Joyfully Homeschooling

I did an episode on burnout back on episode 41. But, I wanted to bring the topic up again with my friend Davonne Parks. In this episode, we are going to be chatting about the warning signs of burn out, how to overcome it and lessons we have learned about it. This season right now is the time when SO many of us are overwhelmed and just feel blah when it comes to homeschooling. And guess what? It doesn't have to be that way! I hope this episode encourages you to have more joy in your homeschool and reminds you that you are NOT alone.

• Podcast sponsor
• Blog post on Burnout
• Episode on Burnout
• Davonne's post on overcoming depression naturally
• How to Care for your Self without being Selfish from Davonne Parks
• Logic of English
• Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie
• The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst
• Post-Partum Depression with June Duran
• Bible Based Homeschooling with Karen DeBeus
• Homeschooling out of Negligence episode
• Homeschool Regrets with Davonne Parks
• Podcast episode with Sarah Mae
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• Joy in the Journey store

Through the years I have had SO many people tell me they can't homeschool because they can't afford to quit working. But, the reality is SO many moms work and homeschool. Some things my friends do, they work outside the home as an office manager, nurse, professor at the local college, cleaning houses or office buildings, a realtor. They work from home working with VIP KID, Usborne books, blogger, podcaster, VA, graphic designer, writer, editor, and so many more.

I am surprised by the number of moms who DO work and homeschool. The number has really gone up over the last few years. And we are going to tackle this topic on the podcast today.

I don't regret being a working homeschool mom. I love it. My kids see me work every day, and they know how hard I work to balance my time effectively. They have seen me persevere and reach goals, they have cheered with me when I sold my first eBook, and have listened to me read articles, and blog posts. They also helped me hang business signs and read books to the babies when I ran my in-home daycare. They have come along with me to speaking events, work trips, and more. My businesses have really been family businesses that they have believed in with me.

So, if you are a working mom, I hope this episode encourages you and provides you with more tips to help you have a more joyful homeschool.

• Podcast sponsor, Book Shark
• Resources for the Working Homeschool Mom
• The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst
• Homeschool Moms Retreat
• Work at Home with VIP Kid
• Gideon Bible Study
• Stretched to Thin by Jessica Turner
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One of the biggest things I hear when I talk about homeschooling with other Christian parents is that their kids go to school to be the salt and the light. I have heard that our local public school would be a better place if I let my kids go there because they could be a light in a dark place. Both make me want to vomit.

The other day we were doing our daily bible study and we came across the verse where Jesus was choosing His disciples and he said to them, "Come and Follow Me" (Matthew 4:19). Recently, my teenage daughter, had a friend tell her that she was glad she wasn't homeschooled because she was able to witness to kids at school. The same week she was discussing ministering to young kids at a bible camp she is working at this summer in a leadership training. She was told at that meeting that she was not going to be as equipped to answer some questions from kids because she hadn't "experienced" things because she was homeschooled.

I found this verse to be the perfect time to explain to my CHILD that it is not their job to be the salt and the light.

• Shouldn't Christian Children be the Salt and Light
• Indoctrination, the Movie
• Salt and Light: A Valid Argument or a Misuse of Scripture?
• Why I Don't Send My Kids to School as Missionaries
• Full Blog Post

I chatted with Sarita Holzmann a few months ago about literature and encouraging our kids to have a love for good books. While we chatted we started to get on the topic of missions. This is a HUGE topic in our home as my oldest is feeling led to the mission field. I wanted to have Sarita back on the podcast just to chat about this topic. We are going to be talking about raising global-minded kids with a heart for the world. Particularly, missions and how we can raise mission-minded kids.

Sarita Holzmann is the founder of Sonlight Curriculum, speaker, writer, curriculum developer, missions advocate, beloved wife, veteran homeschool mom, and active grandmother.

• What is your experience with missions and mission work?
• Why do you think teaching a grand worldview is important?
• What are some ways we as parents can raise mission-minded kids?
• What would you say to a parent whose child has told them they feel led into the mission field?
• What are some ways we as parents can prepare our children for this and what courses of study would you recommend?
• How can books help expand a child's horizons, growing a big world perspective?
• Why is it important for our kids to have an understanding of world history and world cultures? Particularly if they have no desire to leave the US
• What are the Benefits of a literature-based education in raising global-minded children
• What does literature add to the study of the world?

• Podcast sponsor,Masterpiece Society
• Previous episode with Sarita
• Sonlight's Instagram
• Sonlight's Facebook Group
• Gladys Aylward
• Frontiers USA (Sarita serves on the board ane we have friends who serve with them also)
• Mission Minded Child by Ann Dunagan
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• Joy in the Journey store

Today's interview is with Alisha Gratehouse from Masterpiece Society. As some of you know, my middle is an artist. And a good one. So, we were excited to get the Masterpiece Society Studio for her about a month or so ago. She has absolutely LOVED it. So, I reached out to Alisha about possibly coming on as a guest to talk about art, and not only did she agree, but she also offered to SPONSOR the podcast. So, of course, I said YES. But, who is Alisha, let's learn more about her!

Alisha Gratehouse As an artsy-craftsy mom, who embraced the Charlotte Mason educational philosophy early on. She has been married to Jason, the love of her life, for over 26 years now. And they have three beautiful children. Her desire is to inspire, encourage, and empower you to live an abundant and satisfying life – a life that flourishes in every area: spirit, soul, and body! In 2014 she began offering a full art curriculum to other busy moms…and now, together with her adult kids, they are embracing the messy, fun art life…and are helping other moms like you explore art with your kids in a fun, memory-making way.

• How we as busy moms can make time for homeschool art
• What does art mean to Alisha and her family?
• How can I get over my fears and embrace art?
• How can a mom encourage an artistic child when she doesn't have an artistic bone in her body?

• Podcast sponsor,Masterpiece Society
• Studio Membership opening soon!
• Usborne Art Cards
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• Joy in the Journey store

I am SO excited about this interview because it is with the first guest, I believe, who is no longer homeschooling. I feel like she brings a unique perspective to this podcast and feel that she has a story to tell that many of us can learn from.

Sarah Mae is the author of the book, The Complicated Heart: Loving Even When it Hurts, a story for all the broken-hearted daughters who need to know if their little-girl hearts could ever heal.

She is the host of The Complicated Heart podcast, she speaks all over the country encouraging women to walk in freedom, and she wrangles three extroverted kids, a naughty yellow lab, and new husky puppy, because obviously she loves chaos. Holding down the fort with her in Lancaster, PA is her woodworker husband, Jesse.

Before we move forward, I want to say that this is not a medical advice show. We are not doctors. So, that is just a disclaimer. If you suffer from anxiety or depression please do as Sarah suggests and see a Christian counselor. Also, I think we can all learn a lot from how Sarah's community rallied around her when she decided to put her kids in public school. It was a reminder to me, to give grace. We don't know the battles others are fighting. Instead of passing judgment, we should be examples of the love of Christ. I know many times in the homeschool community when people we look up to stop homeschooling, we second guess ourselves or judge them for "giving in". Neither of these is appropriate responses, and neither shows the love of Christ. We need to follow HIS call on our life, and we need to be the hands and feet of Jesus to ALL people regardless of their educational choices. I love how Sarah continually points us all back to the Lord in all that we do. This episode is sure to leave you feeling more joyful and ready to overcome the struggles you are facing.

• Podcast sponsor,Masterpiece Society
• Sarah Mae's Website
• Sarah's Instagram
• Sarah's post on anxiety
• Sarah's podcast episode with her doctor
• Sarah's post, Following the Spirit to Public School
• Sarah Mae's books
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By now everyone is probably back in the groove of homeschooling, OR at least trying to be right? I think the transition from Christmas break back into school is harder sometimes than the transition back after a summer break. It seems like we just want to hibernate for the winter right?! Well, one way you can get back into the groove of things is by doing some fun tech activities with your kids! Today's guest can help you do just that. I am chatting with Monica Burns. She recently sent me a book of hers titled 40 ways to Inject creativity into the classroom, and when I first received it the title kind of stood out to me because hey we are not IN a classroom right? But, as I looked it over I realized there were so many fun ideas that I could incorporate into my homeschool and co-op classes. In this episode, today, Monica and I chat technology, why creativity is SO important, what apps and resources we can use for our special needs students (which floored me by the way, I had NO idea some of these existed) and so much more.

Dr. Monica Burns is an EdTech and Curriculum consultant, author and former New York City public school teacher. She visits schools across the country to support PreK-20 teachers to make technology integration meaningful and sustainable. Monica's website ClassTechTips.com helps educators place "tasks before apps" by promoting deeper learning with technology.

• Tasks Before Apps: Designing Rigorous Learning in a Tech-Rich Classroom
• 40 Ways to Inject Creativity into Your Classroom with Adobe Spark
• Social Media
  • Twitter.com/classtechtips
  • Facebook.com/classtechtips
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  • Instagram.com/classtechtips
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• Joy in the Journey store

Today's episode is going to be about anger, and patience and homeschooling, and I want to warn you all in advance that this is a vulnerable episode for me. I am going to be real, and honest, and hopefully by doing that I can encourage you all that you are not alone. Because, while I was on this unglued journey, I felt very alone. And judged. And it was hard.

Moms, we will make mistakes. We all have our weak moments. Mine may be becoming unglued, yours may be something else. What is important is how we handle those mistakes.

I don't want crazy mommy days. I don't want my children to remember mommy blowing up in anger. I want them to remember a joyful mommy who can control her emotions. I can sit and dwell on the days that I mess up, or I can choose to find a way to take those moments and learn from them. For me, these moments are a time of imperfect progress. A time to remember how far I have come, and that I still have work to do.

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.

• Podcast sponsor, Masterpiece Society
• I Can't Homeschool, I Don't Have Patience
• Prayers and Scriptures for the Homeschool Mom
• Podcast episode with Crystal Wagner on Patience
• Joy in the Journey T-Shirt
• Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst book
• Unglued Devotional
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So, we have been homeschooling now for 10 years. 10! About this time 10 years ago Alyson had her last day of public school preschool. She left school and has never gone back.

In that 10 years our homeschool has changed a LOT, and today I want to talk about some of our favorite homeschool memories, some of our worst, and I want to let you all have a peek into what my kids really think of homeschooling.

• What has been your favorite homeschool memory
• What has been your worst?
• Favorite Curriculum
• Favorite Project/Field Trip/Activity we have done while we have homeschooled
• Do you remember anything about public school (Alyson)
• What do you LIKE about being homeschooled?
• What do you DISLIKE about being homeschooled?
• Have you ever considered public school?
• How do you make friends? What about socialization?
• What would you say to a child who's parent wants to homeschool them but they think homeschoolers are weird…….
• How has homeschooling changed in our home through the years?
• Do you think you will homeschool your kids?

Alright, guys, I hope you enjoyed this episode of the Joyfully Homeschooling podcast. If you haven't yet, be sure to start Christmas break soon! We will be on break from the podcast through the new year and will be back with new episodes on January 3rd.

Be sure to listen to the whole episode. This is just a small snippet of our conversation.

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.

• Podcast sponsor, Masterpiece Society
• Follow on Instagram
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• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store

Today's episode is tear-jerking for me a little bit. I FINALLY got to sit down with my real-life homeschool mentor, Ms. Jamie Brown. If you are a regular listener of this podcast then you have heard of Jamie before. She is the number one reason, (next to the Lord) why I am homeschooling. I can honestly say, without a shadow of a doubt that I would NOT be here, where I am today, without God placing her in my life. We are chatting about her homeschool joys, struggles and so much more. Don't miss this one!