Learning isn’t complicated—and it never was. In this video, I share why American education thrived under the guidance of McGuffey and collapsed under the so-called reforms of Horace Mann. We’ll look at how real learning is simple, rooted in the Bible, and fueled by personal responsibility—not by state control or academic fads. I’ll also show you how to identify vintage materials that nourish your child’s soul instead of stuffing their minds with educational “candy.” If you’re looking for practical homeschooling wisdom that actually works, you’re in the right place. 

✨ Visit my website for free resources and tools to support your homeschool journey:

https://momdelights.com/index.php/blog/

Here is the link to the Homeschooling 101 playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi-jr9P7R1o&list=PLxbcoXQo3Qiy5eKASa0BO7prU0dgldPFK ____________________________

Interested in supporting the work of Mom Delights? You can go to my blog and you will find a donate button on the side bar or the bottom of the blog post page: https://momdelights.com/index.php/blog/

In case you were wondering... I am the homeschooling mom of 15, and I'm on a mission to lift up women in their sacred calling to being wives, mothers, and homebuilders for the glory of God.

||||} where to find me:

……..contact: [email protected]

……..blog: http://momdelights.com/

……..Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdelights15/ (momdelights15)

……..Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/largefamily...

||||} products by me for moms:

……..Glorious Mothering: How to Become a Joyful, Peaceful, Carefree Mom of Many https://amzn.to/2RNUC3Z

.......Splendid Spelling: A Gentle Foundation for Good Spelling https://www.amazon.com/Splendid-Spelling-Gentle-Foundation-Good/dp/B0BBCSXL7K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1O8KLX0UDKUT0&keywords=the+spelling+book+sherry+hayes&qid=1675389831&sprefix=the+spelling+book+sherry+haye%2Caps%2C418&sr=8-1

……..The Record Book: Make ALL of Your Learning Counthttps://amzn.to/30UvWuB ||||} The Lesson Book. A Charlotte Mason-style unworktext for the McGuffey readers and other twaddle free books (you can find free versions of these for download on my blog, MomDelights.com)

.…….The Lesson Book Level One: https://amzn.to/2TWupTq

……..The Lesson Book Level Two: https://amzn.to/2TSel5f

……..The Lesson Book Level Three: https://amzn.to/37slhK7

……..The Lesson Book Level Four: https://amzn.to/2NZFEXo

……..The Lesson Book Level Five: https://amzn.to/30PvMVy ||||} Gentle Grammar. Simple lessons for beginning writers (free versions are available for free on my blog, MomDelights.com)

.……..Gentle Grammar Level 1: https://amzn.to/2S13VxN

……..Gentle Grammar Level 2: https://amzn.to/3aJG1iu

……..Gentle Grammar Level 3: https://amzn.to/38HPyoJ

……..Gentle Grammar Level 4: https://amzn.to/36vCh17

***These are affiliate links but they will not cost you more. If you click through you and make a purchase you will be supporting Mom Delights.

Music track: Giant Wave by Zambolino Source: https://freetouse.com/music Vlog Music for Videos (Free Download)

Angels Music composed and recorded by Oak Studios. Link: • [Background Music] Angels - Artistic ... | Creative Commons - Attribution ND 4.0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvNC_EOpb8c&list=PL8hapc2gtF5Fo03eEnfp-t34aLkXdzI0L&index=2

Music track: Sky Clearing by Epic Spectrum Source: https://freetouse.com/music Free Background Music for Video

Music track: Wallflower by Epic Spectrum Source: https://freetouse.com/music Background Music for Video (Free)

Music track: Yellow Flower by Kashia Source: https://freetouse.com/music Copyright Free Music for Video Music track: Tension Rising by Aylex Source: https://freetouse.com/music Vlog Music for Video (Free Download)

What if true education doesn’t require eight hours a day, five days a week? Discover the genius of the one-room schoolhouse model—a system that fostered freedom, faith, and nearly 100% literacy. Learn how you can reclaim this model in your homeschool with help from Charlotte Mason, Ruth Beechick, and the wisdom of America’s founders.

Here is the link to the article about math: http://www.besthomeschooling.org/articles/math_david_albert.html

Here is the link to Wall Builders: https://wallbuilders.com/

Here is the link to Mott Media: https://www.mottmedia.com/

Here is the link to DIY Homeschooler: https://diyhomeschooler.com/

Here is the link to Freedom Homeschooling: https://freedomhomeschooling.com/

✨ Visit my website for free resources and tools to support your homeschool journey:

https://momdelights.com/index.php/blog/

Here is the link to the Homeschooling 101 playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi-jr9P7R1o&list=PLxbcoXQo3Qiy5eKASa0BO7prU0dgldPFK ____________________________

Interested in supporting the work of Mom Delights? You can go to my blog and you will find a donate button on the side bar or the bottom of the blog post page: https://momdelights.com/index.php/blog/

In case you were wondering... I am the homeschooling mom of 15, and I'm on a mission to lift up women in their sacred calling to being wives, mothers, and homebuilders for the glory of God.

||||} where to find me:

……..contact: [email protected]

……..blog: http://momdelights.com/

……..Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdelights15/ (momdelights15)

……..Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/largefamily...

||||} products by me for moms:

……..Glorious Mothering: How to Become a Joyful, Peaceful, Carefree Mom of Many https://amzn.to/2RNUC3Z

.......Splendid Spelling: A Gentle Foundation for Good Spelling https://www.amazon.com/Splendid-Spelling-Gentle-Foundation-Good/dp/B0BBCSXL7K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1O8KLX0UDKUT0&keywords=the+spelling+book+sherry+hayes&qid=1675389831&sprefix=the+spelling+book+sherry+haye%2Caps%2C418&sr=8-1

……..The Record Book: Make ALL of Your Learning Counthttps://amzn.to/30UvWuB ||||} The Lesson Book. A Charlotte Mason-style unworktext for the McGuffey readers and other twaddle free books (you can find free versions of these for download on my blog, MomDelights.com)

.…….The Lesson Book Level One: https://amzn.to/2TWupTq

……..The Lesson Book Level Two: https://amzn.to/2TSel5f

……..The Lesson Book Level Three: https://amzn.to/37slhK7

……..The Lesson Book Level Four: https://amzn.to/2NZFEXo

……..The Lesson Book Level Five: https://amzn.to/30PvMVy ||||} Gentle Grammar. Simple lessons for beginning writers (free versions are available for free on my blog, MomDelights.com)

.……..Gentle Grammar Level 1: https://amzn.to/2S13VxN

……..Gentle Grammar Level 2: https://amzn.to/3aJG1iu

……..Gentle Grammar Level 3: https://amzn.to/38HPyoJ

……..Gentle Grammar Level 4: https://amzn.to/36vCh17

***These are affiliate links but they will not cost you more. If you click through you and make a purchase you will be supporting Mom Delights.

Music track: Giant Wave by Zambolino Source: https://freetouse.com/music Vlog Music for Videos (Free Download)

Angels Music composed and recorded by Oak Studios. Link: • [Background Music] Angels - Artistic ... | Creative Commons - Attribution ND 4.0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvNC_EOpb8c&list=PL8hapc2gtF5Fo03eEnfp-t34aLkXdzI0L&index=2

Music track: Sky Clearing by Epic Spectrum Source: https://freetouse.com/music Free Background Music for Video

Music track: Wallflower by Epic Spectrum Source: https://freetouse.com/music Background Music for Video (Free)

Music track: Yellow Flower by Kashia Source: https://freetouse.com/music Copyright Free Music for Video Music track: Tension Rising by Aylex Source: https://freetouse.com/music Vlog Music for Video (Free Download)

If you like Charlotte Mason, then you will enjoy learning the deep agreement she has with the original American Education formulated by our founding fathers. Also, you will receive a simple framework for creating a plan that will give your child the best; the simplicity and wisdom of the past combined with the freshness and refining for the future.

Here is the playlist for Charlotte Mason for Real Moms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU5MTbvPD3A&list=PLxbcoXQo3QiwJA4J-lI4_TvGesGa4NRz-

✨ Visit my website for free resources and tools to support your homeschool journey:

https://momdelights.com/index.php/blog/

Here is the link to the Homeschooling 101 playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi-jr9P7R1o&list=PLxbcoXQo3Qiy5eKASa0BO7prU0dgldPFK ____________________________

Interested in supporting the work of Mom Delights? You can go to my blog and you will find a donate button on the side bar or the bottom of the blog post page: https://momdelights.com/index.php/blog/

In case you were wondering... I am the homeschooling mom of 15, and I'm on a mission to lift up women in their sacred calling to being wives, mothers, and homebuilders for the glory of God.

||||} where to find me:

……..contact: [email protected]

……..blog: http://momdelights.com/

……..Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdelights15/ (momdelights15)

……..Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/largefamily...

||||} products by me for moms:

……..Glorious Mothering: How to Become a Joyful, Peaceful, Carefree Mom of Many https://amzn.to/2RNUC3Z

.......Splendid Spelling: A Gentle Foundation for Good Spelling https://www.amazon.com/Splendid-Spelling-Gentle-Foundation-Good/dp/B0BBCSXL7K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1O8KLX0UDKUT0&keywords=the+spelling+book+sherry+hayes&qid=1675389831&sprefix=the+spelling+book+sherry+haye%2Caps%2C418&sr=8-1

……..The Record Book: Make ALL of Your Learning Counthttps://amzn.to/30UvWuB ||||} The Lesson Book. A Charlotte Mason-style unworktext for the McGuffey readers and other twaddle free books (you can find free versions of these for download on my blog, MomDelights.com)

.…….The Lesson Book Level One: https://amzn.to/2TWupTq

……..The Lesson Book Level Two: https://amzn.to/2TSel5f

……..The Lesson Book Level Three: https://amzn.to/37slhK7

……..The Lesson Book Level Four: https://amzn.to/2NZFEXo

……..The Lesson Book Level Five: https://amzn.to/30PvMVy ||||} Gentle Grammar. Simple lessons for beginning writers (free versions are available for free on my blog, MomDelights.com)

.……..Gentle Grammar Level 1: https://amzn.to/2S13VxN

……..Gentle Grammar Level 2: https://amzn.to/3aJG1iu

……..Gentle Grammar Level 3: https://amzn.to/38HPyoJ

……..Gentle Grammar Level 4: https://amzn.to/36vCh17

***These are affiliate links but they will not cost you more. If you click through you and make a purchase you will be supporting Mom Delights.

Music track: Giant Wave by Zambolino Source: https://freetouse.com/music Vlog Music for Videos (Free Download)

Angels Music composed and recorded by Oak Studios. Link: • [Background Music] Angels - Artistic ... | Creative Commons - Attribution ND 4.0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvNC_EOpb8c&list=PL8hapc2gtF5Fo03eEnfp-t34aLkXdzI0L&index=2

Music track: Sky Clearing by Epic Spectrum Source: https://freetouse.com/music Free Background Music for Video

Music track: Wallflower by Epic Spectrum Source: https://freetouse.com/music Background Music for Video (Free)

Music track: Yellow Flower by Kashia Source: https://freetouse.com/music Copyright Free Music for Video Music track: Tension Rising by Aylex Source: https://freetouse.com/music Vlog Music for Video (Free Download)

Discover the rich, faith-rooted tradition of true American Education and why it may be the superior choice for your homeschool — beyond the elitism of Classical models. 

In this post, we explore what makes American Education unique, biblically grounded, and empowering — especially for families seeking structure, purpose, and freedom. 

Drawing from the wisdom of Noah Webster, McGuffey, and America's founders, this post outlines a compelling case for an education that frees the heart and trains the mind. 

Here is the link to my website where you will find loads of free resources: MomDelights.com

In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what “real” learning looks like after 36 years of homeschooling my 15 children. We’ve journeyed through the philosophies of Charlotte Mason, Ruth Beechick, Raymond Moore, John Holt, and more—but now it’s time to ask: How do we put all of this into practice? 

I’ll walk you through a 30,000-foot view of a four-part framework that changed everything for our family: 

1. A child’s relationship with God and man 
2. Tools for learning (the basics done well) 
3. Content (truth-driven and interest-based) 
4. Practical skills (the stuff of real life) 

We’ll also talk about why mimicking public education leads to burnout, how to stay focused in a sea of choices, and how to homeschool with purpose, not just curriculum. 

Whether you’re just starting out or have been at this a while, this episode will help you reset and refocus on what really matters. Let’s do this—together. 

For a free printable of this outline, be sure and visit the blog post for this episode on my website:

Are you convinced classical education is good—but still feel something’s missing? 

After homeschooling 15 children over 36 years, I’ve discovered a deeper, richer way of learning—one that engages not just the mind, but the heart. In today’s video, I explore the concept of “heart-thinking,” drawn from Scripture, science, and real-life moments that can only happen at home. 

We’ll talk about: 

• Why true learning involves more than just intellect 
• What the Bible says about “delight” and how it relates to education 
• How even the most reluctant learner can be transformed by joy 
• Why some of the most powerful teaching happens in everyday moments—kneading bread, reading aloud, or walking through the woods 

I’ll also share two of my favorite homeschooling books that beautifully express this philosophy. 

If you’ve been looking for a higher path in home education—one rooted in joy, relationship, and God’s design—you’ll find encouragement and practical insight here. 

📚 Resources Mentioned: 

– A Biblical Home Education by Ruth Beechick 

– Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola 

– Mother Culture by Karen Andreola 

– More on John Taylor Gatto in the playlist below 

✨ Visit my website for free resources and tools to support your homeschool journey: https://momdelights.com/index.php/blog/

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you don’t miss the upcoming videos where I’ll dive into the structure behind this “delight-filled” approach. 

What if the secret to a flourishing education isn’t in Classical methods, but in a God-ordained simplicity? Veteran homeschool mom Sherry shares a timeless, Spirit-led approach that shaped the freest nation in history. Learn how to apply Observe, Think, Do—and why the mind of Christ matters more than the well-trained mind. Perfect for Christian homeschooling moms seeking purpose and peace in a complex world.

If you like this type of content, be sure and visit my website, MomDelights.com, where you will even find freebies that will help you in your homeschool journey!

Classical Education is being praised by top conservatives, but after 36 years homeschooling my 15 children, I’ve learned it’s not the answer—and may even be harmful. In this video, I explain why I reject it, share historical insights, and offer practical, Christ-centered alternatives like Charlotte Mason, the Moore Formula, and Unschooling. Listen while you get things done, and let’s rethink what “real learning” means.

Here is the link to the playlist of this series so far: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEW5gnqzsao&list=PLxbcoXQo3Qiy5eKASa0BO7prU0dgldPFK Here is the playlist for "How Should We Then Live", a video series by the late Francis Schaeffer (father of Susan Schaeffer-Macauley, who authored the book "For the Children's Sake" and introduced us to Charlotte Mason). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QeOrzGbLkU&list=PL9cJRl8EYnLeVDDAdgFMc5VPGAq7FU-73

Did you know that America’s earliest education was deeply rooted in Christianity? In this episode, Sherry Hayes—homeschooling mom of 15—dives into the true history of American education, exposing how God was intentionally removed from schools and what that has meant for our nation. Discover how literacy once soared because of the Bible, why public schooling became a “new religion,” and how today’s students are paying the price. Packed with eye-opening stats, forgotten documents, and bold truths, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 

👉 Grab your laundry, tune in, and let's reclaim what we’ve lost. 

#ChristianEducation #PublicSchoolCrisis #Homeschooling #Gatto #FaithAndFreedom

Being the mom of 15 kids has taught me countless lessons in efficiency and organization. From diapering hacks to simplifying daily routines, I’ve learned how to juggle everything with ease. In this post, I share 15 family life hacks that have kept me sane and on top of the chaos! These tips cover everything from quick cleanup routines, efficient shopping, and making the most of your time, to managing kids' clothing and even bathroom time. If you're navigating a busy household or just looking for new ideas to streamline your parenting, this is a must-read! Plus, stay tuned for more hacks in future posts.

For more content like this (and loads of freebies), be sure and visit my website, MomDelights.com