Best Make Joy Normal Podcasts (2024)

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Managing our anger one baby step at a time: a fundamental conversation for the beginning of a new school year Episode 56:52

1h ago56:52

56:52

send us a text via Fan Mail! My listener and guest, Kimmy, and I, address the topic of anger, learning to pause, growing in holiness and - aaaah - EXPECTATIONS. 2:08 - Kimmy's questions on managing anger and structuring the day 8:01 - Creating and sustaining a loving environment 12:21 - Planning time for yourself 18:58 - Camp style learning 22:40 -…

1
my take on it: order, where to start when you're feeling overwhelmed 10:52

4h ago10:52

10:52

send us a text via Fan Mail! I received this fan mail a few days ago, and wanted to respond with my take on it. This mom is doing so many good things already, please know I pray for you all and hope this helps! Hi Bonnie -- I am really struggling. I deeply desire a joyful home and yet every day , without fail I am yelling, the kids are fighting, th…

1
my take on it - further questions on co-sleeping, toddler edition 6:34

24d ago6:34

6:34

send us a text via Fan Mail! After listening to the episode on cosleeping, a listener submitted these questions: So this mum has a large family. She has a baby who's just over one, that this is usually around the time that she has stopped co -sleeping and transitioned to a crib. She'd like to keep co -sleeping, but a couple of things are frustratin…

1
cooking, love and rest with Zoe: creating more ease in the kitchen and our brains 42:33

1M ago42:33

42:33

send us a text via Fan Mail! My dear friend Zoe joins me to discuss how she mentors moms to take a look at how we can create more ease and joy in the daily task of meal prep and menu planning. Dealing with decision fatigue and how to create an environment that is more streamlined and restful. We talk about Sunday as a day of rest, and what that can…

1
my take on it: struggling with spelling and kids who are behind 17:00

1M ago17:00

17:00

send us a text via Fan Mail! I received great question(s) yesterday, what do we do when our kids can't spell...what do we do when they're behind....what do we do when our head's not in the game. "Hi Bonnie! I have a question! My 10 year old son is very very very much a struggling speller. I mean, I’m sure he is dyslexic. He can’t spell at all and I…

1
my take on it: children and chores 14:46

2M ago14:46

14:46

send us a text via Fan Mail! Short answer to an important question...our experience and how it changed over the years: "Hi Bonnie! I’m thinking about our daily/weekly routines for this school year and wondering if you have thoughts on chores for kids. I’m looking at how many hours we have in the day and plugging in reading aloud, a little sit down …

1
co-sleeping: sharing our experience 36:48

2M ago36:48

36:48

send us a text via Fan Mail! Haley and I discuss co-sleeping and breastfeeding, I chat about my journey into co-sleeping and the benefits I’ve observed. Overall, the conversation highlights the benefits and challenges of co-sleeping and offers insights into creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment for the whole family. We share our persona…

1
getting kids to do things they don't want to do, like math for example 42:16

2M ago42:16

42:16

send us a text via Fan Mail! In this conversation, Mariette and I discuss how to motivate children to do tasks they don't enjoy, specifically focusing on math. We explore strategies such as setting parameters, incorporating math into daily activities, and giving children a sense of control and choice. Takeaways Set parameters and give children a se…

1
my take on it - what to do after chocolate chip math 9:41

3M ago9:41

9:41

send us a text via Fan Mail! Question submitted via text message - I’m wondering if you have any episodes or blog posts about math after chocolate chips - my oldest is 8 and about to start grade 3. We have been using your little yellow book along with The 3 R’s as a guide for our math learning so far. Would love to hear about where you went from th…

1
keeping homeschooling fresh for the long game 39:18

3M ago39:18

39:18

send us a text via Fan Mail! Sheila, a veteran homeschooling mother from Arizona, shares her experience with burnout and the challenges of homeschooling children with a large age gap. We touch on mothering teens and keeping the connection as they become adults. soundbites: "It's a beautiful thing that you're doing." "Nobody prepares us for what it'…

1
my take on it - supporting left handed kids 14:18

3M ago14:18

14:18

send us a text via Fan Mail! A short answer to a question submitted on buzzsprout's new "FAN MAIL" function. Support the Show. Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!By Bonnie Landry

1
creating high school credits out of our kids passions and some things happening currently 10:59

4M ago10:59

10:59

send us a text via Fan Mail! Takeaways from this episode: Passions can be turned into high school courses, such as chess Course titles can reflect the skills and concepts learned, like "applied mathematics through strategy." A high school course typically requires 120-150 hours of work, so what does that look like for their passions? A topical list…

1
high school: balancing highschoolers with little ones and helping highschoolers flourish 55:57

4M ago55:57

55:57

send us a text via Fan Mail! A listener, Caroline, brings her questions to the show, delving into the high school years for the first time with lots of younger siblings. Homeschooling with JOY Support the Show. Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make …

1
avoiding comparison and getting boys to do stuff 28:33

4M ago28:33

28:33

send us a text via Fan Mail! well, exactly spelling and the brain by Andrew Pudewa Support the Show. Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!By Bonnie Landry

1
home birth, home life and owning our womanhood: an interview with Amber 55:15

5M ago55:15

55:15

send us a text via Fan Mail! 1:42 - Conversion and honouring womanhood 4:53 - Welcome and family life 7:42 - Homebirth and home education 11:03 - Sharing birth experiences 20:27 - Motherhood, birth and feminism 29:30 - Sharing our passion, using our gifts 34:06 - All mothers work 37:40 - Surrendering to motherhood 42:50 - Mindful use of social medi…

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igniting a passion for learning: online courses with Homeschool Connections - and upcoming conference! 42:36

5M ago42:36

42:36

send us a text via Fan Mail! Homeschool Connections founders Walter Crawford and Maureen Whittmann join me to discuss the online platform and how it is unique for homeschooling elementary through high school. We also discuss the upcoming online conference *click here for early bird pricing available until April 26, 2024* 2:11 - Welcome Walter and M…

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Raising Critical Thinkers: foundation, practice and application - an interview with author Julie Bogart 57:41

5M ago57:41

57:41

send us a text via Fan Mail! Such a pleasure to have Julie Bogart join me to discuss her upcoming book and the importance of teaching writing and critical thinking skills in our homeschool. 00:41 - Welcome Julie / Beginnings in teaching writing 4:27 - Becoming critical thinkers 8:35 - Differing opinions in families/communities 17:32 - Teaching chil…

1
time for joy, time for housework 22:08

5M ago22:08

22:08

send us a text via Fan Mail! Another repurposed episode from the pre-podcast days... 1:15 - Finding time, creating time 2:10 - Slowing down 9:13 - Using a timer 12:06 - Make mealtimes easier 13:03 - A good day starts the night before 13:50 - Working alongside our children 18:23 - Managing during crisis Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley indentured se…

1
simplify your life 23:00

6M ago23:00

23:00

send us a text via Fan Mail! Repurposing a YouTube live from a while back.... At the beginning of covid I did some YouTube live, and thought they’d be worthiwhile sharing. Here’s where I make the bold statement that I can out talk covid 19. And I did. 1:20 - Why simplicity matters 6:31 - Start your day with a list 7:44 - Read to your kids 9:09 - Ch…

1
church and state: the importance of forming our children in the affairs of both 57:47

6M ago57:47

57:47

send us a text via Fan Mail! Welcome to our guest, Patrick Brown, homeschool dad and host of the podcast Crown and Crozier. 2:28 - Welcome Patrick, family life and podcast 13:14 - Raising our kids to be politically, economically awake 17:11 - Educating ourselves as parents 21:30 - Great resources available 32:08 - Voting, freedom and virtue 40:39 -…

1
how to get started homeschooling and dealing with resistance 46:26

6M ago46:26

46:26

send us a text via Fan Mail! Christina and I discuss where to begin if you are new to homeschooling, especially if your child has already been in school. How to establish a routine and create a playful, joyful environment for learning. We also discuss teaching a second language and using curriculum. 2:51 - Facing loneliness in motherhood 7:55 - Whe…

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homeschooling and bioethics: the curricula of human dignity starts at home, an interview with Samantha Stephenson 1:06:42

6M ago1:06:42

1:06:42

send us a text via Fan Mail! Homeschooling mom and author Samantha Stephenson joins me to discuss the moral formation of our children and how to discuss sensitive topics with our kids. 3:10 - Welcome Samantha! 6:19 - What is bioethics? 18:15 - How to approach difficult questions 23:19 - Using dignified language with our children 29:14 - Answering q…

1
marquette - why talk about NFP on a homeschool podcast? 42:30

6M ago42:30

42:30

send us a text via Fan Mail! Well. If it makes your life simpler, let's try that out. 2:10 - Welcome Ashlee! 3:30 - How did you learn about Marquette? 6:18 - What is ecological breastfeeding? 10:06 - NFP, FAM and how Marquette differs from other methods 18:42 - Would you use Marquette postpartum or while breastfeeding? 20:01 - Is it a challenging m…

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oral reports - where are we going with this 33:27

7M ago33:27

33:27

send us a text via Fan Mail! 2:07 - What do you make of oral reports? 5:04 - Learning speech arts through coop activities 14:26 - Historical fiction and memorization 30:05 - Playing with dress up clothes Homeschooling, simplified: great books to study Canadian history The Poet's Eye by Arthur Alexander Make Joy Normal Podcast by topic #makejoynorma…

1
talk about burnout 30:16

7M ago30:16

30:16

send us a text via Fan Mail! This is a live talk I did online when covid happened, and I've decided to produce a few of them here, converted into a podcast episode. 3:01 - Relationships first 5:58 - Develop a plan 7:12 - Simplicity in our homes 14:54 - Taking time off homeschooling 16:22 - Ideas for getting help 20:18 - Investing in yourself 25:12 …

1
realistic expectations 7:40

7M ago7:40

7:40

send us a text via Fan Mail! Homeschooling, simplified: what matters most: securing cooperation without sacrificing kindness #makejoynormal #homeschooling #education #attachment #kindness #relationship #joy Support the Show. Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for list…

1
when fertility is winding down: an interview with Abbey 42:42

7M ago42:42

42:42

send us a text via Fan Mail! Such a lovely interview where one of my sweet listeners, Abbey, brings questions about the bittersweet time when fertility is "pending" - the onset of menopause and the challenge of not knowing. 4:05 - Welcome Abbey! 10:24 - Miscarriage and pregnancy after 40 13:53 - Being open to God's will 18:29 - Suffering and grace,…

1
educating ourselves 44:46

8M ago44:46

44:46

send us a text via Fan Mail! Literature for life: and interview with Joseph Pearce. As always, Joseph Pearce has great insight and wisdom on literature and how we, as busy parents, can pursue educating ourselves alongside our children. 6:31 - The desire to fill the gaps in our own education 16:04 - Creating habits of reading 24:55 - Increasing our …

1
co-sleeping 59:45

8M ago59:45

59:45

send us a text via Fan Mail! Jenna Beaugh and I chat about co-sleeping and attachment. 10:32 - Openness to life and relaxed parenting 14:21 - Co-sleeping and how it changed us 18:35 - Books and resources 24:28 - Until what age should you breastfeed your baby? 29:43 - What about kids who keep wanting to sleep with you? 32:33 - Growing in our faith j…

1
What about college? And so much more. 42:45

8M ago42:45

42:45

send us a text via Fan Mail! In this episode, we talk about the why of college, intentionality in our choices and the pros and cons of going straight into college after high school. But we also talk about a whole lotta random stuff - including, but not limited to: blending family traditions, the occult, homeschooling during crisis, the value of a h…

1
Christmas message! 5:09

8M ago5:09

5:09

send us a text via Fan Mail! Support the Show. Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!By Bonnie Landry

1
an interview with my 20 year old son, Abel 29:56

9M ago29:56

29:56

send us a text via Fan Mail! Abel and I chat about homeschooling pros and cons, looking back on our family life and transitioning to post secondary. Shout out to Abel's fans. 2:00 - Graduating high school, transition to University 7:34 - What about essay writing? 11:54 - What were the strengths and weaknesses of your homeschool experience? 15:53 - …

1
How much is too much for teens, and what about all those quizzes and tests?? 28:33

9M ago28:33

28:33

send us a text via Fan Mail! Elizabeth and I take a listener's question and share some of our favourite Christmas storybooks and movies along the way. 00:53 - Enjoying a slow Advent 5:37 - Favourite Christmas storybooks 9:33 - How much homework is too much for a 14 year old? 14:14 - Figuring out what our family needs 16:14 - Creating a family visio…

1
ADVENT and CHRISTMAS: Albert and I share family traditions 30:33

9M ago30:33

30:33

send us a text via Fan Mail! My husband and I chat about things that we did over the years to mark Advent and Christmas! 1:45 - Midnight mass 7:54 - Learning about the Sacramentals 15:18 - Blessing of the Christmas tree 16:49 - Advent family procession 19:37 - Jesse Tree tradition 22:46 - Christmas eve celebration meal 25:30 - Feast of St. Nicholas…

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Just do it: building community with Rebecca Genuis 41:23

10M ago41:23

41:23

send us a text via Fan Mail! Such a lovely conversation with my dear listener Rebecca! She shares some great ideas for gathering people and growing community. 00:33 - Prayer request 1:11 - Welcome Rebecca, family and vocation 3:13 - Preconception, pregnancy and fertility health 8:04 - Professional development for homeschoolers 16:11 - Format for ho…

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Celebrating life, one crumb at a time - an interview on food, family and love with Jenna Beaugh 36:02

10M ago36:02

36:02

send us a text via Fan Mail! Jenna Beaugh joins me to discuss family life and culture around the table. We discuss how to encourage our children in a love of cooking, setting the atmosphere around the table and how to increase joy in our homeschooling. 1:01 - Welcome Jenna, family and faith journey 6:30 - How did you start homeschooling? 9:40 - Imp…

1
closeness and learning: getting school work done without strife 41:40

10M ago41:40

41:40

send us a text via Fan Mail! Christina brings a great topic of discussion - can kids be trusted or will they take advantage of our goodness towards them? We discuss productivity, discipline, authority and how to handle kids with controlling or manipulative behaviours. 4:50 - Learning to trust our children 6:46 - Education as a place of building rel…

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Catholic Stories for Children: an interview with Trevor Rothaus 35:02

11M ago35:02

35:02

send us a text via Fan Mail! Trevor Rothaus, creator of Catholic Stories for Children joins me to discuss a fun and engaging way to teach the Catholic faith to children! 00:29 - Welcome Trevor & faith journey 4:15 - What is Catholic Stories for Children? 6:23 - Video production and animation 9:35 - How can people support you? 14:12 - Mass Guide and…

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Nourished: an interview with Deborah MacNamara on her new book 1:05:57

11M ago1:05:57

1:05:57

send us a text via Fan Mail! Wow, what a profound episode with Dr. Deborah MacNamara who joins me to discuss her new book Nourished: Connection, Food and Caring for Our Kids. We discuss relationship as the foundation to our health, how food and attachment are interconnected and how to create a family culture where food draws us together, is joyful …

1
a conversation with Father Paul, our Holy Land pilgrimage chaplain 50:58

11M ago50:58

50:58

send us a text via Fan Mail! Albert and I chat with Fr. Paul Houlis about pilgrimage, holiness, joy and blessings. Catholic Heritage Curricula - Ever Ancient, Ever New 2:11 - Welcome Fr. Paul and opening prayer 11:24 - Pilgrimages and greatest impact of being in the Holy Land 21:03 - What was your most profound experience? 25:46 - Feeling deeply, l…

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feeling like a brand new homeschool mom: exploring high school years with Ashley 41:02

12M ago41:02

41:02

send us a text via Fan Mail! It catches you by surprise. One day, they're all babies and little kids and you're having so much fun with all the schooling and suddenly, someone is 14 or 15! It all seems to get a lot more serious and we find ourselves in a completely new landscape. Thanks to Ashely for her willingness to share her questions and conce…

1
making kids do stuff we want them to do and making them stop doing stuff we don't want them to do 37:28

1y ago37:28

37:28

send us a text via Fan Mail! thanks to our sponsor, Catholic Heritage Curricula 2:11 - Welcome and gearing up for a new school year 5:13 - How do you direct a 14 month old without rewards or consequences? 11:13 - How do we get our kids to do things that they don't want to do? 17:22 - Connect and direct 19:44 - Restricting computer time and video ga…

1
back to school resources linked in the show notes 1:04

1y ago1:04

1:04

send us a text via Fan Mail! my homeschool workshop in audio and video Back to school free planning pages Lydia's Catholic Saints timeline Blog posts: Planning your year with natural learning Keeping track Gearing up for the school year Getting some mom time Previous episodes: What will you do all day? Developing routine with littles Prepping for n…

1
seven strategies for simpler homes 44:17

1y ago44:17

44:17

send us a text via Fan Mail! Thank you Kelly! For more awesome tips on simplifying mom life, find Kelly here https://www.simplehomemom.com/ 1:09 - Welcome Kelly! 2:37 - Strategy #1: Use Go-back Baskets 5:43 - Strategy #2: Use loop planning for low stress chores 11:41 - Strategy #3: Use blitz tidying as needed 17:57 - Strategy #4: Commit to simple d…

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defining joy and why homeschooling with joy matters 1:02:22

1y ago1:02:22

1:02:22

send us a text via Fan Mail! I have three lovely ladies, Teresa, Leah and Margaret bring their incredible and insightful questions to the podcast. Honestly, I think this is one of the best episodes we've done...these gals are so insightful with wanting to understand such fundamental aspects of home education and family life. Thank you, ladies, you …

1
random discussion about why we do the things we do 30:32

1y ago30:32

30:32

send us a text via Fan Mail! Sorry sweeties, no show notes this time!! Support the Show. Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!By Bonnie Landry

1
which curriculum to use for a preschooler - a longer answer than you probably want 24:53

1y ago24:53

24:53

send us a text via Fan Mail! A listener submits a question, and well...I just launch. Catholic Heritage Curricula - Ever Ancient, Ever New 2:32 - What curriculum do you recommend for a preschooler? 5:10 - How natural learning began in our home 11:41 - What I noticed over time 14:44 - Curricula stressors and math example 19:13 - Be the master of the…

1
Concerns about post secondary? An interview with Oceana, enrolment advisor at Trinity Western University. 36:12

1y ago36:12

36:12

send us a text via Fan Mail! 1:42 - Welcome Oceana and about TWU 7:55 - What is the process for the homeschool student? 12:55 - Support, financial aid and campus living 19:00 - Athletic programs at TWU 20:03 - Catholic formation and transfer process 23:25 - Travel study opportunities 25:25 - When can you start your application? 30:29 - Website and …

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revolution of mercy, part five and final segment 48:32

1y ago48:32

48:32

send us a text via Fan Mail! The final component of "Revolution of Mercy" audio book version. 00:47 - Chapter 7 - Be merciful and just 3:48 - Caring for our children's dignity 5:10 - Forgiveness does not condone behaviour 11:19 - Chapter 8 - The Theology of the Body and dignity in relationships 14:32 - The perfection of charity 17:31 - How we ought…

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revolution of mercy, part four 31:27

1y ago31:27

31:27

send us a text via Fan Mail! 00:44 - Carrot and Stick discipline 3:45 - Chapter 5 - Filling our children's tanks 3:57 - Disinterested service 5:29 - Gentle discipleship 7:45 - Controlling our reactions 10:36 - Striving for perfection 13:30 - Chapter 6 - Our tanks need filling too 15:49 - Seeking God in the Sacraments 20:11 - Prayer and fasting Disc…

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