Joyfully Homeschooling

The Joyfully Homeschooling podcast is TWO YEARS OLD!! I can NOT believe it. I have been blown away by the response to the podcast and I just LOVE it. Today to celebrate, I am bringing my dear friend Davonne on to interview me :)

Here are a few takeaways from this birthday celebration!

• The podcast has been downloaded in 67 countries
• By the time this podcast episode airs we will be at over 100K downloads!
• Davonne interviews ME with our traditional fess up Friday interviews, PLUS she throws me a few curveball questions in there that I was NOT expecting (why are we friends again?!) lol!
• I share the top 10 episodes of the podcast as well as my personal favorites.

I want to thank each and every one of you for making my first two years of podcasting such a success. I want to thank every sponsor, every guest, and every listener. You guys are such a blessing to me.

If you liked this episode be sure to leave a rating or review. These serve as a notice to iTunes that I'm not speaking to myself. Not sure how to leave a review? Here are instructions for iTunes and Stitcher users. Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Podcast Sponsor BookShark
• My Favorite Episode My episode with my mentor Jamie Brown
• Another Favorite: Sacrificing our Relationship on the Altar of Homeschooling
• Davonne's Favorite: Overcoming Anxiety with Sarah Mae
• Another Favorite of ours: Homeschool Regrets with Davonne
• #1 Most Popular Episode with Sarita Holzmann
• #2 How to Overcome a Bad Homeschool Day
• #3 Salt and the Light Episode
• #4 Growing as a Homeschool Mom with Cindy Rollins
• #5 Brave Learning with Julie Bogart
• #6 Our Homeschool Curriculum Choices
• #7 How to Be More Consistent in Homeschooling
• #8 Homeschooling with ADHD
• #9 Homeschool Objectives with Charlene Notgrass
• #10 Sacrificing Relationships on the Altar of Homeschooling
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store

As you may know, podcasting takes a lot of time. I typically mass record 3 months' worth of episodes in one month. This gives time for editing, show notes to be written, and for me to record introductions beforehand and solo episodes. Therefore, this episode will of course not address the current COVID19 pandemic. It may also reference homeschool conventions or other events that are now closed. I apologize in advance, however, the content and advice given in the episode is something we can all learn from regardless of the time it was recorded.

Today we are chatting with Faith Berens from Homeschool Legal Defense. We are going to be tackling the topic of special needs and homeschooling. In particular, we talk about our rights as special needs parents. I share in this episode some of our experiences with needing to use HSLDA in regard to obtaining my son's special needs services. But, this episode is about more than just HSLDA and special needs. Faith has a true passion to help and encourage homeschool parents, and she shares her heart with me and you in this episode.

Show notes: https://www.findingjoyinthejourney.net/special-needs/ ‎

Checking in with all of you to see how everyone is doing while homeschooling through the pandemic. I am chatting a few things in this episode including:

• My Instagram COVID-19 diary
• What our current homeschool looks like
• How to help your public school friends who suddenly are "homeschooling" their kids and asking YOU for help
• How we can be the hands and feet of Jesus while also staying quarantined
• How to talk to our kids about disappointment, cancellation, fear and more

If you liked this episode be sure to leave a rating or review. These serve as a notice to iTunes that I'm not speaking to myself. Not sure how to leave a review? Here are instructions for iTunes and Stitcher users. Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Podcast Sponsor Bookshark
• My Instagram
• Should Christians Fear the Coronavirus podcast episode
• 100 Books for Kids
• 100 Non-Fiction Books for Kids
• Heroes of History giveaway
• Books for Homeschool Moms
• CNN10
• Anxiety Tool Kit from Raising Life-Long Learners

As you may know, podcasting takes a lot of time. I typically mass record 3 months' worth of episodes in one month. This gives time for editing, show notes to be written, and for me to record introductions beforehand and solo episodes. Therefore, this episode will of course not address the current COVID19 pandemic. It may also reference homeschool conventions or other events that are now closed. I apologize in advance, however, the content and advice given in the episode is something we can all learn from regardless of the time it was recorded.

Today I am airing a bucket list podcast interview with the authors of our favorite book series!!! I first began reading the Christian Heroes Then and Now series from Geoff and Janet Benge with my kids because my firstborn was feeling led into missions. She came across their book on Amy Carmichael and the rest was history. We have now read TONS of them. Last year we focused on world history and read missionary stories from the different continents we were studying with c0-op and this year, we are paring them with our US history study and going along with what the kids are learning with Notgrass History. We LOVE these books, and I was so excited to chat with Janet Benge for the podcast.

Here are some of the questions we will be going over:

• I heard on another podcast that you had dyslexia. My son is dyslexic, how did this impact you in your academic and professional career?
• Where do you get the research needed to write your books? How do you decide what stories to tell?
• These books have been known to challenge my faith and the faith of my children. Was this the original plan when you began writing the books?
• My middle wanted to know if you have any books about people that minister through animals?

If you liked this episode be sure to leave a rating or review. These serve as a notice to iTunes that I'm not speaking to myself. It will also give you a chance to have your review read online and win a gift from me. Not sure how to leave a review? Here are instructions for iTunes and Stitcher users. Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Podcast sponsor,Book Shark
• Benge Books
• Heroes Then and Now
• Books by Janet and Geoff Benge
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store

As you may know, podcasting takes a lot of time. I typically mass record 3 months' worth of episodes in one month. This gives time for editing, show notes to be written, and for me to record introductions beforehand and solo episodes. Therefore, this episode will of course not address the current COVID19 pandemic. It may also reference homeschool conventions or other events that are now closed. I apologize in advance, however, the content and advice given in the episode is something we can all learn from regardless of the time it was recorded.

Leah Nieman is known as the technology guru, and I am so excited to bring her on to talk about teens and cell phones. I'll be honest, I always planned on waiting until my kids were older to give them cell phones, but both ended up with one around 12 due to the fact that they spent so much time away from us for youth group, sports, and other activities. So, I caved.

Now, we have had some issues off and on since, as I am sure you can imagine. So, I was ready to learn from Leah about all things teens and cell phones.

Here is a small snippet into our conversation on teens and cell phones:

• Let's start with age, about what age would you recommend a cell phone for a child, and are there phones out there that aren't "smart"
• Now, let's move on to social media, what social media apps are all the rage for teens, and which ones are the safest, and those that are not so safe?
• What do you do when you see your child breaking rules that you put in place? How do you know when to lessen the rules and when to rein them?
• What do you do when you see a child who is obviously becoming addicted to their phone?

I hope you learn more about teens, cell phones, and safe technology after this episode. Be sure to check out the resources in the show notes to connect with Leah!

If you liked this episode be sure to leave a rating or review. These serve as a notice to iTunes that I'm not speaking to myself. It will also give you a chance to have your review read online and win a gift from me. Not sure how to leave a review? Here are instructions for iTunes and Stitcher users. Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Leah's website
• Leah's Facebook page where she shares tons of tech updates
• Get a copy of Leah's Tech Talk Conversation Cards FREE when you sign up for her weekly newsletter
• Leah's Product and Services
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store

Today I am ditching our regularly scheduled programming and discussing the very REAL pandemic going on right now.

• As Christians, should we fear the coronavirus?
• As homeschoolers, how is will this affect our day to day lives?
• What does the bible say about fear?
• How can we talk to our kids about the Coronavirus?
• How is this affecting our families personally?
• What about my daughter's upcoming trip to Spain?
• What actions should we be taking as people of faith?

My friend Davonne and I talk all of these questions and more today on the podcast.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Podcast sponsor BookShark
• Episode 16Lisa Jo Baker's podcast
• My Instagram
• Link to the science experiment on bread
• Cookeville, Tennessee

Guys! I am SO excited to share with you all today about a fun storytelling-based app that also teaches kids a second language. Since I recorded this episode I have had the chance to use the Fabulingua app with Daniel and I also downloaded it on my daughter's phone for her to use with babysitting as I mention in this episode and guys, this app is AMAZING. I am not even joking. I think you all will love it.

In this episode we answer the following questions:

• What is FabuLingua?
• Why is learning a second language important?
• How is Fabulingua different from other language learning solutions?
• What age range is this for
• How this program can work with kids who have special needs
• The importance of audiobooks

And SO much more!

If you liked this episode be sure to leave a rating or review. These serve as a notice to iTunes that I'm not speaking to myself. It will also give you a chance to have your review read online and win a gift from me. Not sure how to leave a review? Here are instructions for iTunes and Stitcher users. Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Fabulingua (FREE TRIAL!)
• Fabulingua on Facebook
• Fabulingua on Instagram

One of the most popular podcasts ever is the one on Homeschooling a child with ADHD. Because of this, I wanted to share another blog post that I wrote a few years ago about homeschooling the distracted child. Three years later, this is still something we struggle with. Even after the kids are in middle and high school.

A distracted child is a common occurrence in many homeschool families. When left undealt with it means long homeschool days, a frustrated homeschool mom, and a child who is constantly unable to focus.

This is just an outline of the episode, be sure to listen! So, what has been the solution to homeschooling a distracted child?

• Eliminate Distractions
• Try to Understand Your Distracted Child

As parents sometimes we have to face reality. And one area I had to overcome when it comes to homeschooling my distracted child is the reality that my expectations were too high. The truth is when we are parenting a distracted child we have to be realistic. Here is our reality:

• Shorter lessons
• Interest led learning
• Sometimes together isn't better
• Realize you can't set it and forget it

I also give some great tips for eliminating homeschool distractions for you AND your child in this video.

PS: If you haven't heard of Worldview Academy I suggest you check it out. You can get $100 off of admission using code 2520 . If you have any questions about it send me an email, [email protected] either I or my daughter will do our best to answer them.

If you liked this episode be sure to leave a rating or review. These serve as a notice to iTunes that I'm not speaking to myself. It will also give you a chance to have your review read online and win a gift from me. Not sure how to leave a review? Here are instructions for iTunes and Stitcher users. Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Podcast sponsor,Book Shark
• Planning sheets
• Instagram Post on Airforce Museum
• Worldview Academy
• Episode on ADHD
• Blog post on this episode
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store

Have you noticed that the work ethic in many children nowadays leaves much to be desired? I have! And, I want to raise kids who are different. I want to have kids who want to work, and serve, and glorify God in ALL that they do.

And today, I am chatting this topic and so much more with Mark Baker, owner of Christian Homeschool Entrepreneurs.

Mark holds a Master's degree in International Business Management and is a serial web entrepreneur. He loves creative thinking. And is currently working on a clothing brand called Married is Great (marriedisgreat.com) in addition to Christian Homeschool Entrepreneurship. He and his wife homeschool seven wonderful children and are devoted followers of Christ.

A strong work ethic originates from God...

I ask Mark what he thinks this means, as well as a few other questions, including:

• Why do you think the current generation tends to shy away from work?
• How can we as parents raise kids who want to work and honor God in all that they do?
• So, you have created a program that can help kids have a Christian mindset towards work. Can you share with us a little bit about this program?

If you want to raise kids who stand out in the world, don't miss this episode!

If you liked this episode be sure to leave a rating or review. These serve as a notice to iTunes that I'm not speaking to myself. It will also give you a chance to have your review read online and win a gift from me. Not sure how to leave a review? Here are instructions for iTunes and Stitcher users. Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Podcast sponsor,Bookshark
• Christian Homeschool Entrepreneurship
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store

In this episode, I chat with Wendy Gunn from Your Home for God. We talk about the comparison trap, and Wendy shares the lesson she learned about embracing the unique story God has created just for her, and how we all can learn from that lesson. We also talk about the regret she has regarding her kids and letting them make their own mistakes while they were under her roof.

"The journey doesn't stop when our children are grown, it just changes"

This is just an all-around great episode and I can't wait to share it with you all.

If you liked this episode be sure to leave a rating or review. These serve as a notice to iTunes that I'm not speaking to myself. It will also give you a chance to have your review read online and win a gift from me. Not sure how to leave a review? Here are instructions for iTunes and Stitcher users. Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Podcast sponsor,Book Shark
• Wendy on Facebook
• Wendy's course on Raising Godly Kids get 50% off, with coupon code HALFOFF
• Wendy on Instagram
• Wendy's Website
• Post about Wendy's journey with Cancer
• Episode with Dachelle McVey about Teens
• My previous episode on comparison
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store