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Independence Day Fun

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Content provided by Felice Gerwitz. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Felice Gerwitz or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

When was the last time your Independence Day Fun turned into something memorable for the entire family? It does not have to be a huge...Independence Day Fun ~ Episode 470

When was the last time your Independence Day Fun turned into something memorable for the entire family? It does not have to be a huge party but with these simple ideas, you can celebrate rain or shine.

Do you need summer reading? How about the Truth Seekers Mystery Series, here:

When the children were younger the first thing was to talk about Independence Day and what it means to our country. We discuss the brave men and women who stood for their ideals over insurmountable odds. We take pride in being Americans and all that it brings to us, and for that, we are thankful and pray. Nothing in life comes without a cost.

Are you ready for a fun day of celebration? I am and I love the idea of spending it with my family in my own backyard! Don’t have a backyard? You can improvise and still have fun. As long as you celebrate with family and friends, it will be a celebration. My favorite party ideas are ones that do not break the bank and are simple to implement.

The children enjoyed decorating and we made it a project to start ahead of time. Using red, white, and blue construction paper we cut strips and made a celebration chain. It was fun to create and put up for all to enjoy (cheap and it could either be dismantled and saved for another year) or it could be thrown away. I also shopped for red-white-and-blue plates, cups, and tablecloths. I love to reuse tablecloths from year to year so I purchase cloth that can be washed. Most stains come out quickly. I forgo the colored paper napkins because they never seem to work well.

Make a plan with the kids to set up events for those attending. Are you a party family? Do you like to play games? If the weather is nice you can play outdoor games such as the family favorite croquet. There are all types of fun games. Once my kids went to college they introduced all of the fun games they played such as trampoline slam (I think that is the name), bottle bash, and more. If you look up outdoor family games online you will see many. I also learned something that was money-saving, I opted to purchase returned, open box, or damaged box games. If there are pieces missing you can still return the set (if you leave yourself enough time) but the savings are substantial.

If the weather is nice and you have space consider a slip and slide as well as a sprinkler set up for the little kids. Even though we have a pool the little kids enjoy these things better. Also, assign one or two adults to watch the kids. This is very important and be sure to take turns.

Now for the real fun. That means a cookout!

When we think about a party we usually start with a day, a time, and then jump right into the food. If I gave you a blank sheet of paper and asked you to write down some foods that signify the 4th of July party what would it be?

Here is my short list:

Independence Day Fun – Food List:

  1. Corn on the cob
  2. Hotdogs
  3. Hamburgers
  4. Ribs
  5. Grilled chicken
  6. Coleslaw
  7. Potato salad
  8. Tossed Salad
  9. Chips
  10. Dips
  11. Fresh veggies
  12. Grilled sausages
  13. Grilled veggies
  14. Kabobs (meat or veggies)
  15. Cookies
  16. Pie
  17. Ice-Cream (homemade)
  18. Lemonade and Ice-Tea

Does anything on this list sound good to you? More than likely we will grill chicken and bake ribs (I like them better in the oven, but my husband likes them on the grill, so I give him some to grill as well!) We will more than likely stick to the sides I listed above and probably throw in some hotdogs for those picky little ones. I will use paper plates and cups to cut down on cleaning and the family loves homemade ice cream. You will need an ice cream churn but there are lots of great recipes. The one I used is passed down from my husband’s grandmother and you cook the pudding-like mix and refrigerate it overnight. On the day of the party, I add half-and-half and vanilla extract and churn. We offer toppings but most people like it plain.

Once the food and fun begin to wind down it is time for fireworks! We are blessed to have neighbors who spare no expense and in years past we would sit outdoors (bug spray handy, we use Neem Oil which is great, or DoTerra Terra Shield. I buy this in bulk. Here is more information.

The best time is spent with family creating memories and I pray for you to have a very safe, blessed, and happy Independence Day!

The post Independence Day Fun appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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347 episodes

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Independence Day Fun

Vintage Homeschool Moms

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Manage episode 332069247 series 1455926
Content provided by Felice Gerwitz. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Felice Gerwitz or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

When was the last time your Independence Day Fun turned into something memorable for the entire family? It does not have to be a huge...Independence Day Fun ~ Episode 470

When was the last time your Independence Day Fun turned into something memorable for the entire family? It does not have to be a huge party but with these simple ideas, you can celebrate rain or shine.

Do you need summer reading? How about the Truth Seekers Mystery Series, here:

When the children were younger the first thing was to talk about Independence Day and what it means to our country. We discuss the brave men and women who stood for their ideals over insurmountable odds. We take pride in being Americans and all that it brings to us, and for that, we are thankful and pray. Nothing in life comes without a cost.

Are you ready for a fun day of celebration? I am and I love the idea of spending it with my family in my own backyard! Don’t have a backyard? You can improvise and still have fun. As long as you celebrate with family and friends, it will be a celebration. My favorite party ideas are ones that do not break the bank and are simple to implement.

The children enjoyed decorating and we made it a project to start ahead of time. Using red, white, and blue construction paper we cut strips and made a celebration chain. It was fun to create and put up for all to enjoy (cheap and it could either be dismantled and saved for another year) or it could be thrown away. I also shopped for red-white-and-blue plates, cups, and tablecloths. I love to reuse tablecloths from year to year so I purchase cloth that can be washed. Most stains come out quickly. I forgo the colored paper napkins because they never seem to work well.

Make a plan with the kids to set up events for those attending. Are you a party family? Do you like to play games? If the weather is nice you can play outdoor games such as the family favorite croquet. There are all types of fun games. Once my kids went to college they introduced all of the fun games they played such as trampoline slam (I think that is the name), bottle bash, and more. If you look up outdoor family games online you will see many. I also learned something that was money-saving, I opted to purchase returned, open box, or damaged box games. If there are pieces missing you can still return the set (if you leave yourself enough time) but the savings are substantial.

If the weather is nice and you have space consider a slip and slide as well as a sprinkler set up for the little kids. Even though we have a pool the little kids enjoy these things better. Also, assign one or two adults to watch the kids. This is very important and be sure to take turns.

Now for the real fun. That means a cookout!

When we think about a party we usually start with a day, a time, and then jump right into the food. If I gave you a blank sheet of paper and asked you to write down some foods that signify the 4th of July party what would it be?

Here is my short list:

Independence Day Fun – Food List:

  1. Corn on the cob
  2. Hotdogs
  3. Hamburgers
  4. Ribs
  5. Grilled chicken
  6. Coleslaw
  7. Potato salad
  8. Tossed Salad
  9. Chips
  10. Dips
  11. Fresh veggies
  12. Grilled sausages
  13. Grilled veggies
  14. Kabobs (meat or veggies)
  15. Cookies
  16. Pie
  17. Ice-Cream (homemade)
  18. Lemonade and Ice-Tea

Does anything on this list sound good to you? More than likely we will grill chicken and bake ribs (I like them better in the oven, but my husband likes them on the grill, so I give him some to grill as well!) We will more than likely stick to the sides I listed above and probably throw in some hotdogs for those picky little ones. I will use paper plates and cups to cut down on cleaning and the family loves homemade ice cream. You will need an ice cream churn but there are lots of great recipes. The one I used is passed down from my husband’s grandmother and you cook the pudding-like mix and refrigerate it overnight. On the day of the party, I add half-and-half and vanilla extract and churn. We offer toppings but most people like it plain.

Once the food and fun begin to wind down it is time for fireworks! We are blessed to have neighbors who spare no expense and in years past we would sit outdoors (bug spray handy, we use Neem Oil which is great, or DoTerra Terra Shield. I buy this in bulk. Here is more information.

The best time is spent with family creating memories and I pray for you to have a very safe, blessed, and happy Independence Day!

The post Independence Day Fun appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

  continue reading

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Le t’s Talk About Marriage—Best Marriage Tips! with your host Felice Gerwitz [Thanks to our sponsor NOWPrograms . Their philosophy is don’t accomodate, remediate. And it really works.] 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: Out serve 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 .…
 
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Are you ready to declutter your life and make things easier for yourself and your family? In this podcast, we look at the things holding you back and how to declutter in a way that is super effective. Declutter Your Life – New Year Episode 546 I’m in the midst of the new year, and I’m in the process of clearing up my files. The house has been put to order, mostly, but the end-of-the-year files need to be labeled, stored, and accessible this year as I prepare to file the new year’s receipts. It is a chore I typically dread and push off as long as I can, but this year, as I mentally prepared for the paperwork mess, I decided to not only take inventory of the old files but also look at my life in the same way. When I store files, I look at the things I need to keep, essential records, and the receipts I can throw away, such as those from the grocery or retail stores. I file the papers I need for tax time or house repairs. I keep a file for warranty items as well. Those files stay available through the years, weeding out the items I no longer have. I especially made an effort to categorize my kid’s homeschool papers so that I could show the progression of the year’s work. This is especially important if you opt to have a homeschool evaluation instead of your kids taking a standardized test. Sometimes, I was overwhelmed with sorting and filing when I restarted my homeschooling in January or, truthfully, after any holiday like Thanksgiving or Easter. Whenever we took an extended period off, it wasn’t easy to jump back in, except for the new school year in September. I created an energized “back-to-school” atmosphere, and the kids looked forward to new school supplies, books, and topics of study. This mess adds to the chaos and can become overwhelming. We all lead busy lives, so giving you a list of ten things to accomplish would be counterproductive. Instead, I would like you to think about the incremental approach. Or, as I call it, one step at a time. What are some actionable things you can do easily in a short amount and find some measure of success? Get up earlier than your children to increase your time. Take time to recharge daily or twice a day if time permits. Set aside time to work on personal projects. You need time to recharge. If not early in the morning, then when? Is it late at night? Is it midday? Set aside some time, five, ten, or fifteen minutes, to take a breath and let your mind relax. This is not the time to make lists. If you are afraid, you will forget – jot yourself a note, but that’s it. During a busy season in my life, I put myself last, and when I eventually began having chronic migraines, I needed to reevaluate. Praise God. I learned it was an easy fix, so I drank copious amounts of water and added salt to my diet. Decluttering your life takes a one-syllable word that is two letters. Did you guess the word “No?” If so, you are correct. No was so freeing for me, and it was such a blessing when I focused on my own physical and spiritual health, my spouse, home, and my kids over a homeschool co-op, field trip planning for large groups, or staging a play for 200 kids where I rewrote the play so everyone could have a part. (Yes, I did this for two years.) I eventually learned that I had trained the other homeschool moms to rely on me to get things done, and I also found out that if I set aside one project, some other activity quickly took that place and all of my time to organize. I’m not saying you don’t help or that there is no season for this, but most homeschool moms I know jump in as new homeschoolers and quickly burn out. That is what happened to me. Most of us are highly capable, or we wouldn’t be homeschooling. We can multi-task with the best of them, but seriously, this takes a toll on your family. Saying NO is my number one way to declutter my life to this day. Another is looking at my tasks, setting up a day to complete them, and adding a time element. I started Media Angels when I had two children and was pregnant with my third. (No, this wasn’t planned. ) I then had two more children, all while running a thriving business. I knew traveling and speaking extensively was the norm, but my husband and I decided we’d keep it local and in our state (a few trips out of state), and then online conferences and speaking became a thing. Thank goodness for podcasts and, subsequently, this network that I began in 2013. I had to decide whether the focus was family or business. Sure, many homeschool vendors are successful and make it full-time, but decision-making as a family is imperative, and we decided against full-time travel. What is your big decision to make this year, and how can you compromise as a family? What are some decisions you need to make to thrive at home? Set your priorities. Discuss with your spouse. Bring the kids on board with a plan. Working together as a family has been something I treasure. Whether it is helping to clean the house, make meals, or do the laundry, we are all in this together. Simplifying also means organization. (Media Angels has many planners. One of my favorite planning sets is the 12-Month Organizing & Goal Setting Bundle .) For me, a clean surface helps me declutter mentally. Making sure my kitchen counter does not become cluttered. Workspaces. Having an area to work! School books and materials. Do they have a home? Routines help me with productivity. Daily routines for prayer, meals, chores, lessons, and errands. Daily routines for school. Daily evening routines. Learning to say no, working together as a family, and using available resources are super helpful to start your new year. Whether listening to this during the summer months or in the New Year, looking at ways to declutter your life using an incremental approach is helpful. Lastly, decluttering your personal life. What does this look like? Sadly, I’ve had to detach from different things throughout the year. Social media consumption. Reading for pleasure. Toxic relationships Leaving social media is difficult for some of us, of course we want to catch up with family and friends. However, analyze how much time you spend and what you can do instead if it is taking up your brain space. Does that make sense? This didn’t happen to me regarding social media, but it did in pleasure reading. When the characters take up my thoughts and wonder what they will do to get out of a specific situation, I can commend my fellow authors for a well-done job, but then I need to consider my time and reclaim my head space! And let’s not forget toxic relationships. I’ve had friends who flit from one problem to another and make up a problem if there isn’t one that naturally occurs. Okay, I’m exaggerating, but you probably have a friend in this category, or perhaps you catch yourself in this role. I can’t handle complainers in the long term. And if I do complain on this podcast, you can have permission to email or leave me a post on the podcast show notes and tell me to stop! Of course, we all complain occasionally, but those who chronically complain about everything and everyone make it challenging to deal with in a positive and uplifting way. I’ve made a point of focusing my day on God and prayer in some way. This priority has helped me in my spiritual life and my outlook on life in general. God’s got this, which encourages me as I navigate the sometimes busy and harrowing life of a wife and mom. (Check out A Few Minutes with God Podcast .) Decluttering your life can take many forms, from organizing stuff to becoming more productive in the short term to letting go of the things that bog you down. I commend you for homeschooling and taking the time to focus on your family. I pray this podcast has been helpful and you refer to it at times when you need to be reminded of some quick fixes to help declutter your life! Thanks to our episode sponsor! NowPrograms. I wholeheartedly agree with this unique approach, “Don’t accommodate, remediate. ” Check out the website today! The post DeClutter Your Life – New Year! appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network .…
 
Valentine’s Day on the Cheap Episode 254 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 corners into hearts! Everyone will smile. Thanks to our sponsor! NOW Programs. 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 knew they were deeply in love because they were inseparable. We 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 grand celebration. Kids: Valentine’s Day On The Cheap 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! 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. 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. 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. 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! Dinner – great ideas include heart-shaped meatloaf (individual) or burgers. Use a cookie heart to shape if needed. 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: Gorgeous Heart Cakes 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 Flowers, plan a garden. That is what my husband did for me when I stopped his expensive and last-minute gift idea, an enormous bunch of expensive flowers delivered! One look at my credit card bill and that was it! So, he purchased rose bushes for Mother’s 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! 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 of all his favorite things to select from. Start with five! He will love this gift, I promise. 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. 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! 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 (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network .…
 
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Family Activity For The New Year ~ Episode 545 What family activity can you do as you close the year or ring in the new year? In this episode, Felice shares how she began the idea of family activities that have a lasting impact and unite the family. Thanks to our sponsor, NowPrograms. I wholeheartedly agree with this unique approach, “Don’t accommodate, remediate. ” Check out the website today! How can you share an activity with your family that will have an impact for years to come? No matter how old (or young) your children are, they can benefit from this idea. When my children were little, most family activities were related to what we did. We cooked, baked, and shared movie night together. There was a routine for these things. If it was movie night or pizza night, we ordered or made pizza, and we picked out a movie to watch as a family and dressed in pjs beforehand. We ate popcorn or some other snack and enjoyed this time together. The person who completed their entire school checklist, including all chores without reminders, could select the movie for the family. There were variations of this for movie selection, which could get contentious between siblings! Family Activity: The family activity had these three elements: Food – breaking of bread Uniting Enjoyable The breaking of bread or eating together has a Biblical symbolism. In fact, many cultures enjoy the family meal, and that is actually a topic of an upcoming podcast in the new year. The family meal is a time to sit together, discuss the happenings of the day, and enjoy each other’s company. Our family rule was to ask permission to leave the table and stay until everyone finished. You may add things like no cell phones or come to the table with one thing you’d like to discuss or talk about — to give the kids time to think and prepare. The developed or planned family activity grew from my children becoming teens and young adults. It was as if I went into hyperdrive to ensure that all that I wanted to teach them about important things were covered before they left. The activity parameters this time were different. It was more about uniting the family, having a faith focus, and ongoing. Let me explain my reasoning so that you can use this as a starting point for your family and add to it as ideas come to you. Family Activity – Gift That Keeps On Giving: Uniting: This brings the family together in some way that helps us realize we are a family that God put together for a reason. Faith Focus: Teaching a deeper truth. God loves us, yes–but there is more. Do we practice the Gifts of the Holy Spirit? 1 Corinthians 12 Ongoing: Something that we think and pray about year-round. When do we do this? We typically hold our activities on the second-to-last day that everyone is with us for the Christmas holiday, but the ideas have been brewing for a while. The ideas came in prayer, but then I tweaked them to make them work the best for our family. One idea stemmed from a favorite Christmas movie, “The Christmas Card.” The story was about a faithful young woman who wrote Christmas cards each year to the soldiers overseas. One of her cards went to a hardened sergeant who, when ordered, took leave and traveled to the town to see for himself if the town was as beautiful as the card made it seem. The family activity was to write a Christmas Card to each other (randomly drawn names) and include a note encouraging them all year long. This turned out to be wonderful, and I treasure the card I received from one of my sons, which sits in my Bible. I take it out from time to time to read. As a family, we do not write to each other, especially when we all live under the same roof and even when the kids leave. It is so much easier to send a text or call. This was one of my favorite activities. Another one was repurposing some cardstock door hangers. I printed them out with one side showing a beautiful mountain scene and a Scripture verse, and on the back, it was blank. I passed out stickers, each labeled with a fruit of the spirit. You can look up the fruit of the Spirit in the book of Galatians 5:22-23. In a nutshell, they are: love joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness self-control I asked each person to star the one they wished they had in abundance and put their name on the back of the door hanger. Then I collected them and passed them out randomly to each person. If someone gets their own, they hand it back or trade it with someone else. The “activity” is a year-long prayer for the person who received to receive this gift. I would remind the kids to pray for their “person,” and often, I was told, “Mom, I do each night!” These activities are wonderful examples of how we can take a craft or event even and turn it into a memorable lesson for us all. Parents are included – I’m not sure I mentioned that earlier. Let me be honest here: my adult kids groaned every time I presented this type of thing and then fought with each other (good-naturedly), wanting to do the best job (at the craft part – at least). Did I say I have a very competitive family of athletes? Be sure to let your spouse know about this activity in advance so they can pray in advance and give you ideas or suggestions. This past Christmas, the idea centered around the Power of Three. This is Biblical because numbers are often repeated in the scriptures to teach a more profound truth. We think of the three of the Trinity – one God and three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We think of three in the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and so on. I explained this to my family, and then I explained that we would do a tangible activity and something they could keep in their Bibles for the year and consider the idea of the power of the Gospel and its impact on our lives. I passed out a sheet of paper and had my family fold them into threes, horizontal and vertical, with the final square being small. Then, I asked them to open the paper and write the “threes” in Scripture that stood out to them. I also site the Scripture verse, Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” They dove into this activity, even “cheating” by pulling up the concept on their cell phones and citing the number of times three is used in scripture (467). After completing this, we discussed the importance of family and praying together. I then paired the family into two as prayer partners. Two or more symbolized the two, and the third was bringing God into their prayers. This tiny idea was brewing for some time. At one point, I considered some memento, perhaps on a keychain, that reminds them to pray for each of us in the family. Instead, the folded paper idea won out. If you have ideas, contact me or post them on the website—VHM Episode 545. I’d love to see how you celebrate the new year with your family. I pray this gives you some ideas for an activity you can do with the family after the Christmas holiday or whenever you gather together. I pray you had a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Thanks for listening in, and stay tuned for incredible new and exciting shows from Vintage Homeschool Moms and all of us at the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. The post Family Activity for the New Year appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network .…
 
New Year’s Eve Family Fun Episode 318 New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to make resolutions for the new year and share them with your family. In this episode, we explore ways to make New Year’s Eve memorable. New Year’s Eve is associated with parties and festivities but with family, the ideas will be more in keeping with what really matters! With New Years Day approaching it is fun to make a New Year’s Resolution and prepare with your children ahead of time. Help children think about New Year’s Resolution. Talk about character qualities but don’t point out flaws. Share what you will resolve For example: pray what you will resolve, acts of service, etc. Food & Things To Do: Think light foods – finger foods and snacks Game Day — play board games or outdoor games if time permits. Read: read aloud books Walk Call relatives – use visual Bake/ prepare for New Year’s Day meal Movie Light dinner, pizza or a tray of snack foods Countdown to the New Years Day! Thank you to our sponsor, NOW Programs . The post New Year’s Eve Family Fun appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network .…
 
Faith Building Activities Episode 325 Having fun and learning while teaching the faith, yes! Faith-building activities are discussed, as well as ways to help your children see the spiritual connection between faith and the Bible. So, we all want to help our children grow in the Lord; in fact, the Scriptures tell us this Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. And of course, Deuteronomy 6:5-9 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA) Scriptures as Faith Builders Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole strength. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart: And thou shalt tell them to thy children, and thou shalt meditate upon them sitting in thy house, and walking on thy journey, sleeping and rising. And thou shalt bind them as a sign on thy hand, and they shall be and shall move between thy eyes. And thou shalt write them in the entry, and on the doors of thy house. There are so many more Scriptures as well! However, the most amazing thing I’ve learned, and I am sure you’ve experienced this, is that our kids pick up our worse habits! And, I’m sure it is because it is the ones that are modeled the most – yes, I’m talking to myself here as well. But the good news is that if we model great behavior, praying, reading our Bible, and doing Bible Study, the kids will also pick up our habits. Prayer as a Faith Builder First, stop and pray. Ask the Lord how best to teach your children. Ask the Lord to help you to find those teachable moments that bring home the love and compassion the Lord has for each one of us and especially His unconditional love for us! You know, when you look at other religions outside of Catholicism and Christianity, you find that the gods that these faiths worship require different things. Some require obedience and submission, others require worship or ritualistic sacrifice. Our God only requires our obedience and love, and He returns His love to us. Christianity is the truth. It is the real thing. It is not a falsehood. And, with that comes an amazing responsibility to teach our children and share the good news. Here are my top 10 favorite Faith Building Activities: The First 5 Faith Building Activities Attending Church Praying as a family – before meals, in the evening. Daily praise reports – what are we thankful for each day? We do this every evening after our evening prayers or devotionals Reading the Bible – and add a journal for older kids, be sure to check out this podcast on Teaching the Bible Listening to good Christian audios: Such as Christian music, or teaching audios like Adventures in Odyssey And 5 More Faith Building Activities Watching good Christian films, for example, on sites like PureFlix . Story Starters: make a list of questions such as: What would Jesus do? Give them different scenarios, such as when mom asks you to pick up your clothes, help with the dishes, or do chores in general. Games that teach Christian concepts – https://childrensministry.com/10-active-indoor-sunday-school-games/ One we use to play as kids focused on the need to trust. What you would do is have someone stand in front of an adult and tell the kid to fall back. Most of the time, kids just can’t let go. The idea is that God is there all the time for us, and we need to let go to feel his arms around us, His embrace. Another fun game that was in the handout link on the show notes is giving two different kids a set of combination locks. One is given the combination, and the other isn’t. One will struggle, and the other will open the lock easily. The point here is to show that when we try to do things on our own, without listening to God, we struggle. But if we listen to God and follow His instructions, things will go so much easier. Acts of service. Helping at a food kitchen, collecting clothes and gently used toys to donate, visit the elderly at nursing homes. Memorizing Scripture and Prayers. Remember Friends, remember that the best way to teach about our faith is by demonstrating your love of God to others and setting an example. I pray that this podcast has been helpful and ask that you share the show with a friend, give me a star rating on iTunes or any podcast app where you listen, and please join me next week when I discuss helpful tips for parenting. This holiday replay episode is sponsored by NOW Programs. The post Holiday Replay | Top 10 Faith Building Activities appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network .…
 
Best Homeschool Planning Tips Episode #214 The best homeschool planning tips are the ones we often forget. With this simple outline your year will begin with a great start! Often, what we do is we get laser focused on school and forget we have a life. We are so excited we have our books – our schedule laid out and then when the afternoon rolls around we are FREAKED OUT we don’t have anything planned for dinner. In this episode I cover three simple guidelines. Visit our podcast sponsor! NOW Programs. Show Notes: The Best Homeschool Planning Tips The best advice I can give you about planning your school year is don’t forget about the REST of your life. God Spouse School Meals Laundry Meals Doctors Field Trips Do take time to plan your entire year – yes, your year Do you seasonal themes especially if you school younger children – older children love this too. Do plan breaks and save days for field trips as they come up Do plan time for family chores Do plan time for meal prep – mega cooking and FREEZE or can Utilize cooking in your schedule – 3. Think through things once and forget it! Just like the crock pot recipe commercials would say the set it and forget it – the same thing with your planning. School Schedule. Times! Break fail – after lunch very hard to get back to work Finish math – or writing projects Science experiments Read Year End Notebook Keep work samples for each subject ALL YEAR LONG Put in pocket sheets and clear vinyl slip sheets to keep things like pictures, samples of math, writing, history, and science papers. Art projects etc. Tests and progress Go out bag. Put in all the things you will need. Pick it up and go. If you have older kids put a laminated card on the outside and someone can double check the bag to be sure nothing wandered out or was not replaced. (Tell forgetting diaper bag – had the baby!) One for field trips One for the park One for church Chore chart – Meals Laundry Day The post Best Homeschool Planning Tips (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network .…
 
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Vintage Homeschool Moms
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Holiday Savings – Episode 544 Can you save money during the holidays? There is no way, right? Holiday savings can happen no matter the season; Felice shares ten ways to make your holidays shine, from reusable decorations to gift-giving and regifting items that work. Now Programs sponsors this episode. If you have a child who learns differently and needs help, check the website for more information. One of my friends purchased an amazing home. It had turrets, a huge wood wrap-around porch, and many amazing extras like a library and room on the third floor she transformed into a school room. The fixtures were brass, there was an antique stove in the kitchen, and the lighting fixtures were priceless. This home went for way below market value, and all due to the downturn of the housing market and the overspending of the recipient of an inheritance given ahead of time. The house was built using money that was a gift from the still-living parents. They wanted to see their children spend the money they left them while they were alive. So, the opportunity wasn’t because the family could not afford it but because it was a gift. While you may not have a million dollars to gift your children for Christmas, this idea can spur you to think about what you have that you can give your kids. What have you inherited from your grandparents, an aunt, or your parents that you can give (without hard feelings) to your children? Here is a list of some items I have: Petrified stone – the state parks now outlaw this for removal. Large conch shells – this, too, is no longer allowed to be removed from oceans. Crystal Fine china Expensive glass artifacts Jewelry Tools Furniture (anything you plan to replace?) Machinery Art So, some of my kids may not appreciate these gifts, but others would. There are many meaningful ways to give or regift. Early on in our married life, none of us had much money, so when we gathered with my husband’s sisters, they were more frugal than I by a long shot. One sister took a wicker basket and placed an electrical clock on the front, and I used this in my kitchen for years until it broke. What gave her the idea? I had wicker baskets of all sizes hanging on the wall around my kitchen as decoration. What a great idea that cost so little; it probably cost under $5 if you considered getting the basket at a thrift store. What do you know about the person you are buying for, and how can you use this knowledge to your advantage? There are gift cards. Check your credit card dashboard to see if you can redeem points for gift cards. This is normally a fairly good way to redeem your points, but it changes depending on your cards. I use these for stocking stuffers. Look for early Black Friday deals. Some restaurants offer ten-dollar gift cards with the purchase of one hundred dollars in advance. If you frequent this restaurant, it is worth the purchase. There are also deals on attractions. The zoo, aquarium, and all the attractions here in Florida. While $89 a person may be steep on sale, the usual price is $140. If you are planning to visit a unique location, check out the Black Friday sales, and you may save a ton of money. Gift cards for services. I loved the gift cards for a neck rub, car wash, or even cleaning my glasses! I wore contact lenses so much of my life that when I switched to glasses at home, I could not stand even a speck of dirt. You can suggest gift cards for “services” you might enjoy from your little ones. Thrift store shopping. My best friend from high school came to visit a few weeks ago, and I took her to thrift stores in a neighboring city near a high-end part of town. She knows her stuff and the cost. We ended up with amazing finds. She bought an entire place setting of china for less than four plates. There were some special sales, and we took advantage of them. I gained some wonderful candle sconces for the top of my fireplace for bargain prices and would have loved those as a gift! While it may be hard to buy a gift from the Thrift store if your family is not so inclined, others may value these gifts. Past Podcasts – Holiday Savings: Christmas Preparation Best Christmas Ever Christmas Memories Last Minute Christmas Prep Christmas Countdown Gifts Under Ten Dollars Top Ten Chrismas Movies Christmas Final Touches You can definitely use thrift store items for decorations, and they are usually amazing. I purchased tablecloths in two colors and use them all year long: deep red and golden. I pair them with different-colored napkins depending on the season. I use cheap clear glass plates for my “expensive” tableware. If they break, I am not heartbroken. What can you recycle, regift, or make for your family or friends? One of the treasured items these days is baked items. Many people I know do not bake sourdough, which is a new item on my gift-giving list. I’ve finally made the bread giftable. What item do you bake that is a good gift? For those who do not like to bake, one of the best gifts I’ve received from friends who don’t cook is dipped chocolate items. One friend purchased large hard pretzels in a bag and used dipped chocolate on half with a drizzle of white chocolate and a light coating of sprinkles. She then bagged these and gifted them in a basket. (Again, something you can buy at bargain stores.) Gift baskets are always well received, especially those created with love. That is the standing joke in our family: the food is made with love, and the gifts are given with love. We recently started making homemade pasta with a pasta machine. Once we perfect the drying-out process, this will turn into another gift-giving idea. The pasta is made for pennies (yes, I know pasta is cheap), but it does not taste the same! Brainstorm with your children (their ideas are often hilarious) and your spouse. See what you can come up with that are options and enjoy the Christmas season with less stress to break the bank! The post Count Down – Holiday Savings appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network .…
 
Countdown to Christmas Planning Episode 310 The countdown to Christmas can be a wonderful and blessed time, especially if we make a plan that this year will be different. The stress and harried approach is now in the past and we are going to do this with prayer and the grace that comes only from God! In this episode Felice shares some of her secrets to getting it down with plenty of time to spare. Our sponsor — NOW Programs. Friends, it is time to take charge of our lives and get ready for the best Christmas ever with the focus on what really matters. I have about three steps to this plan so it is easy to implement and so simple! One thing I would recommend is that you begin each day with prayer and end each day with prayers. We use an advent wreath. I have a special countdown to Christmas activity you can do with your children and I’ve podcasted about this as well – the link for that podcast is on this episode 310 First is make a list and cross off anything you do not want to do. I’m serious! Here is what a typical Christmas countdown list looks like: Decorate the house / buy or put up the tree Take a Christmas picture for a card/write and send cards Buy or make presents for ____ people. Wrap Presents Bake cookies or gifts to give or keep to eat. Shop for Christmas dinner Prepare ahead for Christmas dinner Set Up for Christmas day Finish last minute prep – presents or wrapping Make Christmas Dinner What is on this list that you can avoid? The two that stand out for me are the Christmas cards and the baking. Everything else you have to do… whether you buy presents or make them. You still have to wrap them. Second is put your list in order of deadlines Print out a month at a glance calendar – I have one on the show notes of VintageHomeschoolMoms.com if you don’t have one. You will need to add the dates to the calendar as it is blank. Use a pencil and list your deadline dates. Try to get your shopping done one week ahead of time. Third: Implement your list! Helpful Christmas Countdown Hints: Decorate in one day if at all possible. This includes setting up the tree (in our case we buy a fresh tree). It also means getting help to watch the little ones and enlisting the help of the entire family! Shop online whenever possible. I’ve enclosed a link to a helpful article on Moolah.com about 5 best apps. The one I use is Honey. It does a great job online in telling me if there is a coupon I can use and it automatically https://www.joinmoolah.com/blog/5-best-apps-for-receiving-a-price-drop-alert/ When you are shopping check your phone and compare – I know you do this anyway, but many times it is just as cheap to buy it now in the store. Stores have become very good at price comparing themselves. Use gift bags… this is a huge time saver. One of my friends has 11 children and she uses one large gift bag to keep all the children’s gifts in. They love the idea of getting to their gifts quicker (her words) and she says they take turns watching each child open their gifts. Christmas baking – one friend doesn’t bake at all it stresses her. For me the stress in not in baking – it is my destresser! It is in sending out 100+ Christmas cards with a Christmas letter. Now, I only send out cards to immediate family and if we can get a picture taken at Thanksgiving, then great! If not – the card goes out without the photo. Making vs. buying gifts. If you have time, I love the idea of personally created gifts. You can make gift mixes (my December printable will have some of my mix ideas for muffins). Otherwise, start this in the summer. It is so much easier that way! Thank you to Heirloom Audios. Lasting value and spiritual benefits — Christian history – audio adventures Movies for the Minds CD Sets GiveTheAdventure.com and NOW Progams for sponsoring this podcast episode. The post Countdown To Christmas Planning appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network .…
 
Giving Thanks – Episode 543 It is the season to give thanks, but giving should be our mission, no matter the season. How can we encourage our children, spouse, and families to see the bright side? Felice shares simple tips and activities you can do with your family in this podcast. Thanks to our sponsor, NowPrograms . Visit the website to learn about a unique way to help those who learn differently, regardless of age. Here are some great Thanksgiving Podcasts for Kids: Kids Crafts Thanksgiving Memories As I entered church this past Sunday, I noticed that the giving tree was up in the lobby. On this tree are name tags with a number and the item or product the family desires for their child. This year, I noticed our Parish selected a neighboring church that we ministered to many years before when my children were little. Several families banded together to create a party for the people at the church after a church service one Sunday. We were treated like royalty; all we did was put up festive decorations and bring trays and trays of cookies, cakes, and other foods that accompanied their vast trays of “real” food. We were trying to teach our children that giving thanks for what we had was more important than what we received. It failed. Why did this fail? It failed in the way we thought it would go, as we were hoping to bless this community. However, the lovely people who had nothing gave back so much in gratitude. We were blown away by how thankful the people were and how many kids came up and hugged us—even our kids! Truly, it wasn’t a total failure because our children did notice. They noticed how happy the families were who, by our standards, had nothing. We pointed out that the materially poor did not equal happiness and thankfulness. Giving Thanks – Hands-On We can talk about giving thanks or show our children in real and concrete ways. My co-author in the Creation Science Series, Jill Whitlock* would take her boys to the soup kitchen each Thanksgiving and help prepare and distribute meals to those struggling and less fortunate. She shared that often, there were families that joined the lines of those without. She began this after her divorce as a way to show her family that was struggling that others had it worse than they did. What a testimony to God’s love. *Jill went to be with the Lord in 2007, and I miss her even today. She was such an inspiration for God’s love and faithfulness. How can we teach our children to give? By giving ourselves. Some children have this innate love of giving. My youngest would find things around the house, wrap them up for me, and then gift them to me. I was often surprised at the trinkets he thought would be a good gift for his mom. It showed a loving heart; I could nurture this as a mom. It isn’t difficult for some children to give, but what about those who tend to be a bit more stingy? One way is to enlist this child to help you brainstorm ideas or collect items to donate to others. My daughter would teach her children to select one stuffed animal or toy to give away yearly in a drive for gently used toys. Some children were on board, and others were not. She didn’t force the issue. However, she praised the children who did, marveling at their choices. This helped by providing an example for the reluctant child to participate. But, if the child did not, she didn’t make it a big deal and squelched any sibling peer pressure. She explained that it was better to give from the heart or not at all — and she was right. You can’t force giving or someone to be thankful. I have a child who has struggled through his life to be grateful. One reason could be that hardships seem to follow him, but another is that he does not appreciate what God has given him. Love and thankfulness are free. It is a gift, but it is totally free, and only when we recognize it can we appreciate it. Years ago, a downturn in the housing market hit us financially. Goen were the years of plenty, and we were in for the long haul of making do with what we had. I took an inventory of our lifestyle. It was easy for the children and me to gather together and look at what we could take away from our budget. The youngest three were the ones who learned the most from this trial. We stopped buying paper plates, stopped bottled water delivery (it was way cheaper to bring empty bottles to the place and have them exchanged), and stopped the cleaning service we previously enjoyed. Everyone pitched it. When a dog came up for sale, the children band together, putting their hard-earned money toward the purchase of $100. They only had $95, and when we went to the private individual selling the dog, he accepted the $5 less. He saw they were a bunch of small bills, and I told him the children only had this much money. This beloved dog passed away only a year ago; they had the dog for sixteen years. Life lessons can not be taught and don’t come out of a book. Each Christmas, when the family gathers, all young adults now have an activity we share before they scatter to their own homes. Two are out of town, and the other three live in the same town. These activities keep us together and praying for each other all year long. First, when everyone gathers each night before bed, we pray, and then we go around the room saying what we are thankful for. It is an old routine from their youngest years and comes full circle into adult life. I pray and ask the Lord for ideas for activities, and they change over the years. I hope to have a book for sale within the next year to share these activities. Currently, there are only twenty, but they have made an amazing impact on our lives. Last year, I placed words of encouragement in an envelope, and these were selected randomly. Each person kept their “word,” and we as a family wrote them down and prayed for each member for this word. Two people received the word “hope.” Two people received the word “peace.” Two people received the word “love.” And, one received the word “joy.” My son, the one who struggles with thankfulness, received joy! I received the word peace along with my son in the military. I suggested we change out the activity this past Easter, and all said no! They wanted it to continue. I have no idea what the activity will be this year, but God does — so we will wait and see! Look for life lessons in your family, whether it is making bread for the neighbor who lost their husband, helping to mow a neighbor’s lawn, or helping a poor church by purchasing gifts for each of the tags you select from a giving tree. When the children were younger, they would each select a gift and contribute to the purchase of an item with their “earned” money. I never paid for chores, but I did have a list of “extras” the kids could do to earn money. Any time the kids wanted to earn money, there were plenty of weeds to pull, trash to take out to the road (usually dad’s job), the garage to clean, cars to wash, etc. The job standards were high, so payment required a job well done with all items picked up in the end. Out of five children, I have three who are extremely frugal and two who are not. Yet, all are thankful for the lives we’ve lived some years of struggling. This year, as we approach Thanksgiving, my husband needs a knee replacement. While the holidays are not a time I’d select, I’m thankful for the doctor who is a personal friend of the family, thankful for all of you who will pray and thankful for my family who is here to surround us and help. May you have a blessed Thanksgiving, or whatever the upcoming holiday is, as you listen to this podcast–any season is the right season to be thankful and praise God for all that He has allowed to happen in our lives. Easy, no, but believe me, it will help you to be thankful for all those things that are free. The sunset, the sunrise, the food on the table, and the things we take for granted each day. Look around. What are you thankful for each and every day? Make it a habit, and it will bless you and your family! The post Giving Thanks ~ No Matter What The Season appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network .…
 
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Vintage Homeschool Moms
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Thanksgiving 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. Thanks to NowProgams for sponsoring this episode. 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: Your family. Your home. You brothers or sisters. Your friends. Your toys. The food that you eat. Your pets. A favorite vacation. A favorite sport you play. 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. Do you have your celebration at your house? Do you go somewhere special for Thanksgiving? Do you eat turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy? 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 .…
 
Education At Home ~ with Sam Sorbo ~ Episode 542 Have you considered education at home as an option for your family? Join Felice Gerwitz and Sam Sorbo, actress, author, conservative pundit, and home education advocate, for a lively discussion that will dispel many false concepts about home education. Thanks to NowProgams for sponsoring this episode. We are all called to homeschool, but few take up the challenge. There are many valid excuses for this, yet for those who believe, God will provide. Over the years, I’ve been a homeschool advocate. I homeschooled my five children for thirty-two years, yet I’ve never thought everyone should homeschool. I’ve changed my mind. The toxic culture in which we live begs for a new generation of Christian children who can stand up, articulate, and be heard. These are the kids whose faith only strengthens within the home and becomes the shining light of truth and justice. Educating this new generation of children is imperative for our culture to flourish. (End of soapbox rant My special guest today is Sam Sorbo! Mrs. Sam Sorbo is an actress, conservative pundit, radio show host, writer, and passionate child home education advocate. She released a PARENTS’ GUIDE TO HOMESCHOOL: MAKING EDUCATION EASY AND FUN – a soup-to-nuts, all-you-need-to-know-to-get- you-started workbook for parents who want to homeschool their children. Mrs. Sam Sorbo offers personal experience, insights, and encouragement to begin your and your children’s true educational journey. Visit her at Sorbo Studios. Sam’s perspective on homeschooling changed dramatically after placing her children in what was considered the best school at the time. In fact, they moved to be in the school district because of the school was highly recommended. She also became intune to her son’s outside influence within the structure of school and interactions with children of the same age. Sam’s passion is evident, and she is more than an advocate for homeschooling; she is the next champion of home education for new generations of parents. These are parents who care about their children’s academic education, yes, but more so about the future of their children’s minds and hearts. Having the ability and the passion for homeschooling, Sam has dedicated time to mentoring other parents at Sam Sorbo Locals – visit the link her for a sneak peak of the videos available. Education At Home ~ Discussion: Why Sam began homeschooling. The false concept of public/private education. The foundations of education and the impact on children today. The “brainwashing” of our children. Authority of teachers vs. parents. The fundamental right Christian parents abdicate by putting their children into traditional and even Christian schools. The calling of God to home-educate A “Parent’s Guide to Homeschool” and the purpose of this book. Homeschooling shouldn’t be hard. Why is that? Sam’s book helps parents figure out how they want to homeschool. It is a wonderful resource. One concept is to look at what you want in your life and how you want your relationship with your children to look, not only now but in the future. Check out the book on Sam’s website and get an autographed copy. The post Education At Home ~ Sam Sorbo Homeschool Advocate appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network .…
 
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Vintage Homeschool Moms
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Homeschooling The Next Generation ~ Episode 541 The homeschool movement is growing, and so is homeschooling the next generation of children. Join Felice Gerwitz and Cathy Duffy (Cathy Duffy Reviews), renowned curriculum reviewer and homeschool advocate. Cathy and Felice discuss the importance of homeschooling more so today than in past years and wonderful and free curriculum resources. Thanks to our sponsor! NowPrograms.com – visit the website for more information. Cathy Duffy is well known today as an authority on all things homeschool curriculum. She has a popular website, CathyDuffyReviews.com , with thousands of reviews of books, curriculum, and online classes. It is exhaustive and comprehensive, with a section that parents can use to keep their own information. Yet, a book that helped give homeschoolers an insight into public education has been forgotten by some, but not me. Years ago, Cathy authored the book, “Government Nannies” as a warning for parents to be aware of the encroachment of government into our children’s lives. This book was groundbreaking because it was written in 1995 and dealt with the US government’s Goals 2000 and outcome-based education. While goals are great for education it is important to keep in mind that parental rights can and were infringed upon. I purchased many of these books and gave them away to friends. It was a classic at the time and actually a precursor to what has happened in education today. It was a reminder to home educators of the importance of homeschooling. In our conversation, Cathy shared why she homeschooled and the reason she wrote “Government Nannies.” This book is long out of print, yet the impact is the same and telling. Her warning that education would encroach upon the lives of parents and circumvent parental control has come to pass. It went unnoticed except for a segment of the homeschool, private, and perhaps charter school crowd. Yet, education online during the pandemic made more parents aware of the problems within traditional classrooms. Parents could see firsthand what their children were being taught. There was an exodus from traditional education at this time as parents began to pull their children out of school. This was alarming to school administrators, yet the curtain had been pulled back and the truth was that education was not only subpar, but parental concerns were not taken into consideration. Points we covered in the interview: How state money requires something in return from parents. The options of school choice the pros and the cons The concerns for home educators in the future once many options are available Cathy has compiled a large list of free homeschool resources on her website here: The post Homeschooling The Next Generation appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network .…
 
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Vintage Homeschool Moms
Vintage Homeschool Moms podcast artwork
 
Why homeschooling works is simple: do you realize that the worst day of homeschooling beats the best day of traditional school? In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz shares the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling. Why Homeschooling Works ~ 540 I began homeschooling in the early 90’s, and it was not as popular and well-known then. In fact, the children and I rarely went to do errands before 3:00, or we’d be asked many questions such as, “Oh, do the kids have the day off?” When I said I was homeschooling, some people asked, “What is that?” Thanks to our sponsor! NowPrograms.com – visit the website for more information. Homeschooling Works Vintage Homeschool Moms Episode One ~ Homeschool Lifestyle How to Begin Homeschooling Perfect Homeschool Greatest Homeschool Tips Creation Study Guides Science Fair Review Teaching Science Review Homeschooling Struggle Why does anyone care if a parent decides to homeschool? Consider this… I believe parents are the best teachers for their children based on the simple premise that parents love their children more than strangers in a classroom. As a single woman and teacher, I really liked my class. I cared about the kids, but if you asked me if I loved them, I’d answer, “Probably not!” I wanted my students to excel because, selfishly, it reflected on my ability to teach. There are great teachers who care, but no one cares as much as a mom or dad cares for their kids. Why was there such a block to homeschooling? I believe (this is my opinion) because it would be a loss of state and federal dollars and spending. Believe me, the teachers were not the recipients of these funds! There were horror stories of neighbors calling social services or reporting children as truant when they went outdoors to play after they finished their school work. Not only that, but some states made it extremely difficult to homeschool. While I was blessed that the laws were already in place legislatively when I began, it was still disheartening that there were other battles to fight, such as the ability of homeschooled kids to play sports in public and private schools. Homeschool leagues were started, and then the laws changed once again, which was in our favor. I feel like an old soul recounting a better time in my life, but truthfully, the beginning of my homeschool journey was a bit stressful. I had a learning-challenged child, and it took a long time to teach some of my children to read well and independently. I had different types of learners, all very bright, but some took educating outside of the box. The upside is that I homeschooled for thirty-two years, and all five children benefited. Praise God, homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. Here is an interactive map detailing each state’s laws and regulations. Why Homeschooling Is Important I have advocated for homeschooling, speaking for many years at state and local conferences and writing homeschool books, but I didn’t truly believe that all people had to homeschool. It was and should be a personal decsision made by the adults in the family. Lately, however, I think homeschooling is more important than ever. Instead of fighting for the right to homeschool, we watch as some of the parents who have chosen public or private schools fight for the right to be parents with authority. Parental rights are in jeopardy, and it is just beginning. I believe a society that does not care about our faith, values, morality, or sovereignty is pushing for the hearts and minds of our children. I’ve heard some horror stories within the space of a week. These horror stories included unruly kids in the classroom who went unchecked. Discipline in the classroom works to an extent, and if a student is sent out to the office and nothing is done, it is a detriment not only to the teacher but also to the other kids. It got so bad that my friend told me her husband wanted her to resign. If you are wondering if it was a public or private school, she said it was a private Christian school. She took the job because the website said there was zero tolerance for bad behavior. The other was tremendously worse. It was a mother in a hearing saying that her twelve-year-old was… (listen for details on air.) I know that parental permission is not required in some states. That is horrible and dangerous to families and children, but that is the issue at hand. Some bad actors in some states want control of our children, and often, it is blamed as a failure on the part of the family. The true blame lies in all of us doing nothing and sitting back while our rights are destroyed. Parental rights are at the forefront of the battle for homeschool families, with the idea of vouchers and schools that accept them. I’m happy there are options out there for parents who can’t afford to homeschool and must work, but we did without for many years so that we could continue to homeschool our children. Why Homeschooling Works – Here’s Why If I had to create a list of reasons why homeschooling works, it would look something like this, and you are welcome to add to it. Ability to teach your Faith. Ability to teach your Family Values Family First and Family Time Control over your Homeschool Decisions/ Books/Curriculum Control over your Education Choices / Subjects, etc. Ability to Discipline Adjusting School to Your Child’s Needs and Pace One-to-One Instruction Flexible schedule Happy Family – less stress Cheaper Addition of field trips – greater opportunities Time for practice, lessons, and sports Hands-On Instruction No (or less) peer pressure or conforming/limits or banning social media What would you add? Years ago, in fact, one of the first podcast topics was on the homeschool lifestyle. The topic revolved around the fact that homeschooling was more than what we did, it became a lifestyle that my five graduated and now adult children believe was well worth it. It was okay that they didn’t know the latest movies, the latest songs, or what the “stars” were doing at any given moment. It was okay that they dressed comfortably but were not swayed by what was currently at the peak of fashion. It was okay if we were joining a prayer vigil or combatting a bill that was before our legislature that we disagreed with. It was okay if we celebrated the fall harvest vs. Halloween or celebrated All Saints Day or each child’s patron saint. Our homeschool journey had ups and downs, and that was also okay. We worked out our differences as a family. No one went to bed angry, and “I’m sorry” and “Will you forgive me?” were often verbalized. Our home was a safe place, as my husband often reminded our children, where they could grow up with parents who loved and cared for them and surrounded by family. I could go on for another hour about the merits of homeschooling. I’ve spent the last eleven years first creating this Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network and, in particular, this podcast teaching you the merits of homeschooling—all for free! So friends, if you have a minute, I hope you stop by and share why homeschooling works in your family on this post, and I pray you continue your journey successfully! The post Why Homeschooling Works appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network .…
 
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Vintage Homeschool Moms
Vintage Homeschool Moms podcast artwork
 
Fall Learning Starts Now ~ Episode 504 When does fall learning start? It starts now. Before long, we will turn over the calendar (or swipe right or up) on a digital device and see that the holidays are approaching. We have a fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas…three in a row! What is a busy homeschool mom to do? In this episode, Felice shares how she prepares for the active months with an action plan. Thanks to our ongoing sponsor, CTCMath.com, and their excellent math curriculum for grades K-12 How many of you have planned out your entire year until Christmas? Raise your hand. Okay, so if not, no worries, I will help! First, I recommend you get on our email list and sign up for our latest planners. I have an ongoing series of monthly Organize It Planners for the year. These planners are chock-full of tips you can implement quickly. You will receive a new topic free each month. The upcoming Organize It is for October, with information on preparing your home for the forthcoming holidays. Cooler Months – Ripe for Fall Learning During the cooler months, planning things that take the children outdoors is nice. If you have younger children, you may want to add seasonal activities, such as fall crafts. You can also jumpstart the fall decorations by making paper chains using fall colors. I have some links to podcasts on the topics. One of my favorite topics to study was trees and their types of leaves; if you’re blessed to live in the north, you have the full array of fall leaves coming soon! For those of us in the South, it means taking a trip up north or learning about these things via a book or online. Then there are the fall activities such as parties, fairs, cooking contests, and many other things that we, as homeschoolers, want to take advantage of. Often, harvest parties begin in October … then there is Thanksgiving, and around the corner, Christmas. Christmas quickly takes over the entire month of December. Between baking, shopping, and activities, there doesn’t seem to be much time left at school. So, what is a busy mom to do? Well, the best thing I can advise is to get as much done as possible before the holidays, including school. As homeschoolers, we sometimes fit our household into our homeschool or our homeschool into our family. I’ve received emails from many people who have said when they’ve done an excellent job homeschooling, they’ve done a lousy job managing their homes, and vice versa. Well, you can do both. So, first things first, how much time do you have? Fall Learning Action Plan: The age-old question. Well, let’s start with this: What is your daily routine? What is today’s job, and what is tomorrow’s job? What are your non-negotiable? (Taking care of your family, eating, and sleeping fall into this category!) Distractions? How can we combat these? What is the next upcoming event this week? This month? And for the next three months? Now that you have an overview and overview of how to plan, let’s get going! What do you want to get done this month? With fall on the horizon or whatever the next big thing is, it is essential to use these pockets of time and focus on learning. At the beginning of each school year, you should look at the books or curriculum you plan to use and decide how long it will take you to complete in one school year. It may take six weeks or more to complete if it is a detailed unit you are studying. Another thing to consider is using the days the kids are doing well and doubling up on activities. We did this to keep our Fridays free. In this way, we could use Fridays as a catch-up day, or we could use it for field trips or other activities we had planned. Of course, as the children get older and schoolwork piles up, it may not be as easy to have a free day a week once you can look at your priorities, the things you have to accomplish each day and work around those items. We completed most of our homeschooling before Thanksgiving in late August, September, October, and November. After Thanksgiving, we were lucky to meet for a full two weeks with all the extra activities planned for Christmas. Of course, after Christmas was the New Year, and this was a solid vacation time. In the new year, most of our schoolwork was in January, February, and March. Do you see a pattern here? We focused on the times between holidays and other significant events for our family. For some of you, Easter may not be a big event, but it is in our home, and we typically take a week off, a week before Easter, and a few days afterward. After Easter, all the kids can see his summer on the horizon. Therefore, working hard on days too hot or cold to go outside is essential. My children naturally do better when there are fewer distractions. I’m sure yours do as well! I have links in the other podcasts’ show notes with great ideas for fall activities. Past Episodes on Fall and Activities Kids Can Do: Celebrate Fall Baking October Checklist- To purchase Checklist Planners, go here. Thanksgiving Gifts and Crafts DIY Crafts for Kids Great Gifts Kids Can Make For example, fall is an excellent time for baking. We did a lot of bulk baking that we could freeze, and when the holidays came around, we had ready-made sweet bread that we could give away as gifts, cinnamon rolls, and more. There is a baking link here: Celebrate Fall Baking . If you don’t like to bake, perhaps you like crafts. Before Christmas, we focused on making presents for grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Gifts link here. As the winter months get closer, use this time to spend reading together as a family. Our favorite times were reading the Little House on the Prairie and other books in front of the fireplace with cups of cocoa. These are memories you can create with your family and get some learning in there as well. We often read books that went along with the themes we were studying. I would throw in some hands-on experiential activities to round up your fall learning. If you have read any of my books ( LINK HERE ), you understand my need to involve the children. As a child and even an adult, I love to learn by doing. Sure, reading it in a book and moving on is more accessible, but what about authentic learning, learning things the children will remember? Encourage your children to set time limits to get things done, especially if you have a child who takes all day to get math done. That usually means there’s nothing else the child wants to do afterward. If we give our children those to get their schoolwork done, more than likely, they will work right along. I also encourage your children to find hobbies or things they want to pursue in our family. Children my three youngest children play sports each day, and they have to spend time practicing. If your child plays a musical instrument and has another hobby, I am sure they also need time to pursue this interest. We want to instill values that allow our children to do what is right, not just when we’re watching them. Give them opportunities to learn independently, especially if they are old enough, then make sure you check their work each day or at least every couple of days. I remember leaving their schoolwork for a week to check, and then sometimes I would be overwhelmed by all I needed to grade and be frustrated when I saw the work was half done. If I keep up with this, it’s helpful. My husband was willing at times when I was overwhelmed. He would take over the grading, and the children disliked it because he was much stricter than I was I hope these ideas help you to accomplish and have time for all the fun activities. Be sure to visit me at mediaangels.com. Come check out our podcast family at our Facebook group, which is a homeschooled podcast family; you can look for that or search for it. If you have any questions, contact me on our FB group. The post Fall Learning Starts Now (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network .…
 
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