Joyfully Homeschooling

Last year, I was at our homeschool co-op chatting with a few moms about high school, when a mom who was fairly new to homeschooling. Spoke up and said,

"I hope one day I am as confident as you are about homeschooling"

I laughed because I do NOT feel confident. Even as a seasoned homeschool mom, I still find myself questioning my decisions and wondering if I am doing the right thing.

It's hard.

Really hard.

Homeschooling is NOT easy, and even though I am more confident now than I used to be, I am not as confident as I'd like to be.

However, I know that many of you are dealing with zero confidence, so, I wanted to share with you all a few ways you can gain confidence in your ability as a homeschool mom.

Want to be more confident as a homeschool mom? Own your decision, embrace your role, and don't let others tell you it's not good enough! Find something to do for YOU. God gives us dreams, and we don't have to sit on them. Get up and get moving. Find something that makes you feel good about yourself, and do it! These things will help you with your confidence as a mom, which in turn will make you better equipped to embrace your role every day.

And, if you want more joy in your homeschool day, and a tangible reminder to choose it, head over to joyinthejourneystore.net and grab my Joy in the Journey t-shirts.

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 Apologia
• Episode 38, where we chat about the comparison trap
• Use code EXPO for T-Shirt discount
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store

Today we are chatting with Davis Carman the President of Apologia Educational Ministries. Apologia is the #1 publisher of creation-based science and Bible curricula with over 70 #1 awards. He believes in homeschooling, believes in defending the Christian Faith, and believe that every subject (and I mean every subject) should be taught from a biblical worldview. That is why his mission, and the mission of Apologia, is to help homeschooling families learn, live, and defend the Christian Faith.

I met Davis a few years ago at a homeschool blogger conference called 2:1. I mention that briefly in the podcast episode. I wanted to chat with Davis about biblical worldview and Christian curriculum because I have had a major mind shift on this topic since I first began homeschooling. When we first began homeschooling I never considered whether or not a curriculum (outside of science) should be "Christian". In my mind, the only thing that would maybe not line up with God's word would be the whole creation/evolution debate. But then, the longer I began homeschooling, the more I began to realize how much God had been taken out of everything I learned as a child, and I began to appreciate how important a biblical worldview is.

In this episode we chat about this, the mission of Apologia, homeschooling, and SO much more.

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 Apologia
• Biblical Worldview Post from my Blog
• 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 am welcoming back Kendra Fletcher, the mother of 8, speaker, author, and podcaster. She is the author of Lost and Found: Losing Religion, Finding Grace, and Leaving Legalism, and she regularly writes for Key Life Ministries. The Fletchers reside in California, where they play in the Pacific Ocean as often as possible.

For the second part of our discussion, I chat with Kendra about legalism and homeschooling.

Here are a few questions we discuss:

• When did you become aware of it and how did you overcome it?
• Why do you think it is so easy for parents to assume that homeschooling will "save" our children?
• How can we encourage our children to have their own faith? And not rely on the faith of their parents?
• As our kids get older and they begin to have their own thoughts, opinions, and faith, how can we encourage them to respect our beliefs while coming up with their own as well

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 Apologia
• Preschoolers and Peace
• Kendra's books
• Homeschooling in Real Life Podcast
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store

Today's fess up Friday interview is with Kendra Fletcher, the mother of 8, speaker, author, and podcaster. She is the author of Lost and Found: Losing Religion, Finding Grace, and Leaving Legalism, and she regularly writes for Key Life Ministries. The Fletchers reside in California, where they play in the Pacific Ocean as often as possible. Find her here: www.kendrafletcher.com

Kendra and I chat homeschool regrets, joys and so much more. I love her insight as a homeschool mom of graduates, as well as a mom who still has kids at home and the encouragement she brings to those of us still deep in the trenches.

I have known Kendra for many years online, and I was SO excited to chat with her. I know this episode will encourage you to have a more joyful homeschool.

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 Apologia
• Preschoolers and Peace
• Kendra's books
• Homeschooling in Real Life Podcast
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store

One of the biggest struggles homeschool parents have is over curriculum choices. Think about it, every spring you see catalogs upon catalogs of curriculum come through your mailbox. There are homeschool conventions and curriculum fairs every weekend across the United States. Through the years, I have used a variety of different curriculum. Today, I am sharing the different homeschool curriculum we have used over the years, what we thought of each of them, and what we plan to continue using in our homeschool.

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 🙂

• Podcast season sponsor Apologia
• Episode 7 Where I Share Our Choices Through the Years
• Worldview Academy
• Big River Academy Post
• 2019-2020 Homeschool Choices Blog Post
• Beautiful Feet Books and Apologia
• The episode with Sherri Seligson
• Apologia's Facebook Page
• Joyfully Homeschooling Facebook Group
• Follow Misty on Instagram
• Follow Misty on Facebook
• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store

In this interview, with Cindy Rollins, we chat homeschool curriculum, growth as a homeschool mom, how we can educate ourselves and so much more. Cindy has SO much wisdom to offer the homeschool community and I know this episode will encourage you all to have a joyful homeschool.

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

• Podcast season sponsor Apologia
• Cindy's website
• Cindy on Facebook
• Cindy on Instagram
• Cindy's group, Mere Motherhood
• She Lost Her Head post on Facebook
• Mother's Summer Discipleship Course
• Cindy's Annual Catalog post
• 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, we chat all about language-based learning disabilities, which to me, was a new term. It encompasses many different needs including ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and more. Anything that impedes language. I loved Daniel's story and how he overcame his struggles and is taking what he learned from a very special teacher and is helping and encouraging special needs parents all over the world. Whether you have a child with special needs or not, you will leave this podcast feeling more joyful and encouraged as a homeschool parent.

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

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Podcast season sponsor Apologia
• DanielFranklinPhD.com
• FranklinEd.com
• Daniels book, Helping Children with Language-Based Learning Disabilities
• Connect with Daniel on Twitter
• Connect with Daniel on Facebook
• Daniel's video, Unteachable
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store

Hey homeschool mommas! It is SUMMER!! In this episode of the Joyfully Homeschooling Podcast, I am introducing our new podcast sponsor, sharing what summer learning looks like in our homeschool (hint: it is NOT school!), and sharing our summer reads!

Dear mommas, if you are still in the books, and don't want to be, PLEASE give yourself permission to close them. Seriously. Enjoy summer with your kids. Have some poolside development, embrace being an unschooler for the summer. Your kids will thank you. Believe me!

PS: if you enjoy schooling all summer, then keep doing what you're doing. Homeschool is all about flexibility :)

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

• Podcast season sponsor Apologia
• Homeschool Bravely with Jamie Erickson
• Common Sense Media
• Brave Learner with Julie Bogart
• Michael Vey, The Prisoner of Cell 21
• The Guardian Herd series
• Focused by Alyson Gerber
• Worldview Academy
• Parenting Beyond the Rules by Connie Albers
• Books by Robert Whitlow
• Episode book recommendations
• The episode with Julie Bogart
• The episode with Jamie Erickson
• The episode with Connie Albers
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store

This is the LAST episode of the season. So, just a reminder to grab your FREE sample of Sonlight at sonlight.com/joyfully

I have honestly been dreading recording this episode because it involves me acknowledging failure as a parent. No one likes admitting they failed right? But alas, we are here.

Relationships and homeschooling. It is a common fear that parents have before they begin homeschooling, and a topic that has been mentioned over and over again on the podcast.

Relationships matter.

Relationships trump academics

Homeschooling is all about relationships.

Yet, I didn't truly get it. I mean I nodded my head, agreed with the people speaking, but wasn't truly living it out in my own home.

I told you this episode was real.

Homeschooling bloggers oftentimes show the highlight reel. NOT all the jazz that goes on behind the scenes. I try to be real I really do. But, still, I don't share all the bad stuff because I want to also honor my kid's privacy.

But guys. Things have NOT always been good in our home this past year. We have had some major heart issues with one of my kids.

But, the reality is I can't place the blame on her. I need to take the blame myself.

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 :)

• Podcast season sponsor Sonlight
• Not Consumed Bible Study
• Follow Misty on Instagram
• Follow Misty on Facebook
• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store

In today's episode, I am excited to be chatting with Connie Albers, author of the new book, Parenting Beyond the Rules.

After 30 years of parenting five children and 20 years of working with teens, Connie Albers has witnessed the negative impact of well-intentioned but misguided parenting styles, all focused on managing teens rather than guiding them. In her book, Parenting beyond the Rules, you will discover how to raise a teen according to his or her strengths, talents, and personality type, as these things equip teens to manage life.

As a mom of teens myself I was excited to chat with her about homeschooling teens, recognizing our kids learning styles and so much more.

If you have ever struggled with appreciating the child you have if you ever wondered what boundaries and rules to set with your teens, or if your kids are going to one day be teens (lol!) 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 :)

• Podcast season sponsor Sonlight
• Parenting Beyond the Rules, by Connie Albers
• Connie's Website
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe for weekly encouragement emails AND a coupon to my store
• Joy in the Journey store