In “Top Ten Christmas Stress Busters,” episode #222, Meredith Curtis shares the top ten Christmas stress busters for homeschool Moms over the holidays. From personal experience, Meredith understands how the hustle and bustle of Christmas can be overwhelming at times for a homeschool mom. Join her as she shares ten ways to reduce stress and enjoy Christmas this year.

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I understand how the hustle and bustle of Christmas can be overwhelming at times for a homeschool mom.

I also encourage you to listen to Simple Shortcuts to a Stress-Free Christmas Finish Well Podcast episode #200 to reduce stress all around. https://ultimateradioshow.com/simple-shortcuts-to-a-stress-free-christmas/

Start each day with prayer and one or two Christmas carols. Read a Scripture passage.

Get fresh air each day with a brisk walk around the block or a leisurely jog. If the weather is nice, play outside. If it’s snowing, build a snowman.

Sniff a lemon, boil cinnamon sticks in water on the stove, or burn your favorite scented candle (vanilla, citrus, peppermint, lavender, jasmine).

Get some exercise! Ride a bike, go sledding, hike, play touch football, or work out at the gym.

After the kids go to bed, sit with your husband, or your parents, or your kids, or alone, with all the lights off in the house except for the Christmas lights. Enjoy the quiet.

Relaxing our Bodies. Relaxing Our Minds

Cancel school and have a Christmas movie day. Drive around and look at lights. Get out some board games and have fun!

Play Christmas carols in the house and in the car when you drive. Play classical music, especially Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker or Handel’s Messiah. Listen to water flowing in a stream or waterfall.

Drink coffee, hot tea, or hot chocolate and read a cozy mystery while the kids watch a Christmas movie. I have two suggestions for you.

Get a babysitter and go get a massage.

Spend some time each day reading the entire Christmas story from Zechariah & Elizabeth to the Flight into Egypt. This will refresh your soul!

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In “Celebrate Christmas in Central Florida,” episode #221, Meredith Curtis takes your homeschool family to sunny Central Florida for the holidays in 2024. She shares famous and not-so-famous festive adventures for those who are visiting for the holidays as well as those who call Central Florida home. Inspirational, educational, and just plain fun Christmas experiences await!

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So many people visit Central Florida at Christmastime to enjoy the theme parks. For those who want something different and those who live in Central Florida, here are some fun ways to celebrate Christmas. I live in Central Florida so I am sharing some of my favorite places to go and things to do.

Historic St. Augustine, the continuously inhabited city in the USA, offer her beautiful annual Nights of Lights from Saturday, November 23, 2024, to January 26, 2025. Three million lights await you for a spectacular end to a family field trip. The trains and trolleys offer special seasonal tours, too.

https://www.visitstaugustine.com/event/nights-lights

This is an annual Christmas event for our family and friends. Put on every year by River of Life Church, this event takes place at 130 Garfield Rd, Enterprise, FL, United States, Florida 32725.

Enjoy a FREE, family-friendly, one of a kind, holiday event!

Check out our 4-H display. Navigate a merry melt-proof maze. Create your very own ornament,

Starts the day after Thanksgiving and open the following days: 11/29, 11/30, 12/2, 12/6, 12/7, 12/13, 12/14, 12/20.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1236932000687164/?active_tab=discussion

Mark your calendar for December 7-8, 2024. From 10 am to 4 pm, step back in time with a Florida Cracker Christmas celebration. Enjoy pioneer demonstrations and sample some gator meat.

The park includes a replica of a fort built in 1837 during the Second Seminole Indian War; a traditional Florida “Cracker” house and eight pioneer homes; a schoolhouse and lunchroom; a sugar cane mill and other historical farming equipment.

https://www.facebook.com/events/466759382773764

Yes, there are parades at all the theme parks, but Central Florida cities have their own parades, too.

Sanford’s annual Christmas parade is on December 14, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1231111001281827/

Mount Dora’s annual Christmas parade is early in the morning on December 7, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/881104570200250

Minneola’s Moonlight Christmas parade is on December 14, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/387873457731304/

The City of Oviedo’s Holiday Parade is in the evening on December 7, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/881104570200250/

Mount Dora has a boat parade on Lake Beauclair on December 7, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/3825059924415876/

Daytona Christmas Boat Parade is held in Daytona Beach, featuring decorated boats and a festive atmosphere.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2217032025364914/

There is also a boat parade in Cocoa Beach on December 14, 2024.

Stetson Mansion Tour takes you inside Florida’s Most Historic Home, c1886, of iconic hat maker JB Stetson, Florida’s First Snowbird. This home is beautifully decorated for Christmas.

https://www.facebook.com/stetsonmansiontours

The Holiday Candlelight Tour lets visitors explore DeBary Hall during holiday evenings when candlelight will fill the 19th century mansion with a warm glow, accentuating its historic treasures and Christmas decorations. Guests will be escorted to the mansion for an open style tour. The mansion, once owned by the prominent DeBary family, will be decorated with many Christmas trees, wreaths, and other festive adornments.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2692456947592494/

Lake Helen Christmas Home & Garden Tour visits beautifully decorated Historic Homes, Churches, Buildings and Local Gardens. Enjoy the Christmas Marketplace for all of your gift giving needs and delicious refreshments, as well as live entertainment!

December 7th & 8th, 12:30 PM-5:30 PM. Tour Begins at Hopkins Hall: 150 Connecticut Ave, Lake Helen, FL 32744.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1357305044410133/1357305051076799/

During this immersive experience, you will take a stroll through Bethlehem. You will see the guards at the front gate, talk to the people going about their daily lives, and hear the gossip about a strange couple who are staying in a stable.

 This year, we have a brand-new layout for the city of Bethlehem that will bring you up close and personal with the characters and story of Christmas. Even if you have been before, this will be a new experience!

 Whether it is your first Walk Through Bethlehem, or it is part of your Christmas tradition, we can’t wait to see you in Bethlehem!

Visit our family’s favorite Walk thru Bethlehem on December 7-8 or 13-15, 2024 at Crossroads Church, Daytona Beach.

https://crbible.com/events/

Experience the story of the birth of our savior Jesus Christ at the Living Nativity! The Biblical story will be narrated and portrayed by church members on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Children will have an opportunity to pet live animals. Cookies, hot cocoa and coffee will be served outside of the Fellowship Hall throughout the evening. We will also have coloring/craft tables set up for the little ones. Everyone is welcome!

Visit Beachside Baptist Church on December 18, 2024, in New Smyrna Beach.

https://www.beachsidebaptist.com/living-nativity/

Bring your family and friends to see Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth in this unique living nativity experience on Friday, December 13, 2024.

Begin your guided tour in the sanctuary. Follow the star to the manger, rejoice with the angels, hear the music, see the animals, pay your taxes to the Roman soldiers, and enjoy the festive marketplace. Your journey concludes with the joy of the nativity.

https://www.facebook.com/events/831861212189288

St. Luke’s AMC Annual Christmas Concerts are “Sounds of the Seasons” from Thursday 12/12 24 to 12/15/24.

https://www.facebook.com/events/458290197338715/458290214005380/

Christmas movies at parks, churches, and downtowns.

Lights everywhere! Two favorites near me – 3 homes / owners of nursery and Lake Mary City Hall.

Ballets, concerts, Handel’s Messiah singalong, Christian concerts.

Enjoy the beautiful decorations of the season while enjoying a wide array of endless tea along with savory finger sandwiches, scones with jelly and bite size sweets.

This 3-hour cruise on the St Johns River will take you back to a time when things were peaceful and pretty. Celebrate your sister or the women in your life.

You can dress casually or wear your favorite dress and hat. Gentlemen can break out their favorite top hat and long coat.

Live entertainment by Harpist and Composer Rene Devia. Friday December 20, 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/events/3805730683041097/

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In “Keep Faith & Family First During the Holidays,” episode #220, Meredith Curtis shares easy tips and simple hacks to enjoy meaningful time with family growing in your faith. Meredith shares ideas for Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, New Years, and Three Kings Day. Try out two or three and have the best holiday season ever!

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

God is good. Holidays are a great time to celebrate God’s goodness! Family traditions can teach children more about Jesus and how to grow in Him if we are proactive in choosing quality over busyness!

Put the “thanks” in Thanksgiving!

Preparing hearts for Christmas.

Choose wisely.

Jesus before presents.

Review and plan ahead.

When the wise men came.

It sounds crazy I know but sometimes we need to plan free time into our schedule because the holidays get so busy.

There are many things you can do in November to beat the Christmas stress.

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In “4 Ways to Teach Life Skills,” Episode, #219, Meredith Curtis invites parents & teens to explore the exciting world of adulting. Life Skills help us live useful and productive lives. Some folks call it adulting. In the business world, life skills such as problem solving, conflict resolution, and manners are called soft skills. Teach and learn life skills 4 different ways. Some life skills are “caught” and others are learned intentially. Discover what works best for you!

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Life Skills help us live useful and productive lives. Some folks call it adulting. In the business world, life skills such as problem solving, conflict resolution, and manners are called soft skills. These soft skills help people advance in their profession. From brushing teeth to mowing the lawn to balancing a checkbook, life skills are needed by the entire human race.

Many of the life skills we pass on to our children will enter their lives effortlessly on our part. We won’t even realize that we are teaching them to brush their teeth or weed the garden.

Hurricane prep, tipping generously, voting, unplugging pipes, changing locks, washing dishes, laundry, setting the table, communication.

Sometimes we need to be proactive with children who don’t want to brush their teeth or little boys who hate baths.

Removing hats to pray, standing when older folks enter the room, tithing, serving, hospitality, conflict resolution, manners. Our Kate was shy.

Other life skills I had to learn. My parents were great at managing money but they never talked much about money except to teach me to tithe. I never learned anything about money in public school. My husband came to our marriage tithing and with a commitment to live debt-free which I thought was strange. When the church offered a course on finances, we signed up. It changed our life. We made a budget and set financial goals. My children are much better at managing money than we are because we got such a late jump on it. I included financial management in their high school economics course.

Real Men 103: Leadership

God’s Girls 105: Homemaking

“Give Me a High Level Overview” – High School English

Small group assignments & group discussions in my online courses.

Economics Course – how to start and run your own business.

Sound team, worship team, greeting, children’s ministry, sharing testimony, leading Bible study

Internships & Apprenticeships can overlap. Possibilities: with a plumber, car mechanic, doctor’s office, roofer, lawn service, pastor, secretary, business owner.

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In “Teens & Their Friends,” Episode, #218, Meredith Curtis invites parents & teens to talk about friendships during the teen years. Why do these relationships matter so much? How do friendships impact teens? How can teens makes choices in relationships that set them up for success?

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

A Walk to Remember.

Boyfriends & Girlfriends

Best Friends

Healthy Relationships

Addiction to TV Shows, Movie Series, & Video Games

Build up, Increase confidence, Help teens grow in the Lord, Speak Truth

Tear Down, Bully, Decrease confidence, Cause teens to backslide, Speak Lies

He who Walks with the Wise Grows Wise

A Companion of Fools Suffers Harm

Friends don’t need to be your age

Friends don’t need to be the same as you

Friends need to love Jesus, love their families, and love you.

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In “Projects Instead of Tests,” Episode, #217, join Meredith Curtis to consider projects instead of tests for K-12 learning. Meredith shares the problems with test-taking and the benefits of hands-on projects. She gives practical examples of immersive learning that works from the beginning to high school graduation. Lots of practical ideas!

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Chemistry background for Human Anatomy – the big surprise! A-plus Chemistry students remembered nothing the next year in Human Anatomy where I needed them to know it!

Test takers – good and bad

Tests – short term memory

Purpose of learning

I recommend a little bit of test taking until high school when you can add a little more.

Example: Spelling & Math

Projects are hands-on learning experiences

Projects Immerse students in a topic of study.

Projects Require Research into the topic of study.

Projects are Fun!

Grade projects based on Content, Accuracy, Creativity, and Legibility. Require excellence. I love using rubrics to grade.

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In “Make America Literate Again,” Episode, #216, Meredith Curtis will inspire and equip you to take part in a movement to get children and teens reading quality literature again so that as teens and adults they can read great works. I know there are some out there already on board (parents and teens) – please spread the news and get more folks reading! For those who aren’t on board yet – please listen to my compelling reasons for reading quality literature, timeless classics, and great works that have changed history.

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My favorite President Ronald Reagan coined the phrase “Make America Great Again.” We needed it. We were demoralized with Watergate, POWs still held by Vietnam, hostages held by Iran, and a failing economy. President Reagan injected hope and passed laws to improve the life of everyday Americas. It was morning in America again in the early 1980s.

President Trump loved the phrase “Make America Great Again” and uses it in his campaign. Robert F Kennedy, Jr. who just endorsed Trump and will work with him if elected, has adapted the slogan “Make America Healthy Again.”

Inspired by these three men, I want to make a slogan, too: Make America Literate Again.

Leaders are Readers. The quality of what they read

Founding Fathers – Cicero, Adam Smith, John Locke, Samuel Rutherford,

Freedom is maintained by Readers & Hedonism leads to Totalitarianism

We can read ABOUT great works or read those great works THEMSELVES.

The Process with Explanations on Podcast

Brainwashing doesn’t work.

They know who the “experts” really are

They Value FREEDOM.

They discuss ideas not just people and events

At Powerline Productions, we love books! We included book lists everywhere – in cookbooks, timelines, history curriculum, geography curriculum, unit studies, and, of course, English courses.

Grab our FREE Reading Lists.

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In “Reimagine High School Government,” Episode, #215, join Meredith Curtis for an inspiring look at ways to make government fascinating to learn (if you are a teen) and motivating for your teens (if you are a parent). Making government interesting and fun was the challenge before Meredith and this is what she did! From hosting a state dinner to campaigning for a candidate to discussing current events, she learned that a government course CAN be appealing and exciting!

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Teens usually take a government class in high school that they universally call “boring”. Is it any wonder that so few Americans have read the Constitution much less remember what it says?

I have found some fun ways to engage teens to want to understand government over the years. Here are some ideas you can add to your government course to bring it alive.

Years ago, we joined John McCain’s campaign for President. We made phone calls at headquarters, passed out flyers, and held signs on election day. If that won’t work for your family or homeschool co-op, make political buttons & posters & commercials.

We hosted a State Dinner in our homeschool co-op, inviting the Prime Minister of Israel, his wife, and some of his officials to join us. We all took roles, planned a menu with American & Israeli food, and planned welcoming events.

If you’re talking about what a mayor does, show them a picture of the mayor or better yet, take a field trip to meet the mayor. Learning about the judicial system? Sit in on a court case.

We have really enjoyed videos from Prager U, Dave Barton, and Drive Thru History: America. Many of Prager U’s videos are free to watch on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@PragerU

There are some amazing books related to government that teens love!

And for serious advanced readers

Read articles, blog posts, or listen to News podcasts and bring one current event to talk about. Then pray for those things. Another great thing to do is to read about the same event in several different news sources and compare the information given and the information withheld.

Understanding government helps students understand history! I learned this teaching 20 Century World History Online (High School Course at True North Homeschool Academy).

There is a process in Congress for a bill to become a law. Walk through that process by crafting your own bill.

Teens love to learn about the military, spy agencies, and law enforcement. Again, make it personal by introducing some individuals and their stories.

All Authority comes from God and He delegates authority to individuals (autonomy, personal responsibility) families (raising & educating children), church (making disciples, caring for the poor & needy), and government (sovereign nations, defense & protection).

Explore American exceptionalism, forms of government, the roots of freedom, our Constitution, elections, politics, military, manners (self-government), citizenship, and personal freedom in Government: God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda. Discover what God values in leaders and how He works in us to grow as leaders, as well as different philosophies of government and what they look like. In this one-credit high school course, you will read living books, narrate conversational text, keep up with current events, watch videos, and discover that government class isn’t boring after all!

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In “Your Prayers Can Shape History,” Episode, #214, join Meredith Curtis for an inspiring look at how God used intercessors during World War II to shape history and turn the tide. We face incredible challenges in our homes and nation today. Should we give up? No! Let the true stories of miraculous answers to prayer encourage you to always pray and never give up! God bless you and God bless America!

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

I talk to so many people who are facing challenges in their families and who are so sad to see the direction in which the USA is going. In Luke 18, Jesus tells His disciples a parable so that they would always pray and never give up! He goes on to tell the familiar story of the persistent widow and the judge.

I want to encourage you with some challenging times in history (World War II) where some people chose to pray with all their hearts – and God turned the tide!

Corrie’s grandfather starts a prayer meeting.

Prayers behind the Miracles at Dunkirk

Prayer & Miraculous Answers during the Battle of Britain.

The Bible college & a soldier pray and God answer!

What challenges do you face? Do you need a miracle? That’s the best time to pray!

Right now, we face so many challenges. Many Americans are struggling to pay their bills due to inflation. There is corruption in our government. People are rejecting the Constitution and the Bible at the same time. Evil is called good and good is called evil. Our border is wide open with fentanyl, criminals, and sex traffickers crossing our borders. Is there any hope for America?

God is still a God who answers prayer! Our prayers can shape history!

20 Century World History Online (High School Course at True North Homeschool Academy)

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20 Century World History Online (High School Course at True North Homeschool Academy)

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In “US Geography Virtual Field Trips,” Episode, #213, join Meredith Curtis for a hack that bring US geography to life: virtual field trips. Meredith shares the kinds of field trips she takes her students on during the online US geography course she teaches. With general field trip ideas and a link to a sample of each kind of video, US geography will never be the same in your homeschool adventure.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

When I wrote my US geography textbook and workbook collection, I was determined to keep the theme of travel throughout. Then I taught US geography online at True North Homeschool Academy. How would I do that?

The answer: virtual field trips!

Painted Desert

https://youtu.be/x_hJbNAf8s4?si=pL967IQba2glCJ3a

Texas 4K Video UHD

https://youtu.be/M-CxFhqbApk?si=4bM603aVLY5SIHEw

Sebastian Island Florida – Sebastian Inlet Aerial View

https://youtu.be/yAQUfKtpA3I?si=tRY24YFR-ZwLMDep

Alaska USA – by drone (4K)

https://youtu.be/PRSkjM_N3Fg?si=1BqAa15eX1nfTuGF

Charleston, South Carolina / 4K Drone Footage

https://youtu.be/E0fffg9_cXw?si=wtFDfX-ezLVGmcYk

Trail Camera Setup and Pickup: Hidden Mountain Pool (Arizona Wildlife) – AZ

https://youtu.be/krdtwZbL-Os?si=3YDvZb-VV1rrvYfM

Wildlife at a Sonoran desert water hole – AZ

https://youtu.be/RtsSKMPzgIM?si=NU0PvMpKalN7gyFF

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel – US 13 Eastern Shore Virginia – Time Lapse

https://youtu.be/IF8pDwPafxo?si=itBJ3IInt3UJu-mE

GoPro: Kayaking the Tennessee Rapids with Nick Troutman

https://youtu.be/ghzDZfRnrp4?si=0VI2VFxt911e3qmd

Slow Ride : Life and Times Along the South Carolina Intracoastal Waterway

https://youtu.be/sVeYT3EbKjY?si=F94xInwYyuyXXTIg

Mike Rowe looks at different jobs across America!

The BEST Things to Do in CODY, Wyoming: A WILD WEST Adventure! – WY

https://youtu.be/T86VFuxW8mw?si=LaGEt0jHrYE49aGq

10 Best Places to See in Michigan

https://youtu.be/eoeVn3Ja4rg?si=TRPAdAVybxGLmvtq

Tide Pools Sebastian Inlet State Park & Vero Beach Ghost Crabs

https://youtu.be/Dv1OCfHD7_k?si=ROUA1_EFkgQsFeyZ

10 Things We WISH We Knew BEFORE Moving To AMERICAN SAMOA

https://youtu.be/MudQP_aW-2g?si=_OXY3PI0U3GHFcAf

Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (New York)

https://youtu.be/Ly4PxyeTs9o?si=_ZN1sl2Zh0i_co5j

Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore

(937) Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore – YouTube

Dover Air Force Base

https://youtu.be/6CbeDVtKYcg?si=mWtGAAeaDTrP17BX

Naval Base Kitsap Overview

https://youtu.be/h5PHiKWQAYM?si=oRKODNeNQiM-of6K

Why It’s Hard Eating Healthy in the South

https://youtu.be/CHl9yXeJSBg?si=b_abVpRQnHrEPH26

Ma’am in Not an Insult

https://youtu.be/X4o1WuZjelg?si=T3wuyq7mvzvrf8oF

Signs You Were Born In The Midwest

https://youtu.be/VC_p1DzgN0U?si=a7hthUhM9co14orz

LA vs NY / Jimmy Kimmel Live

https://youtu.be/ekOPaKqPKsU?si=VcrYU92Bizmk-pwR

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