time to think—again! What is something that you do well that can be turned into a gift? Can you draw or paint? Can you bake? Can you make something out of wood –or even legos? Do you collect things? Think. Think. Think.

    So, here you go –here are my top 5 gift making ideas for kids.

    1. Office accessories. For example a pencil holder. Yes, I know this sounds lame but it is one of my mom’s favorite gifts that I gave her. Here is how you do it. Supplies: A middle-sized empty can playdough or fast-drying clay, and pasta shells, seashells, old buttons, or something to stick on the clay.

    You cover a can with the clay and then you can use pasta shells, or button, or even seashells to cover the can. Have someone help you to put a clear spray over the can, or you can even paint the pasta shells ahead of time. You don’t even need glue because the shells stick really well.

    Once it dries you can add some pens, pencils, highlighters, or sharpies to this set! You can use a variation of this covering a small box and using it to hold office supplies like paper clips.

    1. Decorations: For example wall art. You need a piece of art paper, glue, and either spray paint like white or some other solid color. You will need an adult to help you. Also, look for a place where your family can put these on the wall—sometimes you do not have much wall space, but be creative. Can you put these pictures in a hallway or even the bathroom?Do you have plants in your yard that would not miss a few leaves? Or even weeds that might work? You can take a big piece of art paper, like watercolor paper, or even a piece of thick cardboard and pick an odd number of leaves. Bigger leaves work well—but in the winter they may be hard to find. You can even use twigs, pine needles, or pieces of pine cones. Be creative! So, what you do is you make a design on a piece of paper. Once you have a design in mind you can take these things and glue them to the paper. Be sure that you do not have any dirt on your leaves, twigs, etc. Once glued allowed it to dry. Then, take a solid color of spray paint and paint over the entire thing—you may need an adult to help you and do this somewhere where the overspray won’t be a problem. You can also take a large brush—like a wall paintbrush and paint and paint a solid color. Believe me this looks great! You can make a pair of pictures to hang up. They do not need to be big.
    1. Personal care items. For example hand scrubs. You will need a glass container with a lid, sugar or salt, and some type of essential oil. You an even add a few drops of light oil like olive or cooking oil.

    In the winter, especially our hands tend to get dry and you can make a sugar scrub very easily with a few items. You can use sugar or salt, and what you do is measure out one cup of sugar or salt in a bowl, add a few drops of essential oils like lemon or even lavender (ask your parent’s permission for these things!), and stir them up. Many people like to use sugar for a sugar scrub but I actually like the salt scrub better. You then add a few drops of oil. Put a tiny bit of oil in a bowl and add ¼ of a teaspoon at a time and mix it up. How does it smell? If you can not smell anything you may want to add a few more drops of oil. Now, you can place this in a glass container, add a ribbon, and wrap it up! Variation: You can make bath salts as well. This is super cheap and it works great. (One of my favorite presents) Take Epsom salts and just add a few drops of essential oils an mix them together, and then place it in a mason jar. Add ribbon and wrap it up!

    1. Fun Gifts Wind-Chimes, hot-pads, and vases. Now it is time to get creative. If you are not holding on I saved the best and easiest gift for last! So, for this gift, you need scraps, broken items, and creativity. Wind Chimes: You can make wind chimes using things that make noise. Is there a bent spoon, fork, or something that your parents are throwing away that when it clinks together makes a nice tinkling sound? You can make a wind chime.

    Hot pad: Did a pretty glass dish or glass break? Instead of throwing it away, with your parent’s permission ask if you can keep the flat pieces. You can either use a scrap tile or even wood and cover the bottom with material or felt. That is to keep it from scratching a countertop or table. Then you can draw a picture and cover it with the glass OR you can make a pretty mosaic out of the broken glass. Be careful, glass cuts. You will need clear drying glue for this activity. Flower vase. Do you like to bring your mom flowers from the yard—they may be weeds but they still are pretty! You can search for a tiny container that does this… keep an eye out! Lots of times small olive jars, or small containers that contain things your mom or dad buys at the store are often thrown away or used to recycle. You can use these as a flower vase. Either add a ribbon to the top and tie it or you can use sheets of tissue paper. Tear off the sheets of tissue paper and use clear drying glue. You can paint on the scraps of tissue paper. You can even use a mason jar and add a candle for a votive light that is pretty. Again, ask for things that your parents have around the house and be on the lookout!

    1. Gift Cards: One Free Gift Card – you will need note cards or small pieces of paper and neat handwriting or do this on the computer and cut it out!

    Another of my favorite gifts include gift cards from my kids to me! For example, one free car vacuuming and cleaning up, or one free car vacuuming, or neck rub, or do the dishes or baby-sit the little kids. Believe me, your mom or dad or grandparents will really love these gifts! And the best news you do not need any craft or artistic talent to do this. And, for fun, you can wrap it in a small box, but the small box in a bigger box and keep wrapping it up—again ask your parents for permission to use cheap wrapping paper and tape!

    So, what do you think? Do you like any of these ideas? There are other ones I listed in my post but these take a little more work and sometimes even spending money on supplies. Do you have a favorite gift idea? Please share it with me!

    Links for the parents:

    These crafts looked great –but they need an adult to help. Marbled Coasters

    The post Great Gifts Kids Can Make appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Tap Into Your Child’s Learning Potential – Special Replay Nov 02, 2020

    Tap Into Your Learning Potential – Special Replay

    Did you know you can tap into your learning potential by understanding how the brain works? Felice Gerwitz and Jessica Parnell, CEO of Bridgeway Academy explain how a parent can benefit from this information.

    Thanks to our sponsor! Bridgeway Academy, your solution to online education and help for the homeschool moms.

    The brain is creating new neuro-pathways throughout your entire life. Studies show what parts of the brain are engaging as kids learn. Learning disabilities can be repaired through new neuro-pathways and the science behind education. Homeschool parents especially have the ability to tap into your child’s potential!

    Working Memory:

    The working memory is a term used for the pre-frontal cortex. It is responsible for conscious thought is highly important for education. This is important for learning for self-control.

    • Making decisions
    • Understanding
    • Recalling
    • Deciding
    • Self-control
    • Memory
    • Imagination

    By understanding the effects of the brain’s working memory you can tap into your child’s learning potential.

    Every single decision taxes our working memory.

    • Know those energy-sapping subjects for students.
    • Mix up how we use our brain, put in other subjects that are not as taxing
    • Small break replenishes the brain. 5-10 minutes…and add movement…
    • Move! That helps your working memory. Moving the spine sending new electrical signals up to their brain and getting it to think again.

    Knowing Your Learning Style Helps – Ways to Help Retain Information.

    • Students learn differently
    • Need ways to get information off of working memory so that you can process – getting them off the pre-frontal cortex
    • Write down your information so your working memory is free
    • Developing metaphors, telling stories, engage the emotional side of the brain.

    Basal Ganglia – Helps Preserve Working Memory

    • Drives habits
    • Things we turn into habits
    • So much more powerful and it does not take so much energy
    • Flashcards – get into basal ganglia becomes instinctive and routine, you are not taxing your brain so you can do more complex challenging tasks

    Tap Into Your Learning Potential – Does the digital age help?

    • We are becoming dependent on that quick answer to things.
    • We are not developing to skills to see if the answer is correct.
    • Lack of focus and scattered attention span.
    • The social aspect has become difficult – skills learned in interaction are different than sending a text.

    About our special guest, Jessica Parnell:

    Jessica Parnell, CEO Bridgestone Academy | #bridgestoneproud

    Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Bridgeway Academy!

    Bridgeway Academy was founded in 1989 in response to the need for more freedom in education as well as the protection that accreditation offers for homeschooling families. Since then, more than 30,000 K–12 students, and many charter and brick-and-mortar schools, have made Bridgeway Academy their trusted education partner.

    As part of our commitment to personalized homeschooling, we are proud to offer both secular and Christian options for homeschool families, charter schools, state organizations, co-ops, athletic organizations, arts schools, and others who seek flexible education options for their families.

    Click here to learn more!

    The post Tap Into Your Child’s Learning Potential – Special Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Family and Homeschool Cooperation Oct 19, 2020

    Family and Homeschool | Family and Homeschool Cooperation ~ Episode 414 It is time to have everyone on the same page, the kids, and the parents, and that means needs family and homeschool cooperation. Does everyone realize you are all on the same team and working toward the same common goals? In this episode, we discuss getting the kids on team-homeschool and having the homeschool experience that we all dream about in our homes. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #familyhomeschool #familyFamily and Homeschool Cooperation ~ Episode 414

    It is time to have everyone on the same page, the kids, and the parents, and that means needs family and homeschool cooperation. Does everyone realize you are all on the same team and working toward the same common goals? In this episode, we discuss getting the kids on team-homeschool and having the homeschool experience that we all dream about in our homes.

    Thanks to our sponsor: Media Angels and our discount membership Media Angels Membership website, with book packs and so much more!

    media angels membership

    Getting the kids to cooperate in our homeschool day is sometimes the hardest thing we can attempt in our lives. Keyword here is “attempt” but it does not have to be this way. Our kids are smarter than we think and sometimes I feel we do not give them enough credit for making the right decisions especially when the facts are laid out. I acted like a homeschool dictator from time to time and when I did I receive the pushback that was normal from kids who thought that things were unfair. But, once they realized that my shortness of patience or the reason I would get upset for that pesky math book that was lost more times than it was found, they understood. What did they understand? That no matter how many times the book was lost the assignment remained.

    I recently learned of a busy family that was in dire trouble because the mom took on all of the day-to-day household activities but resented this and ultimately complained to her family about being overburdened. The goal in her mind was to express her frustration and this was her cry for help. However, it went ignored. The consensus was, this is your issue because you want the house, laundry, meals to look a certain way and we really don’t care. So the complaining and the frustration continues on. If we were all together for a brainstorming activity I am sure we could come up with a list of what this overworked mom should do…but it boils down to this. What is the straw that will break the camels back? In other words, what is it going to take to get the entire family on board that mom and/or dad need help? It takes an action plan and homeschool and family cooperation!

    Think about this seriously, spoiled kids become spoiled

    Here are the facts:

    Parents:

    1. Head of the family. And you are responsible.
    2. We have a schedule or routine to keep in our homeschool day.
    3. We have a house to maintain, meals to make, and laundry/cleaning to fit in.
    4. We have a partner in all of this, and that is our spouse. If you are a single parent and a Christian, your partner is the Lord!

    Kids:

    1. Wake up each day, not necessarily excited about school. *yes there is an exception to the norm!
    2. Tired, hungry, and waiting to be directed by a parent or other siblings
    3. Has things they want to do, ie: hobby or play
    4. Not sure what is expected of them every day (unless there is a chore chart and things are spelled out ahead of time.)

    For some of us, the rules and the assignments are clearly laid out and everyone knows the routine and what their job is within the context of a family, and for other families, the parents take on the main responsibly. The end result of that is the parents are upset, angry, and frustrated that all of the work lands on their shoulders. Moms and Dads with little ones, I get it! But, there is help… family, friends, people from church, babysitters. We can enlist the help of others or just take things off of your list. We can be our own worse enemies. I use to give myself so many to-dos in one day there was no way I could get 1/3 of the things on my list completed. Does this sound familiar.

    So, here is the issue. Most of the time the big picture is not laid out.

    1. We are a family.
    2. We are on the same team.
    3. We want only good for our family.
    4. We want our kids to grow, prosper, and learn.
    5. We want to work toward a common goal!

    But what is that goal?

    1. Children who are well rounded, love the Lord.
    2. Happy family, enjoying each other’s company.
    3. Household chores shared. Chores clearly explained.
    4. School Scheduled: School 5 days a week? 4-Days a week?
    5. Day off Scheduled? Vacation? Days for catching up? Field trips? Extracurricular?

    Kids:

    1. You are part of a family.
    2. You have an obligation to learn.
    3. You have an obligation to follow family rules.
    4. You have an obligation to help out and volunteer if not asked.

    So, what’s the problem? Implementation and follow-through. I was great with the grandiose ideas, but it was the follow-through that had me stuck. Real-life got in the way. Issues with elderly parents, another pregnancy, or job issues with my husband’s career. But, if the kids know that we are all working together for a common goal this will be remedied and everyone can get on board.

    The Real Solution For Family and Homeschool Cooperation:

    1. Have a family meeting, let the kids know the issue at hand (mom and dad need help, we are all part of a family with the same goals, etc.).
    2. Ask the kids for their input if they are old enough to share ideas? You would be surprised/ shocked!
    3. Listen to all the ideas and advice and compromise and get their cooperation to make changes.
    4. Tell your children what you expect. Charts, lists, whatever it takes.
    5. Have routine family meetings, put it on the calendar, and update as needed.

    I pray your family enjoys a wonderful time making memories instead of working on discipline and frustration all of the time! And, I want to let you know about my other podcast, A Few Minutes with God Podcast for some short and encouraging faithful episodes! Check out Cooperate with God’s Grace here.

    The post Family and Homeschool Cooperation appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Problems With Socialism Oct 12, 2020

    Special Replay: Problems with Socialism – Episode 372

    What is the problem with getting everything for free? Isn’t that what socialism promises? Join Felice Gerwitz and Jeff Diest from the Mises Institute as they delve into this question.

    Visit our Sponsor – Truth Seekers Mystery Series

    We appreciate the totally unexpected and special offer by Jeff Diest who promised to send our listeners a special book!

    Recommended Books:

    “Tuttle Twins ” For younger children on economics

    “Economics” by Henry Hazlitt. This book was written in the 1940s.

    Today Felice welcomes the president of the Mises Institute – Jeff Diest.

    Jeff Diest on Twitter here

    Website: Mises Institute

    Jeff takes an active role in what is happening in our culture. Not necessarily a political role. He thinks we ought to organize our society around civil institutions, around families, and around markets because markets in my view are, are cooperative.

    Jeff states in this interview: I believe the marketplaces represent people coming together and doing things voluntarily and that a lot of people worry about what they think of as free-market fundamentalism. Regardless of our own particular viewpoints, we can start to agree when we look at the 20th century and what’s unfolding in the 21st, that government is really not the best boss for us. And certainly not a faraway government in Washington DC that purports to rule over 330 million people with exceedingly diverse interests. We’ve become far too centralized in DC, and with the Supreme Court and with federal preemption of state law and that sort of thing. So long story short, I’m someone who had an opportunity to meet Ron Paul a long time ago when I was an undergraduate in college and just became interested in markets and economics as a result.

    Felice:
    We probably have some diversity of opinion on what we believe, but the point I want to make today is that we have to educate ourselves and be able to talk to people who think differently than we do, which is very important. And, and be civil about it, which is another thing that is very important. What concerns me, Jeff is the problem with socialism.

    Jeff :

    Ludvig von Mises was a giant of economics in the 20th century and to an extent, folks on the left and even some folks on the right tried to underplay or dismiss his contributions in the 20th century. But that’s really been largely rectified. I think now, even his strongest critics would say that he was a very, very influential figure. And, and for our purposes today, he wrote a book in the 1920s called “Socialism.” And it remains today, maybe one of the most readable and most accurate criticisms of a centrally planned economy. What would later unravel in the former Soviet Union? What would later bring into turmoil Nazi Germany, which affected his life in Vienna, Austria, very much. And ultimately as a Jew, he fled Vienna to Munich for a period and then ultimately to New York City, which is how he became you know, a de facto American later in his life.

    So he wrote, “Human Action,” (Free PDF on the Mises website here) which is one of his most important books a couple of decades later. And he wrote it in English, which was not his first language and it’s really the comprehensive treaty or treatise, I should say for modern free market economics. So he was a very influential guy, but more importantly someone who really understood what socialism was and what it could evolve into up close. And someone who tried to caution the world about it.

    And I guess the question for our audience today is whether we listened and whether we’ve done the work to read and study history and really understand what socialism, materials and you know. Earlier we were talking off the air that sometimes conservatives are a little dismissive towards the threat and saying, oh, come on, America will never become socialist. And that might sound right in the sense that we’re not on the cusp of nationalizing whole industries.

    We are going to have private ownership businesses and, and stock markets presumably for quite some time. But socialism is more than that. When we talk about ownership, what we really mean is control. So when we think about how the government controls industries, how the government controls business as an individuals, even though it doesn’t necessarily own those businesses the measure of control and the degree of control has been growing and growing and growing throughout the 20th century. And it’s increasing now. So when we look at, let’s say, the slate of Democratic candidates for the 2020 presidential election you know, the things that they advocate are absolute socialists. They want more and more control regulations, taxes, et cetera, over private industry. So if we, if we step back and look at the United States today, we could say that America is socialist in its educational system because so much of it is government ride.

    You could say America’s socialist in its healthcare system because so much of it is government run or controlled by legislation like Obamacare. You could say the same about law. You could say the same about banking. You could say the same about energy. So there are, there are industries in America, fast industries that basically dance to the tune of the US federal government. So even though we’re not socialist in the sense that we still have nominally private businesses. We are becoming more socialists slowly but inexorably. So that’s a concern. And I don’t think it serves us well to, to just be dismissive of that. I think when the left tells us who they are, we ought to listen.

    Felice:

    I agree. And, and I feel that people are saying why are many of the young people buying into this and why do they think it’s so great? I feel that our education system has done a great job in changing the opinions of our children. I remember reading a book in the early 90’s about data mining the information of our school kids. (“Educating for the New World Order, by B.K. Eakman – the true story about how Anita Hoge won a case against the US government before it went to court and she could make her case public!)

    Anita Hoge (Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HogeAnita) She is still fighting today trying to change the system. The goals of the schools have been and they still are to this day to change our kids’ opinions. So, when you get to the point where we are today almost 40 years later, you have what we find in the high schools and colleges. The opinions many kids have in the public and private schools are not in alignment with their parents at all!

    Jeff:

    With socialism people no longer bear responsibility as much for their actions, and when people no longer enjoy the success of their actions as much, then that kills incentives. And if there’s one thing economists tend to agree on, maybe only one thing, it said incentives do in fact matter. And so when, when people like Bernie Sanders or I hate to say it, your local teacher at a public high school wax on about socialism being a happy, healthy thing that just wants to care about people and make the world more fair. They’re trying to impress upon young people the idea of socialism being Denmark or Sweden or something like that. They don’t want to talk about the former Soviet Union. They don’t want to talk about Venezuela, they don’t want to talk about China.

    So what a lot of people don’t understand of course, is history. Americans in general, not just young people, don’t know much about the rest of the world or even our own country. And, and beyond that we don’t know or understand much about economics. So this leaves the population ripe to this idea that well, socialism is just about being kind and providing a social safety net and having free health care and lots of good affordable housing and you know, free college education, these sorts of things. But it’s not that big bad a form of socialism, you know, outright communism that we had in the former Soviet Union. It’s going to be a nice soft kind of thing. And, and you know, that can actually work for a period if you have a population that’s very hardworking and that has a lot of inherited capital culturally and otherwise, like some of the Nordic countries.

    But over just a few a generations, socialism always devolves into something where instead of being egalitarian, you end up with a very, very, very segregated ruling elite at the top and everybody else doing worse and worse with rationing and shortages and a lower standard of living. So it’s not rocket science. Even a lot of people on the left admit that markets work and that creates more prosperity. The question is just whether or not young people will attempt to overturn what we think of as American capitalism is as jaundiced and impure as it might be. Whether they really want to overturn that in exchange for at the least a style of European social democracy or maybe something beyond that.

    So it’s our job to counter, especially for those listening who homeschool. It’s our immediate task to counter what people are hearing from their peers, from their teachers– even from mainline churches. This is a full-scale war. This is a multi-front war. That culture is arrayed against us. And so part of the cultural war is fighting back against the idea that socialism is benign.

    Elites in this country are not simply financial elites. That’s certainly a big part of it. But there are also elites in the sense of media and academia and government who aren’t necessarily personally wealthy. So when we talk about who controls things, we don’t need to get into conspiracies. All human beings exhibit self-interest. So the idea that people who are sort of running things in any society would like to continue running things doesn’t require any conspiracy mindedness. It just requires an honest assessment of human behaviors.

    If we look at a lot of the institutions controlled by the United States, in the 20th century, we should rejoice that they’re being challenged and questioned. And some of them are crumbling. People are no longer view the Ivy Leagues and the products of the Ivy League as they once did. People no longer view the US Congress and the US Senate as these noble institutions. The same with the Supreme Court. The same with a lot of nonprofits, with media institutions. So it’s good.

    It’s good that we’re questioning elites because anti-elitism is warranted. They screwed things up. I mean, if elites had done a good job in the 20th century, we’d have better foreign policy and diplomacy. We’d have a better dollar. We’d have a better healthcare system, we’d have a better education system. When I hear populism blamed or the idea that anti-elitism is unintellectual or something like that, I always, I always want to ask the person, well, what is it that the elites were doing so well that we should stay the course? I mean, there’s a reason why Brexit happened.

    There’s a reason why Trump won. These events didn’t occur in a vacuum because everything was going so swimmingly and Hillary Clinton was going to be the next version of technocratic rule. There’s a reason all this happened. And so our job is to understand it and, and also to offer some alternatives, not just to moan and complain. And homeschooling is a great alternative. I don’t view homeschooling as dropping out or sequestering your kids or anything like that. I view it as a very affirmative and positive choice for people who understand that they have a choice and that they’re responsible for their children’s education upbringing. And it’s not enough to just sort of turn those kids over for seven hours a day to a bunch of strangers who don’t necessarily have their or your best interest in mind.

    So I, I think homeschooling is, is one of the most revolutionary acts by which one can strike a blow as a society and culture and a government seems oppressive. So Kudos to you and your audience because I know it’s not easy. It is a tough, tough road and it involves a lot more work than just dropping your kid off at school. And, and it’s the most important thing because there’s nothing more important than education is as much as I dislike some of the things our government does, I don’t think revolutions generally work out best for anybody. So I think our revolution has to be intellectual and it certainly starts right at home.

    It’s socialism versus freedom and you know that this state is not the best to organize society. The government, if you believe in it at all, ought to have a very small role as a referee and a judge perhaps, and not much else that it ought not to be an active participant in society like it certainly has become, or what I’m talking about at first, the US Federal Central Government. So what at animates the left today is the doctrine of egalitarianism. And that has really become a religion unto itself. And socialism is a part of that.

    Socialism is sort of the economic and political end of that, but egalitarianisms bigger–it is a religion. When people question egalitarianism you know, even pragmatically and you ask “Gee Whiz, when you raise the minimum wage because you think it’s going to help the poorest workers, it actually dislocates some and causes a lot of them to lose their jobs and they’re made worse off.” The reason you get such a vitriolic or emotional response is because you have challenged something that is an article of faith on the left.

    Egalitarianism is not necessarily a rational worldview or mindset because of course, it’s so at odds with human nature and human experience. So it’s rude, but it’s very powerful. I mean, the idea of creating a more equal society is a very, very powerful and effective narrative. And we can understand why it works and why it holds appeal, especially with young people. It tugs at the heartstrings. So the fact that it produces the opposite of what it purports is something that requires some critical thinking and taking a few more steps and doesn’t always lend itself to sound bytes.

    Like, well, let’s have medicare for all. Well, Gee Whiz, that sounds great. What’s the cost as opposed to what? So, you know, we have to, we have to appeal to the segment of the population that’s willing to go a little deeper and think a little harder. And, and I don’t think we should shy away from that.

    Well, I think you have to get hyper-local, you know, hen something sounds philosophical or sounds overwhelming or daunting, I think you have to start at home and then work outward in concentric circles. So I would love to see people a lot more concerned about their town or their region. Then, you know, the Federal Government and America at large. I’m not a big fan of taxes, but if I have to pay them, I’d rather pay 80% to my state and 20% to Washington DC instead of the other way around. I think things can be improved locally. I think that that locally you can make a bigger difference get involved with education or schooling or whatever it might be. So there’s more to life than just the national politics. There are all kinds of things happening and below that. And, and I think you start with figuring out your own family situation and, and moving out from there. I mean, that’s, that’s the most important thing. No question.

    The post Special Replay: Problems With Socialism appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Homeschool Perfection Oct 05, 2020

    Homeschool Perfection | In your homeschool journey, you may seek homeschool perfection. But, what happens when you fall short? In this special edition celebrating our seventh year as a podcast network, Felice shares some of her insider's tips. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #homeschooltips #homeschoolhelp #realhomeschool #homeschoolinfoHomeschool Perfection – Episode 413

    In your homeschool journey, you may seek homeschool perfection. But, what happens when you fall short? In this special edition celebrating our seventh year as a podcast network, Felice shares some of her insider’s tips.

    Please visit Media Angels and our Media Angels Membership!

    Check out our special blog post here, How to Create Your Perfect Homeschool

    Currently, we are celebrating our 7th Birthday! Join our celebration we have an entire month in October to enjoy the giveaways. Go here to sign up for a gift card to win big. Two winners selected. If you missed our giveaway, no worries! You can get our free planners each month. Currently, they are based on character.

    Here are some past episodes JUST for the kids. Of course, there are over 400 episodes of homeschool moms for you, mom!

    Choosing Good Behavior

    Family Loyalty

    Winning Science Fair Projects

    Time Management for Kids

    Time Management for Teens

    This podcast is based on a detailed interview I gave, the link is above. In this interview, one of the main questions I covered was relationships, starting with your husband. A homeschool only goes as well as your relationship with God, and with your spouse. Everything else will fall into place. Being home together has brought out the good and the bad in each of us! It has helped us to look at things and examine ourselves. In this episode, I talk more about this and the ways to communicate nicely! Set some ground rules, if you didn’t do this early in your marriage there is no time like the present!

    1. Talk to your spouse about the issues.
    2. No character assassination (no demeaning comments.)
    3. Uplift each other.
    4. Be thankful each day for something (about each other, your family, etc.)

    I discussed what I would do if I could “do-over” my homeschool journey. The first thing is the more unit studies in the younger grades. I didn’t start out this way but when I changed to this method my homeschooling went so much better. Another is that for non-college-bound students to be open to more creative ways of homeschooling. What is your child interested in and how will you help your child attain their goals and find employment after homeschooling? It’s easy to do textbooks and workbooks, but true learning takes place when the children can experience the information. Also, a solid formation in the Word of God and especially a creationist perspective to science. When your child realizes that God created the world and all people, there is not prejudice and there is a stronger focus on a Christian worldview. So, secular science rarely takes hold!

    Enjoy this episode and be sure to join our email list and never miss another show or a special offer!

    The post Homeschool Perfection appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Raising Moral Kids In An Immoral Society Sep 28, 2020

    raising moral kids in an immoral societyLet’s Talk About Raising Moral Kids In An Immoral Society with Felice Gerwitz

    Podcast #126

    Help! I want to raise moral kids, but this is such a hard time to do so, right? It depends. In every society, there was moral decay and while I will be the first to agree that the moral climate today is horrible – I am encouraged by what I see around me. Tune into this podcast to be encouraged and supported as you strive to raise moral kids.

    Show Notes:

    Here is the ideal –

    How are Homeschool Parents changing the culture?

    1. They are the people that are grounded in faith in Christ first and all else second
      1. They are focused on their marriage and their kids.
      2. They are the people who swim against the flow.
      3. The ones who don’t care what others think – but only what their spouse or kids think.
      4. The ones devoted and focused on providing a great education while developing their children’s gifts and talents.
      5. The ones who are encouraging, nurturing and enthusiastic about their kids and their progress – even if it is one step forward and two back on some days.
      6. They are the parents that are more concerned that their children are fed than the laundry, house or perfection is attained.

    Are Homeschooled Students changing the culture?

      1. They love the Lord before everything else and are encouraged to have a personal relationship with Jesus no matter what their denomination
      2. They realize that they should be thankful for the little or the much they are given and always be thankful to the Lord for their gifts.
      3. Homeschoolers that change the culture are those that don’t buy into the culture.
      4. They are the ones with parents who are caring, encouraging and nurturing.
      5. They are the ones who are encouraged in whatever area their talents lie – my granddaughter and crafts – mass producing things…
      6. They are encouraged to pursue greatness.
      7. They are challenged by their education and seeking the best they can be.

    Now – how do you attain this? Listen to this broadcast – and here are some questions to ponder:

    1. Do you have time to pray?
    2. What are the rules in your family?
    3. What does your family stand for?
    4. Do you encourage?
    5. Do you enjoy your kids?
    6. Do you have the time to devote to your family?
    7. How do you plan to change the moral culture in your family?
    8. What are ways you can introduce good books that teach morality by example and the lives of others?

    Photo Credit: All Rights Reserved 2016. DepositPhoto.com, Copyright © sundikova

    The post Special Replay: Raising Moral Kids In An Immoral Society appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Time Management For Parents Sep 28, 2020

    Time Management For Parents | There is hope! Are you ready for time managment that will help you to reclaim your day and feel good at the end? Is this too good to be true? No, it is a reality and if I can do it, you can as well. How does it happen? Well, very easily with one sheet of paper and four squares. #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #timemanagement #managingyourtime #managingtimeTime Management Parents Episode 412

    There is hope! Are you ready for time managment that will help you to reclaim your day and feel good at the end? Is this too good to be true? No, it is a reality and if I can do it, you can as well. How does it happen? Well, very easily with one sheet of paper and four squares. Today I will help you figure out the main issues that steal your time and the hope on how to reclaim it.

    Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. – Media Angels Membership

    Let’s get our time management back!

    Does your day lack focus? Are you overwhelmed with the shuffling of papers, trying to get school “done” and keep up with the household chores? You can see why there is such burn out among moms, and especially moms who homeschool. Even at the beginning of the year! I have to say I struggled with this for many years and it left me feeling tired, defeated, and like I wasn’t getting anything accomplished each day. I felt like a young mom with little children, if I kept everyone safe by the end of the day it was a win!

    However, I wanted so much more. Especially for those who are new to homeschooling or even if you are a pro, you need the help that comes from getting all of your ducks in a row. Let me cut to the chase here. I was out of time because my time was managing me instead of the other way around. What was interrupting my day? Easy, three things:

    1. Talking on the phone (substitute social media here and texting).
    2. No set schedule with household chores.
    3. Disobedient kids

    I had a defeatist attitude and could not wait until my husband came home so I could dump all of my daily woes on him, and guess what? That didn’t work out too well. My husband ran his own business and often needed my help to do the payroll, or help with management and the details of filing payroll taxes, filling out forms and so much more.

    Fast forward, and we raised five kids and have not one but three businesses that we run out of our homes, successfully. How did this happen? Believe me, it was not overnight but now I can share those tips and techniques with you, and these are even better than what I had in my toolbox at the time.

    Rules are made to be broken, but sometimes you can look at them as good suggestions, so take heart as I share some quick ones with you.

    1. Just because you get an idea it does not mean you have to act on it right now. Write it down and look at it at lunchtime, or after dinner, and plan for it. Quickly one thing I do not do even with a business is looking at emails in the morning – emails such the life and my day away from me. Unless I have planned for this, I don’t do it until after lunch. People who really need to get hold of me quickly know how to do this. Everything else can wait.
    2. I learned my time wasters. See number one – but there were others. I let myself get sidetracked and once I learned the keys to keeping myself on track it worked.
    3. Make a plan and stick to it – I know, for those of you kindred spirits that are spontaneous. But believe me, it works.
    4. Every self-help book or how to get organized is not going to help you get organized if you refuse to do what it suggests (same with this broadcast)
    5. Seek help when needed.

    I think that is important to note that many times we think an issue is one problem when it is really something else. Another issue with time management is that we have false expectations or perhaps, no expectations at all! So first it is homework time. I am going to encourage you to stop this recording and write out your most pressing need and what you hope to accomplish. What is your main expectation? Is it a peaceful home, is it happiness that surpasses all understanding, is it kids that get along, laundry washed, dried and folded and put away in one day, is it meals planned? What is that? What is important to you?

    So the first thing to do is look at your expectations, hopes dreams, and break them down into a day, week, month or even a year. Remember the old saying, “Rome wasn’t built in one day.” But I am going to add my Felice twist here – “But the fires that destroyed Rome were set on purpose.”

    What fires are you setting for yourself? I’ve looked at my expectations and goals and realized that they were so grandiose, and my expectation so unattainable that I was setting myself up for failure and it wasn’t going to happen even with a household of full-time employees! SO, let’s get realistic. I’m not going to tell you the platitudes I’ve read like, “make every minute count” or “delegate” or “make easy to serve meals.” This is a duh, duh, and double duh. We are talking about surviving the day here. But what I will tell you is that you need to use what you have on hand.

    I’m an author, which I do believe most of you know and years ago my daughter wanted to write a novel. I told her, “Christina, I don’t know how to write a novel,” and she said, “Mom, we are homeschoolers, we will figure it out.”

    Moms and Dads if you are listening. You may or may not be homeschoolers – but if there is something you want to do, you can figure it out. The one novel turned out to be three and sold in catalogs such as Christian Book Distributors, currently on Amazon and my website, MediaAngels.com and have been around the world. We figured it out.

    What is important to you. The list usually looks like this:

    1. Need to manage the kids.
    2. Need to manage the home.
    3. Need to teach school (for those who are homeschooling.)
    4. Need time with my spouse.
    5. Need to keep my sanity.

    Kids always seem to be number one when they should not hold that revered position. As a Christian, the first thing that should be on the list is a time of prayer. I’ve talked about this before, but the days I did not wake up, grab a cup of coffee, my Bible and have a short prayer session with the Lord was the day that all heck broke loose.

    So, we need to rearrange the list and have it look something like this.

    1. Keep my sanity. Begin the day with God.
    2. Time with my spouse – figure out when to have a meaningful conversation, spend time and date night even if it means to put the kids to bed and grab some popcorn and watch a movie at home.
    3. Manage my home. What is pressing? Laundry? Food? Use your weekends, bulk cook, and freeze. Just like a copy machine is a blessing to every homeschool family, so is an upright or chest freeze.
    4. Manage my kids. Mean what you say and say what you mean. Follow through. Practice good behavior, if this means having your kids repeat after you, do it. I have several audios on this topic and I also have audios I have created for the kids, see links below. Have your kids listen to them. Side note here – Tell your kids you are on the same side. Sometimes I think we are in a battle and the kids need to know there is one leader, it is you as a parent and the troops need to file in… if you do not have a set of consequences this is important to think about. Ahead of time.
    5. School! Yes, this is last. My kids learned despite my beautifully created curriculum or lessons. Read, read, and read. If you want your kids to learn life lessons do it in books, if you want your kids to learn math get a curriculum. I have a series of character quality free downloads I give away every month on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network, you can sign up to get them and past sets are for sale on my website at MediaAngels.com. why is this? Because prior to the 1960s character was infused and morality in schools, families, and churches. Now, it is all revisionist and secular. Interestingly I read a quote recently from a past president that shocked me. In the words of John Adams: “Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any others.”Friends this is the key, we must bring morality and all that is good and holy into our homes. If that means restricting screen time, do it – if it means only watching good movies, get Pureflix. I realize this is a challenge for some of you but I have faith in you, you can do it!

    Lastly the key here – how to do it how to get organized. Fast Track.

    1. One week at a glance. Take a sheet of paper and draw a horizontal line and a vertical line. So, it has 4 squares. Faith, Kids, School Household. You can use different headings on each of these squares for whatever you want. This is an overall sketch of what you are going to do and accomplish. The weekly goals if you will. You will not get detailed with the kid’s schooling, other than maybe to put a time frame, or perhaps books you are going to read as a family, etc.
    2. Square one: Faith you can add spouse there as well. But first, you need to get right with God. You need to be filled up before you can pour into others. My show – AFewMinutesWithGodPodcast.com
    3. Square two: Kids – what are your overall goals – is there something in particular or one kid, in particular, that is the squeaky wheel that needs help. Whether it is academic or discipline. At a time of war they always went after the leader, so if there is one child that is leading the others astray begin there.
    4. School. Once again the overarching here – do you have a field trip, are you going to do a science experiment, watch a specific video -put this on your list.
    5. Household. When are you doing the laundry, prepare meals – you can have a start time, etc … list it here:

    Whatever you use make it work for you! Make it your own. I really do believe you can figure this out and reclaim your time. Time management is you managing time and making an effort to not allow it to manage you!

    Resources: Past Vintage Homeschool Moms Podcasts and Show notes to help you!

    1. I have several past podcasts and if you look at the show notes page, you will see links to download a bunch of forms!
      1. Here is one on Homeschool Forms another on
    2. Last-minute Christmas prep – contains 4-square planner
    3. Running Your Home Like a CEO
    4. Easy Way Planning link here

    The post Time Management For Parents appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Discipline Success Sep 14, 2020

    Do you have discipline success in your home?Let’s Talk About Discipline Success with Felice Gerwitz

    Do your children know what you expect? Do you have discipline success in your home? Do your children know how to answer and when to come? Having children who are obedient and follow your lead is very important, but following these seven simple steps can be very helpful.

    See the show notes below.

    Don’t forget to click the subscribe button and follow on iTunes or download your copy today!

    Show Notes:

    1. Explain what you expect ahead of time.
    2. Teach your children how to listen
      • use simple techniques
      • practice coming when you call
      • practice appropriate responses
      • short explanations and sentences
      • set boundaries
    3. Implement Disciplinary Measures
      • identify the issue
      • find a solution
      • explain consequences
      • ask if the understand – tell you back
      • follow through
    4. Set guidelines
    5. Activities that build self-discipline
    6. Set up kids for success
    7. Use affirmations

    Graphic Credit: Depositphoto.com All Rights Reserved Copyright Wavebreakmedia

    The post Special Replay: Discipline Success appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Time Management for Teens Sep 07, 2020

    Time Management For Teens | More in our series on time management, this show is for teens with The Homeschool Highschool Podcast, Vicki Tillman. Learn how to take your time back and learn about doing a time audit.  |#timemanagement #timemanagementforteens #forteens #takebackyourtime #timeTime Management For Teens – Episode 411

    More in our series on time management, this show is for teens with The Homeschool Highschool Podcast, Vicki Tillman. Learn how to take your time back and learn about doing a time audit.

    Special Guest: Vicki Tillman, who is one of the voices behind The Homeschool High School Podcast.

    Check out Vicki’s Coaching: VickiTillmanCoaching.com

    Listen to the podcast for the full conversation, here are some points we covered:

    Vicki is a counselor and life, and career coach and she has been doing this for close to thirty years, and she has had to learn time management skills in order to juggle all those hats.

    The digital age encourages distraction, with notifications popping up and too many tabs open, it’s really hard to keep our time under control.

    Don’t wait until your children are teenagers. You know, if you’ve got them at that age, great, we can, we can work with whatever we have because we’re flexible because we’re homeschool parents, we just make it work. But encourage it as the kids are younger. When they’re younger, we can start enlisting some of these skills and encouraging them.

    So one of the things that I think helps, especially when you are at the place where you have multiple ages in the house is to remember … that as moms, we have this picture in our heads of what we really want to accomplish, but we have to let God guide our footsteps and to be able to humbly set aside the things that just aren’t going to happen in the chaos of a day. But there are some things that we have to learn to structure and manage so that we can actually get education done with everybody that needs that.

    So I have some ideas that I have used with my kids in our local homeschoolers that I’ve worked with over the years is the battle of time. When do they wake up to begin their day? Sometimes that’s not a battle you want to argue about. And sometimes it is, and it takes prayer. What character are we developing right now? But one of the things to do is to notice that there’s not one kind of high schooler. Some kids are the kind that requires your help to learn, to manage their time because they will just game all day or they’ll check out YouTube all day. Or they are naturally distractible or go with the flow.

    And so they need some structures and some tools. And then there are some kids who are born structured, they get up in the morning and they want to get everything done, and they are working really hard. And those kids, you have to teach them time management. So they learn to turn that off and rest and hang out and, and let their brains and bodies do some other things besides being productive.

    Know your kids and allow God, to show you what they need and help work with them in that way. So I’ll start with the easy ones, the ones that are naturally structured and will overwork themselves. One of the things that I suggest is to teach them how to do a time audit.

    So it’s really simply put a time audit is to look at how we spend our time.

    In this way, you can look at how you spend your time, and make sure you are not doing something you’re not supposed to be doing.

    Have your teens write down every single thing they did and how much time they did it. And then after the end of a week or two weeks, if there’s a lot of variety in the things that you do you make a pie chart of those activities. And you look at this, these slices of pie. So a big slice of pie is for sleep, another slice of pie for meals, this slice of pie for study this slice of pie for chores, this for extracurricular, this is for friend time. This is for chilling and watching television or whatever. All the pieces of the pie are there. And then sit with your teen and say, is this how you want your pie to look? Do you see things that you’d need to change? I need more time for devotions or I haven’t spent any time with a friend in weeks. And then help them kind of redraw that pie that looks like a life with balance. Be sure to include time for self- care so that they stay healthy and don’t get too anxious.

    And so for us moms, if we do the same, we will find some times that we have slices of pie that aren’t useful. Like the “death scroll” on Facebook. Now I can check Facebook once a day and that’s it. So you know, a timeout is just a wonderful thing for the type of kids who can’t turn off, who the ones that are over-structured. Okay.

    When people see how much time they typically spend on that kind of thing, (like social media) then they can put that in perspective and say, okay, you know, I’ll put a timer on.

    Listen to the podcast for the remainder of the interview.

    The post Time Management for Teens appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Time Management For Kids Aug 30, 2020

    Time Management | What is the one thing you can't get back? Time. In this episode, we talk about time management for kids and how to learn to take charge of your time. You will be surprised how much time you gain! Another episode just for kids.| #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #justforkids #timemanagement #makingtime #takingbacktime #kidspodcast #kids #lessonsforkids #learnabouttimeTime Management For Kids – Episode 410

    What is the one thing you can’t get back? Time. In this episode, we talk about time management for kids and how to learn to take charge of your time. You will be surprised how much time you gain! Another episode just for kids.

    Check out this episode just for kids!

    1. Kids Making Good Decisions.
    2. Choosing Good Behavior
    3. Family Life

    Books for tweens – Truth Seekers Mystery Series.

    Are you on time? Always? Sure, it is hard to be on time especially when you think you have lots of time and why should you hurry. Besides everyone will wait for you, right?

    Well, surprise! I bet you will get in trouble if you are late or make your family wait. So, today we are going to discuss time. This is time you can never get back.

    Punctuality means being early or on time. In fact, some people think if you are on time that means you are late.

    What do you think? Do you like being late?

    Do you like waiting for other people?
    Most people have an opinion on this and I am sure this is something you can talk to your family about, but one thing to think about is this. Punctuality has to do with respect. People who are late show think more highly of their time than the time of others. Does this mean you don’t care? Maybe. But more than likely it means you have not given it any thought because once we think of respect, I am sure you think this is important for all people.

    So, the first thing I want you to do is to look at your time. How do you manage your time? Most kids don’t manage their time because they don’t have to. You have parents who tell you when to get up or when it is time to eat. When it is time to do your schoolwork or go to church. We are managed by a family that loves and supports us. But, at some point we need to be responsible for our own time.

    Look at what you like to do. If you could have a day that is all yours to plan what would you do? What does your dream day look like? This may be a topic you want to think about. You may include some of these points: sleeping in or getting up early, eating your favorite foods, watching a movie or reading a book, playing with your friends, going to a park, or maybe a trip to the zoo. Your time would be spent on the things you enjoy. So, let’s look at that list and go to a hobby. A hobby is something you like to do in your spare time. How can you fit this in when your day is filled with the things you have to do? That is what time management is all about. You manage your time so that you can fit in some fun things.

    But, you might say you are busy with school work and chores and you have not time. Hmm… let’s look at this. What do you do when you are busy with school and chores? Are you doing them well and quickly or are you wasting time? If you look at how you spend your time you will earn that while it may be fun to laugh at your brother or sister, or lose a book and have to spend time finding it, or forget that you have an assignment…in the long run you are only hurting yourself.

    So, let’s go through a list:

    1. How do you want to spend your free time?
    2. What can you do to stop wasting time?
    3. What are some things you have to do each day that can be done quicker?

    Another surprise is that I am sure your mom or dad will definitely help you to gain more time in your day, because you know what? If you are more productive–that means you get more things done well and quickly, that gives your family more time as well. This means you respect each other, you respect each other’s time and you are happy to get your chores and school work done because you have a goal at the end, and that is spending time doing the things you enjoy!

    Good work and good effort is often rewarded. It is rewarded by the knowledge that you did your best and it is practice for the future. I really wish someone had taught me how to manage my time when I was younger. I will have another session on time management for teens upcoming. I am excited about your future because with more time it will allow you to explore things that you are passionate about. Think about all of the amazing inventors such as Thomas Edison, The Wright Brothers and Benjamin Franklin to name a few. As kids, they were constantly experimenting and thinking about new ideas and look at what they did as adults. Now is your time and I hope you use it wisely!

    The post Time Management For Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Winning Science Fair Projects Aug 24, 2020

    Felice Gerwitz shares her insider's tips for winning science fair projects with all of you! , Felice Gerwitz shares her love of science fairs with you!Let’s Talk About Winning Science Fair Projects with Felice Gerwitz

    Episode #135

    From the author of An Insider’s Guide to Successful Science Fair Projects, Felice Gerwitz shares her insider’s tips for winning science fair projects with all of you! , Felice Gerwitz shares her love of science fairs with you! As a past judge and mom of winning participants, Felice has had her share of directing her children to seek the answers to their questions. In this episode, Felice explains the nuances of science fair projects, what is required, the schedule and the truth when it comes to getting a project that catches the judge’s attention.

    Show Notes Winning Science Fair Projects

    Did you know that even a winning science fair project can be disqualified if it doesn’t have some key ingredients? Your project is in jeporady unless you know the rules and some insider’s tips. Here are some of the topics covered in this podcast.

    1. What is a science fair?
    2. Dates for science fair
    3. What makes a good project?
    4. How to set up your board
    5. Importance of procedure and following the rules
    6. The importance of the abstract

    Resources:

    1. International Science and Engineering Fair – ISEF – Science
    2. Science Fair Portal for ideas here
    3. Confidence to Teach your child science projects
    4. Do a project in one day – seriously.
    5. An interesting array of projects

    An Insider’s Guide to Successful Science Fair Projects

    E-Book- An Insider's Guide to Successful Science Fair Projects

    Graphics credit: DepositPhoto.com 2016, All Rights Reserved. Copyright© Sandralise

    The post Special Replay: Winning Science Fair Projects appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Family Loyalty: For Kids Aug 17, 2020

    Family Loyalty | Do you have family loyalty? Do you know what it means to be loyal? In this episode we are going to talk about your family, your parents, and those adults in charge of you. And we are going to talk about that and so much more. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #familyloyalty #loyaltytofamily #loyalkids #kidsandfamilyloyalty #kidsandfamily #familydynamics Family Loyalty: For Kids Episode 409

    Do you have family loyalty? Do you know what it means to be loyal? In this episode we are going to talk about your family, your parents, and those adults in charge of you. And we are going to talk about that and so much more. Another episode for the kids!

    Listen to these past episodes just for kids!

    1. Kids Making Good Decisions.
    2. Making Good Choices – Why Should You?

    Books for tweens – Truth Seekers Mystery Series.

    What do you think being loyal means? If you said it has to do with standing by someone or some idea or purpose these are all correct. We hear about loyalty when we think about the military. The men who fight for our country to keep us safe, they are loyal to an idea or a cause. When people described people that were loyal they used the word chivalry. Chivalry means to protect, to be honest, to be kind and to care even to the point of giving your life. But did you know being loyal applies to your parents and your family as well?

    So, again – let’s think about this word loyalty. Are your parents loyal to you?

    Your parents put you first, above people not in your family, right? They feed you, make sure you have clothes to wear and a place to sleep. And, for homeschoolers you know your parents are your teachers. You listen to your teachers whether it is a parent or a teacher outside of the home. So, what happens when someone tells you to trust? Well, trust is earned for the most part. If you are a kid, maybe you have lost your parent’s trust by making the wrong choices. But, generally, people who are authority figures should be trusted.

    Do you remember in your early grades you studied about community helpers? These are people who had jobs within a community where you live that serve in a job that helps, for example, law enforcement, teachers, firefighters, emergency personnel like ambulance drivers and EMTs or paramedics. These are people in authority. There are many people that fall into this category. They pretty much get our trust because they are an authority figure. You really don’t want to argue with a firefighter who is trying to rescue you from a burning building.

    Well, our parents are authority figures as well. Some parents are great and some, well not so much. Some kids in a family are great, some are not so great, but no family is perfect. We all make mistakes and when we do, we should all apologize and say we are sorry. I have written many apology notes to my kids during times when I messed up. Yes, even adults make mistakes. But we are still a family.

    We should have family loyalty. It is important. Maybe you yell at your siblings but if someone else says something bad about them you want to fight with that person to defend your sister or brother, or maybe mom or dad. We should be loyal to our family because we know our family cares about us, even if they do not always show us they care.

    Who put your family together? Are you a person of faith? If so, you believe that God had a hand in putting your family together. Maybe you wish that God didn’t give you the family you have because you think another family is better. God gives us all free will, we are not puppets, and we can make our own choices. Some people make good choices and others do not. So, where does that leave us?

    But why have family loyalty? Why is that important? For some of you, you may think that is a strange question. I started thinking about this the other day when I caught the tail end of a superhero movie on television. Well, I think it was a superhero – it was an X-Men movie–are they superhero? I don’t even know. Anyway, at the end of the movie I heard one of the characters say some words that I have heard before. I heard these in my college classes. It started with this:

    “Forget everything your parents have taught you.”

    What! Why would someone say that to you? Why should you forget everything your parents taught you?

    1. Would your parents teach you something that is bad?
    2. Would your parents want to harm you?
    3. Would your parents teach you something that your teachers or other authority figures may not want you to know?Hmm…

    You are a kid no matter how old you are. You will always be a kid to your parents. Your parents love you and they care about you. They want you to be loyal to your family and believe what they have taught you at home is right and just.

    1. Parents teach you about right and wrong.
    2. Parents teach you about faith.
    3. Parents teach you about values and morals. Basically, families teach you important things that they want you to learn.

    If someone tells you to forget everything your parents taught you and listen to them, doesn’t that make you suspicions? When I heard a teacher say that to me, this is what I thought.

    1. Why should I listen to you, OVER my parents? I don’t know you or what you believe.
    2. I will respect you if you are a teacher or authority figure, but you are making me pretty suspicious if you are telling me not to believe my parents.
    3. I will not believe everything YOU say, without thinking it through.

    An authority figure that tells you to forget what your parents say that does not know what your parents said, is wrong. Why do they say this? A fancy way of saying this is they have an agenda. They think they know better than your parents. They want you to think the same way they do, and they do not want you to have an opinion that is different from theirs. There was a movie God’s Not Dead and in that movie the professor wanted everyone to sign a piece of paper that said that God was a myth and the belief in God was not true. Everyone in the class signed the paper except for one student. And the professor was very angry with him, and tried all different ways to make him back down.

    This is why family loyalty is important but also what you believe. If you are confused, ask your parents.

    Many teachers really do a good job and they care. But, some teachers really don’t want you to have an opinion and view that is different than theirs. This happens to some adults at work as well. If people really care they should understand that we all think differently. Yes, even if we disagree. You should be allowed to have your opinions and other people should be allowed to have their opinions.

    So, why are we talking about family loyalty? Because if we are loyal to our families we:

    1. Put our family over your friends. We are committed to each other.
    2. We enjoy the family that God gave us.
    3. We stand up for members of our family.
    4. We stand with the members of our family.
    5. We work together as a family toward common goals.
    6. We make a commitment to our families.
    7. We encourage our family members and not put them down.

    Each one of you is amazing and important and each one of you—I believe was created in the image and likeness of God. God does not make junk! he made you and gave you to the family you have, and we make the best with our family. Our family is practice for the family you will someday be with and do your part to be the best you can.

    The post Family Loyalty: For Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Back to School Replay: Winning Science Fair Ideas Aug 10, 2020

    Winning Science Fair Ideas | Interested in what the judges look for? This podcast will help you by former science fair judge | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast
    Back to School Replay: Winning Science Fair Ideas with Felice Gerwitz

    Where do you find a great science fair idea? Do not say the library or the internet! It is an amazingly easy place and it all begins with (hint-hint) your child! If you hit on this your child will have a blast and you may be amazed at what they learn.

    From the author of An Insider’s Guide to Successful Science Fair Projects, Felice Gerwitz shares her insider’s tips with all of you!

    Winning Science Fair Ideas

    Show Notes

    1. Recap on science fair projects
    2. Where do you look for great ideas?
    3. What makes a great project?
    4. How to discover the key to a what judges want.
    5. Importance of procedure and following the rules

    Winning Science Fair Idea Resources

    1. Science Fair Portal for ideas here
    2. Confidence to Teach your child science projects
    3. Contests to enter – energy.gov
    4. Do a project in one day – seriously.
    5. An interesting array of projects

    Winners of the Educational Alliance Science Fair – Amazing Projects!

    An Insider’s Guide to Successful Science Fair Projects

    Winning Science Fair Ideas | An Insider's Guide to Successful Science Fair Projects

    Graphics credit: DepositPhoto.com 2016, All Rights Reserved. Copyright © serrnovik

    The post Back to School Replay: Winning Science Fair Ideas appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Kids Choosing Good Behavior Aug 03, 2020

    Choosing Good Behavior | Are you a kid? If you had a choice of choosing good behavior over bad, which would you pick? Is that a silly question? That is what I want to talk to you about today. You are going to be very surprised when I explain some things to you so that you can take charge of your actions. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #kidsgoodbehavior #goodbehaviorkids #justforkids #podcastforkids #character #goodbehaviorKids Choosing Good Behavior: ~Episode 408

    Are you a kid? If you had a choice of choosing good behavior over bad, which would you pick? Is that a silly question? That is what I want to talk to you about today. You are going to be very surprised when I explain some things to you so that you can take charge of your actions.

    Check out this episode – Kids Making Good Decisions.

    Books for tweens – Truth Seekers Mystery Series.

    I love talking to kids. I think you guys are great. You have so many good ideas, you are full of energy and fun. Even those of you that are quiet have amazing things to say if someone would take the time to listen to you. I have five kids and eight grandkids and each of them is a blessing. While we might not always agree, and yes my kids messed up (but so have I), I think they are amazing people. I really wish I could see you and tell you this while I am looking at you. But you are an amazing person. You may not think you are, but I believe that God made us and He does not make junk. I want you to think about that if you really do not think you are amazing and special. You are here for a reason. So, let’s begin!

    Do you know an adult in your life? Is it a mom, a dad, a grandparent, aunts, or uncles? Did you know that these adults in your life were once your age? I bet you don’t think about that often. Yes, we adults were once kids, we were teenagers, we were young adults, and we finally, after many years and possibly getting in trouble ourselves we grew up, got married and had kids of our own. We learned from our past mistakes and we want to pass on this wisdom to our kids. That is why you get in trouble. We do not want you to make small mistakes now that can turn into big mistakes later. And that means we want to teach you how to choose good behavior.

    It’s not easy to do what is right all the time, because no one is perfect. Right? Well, that may be true, but we can make our lives a whole lot easier if we take charge of our own behavior. Since I can’t see you, I don’t know if you are listening. But, I’m going to challenge you. If you want a happier life, please take the time to listen. As I talk, I will ask you some questions and you can stop this recording and answer them before you hear my remarks.

    I like kids who think for themselves. Do you think? Of course, you do. But do you think before you speak or act? Sometimes you do and sometimes you don’t. You see the problem is when you act badly, say or do the wrong things, sometimes you get in trouble and sometimes you don’t. So you might be confused.

    Let’s talk about what type of behavior gets you in trouble:

    1. Being disrespectful to your parents or adults (arguing, yelling, and saying, “no I didn’t do it.” when your parents clearly see you did.)
    2. Hitting others in your family. Many kids actually think this is fun!
    3. Breaking a rule. For example no snacks before dinner.
    4. Forgetting to do a chore or something your parent asked you to do.
    5. For homeschoolers – losing a book or not completing your schoolwork.

    Now, let’s take each of these things and talk about what won’t get you in trouble.

    1. Being respectful to your parents. If you mess up, saying you are sorry or taking responsibility for your actions.
    2. Keeping your hands, feet–you know, general body parts to your self.
    3. Following the rules.
    4. Remembering to do your chores or follow through if your parents ask you to do something.
    5. Keeping your books together and finishing your schoolwork.

    Wow, that was easy. Just be respectful, keep your hands to yourself, follow the rules, do your chores, and finish your schoolwork. So, what am I missing? How many of you think you can do this? Hmm… why or why not. Let’s think about this. Will life be easier and happier when you do what is right? Of course.

    Choosing Good Behavior: You Are Not A Puppet.

    Do you know what a puppet is? A puppet is controlled by someone else. The puppet has can’t think for itself or do something it wants to do on its own. Maybe you have never seen a puppet, but you know what I am talking about. A puppet has no free will. You on the other hand have free will. You can make decisions, you have a choice. You can decide to be the kind of person you want to be. Right? Do you agree? If not, why not?

    Do you want to know what I think? I think there are many reasons why kids get in trouble.

    1. Laziness. Sometimes it is easier to not obey.
    2. React out of anger or because you are upset.
    3. Don’t think about the consequences. If you do something wrong what will happen?
    4. You are a gambler. What does that mean? A gambler takes chances. You know what you are doing wrong and you hope that you either won’t get caught OR if you do get caught the punishment won’t be bad, or maybe you are hoping for no punishment at all.
    5. Simpy forget to do what you are supposed to do. And one reason this happens? You really don’t care.

    Did I forget anything? Is there another reason I did not list as to why you get in trouble?

    I think the reason most of us get into trouble is that we do not consider what will happen afterward. This is called cause and effect. If I drop a glass on a hard surface, like concrete on purpose what will happen? If you said break, you are correct. We know glass sometimes shatters. Not all glasses but most. Have you ever dropped a glass? Or spilled milk or water? Sure, everyone has accidents. The cause of the incident – in this case, the glass breaking was done on purpose. The effect of my dropping the glass is it breaks. What about the accident? That is different. If we did not mean to do something then while the cause is the same – we are at fault or we did it (we dropped the glass) the motivation – or the why we did it is different.

    So, let’s break this down.

    1. Things happen because we cause them. On purpose or by accident.
    2. We can sometimes control our actions or words and sometimes it is truly an accident.
    3. If we can control our words or actions, that means we are in charge.
    4. If we are in charge and are in control we can choose right or wrong. Because, hey, we are not a puppet.
    5. If we have a choice, which will we do?

    So, there you have it. Choosing good behavior is up to you. You are not a puppet. You can make your own decisions. And, I for one hope you decide today, right now to make good choices. Think about what will happen if you make a good choice and what will happen if you make a bad choice. The decision is up to you! If you mess up and make a mistake apologize. That is different than saying you are sorry and not really meaning it. You should ask my kids how many apology notes I have written over the year.

    One last thing to think about. Do you want to be around people who always get in trouble? Do you want to listen to people who do the wrong thing on purpose, or just because they think it is fun to have everyone yelling or arguing? Some people actually like to cause trouble. If you would not follow someone like that, then you should be the person God created you to be–and that means making choices that are wise.

    One more thing – I have more shows planned just for you this month. So, stay tuned!

    The post Kids Choosing Good Behavior appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Best Homeschool Scheduling Advice Jul 27, 2020

    best homeschool scheduling | The Best homeschool scheduling advice I ever received actually came from my daughter, do not duplicate the school at home. I looked at the way I scheduled my homeschool year. #homeschool #homeschooling #podcast #homeschoolscheduleBest Homeschool Scheduling Advice Episode 285

    The Best homeschool scheduling advice I ever received actually came from my daughter. She said, “Mom if we are going to duplicate the school system then why homeschool?” With that in mind, I looked at the way I scheduled my homeschool year. I made time for those special events that make homeschooling stand out from the conventional school cuWhetherum. Whether it is a field trip, a family trip that is planned or one-to-one mentoring with a talented person. In this episode of Vintage Homeschool Moms, I’ll explain the best homeschool scheduling advice, ever!

    Thanks to our sponsor – The Well Planned Gal!!

    Questions to ask yourself before you begin scheduling!

    1. What are your state laws — are you compliant?
    2. Are you part of a support group? This network IS part of your support!
    3. What are your goals and objectives for the year?
    4. What method of homeschooling do you lean toward? If you don’t know listen to this podcast on the topic HERE PUT LINK
    5. How long are you planning to homeschool? 4, 5, or 6 hours or more per day? Check out your homeschool laws here if you don’t already know them: https://hslda.org/content/laws/
    6. Are you flexible?
    7. Do you like check off lists? For you? For the kids?

    These questions will set the groundwork for how you’d like to set up your homeschool year. What I might consider best homeschool scheduling advice may not allign with your homeschool philosophy. However I hope you can take what you need and make it work for you! With this clearly in mind, here is some of the best advice I can share with you about homeschool schedules and ways to have a stress-free year.

    Best Homeschool Scheduling Tips:

    1. Keep your eyes focused on your family needs. What Sally Jo uses for her kids may not work for yours.
    2. Look at your goals. What do you hope to accomplish this year? What subjects do you want to cover this year?
    3. Is it important to develop your child’s creativity and imagination and encourage them to think?
    4. What character qualities do you want to work on? If you want to strengthen family relationships, select reading materials or read aloud the books that will do just that. Read the Little House on the Prarie (younger) or Anne of Green Gables (older).
    5. Each child is unique, consider your child’s needs.
    6. Never recreate the public/private classroom at home.
    7. Don’t forget about you. Do you have help scheduled, whether that is a chore chart so everyone can pitch in, or a park day so you can visit with friends.
    8. Never – and that means never answer the phone while you are homeschooling. Set special ring tones for important people – others go to voice mail. This goes for checking Facebook or social media in general.
    9. Never and that means never -unless it is absolutely impossible go on an errand during school time. No grocery store shopping, doctor appointments – until after school or on a day off if you take one, etc.

    Best Homeschool Scheduling Advice — Ever!

    Tools & Supplies:

    1. Three Inch Binder: Use a three-ring binder. I began a master homeschool binder when I first began homeschooling and it contains ALL the must haves… First, copies of their schedules, important information: everything from blanks I could duplicate to things I always had to look up previously. I have the children’s evaluations in this binder from the beginning of our homeschooling in Kindergarten through twelfth grade! I also keep a copy of their evaluations in their grade/year notebook.
    2. Master Lists: Subjects, books, reading books, grade level goals, etc. I think through this once, add to it if a particular child needs more information and then file it in my book. I also have a file in a Word Doc. in my computer that corresponds. Master lists can include a supply list for school, birthdays, and a calendar of events.
    3. File cabinet. Throughout the years I kept files on each of the kids and work. As we ended a year, the binder was emptied, the information for the year filed under the child’s name (and grade labeled), and the binder was then ready for the next year.
    4. School Supplies: Notebooks: Look for sales. We get lined, spiral notebooks for less than 20 cents during back to school sales. I buy enough for all year. Use a sharpie (or a nice label from the computer) to label the subject. Notebook paper: This is one of those things we always ran out of when the children were younger. Wide-ruled notebook paper for the little kids and college ruled for older ones. Pencils: We prefer the #2 pencils and some of the kids liked the mechanical pencils, but there was one brand, in particular, they liked best that we could only purchase at an office supply store. Yes, friends, this was “pre-Amazon” days! Of course, depending on your child’s needs there are crayons, markers, erasers (the ones that fit on the pencil and the bigger ones), colored pencils, pens and sharpie and highlighters. Don’t forget the 110 lb paper to make your own dividers.
    5. Best Purchases: Large Dry Erase Boards and erasable markers, an electric three-hole punch, a laminator, laminating sheets, a stapler, a heavy duty stapler (to make those books kids love to make), and a heavy duty tape dispenser. I loved sticky notes and tabs to create my own dividers with 110 lb paper.

    Best Homeschool Scheduling Advice:

    1. Know Your Kids: Do you know or have you evaluated your children? Our sponsor has these wonderful books for Placement and Evaluation.
    2. Organized: Get your books organized. Half the battle if finding the books you need when you need them. School supplies and additional resources. Everything has a place!
    3. Freebies: There are lots of sites that say you can get free curriculum, downloads, printables, etc. If you have these – organize them!
    4. Scope and Sequence: This states what your kids need to know and as homeschoolers you can be flexible. Here is a scope and sequence from Abeka as well as Bob Jones that goes from K-12. I’m not endorsing this one way or the other, you have to make your own determination.
    5. Flexibility: Build flexibility into your schedule – how can you do this? (Listen to the podcast for tips)
    6. Input: Get input from your older children. One year my kids wanted to study oceanography and space. Talk about diverse! Yet those became their favorite subjects.
    7. Routine or Schedule? What works for you a routine or schedule? The best homeschool scheduling takes into mind your lifestyle and only you can decide if you want to do things daily with a set schedule or perhaps have a routine that includes daily activities but more loosely scheduled.
    8. Rotate your schedule – doing the same thing all the time can be boring and cause kids to zone out. Maybe you do math every day, but what about history or science? You can do history two times a week and science two times for 6 weeks, and then change it to history three times and science two.
    9. 180 Homeschool Days: Get a year’s calendar and circle the days you will school each month. Yes, this can change but it is nice to have it set out before you – so you can plan. 180 days of homeschooling is what my state requires. Check your state information here: https://hslda.org/content/laws/
    10. Homeschool Planner: Well Planned Gal planners are my favorite – there are digital, printed and even a prayer planner. There is also a smaller size to keep in your purse or backpack!
    11. Use Checklists: Checklist with pictures for little kids and a checklist for you. It is an easy way to keep records.
    12. Breaks: Be sure to highlight birthday’s, events, holidays, and field trips. Do you have a catch-up/ planning day? If you can’t have one every week, try for one a month.
    13. Field Trips: Be sure to use the resources available to homeschool families in your area.
    14. Plan your week: Look at your books and divide the number of homeschool days or weeks by chapters. If there are 30 chapters you may need to do one per week. Etc. Some books you can take two weeks to complete one chapter.
    15. Teach Kids Together: Group ages and books/subjects as much as possible. Kids like working together or if they are competitive use it to their advantage.
    16. Projects: Plan early. Science fair ideas begin in the summer, papers signed as soon as school starts (grades six and up). I wrote the book, “An Insider’s Guide to Successful Science Fair Projects available on Media Angels Membership or Amazon here.
    17. High School: Planning for high school? Plan a 4-year schedule of required subjects for graduation. The scale is different for a high school diploma vs. a high school diploma with college in mind. Also if your kids are planning to attend college listen to College Prep Genius for ways to ace the SAT and ACT as well as get scholarships. If your kids play sports – know the rules. If your kids are approaching high school and have an eye to playing sports in college read up on the NCAA.org eligibility information about classes that count for high school for college play.

    Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Well Planned Gal

    Rebecca from the Well Planned Gal understands the challenges of working within a budget, managing multiple children, and trying to keep up with a variety of information. That is why she created popular planner bundles!

    Combine organizational tools with year long encouragement by bundling Well Planned Day planners with the popular Family Magazine. For a limited time, Save 30% with one of her popular planner bundles. Each bundle contains 2 planner products with a one-year subscription to Family Magazine.

    Click Here to Go to Well Planned Gal

    The post Best Homeschool Scheduling Advice appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Homeschooling With A Twist – God Schooling Jul 20, 2020

    God Schooling | Never heard of God Schooling? Well, you are not alone. Many are new to this concept of education but homeschool mom and herbalist, Julie Polanco will share what it is and how you can achieve homeschool success. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #christianunschooling #GodSchooling #childleadschool #naturallivingHomeschooling With A Twist – God Schooling Episode 407

    Never heard of God Schooling? Well, you are not alone. Many are new to this concept of education but homeschool mom and herbalist, Julie Polanco will share what it is and how you can achieve homeschool success.

    Julie Polanco is a podcaster on this network! Check out the Crunchy Christian Podcast here.

    Julie’s Book – God Schooling here.

    Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.

    Julie has four children and has recently completed her eighteenth year of homeschooling. As children, she and her husband were both bullied and she didn’t want her children to have the same experiences, and the idea of homeschool resonated with them.

    While on a family camping trip the family on the next site was a homeschool family of eight. Julie felt like it was a God-incident. They were so impressed with the family, how close they were with each other, and the maturity of the older children. It was a turning point for the Polancos.

    *This is an excerpt from the interview with Julie Polanco on God Schooling. Listen to this broadcast for the entire content.

    Julie realized after not too many years that it became a real chore trying to get the kids to do what she thought they should be doing.

    God Schooling

    Within a short time, God revealed a need for something different. And at the time, Christian unschooling was a “dirty” word. Yet, Julie felt like the Lord was leading their family toward a Christian unschooling approach, in a sense, it is child-directed learning.

    • Secular Unschooling allows the child to learn what they want when they want, how they want, and if they want. It often looks hands-off. l
    • Children will not always choose wisely or productive pursuits.

    God Schooling

    • God Schooling is focused and informed by the child’s passions and their natural bents and interests
    • Parents work with their children by collaborating. It is relationship-driven.
      • Questions such as: What is God doing in this child? Where what how is God shaping this child?
      • How can we (as parents) develop our children’s passions and interests?
      • How can we direct our children toward productive uses of their time to develop those skills?
      • How can we train our children with good habits, morals, and good character?

    Parents are very much involved and looking at how the child is using their time and making sure that the skills development happens.

    Wellness and Herbalist

    Julie has always had an affinity for nature and plants. She has learned that many plants have medical qualities, and some are derived into essential oils. After battling an illness in her twenties Julie turned to natural remedies to return to wellness. (More on the audio.)

    Julie’s new podcast is here! Crunchy Christian Podcast

    Order Julie’s books via your local bookstore. If you went you can get it Amazon Barnes and Noble, etc. Or here

    The post Homeschooling With A Twist – God Schooling appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Best Last Minute Summer DIY Tips Jul 13, 2020

    Best Last Minute Summer | What are the best last minute summer DIY Tips? In this episode of Vintage Homeschool MomsThe Absolute BEST Last Minute Summer DIY Tips with Felice Gerwitz

    What are the best last minute summer DIY Tips? In this episode of Vintage Homeschool Moms, Felice Gerwitz shares her passion for all things DIY and some quick gift ideas to make for the holidays that are just around the corner. Use recyclables you have on hand or with a minimum of cost, create beautiful items you will treasure. The best thing? The kids can help!

    Visit our podcast sponsor! Get all these books from our Media Angels Membership website.

    Show Notes: The Best Last Minute Summer DIY Tips

    1. Get Organized.
      • Now is the time to just relax – for me that means doing something creative. If you or your children love to create crafts for gifts make a list of some people on your list.
      • Look around the house. From the podcast I created on getting organized fast here, you may have things you were going to throw away that you can recycle. What about an old frame, some mason jars or a plastic bin that can be recovered or painted?
      • Trash day. My kids use to ride bikes up and down the road to see what neighbors were throwing away and sometimes came home with treasures. The awesome wrought iron and wood bench (my son refinished with new wood) that sits in front of my pond is one of those treasures. Look around on trash day.
    2. Gift Making
      • Useful items. Picture frames with a treasured memory, hand painted to match any decor specifically for a family member.
      • Tool holders: kitchen utensils, pencils, crayons, etc.
      • Shelves. Floating shelves are all the rage. Ask dad, mom, grandpa or even grandma (not me–but some of my friends are really handy!) to help. Here are some directions on how to make floating shelves.
      • Mixes. A great help for when you begin homeschooling again. Make muffin mixes, sour dough, cookie mix, biscuit mix from healthy alternatives. Use organic ingredients, make them vegan or gluten free. There are many great recipes.
      • Painted pots. Hanging pots with an inexpensive fern or recycled wood look great.
    3. The Best DIY Ideas For Families
      • Gift Cards. My favorite ideas revolve around hand rubs, neck rubs, car washes, etc. When kids were younger it was “watch the baby” for 30 minutes, etc. Give in a homemade envelope or box.
      • Create Job Calendar: These involve paper and clothes pin. Listen to the podcast for specific directions.
      • Meal Schedule
      • Vacation planning
      • Pizza night
      • Last minute getaways or field trip ideas

    The post Special Replay: Best Last Minute Summer DIY Tips appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Workforce In The 21st Century Jul 06, 2020

    Workforce | What does the workforce look like in the 21st century? Today's guest, Lisa Nehring shares what it means to enter the workplace today. How it is different and what you can do as a student, or adult to prepare. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #workforce #workforce21Century #jobs #newjobsWorkforce Today ~ Episode 406

    What does the workforce look like in the 21st century? Today’s guest, Lisa Nehring shares what it means to enter the workplace today. How it is different and what you can do as a student, or adult to prepare. Lisa is a podcaster at Lifeskills 101 here.

    Find Lisa here: True North Homeschool Academy True North offers K through 12 live online classes and some prerecorded classes.

    So many people today work at home and during the year 2020, we learned the lesson the hard way as more and more stores and offices were shut down. Many were unprepared but those who worked at home just continued on.

    *Excerpt of the show – listen to the recording for the full presentation.

    Lisa shares how to move forward. She believes we are just in such a time of transition, technologically we’re in, what’s called the fourth industrial revolution, and it’s really fascinating. You can look it up and check out the three previous revolutions, but we are in an industrial revolution. That’s global, we’re a global culture. And a lot of how we work is changing a lot of how we educate is changing. One book that I’ve really enjoyed the last year is called College Unbound. It’s just about how we were going through school, we would graduate from high school and there were two groups. One group would go to work and get married. And one group would go to college and then get married. Not everybody got married, but it was typical. Today that’s not necessarily the case.

    You can go to work in high school. You can go to work after high school, a lot of entrepreneurial opportunities because of technology that didn’t even exist five years ago, are available today. And so a college degree isn’t going to determine your lifestyle necessarily as much as it used to. Licensing makes a big difference depending on the industry that you’re in. But we’re going to see real shifts in, in how people work and technologies that are really important and a couple of technologies that are going to become really important in the next you know, in the future three-D printing, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

    During the pandemic, when a lot of people were told to stay home and work from home, people made this big shift in their life. Their kids were sent home, and parents had to figure out how to juggle work, staying at home, managing their lives, and their kids being home. Many people will not go back to work in the traditional ways that they thought they would. Other industries that are going to really explode in the future are, or not go away. They’re not going to change too much. There are jobs with stability such as our counselors, pastors, and physical therapists. And I think those two lists are very interesting. On the one hand, we have three-D printing, AI, and robotics.

    We have this real techie space in this rural interpersonal space. And I think as our world grows more technologically astute with artificial intelligence, robotics, three-D printing, I mean they replaced a spleen printed by 3d. That’s crazy, right? But in that technological space, there’s this real need and desire for connection and understanding who we are as people. And that’s where the pastors and counselors come in and physical therapy, of course, a robotic entity cannot take care of PT issues. There’s just not going to work. And I think right now, as we’re all experiences that experiencing this pandemic and just walking through it, we need to be really aware of the fact that we’re living in a, in a world where we can understand what’s going on globally, by turning on our phones or computers.

    We have to be really intentional about reaching out in the ways that we can. And thankfully we have technological devices to help us with that. Like just you are half a country away. And yet we’re seeing each other and talking to each other, which is a beautiful thing that is that’s amazing. And, you know, we don’t really think about the emotional side of things.

    So we have to be ready. And I just think this is such a perfect time to talk about this because you happen to have an online school that is available. As an educator, for example, I’m sure they’re going to need more because things are, some people won’t want their children to go back to school. At True North, we do an orienteering class where the kids are doing college and career exploration. And they’re doing personality inventories because not everybody is going to be geared towards being an AI specialist. There’s space for everybody and who they’re created to be in this new world.

    The four areas to think about are our physical, mental, social, and emotional, and again, when things get really tough, when you have a crisis in your life habits can be disrupted I really think it’s important to keep the habits that you can. So if you got up at seven before, try to get up at seven even now and then create new habits in the new space that you’re in. So one of the things we always have done for years and years, because we don’t all have to leave right off in the morning, we’re homeschoolers is that we get up and share a cup of coffee together and just talk about things. How’s it going for everybody? What’s the news and just kind of chat together. But if you don’t have this kind of habit already established create some new ones.

    We can focus on the things to be thankful for that can get us through a lot of things and, and talk to each other about the things to be thankful for.

    The post Workforce In The 21st Century appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Saving Money For Big Purchases Jun 22, 2020

    Saving Money For Big Purchases | Saving Money For Big Purchases is not as hard as you think! Today, we are going to be talking about money, saving tips for large purchases. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #savingforbigpurchase #savingmoney Saving Money For Big Purchases – Episode 405 with Felice Gerwitz and Meredith Cutis.

    Saving Money For Big Purchases is not as hard as you think! Today, we are going to be talking about money, saving tips for large purchases.

    Thanks to our sponsor – Media Angels Membership and Meredith’s curriculum – Powerline Productions

    Debt free living is closer than you think. Meredith has done this for years and learned that not every American needs to have debt! It takes so much pressure off of life. If you’re a teen listen up, because I just tell you from experience, it is better to live debt-free than to struggle under debt. Debt can feel like bondage.

    Meredith has written her number one bestselling book is called Economics and Finances and Business, and it’s a high school economics class. It covers all the basics of economics. It covers all the basics of financial management, including how to buy a car and how to write your first department. And it even covers how to start a business. And so I do want to encourage you to consider that course, you can find that PowerlineProd.com because it does cover some of the things I’m talking about in a very thorough step by step way, but so much more.

    Budgeting is important and knowing how much money a month you make and how much you want to save. a

    1. The first thing, when you’re thinking of large purchases you be realistic and you need to pray and to say, Lord, this is what I would like. Is this something that you want me to have? And if it is something you want me to have, will you help me come up with a realistic plan? So here’s what I mean by that. It is not realistic to think that you are never going to go to a movie that you are never going to eat out, but it is realistic to think, I’m only going to spend $40 a month on entertainment and food. Come up with a plan that will work for you and commit that to the Lord and keep praying about it.

    Pray:

    Lord, I’m trying to save money, help me save money. And of course, it goes without saying that the tithe belongs to the Lord. I find that when we give the Lord his ten percent, it’s much easier to live on ninety percent. I’ve actually seen it help us to save money quickly when you put the Lord first in your finances. When you are first – or just committing all of that to the Lord and trusting him to move forward with your plan it can be frightening.

    1. Look at your income
    2. Look at your needs vs. you wants
    3. Look at your bills – make a list and total costs
    4. Create a budget, how much will you spend on eating out and entertainment?
    5. How much will you save?

    Saving money – put the money into a savings account. If you are paying for things use a debit card tied to your checking account. The money in your savings account can go toward a big purchase. Keep in mind the money in your savings account is not to spend. Keep a goal in mind and as you get toward that goal it becomes exciting to see how much you’ve saved.

    And, take a look at your expenses and then live in a way that focuses on your needs versus your wants.

    When you earn money, earmark it by breaking the money out and separating it, so it is off-limits. You will find with finances, there is always a financial need. And if all your money is together, you just tend to think, Oh yeah, I am saving money. My savings are accumulating. But then when then you realize, Oh, it’s not accumulating, I’ve spent it on this and this and this and this. So I think when you separate money out that your savings, it helps better to keep track of it.

    The post Saving Money For Big Purchases appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Teaching Creation Science Jun 15, 2020

    Teaching Creation Science | How do you teach Creation Science when you have no background in science? Try teaching with Creation Science Study Guides! Primary sources are always the best, but how about first-hand research? | #podcast #teachingcreation #creationscienceSpecial Replay: Teaching with Creation Science Study Guides Episode 362

    How do you teach Creation Science when you have no background in science? Try teaching with Creation Science Study Guides! Primary sources are always the best, but how about first-hand research? In this episode, we will delve into not only why teaching creation science is important but some amazing resources to complete your homeschool library.

    Many years ago, early in my homeschool journey I attended a homeschool conference and walked away with hundreds of dollars worth of books on the topic of creation science and no idea how to teach the topic. I had attended an amazing set of talks but creation scientists who were all degreed in science for the universities in different areas. For example, Dr. Jay Wile has a Ph.D. in nuclear chemistry from the University of Rochester.

    While I was impressed with the science credentials and knowledge of many of the people that I listened to, they taught me many great facts, but not how to implement teaching creation science into my homeschool. So, I began as many other homeschool moms before me and I wrote a curriculum series.

    The Creation Science Study Guides still is as relevant today as when I co-authored the series in 1994 (when our first book was published). God introduced me to a creation scientist. A geologist by degree and homeschool mom to three boys by occupation. We met by a God-incident and became friends and soon co-authors. You see, Jill Whitlock had been an atheist and had worked as an oil and well geologist for a big company. When she lost her job she found a new one at a church. When they handed her a Bible she told me that she opened it an immediately had a difference of opinion with the first sentence, “In the beginning, God created…” Jill went on to study creation for ten years before I met her.

    She was able to take all those books I wrote and we used them as resources for our study guides. We wanted something parents could use with their kids with no prior science knowledge. My background was education so I could teach. I just didn’t know enough science to teach from a creationist perspective. Teaching creation science became my passion and taking difficult topics and bringing them down to basics while the kids had fun was a challenge.

    First, why teach creation science? Why not? Secular books, and all public and some Christian schools teach evolution as fact. Why can’t we teach both? I’m not opposed to teaching science from an evolutionist perspective, besides a creation one. If your children are little, begin with the Bible as a foundation. Start at the beginning in Genesis and study Biblical history. This foundation helps when teaching creation science.

    Give big bang theory example here.

    DNA example here.

    Another example in our book deals with plate tectonics. This is the divide of the continents. Have you ever looked at a map of the world and see that it could fit together into one landmass if you cut out all the continents and puzzle-pieced them together? Evolutionists claim that it took millions of years for the division of the continents from one landmass to land masses that are continents that are divided by oceans. Creationists believe the continents split, quickly as stated in Genesis 10:25 where God divided not only the lands but the languages.

    For example, our study guide talks about radiohalos. A quick search online recently showed that this finding set the scientists crazy trying to refute the claims. I’ve included two links you will find helpful. The bottom line is the radiohalos are an indicator of a young earth. The question becomes, does this matter?

    Evidence For:

    • http://www.halos.com/
    • https://creation.com/new-radiohalo-find-challenges-primordial-granite-claim

    It matters. Why teach from only one perspective?

    Here are my reasons for teaching creation science:

    1. Your kids won’t get it anywhere else.
    2. Evolution has many false findings taught as fact. Ernst Haeckel among others.
    3. I believe God created the world as he stated in Genesis.
    4. If we teach creation as a myth or allegory then that means the entire Bible is one as well.
    5. Darwin said that the fossil record would validate this theory and it never has.

    If you want a series of study guides that will entertain your kids from preschool to high school I highly recommend you check out the Media Angels Creation Study Guides. They are available for immediate download on the website – all of my books for one low price and they include the study guides which are ready to go experiment sheets, games and puzzles as well as the books.

    One of the great things about teaching creation science is that it is so hands-on. Your kids will love doing the activities and learning as they have fun. I do believe there is an added benefit. Creation science points to a creator God. It talks about the wonders of God’s creation and gives us awe about the world God created!

    The post Special Replay: Teaching Creation Science appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Replay Vacations On The Cheap Jun 15, 2020

    Vacations On The Cheap | How about DIY vacations on the cheap? Many people would like to travel but feel they can’t afford the cost. That’s exactly right, but we share some top secret tips! | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #vacations #vacation #vacationonthecheap #cheapvacations Replay Vacations on the Cheap ~ with Felice Gerwitz

    How about DIY vacations on the cheap with your hosts, Felice Gerwitz and Meredith Curtis? Many people would like to travel but feel they can’t afford the cost. That’s exactly right, but in this podcast, we share some top secret tips!

    Visit Meredith Curtis here:

    PowerlineProd.com, MeredithCurtis.com and her podcast Finish Well with great family podcasts here.

    Visit Felice Gerwitz here: MediaAngels.com and MediaAngelsMembership.com

    Research for DIY Travel on the cheap!

    • Where do you want to go?
      • Must see vs. I’d like to see if we have time
    • Look online, DK Travel Guides
    • Keep a folder on Pinterest

    Look For Deals

    • TravelZoo
    • Groupon
    • Living Social
    • Skyscanner
    • Hotel.com

    What do you want to see?

    • List of must-sees
    • List of what you’d like to see, but only if time

    Saving money can be done with little-known tips such as packing snacks, renting condos or homes outside of bigger cities or famous attractions, and being prepared to fly instead of drive if the airfare is cheaper — yes, it often is… I can fly from Fort Myers to BWI (Baltimore/ Maryland) for less than $100 round trip! Gas to get there is more, as well as wear-and-tear on the car! Look for deals for DIY travel on the cheap tips.

    Where will you stay?

    • Hotels
    • Rental homes
    • Rental condos
    • With a friend

    Where will you eat?

    • Restaurants
    • Bring food, nonperishables
    • Take water on the plane if you fly (must buy it after security point) or bring an empty water bottle and fill it at the airport for free
    • Roadside kiosks (depending on where you visit, this may be an inexpensive option).
    • Buy food to cook.

    Sights

    • Plan your itinerary. Where will you go first?
    • Plan transportation if you are taking the bus or train
    • Costs – be sure to account for the cost of travel

    Check the Weather

    • When you have a travel date look at the weather
    • Plan indoor activities if the weather is bad
    • Layer clothing, it is better than taking big, bulky clothing

    The post Replay Vacations On The Cheap appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Money Saving Tips For Teens Jun 08, 2020

    Money Saving Tips For Teens | Is it easy to teach money-saving tips? No. What about teens? Many kids do not know how to save money and we will help you! My special guest Meredith Curtis is a mom of five and the queen of frugal! | #podcast #homechoolpodcast #homeschool #savingmoney #teensavingmoney #moneysavingMoney-Saving For Families and Teens ~ Episode 404 with Felice Gerwitz and Merit Curtis

    Is it easy to teach money-saving tips? No. What about teens? Many kids do not know how to save money and we will help you! My special guest Meredith Curtis is a mom of five and the queen of frugal!

    Thanks to our sponsor – Media Angels Membership and Meredith’s curriculum – Powerline Productions

    Meredith wrote an economics book for teens that teach kids how to be frugal, budget, and save money. Teens are interested in money so what better time to start.

    1. First renew your mind when thinking about money. Many times the attitude in saving money can be, I just want to get something as cheaply as possible, but the Bible tells us the Workman is worthy of his wages. And so the right attitude that one more time, the money is to start with this.
    2. Everything I own belongs to God now, yes, I give him the 10%, But even that rest of that 90%, that’s the Lords. And so my question becomes, Lord, how can I manage your money? How can I get the things you want me to have in a way that honors you? Because I’m a steward and I’m accountable to the Lord for how I spend my money. And I’m accountable to the Lord for the things that I accumulate. And there are many things that we need, and I believe it’s the Lord’s desire to bless us. He said in his word, it says that he creates all things for us to richly enjoy. So I think when we think about teaching our kids money, saving tips, the first thing we need to teach them is that you, as a Christian, everything, we have belongs to God and we’re taking care of things for him.
    3. I need to decide if I really need the items, and ask the Lord what do you want, what do you want from me? What is your will for me?
    4. And would you provide that for me? And that’s a really key step because I think so many Christians forget to just ask for things.

    We should work hard and save money. And it is amazing what will happen in your life. God provides through hard work. So God provides through us working hard and saving that money to buy what we need. Debt is really more of a result of the fall. And the Bible calls that foolishness. It, doesn’t say it’s sinful to go into debt, but definitely as a young team, you don’t ever need to go in debt.

    You can work hard, you can save money and save money up for the things that you would really like to have. And again, if you’re living in a way where you’re, you’re a steward of the Lord’s money is it being a good steward to buy fast food, everything, or would Jesus not have you do that? You know, those are the kind of questions you tackle. I find when I remember that I’m a steward, I spend less money. And when I do things, I’m much more cautious in what I purchase.

    When you’re thinking about working hard and saving money, many times, if you’re living that way, you will actually have quite a large savings. And sometimes the Lord will have you use that savings to help someone go on a mission trip or something like that. But a lot of times, if you’re really living, a life with Christ at the center, you are going to end up being able to save money rather easily, because you’re less likely to splurge on little things.

    When I counsel young people some don’t listen, but many of them do. I’ll say if I were in your place and I was able to save this much money each month, I would save up. I know this is crazy, but I would save up $10,000 and I would get a really nice car that would last me for 10 or 15 or even 20 years. One of the money saving tips that I’ve learned over the years is it’s better to buy quality that will last than to hurry and buy the first thing you can afford. And it’s also better to save up over a long period of time than to just get the first thing you can, you can get.

    Remember, the Lord will help you in this journey.

    The post Money Saving Tips For Teens appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Saving Money – Field Trips Jun 01, 2020

    Saving Money Field Trips | Are you ready to save money? These field trips are wonderful for kids and will not break the bank! | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #savingmoney #fieldtrips #tripsthatsave #homeschool #homeschooling #summertripsSaving Money – Field Trips ~ Replay

    This is a replay of another podcast on the same topic – but now is the time! Saving money and field trips is always a good idea. If you are interested in saving money and field trips that won’t break the bank – tune in! Today my special guest is Meredith Curtis – who podcasts on Finish Well (be sure to check it out)!

    Thanks to our sponsor – Media Angels Membership and Meredith’s curriculum – Powerline Productions

    Saving money isn’t always easy especially if you are like us and have lots of kids! A fee such as $10 a person seems unaffordable when you multiply it by five kids and then add in the adults. Today we talk about places that we can go for free or you can do things and get a discount, or even get family passes! Even a field trip to a nature center or even go on a hike, can turn into a learning experience. And, you’ll save money in fact it might be as little as $3 for the whole family.

    Here is another great podcast to save you money! Virtual Field Trips – here

    Don’t forget to pack well! You can visit this blog post by my granddaughter, Samantha, here with a field trip packing list.

    Money Saving Field Trips:

    1. Start around your house.
    2. Think Parks! Bring binoculars and a magnifying class. A bird and nature book.
    3. Railroad tracks (be sure there are no trains coming!)
    4. Farms
    5. The Dentist or doctor’s office
    6. Grocery store: give the kids a list of things to find. Talk about the grocery store and talk about how the food got there!

    Money Saving Tips:

    1. Group discounts (can be as little as ten people).
    2. State discounts
    3. AAA discounts.
    4. Attend practice or dress rehearsal for the symphony (get permission)
    5. Family passes for nature centers, movies, parks, museums, zoo
    6. Ask for family passes for presents
    7. Bring lunch to save more money.
    8. 1001 Homeschool Days at the Beach
    9. Church festivals – Greek Fests
    10. Outdoor activities where the kids can learn – oceans/ beach/ streams/ fishing

    The post Saving Money – Field Trips appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay – Let’s Talk About Teaching History May 25, 2020

    History

    History is about a bunch of dead people and stuff that happened long ago or so I thought when I was a kid. As a homeschool parent, I found that history is actually “HIS” story and when it is revealed we find so many wonderful lessons to learn. In this session, you’ll hear some of the ways that both Meredith & Felice have taught history to their children from the zany to the classes Felice asked her brother-in-law to teach to homeschool kids!

    Meredith and Felice discuss their favorite resources – here is a list of their combined books, below the audio player.

    American History Online Course

    World History Reading List – All rights reserved Media Angels, Inc. 2014

    September History Reading Books

    1. In the Days of Noah by Gloria Clanin
    2. Life in the Great Ice Age by Michael and Beverly Oard
    3. The Mystery of the Ark by Paul Thomsen
    4. The Lost Kingdom (Reg Danson Adventure #2) by Clint Kelly
    5. Adam and His Kin: The Lost History of Their Lives and Times by Ruth Beechick
    6. Genesis: Finding Our Roots by Ruth Beechick
    7. Dinosaurs in God’s World Long Ago by Henrietta Gambill
    8. What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs? (DJ and Tracker John) by John Morris and Ken Ham
    9. Priceless Jewel at the Well: The Diary of Rebekah’s Nursemaid, Canaan, 1986-1985 B.C. (Promised Land Diaries)
    10. The Magic School Bus Shows and Tells: A Book About Archaeology by Jackie Posner
    11. Exploring Ancient Cities of the Bible by Michael and Caroline Carroll

    October Reading Books

    1. Tutankhamun by Robert Green
    2. Tirzah by Lucille Travis
    3. Mummies, Tombs, and Treasure: Secrets of Ancient Egypt by Lila Perl
    4. Miriam’s Cup, a Passover Story by Fran Manushkin
    5. Learning About Passover by Barbara Soloff Levy
    6. Shadow Hawk by Andre Norton
    7. Adventures in Ancient Egypt by Linda Bailey
    8. The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
    9. The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt by Elizabeth Payne
    10. The Riddle of the Rosetta Stone: Key to Ancient Egypt by James Giblin
    11. Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
    12. Mummies Made in Egypt by Aliki
    13. Kids Discover: Ancient Egypt
    14. The Peaceful Warrior: The Diary of Deborahs Armor Bearer, Israel, 1200 B.C. (Promised Land Diaries)
    15. Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson
    16. Journey for Tobiyah by Barbara Morgan
    17. King Solomon’s Navy by Nora Benjamin Kubie
    18. The Temple at Jerusalem by Jacqueline Morley

    November Reading Books

    1. The Usborne Story of Music by Simon Mundy
    2. The Usborne Story of Painting by Anthea Peppin
    3. The Usborne Book of Living Long Ago: Everyday life through the Ages, by Felicity Brooks and Helen Edom
    4. God-King: A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah by Joanne Williamson
    5. Aesop’s Fables for Children
    6. Hour of the Olympics (Magic Tree House #16) by Mary Pope Osborne
    7. The Seven Voyages of Sinbad (and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights) retold by Gladys Davidson
    8. King Solomon’s Mines (Puffin Classics) by H Rider Haggard

    December Reading Books

    1. The Odyssey for Boys and Girls by AJ Church
    2. Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne
    3. Famous Men of Greece by John Haaren and AB Poland
    4. The Librarian Who Measured the Earth by Kathryn Lasky
    5. Usborne: The Greeks by Susan Peach & Anne Millard
    6. Adventures in Ancient Greece by Linda Bailey
    7. Cyrus the Persian by Sherman A Nagel
    8. Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher
    9. Within the Palace Gates: The King’s Cupbearer by Anna P. Siviter
    10. The Greek and Roman Eras: (Journey Through History) by Carme Peris and Gloria & Oriol Verges
    11. Hand Me Another Brick by Charles Swindoll
    12. Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights

    January Reading Books

    1. Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile, Egypt, 57 B.C. (The Royal Diaries) by Kristiana Gregory
    2. About the History of the Calendar by AE Evenson
    3. Battle of Actium (Great Battles Through the Ages) by David Califf
    4. The Runaway by Patricia St. John
    5. Fountain of Life by Rebecca Martin
    6. Adventures in Ancient China by Linda Bailey
    7. A Grain of Rice by Helena Clare Pittman
    8. Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
    9. The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
    10. Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace
    11. Titus: A Comrade of the Cross by Florence Morse Kingsley
    12. Augustus Caesar’s World by Genevieve Foster
    13. Famous Men of Rome by John Haaren & A.B. Poland
    14. Rome and Romans (Usborne Time Traveler) by Heather Amery and Patricia Vanags
    15. I and II Maccabees from the Apocrypha (available in Bibles that include the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books)
    16. Life Stories Of Men Who Shaped History, From Plutarch’s Lives
    17. Pompeii…Buried Alive! by Edith Kunhardt
    18. The Robe by Lloyd C Douglas
    19. Masada by Tim McNeese (Sieges That Changed the World)

    February Reading Books

    1. Devil’s Island by John Hagee
    2. Outcast by Rosemary Sutcliff[
    3. See You Later, Gladiator (Time Warp Trio) by Jon Scieszka
    4. Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld
    5. The Eagle (previously published as The Eagle of the Ninth) by Rosemary Sutcliff
    6. The Story of Valentine by Wilma Pitchford Hays
    7. Augustine, the Farmer’s Boy of Tagaste by P. De Zeeuw
    8. The City of God by Augustine
    9. Ancient Rome: How It Affects You Today by Richard J. Maybury
    10. The Ides of April by Mary Ray
    11. Beyond the Desert Gate by Mary Ray
    12. Jesus Freaks: Martyrs by dc Talk
    13. Foxe’s Book Of Martyrs by John Foxe (many different editions of this work are available)
    14. Saint George and the Dragon retold by Margaret Hodges
    15. Saint Patrick: Pioneer Missionary to Ireland by Michael McHugh

    March Reading Books

    1. Anna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett
    2. Famous Men of the Middle Ages by Haaren and Poland
    3. Augustine Came to Kent by Barbara Willard
    4. Beowulf
    5. The Shining Company by Rosemary Sutcliff
    6. Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People
    7. The Big Wave by Pearl S. Buck
    8. Against the World: The Odyssey of Athanasius by Henry W. Coray
    9. Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam by Diane Stanley
    10. The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow by Allen French
    11. Le Morte D’Arthur by Sir Thomas Mallory
    12. The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla
    13. The Book of Pastoral Rule (also published as Pastoral Care) by St. Gregory the Great
    14. The Song of Roland (an epic poem)
    15. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain
    16. Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle
    17. Idylls of the King by Alfred Lord Tennyson
    18. Camelot by AJ Lerner (script for the Broadway play)
    19. Viking Raiders (Usborne Time Traveler) by Civardi, Graham-Campbell, & Wingate

    April Reading Books

    1. Famous Men of the Middle Ages by Haaren and Poland
    2. Son of Charlemagne by Barbara Willard
    3. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
    4. A Chaucer Reader edited by Charles W. Dunn
    5. Leif Eriksson: First Voyager to America by Katherine B. Shippen
    6. In His Name by Edward E Hale
    7. Paula the Waldensian by Eva Lecomte
    8. Lost Baron: A Story of England in the Year 1200 by Allen French
    9. Macbeth by Shakespeare
    10. Hamlet by Shakespeare
    11. El Cid, retold by Geraldine McCaughrean
    12. Don Quixote (also published as Don Quijote) by Cervantes
    13. A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E. L. Konigsburg
    14. The Hidden Treasure of Glaston by Eleanore M. Jewett
    15. Castle by David Macaulay
    16. Cathedral by David Macaulay
    17. The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli
    18. The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman
    19. Knights and Castles (Usborne Time Traveler) by Judy Hindley
    20. The Striped Ships by Eloise McGraw ***
    21. The Third Crusade: Richard the Lionhearted vs Saladin (Great Battles Through the Ages) by Samuel Willard Crompton
    22. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle (who also drew original illustrations for this book)[
    23. The King’s Shadow by Elizabeth Alder

    May Reading Books

    1. Men of Iron by Howard Pyle
    2. If All the Swords in England: A Story of Thomas Becket by Barbara Willard
    3. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
    4. Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde by Harold Lamb
    5. A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael Chronicles–we recommend this series) by Ellis Peters)
    6. Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray
    7. The Dragon and the Raven (The Days of King Alfred) by G. A. Henty
    8. The Magna Charta by James Daugherty
    9. The Inferno of Dante: A New Verse Translation by Robert Pinsky
    10. The Life and Words of St. Francis of Assisi by Ira Peck
    11. In Freedom’s Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce by G. A. Henty
    12. The Beggars’ Bible by Louise Vernon
    13. Ink on His Fingers by Louise A. Vernon
    14. Morning Star of the Reformation by Andy Thomson
    15. Henry V by Shakespeare
    16. Joan of Arc by Mark Twain
    17. The Pied Piper of Hamlin by Robert Browning
    18. The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric Kelly
    19. Constantinople (Sieges That Changed the World) by Tim McNeese[/easyazon_link]
      [easyazon_link asin=”0374457433″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”ultihomeradin-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]A Parcel of Patterns by Jill Paton Walsh[/easyazon_link]
      [easyazon_link asin=”0375802320″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”ultihomeradin-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Joan of Arc by Nancy Wilson Ross[/easyazon_link]
      [easyazon_link asin=”0891076026″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”ultihomeradin-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]The Hawk and the Dove by Penelope Wilcock[/easyazon_link]

    The post Special Replay – Let’s Talk About Teaching History appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Graduation Party Ideas May 25, 2020

    Graduation Party Ideas | We have graduation party ideas that are wonderful ways to include the entire family and the best news? They won't break the bank.  | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #graduationpartyideas #graduationideas #graduationparty #graduate #graduation #partyideas #partyideasonthecheapGraduation Party Ideas On The Cheap

    We have graduation party ideas that are wonderful ways to include the entire family and the best news? They won’t break the bank.

    Enjoy this replay! with Felice Gerwitz and Meredith Curtis Episode 196

    Graduation Party Ideas Here

    Have you started your high school graduation party plans yet? No worries! We’ve got you covered. Inexpensive graduation ideas are our specialty. Meredith has graduated five children and Felice has five graduates as well, so between them, they have quite an arsenal of ideas that you can implement even if you waited until the last minute. Grab your notepad and listen in.

    Be sure to share our show with your friends – and rate us on iTunes, GooglePlay, or your favorite podcast app.

    Show Notes: Graduation Party

    There are many locations that are great for a graduation party. During the season of the pandemic we had to be creative with ideas, and we were! We hosted our graduate at home and she even “walked” in her cap and gown ordered for under $20 from Amazon. We made the best of the situation!

    1. Location: churches, park, church fellowship hall, party at home
    2. Invitations – VistaPrint, at home computer
    3. Food
    4. Decorations
    5. Personal Touch

    We discussed deciding on the type of graduation you want, planning the type of graduation early, and saving up money. Pray about the type of graduation that is right for you. Include your teens as well.

    More great ideas

    • Food -finger foods – fun: candy bars – ice cream with toppings
    • Open house – visiting times staggers friends
    • Photo booth with props for teens
    • Personal touch – poster boards, items important to the teen

    The post Graduation Party Ideas appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Literature Based Homeopathy For Kids May 18, 2020

    Homeopathy For Kids | Have you wanted to teach a class on homeopathy for kids? What about a literature-based program? Join Felice Gerwitz and Paola Brown, the author of a brand new course for kids. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #homeopathyforkids #literaturebasedcurriculum #literaturebased #curriculumforkids #homeopathyLiterature Based Homeopathy For Kids ~ Episode 403

    Have you wanted to teach a class on homeopathy for kids? What about a literature-based program? Join Felice Gerwitz and Paola Brown, the author of a brand new course for kids.

    Check out the other interview with Paola Brown here.

    Paola Brown is a homeschool mom to a 12, 10, and 8 years old and currently lives in Budapest. She has written a curriculum that is language-based for parents to teach their children about health and homeopathy. Visit our guest on her website at PaolaBrown.com

    Homeopathy For Kids – Teach Health and Homeopathy

    Paola describes her journey from illness that seemed hopeless to health and wellness and the ability to change all of this with an understanding of natural remedies. This translates to her new curriculum “Teach Health and Homeopathy” that contains an accompanying novel. I (Felice) have personally used natural remedies for years, but not until I worked with Paola as a content editor on her book did I *really* understand what all the terminology means. She explains it all in an engaging story that will capture the attention of younger children to adults. This novel comes from her personal experience and that of her extended family with real-life situations that she turned into a novel. (Paola says some of the stories have been condensed or embellished for the sake of story-telling and interest.)

    Homeopathy for Kids – Here is the information about her upcoming curriculum.

    Teach Me Health & Homeopathy can be used for homeschoolers or anyone interested in teaching their children what natural remedies are and how they can be used. Paola created this amazing curriculum and even has songs, a website for interactive teaching with videos for the kids and so much more. This is a literature-based curriculum designed to use with children of various ages, there is something for everyone. The set comes with a teacher’s manual, activity book(s) for different levels, audios, and videos.

    Need More? Homeopathy for Kids and Adults

    Paola teaches classes here.

    The post Literature Based Homeopathy For Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Best Grad Gifts May 11, 2020

    Best Grad Gifts | Do you have a graduate this year? What are the best grad gifts teens want? Here they are...| #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #bestgradgifts #gradgifts #giftsBest Grad Gifts that Teens Really Want!

    Do you have a graduate this year? What are the best grad gifts teens want? With five children and a group of friends with many children, I’ve participated in my fair share of graduation celebrations in recent years. However, it was after really thinking about my own graduation and those of my children that I realized what children really desire is not what they receive. In this podcast, Felice shares her ideas of what a graduation celebration should be and ways you can make lasting memories with your own special graduates.

    Show Notes – Best Graduation Gifts

    A study by Hallmark reveals:

    • 95 percent give money for gifts for graduation from high school or college
      • $25 is about the average amount spent for a close friend (or child of a close friend)
      • 67 percent believe that $50 or more is appropriate for a close relative
      • $20 is the average for a not-so-close friend
      • And many would give no gift to a not-so-close friend, but they might send a card.

    Some of the Best Graduation Gift Ideas:

    1. A book where the child can begin their memoirs – one leather-bound book entitled: “My Life Story Thus Far”
    2. Jewelry
      1. Necklace, bracelet, earrings
      2. Watch
    3. Money Clip Holders
    4. Posters with great sayings on it.
    5. Personalized gifts
      1. Personalized wooden box
      2. Personalized jewelry – necklace/ ring/ bracelet
      3. Mugs, glasses
      4. Candy wrappers
      5. Picture albums
      6. Backpacks
      7. Picture frames
      8. Baseball bats
    1. Luggage
    2. Throw Rug
    3. A Bible with their name engraved – if they don’t already have one.
    4. Popular gifts but they also become dust collectors
      1. Paperweights
      2. glass shadow boxes – elegant glass boxes with your grads name so they can store and see their special treasures
      3. a globe that is made of cork with pushpins to mark the countries visited
      4. The year with a spot in the 0 for their picture
      5. Personalized wooden box
      6. Personalized jewelry – necklace/ ring/ bracelet

    Nothing replaces spending T-I-M-E with your teen or soon-to-be graduate, making memories through gift-giving, if the right gift is selected helps.

    Podcast #83 – Creating Memories on Vintage Homeschool Moms

    • Are you an eZine member? If you are you received a LINK to the free eBook!
    • You must be a subscriber to receive yours – Subscribe here

    The post Best Grad Gifts appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Patriotism May 04, 2020

    Patriotism | In this time of controversy, there appears to be a downplaying of patriotism in America. Am I the only one who sees it? If we say we "love our country," then we are not thinking of others. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #homeschool #patriotismandkids #patriotic #teachingpatriotism #military #militaryhonor #honor #honorablekidsPatriotism Is Not Dead – Episode 402

    In this time of controversy, there appears to be a downplaying of patriotism in America. Am I the only one who sees it? If we say we “love our country,” then we are not thinking of others. In this episode, Felice shares ways to honor our Veterans and those who have fought bravely for our freedoms.

    Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels books and Membership website.

    Adults sometimes complicate matters that kids take at face value. One of the treasures of homeschooling is sharing our beliefs and thoughts with our children. The downfall is that one day your kids share their thoughts and beliefs and unfortunately they may not align with yours! When we teach it is often good to allow for a discussion time so that the kids will hear what you are saying and they can form an opinion. But, as I always told my children, “I think lead-in questions must have some good foundation behind it.

    I was very surprised and created a podcast on the topic when my youngest signed up for the Army without first discussing the pros and cons with us. See Military Mom To Be here. It came as a total shock as he had vaguely mentioned looking into the military, but for us it wasn’t anything we talked about as a family or discussed, other than to explain how important it was to honor our soldiers and to respect their service.

    How can kids respect something they don’t know anything about? They can’t. Depending on the age or grade of your children you may want to start with some basics.

    Here is a blog post on Memorial Day Activities For Kids.

    1. Flag Etiquette:

    Have you been to a game and watched people disrespect the National Anthem playing? People don’t know what to do with their hands or if they should wear a hat (only those in active duty military can leave it on) or remove it. It is a sign of patriotism to stand up and respect the flag and what it presents, our freedom. When the anthem plays, stand and place your hand over your heart, if you are a male, remove your hat.

    2 Honor our Soldiers:

    Do you know someone in the military, ask them what they like to hear when in uniform. I heard recently while watching a news show that the soldier did not like being told, “Thank you for your service,” a common phrase. That is typically what we say and it has been well received. Often active-duty military men and women are allowed to board the airplanes first, as well as receive discounts at various places. This shows respect.

    3. Basic freedoms:

    Do your children know about the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The best place to look for information is at the source. The National archives are available online here. The website explains these three documents are known as the “Charters of Freedom,” and have secured our rights as Americans for more than 225 years. It is disappointing when we watch news shows that are the “man on the street” and they interview teens who have no idea what these documents contain! Sometimes our own education is lacking and it is wonderful that we homeschool because we can learn with our kids! We can also learn about the three branches of the government and what they do! (The Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches of Government).

    4. Core beliefs as Americans:

    What do we believe as Americans? In a nutshell, we believe in justice, liberty for all, the pursuit of happiness, we value truth, and of course the rule of law. This month be sure you sign up for our current Character Counts Planner which is on the topic of justice and honor. These traits can be practiced in our own homes!

    The post Patriotism appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Life Skills For Kids Apr 27, 2020

    Life Skills | With the advance in technology many major, must-know life skills are forgotten. In this episode, we roll up our sleeves and discuss the important life skills you kids must learn. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #lifeskillsSpecial Replay: Must Know Life Skills – Episode 343

    With the advance in technology many major, must-know life skills are forgotten. In this episode, we roll up our sleeves and discuss the important life skills you kids must learn.

    With smartphones, there is ready to access information on any imaginable topic – yet our children are at a disadvantage without this handy tool. By life skills, I don’t mean foraging in the forest to hunt and gather, better known as survival skills.

    Here is my list and please add to this with your own ideas:

    Personal Life Skills

    Faith

    1. Convictions – Why you believe what you do
    2. Can you articulate your belief to others
    3. Can you defend your beliefs
    4. A hard look at your faith – and your relationship with Jesus

    Communication – Verbal and Non-Verbal

      1. The ability to explain what you mean in a few words
      2. To be respectful and allow others to speak
      3. To listen when others talk and answer the question
      4. Cell phone etiquette – and oral communication
      5. The eyes and posture tell what you think

    Critical thinking

      1. To realize that we must think for ourselves – but our parents have our best interests at heart!
      2. To realize that everything we read online is not a truth
      3. The ability to make decisions and solve problems
      4. How to resolve a bad decision
      5. Consequence

    Control of Self and Opinion

        1. Everyone does not have to agree with you
        2. Everyone who does not agree with you is not wrong
        3. Allow others to have an opinion however know the difference between opinion and fact
        4. Anger management
        5. Stand by your convictions and know that “your own truth” or “he that defines the term wins” is just talk to make you doubt that you can have convictions.
        6. Self-awareness
        7. Empathy for others

    Coping with Stress

      1. Daily stress happens how do you handle it?
      2. What are good ways to cope?
      3. What are bad ways to cope?
      4. How can you have less stress in your life?

    Practical Life Skills

      1. Cooking, cleaning, hygiene and taking care of yourself.
        1. Make a sandwich or an entire meal.
        2. Do laundry.
        3. Plan a grocery trip and meals – comparing prices
        4. Clothing shopping and sales!
        5. Personal hygiene and why
        6. How to clean a house – a room!
        7. How to change a light bulb or do simple home repairs
        8. Order at a restaurant
      2. Money management
        1. (Allowance or earn money) – Save – Spend – Tithe
        2. Checking or savings accounts
        3. Understanding credit and why it should be avoided
        4. The difference between credit and debit
        5. Planning for the future
        6. Understanding household budgets
        7. Cost of goods – home, car, food, clothing, etc.
      3. Education and Learning
        1. Are you self motivated?
        2. Where do you find your information?
        3. Do you know about primary sources and what this means?
        4. Can you teach yourself? How?
      4. Writing
        1. Communication in the written form
        2. How to address an envelope
        3. How to write a nice email – or what should be in an email.
      5. Directions
        1. Can you follow a GPS
        2. Can you use a map?
        3. Do you know your general directions (N – S- E – W)
      6. Transportation
        1. How do you go from place to place
        2. Do you understand busses, subways, etc. if you are in a big city?
        3. Do you know how to maintain a car?
        4. Change the oil – or the tires?
        1. Insurance
        2. Social security cards
        3. Medication and things that do not mix
        4. Drinking / Driving etc.
        5. What doesn’t go in the microwave
        6. Cars and carbon monoxide

    The post Special Replay: Life Skills For Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Joy of Homeschooling Apr 24, 2020

    The Joy of Homeschooling | The joy of homeschooling may not be obvious to many, however in her time as a homeschool mom, clocking in at thirty-two years, and she is not out of ideas...yet. #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #homeschool The Joy of Homeschooling – Episode 400

    The joy of homeschooling may not be obvious to many, however in her time as a homeschool mom, clocking in at thirty-two years, and she is not out of ideas…yet. Join Felice Gerwitz for a special episode to celebrate her four-hundredth episode on the Joy of Homeschooling. Meredith Curtis shares along with Felice that homeschooling can be a joyful process.

    Thanks to our sponsor Media Angels and the Media Angels Membership website with affordable curriculum for the entire family, award-winning books and our Middle and High school level History classes.

    Join in our fun! We are giving away a $200 Amazon Gift Card.

    We use our home as a safe zone for our children and as parents, we at times forget the most important element and that is finding joy in all we do. I recently read an article that was negative about homeschooling in that it used some of the classic “stereotypical” reasons people homeschool such as family values and faith. The article gleefully announced that those things were something like numbers three and seven on the list. Well, that means my guest and I are stereotypical. Either way, we hope you enjoy this episode.

    The Joy of Homeschooling ~ Topics we discussed:

    1. Loving and serving the Lord. Homeschooling was the perfect vehicle to help us to do this.
    2. Mike and Meredith wanted to homeschool faith and impart. The closeness of family.
    3. Homeschooling is a training ground in relationships within the family.
    4. Unity as a family is a blessing.
    5. Reading – God-centered novels
    6. Historical novels – after dinner was a time to read
    7. After being close to God and a close family, academics are important and good books. Series of books!
    8. Academics of homeschooling
    9. Trips and activities as a family. Taking Day trips — Williamsburg, Washington DC, St. Augustine. European Vacations – with the children.
    10. The legacy and seeds we’ve sown gain fruit.

    What is the end of the story? Homeschooling works and the joy of homeschooling is possible!

    The Joy of Homeschooling | The Joy of Homeschooling | The joy of homeschooling may not be obvious to many, however in her time as a homeschool mom, clocking in at thirty-two years, and she is not out of ideas...yet. #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #homeschool

    The post Joy of Homeschooling appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    50 Top Christian Films Apr 20, 2020

    Top 50 Christian Films For Families | In this episode of the top 50 Christian Films, I explore past favorites along with some new and promising film companies who are currently making Christian movies into mainstream theaters. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #christianfilms #christianfilmsforfamily #christianfilmsforfamilies #filmsforfamilies #christian #christiancontent #ChristianKids #Top50ChristianFilms Replay – 50 Top Christian Films

    In this episode of the top 50 Christian Films, I explore past favorites along with some new and promising film companies who are currently making Christian movies into mainstream theaters. These movies are ones I would recommend however with any recommendation comes a caution to parents. The information is provided as a base for your own favorite list, watch these first before allowing your children to view them, unattended.

    Show Notes: Top 50 Christian Films

    Praise God and Hallelujah, the recent filmmaking industry has vastly improved in their creations of productions with a Christian theme. It was difficult to convince my young children to watch anything not animated or humorous. As my daughter often reminded me, Christian themes are sad because Jesus dies. Yes. But, He also rises from the dead!

    All of these movies obviously have religious undertones or they would not be on this list. Some have been viewed by me, or relatives of mine that I trust! If I have not bolded the title, I have not seen the movie. Please watch any movie you wish to show your young children or even teens. Listen to this podcast for more details.

    There are more than 50 here, those with an asterisk* I’ve seen, the others are recommended.

    These are broken into the following categories: Religious-based fiction; Fiction with religious undertones, Fiction with sports content, Overcoming Hardships, Documentary, Catholic Religious Films.

    Religous based fiction:

    • The Nativity Story**
    • Jesus of Nazareth**
    • The Robe**
    • Parables of Jesus
    • Road to Emmaus
    • Polycarp
    • The Bible**
    • Apostle Peter and the Last Supper
    • The Gospel According to Matthew
    • *The Gospel of John – word for word adaptation
    • The Passion of Christ ** (caution, graphic!)

    Religous Based Undertones

    • God’s Not Dead ** (God’s Not Dead 2)
    • The Encounter
    • Heaven is for Real
    • Grace Unplugged
    • Soul Surfer
    • The Chronicles of Narnia*: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, Voyage of the Dawn Threader
    • War Room
    • Unstoppable
    • Letters to God*
    • Faith Like Potatoes
    • Miracles from Heaven*
    • It’s a Wonderful Life
    • East of Eden
    • Ben-hur
    • All Saints
    • The Blind Side
    • Help

    Overcoming Hardships

    • Before All Others
    • Indescribable
    • A Cross to Bear
    • Unexpected Places
    • Corrie Ten Boom
    • 94 Feet
    • The Encounter

    Animations Christian Theme:

    • Veggie Tales!**
    • The Prince of Egypt*
    • Old and New Testament: NEST *

    Documentary Christian Theme:

    • Shroud of Turin- 3 DVD**
    • Journeying with Jesus
    • Tomb of Jesus
    • Case for Christ
    • Hillsong: Let Hope Rise*
    • Tim Tebow: On a Mission

    Sports Focus Religious Undertones

    • Champions of Fath **
    • Milltown Pride
    • Catching Faith
    • One Hit From Home
    • Pitching Love
    • Jackson’s Run

    Catholic Films:

    • Joan of Arc*
    • Pope John Paul II*
    • The Song of Bernadette*
    • A Man For All Seasons*
    • The Mission*
    • The Trouble with Angels*
    • Going My Way*
    • The Bell’s of St. Mary*
    • Therese*
    • The Sound of Music*
    • The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima
    • Come to the Stable *

    These Moview were previous Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network Sponsors

    Felice previewed these movies: Previewed the following movies:

    1. Ice Dragon
    2. Miracle Season
    3. Like Arrows

    The post 50 Top Christian Films appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Secrets For Raising Kids Apr 13, 2020

    Secrets For Raising Kids | Do you want the secrets for raising great kids? No snowflake kids allowed in our home and I’m sure you’d agree your kids have opinions, they know what they want and often tell you when you least expect it. Join Felice Gerwitz and Denise Mira for a no-nonsense podcast where we get real about raising kids. (We should know, we have ten kids between the two of us!) | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #raisingkidswithtruegrit #DeniseMira #raisingkids #greatkids #nosnowflakekids #children #kidsSecrets For Raising Kids Episode 399 with Denise Mira

    Do you want the secrets for raising great kids? No snowflake kids allowed in our home and I’m sure you’d agree your kids have opinions, they know what they want and often tell you when you least expect it. Join Felice Gerwitz and Denise Mira for a no-nonsense podcast where we get real about raising kids. (We should know, we have ten kids between the two of us!)

    Thanks to our sponsor, Reading Eggs- visit the website – Your child can learn to read in just 15 minutes a day! Reading Eggs is offering a special 30-Day FREE Trial. Sign up today and watch your child become a stronger reader! A multi-award winning learning program for children ages 2–13. Register at https://readingeggs.com/media1/
    Hurry, offer ends May 16th! *Valid for new customers only.

    Show Notes:

    Visit my special guest DeniseMira.com

    With Denise’s five boys and my three boys and two girls, we’ve raised ten kids combined. We’ve learned some things such as one-size-does-not-fit-most and that no matter your child’s gender meltdowns happen from time to time. What do you do in these situations and how do you handle the kids who are a blessing you can not handle?

    Raising kids is not secret. It takes work. But raising kids with an indomitable quality called “grit” takes the know-how that comes from experienced moms. We see overindulged children everywhere we go and many are in college in need of comfort and solitude. What happened to our parenting skills? With making the hard choices? In this episode we cover the character issues that plaque many children and the secrets to raising kids that you can be proud of when they become adults.

    Why is it that our children imitate or pick up our most annoying traits? We examine not only the substance of character but also a test we parents can take to analyze our own parenting techniques. (Felice: I was a threatening-repeating parent … threats the kids did not take seriously because there was no follow-through! Thankfully after a few kids I realized this didn’t work well!) We as parents have to look at our children as the blessings they are but also realize it takes work and sometimes a trial and tribulation to get through the day.

    Handout from Denise Secrets For Raising Kids:

    True Grit-Secrets for Raising Kids VHM EP 399

    Eight Secrets for Raising Kids:

    1. Substance of character
    2. The test for us parents
    3. Dopamine hits
    4. Emotional intelligence
    5. Trial and tribulation
    6. Struggle
    7. Perseverance
    8. James 1:2-4

    Thank you to our Network Sponsor!

    Click to watch the Trailer!

    The post Secrets For Raising Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Special Replay: Last Minute Easter Prep Apr 06, 2020

    Last Minute Easter Prep | Last minute Easter Prep made easy! If you are hosting an Easter celebration or joining one here are some things to remember to make your time memorable and fun. And, the best part it can be hassle-free and will save money and time. | #podcast #holidayprep #easterSpecial Replay: Last Minute Easter Prep – Episode 341

    Last minute Easter Prep made easy! If you are hosting an Easter celebration or joining one here are some things to remember to make your time memorable and fun. And, the best part it can be hassle-free and will save money and time.

    Easter is a time when we rejoice and celebrate and commemorate the Lord’s death and Resurrection. Eggs symbolize new birth and for us, as Christian’s, it is a time of renewal of our faith and rebirth in a sense as well.

    SO, how do we translate our faith into a celebration that the children will understand and remember for more than just the candy? We have a celebration!

    I’ve hosted many of these and now my younger kids are grown up and sadly can’t join us as they are away in other states in college. While I’m sad for us, I’m happy they can spend it together. However, my “help” has dwindled down and that is why I am big on doing things way ahead. There are always last minute things to do. If you are a guest ask if you can arrive early to help. And be sure to volunteer to help clean up (without being asked!) Unless you know your host really does not want your help.

    My secret has been keeping it simple. And, in reusing things from past celebrations and adding on as money or time permitted for crafts. For example, I use cloth napkins that are over ten years old and napkin rings. I also use paper napkins and have those out for use with appetizers, etc.t

    Clothing:

    Fancy clothes are nice and special but we rarely wear them more than one time and they tend to be more expensive.

    1. Sewing is an option for those talented.
    2. Dress up a simpler dress with jewelry or a pretty sweater.
    3. Order online and return what you don’t like. Saves time and money, often online sources are cheaper than shopping in the stores.
    4. Go to second-hand stores – great bargains for those with patience!
    5. Outlet or discount stores

    Decorations:

    1. Create nice posters that commemorate the Lord’s resurrection – the March 2019 planner contains some you can print out that I’ve provided.
    2. Have the children make a paper chain with strips of colored paper in pastels you can hand.
    3. Use wildflowers and create a spring bouquet for the tables.
    4. Colorful tablecloths and napkins

    Delegate:

    1. Everyone has a job – be sure they know what it is.
    2. Guests want to help – the ones that don’t you’ll either know or they may surprise you!
    3. Have a floater *typically spouse who can go where needed – on call.

    Food – Keep it simple:

    • Casserole or roast – prepare ahead or in a slow cooker (or instant pot!)
    • Ready-made sides – or prepare and freeze
    • Allow others to bring something
    • Cake or cheesecake, brownies

    Cleaning:

    • Start way ahead
    • Assign jobs – take out the trash, pick up items from the floor, etc.
    • Keep trash bags and cleaning cloths handy for spills
    • Set up tables or count number of chairs
    • Cups with lids for kids (use disposable insulated coffee cups with lids -insert straws)

    Games for Kids – Basket of stuff for little ones –

    • Coloring books and my favorites are nonmessy – coloring markers that don’t make a mess “magic”
    • balloons (helium is a favorite) with weighted toys. – caution – ceiling fans!
    • Paper crafts – airplanes
    • Plain paper and coloring pencils
    • Plastic eggs with pennies or cheap toys
    • Kathleen’s store – trade in eggs for stuff

    Older Kids:

    Playoffs –

    • Checker game boards
    • Chess boards
    • Card games
    • Outside activates if weather permits

    Food – Taken inventory

    1. Make a list – what needs to be done this week?
      1. Food shopping
      2. Make ahead foods
      3. Buy ahead foods and date – when (bread, etc.)
      4. Cleaning
      5. Table settings/ plastic plates?
      6. Kid-friendly activities
    2. What did you plan to make or take that you didn’t do yet?
      1. Do you have time? If not buy prepared.
      2. If so – make it and freeze it ahead.
      3. If you are making it the day of – plan a schedule
    3. Plan your menu with times to cook –what does in when? (Talk about lasagna – cold)
    4. Appetizers – will you have any? If so are they easy to prepare ahead of time?

    Worship

    Church – the most important event is going to worship the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Some churches have a late evening service the night before that goes on for hours – ours does with readings from Genesis through the birth and resurrection of our Lord – basically the salvation history. Others have a sunrise service or services during the morning.

    Remember to begin the day with praise and prayer! He is Risen!!

    This is a wonderful response ~

    Ha!Ha! Thank you for this! I have already purchased our whole Easter meal this past weekend – two slices of ham steak (just need to be heated) and microwave everything – potatoes – sweet and regular – mac and cheese, and two frozen already made desserts! We will make deviled eggs out of our colored eggs and probably resurrection rolls out of canned crescent rolls 😉 Decided my family will enjoy this just as much because we never have this kind of food. We will be having a big breakfast at church – which my daughter and I are making homemade dishes for -that morning. A long time ago, I would have said: “Oh no – I can’t cook homemade for other people and then not do it for my family”. But I realize there will be lots more time for homemade for my family during the year when it isn’t a holiday and they will enjoy a happy mama more than the food 🙂 Thanks again! It really is about Jesus and not food!
    Mistie

    The post Special Replay: Last Minute Easter Prep appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Foundations of Learning Apr 01, 2020

    Foundations of Learning | The foundations of learning begin with bringing beauty into learning. In this episode, Felice Gerwitz and Lisa Ann Dillon discuss how the Classical education approach and Charlotte Mason can both be drawn upon when teaching children. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #wisdomwonderproject #classical #charlottemason #homeschool #hybridschool #coremath #singaporemath Foundations of Learning ~ Episode 401

    The foundations of learning begin with bringing beauty into learning. In this episode, Felice Gerwitz and Lisa Ann Dillon discuss how the Classical education approach and Charlotte Mason can both be drawn upon when teaching children.

    Thanks to our sponsor, Wisdom Wonder Project. Be sure to check out their YouTube channel with the Singapore Math video instructions.

    Lisa Ann Dillon is a homeschool mom and long time educator at a Classical Academy hybrid school. She was able to teach part-time and home educate her children as well. She found in reading good literature that her son, then around two and a half enjoyed hearing her read. She explained that when given beautiful materials the “mind lights up,” and she pursued this avenue in teaching. (listen to the audio for details)

    The foundations of learning were highly influenced by the Classical Approach and also Charlotte Mason’s gentle approach while keeping learning vigorous. Teaching age-appropriate materials during different stages allowed the children to achieve mastery. The Wisdom Wonder Project strives to light their fire to love learning and move into the direction of mastery.

    In addition, Lisa Ann loves the Singapore Math curriculum and explained that the results are astounding. The program is very researched based. It is a more organic core of math that starts in a concrete manner. It always starts with something we can move with our hands and see visually. Singapore Math always addresses all the learning styles. The Wisdom Wonder Project has a series of math videos on their YouTube Channel here. They plan to add more and more levels. The vocabulary is different in teaching this method and the children catch on quickly. Lisa Ann explained that many parents have a fear of teaching math to their children because of a bad experience when they were in school. She called it “math anxiety.” She said one of the ways to overcome this was to pay attention to how your child learns, and to teach them the same way. Teach with concrete materials and children learn well in this manner. She said this hands-on approach works for children who struggle with dysgraphia and dyscalculia.

    After years of teaching at the academy, Lisa Ann said many parents wanted to have access to these teachings no matter where they lived. Soon the Wisdom Wonder Project started. There are wonderful classes that can be used in the homeschool as well as supplemental activities for your children.

    Foundations of Learning:

    • Time on the Sofa – bringing the children together to read aloud
    • Activities that are geared up or down bringing everyone together (Learning packets available connected to literature.)
    • Little Wonders kits are here
    • Beautiful literature feeds the child’s soul and they want to listen again and again.
    • Primary and Intermediate Stages coming soon.

    Wisdom Wonder Project | #wisdomwonderproject #LisaAnnDillon

    Important Dates & Pricing ~ Wisdom Wonder Project

    ● We are launching our grammar school level subscription, Young Scholars, later this Spring for 1st-2nd grades (primary), beginning with our summer series.
    ● Also later this Spring, launching the Singapore Math video subscription for Kindergarten on our website. They are designed to watch 4 videos per week during the course of the school year (140 videos total! Length = 7-15 minutes). Right now, we have over 30 of these available for free on our Youtube channel (subscribe to watch).

    • We have a daily email with free lessons and resources for all ages, sign up for them on our website – here is a look at our archived emails.

    Instagram: @wisdomwonderproject Facebook: /WisdomWonderProject

    The post Foundations of Learning appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Restful Life Homeschool Mar 30, 2020

    Restful Homeschooling | Join us as we discuss the restful life homeschool and my special guest Kim Huitt. Kim lives in Alaska with her husband and three children and is currently a homeschool mom! She blogs on her website RestFULLLife Homeschool where she shares her reflections on faith, family and homeschooling. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #kimhuitt #comeawaybeloved #momsretreat #christianhomeschool #christianhomeschooling #christianhome #christianmomRestful Life Homeschool Episode 398 with Kim Huitt

    Join us as we discuss the restful life homeschool and my special guest Kim Huitt. Kim lives in Alaska with her husband and three children and is currently a homeschool mom! She blogs on her website RestFULLLife Homeschool where she shares her reflections on faith, family and homeschooling.

    Thanks to our sponsor Media Angels, Inc. and the Media Angels Membership site.

    Visit Kim on her blog at RestfulLife Homeschool here.

    In this episode, we discuss topics about marriage, children, and expectations of homeschool moms. Kim shares how in her times of desperation she turned to the Lord to be filled so she could then pour out to her children! As moms, we often put our needs and concerns to the side as we care for our families, but even moms need to be filled!

    Kim is a featured speaker on the “Come Away Beloved” mom’s retreat! her topic inspired many. To get a copy of the retreat go here.

    Her tips for homeschool moms:

    1. Start with prayer.
    2. Pray with your children and read the Bible each morning.
    3. Pray blessings upon your children during the day and in the evening
    4. Be confident in who God made you to be!
    5. Trust God for your homeschool journey and family.
    6. Grow with your children and learn
    7. Read inspiring biographies together

    About Kim Huitt –

    Kim Huitt is a fellow pilgrim, currently “camping out” in Alaska with her husband of 23 years and her three children, a corgi, and a cat. She is constantly looking for God’s fingerprints all over His creation. An avid audible listener, podcast supporter, and book list junkie she is constantly journaling about her passions. Her children are 16, 13, and 9. She writes about their style of home education on her blog and she just started a series of vlogs on home educating. She volunteers as a client advocate at her local Community Pregnancy Center and has taught Sunday School for many years. Kim has a passion to see women of all ages understand their identity in Christ, find their worth in Him, choose the way that leads to abundant life, and purposefully replace lies with The Truth. And the truth is our Father loves and adores you.

    KimHuitt.com

    Instagram: @kimhuitt

    The post Restful Life Homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Healthy Families Mar 28, 2020

    Healthy Families | Most of us want healthy families, especially in this time of worry over the latest virus. It is time to meet our essential oils expert, a homeschool graduate, and homeschooling mom of eight Amanda Filla. Amanda is a podcaster at Simple Blessings & Oils. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #AmandaFila #essentialoils #healthyliving #stayinghealthy #healthy #healthy Healthy Families with special guest, Amanda Filla – Episode 340

    Most of us want healthy families, especially in this time of worry over the latest virus. It is time to meet our essential oils expert, a homeschool graduate, and homeschooling mom of eight Amanda Filla. Amanda is a podcaster at Simple Blessings & Oils

    Amanda grew up in a pretty natural household. When something happened, mom usually had some sort of a concoction or a natural way of doing things. And my grandma was always into vitamins and herbs and just natural living. And so when I grew up having my first baby, I knew a little bit about living in a healthy family.

    I started diving into homeopathy and my husband was the one who saw the quickest results. He had a lot of seasonal issues and had taken lots of medicine in order to feel better. So when homeopathy came in, it was just like this huge light bulb went off. We started eating healthier, we started really watching what we were bringing into our home and realizing that chemicals and things like that who are actually causing us to be sicker. We also started getting advice from experts – check out here if you wish to do the same. And then, a friend of mine invited me to an essential oil class. I’ve heard of lavender and peppermint, but little else. It’s been eight years since we’ve started using essential oils and it’s just kind of been a spiral effect as to how we can keep ourselves healthy.

    God gave us all of these tools, to make us healthy. And no, if you break a bone or you know, something gets smashed, we have doctors! But I think as a culture we’ve gotten away from figuring out what’s really wrong, whether it’s a common cold or having a toxin in our environment. We just expect this magic pill to fix everything.

    Healthy Family – Listen to this podcast!

    Amanda shares lots of great information on her podcast Simple Blessings & Oils!

    The post Healthy Families appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Creating For Christ Mar 16, 2020

    Creating for Christ | Have you wanted a business, what about creating for Christ? Well today's guest, Michelle Ruschman is a work at home mom who has created beautiful items! | #podcast #christianpodcast #homeschool #homeschoolpodcast #creatingjewlery #christianartist #entrepreneurCreating For Christ Episode —- with Michelle Ruschman and Felice Gerwitz

    Have you wanted a business, what about creating for Christ? Well today’s guest, Michelle Ruschman is a work at home mom who has created beautiful items!

    Michelle was a special speaker in the “Come My Beloved” seminar series. You can still access the video here. This was a powerful series of video and audio presentations for those who need encouragement, coming beside them and alongside them in their faith journey.

    Our sponsor is Media Angels, Inc. You can find out more information about the one-week conference “Come Away My Beloved” on the website here.

    Michelle Ruschman is an award-winning writer who writes for GO! Christian Magazine, a professional artist whose art has been displayed in the Pensacola Museum of Art each year since 2018, and a jewelry artisan is best known for her line of dichroic glass crosses, Beautifully Broken. Her jewelry business, starting out as a cultural expression featuring the original writing system of the Philippines, baybayin, is now focused on her faith and the ministry of each piece of jewelry she makes.

    My website: www.michelleruschman.com

    Facebook: The Prodigal Artist Gallery – Art by Michelle Ruschman

    Michelle Ruschman Facebook: The Devotions of a Prodigal Daughter Facebook: The Jesus and Me Circle of Encouragement Show Notes:

    Michelle creates amazing jewelry and beautiful crosses! Michelle shares her journey about how she came to Christ in 2009 and she started her jewelry business the year before as a cultural expression. As a first-generation Filipino immigrant, she came to the US as a two-year-old. It was not until I became an adult that she learned about their original writing system. After looking for a piece of jewelry that featured this writing system and not finding it anywhere (after she had determined that they were going to be Christmas gifts that year.), she ended up learning the script and how to translate it. And it ended up being a business.

    People really responded to it especially in the Filipino American community where we were trying to hold on to the roots in their heritage. And she starting to sell internationally. People were very kind but then leading up to 2009 she was ready to connect with God and so her jewelry took an entirely different turn. It was as if the prodigal daughter came home and Michelle wanted to use her artistic talent for the Lord. She was ready to follow the Lord and went to a Christian conference. Later the Lord prepared for the purchase a kiln after her dad had passed away from cancer. She felt this purchase was in honor of him. She was able to apprentice but claims she was horrible at it, to begin with, however she still needed to find her expressive voice.

    At the Christian conference, the Lord gave her a vision and a focus and she created her broken crosses. She shared that she is able to get many things done since the Lord wakes her up anywhere from three to four o’clock and she gets up and prays, then she gets ideas for her art or she writes. Getting up so early allows her to make good use of her time.

    Michelle shared about her topic of Jesus being safe and she taught this in her session on the Mom’s Retreat here.

    She also attended my Ultimate Christian Communicators Conference where I met her and learned so much for our amazing speakers.

    The post Creating For Christ appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Forgiveness Replay Mar 09, 2020

    teaching kids forgiveness | In teaching kids forgiveness you are giving your children the tools or fundamentals of forgiveness but arguably one of the best gifts you can ever give them. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #teachingforgiveness #forgivenessandkids #kidsforgive #kidsforgivingTeaching Kids Forgiveness Episode 231

    In teaching kids forgiveness you are giving your children the tools or fundamentals of forgiveness but arguably one of the best gifts you can ever give them.

    Please help us out – Please help share this episode with your friends! And, please give this show a star rating on iTunes (search for Vintage Homeschool Mom) or any podcast app on your smartphone. Thanks so much for helping share this show with your friends!

    Here are the podcasts I did on the topic of forgiveness on our sister network, The Ultimate Christian Podcast Network, Forgiveness Podcast #10 and Asking Forgiveness Podcast #11

    Thanks to our Sponsor!

    I’d like to thank our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. and the Membership website.

    Show Notes: Teaching Kids Forgiveness:

    Do you teach your children to say, “I’m sorry – or will you forgive me” when they have hurt someone? I know if you are a mom or dad you most certainly have and I’m sure more than once! In life, people hurt you and even in the Bible Jesus tells us to forgive each day, 77 times!

    But how do you explain this to your children? Today I’m going to explain how as well as give you some practical applications. Teaching kids forgiveness is not only possible it is amazingly practical and will make your life so much easier. Can you imagine? Kids that truly forgive?

    Forgiveness, when it happens in the way that God designed, it is truly beautiful. You can teach your children that God forgave us our sins and so, gave us the perfect example of forgiving. You can also teach your children the Lord’s prayer, when we recite, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Here we are praying to the Lord to forgive us in the same way that we forgive others who have hurt us.

    But, did you know there is a difference between forgiveness as a feeling and as a decision?

    Teaching your children about forgiveness is really a two-fold situation. It is teaching your child to look for at forgiveness as a give and take. It is not one-sided. So, what do I mean by this? First, there is the person who has been hurt. We always say arguments take two people, at least right? There is a he-said, she-said. But either way, someone is hurt either physically or psychologically. Second, there is a consequence to our actions. We must be held accountable for what we do. If a child hurts someone physically or using words, the consequences tend to be different. Usually parents, and I know I did, give a harsher punishment to a child that hurts another. It is thought that using words is not as bad, however, words sometimes have a lasting effect.

    But there is good news when teaching kids forgiveness! You are teaching your children that they don’t have to hold grudges forever, they can be set free and so can their siblings, friends or even you the parents.

    In sharing with your children about forgiveness I have developed three points I discuss with my children…

    1. Forgiveness is making a decision to forgive even if we don’t feel like it. Forgiveness is not a feeling in that “I feel like forgiving you.” No, forgiveness is an act of will.
    2. We forgive out of obedience to God – when He says we must forgive 70 x 7 per day. Matthew 18:21-22

    Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!”

    1. Unforgiveness is holding anger or a grudge against a person and it hurts us more than them. If you have teens explain to this to them – you can’t hold anyone else accountable except yourself. People who don’t forgive are often bitter and harsh. Forgiving releases, the person to the Lord, to deal with them. It is not our job to punish others for what they have done to you.

    You can’t punish a person who doesn’t care. Often if someone has hurt you it is because of a lack of relationship. You don’t –or you try not to hurt those you love. Often siblings fight and most of this comes from selfishness on the part of one or both. It isn’t necessarily malicious. However, the hurts that stay with us are often unfair and malicious. They are caused by those who really don’t care about us, or if they do they care in a superficial way.

    Deciding to forgive releases you to go on with your life. You are not depressed or upset any longer – or if you are, continue to hand that person over to the Lord.

    So how do you forgive?

    The first step to reconciliation with another person is making the decision to forgive. The next step is asking for forgiveness.

    Do your kids say, “I’m sorry.” First, it puts all the control into the person saying it. Secondly, often you will know by their tone of voice you know that they really are not that sorry? It is normally a formality. We make our kids say they are sorry for hurting another because they should! But, if it is insincere we are wasting their time and ours. It also teaches your child to be flippant about saying they are sorry without realizing the consequences.

    That is why I taught my children to say, “Will you forgive me?” In that way, the request is not in the hands of the offending child, but in the hands of the person who is hurt. That person must agree to forgive and release the other from the sin, and recognize they, while hurt – have made a decision to forgive. In this case, both children can work toward healing of their relationship. Both are on the forgiving end. The one asking for forgiveness and the one giving it. Isn’t that beautiful! It shows God’s healing love.

    Teach your children to ask the Lord to help them if they are still bitter from the hurt. Ask your children to pray for the “offending” person every day. Why? Because of Luke 6: 35-36 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

    That takes prayer and eventually if you can teach your child to do this, they will grow up to be wonderful adults! Praying for your enemies works! The evil one does not want us to have peace in our lives. The evil one wants us upset and frustrated. When we are upset and frustrated can we move on with our lives – serve and do good for the Lord? No. We are held in bondage in one place.

    Scriptures on forgiveness:

    Colossians: 3:13

    Matthew: 6:14-15

    What are your favorite forgiveness scriptures? Make a list of these and pray them when you have difficulty forgiving.

    The post Forgiveness Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Five Tips For Baking with Kids Mar 04, 2020

    Five Great Tips For Baking with Kids | How much fun is baking? Well, join us as we talk about five tips for baking with kids with Miriam Schwartz from Baketivity. She is a mom of four little ones who shares her best suggestions for making baking time fun with children. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #bakingwithkids #fivetipstobakingwithkids #baketivity #bakingwithkids #kidsbaking #miriamschwartz #cookingkits #kidscookingtipsFive Tips For Baking with Kids ~ Episode 396 with Felice Gerwitz and Miriam Schwartz

    How much fun is baking? Well, join us as we talk about five tips for baking with kids with Miriam Schwartz from Baketivity. She is a mom of four little ones who shares her best suggestions for making baking time fun with children.

    Thanks to our sponsor! Baketivity – they have a timely special offer for our listeners, use the password HOMESCHOOL – go to Baketivity.com/homeschool

    Miriam and her husband are entrepreneurs with a heart for getting kids off of the computer and into the kitchen with their parents. They began Baketivity with this in mind. The idea was to get kids away from the screens, whether they are the phone, tablets or even televisions and computers. Instead, they created this no-fuss kits with all the ingredients you need to bake with the children. No need to shop for ingredients it all comes ready to go and put together. Using only natural ingredients these kits are delicious.

    Miriam discussed Five Tips for Baking with Kids

    1. Safety in the kitchen is of top importance so the children know what is dangerous and to be aware of the hot ovens and sharp utensils
    2. Let this be the child’s creation. We sometimes want everything to be perfect, let the child make it his own.
    3. Expect a mess! Baking with kids can be fun but know it may be messy.
    4. Baking is a time for sharing and talking about topics that are important to you. These can be teaching moments.
    5. Let the children read the recipe – help them with the words if necessary but this gives them a sense of accomplishment.

    Visit the Baketivity website for more information about all they have to offer! I’m trying those bagels!

    Five Great Tips For Baking with Kids | How much fun is baking? Well, join us as we talk about five tips for baking with kids with Miriam Schwartz from Baketivity. She is a mom of four little ones who shares her best suggestions for making baking time fun with children. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #bakingwithkids #fivetipstobakingwithkids #baketivity #bakingwithkids #kidsbaking #miriamschwartz #cookingkits #kidscookingtips

    The post Five Tips For Baking with Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Secrets To Victory In Faith Mar 02, 2020

    Secrets to Victory in Faith | The secrets to victory in faith is much easier than you think. A happy family life where you kids actually like each other comes from using some of these "secrets" that are shared by today's special guest, Lucia Claborn. You will love her gentle spirit and her love of the Lord. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #christianliving #christianfamily #christianfaithandfamilySecrets to Victory in Faith For Families ~ Episode 395 with Lucia Claborn and Felice Gerwitz

    The secrets to victory in faith is much easier than you think. A happy family life where you kids actually like each other comes from using some of these “secrets” that are shared by today’s special guest, Lucia Claborn. You will love her gentle spirit and her love of the Lord.

    Lucia is an author and you can view here books here – and she is a podcaster. She has a show Victorious Living here.

    Thanks to our sponsor – Media Angels, Inc. and the featured product – The Moms Retreat – Come My Beloved. Available for immediate download

    What are the Secrets To Victory in Faith?

    Lucia homeschooled her children from first grade through high school. They are now in their mid-twenties. Lucia now lives a victorious life with her husband in Alabama.

    For many years Lucia lived a defeated life – and well into her early thirties, she was a professed heathen. She did not go to church, she did not know that God created her to walk in victory, that He had a perfect plan for her life! That plan included good plans and prosperity and good health and victory every day of her life. Her husband prayed for a godly Christian woman, which in her mind was the farthest thing from that. She had a will to change to please her husband who mentioned it one time which gave her a hunger and a longing for a relationship with Jesus. She began to learn everything she could about the Word.

    She learned that God created the world and He gave that world to us and Genesis 1:26 and told us that we’re supposed to rule and reign in our domain and walk in our authority. And so she thought, “Well, let me just try this.”

    As different situations came up she would find a promise in the Word of God. She used a concordance–before the days of online Bibles. She would say the promises with authority. The Word says that faith without action is dead.

    One day she took authority over the negative influences in her neighborhood and the people were soon gone. She learned that in life God gives us hope.

    You can pray prayers for whatever that situation is in your life.

    More Secrets To Victory In Faith

    1. Abraham is our father of faith so we can use him. He is a perfect example of faith.
    2. God really honors our faith and it’s our faith that will move the hand to God that will allow us to receive things out of the spirit realm, into the natural realm, into our lives.
    3. If you don’t understand faith, let me just share with you that you received everything from father God in the spirit realm. Our faith is our healing is in the spirit realm. Our joy is in the spirit realm.
    4. God’s Word says that he loves us daily with all His benefits. So we want those benefits in our lives, but if we don’t know what they are, we can’t take them by face value. And so what I’m going to be sharing is that faith is the key to our victory.
    5. God has given us a measure of faith and we can grow our faith.
    6. So we always want to be growing. We always want to be striving towards that next level of spiritual maturity.
      1. The first level is I believe.
      2. The second level of faith is if you are willing.
      3. The third level of faith is if I can just press into Jesus I can be healed.
      4. The fourth level of faith is blind faith – we believe without seeing.

    Jeremiah 29:11 says, you have good plans for me and I trust you to walk me through this.

    The depression days are over and every day your life is better in every way that you’ll thrive and you won’t just survive.

    God increases us little by little every day, every week, every month, every year is increased.

    Sometimes we see miracles, but more often than not, God wants to bring us through the process of restoration and overcoming because of what happened to our character.

    The post Secrets To Victory In Faith appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Teach Health and Homeopathy To Kids Feb 24, 2020

    Teach Health and Homeopathy To Kids | Here are some truly simple ways to teach health and homeopathy to your kids with my special guest the author of a curriculum specifically for parents to do this, Paola Brown. After recovering from an illness that left her bedridden she discovered natural remedies and that was her road to wellness. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #podcast #homeopathy #teachhealth #health #homeopathyforkids #healthforkids #kidsandhealth #teachkidsSimple Ways To Teach Health and Homeopathy To Kids ~ Episode 394

    Here are some truly simple ways to teach health and homeopathy to your kids with my special guest the author of a curriculum specifically for parents to do this, Paola Brown. After recovering from an illness that left her bedridden she discovered natural remedies and that was her road to wellness.

    Paola Brown is a homeschool mom to a 12, 10, and 8 year old and currently lives in Budapest. She has written a curriculum that is language-based for parents to teach their children about health and homeopathy. Visit our guest on her website at PaolaBrown.com

    Paola tried the conventional way of using medicine and she found it wasn’t working out for her, and after she was diagnosed with multiple autoimmune diseases, she became bedridden and was very sick. She went to the best of the best doctors, flew all over the country, and went to the Mayo clinic but no one could help. That is when she switched to a chiropractic, used herbs and while those things helped it wasn’t a cure and she decided to learn about natural health and wellness. It moved the ball in that direction, but it wasn’t until she learned about homeopathic medicine that the changes began. Homeopathic medicine is not synonymous with herbs and essential oils, it’s its own system of natural medicine.

    Homeopathic medicine was a game-changer.

    1. She began to get well and progress in leaps and bounds.
    2. She wanted a legacy for her children after she struggled to fight and get my health back
    3. She was born in Brazil, and they immigrated to the US so while her parents knew the didn’t have health insurance, they brought their homeopathy kit.
    4. Homeopathy is pretty popular, especially in Europe and in foreign countries. Her mom brought a kit with her and then when her dad graduated from college and got a full-time job she threw out her kit because she had access to conventional medicine.
    5. Paola traces her health decline to the use of conventional drugs, unnecessary antibiotics, and misdiagnosis.

    Her goal was to teach health and homeopathy to her kids after this encounter.

    At an international conference Paola met many of the world-renowned homeopaths such as Dr. Peter Fisher who was the physician for the queen of England. He’s a medical homeopath. She has traveled and met many professional homeopaths. She asked this question, “So do your children just kiss the ground you walk on because you raise them with homeopathy, so they never had to resort to antibiotics or just rarely.” She asked, “Do they just adore you?” And one homeopath looked at me and said, “My son just took a round of antibiotics today. He is in college, he’s and he just thinks I’m a crazy person.”

    Paola thought she had to change this with her own family and it triggered the idea to create a system to make this easier on parents to create opportunities and a learning environment where that learning is introduced to their children. She wanted to create a system that makes it easy to open and go and do it and teach it to your kids. (The book will be available in May of 2020) Follow Paola Brown on Facebook here

    Teach Health and Homeopathy to Kids:

    1. Teaching with stories – In Paola’s novel, she teaches children about the illnesses that happen in families and ways to combat the illness. She believes a literature-based approach is best.
    2. Workbooks that are meant for hands-on learning.
    3. Vocabulary cards and words with common remedies and definitions as well as applications
    4. Interactive videos that teach children
    5. Songs – learning happens easily through memorization of facts with music
    6. Audiobooks. This is a great way to get the information twice, once by hearing it and another by applications.

    Takeaways:

    1. Talk to your children and tell them stories. Allow them to come up with the answers. Also, tell them why you make the health decisions you do. When she recently had the flu, the children knew to bring her juice and water and the importance of hydration because she too has taught her children this as well. Talk about the dangers of over the counter medicines. Basically they force a fever down but sometimes a fever is beneficial because while it is uncomfortable, it will help to fight the illness faster.
    2. Give the children to skills to research and learn about the side effects of drugs. If you are prescribed medication do you always know the side effects? The doctor may list a few, but researching this is important. It is important to learn to read a drug label.
    3. Study the Material Medica book and obtain a copy if at all possible, there you will find suggestions of remedies for different issues and the children can create their own notecards or a booklet. This project is great. They can learn about Arnica Montana, and Belladonna, and common remedies. They can learn about terminology such as terrain theory and how soil that is depleted or plants that are weak will get ill, while dirt that is rich and has nutrients and strong plants won’t attract the same types of pest because they are resilient. Chicken soup really is good for you when you are sick with a cold.

    The post Teach Health and Homeopathy To Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Family Date Nights Feb 17, 2020

    Family Date Night | 45 Date Night Ideas! So many times we are not making memories we are getting by! Family date nights are a great way to create those lasting memories with our kids! Join Felice Gerwitz and Denise Mira in this fun episode. | #podcast #Homeschoolpodcast #45FamilyDateNightIdeas #DateNightIdeasFamily Date Nights ~ Episode 393

    with Felice Gerwitz and Denise Mira

    So many times we are not making memories we are getting by! Family date nights are a great way to create those lasting memories with our kids! Join Felice Gerwitz and Denise Mira in this fun episode.

    Thanks to our sponsor Media Angels, Inc and DeniseMira.com

    Our world drives chaos-we can find ourselves ships passing in the night, over-scheduled, too many lessons, extracurricular and cell phones constantly dinging and buzzing; we have to be intentional about family time. Often family night fun is determined by the weather region we live in or the season of the year as well as the age of the kids as well as your personal preferences.

    Example: We are not a soccer family, but we are a baseball and football family. Your kids may be young elementary age or high schoolers; age determines a lot. Here’s a variety of activities to choose from depending on the weather and the preferences of your family!

    Rule #1 ~ Cell phones OFF, landlines unplugged. Engage!

    45 Family Date Night IDEAS

    Physical, outdoor fun

    1. Backyard family softball/T-ball games.
    2. Backyard family soccer play.
    3. Backyard badminton or slippery slide play
    4. Snow play-make a snowman and clothe him, have a snowball fight
    5. Leaf play-rake piles and jump and roll in them
    6. Basement bowling or rollerskating.
    7. Ping pong tourneys on the dining room table.
    8. We had a sports court on our property – pickleball and basketball were much enjoyed.
    9. Late summer blackberry picking is free and abundant and very messy! Make a cobbler or pie or simmered sauce for ice cream.
    10. Hikes or bike rides

    Indoor Fun

    1. Have a Christian stand-up comedy night– Thou Shalt Laugh is a great video to start with – it boasts a variety of comedians to choose from. Michael Junior, Jeff Allen, Tim Hawkins, Thor Ramsey and more.
    2. Pull out the ancient family photo albums or family home videos, or mom and dad’s wedding video to watch and giggle at.
    3. Build a fire from the logs up w the kids.
    4. Make s’mores over the fire.
    5. Snuggle up and Daddy reads aloud to us. (Little House, Patrick McManus, the Redwall Series)
    6. Musical? Have a family jam night and play your instruments.
    7. Pizza night with take home to bake or frozen pizza, LaCroix with juice instead of soda.
    8. Do a DIY project or Pinterest project together-finger puppets, decorative photo frames, bath bombs
    9. Have daughters? Make it a spa night with facials, nail painting, foot massage, and special beverages.
    10. Dress up and role play night or do a puppet show -video the play and watch it on the big screen.
    11. Charades for kids – a card game from Walmart is a lot of fun to play together.
    12. Play board games/do an entire 100 (or more) piece puzzle in a night/play traditional card games.
    13. One of our favorites do-together activities is cooking. Build your own homemade pizzas, prepare Mexican food, build your own sub sandwiches or other fav meals
    14. Make cookies or a favorite dessert/play background music=kitchen dance party!
    15. Everyone builds a sundae on the sundae bar you create.
    16. Rent a movie and make stovetop homemade popcorn
    17. Nerf gun wars.
    18. Create a scavenger hunt.
    19. Create big cardboard box forts for each kid and let them decorate, cut windows and doors etc. (furniture stores or appliance stores will gladly contribute their boxes if you ask ahead of time.)
    20. Hide and seek in the house.
    21. Build a blanket fort.
    22. Build card houses with playing cards.
    23. Balloon volleyball.
    24. Hot tub nights together even in the rain.
    25. Invite a fav family over to share in the fun.

    Cheap Fun Away

    1. Family bike rides around the neighborhood or to a park, or Jamba Juice or along the beach walk. Baby bike seats are great for including the littles.
    2. Pocket parks are everywhere here and many include water spray park fun – all free entrance and lots of fun exercise.
    3. Kids eat free night at restaurants for the win!
    4. Find a public school w an indoor pool/YMCA open pool night for cheap Friday night swims.
    5. Head to the Dollar Tree with a $3 limit each kid to spend in cash-even the parents like browsing the Dollar Tree for fun finds. Play with the finds together later at home.
    6. A sporting goods store like Bass Pro Shop is fun to meander and take pics with the giant stuffed animals.
    7. Beaches are a stone’s throw from our house. We walk together and observe the wildlife, the shells, the driftwood, the clams, the boats-here in Seattle it’s often grey and cloudy but we make it fun.
    8. National Parks – free for families! Every kids outdoors challenge.
    9. Camping
    10. Water gun or water balloons

    The post Family Date Nights appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Communicating Love And Kindness To Your Kids Feb 10, 2020

    Communicating Love and Kindness To Your Kids | Yes - there is hope! Communicating love and kindness to your kids does not come naturally. Ask me how I know! We discipline our children because we LOVE them – it is vital, and especially IF you want our children to grow up to become responsible adults. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast

    Communicating Love and Kindness To Your Kids

    Yes – there is hope! Communicating love and kindness to your kids does not come naturally. Ask me how I know! We discipline our children because we LOVE them – it is vital, and especially IF you want our children to grow up to become responsible adults.

    Show Notes:

    Realize your parental style –

    1. Authoritarian
    2. Neglectful
    3. Permissive
    4. Authoritarian – democratic

    Kids are:

    1. Kids are gamblers
    2. Kids often say what they mean
    3. Kids are have many character flaws – anger, temper tantrums, jealousy, self-centered, etc.
    4. Kids want to get their own way – news flash, who doesn’t
    5. Kids can manipulate like the best attorney’s in court out there
    6. Kids are easily distracted
    7. Kids don’t often follow instructions the first time.
    1. Kids need positive reinforcement and repetition and patience
    2. Kids do not need to be spoiled

    These are Don’ts!

    1. It goes without saying – but I will say it here – fear and abuse – mental and physical
      1. Screaming at them
      2. Hitting in anger
      3. Discipline that doesn’t fit the crime
    2. Using your child as a pawn to hurt your spouse.
    3. Character assassination –I can’t believe how horrible you are – I hate you, you are ….
    4. Treating kids as objects that you own

    Discipline techniques – I’ve heard them all

    1. Withholding something – dessert, phone, etc.
    2. Time Out
    3. Spankings – of course not while angry… um, yeah, that works
    4. Punishing – removing an item or taking away a privilege
    5. Ignoring
    6. Isolation
    7. Reasoning

    The secret sauce? Consistency – when consistency does not work that is when the consequences must be metted out.

    Model good behavior – a niece of mine has colorful language to say the least and when her young son used this same language in Kindergarten and the teacher spoke to her about it she realized she needed to clean up her expressiveness

    Kids are sponges

    With kids here are some rules of conduct:

    1. Calm
      1. Get your kid under control if they are an emotional wreck
      2. Deal with the issue at hand – before you launch in
    2. Sensitive to tone
    3. Keep it simple – teach as you discipline – start young
    4. Ask the kids to repeat back what you said
    5. Ask the kids to think… instead of why are you leaving the ball in the laundry room ask ‘where do you think the ball should go” (this is instructive and if this isn’t followed through with discipline may follow)
    6. Be positive
    7. Use “I” instead of you … “I want you to get down” I don’t want you to bounce the ball in the house” instead of you are such a bad kid for climbing up there you will get hurt and fall and then…
    8. When you do this – then this will happen
    9. Use your words … if you expect good response model it…
    10. Listen
      1. Active listening – where they really know you are listening, that you check to be sure YOU understand what they are saying and you go from there.
      2. Eye contact and body language
    11. Decide rules and discipline – if you do this – this is what will happen
    12. Teens:
      1. Checking In
      2. Game plan
      3. Giving them ground rules
      4. Risks – explain

    One Minute Discipline

    1. Make sure there is no danger – if so, get the issue under control.
    2. Eye to eye – little? Get on eye level – taller – be sure they are looking at you.
    3. Be sincere.
    4. Explain they cannot talk while you are talking
    5. Tell your child what they did wrong – in one or two sentences. Explain clearly why you are upset –
    6. Big Sigh – signifies a change…
    7. Tell them what you LIKE about them – that they are an amazing person – that you are happy they are your son or daughter – that you know they try hard – that you will help them learn how to try harder if they do not already, etc. I’m here to help you – I love you – I think you are an awesome person… if you can’t figure out what you like about your child do this exercise ahead of time. Pray – ask the Lord to help you love your child –
    8. Hug and a kiss if appropriate

    Matthew 18:6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones–those who believe in me–to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

    Photo Credit @Copyright Deposit Photo ia__64

    The post Communicating Love And Kindness To Your Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Date Nights For Couples Feb 10, 2020

    Date Nights For Couples | Okay friends, are you ready for fun? Date nights for couples do not need to break the bank. Join Felice Gerwitz and Denise Mira as they chat about their favorite dates with their spouses! | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #coupledatenight #datenightspouse #spousenightwithyourspouse #datenightsDate Nights for Couples That Won’t Break the Bank ~ Episode 392

    with Felice Gerwitz and Denise Mira

    Okay friends, are you ready for fun? Date nights for couples do not need to break the bank. Join Felice Gerwitz and Denise Mira as they chat about their favorite dates with their spouses!

    Thanks for our co-sponsors, MediaAngels.com and DeniseMira.com

    Date Nights For Couples

    Date nights made all the difference for us! I remember distinctly those seasons and they were priceless.

    Time alone together is a necessary discipline. It’s not a selfish indulgence, it’s actually the most important thing we do as parents. Which is to love each other in order to build a strong foundation. This allows us to withstand the storms, to have our cups full so we can draw from our well to give to our kids and to demonstrate to them our unity.

    Date Night 101:

    Intentional planning is key! Leaving it to chance in a season of child-rearing is only dreaming – you must make it happen. No sitters? No nearby relatives? Co-op with a trusted friend who shares your values and whose children your kids enjoy.

    There’s something so special about young married couples getting a chance to go out without meat to cut, no mess to clean up, no bibs and water bottles to remember, no interruptions – just you two to meander through conversation, laugh, revisit the one you fell in love with. When we don’t regularly get time alone as a couple, these times can degenerate into work times, conflict, venting-all the frustrations that have been brewing come out! Disaster.

    Here are some rules about dating!

    1. Determine not to argue-don’t be your usual self-overlook the offense whatever it is – there are many difficult moments in this journey called life so try hard not to bicker, nag, knit pick – it’s not the time to work out issues if they can wait.
    2. Look nice! Do your hair and dress up (hear Denise’s story!). Why are we always looking our best for strangers?
    3. Cell phone boundaries.
    4. Family life planning time can be a date night if agreed on ahead of time.

    Date night fun is often determined by the weather region/season of year/age of marrieds/personal preferences.

    30 Great Date Night Ideas!

    1. Music. We love music. One fav memory was a night when Hubby sat on the patio playing his faves for me while we sat around the fire pit star gazing and sipping a beverage. We’ve found free concerts indoors and out
    2. Free or super reasonable sporting events to watch outdoors or indoors – tennis, basketball, football, soccer
    3. Ice skating or rollerblading
    4. Hikes or scenic drives or biking can be Saturday morning dates.
    5. YMCA workout fun/tennis then go out for a quick bite such as sushi
    6. Matinee movie after discounted happy hour meal at a snazzy place – no 20.00 popcorn
    7. Denise suggests wine tasting if this is something you enjoy. Often free or very cheap-you can Uber it if nearby.
    8. Take a bus on an adventure if you’re city people
    9. Play pool, Go bowlingTake a dance class
    10. Join a couples Bible study or fellowship group-this was truly one of our favorite ‘date nights’ for a season.
    11. Biking to eat lunch or to a coffee shop
    12. Rent electric scooters or bikes on the streets where available
    13. Museums-free nights
    14. Trivia nights at pubs
    15. Paint canvas and sip nights on Groupon
    16. Farmer’s market browsing and munching
    17. Flea market or thrift store
    18. Go to a shooting range for shooting practice
    19. Happy hour menus have changed the game
    20. Uber eats or door dash can be cheaper than eating out
    21. Rent the latest release movie at home
    22. Shopping such as at IKEA browsing grab a snack in the cafe
    23. Dollar store investigation is fun and enlightening! You’ll see tons of stuff you don’t need to pay $4 for at Walmart anymore.
    24. Ice cream and beach walks -or a walk in the woods
    25. Coffee stops and city walks
    26. Warehouse such as Costco browse the store and enjoy something to eat or ice cream at the cafe
    27. Furniture store browse and dream
    28. Browse a bookstore where you can find them-or a used book store
    29. Grab deli food-soup bar/salad bar/full meal at the grocery store and eat it outside somewhere-no tipping no being trapped at a table all night
    30. Throw together a collaboration dinner with friends you both enjoy at home or their house to save money and enjoy lots of fun convo or a card game or watch Christian comedy video.

    The post Date Nights For Couples appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Kids Making Good Decisions Feb 03, 2020

    Kids Making Good Decisions | Decisions! Kids making good decisions is something you can actually teach! We have so many choices that it is so hard, but in this episode, we will focus on kids the decision making process. Another podcast just for the kids! | #podcast #podcastforkids #kidsdecisions #gooddecisionsKids Making Good Decisions ~ Episode392

    Decisions! Kids making good decisions is something you can actually teach! We have so many choices that it is so hard, but in this episode, we will focus on kids the decision making process. Another podcast just for the kids! Join us.

    Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. and the books A Few Minutes with God and the books Truth Seekers Mystery Series

    Here are additional podcasts you may want to listen to making decisions?
    1. Blueprint for Making Decisions

    2. Blueprint for Making Major Decisions

    Let’s make good decisions – how do you do this? But making a plan. First, let’s look at what kind of decisions we make.

    1. Simple decisions: A color of cup, red or blue, green or yellow. We make so many decisions every single day.
    2. Moral decisions: Decide not to lie or not to steal.
    3. Life-changing: A decision that has to do with something with the future of your life.

    You really need to understand the basics. Is this decision easy or is it a big one to make that you need to figure out over time?

    Let’s look at a decision. Write that down now. What is something that you want to make a decision about? What is the first thing you do? Pray. Pray specifically about what it is your need? And then, do it! For example, if you want to make a decision about whether or not you should play a sport, or play a musical instrument. You can not do anything if you won’t’ make a start.

    1. Think about your needs. What is something you need to decide about?
      • Write it down
      • Is this something you can think about or plan?
      • Is it something you can look into.
    2. Pray
      • Ask the Lord in prayer if it is an important decision.
      • If you can not figure out the answer, let it go for a time.
      • Accept God’s will in our life
    3. Look into your options – what can you do?
      • Research your options
      • If possible give it a try
    4. Read the Bible
      • Every day. Read it as a family
      • Listen after you pray
    5. Pray and ask the Lord to give you the gift of knowledge about what to do.
      • Gifts of the Holy Spirit are many, ask for specific gifts
    6. Answers sometimes come from our parents or siblings
      • Ask your mom, dad, grandmother or another adult you trust.
      • Have them pray and think about your decision.
    7. Keep Praying! Ideas will come into our minds, miraculously
      • We can pray and think about those ideas.
    8. Write any thoughts you might have about the decision.
      • Keep a journal
      • Write it on an electronic device
      • Write down Bible verses that might help
    9. Pray about any thoughts that come to mind
      • Ask the Lord to confirm these.
      • God-incidents – sometimes answer come from different places
    10. Make a Decision!
    11. Do you feel peace about your decision?
      • If you are not peaceful and super worried about it keep praying
    12. If you can’t make a decision… wait!
      • Pray.
      • Talk to your family
    13. If you make a decision trust God
      • Even if things don’t turn out perfectly, it’s okay
    14. Ask the Lord to prepare your way.
    15. Thank the Lord!

    Sometimes we make decisions that don’t work out well. But we can learn from everything in our life! Even those bad mistakes we make. You can learn and change and learn how to make good decisions.

    The post Kids Making Good Decisions appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Exercise Jan 21, 2020

    exerciseLet’s Talk About Exercise – It is Not a 4 Letter Word! with Felice Gerwitz

    Podcast 174 – Vintage Homeschool Moms ShortCuts

    I never liked exercise and I don’t like it now… but I hope after I throw out this challenge, my dislike of exercise changes! In an effort to get healthy and avoid the dreaded time and effort it takes to exercise, I’ll make it a priority. I hope you take me up on this challenge!

    Thanks to our Our special sponsor Second Harvest Curriculum – visit them here:

    second harvest used books

    Save Money! Buy or sell books to another well trusted homeschool family!

    • Second Harvest Curriculum website
    • Second Harvest Blog
    • Second Harvest Curriculum Facebook
    • Second Harvest Curriculum Twitter
    • Second Harvest Curriculum Pinterest

    Also visit our network sponsor –

    Show Notes: Exercise

    My Goals to Exercise!

    1. I will walk at least one mile each day and build up to 3-5 miles daily
    2. Add some type of aerobic or stretching exercise
    3. I will eat healthy foods
    4. After I walk I get a reward!
    5. My goal is to lose 5 lbs this month
    6. My goal is to lose 20lbs overall

    My plan to reach my goals to exercise and lose weight

    1. I’m going to get on the scale and record my weight – again, I’m not brave enough to share that with all of you – but I’m going to have that info so I have a place to begin.
    2. I will use devices such as mobile apps to attain my fitness goal. There are all kinds of apps – I’m actually using a free one for now, but I may consider purchasing it because it has all kinds of information that I can use.
    3. I’m going to use the 4Life supplements – my portal is here – I will take Citri-Shape Trio – It is a weight loss management supplement – that helps boost my metabolism I will let you know how that works!
    4. Start a conversation on my private group page for our radio network to keep me on task! – and join me! Post your victories or struggles with me.
    5. And – I am going to do this with your help – LOTS of prayer and help from my family!I pray you have success…

    The post Exercise appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Kids Taking Charge Jan 20, 2020

    Kids Taking Charge ~ Episode 391

    By nature kids are curious and you can get your kids excited about learning, their chores, and kids taking charge of their life. This podcast is for the kids, I hope you will listen in Moms and Dads!

    Thanks to our sponsor – Media Angels, Inc. and the books Truth Seekers Mystery series and A Few Minutes with God !

    Originally I was planning on recording this podcast for moms but instead, I decided to talk to the kids – because you know what? Kids are smart and they get it when someone cares about them, their ability and what God has in store for them! Moms and Dads I hope you listen in as well, because I’m sure your kids will have some great questions to ask.

    Here is the planner to print out for you to use!

    Kids Taking Charge – 1

    So, what do I want to talk about? Well, kids what you are about to hear is going to be life-changing. And I bet that some of you already know the information I am going to share because you are way, way, way smarter than everyone knows – even the people around you. Sometimes you don’t want to let people know how smart you are because you know what? You think they will ask you to do more stuff if you are that smart. Even though you may know some of this stuff – I am sure there is something you can learn, and I pray it helps you!

    I want to talk about you taking charge of your life and having responsibility. Did you know that your mom or dad won’t be around all of your life to tell you what to do –really. This is a truth. Someday you will be the adult and responsible for going to work, taking care of the house, buying and making food to eat, and taking out the trash. When I lived on my own, my mom didn’t call me and say, “Hi honey, how are you? Did you take out the trash? Did you eat today? Did you do your laundry, fold and put it away?” No–my mom said, well, now she is an adult and can take care of herself.

    But wouldn’t it be nice if you could take care of yourself when it comes to your own responsibilities?

    Let’s stop and make a list of the things most kids are responsible for:

    1. Eating.
    2. Sleeping.
    3. Go to the bathroom.
    4. Exercising – going outside or playing inside.

    Other responsibilities:

    1. Doing school work.
    2. Helping with the dishes.
    3. Cleaning up your room/ making your bed.
    4. Individual chores.
    5. Practicing a sport or hobby.

    So, make a list of all the things that you are responsible for personally and this is a good place to start. Now, the next step is to answer the following question:

    Are you a now or later person?

    This means – do you do things immediately when you are assigned a job or you know what it is you are supposed to do – maybe your family uses a chore chart or some other method of keeping track. OR – are you a later person, in “I’ll do that later.”

    Just think -if you do it now it is all done, right? Then you can go and do whatever the next thing is or take a break. If you are a do it later person one of two things will happen:

    1. You will get reminded to do it now.
    2. You will get in trouble for not doing it right away.

    Does it make sense to wait? Why or why not?

    Most people live their lives waiting for someone else to tell them what to do, to tell them what is right and what is wrong and in fact, they live their lives trying not to get caught doing the wrong thing. Maybe there is a reason for this but most of it is just that you don’t feel like it or you are too lazy to finish doing your schoolwork or chore.

    If you get caught doing something you are not supposed to be doing or maybe not getting that chore or school work done, usually you have a ready answer.

    1. I didn’t know I was supposed to do that now.
    2. It was an accident.
    3. I was going to do it.
    4. I already know this.
    5. Okay I will do it.

    So, why not cut out the middle man! Cut out the getting in trouble and having to do it anyway. And… can you guess what I am going to say? Just. Do. It. Now.

    Whatever that “it” is – is it fixing your bed, is it cleaning up your toys or doing your schoolwork.

    There comes a time in everyone’s life – and maybe you have not gotten to that point yet, but there is a time when everyone realizes, “Oh. No. I was wrong!”

    Maybe you are one of those kids who never gets in trouble. Congratulations and yay for you! You are way ahead of the others, but let me ask you a question. Are you making the most of your time? Are you doing something that is right or that is just okay.

    I realized too that just okay was not enough. Some people call me an overachiever but I call me being productive. I like to accomplish and get things done, it makes me happy. Whether it is taking the time every morning to pray, to get some chores done around the house or to do my work – yes, a podcast is work, I feel good at the end of the day.

    So, let’s think about this … what makes you feel good about your day. Make a list.

    1. Getting your school work done and right.
    2. Getting your chores done.
    3. Getting approval from your parents instead of in trouble.
    4. Getting along with our siblings or your friends.

    The goal and the point I am trying to make is that as a family you were not put there by accident. Each person in a family is unique, special and a very, very, very important part of that family. I can say for certain that your family would not be the same without you. You can either be a welcome addition – like this, “Emma, Samantha, William, Alex, Benjamin, Olivia, Christopher, Michael, (or whatever your name is) I am so happy to see you and that you are here!” Or will they say… “Oh. No. They are here!”

    Working together as a family to get things done is so wonderful and guess what? It gives you time to enjoy being together and getting along as a family. It makes your parents say, “Oh my goodness, my kids are so great! They listen to the direction so well I can take them on field trips and I can take them places and people stop us and say how well behaved and nice our family is.”

    We don’t do things just to get compliments from other people – while that is all good it isn’t the only reason why we do what is right. We do it for ourselves and for our God. We want to live a life this is happy and free from regrets. Has there ever been something you did that you were not happy about or not proud about? This happens to everyone and yes – I know, no one is perfect but that does not mean we don’t try to be the best we can be.

    God believes in you.

    I believe in you.

    Your parents believe in you.

    Your grandparents believe in you.

    You are special and wonderful and God has an amazing plan for your life.

    But…

    If you are always getting in trouble, always trying to get out of work, always working out a way to not be seen, or get caught or whatever that is that you do – then guess what? You do not have the time to be the best you can be because you are being the least you can be. Think about it.

    You are so busy avoiding work that well, that is actually doing work! Working to not be found or working to get in trouble. You are so busy poking your brother or your sister, yelling and screaming that you are missing all the amazing and wonderful things happening all around you! There are amazing miraculous things that happen in our life – all around us every single day and you are missing it.

    So the questions to think about are:

    1. Are you ready to take charge of your life? Yes or No
    2. Are you ready to be the best that you can be? Yes or No
    3. Are you ready to be the best that God wants you to be? Yes or No
    4. How are you going to do this?

    The challenge is to take the next few days to think about this, talk to your parents about this or talk about it in a family meeting. Decide on one tiny thing you will do to improve. Let’s say you hate to wash dishes and every day it is your turn to do dishes you will not complain. If that works then add one more thing and one more thing and guess what? You will be happier. Your parents will be happier and you will have time to do the things you like to do best.

    And…yes, there is more! I will be praying for your success. And, if there is something that worked great for your family please let me know. I can’t wait to hear from you.

    The post Kids Taking Charge appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Mid-Year Evaluation Jan 13, 2020

    Mid-Year Evaluation | Have you ever completed a homeschool mid-year evaluation? It's time to look at your yearly homeschool evaluations in the middle of the year. The place to being any formal check-up process is now! | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast Mid-Year Evaluation

    Have you ever completed a homeschool mid-year evaluation? It’s time to look at your yearly homeschool evaluations in the middle of the year. The place to being any formal check-up process is now!

    Thanks to our Sponsor! Wings To Soar Online – if you have a child who learns different or is struggling, you should check out their program. They have an amazing two week trial after evaluation that is affordable.

    One year I was so upset that my year had fallen apart and my lofty goals were just not being met that I devised a series of checklists to help me get back on track. I was so worried that at our yearly homeschool evaluations I would be told that I had done a poor job. I was so happy the thought occurred to me in the middle-of-the-year, while I still had time to remedy the situation.

    I devised a series of checklists (something totally against this spontaneous person’s grain!) and I loved it! Today I share the second in the three-part series with you! In this session, you will take a hard look at your year and if you are off track – look at ways to get back on track…especially before the dreaded yearly homeschool evaluations!

    Listen to this podcast for more information!

    This three-part series of the Yearly Homeschool Evaluation consists of:

    • A Beginning of the Year Check-Up
    • A Middle of the Year Check-Up
    • An End of the Year Check-Up

    Available at Media Angels Membership

    For more information on the three-part series – visit Media Angels.com and the eBook and Audio Downloads.Yearly Evaluation -One

    The post Mid-Year Evaluation appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Exercise Basics Jan 11, 2020

    Let’s Talk About Exercise Basics with Felice Gerwitz

    Podcast #178

    Yes I still dislike exercising, and no–I still don’t have time to exercise, however, I’m sticking to this plan. Podcast, keep you up to date and encourage you to continue on with me!

    Show Notes: Exercise Basics

    Handouts from the Creation Anatomy Book: Creation Anatomy_HandoutsExercise-AllRightsReserved.

    Exercise Basics

    1. Make it doable
    2. Good equipment – comfortable shoes and digital tracker (pacer) – free version, with a bonus to buy paid version after I lose 10lbs health and tracker apps
    3. Keep tabs with some print outs – Visual helps
    4. Do it with your kids OR inlist your older children to babysit while you exercise
    5. Keep hydrated!

    Exercise!

    Begin with stretching

    Walking

    Jogging – be sure to warm up and cool down

    Exercises – be sure you have good form. Do it with someone else, ask other homeschoolers – talk about science fair and person who could sign off on papers!

    Aerobics – with a video or youtube or even paid subscription classes

    Photo Credits DepositPhoto.com 2017 All Rights Reserved.© aremafoto

    The post Exercise Basics appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Learning Challenges Jan 08, 2020

    Learning Challenges Episode 390

    If your child has learning challenges sometimes it is difficult to know where to start. In this episode, we will discuss ways to help your children succeed with a special interview with Beth Ellen Nash creator of the Wings To Soar Online program.

    Thanks to our Sponsor! Wings To Soar Online – if you have a child who learns different or is struggling, you should check out their program. They have an amazing two week trial after evaluation that is affordable. Wings to Soar Online Academy Popular Packages

    As an educator, our special guest Beth Ellen Nash found that after tutoring, assessing and, consulting with hundreds of families she realized she wanted to teach children and began Wings To Soar. From the first school of education class that she taught, she knew the need to do education differently. She wasn’t going to fit in the traditional system because education needs to be personalized.

    Wings to Soar symbolizes repairing the broken wings the eagle is their logo. That soaring eagle is a symbol of hope. Every student can really soar and reach their fullest potential when a learning path is created that’s tailored to the child’s unique needs to allow them to gain the skills and confidence and really thrive, not just survive.

    What makes Wings To Soar Online Academy different for those with learning challenges?

    1. Online. We find that we’re getting more gains through our program.
    2. We typically see a year and a half to three years gains in a student in their reading and that first school year.
    3. The brain needs time to work on building skills.
    4. And with our online program, it becomes affordable. Most families can’t afford five days a week of tutoring. But with an online program, roughly the cost of one tutoring session a week equals 24/7 access. You can spread it out over whatever amount of time you need.

    How do you assess learning challenges?

    1. Start with free assessments.
    2. We back down to each child’s level and find where they are and we fill in the skill gaps.
    3. We bump up the time and intensity at just the right level for them. So they’re experiencing success, but we’re not backing away from the subject. That’s hard. We’re moving toward it at a place that’s successful for them.
    4. We aim for success.

    We partner with the parents, we see the parent as our co-teacher to help with whatever portion of the curriculum is right for the family. If they just need a reading and language arts with us, that’s all we provide. If they need extra coaching, extra supports built-in, we build that into their package. So, as far as I know, we’re one of the only personalized school online school that specializes in intimate. We specialize in helping to fix dyslexia. Any child can benefit from our personalized approach to learning. But our specialty is working with kids with dyslexia. And that’s pretty unique as far as I know.

    About the free assessment to gauge learning challenges:

    1. Want to make sure it’s a good fit before we’re signing people up.
    2. There’s a mom questionnaire on the website and this will take about 10 or 15 minutes for mom to fill out because I really want to get a thorough picture of the strengths and weaknesses of the child and just as mom’s perception, cause mom’s pretty smart.
    3. Then there is an online assessment with the student.
    4. If the family’s interested, we do a two-week jumpstart we have built and ramp-up the week so that they can start trying out their personalized path, the success learning plan and, ease into the program making sure all the programs that we’ve chosen for them are really a good fit.

    Wings To Soar Online Academy works with twenty-five different online programs. Beth Ellen has evaluated over 200 programs and narrowed it down to the twenty-five that we feel do the best in a variety of specific subject areas. And based on those initial assessments, a personalized plan is created for each student. There might be ten minutes working on vocabulary with the segment that’s the strongest match for the student. Another ten minutes working on spelling on a program we’ve chosen to match that child.

    Listen to this audio for so much more about Wings to Soar Online Academy and Beth Ellen Nash.

    The post Learning Challenges appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Motivated Kids Jan 06, 2020

    Motivated Kids | How do you have motivated kids without stressing them out? Whatever happened to childhood? In this episode, we talk about helping your kids be kids and motivating them to be their best. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcastMotivated Kids 389

    How do you have motivated kids without stressing them out? Whatever happened to childhood? In this episode, we talk about helping your kids be kids and motivating them to be their best.

    Thanks to our sponsor, Wings To Soar Online – listen to the interview here with Beth Ellen, and learn more at WingsToSoarOnline.com

    When I attended conferences one of the most consistent questions I received was how do I motivate my kids to learn?

    There is nothing more exciting than a child who is excited about learning. But as a parent how can we motivate our kids to want to learn and do more? Is it just personality? Some kids are more motivated than others? Or is it something we can do in our homes to facilitate this motivation?

    Motivated Kids

    There is a key to motivation and that is to find a child’s passion. You don’t have to motivate kids to have fun with their friends, or play on an electronic device, or watch a favorite movie, do you? They are highly motivated to have fun, and that is the issue. Usually, school work or chores are vying for a space in a child’s life that is unsurmountable. Be sure your expectations match your child’s ability. Young children under five need a parent sitting there to help keep them on track. If your child is doing school work, having them open a book while you walk away isn’t a good idea. Motivated kids should be the norm in your home.

    Parent attitude. What is your attitude when it comes to giving assignments or chores? Are you enthusiastic or are you mirroring the child’s drooping shoulders? (Explain the concept of pop-quiz.) The difference between parents and the teacher is vast. As an educator, I loved my class, but as a mom, I really love my class and I’m with them 24/7 which means that we all need to get along. But it also means that my kids know I care. Yet they don’t. We *think* they should know we care and are excited about their accomplishments but they are not always aware of this which is why positive reinforcement is important. Something we may take for granted.

    Here are a few ways that will help!

    1. Teach good study skills – this may mean mom or dad is sitting in proximity available to help a struggling student.
    2. Habits – it takes about thirty days at least to create a new habit. If you want your child to have good study skills, or even do chores correctly, that means practice over and over again. Having a sport they enjoy does encourage good work in the area of academics because you can explain to your child that once school work is completed they will have time to practice. My college kids are students due to the discipline that comes from sports. My friends whose kids are musically inclined to explain that the same discipline helps them.
    3. Expectations – many times kids don’t know what is required. “Get your homework done.” or “Do your chores,” may not be specific enough for your child. Be sure they understand what is expected. Sometimes kids need to be exposed to different things to find their passion.
    4. Check off list – or set goals. If your child knows what is expected, and there is some satisfaction in checking off a list! This can help tremendously.
    5. Positive reinforcement – tell the children that you are proud of their accomplishments, even if it is “good try,” that helps.

    Give your child time to think. This is a pet peeve of mine that we pack our schedules and theirs to overflowing so there is never any time to find their passion let alone develop it. We focused on making this a priority in my family and my kids’ have discovered reading, writing, building, mechanics. and sports as passions. In fact, college scholarships and honors came from these passions they discovered while homeschooling.

    Relax and refresh happens during this time to “think,” and it will cause your kids to consider what they are interested in pursuing. When I am stuck on a solution to a problem I walk away from the computer and do something else, and then the idea comes to me.

    The post Motivated Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    New Year – Relax and Refresh Dec 30, 2019

    Relax and Refresh | The new year is a good time for a faith journey. It is time to take a deep breath and relax and refresh your life. With the new year around the corner now is the time to destress. In this episode, we will discuss how our plans sometimes derail us and how to make the most of the new year. | #podcast #refresh #newyearNew Year Relax and Refresh – Episode 388

    The new year is a good time for a faith journey. It is time to take a deep breath and relax and refresh your life. With the new year around the corner now is the time to destress. In this episode, we will discuss how our plans sometimes derail us and how to make the most of the new year.

    I’m so excited about this episode because I am going to share some ways that won’t break the bank to truly relax and be refreshed as you charge into the new year. In fact, this has helped me so much that I am truly excited about the new year – thank-you Jesus!

    Yes, I am a woman of faith and I am so blessed that I am not doing this alone. I recorded an episode over on our sister network – Ultimate Christian Podcast Network, on a New Year’s Faith Journey, and friends it was life-changing for me because I feel that I have a purpose and so do you!

    Your purpose is your current walk in life. Are you a wife/mom, a husband/dad? Are you a student/kid? This is your current “job” and everything else will fit into place.

    I have many things on my calendar for the new year and I will hit the calendar running! I have a 31-Day Challenge that I am hosting for work at home moms in January. I have several women ministry breakfasts to oversee, in January and February. I am hosting an in-person conference in Tampa, Florida in February. I have my yearly mastermind group in March and April we will visit our college kids and I am presenting at a ministry breakfast in April in Texas! Then, May is my daughter’s graduation. When I look at my calendar I want to skip right over the first six months and look toward a relaxing June, July, and August!

    We can’t do that can we parents? We can’t just say, “Yeah, today I don’t feel like cooking or cleaning or dealing with kids!”

    So, what do we do? We pray – and we put things into perspective. And I for one as I shared earlier am excited because I am not doing this alone! First, I have you guys to encourage and motivate me – thanks so much for your star ratings on iTunes and other podcast apps – thanks for your kind words via email or social media and thanks for being you and a listener!

    New Year Relax and Refresh Begins with Questions:

    So, let’s do this. Are you ready? First, look at your events upcoming – just like I did.

    1. What are those unmoving dates? School days, lessons, appointments, etc.
    2. What are those non-negotiables? The things that we can’t take off our to-do list and put on another’s?

    Once you have those out of the way you can look at the optional things! Can someone else do the grocery shopping or can you invest in ordering online and picking it up – or having things delivered? What a blessing delivery services can be! Yes, there is a cost involved but for me, it saves me money because I am not impulse shopping and only getting what I need!

    One thing that will change in the new year and involves Vintage Homeschool Moms is the new shows. Instead of a new show each week, on some weeks I will be re-launching some of my past podcasts. So, for those of you long-time listeners of Vintage Homeschool Moms – and there are some that have been with me since the beginning, that means you will hear some replays of some favorite shows. I have been recording non-stop for six years and I still feel the Lord has some great things he wants me to share, but some of the previous shows are too good to be buried in the archives.

    New Years Relax and Refresh Takes Simplification:

    You can do this too!

    1. What are some things you can do to give you more time?
    2. What are the things you don’t want to let go of, but know that you must cut back for the sake of time or your own sanity?
    3. Look at this list and make a decision. One year during I decided that writing that Christmas letter, taking a family photo and sending out Christmas cards to my list of over one-hundred people, had to get cut way back. I announced on social media that I loved all of my friends but they would not be getting a card! I sent cards to our relatives and placed a focus on relationships and the poor.

    We can live lives that are joyous by not overtaxing are already taxed systems! What are those things you enjoy but don’t have time for? For me, it was taking a walk and reading. I had not read in years, and currently, I enjoy reading something fun every once in a while. I had to give myself permission! So, friends, this is what I am doing. I am giving you permission to take some time for the things that will help you relax and refresh.

    Here are some relax and refresh suggestions:

    1. An extra long shower or soak in a bath infused with essential oils and salts. Essential oils such as Bergmont (So love it-check it out here) are one of my favorite relaxing oils.
    2. A facial – there are some inexpensive scrubs you can make yourself or use something store-bought.
    3. A foot soak. This is so relaxing and you can do this while reading to the kids or even doing school! Be sure to have a towel nearby in case you need to jump out for the unexpected times!
    4. A foot rub or neck rub. Maybe invest in one of those gadgets or enlist a family member!
    5. Time to read, to bake or to do the thing that you consider relaxing!

    Take the time to be in this present moment. I realized after reading an eye-opening book that was centered on faith that I was living in the past and the future. This can weigh us down! We can think of what could of should have happened, or regrets – or we think about the future and worry about things that may or may not happen. Today, people. Today … focus on the now. The kids in front of you that before you blink your eyes will be grown up and in college or adults like mine. My youngest is now nineteen but even that isn’t for long.

    So, let’s recap.

    1. Look at those things you can’t change. Those unmovable tasks for dates.
    2. Look at ways to increase your time or delegate or take off your list or arrange it.
    3. Look at ways to relax – once a week? No each day.

    This is going to – I promise to change your life. It is today, not tomorrow that we must deal with and today look brighter and brighter to me as I charge into it with the hope that it is going to be the best year. And, I pray this for you as well.

    Next month I have two shows especially geared for kids. The first is Refresh and Relax for Kids – I learned recently that kids are so stressed out and many are on medication just for nerves! We will discuss how to encourage our children to recharge and focus and find those ways to destress. And a show on School and the importance of understanding the time and how it will translate into their futures. I will share something that changed my kid’s lives when they were pre-teens and I hope it will help your children as well! Look for these upcoming episodes in 2020.

    Take care friends, and I pray you are blessed abundantly in 2020~ please check out my other two podcasts, One More Child Podcast and A Few Minutes With God Podcast. Truly, those are my faith-focused podcasts and they keep me grounded and I hope they help you as well!

    The post New Year – Relax and Refresh appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Merry Christmas Keeping Kids Close Dec 23, 2019

    Keeping Kids Close | The to-do list just keeps growing, but keeping kids close should be on the top of the list. In this episode, we will discuss easy ways to include the children and enjoy the holidays. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #ChristmasMerry Christmas Keeping Kids Close – 387

    The to-do list just keeps growing, but keeping kids close should be on the top of the list. In this episode, we will discuss easy ways to include the children and enjoy the holidays.

    Thanks to our sponsor –

    Sometimes I feel like I’m preaching to the choir. You guys are amazing you are dedicated moms who love your kids! But in our busyness, we sometimes lose our focus. Our worst traits come to the forefront and we are overwhelmed by it all – and then life happens. Someone is sick or there is a life-situation to deal with … and never mind the budget! December is a time when sales crop up and everything looks too good to pass up.

    Friends I want to encourage you in this episode of VHM to keep the focus of the holidays on the true meaning of the season and on your kids. It’s easy to say – I shouldn’t get so overwhelmed that but the reality is that all of us do at one point or another. Believe me, it happens to the best of us – even those of you who are super organized! It doesn’t have to be that way and something that happened to me recently showed me that all of the efforts are SO worth it. Especially those of us who are with our kids quite a bit as homeschool parents.

    Keeping Kids Close

    I received the best gift ever from a pastor of our church. When he comes for dinner the kids never left the table. He is entertaining with his Irish accent, and he is so full of stories. He can talk about engines with one of my sons, and then make us laugh with stories of his seminary days. But he is a man that loves the Lord and has the pulse of what is going on in our daily lives. So, back to the gift – the gift he gave me was a compliment about my kids. He talked about the evidence of faith in them, how they loved and honored the Lord. He also asked me why I thought about the reason why. My answer? Besides as an example, and believe me, my husband and I are fallen like the rest of the flock – the reason is the time we spent with our kids.

    Our kids were with us through the thick of things, we worked around our home together, we homeschooled from K-12 – with some college credits for the youngest two. Our favorite vacation was our pop-up camper. We kept things simple and made the best of our time together. Sure, it was work but we enjoyed it! These are some of the best memories we have as a family.

    Ask your children what their favorite activities are and you will be surprised. Often it is the things you think would be the least important, like reading books together as a family. One of my friends does this as a Christmas tradition at their home that they read a book together, even though her children are older.

    We can keep our kids close with activities and also events. Whether you are decorating the tree or going out in the woods – something I’ve never done but would love to do, and chopping one down! Building a snowman, or going on long walks together. Watching a movie and talking about it afterward.

    Fun things to do with the kids while taking turns telling each other favorite family memories:

    1. Popcorn strings. Use a large needle and strong thread to make a popcorn string. You can decorate your inside tree or if you live in the south like I do, decorate an outdoor tree – the outdoor creatures will love you for it!
    2. Make place cards for Christmas – if you downloaded the Christmas planner from the website (UltimateHomeschoolPodcastNetwork.com) you received a template for this. Or make your own.
    3. Make handmade Christmas cards for family members. Be sure to write a Scripture verse.
    4. Create a family “time capsule” – put in current pictures, memorabilia – a picture of a favorite toy or stuffed animal, etc. Each person can put in their own “favorites” card. For example favorite movies, favorite music or favorite books. Put it up in the closet and label it with the year. Take it out in a few years and look at what it contains.
    5. Sit outside around a campfire or star gaze. Enjoy the outdoors (perhaps bundled together) with your family!

    We can experience the joy of the holiday with our families and create those memories that will last the test of time. There is so much more joy and excitement about the coming of Christmas when we spend time with our children, and I know you do!

    The post Merry Christmas Keeping Kids Close appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Traditions & Celebrations Dec 16, 2019

    Traditions and Celebrations | Are you looking for something to make Christmas meaningful? How about traditions and celebrations to start off the holiday right? Join Felice Gerwitz with Denise Mira as they share special traditions that won't break the bank. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #christmas #traditionsTraditions & Celebrations Episode 386 with Denise Mira

    Are you looking for something to make Christmas meaningful? How about traditions and celebrations to start off the holiday right? Join Felice Gerwitz with Denise Mira as they share special traditions that won’t break the bank.

    Thanks to our sponsor Overcomer DVD now out in stores!

    Denise Mira, author of No Ordinary Child: Unlocking the Leader Within Your Child, has been married to Gregory for 39 years. They are the parents of five extraordinary home-educated sons. Denise has traveled extensively, inspiring revolutionary change in households as she shares her impactful message for families. She is passionate about helping moms and dads raise No Ordinary Children! Find more inspiration and free tools for success at DeniseMira.com

    Traditions – Celebrations

    1. Traditions & Celebrations – What is the true meaning of Christmas and how can your family traditions bring this to light
    2. Everything good – every perfect GIFT comes from God. James 1:17 so we organically marinate in this concept – Bible and prayer isn’t a religious exercise. It is our LIFE, our first thought, the foundation of our lives so that spills over into our holidays.
    3. Advent calendars come in so many forms these days! incorporate family prayer and scripture reading and memorization in its daily joyful use
    4. Highlight the nativity scene-elevate it -kids love playing with these Fisher-Price, Playmobil or surely there’s a complete set at the Goodwill or Dollar Tree to be had-this can be a time of reading from the Bible the story of Christmas while setting up the pieces, chatting about what it must have been like, really making it real.
    5. Bake Jesus a birthday cake and PRAYFULLY give him gifts (each child gave thought to and contributed something they could give to Jesus by gifting it to a single mom/kids and laid it at the Nativity during a celebration of family worship and prayer)
    6. Santa has never been a focal point or dominant in our decor or chatter – it’s not the religious unpardonable sin, but you get my drift. He’s more of a jovial fictional character who needs Jesus.
    7. Make homemade faith-based ornaments, Christmas cards and/or wall hangings
    8. Buy a kids puzzle 100 or 1000 piece depending on ages on Amazon for the table that is faith-based.
    9. Muppet Christmas Carole movie is an all-time fav and illustrates so much we can apply to life as His disciples in the earth – it could be a whole unit study for the holidays!
    10. Baking for elderly people in our lives-they just can’t cook anymore! seriously our neighbors relied on our holiday goodies for anything homemade
    11. Toys for tots type drives-involve the kids in contributing for NEW items so they feel the pinch as they give (God so loved that He gave)
    12. Attend a candlelight service even at a different church than your own if yours doesn’t do it
    13. Christmas Veggie tales
    14. My friend has lots of grandkids and they all act out the Christmas story as she reads it with a few costume props at their Christmas gathering
    15. My brothers fam makes homemade cards and a traditional butter toffee chocolate candy each year -all the kids sign their name to the card the oldest stamps or whatever-very low cost but it’s their way to give something affordable to lots of people to share Christ’s love and an authentic Christmas catch up letter is often included.
    16. Christmas Eve has always been our ‘ya’ll come celebration’ where we include lots of unsaved friends, lonely people, military singles, everyone brings an appetizer to share. It’s always a rich, warm and loving time of outreach.
    17. Hang a string of lights or flameless candles in each kid’s room-if a tree is available that’s fun too but that might not be doable. the string of lights or cheap LED light votives at Dollar Tree can serve as a teaching on Jesus Light of the World coming to a dark place to shine and we take on His mission to our world and the lights serve as night lights and cozy up to their rooms.
    18. Review the modern-day miracles Jesus has done in your family or loved one’s lives. Choose one each evening-have the kids ponder and come up with some it’s amazing what they are in touch with that God has done! Write them down, reflect, thank Him, set them at His manger.
    19. Ask your kids who is on their heart to help this Christmas. You may be surprised what they come up with – do all you can to accommodate what’s on their hearts to bless those people! They will ‘own it’ and it becomes so real to them.

    The post Traditions & Celebrations appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Stress Free Holiday Tips with Kendra and Fletch Dec 10, 2019

    stress free holiday tips with Kendra and FletchSpecial Guests! Stress-Free Holiday Tips with Kendra & Fletch

    You are in for a treat! Special guests who are joining Felice are Kendra and Fletch – show hosts of the HomeschoolingIRL

    Thanks to our sponsor Overcomer DVD now out in stores!

    On this episode we get real about the holidays, about that “crazy” Uncle Larry, getting the relatives out and into their cars without falling and how to create a family focus that is more than on pumpkin pies and more on what the Lord’s coming means to us. See the show notes below but listen in for all the details, if you want to learn about some of the secrets, those hidden ones on how Kendra and Fletch boycott Black Friday and have a stress-free holiday!

    If you’ve enjoyed this episode please subscribe!

    You can visit our shows on iTunes – mine Vintage Homeschool Mom and Kendra and Fletch – HomeschoolingIRL and follow and rate them! We thank you so much for listening.

    Find out more about Kendra and Fletch here!

    Homeschooling IRL – Website

    Kendra Fletcher – preschoolersandpeace.com/

    Andy Fletcher – www.themangotimes.com/

    Show Notes: Stress Free Holiday Tips with Kendra and Fletch:

    1. The meaning of chillaxing
    2. Pressure on holiday prep
    3. Traditional vs. untraditional celebrations
    4. Movie and Advent instead of Black Friday
    5. Everyone brings a side
    6. Ideas if you travel somewhere else for Thanksgiving or Christmas
    7. Do a big meal another time
    8. Alternatives to traditional gift giving
    9. Free advice from Fletch to husbands that will win you many points!

    Thank you to our Sponsor -Overcomer Movie

    NOW AVAILABLE: OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?

    Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey.

    Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box-office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson.

    Click here to buy the DVD!

    The post Stress Free Holiday Tips with Kendra and Fletch appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Christmas Season Ministry Dec 09, 2019

    Christmas Season Ministry | Christmas Season Ministry is something we forget because we are so busy. In this episode, we discuss some ways that children can understand the lesson it is better to give. Felice Gerwitz and Denise Mira share their successes with ministry with you! | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast Christmas Season Ministry – Episode 385 with Denise Mira

    Christmas Season Ministry is something we forget because we are so busy. In this episode, we discuss some ways that children can understand the lesson it is better to give. Felice Gerwitz and Denise Mira share their successes with ministry with you!

    Thanks to our sponsor – the movie, Overcomer!

    Denise Mira, author of No Ordinary Child: Unlocking the Leader Within Your Child, has been married to Gregory for 39 years. They are the parents of five extraordinary home-educated sons. Denise has traveled extensively, inspiring revolutionary change in households as she shares her impactful message for families. She is passionate about helping moms and dads raise No Ordinary Children! Find more inspiration and free tools for success at DeniseMira.com

    During the holidays it is always nice to give back. Us this as a checklist starter and listen to this podcast for more information and great ideas. Remember that God has given us seasons — some seasons may focus only on family and others on those in need.

    Ministry During Christmas

    1. Adopt a family
    2. Take care of single mothers/kids (kids keep it a secret or maybe they shouldn’t know who it is if they can’t yet keep a secret)
    3. Angel tree by the late Chuck Colson is a favorite of ours – children of prisoners get new gifts from their Daddy who is incarcerated
    4. Create a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child
    5. Relationships – people are God’s priority
    6. Provide and share with elderly widows and widowers neighbors and invite them to our parties
    7. Pray about your specific Family Ministry: One family we know takes on a hefty schedule to ring the bells for the Salvation Army each year taking shifts to collect the change in the red buckets with their spouses, kids, and the grands!
    8. Write letters of appreciation at the holidays to deployed troops via SolideirAngelsorg
    9. Collect coats, gloves, and hats for the homeless
    10. Baggies of deodorant toothpaste toothbrush snack bars socks kept in the vehicle etc for the homeless beggars
    11. The reason for the season. The overarching theme is to be Jesus — shining His light so bright to the world around us. Be intentional about making this your aim over the holidays.
    12. Add to this list here with your ideas!

    Thank you to our Sponsor -Overcomer Movie

    NOW AVAILABLE: OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?

    Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey.

    Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box-office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson.

    Click here to buy the DVD!

    The post Christmas Season Ministry appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Last Minute Christmas Prep Dec 03, 2019

    last minute Christmas prep | Let’s get organized with last minute ideas and 4-point planner. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #homeschoolLast Minute Christmas Prep or any Holiday -Episode 315

    Let’s get organized with last minute holiday prep! Felice shares her 4-square planner and hints on how to get it all done! Take a breath…you’ve got this!

    Whatever holiday you are gearing up for you know there is not enough time in the day to get just the routine chores completed. Holidays sneak up upon us!

    Take a deep breath and start with prayer. This time of the year we often feel like we are on overload.

    I just watched an episode featuring Dr. Oz who talked about holiday stress as over 88% or something similar. And it is for the reasons of adding holiday prep to our already overloaded schedule. He said some interesting things and I think it is important to list these because stress has a part in our ability to cope. And, when we are trying to finish some last minute shopping whether it is food prep or gift shopping the ideal is to try to minimize stress.

    He listed the following things.

    1. Sleep is important.
      1. No drinking 2-3 hours before bed. Drinking alcohol can inhibit good sleep
      2. If you drink, drink water after every alcoholic beverage
    2. Take a deep breath.
      1. Basically, like a timeout.
      2. (Author aside: Oxygen to the brain helps blood flow and helps us think!)
    3. Try not to stress holiday eating.
      1. Eat healthy whenever possible
      2. Eat before you go to a party – use the party for social interaction
      3. Make foods that are healthy
    4. Holiday playlist
      1. Songs that are uplifting
      2. Songs that get you into the Christmas mood

    All of these things are a good thing, but in addition, it does help to plan. As always I use my 4-Square planner. This planner helps to put things in perspective. So, the way I divide my planner is faith – kids – school – household. And, closer to the event, in this case, Christmas my planner will look a bit different: Party Theme / What is On Hand — Do Ahead – To Buy – Day of the Event

    This overall list helps me so much!

    If you want to print out copies go to VHM.com and look for episode 315 – Last Minute Christmas Prep!

    First is the Theme – in this case, it is Christmas. What do you have on hand? In my case I have tablecloths, napkins – I use this year-after-year. I have clear plastic plates left over from Thanksgiving that I will use for appetizers and serve dessert. I have all the utensils and serving trays, etc.

    4-Square Planner #vintagehomeschoolmoms #homeschool 4-Square Planner #vintagehomeschoolmoms #homeschool

    Do Ahead:

    Cleaning the house.

    Make casseroles – green bean casserole, lasagna, mashed potatoes, gravy mix, rolls.

    To Buy: Turkey, ham, potatoes, green beans.

    Day of the Event:

    Pray and celebrate Christmas!
    Breakfast. Make breakfast (other members of the family are in charge of clean up!)

    The time we are eating our main meal:

    Time to put the turkey in the oven:

    Time to take out casseroles before baking.

    Time to bake the casseroles.

    Once casseroles go in I serve appetizers. (Or one hour before casseroles)

    This planning allows me to relax if that is possible just knowing I have a plan makes everything go so much easier. Knowing what you need to do and when helps tremendously and seven days ahead of the event I have a list of each day and what needs to be completed.

    Make this year the best ever! I pray you have a Blessed Christmas and that you enjoy the holiday with family and friends. I’ll be posting our Christmas Eve Tradition podcast next week!

    Thank you to our Sponsor -The Star Movie

    The Star Is Coming Back To Theaters for a Limited Time!

    Experience The Star again December 7 and 8 in select theaters!
    Back by popular demand, you and your family can celebrate the true meaning behind the season. Be sure to check out all of the great resources for your family to use this holiday season! There are discussion guides, along with tons of FREE downloadable activities! Don’t wait, get your tickets today!

    Click here to find a theatre near you!

    The post Last Minute Christmas Prep appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Best Ever DIY Christmas Gifts Dec 03, 2019

    Do it yourself or DIY is all the craze, but only when it is simple and the gifts are truly worth giving.The Best Ever DIY Christmas Gifts Episode 311

    I know, we’ve heard it before the best ever DIY Christmas gifts often are more expensive than buying something on sale at the store. But, when you have a large family or many additional family and friends to consider these gifts are a life saver.

    Thanks to our sponsors – The Truth Seekers Mystery Series – brought to you by Media Angels, Inc.

    Do it yourself or DIY is all the craze, but only when it is simple and the gifts are truly worth giving. One year I received bath salts that smelled great and were different colors. When I looked at them closer I noticed the coloring was actually food coloring and could turn my skin the bright yellow, green and purple of the bath salts! Needless to say, this item was not used for baths at all.

    Here are my go-to rules for DIY Christmas Gifts:

    1. Must be tried and true. This is not the time to experiment.
    2. Nice presentation. No one wants to open a box to see a hot-glued mess.
    3. Something someone would actually want. Think cheesecake vs. fruitcake.
    4. Take into account dietary needs. These days there are gluten, dairy and nut allergies. Stay away from these offenders if at all possible.
    5. Gift certificates do not need to be impersonal. Stay tuned to learn more!

    The best every DIY Christmas Gifts can be every bit as charming as a high priced item that more than likely will break, wear out or possibly be something that is returned or regifted. Think about the person you want to gift an item. What are their likes? Dislikes? Take these into account.

    Here are a few of the favorite gifts I have given and received:

    1. Recipe book: Tried and true family recipes. Think about making these into a book online that can be duplicated.
    2. Coupons: The kids have gifted me with coupons for the following and all were much appreciated! Car wash, make beds, wash dishes, babysit, neck rub, vacuuming, organizing.
    3. DIY personal: Bath Salts, Homemade Sanitizer, Rag rug,
    4. Food: Applesauce + recipe for muffins; Tomatoes + recipe for sauce; Pumpkin + recipe for pie; Fat Bombs + recipe; Baked goods + recipe; Mixes + recipe and decorative containers
    5. Gift Certificate to a: nature center, zoo, museums, amusement parks, Amazon, bookstore, coffee store, etc. Make it personal by going with the person whenever possible to enjoy their gift.
    6. Slide presentation with pictures
    7. Prayer audio
    8. Painting or other art projects
    9. Decopauge – a favorite saying or special memento on a wood plaque.
    10. Experience: Rooftop star gazing, impromptu road trip, see hot air balloons, country visit or city visit, camping

    Thank you to our Sponsor -The Star Movie

    The Star Is Coming Back To Theaters for a Limited Time!

    Experience The Star again December 7 and 8 in select theaters!
    Back by popular demand, you and your family can celebrate the true meaning behind the season. Be sure to check out all of the great resources for your family to use this holiday season! There are discussion guides, along with tons of FREE downloadable activities! Don’t wait, get your tickets today!

    Click here to find a theatre near you!

    The post Best Ever DIY Christmas Gifts appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Best Gift Giving Tips Dec 02, 2019

    Best Gift Giving Tips | Here are some great ideas for gifts that will last throughout the year. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #giftgivingBest Gift Giving Tips with Meredith Curtis and Felice Gerwitz Episode 384

    Best Gift Giving Tips are easier than you think. Here are some great ideas for gifts that will last throughout the year.

    Thanks to our sponsor – The Star Movie – limited run December 7 and 8th 2019 – the DVD is still available for purchase.

    Faith brings us together. Happy Anniversary to The Star, which debuted on this day in 2017! Celebrate the film by seeing its re-release in theaters this holiday season, December 7 and 8! Tickets here: http://www.thestarmovie-tickets.com Another great show is here – Gifts You Can’t Unwrap

    I’m so excited to talk Meredith Curtis who is the queen of Christmas! Meredith is the “Christmas girl” and likes to turn her home into a Christmas Wonderland — on a budget!

    Both Meredith and I have big families, and sometimes it is difficult to juggle both school and home. We’re going to talk more about that but, also how to save money while living within the big family budget!

    Here are some quick tips to get you started.

    1. Plan to make schoolwork lighter in December and set some deadlines for Christmas vacation.
    2. Try to do Christmas related unit studies. Read Anne of Green Gables, or a very British Christmas, or study Christmas during Colonial America. We learned not only how people celebrated Christmas, but we would learn as we read through the book aloud. And we also watched Christmas movies and made crafts, created recipes and had tea. When we studied a British Christmas, we tried to cook a goose and we read a Christmas Carol aloud. All of our projects had a purpose. For example handwriting in December focused around Christmas letters and addressing Christmas cards. One of our crafts with wrapping Christmas presents.
    3. One of our projects was making a Christmas budget and Christmas shopping. One of our school projects was creating Christmas gifts.
    4. We baked Christmas cookies. So we would bake cookies and freeze them or we made gifts in a jar. And so by the end of the unit study, we had read all these delightful picture books, but we had also finished all of our presents for neighbors and people at church and all we had to do the final day was just delivered them, you know, right before Christmas.

    A focus on Christmas really put things into perspective and to make the time for the things that we really want to do rather than feeling like we have to do the things on a checkoff list and what better time than Christmas!

    Best Gift Giving Ideas:

    1. Christmas Carols – if you can sing, give the gift of music.
    2. Prayers – record some prayers and create a CD as a gift.
    3. Keepsakes – whether they are handprints or pictures, be sure to put the date on the gift.
    4. Budget gifts – set a price point or limit.
    5. Books – add to a series of books, or begin a new series as a gift with a few books to begin. Shop used book stores.
    6. Movies – something that is a keepsake like The Star Movie for example. Or the Nativity.
    7. Home-baked goods such as breads, quick breads like pumpkin loaf, cinnamon rolls, or cookies.
    8. Mixes – you can give as gifts. Use decorative tins. Be sure to add the recipe taped to the outside.
    9. Create a recipe book, duplicate and give as gifts. You can print out recipe cards for ease if you want to make your own homemade version.
    10. Create gift photo books. These are wonderful and can be stored easily.

    The post Best Gift Giving Tips appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Last Minute Holiday Prep Nov 25, 2019

    Last Minute Holiday Prep | Countdown time is here! Now for some last minute holiday prep ideas. While I agree, everything homemade tastes better, but it isn't always possible with our hectic busy school and holiday schedules. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcastLast-Minute Holiday Prep – Episode 383

    Countdown time is here! Now for some last minute holiday prep ideas. While I agree, everything homemade tastes better, but it isn’t always possible with our hectic busy school and holiday schedules. What is a parent to do? In this podcast, Felice shares her tips with you.

    Thanks to our sponsor Media Angels, check out the Advent Calendar sure to become a keepsake.

    The countdown is on and it is time to get those last-minute things on your list or begin your mega-shopping for the items you need. Through the years I began to build slowly and ramp up my holiday celebration but in the beginning, I tried as much as possible to keep it simple. If you downloaded the holiday planner you have all types of recipes and tips to help, but here they are in a nutshell.

    Look at how much time you have. Is it days or a week before the meal? If you haven’t baked everything from scratch it is okay – you have my permission to buy ready-made. I can’t make all the homemade bread I use to bake, on top of keeping up with all the day-to-day. When I did bake bread everyone was home and we would take one day to dedicate to our baking and freeze many bags to take out at a moment’s notice! If you still want to bake, go for it! Just be sure it is not causing stress.

    Last Minute Holiday Prep For those traveling:

    First, if you are traveling be sure to pack way ahead. Once you do this, your subconscious mind will think about things you forgot. If you are bringing a covered dish or dessert, remember you are traveling. My brother offered to make a smoked turkey and bring it, we’d have to heat it up. Instead, we decided he could bring the sweet potato casserole and banana bread which will travel well.

    Remember, the kids can help! After all most of what we do means we have little ones underfoot. If you can have another friend over to help watch the kids and bake extra for your friend to take home! It is a win-win. If you have older children enlist their help.

    For those hosting the meal.

    The basics of any meal are the main course and the sides. You do not have to get carried away with sides keep it to two or three items max. In this day of gluten-free and allergies, it is good to know what your guests can eat. I keep some things in my freezer to make it easy. For example frozen zucchini noodles. I can heat these up quickly. Or, frozen chocolate cupcakes that are gluten and dairy-free. These can be taken out and defrosted.

    Here are my freeze ahead options: Mashed potatoes and pureed sweet potatoes. I label with a sharpie the ingredients needed. Frozen sliced apples with sugar and cinnamon. I defrost the bag, add the other ingredients and bake it in a pie crust. Green beans are steamed and frozen, ready for the casserole. I have frozen broccoli, mixed vegetables and of course the frozen zucchini spirals I mentioned earlier. If you do not have a freezer full of frozen pre-made food it is okay to buy pre-made at the store or leave enough time for baking the day of. I always had my desserts ready ahead of time. They keep well. I will not use all of this food for the meal – but I have options depending on if I need to pull out more food.

    Each holiday I server lasagna that has been made – dare I say it? For months! It is a family favorite and it feeds a bunch of people! Baked ham is also reasonably priced and feeds a large group of people and typically little children like the ham. Whatever you do keep in mind that accidents happen! No, I haven’t burned a turkey but one year it seemed to take forever to cook.

    A quick day of the feast is to keep breakfast simple. Lunch can also be simple with snacks. We tend to eat mid-day because the prep takes longer than a noon meal and family travels from different places and goes back home on this day. I have appetizers (again think simple – fruit, veggies and dip, cheese, crackers, trail mix) ready and prepared ahead of time. The things I bake – wrapped gouda in crescent roll dough is even prepped ahead of time and in the refrigerator ready to bake.

    The last tip is to love your family, hug your kids and have some games, puzzles, and activities for the kids to do. Play the thankful game with family and friends, and I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday, and may the love of God be with you and your family always!

    The post Last Minute Holiday Prep appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Stress Free Holidays Nov 23, 2019

    Stress Free Holiday | Are you ready for a stress-free holiday? With Thanksgiving, Christmas and even birthdays and all of the fun events that happen in full family life! The stress begins to mount. Join Felice Gerwitz and her friend, Denise Mira, you will learn so many insider's tips! | #homeschoolpodcast @podcast #denisemiraStress-Free Holidays Episode 382 ~ with Denise Mira

    Are you ready for stress-free holidays? With Thanksgiving, Christmas and even birthdays and all of the fun events that happen in full family life! The stress begins to mount. Join Felice Gerwitz and her friend, Denise Mira, you will learn so many insider’s tips!

    Thanks to our sponsor A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

    HOMESCHOOL bio: Denise Mira, author of No Ordinary Child: Unlocking the Leader Within Your Child, has been married to Gregory for 39 years. They are the parents of five extraordinary home-educated sons. Denise has traveled extensively, inspiring revolutionary change in households as she shares her impactful message for families. She is passionate about helping moms and dads raise No Ordinary Children! Find more inspiration and free tools for success at DeniseMira.com

    Stress-Free Holidays

    How do we focus on the real reason for the season! No matter what season it is. The fellowship, family, ministry instead of the details that seem to suck us under!

    1. Set a budget-This doesn’t sound ‘spiritual’ at first, but it is massive as it immediately lessens the materialistic aspect. Families are spending 1/3 more than they take in every month in the US. Christmas spending is insanity. The stress and strain and clutter and marriage trouble over this one thing will destroy families. I begin with a list of people and a per-person amount for gifts especially as it adds up so quickly.
    2. Ask adult children to just come celebrate – no gifts!
    3. Cheap decor is abundant! Last year I seriously bought 95% of my decor at the Goodwill and Dollar Tree. No joke. All our stuff was in storage and I didn’t want to mess with digging after moving. It was the most beautiful decor we’ve ever had LOL tablecloths, arrangements, etc. etc. So peaceful. So easy.
    4. Cookie baking days and Craft times – get supplies cheap, Good Will, etc. Ideas include Mason jar snow scenes with votive candles. Girls can bring their cookie dough and bake and talk and talk and talk and talk…
    5. Christmas Puzzles, hot drinks, Christmas music – always have a table with a puzzle going, stuff for eggnog lattes and hot cocoa so when adults walk by it begs them to stop and pause and BE.
    6. We never have a ‘family only’ We have always had strays who crawl into our hearts like lost puppies for seasons, sometimes years and we truly embrace them warts and all – there’s always room for one more, and I always have a gift for them – as simple as a coffee gift card, a candle, a cool mug, a beanie whatever but it’s a gesture of ‘you belong’ and we value YOU.
    7. With young children we always took a night to load up the fifteen-passenger van, play Christmas music and find the best lights in town. We included our Pakistani neighbors too! I’ve begun to do this with my grands now.

    Thank you to our Sponsor – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Movie!

    Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Emmy winner Matthew Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about kindness, love and forgiveness from America’s most beloved neighbor. Click here to watch the trailer and find a theatre near you!

    The post Stress Free Holidays appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    Entertaining with Kids Nov 18, 2019

    Entertaining with Kids | Entertaining with kids is something most of us do without a second thought, but if you want some great ideas to get your special day off to a great start, join us with special guest! | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #ChristmasEntertaining With Kids – Episode 381 with Denise Mira

    Entertaining with kids is something most of us do without a second thought, but if you want some great ideas to get your special day off to a great start, join us with special guest, Denise Mira! Denise with a crew of boys (now adult) and Felice with three boys and two girls and eight grandchildren we are full of ideas. We discuss how to make kids welcome in holiday celebrations, preparation and ways to encourage success. You can send me some bullet points of what you’d add or say — just short ideas.

    Denise Mira, author of No Ordinary Child: Unlocking the Leader Within Your Child, has been married to Gregory for 39 years. They are the parents of five extraordinary home-educated sons. Denise has traveled extensively, inspiring revolutionary change in households as she shares her impactful message for families. She is passionate about helping moms and dads raise No Ordinary Children! Find more inspiration and free tools for success at DeniseMira.com

    I’ve always included our kids when I entertain and often this has included hosting overnight guests in our home we’ve almost had a constant B and B it seems – this has built such active compassionate hearts in them and it’s their default now as they are also now the most hospitable men as adults. I was just hugging my third born yesterday as he and his wife had hosted our Sunday morning group. Priceless.

    1. They participated at every level.
    2. Welcome cards.
    3. House cleaning from toilets to vacuuming and anything needing to be done.
    4. Food Prep with clean hands and hair nets LOL truth-one of our sons always made the homemade caesar dressing (I’m married to an Italian so it’s usually an Italian Christmas 🙂 and here we are decades later he’s still making it for our dinners!
    5. Greeting warmly.
    6. Serving-guests go first, from the main dish to desserts
    7. Decor if a holiday – homemade decor as well as setting out the stuff from the attic.
    8. Included at adult table convo if there was room – I tried never to relegate them to ‘kids should be seen and not heard’ and they could carry on convos with adults at every age. Served them well.
    9. Helped care for the youngsters who were our guests, entertaining toddlers, holding babies, etc. etc.
    10. Clean up – dishes, etc.
    11. If mommies can forget about perfect, overlook faux paux’s in convos and delight in their children’s childish imperfect assistance, this is a major win for everyone!

    Thank you to our Sponsor – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Movie!

    Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Emmy winner Matthew Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about kindness, love and forgiveness from America’s most beloved neighbor. Click here to watch the trailer and find a theatre near you!

    The post Entertaining with Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


    No Ordinary Child Nov 16, 2019

    No Ordinary Child | During an interview with Denise Mira, she surprised me with her love and passion as she explained the purpose of her book, No Ordinary Child! I was blessed as I listened and wanted to share this with all of you! | #podcast #noordinarychild #denisemiraNo Ordinary Child – Episode 380 with Denise Mira – Unleashed!

    There is no ordinary child and in this interview with Denise Mira, she surprised me with her love and passion as she explained the purpose of her book, No Ordinary Child! I was blessed as I listened and wanted to share this with all of you especially as we launch into very busy times in our life.

    Denise Mira, author of No Ordinary Child: Unlocking the Leader Within Your Child, has been married to Gregory for 39 years. They are the parents of five extraordinary home-educated sons. Denise has traveled extensively, inspiring revolutionary change in households as she shares her impactful message for families. She is passionate about helping moms and dads raise No Ordinary Children! Find more inspiration and free tools for success at DeniseMira.com

    The story of No Ordinary Child: Unlocking the Leader Within Your Child As a high schooler, I was never getting married or having babies. Feminism had its hooks in me and my sights were set on greater things than wasting my life as a frumpy housewife with snotty-nosed kids. When Jesus broke into my dark world and made Himself real to me at 17, a sudden transformation began. A year later, I was married. Four years later, my firstborn arrived. Then another and another until our quiver was filled
    with five precious little boys. As a new mommy, the story of Moses’ birth to a captive Hebrew couple in Egypt was profoundly highlighted to me. There wasn’t a worse time in history to be expecting a child due to the evil king’s decree, and yet, his parents, Amram and Jochabed, didn’t falter in their faith, but trusted God to rescue their baby boy from certain execution. Hebrews 11:23 tells us, ‘by faith, Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw that he was no ordinary child and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”

    This passage put steel in my backbone to become No Ordinary Parent. I, too, would hide my babies for a season and refuse to be afraid. I deeply longed for more than the mainstream, mediocre parenting methods offered to me by society and religious culture. My Bible became my parenting manual and I set my sites on raising Daniels – men who would stand head and shoulders above their shallow peers – deliverers in their generation.

    As I navigated and pioneered this new and unexpected mothering adventure, I poured my thoughts on paper. Journaling my deep reflections
    and faith-filled longings became my passion. No Ordinary Child: Unlocking the Leader Within Your Child is the result.

    **********

    Liz, wife and Mom from Washington, D. C. says about N.O.C., “LOVE the book! I’m devouring it. My heart pounds all over every page. It’s food for the hungry, medicine for the sick, and hope for the hopeless. A real shot in the arm for what ails us. Denise, you tell it like it is. You’re a modern voice with an ancient message, and you’ve designed a roadmap for every suburban Christian mom to get them where they need to go!”
    ********************

    Today I’m living in the fulfillment of the dream God put in my heart surrounded by my close-knit, supportive, faith-filled family. I actively
    engage my miraculous home-educated grandchildren and I’m here to help YOU get the same results. I know where you live. I see your overwhelming, never-done to-do list. I know the bills left at the end of your money. I know the marriage struggles, the sleepless nights and the desperate sense of inadequacy you often feel as a Mama. But more importantly, I know the inestimable potential within your child. Yes, YOURS. Mama, you are thinking too small when you consider the destiny of your child. I know that in your babies’ DNA are seeds of promise too big for you to humanly comprehend. This is not a book of rules or a list of more stuff you have to do. Instead of a heavy yoke, you will find freedom. Instead of white picket fence illusions, you’ll get authenticity. Trade-in your overwhelm for an infusion of power and realize the transformation

    Thank you to our Sponsor – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Movie!

    Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Emmy winner Matthew Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about kindness, love and forgiveness from America’s most beloved neighbor. Click here to watch the trailer and find a theatre near you!

    The post No Ordinary Child appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.