Annette Vaughn wrote "Dear Homeschool Mom" covering unique aspects, circumstances and seasons of homeschooling to help parents throughout their journey - many of whom are first-generation homeschoolers!

-How Annette got the inspiration for her book [1:30]

-Ways in which she chose the different "ages and stages" of homeschooling, highlighting unique circumstances and situations from each family [8:00]

-The huge need for homeschool encouragement as many parents are first-generation homeschoolers [13:20]

-How to deal with specific arguments against, and questions about, homeschooling [14:50]

-HSLDA's Compassion fund and how all proceeds from the book will benefit homeschool families through HSLDA [18:00]

Resource #1: https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Homeschool-Mom-Letters-Encouragement/dp/B0FS7FB8CK (Annette Vaughn's "Dear Homeschool Mom" book on Amazon)

Resource #2: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/homeschool-conference/ (MPE conference)

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

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Terrie Hellard-Brown of Hypurpley Press explores various tips and methods homeschool parents can use to value the uniqueness of each child and how to best their needs.

-Terrie's homeschool journey as an overseas missionary originally getting faulty diagnoses for her special-needs children [0:30]

-The inspiration behind Hypurpley Press [3:30]

-Some challenges of being a homeschool mom with children who have complex medical needs, including multiple surgeries [7:20]

-How to spark everyday discipleship and have important conversations with our children, especially those who have autism and other special needs [22:00]

-Tips for first-time attendees at the March 6-7 MPE homeschool conference [37:10]

Resource #1: https://terriehellardbrown.com/ (Terrie's website)

Resource #2: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/homeschool-conference/ (MPE conference)

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

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Deborah Burns, founder of the Medical Transcription Service and retired homeschool mom, explains how she entered this industry and now helps other families with this work-from-home opportunity.

-Deborah's homeschool journey from "terrible preconceptions" to huge fan [0:30]

-How her family doctor "recruited" her into becoming a medical transcriptionist [4:00]

-Some of the challenges of working from home [4:50]

-Artificial intelligence (AI) and some of the ways it's changing the medical transcription industry [6:50]

-Some of the benefits of working from home [8:20]

-Differences between medical transcription and medical coding/billing [10:30]

-Next steps for people interested in learning more [12:40]

Resource #1: https://www.medtranscription.com (Medical Transcription Service website)

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

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Joan Samuell explores the health benefits and advantages of Norwex and microfiber cleaning for homeschool households. Check out her vendor booth at our March 6-7 conference and curriculum fair!

-Joan's homeschool journey [0:30]

-Cleaning products for every household, and what to look for in microfiber cloths [2:50]

-Tips to get the children involved in nontoxic cleaning [4:30]

-Streamlined cleaning processes [6:00]

-Startling statistics over the 87,000 chemical ingredients used in the US, yet still to be tested for their impact on human health [8:40]

-Resources and tips for homeschool moms seeking more information [12:20]

Resource #1: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/homeschool-conference/ (Homeschool Conference & Curriculum Fair)

Resource #2: https://www.norwex.com/?r=joanbryansamuell&store=us (Joan Samuell's website)

Resource #3: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joansVIP (Joan Samuell's Facebook VIP group)

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/mpeinkc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mpeinkc/

In this podcast episode, Author JA Webb explains his journey from atheist to Christ-follower who writes award-winning suspense thriller fiction that is male-centric in a speculative setting. Check out his books at our March 6-7 homeschool conference and curriculum fair!

-JA's experience as former atheist turned Christ-follower [0:30]

-What made him decide to write Christian fiction [6:00]

-How he heard about MPE [9:10]

-Some of the challenges to becoming a published author [10:30]

-JA's tips to aspiring young authors [12:40]

-Advice for homeschool moms seeking to encourage their sons in writing [14:10]

Resource #1: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/homeschool-conference/ (Homeschool Conference & Curriculum Fair)

Resource #2: https://jawebbauthor.com/ (JA Webb's website)

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

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Sean and Caroline Allen homeschool their nine children ages 1 to 21. Learn their guidelines for choosing the right homeschool priorities this year and setting up your family for success!

-Perspective after 20+ years of homeschool experience [1:30]

-How to homeschool after having been homeschooled [4:40]

-Building on the legacy of previous homeschool generations [5:30]

-How to stay organized without getting overwhelmed [6:50]

-Finding the balance between routines vs. strict time schedules [8:20]

-Setting the "grand vision" for your homeschool [9:40]

-Advice for first-time homeschoolers [12:30]

-Different homeschool trends over the years [19:00]

-How to combat social media pressure over homeschooling [22:30]

Resource #1 - https://thewellorderedhomeschool.com/ and https://www.chalkfullofdesign.com/

Resource #2 - Sean Allen's "No Ordinary Days" podcast: https://thewellorderedhomeschool.com/pages/podcast

Resource #3 - MPE Women's Encouragement Day: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/womens-encouragement-day/

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mpeinkc

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Upcoming events in September and beyond include:

The first graduation meeting for our Class of 2026 will be Monday, Sept. 8, at Garrett Chapel at College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe.

A field trip opportunity for MPE members only will be Sept. 12 at Vita Craft headquarters in Shawnee. Homeschool children grades 2 and higher can take a tour of the manufacturing facility producing handcrafted, multi-ply stainless steel cookware. Field trip participation is limited to 20 students.

Our Homeschool Family Fun Night Out will be Oct. 9 at Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter and Cafe in Independence. A fellow homeschool family runs this business and is excited to see us there!

Our PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test opportunity will be available to homeschooled students on Oct. 16. The deadline for registering is 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10.

Finally, this Thursday (Aug. 28) is the last day to register for our Sept. 14-26 Great Wolf Lodge Homeschool Weeks!

Struggling to homeschool unique learners? Whether you’re navigating curriculum adjustments, motivation challenges, or poor executive function skills, coaching helps you gain clarity, build confidence, and create a thriving learning environment.

-Recent shifts in the homeschool world over special ed resources [1:10]

-The staggering data of families (50%) who choose to homeschool because of a specialized health need or learning need [2:20]

-How to differentiate between coaching, counseling, and mentoring [3:05]

-Unpacking the mindsets holding us back from success in teaching our children [4:00]

-FAQ: What if I don't feel qualified or trained enough to teach my unique learner? [6:30]

-The program's format and schedule from September 2025 through May 2026 [7:40]

-Some of the benefits in joining a coaching community: "space and grace," virtual and in-person meetups, confidentiality, etc. [13:10]

Resource #1: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/unique-learners-coaching-program/ (Unique Learners Coaching Program)

Resource #2: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/homeschool-conference/ (Homeschool Conference & Curriculum Fair)

Resource #3: Homeschoolers.com (Suzanne Wandling's website)

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

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Explore ways to make your homeschool planning more intentional as this list of life skills from Lyndsey Mimnagh's "Treehouse Schoolhouse" can inspire all ages through family-centered learning!

-Lyndsey's background as a childhood educator, missionary and entrepreneur [1:00]

-How to build the right environment for family-centered learning [3:10]

-Living literature vs. twaddle, and some options to help build a reading appetite in our children [4:00]

-When to introduce books with more serious themes at appropriate ages [6:20]

-Defining "success" in your homeschool [9:40]

-How to teach life skills to your children even if it wasn't modeled in your own childhood [12:00]

-Some challenges to teaching life skills, and how to overcome them [14:50]

-Specific ways to think holistically about education [19:10]

-Tips for homeschool parents starting this school year [21:50]

Resource #1 - Treehouse Schoolhouse website: https://treehouseschoolhouse.com/collections/all 

Special discount code:

HOMESCHOOLHINTS15

15% off your total order. One use per customer. Cannot be combined with other promos. Expires six months after episode release.

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

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Jennifer Moreno started her homeschool journey as a "COVID homeschooler." She recounts withdrawing her then-4th grade son in 2020 during the pandemic and learning all about homeschooling from the ground up: curriculum, community, working in addition to homeschool, and more!

-How "everything was in disarray" in public schools during 2020 [1:04]

-Researching homeschool after growing up "public school educated" [1:52]

-Teachers in public school vs. the public-school system [4:00]

-How to get through the "tough days" of homeschooling [6:20]

-Her experience working part time and even full time while still homeschooling [7:48]

-Building a homeschool support system [8:14]

-FAQ: How do you choose homeschool curriculum? [11:36]

-Lessons learned in the first 1-3 years of homeschooling [15:12]

-Some of the surprises of homeschooling: not stuck doing schoolwork, more time for family "adventures," seeing your child's academic strengths firsthand, etc. [18:30]

-"Amazing" community of homeschool moms [21:10]

-The importance of 20-plus years of homeschooling for a new perspective (e.g. Women's Encouragement Day) [22:08]

-Practical ways to plug into homeschooling resources and connections [23:24]

-One thing she would change if she had to go back and redo homeschooling [25:50]

Resource #1 - MPE website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

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