make joy normal: Catholics in the new springtime

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Today we interview Drew Vernon, marketing guy for an unbelievably unbelievable product for families and my mind is totally blown.  You might want to consider watching this on YouTube, because there are some visual examples of what Drew is telling us about, that would not want to be missed. 

I get requests all the time to review products, which I don't.  However, this listening system one really piqued my interest and I'm SO glad we interviewed Drew.  The ways we could use this in our family life are fabulous.

 3:34 - What is Tonies and how does it work?
10:32 - The "Creative Tonies"  customizable content
13:41 - Ideas for teachers and parents
15:16 - How to record on a Tonie and The "My Tonies" App
17:03 - Are Tonies available in other languages?
18:28 - Are there reviews for parents to get a sense of content?
19:55 - What age range does it cover?
25:55 - Cost of Tonies and how to grow your collection

FYI, we are not an affiliate of any kind to Tonies, just reviewing because we loved the idea!

We have a tonies to give away, thanks Drew! 

If you'd like to enter the contest for the giveaway, email me [email protected]


Find tonies here:

https://us.tonies.com

https://www.facebook.com/tonies.us

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChus5wxPobM4f8lIcCYsaMA
https://www.instagram.com/tonies.us/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/770345047091102

Contact

• On Instagram at @make.joy.normal 
• By email at [email protected]
• Search podcast episodes by topic 
• www.bonnielandry.ca
• Shop my recommended resources
  
  

Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast! 

send us a text via Fan Mail!

Today we interview Trent Horn, Catholic apologist, famous guy and  recovered homeschool skeptic.  

With three young boys, he recognizes the joy of participating in their education, and the value of the parent's role in this. Trent shares the reasons and process that brought him to an appreciation of homeschooling.  His family has started their homeschool journey, he shares some ways they are making it work and his thoughts on the big picture of education. 

6:51 - How did your school experience shape your thoughts on homeschooling? 
12:48 - Which factors led you to being open to home education?
17:38 - Do your concerns ever creep back? 
19:23 - Why parents matter more than peers 
21:05 - When your partner is not on board with homeschooling
30:52 - Homeschool Connections as a supplement 
32:15 - When you feel like you're not smart enough to educate your children

To see Trent’s work, books, videos and podcast episodes, visit him here!

The Counsel of Trent

Trent Horn

Trent’s YouTube channel

Stand and Deliver movie

https://homeschoolconnectionsonline.com

Contact

• On Instagram at @make.joy.normal 
• By email at [email protected]
• Search podcast episodes by topic 
• www.bonnielandry.ca
• Shop my recommended resources
  
  

Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast! 

send us a text via Fan Mail!

1:38 - How to deal with burnout
9:52 - Practical things to do when you're heading on a downhill
15:14 - How do we motivate ourselves?
23:33 - How do I motivate my kids?
27:39 - How to find a groove as a new homeschooling family

Tim Hawkins (for fun)

Science Is…

Low days 

Gretchen Rubin (what motivates you)

Good books for Catholic kids

Contact

• On Instagram at @make.joy.normal 
• By email at [email protected]
• Search podcast episodes by topic 
• www.bonnielandry.ca
• Shop my recommended resources
  
  

Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast! 

send us a text via Fan Mail!

If you would like to support this podcast, click HERE. 

ALSO, masterclass coming up on dictation 

This week we address some of the common problems or challenges that families experience while homeschooling.  Building community, time to ourselves,  being present and letting go of an agenda when necessary.  

1:11 - How do you develop a social life when you struggle finding community?
7:37 - Hosting a group activity
10:00 - Finding time for ourselves - Plan it
16:30 - Tips for moms who struggle to be present with kids
19:25 - When your child has an insatiable need to be with you
22:51 - How to make conversation and build trust with your kids
29:21 - How can we let go of what we wish our kids would learn
                 vs. what they want to learn?

Posts about community and how to build i

Keep scrolling for some up and coming coolness:  

https://www.bonnielandry.ca/blog-1/i-have-an-ide

www.bonnielandry.ca

https://makejoynormal.buzzsprout.com/

https://www.instagram.com/make.joy.normal/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsfIDBvmmcjp3HWdLgAUrFw

Contact

• On Instagram at @make.joy.normal 
• By email at [email protected]
• Search podcast episodes by topic 
• www.bonnielandry.ca
• Shop my recommended resources
  
  

Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast! 

send us a text via Fan Mail!

We're back with season two of Make Joy Normal!

"Having a baby or not having a baby could be equally risky."

When and how do we decide it's the right time to have another baby?  Elizabeth and Bonnie discuss the various stages and concerns we go through when we're thinking about adding to our families.  

One of the things we have to consider is that there isn't really a "right time..." but we have to learn some management tools.  

3:05 - Openness to having babies through the chaos 
6:52 - What is it like going from one to two children and so on? 
8:02 - When do you know if you're ready for another baby? 
14:51 - How do I secure help in times of pregnancy? 
 20:42 - Homeschooling through the insecurities and struggles of pregnancy? 
25:56 - Finding ways to reduce our expectations in our homeschooling 
29:51 - Changes, struggles and depression 
35:14 - Having boundaries to meet your needs

Contact

• On Instagram at @make.joy.normal 
• By email at [email protected]
• Search podcast episodes by topic 
• www.bonnielandry.ca
• Shop my recommended resources
  
  

Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast! 

send us a text via Fan Mail!

In our last episode of this season,  before we break for Christmas, we get started on a discussion that will require some furthering in future episodes!  How can we make the most of the books we read?  How can we get education naturally derived from our walk with reading to our kids?  How we approach reading can really open up some many ways for education to be amazing, natural and cozy.  

Bride’s Tree

Because it’s a time of year to spend with our families, I didn’t get to the pdf of the idea we talk about regarding “concentric circles” - but I will get to it and let you all know!

2:21 - Bride's Tree tradition 
4:19 - How to read a book so it becomes the curriculum 
13:49 - Concentric circles as a tool for learning 
21:22 - Do you plan ahead or do you wing it? 
22:40 - Can you teach a lesson through fantasy literature?
26:02 - What does a character discussion look like? 
28:25 - Teaching the Classics 
32:12 - How about vocabulary?
36:50 - What if I fear I will miss something or teach something incorrectly?

To really expand on this idea, I’ve got a video workshop on YouTube (be warned, it’s in  four parts and is 4.5 hours long!). That’s available here:

And here’s the resource list we talk about, you can print it off to aid in questions to ask.
Resource sheet

Teaching the Classics

Thoughts on reading together

Contact

• On Instagram at @make.joy.normal 
• By email at [email protected]
• Search podcast episodes by topic 
• www.bonnielandry.ca
• Shop my recommended resources
  
  

Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast! 

send us a text via Fan Mail!

If you would like to support this podcast, click HERE. 

We discuss a few different things this episode.  Starting with technology and it’s place in homeschooling, we share experiences and ideas for managing what’s good online and avoiding the crap.  

We also talk about when kids interrupt while you are trying to get things done with other kids.  What’s going on?  How could we manage the situation? 

Also, we talk about some of our favourite Christmas books.   Because, books.  

0:44 - Christmas traditions 
6:08 - Time and place for technology in homeschooling?
20:16 - How do you juggle time with individual children without interruptions?
25:39 - The tyranny of the urgent (PDF)
31:30 - Favourite Christmas books

Some virtual field trip websites:

Best Virtual Field Trip for Kids

10 Best Virtual Field Trips for Kids Stuck at Home

41 Virtual Field Trips for Kids to Get Them Learning About the World

Where to find the poster Tyranny of the Urgent 

Keep scrolling for some up and coming coolness:  

https://www.bonnielandry.ca/blog-1/i-have-an-idea

www.bonnielandry.ca

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsfIDBvmmcjp3HWdLgAUrFw

Contact

• On Instagram at @make.joy.normal 
• By email at [email protected]
• Search podcast episodes by topic 
• www.bonnielandry.ca
• Shop my recommended resources
  
  

Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast! 

send us a text via Fan Mail!

 If you would like to support this podcast, click HERE. 

We interview Michael P. Foley, author of Drinking With The Saints:  

The Sinner’s Guide to a Holy Happy Hou

We address the topic of why a niche book like this matters for busy parents!  Michael and his wife homeschool their six kids, AND like a nice cocktail, so definitely experts on this particular topic.   Michael walks us through not only the importance of a good cocktail, but also a good celebration and a good strategy.

5:46 - How Bonnie found Michael's book/started mixing cocktails
8:11 - How the book is structured 
11:28 - The best cocktail
13:02 - Cocktails for the newbie and for Advent
14:00 - How to mix
20:53 - Smokers and bitters
27:27 - Michael's favourite cocktail
30:39 - Ideas for mocktails
32:19 - "The Homeschool Mom" and grenadine
34:01 - Good starter that anyone would like
38:09 - Vermouth, Gin and Wine
41:29 - Bonnie's favourite drink from "Drinking with the Saints"

Drinking With The Saints website

DWTS Facebook page

Some other books by Mr. Foley:

Gus Finds God

Why Catholics Eat Fish on Friday

Politically Incorrect Guide to Christianity

Drinking with the Saints MERCH

Libbey glasses for your perusal

What are angostura bitters, anyway?

A brief history of the cocktail

Some awesome bitters from Vancouver Island - my home

Some mocktail ideas

Cocktails in my life

And some mo

“The Homeschool Mom” 

1/3 gin

1/3 tonic

1/3 grapefruit juice

Fill a coffee cup with ice.  Pour all ingredients over the ice.  Swirl in your glass.  

If you’re a newbie, ( to homeschooling OR to cocktail drinking) add a squirt of grenadine. 

The Anvil Bar and Refuge, if you’re going to Housto

Give your input for a support community

Contact

• On Instagram at @make.joy.normal 
• By email at [email protected]
• Search podcast episodes by topic 
• www.bonnielandry.ca
• Shop my recommended resources
  
  

Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast! 

send us a text via Fan Mail!

 If you would like to support this podcast, click HERE. 

This episode we chat with the lovely Kelly Briggs, aka Simple Home Mom - Kelly brings such helpful gifts to the table for moms.  Simple is her modus operandi, and helping moms do the same…we share her journey, struggles and successes.  What do we value?  What matters to us?  How do we do it all?  Or do we…? These are the questions we need to explore in order to create what simple is in our own life.  Thanks for sharing yourself with us, Kelly!  

 5:45 - When did you develop a need for simplicity?
9:11 - What do you do to simplify your family life? 
15:29 - Assessment and evaluation 
26:54 - How Kelly's work supports homeschoolers
30:47 - Tips for decluttering when feeling financial strain
34:18 - What are your top three tips for moms to get started?
37:15 - Ideas for building community and finding accountability
38:31 - Recommended resources

Create a family purpose statement

Check out Kelly’s BEAUTIFUL instagram account for encouragement and ideas and all her golden nuggets. 

https://www.simplehomemom.com

https://www.instagram.com/simplehomemom/

Here are the books Kelly recommends:

Simple, Happy Parenting

Simplicity Parenting

Clutter Free with Kids

Teaching from Rest

Homeschooling Simplified: what matters mos

Give your input for a support community

Keep scrolling for some up and coming coolness:  

https://www.bonnielandry.ca/blog-1/i-have-an-idea

www.bonnielandry.ca

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsfIDBvmmcjp3HWdLgAUrFw

Contact

• On Instagram at @make.joy.normal 
• By email at [email protected]
• Search podcast episodes by topic 
• www.bonnielandry.ca
• Shop my recommended resources
  
  

Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast! 

send us a text via Fan Mail!

If you would like to support this podcast, click HERE. 

This episode we take a few questions on different topics.  We discuss a question from a dad…the varieties of the father’s role in homeschool, and what is the best way a dad can support his family in the homeschool endeavour.  We also address an age old question…what DO I do when my family or friends are opposing or decision, or that our family decision is under scrutiny or criticism.  

The topic of transitioning from younger years to older children is discussed; how do we move into high school while still maintaining a good relationship and a cozy environment?  

1:02 - Best ways for the father to support the homeschooling process
10:07 - How do you deal with disapproval from others? 
19:52 - Transitioning from younger years to more independent work 
27:08 - What if you didn't start homeschooling from the beginning?
30:48 - "Catching up" vs. moving forward 
31:48 - What do you do if your kids don't like dictation?
42:20 - Recommendation for poetry

Research on homeschooling for discussion

https://homeschool.today/research/

Dictation resources

https://www.bonnielandry.ca/blog-1/dictation-for-newbies

Video on dictation

The Poet’s Eye by Arthur Alexander

Give your input for a support community

Keep scrolling for some up and coming coolness:  

https://www.bonnielandry.ca/blog-1/i-have-an-idea

www.bonnielandry.ca

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsfIDBvmmcjp3HWdLgAUrFw

Contact

• On Instagram at @make.joy.normal 
• By email at [email protected]
• Search podcast episodes by topic 
• www.bonnielandry.ca
• Shop my recommended resources
  
  

Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!