Raising boys can be tricky business, no? And if we have a heart to see our boys really change the world with solid character, big ideas, and compassionate hearts, we can feel defeated when we see them being goofy and a little out of control as kids.

That’s exactly why we wanted to have a solid conversation with friend and author Heather Haupt, who has written a book about teaching our boys what it means to take the high road and be “knights” who fight for honor and protect the weak in our world.

Heather has hands-on tools and plenty of encouragement to share. We love this episode!

SHOW NOTES:

Heather Haupt.com

Recommended Resources:

None

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The post Best of HIRL: Knights in Training appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Should you turn the TV on?  Yes or no?

On this episode we  jump into a topic that is quick to divide families as we answer the question: Is there any redeeming value in having television in your home, or should we avoid this portal into American culture?

Join along and listen as Fletch and Kendra talk openly about welcoming television back into their home and the parameters involved in their decision to navigate culture with a television. This is an episode that is sure to get you thinking and talking.

SHOW NOTES:

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Previous Episodes Mentioned:

None

Music clips used on this episode:

Visit  here to learn more.

The post Best of HIRL: How To Watch TV Without Selling Your Soul appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This is our second stab at the topic of homeschool burnout. Back in Episode 39, we interviewed four homeschool moms and discussed the topic: I Love Homeschooling, But I’m Totally Burned Out.  On that episode we verified that homeschooling moms burn out often and regularly.

Our listener Anna, wrote in and asked if we would expand the topic a little more. “I’m just having a really hard time figuring out how to carve out some (consistent) space in our life for me to recharge my batteries, and I’d love to know how other moms manage to do that.”  Anna, this episode is just for you!

We decided to hit this topic alone. We are not strangers to burnout. In fact, we are in the middle of our own homeschool/homeschooling/homeschoolers burnout as we sat down to record this show. Our listeners get a front row seat as we discuss honestly how we are choosing to work through our own burnout.

Tune in as we offer practical advice to both mom and dad as we answer the question about how to deal with homeschool burnout.

Timeline

Music clips used on this show:

“Slow Down'” Keb’ Mo’ (Buy It Here On iTunes)

We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new DVD release, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas!

The post How To Deal With Homeschool Burnout – Special Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Tragedy. In terms of media and social media, tragedy has become a staple of our daily diet. The world seems to be going crazy and the news is full of stories that are difficult for kids to process and understand. How do we talk to our children about race issues, murder, terrorism, and other tragic current events? 

On this episode, we dive right into modern events and take on the headlines of the day. We discuss ages and appropriateness of content and conversation, how to address our children’s fears, and of course how to bring the gospel into every conversation.

We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new DVD release, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas!

Visit  here to learn more.

The post Talking With Kids About Tragedy – Special Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

When Cindy West reached out to us and asked to talk about something she’s seeing in the homeschool community at large, we jumped at the opportunity. And it’s this: Some homeschoolers feel they must adhere so closely to a particular homeschool philosophy that they have lost all their homeschool joy. Essentially, their homeschools are owning them.

So what’s the remedy? Tune in to “When Your Homeschool Owns You” to find out!

SHOW NOTES:

Recommended Resources:

Cindy West can be found here: Our Journey Westward.

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We’d like to thank our sponsor, Veritas Press and their app, The Phonics Museum!

The Phonics Museum is the only complete reading app that will teach your child to read in record speed. Taking a “tools of learning” approach, the app helps establish a strong foundation of reading for children through a complete commitment to a phonics approach.

Vintage Homeschool Moms is excited to be able to offer you the chance to try The Phonics Museum for two weeks FREE. To redeem this exclusive offer, click here to get your first two weeks free!

LISTEN HERE

Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

The post When Your Homeschool Owns You – HIRL Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Does Santa have any place in the celebration of Christmas? If you listen to some homeschoolers talk about it, event the mention of Santa Claus associated with Christmas will land you in the “loner’s corner” of your co-op. Yet, others celebrate good ol’ jolly Santa Claus right next to the baby Jesus. There is also a third category of homeschoolers (like Fletch) who enjoy stirring the pot and cracking off remarks like: “You know…if you rearrange the letters in Santa…it spells S-A-T-A-N.” Fletch can be cheeky that way!

Where does that leave us?

Should we allow Santa to have a seat at the Christmas table or should he and Rudolph be hidden high up on the shelf with that pesky elf?

With sleighbells ringing and all the yuletide they can muster, Fletch and Kendra sit down for an open, honest discussion about the celebration of Christmas and answer the question: What should Christian homeschooling parents do with Santa Claus at Christmas? Tune in and join them for a fun and lively debate on this edition of HomeschoolingIRL.

Recommended Resources:

Previous Episodes Mentioned:

Music clips used on this episode:

We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Kiwi Crate!

KiwiCo has monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun! Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art, and math — accessible and are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning. Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits.

Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network is excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer, click here to get your first month free today (just pay $4.95 for shipping)

LISTEN HERE

Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

The post Best of HIRL Christmas Series: Jesus vs. Santa appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Are you stuck in holiday traffic? Are you locking yourself in the bathroom at your family get-together to avoid Crazy Uncle Larry? Are you sick of hearing Christmas music? This quick episode is just for you!

Merry Christmas HIRLers! Join Fletch and Kendra on this short and fun episode as we share some Christmas laughs with you. You might find out a few things that you didn’t know about Fletch and Kendra. (No, she really doesn’t like Italian Christmas music!)

Find out more facts as we play a quick round of “Q and A with K and A.” Then see if you agree as we comment on your answers to our Facebook questions like “What Christmas song drives you nuts?” We each have goodies to lock into the HIRLer’s Treasure Chest and then join us as we finish the podcast with a Christmas edition of “Would you rather…”

This episode is meant to be light hearted, but it also gives you a chance to take a private peek at your two hosts. Join us as we celebrate Christmas week on this episode of Homeschooling In Real Life.

SHOW NOTES:

Recommended Resources:

Previous Episodes Mentioned:

Music clips used on this episode:

We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Kiwi Crate!

KiwiCo has monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun! Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art, and math — accessible and are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning. Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits.

Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network is excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer, click here to get your first month free today (just pay $4.95 for shipping)

LISTEN HERE

Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

The post Best of HIRL Holiday Series: Stocking Stuffer appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

We received a message on the HomeschoolingIRL Facebook page that said, “Please, please, please do an episode on siblings fighting. Thanks!”

Sibling relationships. Sibling rivalries. Siblings fighting. We put out the question to our listeners and they responded with story after story of siblings who know how to tease, fight and use sarcasm like professionals.

On this episode, we dig into the topic of parenting through sibling relationships in your homeschool. Fletch and Kendra open up about their own family and share practical advice for handling those tricky, sticky moments when brothers and sisters want to be anything but best friends. We also announce our coffee contest winner and we each answer the question: “What Ben/Jerry’s ice cream flavor would you create and what would you call it?”

Music clips used on this show:

“George Street Shuffle” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Three Little Birds, Ziggy Marley (Click on link to purchase)

Pick A Little/Talk A Little, The Music Man (Click on link to purchase)

We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Kiwi Crate!

KiwiCo has monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun! Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art, and math — accessible and are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning. Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits.

Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network is excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer, click here to get your first month free today (just pay $4.95 for shipping)

The post Best of HIRL Holiday Series: What To Do About Sibling Relationships? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Join us on this episode of Homeschooling in Real Life as we talk about the ins and outs of traveling with kids. On this episode we are NOT talking about vacation planning. Instead we are talking about giving your family a love for travel, a love for God’s world and a love for taking your love for Jesus around the world as a family ambassadors living on mission.

Live from the Teach Them Diligently convention floor in Nashville, TN, Kendra interviews family travel expert Jen Reyneri from WordTraveling.com. Listen as they discuss about traveling and finding the Glory of God all over the world. This episode will encourage you and motivate you as a homeschool family to show your children something more than your own backyard.

SHOW NOTES:

Recommended Resources:

WordTraveling with Jen Reyneri

Previous Episodes Mentioned:

We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Kiwi Crate!  

KiwiCo has monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun! Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art, and math — accessible and are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning.  Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits.

Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network is excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer, click here to get your first month free today (just pay $4.95 for shipping)

LISTEN HERE

Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

The post Best of HIRL Holiday Series – Traveling With Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Homeschooling Multiple Ages! How does a homeschooling parent possibly educate older kids while at the same time juggling preschoolers, toddlers, and babies? Is it even realistic to think we could do a good job while spinning so many homeschool plates?

On this episode of Homeschooling in Real Life, Fletch and Kendra talk about how they’ve managed to homeschool 8 kids, how to structure a day so that schooling actually gets done, and how mom can survive and thrive during the demanding years of homeschooling multiple ages.

EPISODE TIMELINE

SHOW NOTES:

Recommended Resources:

Betty the Surf Dog – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website

Previous Episodes Mentioned:

Music clips used on this episode:

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We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas – Coming in Theaters November 17th!

Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

LISTEN HERE

Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

The post Homeschooling Multiple Ages appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.