Homeschool Moms Unfiltered

Politics affects our kids long before they're old enough to vote, so how do we help them understand the world around them without overwhelming them or telling them what to think? This week, we're talking about when and how to introduce politics, navigating tough conversations with sensitive and neurodivergent kids, building critical thinking and media literacy skills, and helping kids find...

Kids are naturally curious about the world around them, so why does their enthusiasm for learning science start declining as early as third grade? In this episode, we're digging into a fascinating study involving more than 7,000 students and exploring what the findings mean for homeschoolers. From the pressure to cover curriculum to the importance of hands-on exploration, we're talking abo...

⚠️⚠️⚠️ TIME SENSITIVE ⚠️⚠️⚠️ We are finalists for a Signal Award - which in the world of podcasting is incredibly exciting!!  We’d be SO grateful if you’d take a moment and toss your vote our way for the Listener’s Choice award. It takes two minutes and costs nothing, but we’ll express ship our eternal gratitude your way for the effort.   Click here to vote: https://bit.ly/awardvotehmu — Voting EN...

We're finalists for a Signal Award - which is a huge honor and a big freaking deal! We would super duper appreciate your support for the Listener's Choice Award. At the time we are posting this we are just 2% down. Voting takes 2 minutes and costs nothing. Spread the word. We'd be super grateful for all the help we can get! Head here to vote ⬅️ Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank yo...

⚠️⚠️⚠️ TIME SENSITIVE ⚠️⚠️⚠️ We are finalists for a Signal Award - which in the world of podcasting is incredibly exciting!!  We’d be SO grateful if you’d take a moment and toss your vote our way for the Listener’s Choice award. It takes two minutes and costs nothing, but we’ll express ship our eternal gratitude your way for the effort.   Click here to vote: https://bit.ly/awardvotehmu — Voting EN...

Portfolio reviews, work samples, district meetings… how much proof of homeschooling do you actually need? This week, we’re talking about what’s worth documenting, what you can stop saving, how requirements can vary wildly depending on where and how you homeschool, and why your portfolio should reflect the education your child actually received… not manufacture a school-shaped version of it. Whethe...

Homeschool socialization… everyone has an opinion, but what does it actually look like in real life? This week, we’re talking about how much socialization kids really need, close friends vs. acquaintances, avoiding the urge to overschedule, and how we’ve helped our own kids find their people from the elementary years through the teens. Our next book club pick is The Self-Driven Child. Want to join...

This week, we’re recapping The Yes Brain by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson, our latest Homeschool Moms Unfiltered Book Club pick. We’re sharing the bits we loved, the parts that got us thinking, and how the book’s approach to resilience, flexibility, and emotional growth might be relevant on your homeschooling and parenting journey.  Our next book club pick is The Self-Driven Child. Want t...

How much does homeschooling really cost? Spoiler: the curriculum is only the beginning. This week, we’re digging into potential hidden costs of homeschooling. We’ll explore lost income, extracurriculars, co-op fees, gas, subscriptions, testing, and teen expenses. We’ll also talk about things that are harder to quantify like time, energy, and mental load. They never show up on the receipt, but we f...

Your kid finished the lesson, completed the worksheet, and checked every box... but did they actually learn it? This week, we’re talking about what makes learning stick, why simply doing more practice isn’t always the answer, and how mistakes and meaningful feedback can turn practice into real understanding. We’ll also share simple ways to spot the difference between completing the work and actual...

Discovering that your child has a significant gap in reading, writing, math, or another foundational skill can send even the most seasoned homeschool parent into a panic spiral. In this episode, we’re talking about how to figure out what’s actually missing, address learning gaps without turning “catching up” into your child’s entire education, and protect their confidence along the way. Because so...

We were recently asked to talk about homeschooling neurodivergent kids who struggle, and it got us thinking about why struggle isn't always the part of our homeschool lives you hear us talking about most these days. Our kids absolutely do struggle, and there have been seasons when those struggles were incredibly difficult, but we've also spent years learning how their brains work and inten...

For many homeschoolers, this time of year means a fresh start and new planning cycle. In this episode, we’re sharing our real-life homeschool plans for the 2026–2027 school year, including the curriculum we’re using, the classes and activities on the calendar, what we’re changing from last year, and how we’re thinking through it all. We’re inviting you behind the scenes to hear what we chose, what...

Reading instruction has become one of the biggest conversations in education, but what does the research actually say? In this episode, we explore the science behind phonics, how reading instruction shifted away from explicit phonics, and why so many schools are returning to evidence-based practices. We also share practical, play-based ways to introduce phonics at home, favorite resources for diff...

This week we're sharing one of our favorite homeschool "superpowers"... turning one simple resource into weeks or even months of rich, meaningful learning. Whether you're using a curriculum, a library book, a documentary, or a unit study, we'll show you how to follow your child's curiosity, make natural connections across subjects, and build unforgettable learning experiences without buying more c...

What if your child's biggest interest wasn't a distraction from learning, but the key to deeper, more meaningful education? In this episode, we explore how to leverage your child's passions - from trucks and horses to astronomy and beyond - to build a rich, academically rigorous homeschool without sacrificing curiosity. We share practical ideas for every stage, from preschool through h...

Feeling like you have no idea what you’re doing? You're not alone. In this episode, we share 10 practical ways to build confidence as a homeschool parent. We’ll review topics like understanding how children actually learn and what's developmentally appropriate to finding your homeschool philosophy, tuning out comparison, embracing flexibility, and knowing when to pivot. We also talk about...

What does it really look like to homeschool a dyslexic learner? In this episode, we're joined by a homeschool mom who shares her family's firsthand experience navigating dyslexia… the challenges, the victories, the resources that helped, and what she wishes every parent knew. Even if dyslexia isn't part of your homeschool journey, this conversation is well worth a listen. Whether you o...

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase play-based learning ? If you're picturing chaos, endless toys, and children running wild with no real education happening, you're not alone, but that picture couldn't be further from the truth. In this episode, we unpack what intentional play-based education actually looks like, why it's backed by decades of research, and how parents can...

Are podcasts just entertainment, or have we been underestimating their educational value? In this episode, we dig into the research on listening, reading comprehension, knowledge retention, accessibility, and learning through audio. We explore what the science says, why podcasts can be a powerful tool for many learners, and how homeschooling gives us the freedom to rethink what learning can look l...

🚨 BOOK PREORDER ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 https://homeschoolmomsunfiltered.com/ Preorder by June 23rd and we’ll send you a signed copy of The Only Homeschool Book You Actually Need . Now… on to the episode… Most of us know life skills matter. The problem is that teaching them is often slower, messier, and far more frustrating than just doing the thing ourselves. In this episode, we're talking about cho...

🚨 BOOK PREORDER ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 https://homeschoolmomsunfiltered.com/ Preorder by June 23rd and we’ll send you a signed copy of The Only Homeschool Book You Actually Need . Now… on to the episode… In this episode, we unpack our most recent book club selection, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk .  Long story short, some of this very old book has aged like spoiled milk. ...

🚨 BOOK PREORDER ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 https://homeschoolmomsunfiltered.com/ At the time we are posting this episode, we have precisely EIGHT preorder bundles left!!When you preorder, you’ll get our limited launch bundle: a signed copy of The Only Homeschool Book You Actually Need , a free themed unit study, access to a live author Q&A, and the limited-edition Proud Woke Homeschooler sticker. But th...

We’re dropping a quick update into your feed today to share a little behind-the-scenes book launch news and share a bit about why we wrote The Only Homeschool Book You Actually Need. Whether you're new to homeschooling or been at it for a while, we'll share 8 reasons we genuinely think this resource can make homeschooling feel less overwhelming and more sustainable. At the time we’re posti...

🚨 BOOK PREORDER ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 https://homeschoolmomsunfiltered.com/ When you preorder, you’ll get our limited launch bundle: a signed copy of The Only Homeschool Book You Actually Need , a free themed unit study, access to a live author Q&A, and the limited-edition Proud Woke Homeschooler sticker. But the full bundle is only available for the first 100 preorders (and for full transparency,...