Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool

Join my conversation with Janelle, a dynamic homeschool mom of three young children. Discover her unique approach to homeschooling using a hybrid model that combines in-person schooling with home education. Janelle shares her family's routine, organizational tips, and secrets for balancing homeschooling with multiple part-time jobs.

We also talked about the importance of socialization, forming supportive mom groups, and how embracing a 'scrunchy' lifestyle works best for her family. Janelle also offers invaluable tips for managing work-life balance and maintaining sanity in a hectic homeschool environment.

Don’t miss out on her insights and resources that could transform your homeschooling journey!

Connect with Janelle

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flinthillsmom

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557688556215

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flinthillsmom

Website: flinthillsmom.com

Playing Preschool Homeschool Curriculum: https://shop.busytoddler.com/product/playing-preschool-complete-program/

Book Resources:

Problem Solving Ninja

Everyone Feels Angry Sometimes

How to Win Friends and Influence People

About Janelle:

Janelle is a homeschool mom to three little kids. She writes about parenting, crafts, and family travel on her website, flinthillsmom.com. She balances several remote roles—including healthcare consultation and fitness leadership—while also volunteering as Parent Liaison at her children’s hybrid homeschool. Formerly a healthcare executive and mediator, Janelle now channels her energy into nurturing both her family and community with heart and purpose.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:31 Meet Janelle and Her Family

01:35 Homeschooling Journey and Hybrid Model

03:57 Balancing Homeschooling and Work

06:59 Daily Routine and Organizational Tips

15:15 Managing Phone Use and Quiet Time

23:27 Extracurricular Activities and Community Involvement

42:12 Family Mail Time and Rest Time Summary

43:13 Dinner and Evening Family Time

44:04 Bedtime Routine and Reading

45:55 Daily Planning and Organization

52:15 Homeschooling and Family Dynamics

01:05:42 Building Social Connections

01:18:27 Final Thoughts and Resources

In this episode, I talk about the unique challenges and reflections from my first year of homeschooling with a kindergartner and an infant who eventually grew into a curious toddler. Despite moving homes and the inevitable chaos of juggling a newborn and homeschooling, I share practical tips and strategies that helped us navigate this journey. From the ease of homeschooling with a three-month-old to the complexities of accommodating a mobile toddler, I offer insights and encouragement for those considering homeschooling with young children. Tune in for advice on integrating nap times with learning schedules, using walkers and playpens for safe movement, and making the most of your time with each child. Join the conversation and share your own experiences or questions in the comments!

00:00 Introduction and Morning Walk

00:00 Starting Homeschooling with an Infant

01:18 Challenges of Homeschooling a Crawling Baby

02:35 Adapting to Nap Times and Play

03:15 Managing a Walking Toddler

03:44 Tools and Tips for Homeschooling with a Toddler

04:42 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

05:06 Community Engagement and Podcast Invitation

06:18 Conclusion

[FREE] Join the Summer Prep Series

Hey there! Welcome back to Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool. This super quick bonus episode was recorded from my bed, and I'm racing the clock before the baby wakes up!

Tomorrow is the beginning of my summer prep series, and if you need to get ready for the school year like I do, join me! I'll be diving into organizing, curriculum planning, and setting up our homeschool space.

We have a fun, eight-week schedule (with week eight being a rest week) leading up to September. We'll be using Voxer for seamless communication, sharing resources, asking questions, and planning together as a community. It's totally free, and the link to join is in the show notes.

Whether you're starting a bit late or on time, come aboard and let's make this prep time fun and productive! See you in the summer prep series! https://stan.store/theorganizedhomeschool/p/summer-start-strong-series

00:00 Introduction and Quick Update

00:23 Summer Prep Series Overview

01:01 Planning for the Upcoming School Year

01:29 Summer Activities and Planning

02:19 Join the Summer Prep Series

02:44 Using Voxer for Communication

03:33 Community and Support

03:58 Final Thoughts and Invitation

In this episode of Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool Podcast, I'm thrilled to chat with Erica Johns, a seasoned homeschool mom who has homeschooled her six children for 24 years. Erica shares her journey from starting homeschooling in the late '90s to managing a busy household with six children, including times of crisis and shifting educational paths.

We discuss important topics like evaluating homeschooling decisions, balancing mental health with academics, and empowering teenagers to take ownership of their educational paths. Erica also provides practical advice on staying organized, handling curriculum choices, and the importance of reflective practices.

Finally, we talk about her current endeavors, including supporting homeschooling families through TikTok and the TikTok Homeschool Conference. Join us for this rich, insightful conversation that provides a wealth of wisdom for any homeschooler, at any stage of their journey.

Connect with Erica:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericateachey

Sign up for the Tiktok Homeschool Conference emails:

https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1317014/145514467788063777/share

About Erica:

Erica homeschooled her 6 kids for 24 years, starting way back in the 1900s. Her kids are all grown up now, and she even has homeschooled grandkids. Now Erica continues to help the homeschool community with her Erica Johns: How to Homeschool tiktok account, by organizing the Tiktok Homeschool Conferences each month, and through her social media agency where she works with homeschool brands and content creators to help spread the word about terrific homeschool products and services.

00:00 Welcome to the Organized Homeschool Podcast

00:22 Meet Erica: A Homeschool Veteran

00:39 The Journey of Homeschooling Six Kids

01:35 Navigating Challenges and Making Decisions

03:56 Evaluating Homeschooling Choices

06:39 The Importance of Flexibility in Homeschooling

10:04 Empowering Children in Their Educational Path

14:58 Practical Tips for Homeschooling Success

19:30 Reflecting and Adjusting Your Homeschool Approach

25:37 Supporting Older Kids in Homeschooling

35:45 Reflecting on Homeschooling Journey

36:02 Organizing Homeschooling for Multiple Kids

38:41 Homeschooling Challenges and Solutions

41:29 Graduation and Transcripts

45:01 Respecting Children's Choices

47:05 Mental Health and Homeschooling

52:01 Homeschooling and Business Ventures

58:31 TikTok Homeschool Community

01:06:24 Balancing Business and Homeschooling

In this voice note, I explore the role of state or local education departments in providing support to homeschooling families. Based on responses from Facebook groups, I discuss the mandatory reviews required in our state to ensure educational standards and the community's mixed feelings on whether the government should offer additional support, such as funding or workshops. I delve into the pros and cons of government involvement and wonder if having homeschoolers run support programs funded by the county could change perceptions. Join the conversation and share your thoughts with me on Instagram or TikTok.

00:00 Introduction and Morning Walk Thoughts

00:41 Homeschool Oversight and Reviews

04:00 Community Feedback on Oversight

04:55 Exploring Alternative Support Models

06:16 Invitation to Join the Conversation

07:47 Final Thoughts and Questions

🧮 Grab your copy of Math With Confidence

Welcome back to Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool!

In this episode, I share my experiences and thoughts on using the Kindergarten Math with Confidence curriculum during our school year and summer learning.

I share why we stuck with it for a whole year and highlight the curriculum's strengths. I also discuss how the curriculum uses engagement methods to help build my child's math confidence. Plus, I talk about my plans to supplement this curriculum for the upcoming year. If you're considering Math with Confidence or looking to enhance your homeschooling methods, tune in to hear all the details and tips!

00:00 Introduction to Kindergarten Math with Confidence

00:42 Curriculum Structure and Initial Impressions

02:48 Conceptual Understanding and Teaching Methods

04:33 Games and Activities for Learning

05:50 Workbook Practice and Daily Lessons

08:28 Looking Ahead: First Grade and Beyond

10:29 Conclusion and Community Engagement

✅ Grab my free Weekly Planning checklist!

📚Start Planning using my Homeschool For Freedom Planner!

Welcome back to Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool, recorded on the go as I share my opinion about the importance of planning in homeschooling!

As a former principal and teacher, planning is second nature to me. In this episode I talk about why I plan our homeschool schedule, the benefits of using my 'Homeschool for Freedom Planner,' and how planning helps me gauge our progress, especially when using open-and-go curriculum options.

Tune in to hear about a recent 'aha' moment, my strategies for adjusting our homeschool plans, and the importance of flexibility.

Plus, find out how you can try my planner and weekly planning checklist to streamline your homeschooling journey!

00:00 Introduction and Morning Routine

00:17 What is Pure Bar?

00:59 Different Approaches to Homeschool Planning

01:47 My Personal Planning Strategy

03:22 Reflecting on Weekly Plans

05:18 Flexibility in Homeschooling

07:36 Conclusion and Resources

In this episode of Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool, I share a personal story about teaching my five-year-old son how to swim, which led me to reflect on broader teaching principles.

I recount his initial struggles and fears with swimming lessons and how he eventually overcame them with the right support and tools.

This experience reminded me of the importance of taking things slow, giving necessary support, and allowing children to learn at their own pace. I relate these insights to homeschooling, emphasizing how tools and gradual support can help children succeed in their academic endeavors.

00:00 Introduction and Morning Walk

00:23 Swimming Lessons: A Journey

03:12 Overcoming Fear with Goggles

05:14 Breakthrough Moment

06:08 Teaching Lessons from Swimming

09:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this voice note from a morning walk, I discuss the recent assessment my son took, why I chose to have him take it, and how he performed. As a former principal and teacher, I shared my opinion on the importance of familiarizing my son with tests for his future education and ensuring he's on track with his skills.

I chose the NWEA MAP test for its adaptability and comprehensive reports. Despite the muggy weather, this walk gave me an opportunity to reflect on the benefits of assessments and share my son's achievements in reading and math.

Here is the site I used to get access to the test - https://homeschoolboss.com/

00:00 Morning Walk and Introduction

00:20 The Importance of Assessments

02:43 Choosing the Right Assessment

03:53 Administering the Test

04:34 Interpreting the Results

05:55 Supporting My Son During the Test

07:04 Reflecting on the Outcomes

In this voice note, I discuss how I balance homeschooling my boys and managing a freelance project management business. I outline my typical weekly routine, which involves dedicating Tuesdays to client meetings with the help of a babysitter, and fitting work around homeschooling and family time on other days. Today, our babysitter couldn't come, so I adapted by using screen time and a new hack and play setup for my toddler. Despite the challenges, I managed to complete client meetings and homeschool activities. I describe the less-than-perfect but functional balance I maintain and invite you to share your own experiences and questions.

00:00 Introduction and Video Overview

00:12 Balancing Freelance Work and Homeschooling

01:01 Weekly Routine and Client Management

01:28 Childcare and Work Boundaries

02:49 A Day in the Life: Unexpected Changes

04:28 Concluding Thoughts