It's a new year and God has gifted you 525,600 minutes! How will you invest them to ensure you have the most fruitful, life giving homeschool year ever? By beginning with the ENDS in mind! What were your gains last year? What do you want to gain by the end of this year? Join Shiela as she shares a simple framework to help you reflect on the gains y…

Anyone else experiencing the winter doldrums? As the saying goes, the days are long but the years are short. Well, winter homeschooling days get reeeeally long. But the end is coming - both the end of your year and the end of this initial leg of your parenting journey (that is, when you send your children off into the world). Will you feel as if yo…

Reasons and help letting go of comparison and intimidation from publishers and professionals, unrealistic expectations, other homeschool families. About Jennifer Jennifer Cabrera, the Hifalutin Homeschooler, is the writer of homeschool truth, humor, and inspiration. Jennifer lives in Salado, Texas with her husband and three brilliant boys. She is a…

How do we muster the will to rise and get dressed and get back a life of learning in the cold and winter months? Much less entice our teens to do the same? With new resolve and new fleece pajamas, homeschooling in winter is a privilege filled with opportunities for getting ahead academically, productive family time, and remembering why we homeschoo…

It feels like there is so much opposition to homeschooling. Though today there is a far greater degree of acceptance, plenty of voices remain which not only question but blatantly oppose our efforts to raise our children at home. That said, the greatest opposition probably comes in our own self doubts and even resistance to what homeschooling requi…

January is the perfect time for a mom's personal retreat. In this episode Jessica will share tips and tricks of hosting your own personal homeschool mom retreat. With a little bit of creativity, you can benefit from taking the time to rest, pray, plan, and goal-set for the second half of the school year. About Jessica Jessica is a wife, homeschool …

Have you ever thought how odd it is to have children move from grade to grade in lockstep with other children, even though they develop and learn at different rates in different subjects? Did you know that this idea of grade segregation is relatively new in the history of the world? Homeschoolers usually figure out how illogical the whole idea is, …

In this episode Jessica interviews Lyndsey from Treehouse Schoolhouse about all sorts of things related to homeschool mom life. They chat about why Lyndsey and her husband decided to move from Florida and buy land to build their dream home as well as how to balance physical health goals, homeschooling, and running two businesses from home! About Ly…

A while back, I came across an interesting comparison of two middle school reading lists — one from 1908 and one from a bit more than 100 years later. The original article compared the lists based on time period, thematic elements, and reading level, and I'll share that comparison along with a few ideas for interesting middle-grade reading. About J…

In this brief episode you'll learn why penmanship, including cursive, is important for learning, and you'll get practical tips for helping your children master this useful art. About Janice Janice Campbell, a lifelong reader and writer, loves to introduce students to great books and beautiful writing. She holds an English degree from Mary Baldwin C…

Everything, and I mean everything that is right and true is under assault today. For instance, we've moved far beyond questioning whether a woman's rightful place is in the home rearing her children. Today, the world and all her emissaries of confusion question whether such a thing as a woman even exists. For decades we've been told that women are …

Homeschooling science is often frustrating and impossible, easily replaced with videos, or neglected altogether. Don’t let it be! I’ve got help and great offers! Science can be hands-on, exciting, edible, and dangerous! And can create lasting family memories. Like when you almost burn the house down for the science fair. True, hilarious story here……

Long before textbooks and workbooks were invented, students kept notebooks and commonplace books to help them think, understand, and remember what they learned. Learning journals are a tool your student can use to do the same — here's how to begin using them! About Janice Janice Campbell, a lifelong reader and writer, loves to introduce students to…

Although there are many practical reasons to read daily, the list of the benefits of reading begins with delight. There are few things more soul-nourishing than a great book. However, reading can reduce stress, improve communication skills, increase empathy, build vocabulary, and so much more. It's no surprise that reading builds brains; what’s sur…

Join Jessica Smartt for a conversation about building your community as a mom! About Jessica Jessica is a wife, homeschool mom of three, author, and blogger. She lives in sunny North Carolina on a big family farm with chickens, goats, cousins, and lots of mud. Resources Memory-Making Mom by Jessica Smartt Let Them Be Little by Jessica Smartt Homesc…

This is the last episode in a 3 episode series. What do you say to your child when a simple "yes" or "no" just don't seem to meet the demands of the hour? The answer? Nothing at all. For most parents, though, saying nothing is simply not an option. They're afraid it might communicate weakness or concede too much ground to their children. But here's…

Ample time for discussion of knowledge and learning from elders truly invested in their future are major advantages for homeschoolers. However, most important to note is...Why your effort and interaction as homeschool parent must equal or exceed the expectations you have for your student in order to capitalize on these advantages. About Jennifer Je…

The second part of a 3 part series, in this episode we focus on when it's appropriate and necessary to say "no" to your child. The truth is, no one is more appropriately positioned to say this word to our children, but it is also true that no one can more inappropriately wield the power it possesses in their lives. We have to make sure that we're n…

This is the first episode of a 3 part series followed by "When to Say No" and "When to Say Nothing at All". In this episode we focus on a simple word that is often so difficult for parents to say to their children - "yes". Whether it's in answer to a request to go on a bike ride or in response to an act of obedience, so often our answer is "no" or …

What is it like to home school in high school? In this episode Jessica offers her experience so far with the nitty gritty honest feedback about what's hard, what's great, and what she recommends! About Jessica Jessica is a wife, homeschool mom of three, author, and blogger. She lives in sunny North Carolina on a big family farm with chickens, goats…

A new homeschool year is upon us and there may be no better time to speak to all the homeschooling dads out there. As most of you recognize, your wife is doing critical work. In fact, few other occupations in the world can compare with it. Why, then, do we as husbands find it so difficult to be involved in it? This episode of the Homeschool Solutio…

Don't let anyone shame you for sheltering your kids. The true argument is not about creating open minds, but about who gets to them first. This episode is about why Old School Homeschooling is the best way to ensure continued homeschool freedom for truth and reason! About Jennifer Jennifer Cabrera, the Hifalutin Homeschooler, is the writer of homes…

Join curriculum expert Cathy Duffy and me as we talk about the art of choosing homeschool curriculum. You'll learn about goals, learning styles, types of homeschooling, and more. I think you'll come away feeling much more comfortable about making choices that fit your family. About Cathy Cathy Duffy has been reviewing homeschool curriculum and reso…

You pretty much know where you are and where you'd like to be in your homeschool, but the space between those two places can be terribly frustrating. You've probably tried many times to build a habit or acquire a discipline that you believe would benefit your homeschool and have failed just as many times to the point that you may have given up alto…

Writing can seem as natural as speaking to a child who grows up around adults who write lists, notes, and letters. Join me as I share a few thoughts about special childhood notes and letters I've written and received, and why those little notes can count as first steps in writing. About Janice Janice Campbell, a lifelong reader and writer, loves to…