10 Minutes to a Better Homeschool

Homeschooling preschool can seem daunting to first-time parents, not because it its difficult, but instead because this is the first chance to really buck the system and do something different that everyone else. At the end of the day, we feel like now we have to prove that this homeschooling thing is going to work. So what do we do? Usually too much. In this episode Pam breaks down the most impor...

It's my favorite time of year -- time for the homeschool convention. I will be speaking at all five of the regional GHC conventions this year and I think you should attend! In this episode of the podcast I am breaking down three reasons why attending a convention can be beneficial. Will I see you there? 

These days homeschooling is such a common occurrence that when most people ask "Is it legal?" what they really mean is "What do you need to do legally homeschool?" The answer to that is complicated because it varies widely depending on where you live. In today's podcast Pam breaks down where the laws come from, ow you can find out more about them, and what it means to homeschool within the law. 

Teaching to your kids' learning styles is a huge buzzword in homeschool circles, but on today's episode of the podcast we are talking about why it doesn't matter nearly as much as you might think and how it can even be detrimental to your kids' education. Have a listen and let me know what you think! 

  If you homeschool you have probably been asked about socialization. While I have no fear that your kids (or mine) are going to be especially socially awkward, there are some extra things that homeschool moms have to consider when it comes to helping their kids to make friends. I am joined by Mary Wilson today to talk about how we can make sure we are serving our kids well in this area.

The great thing about homeschooling is that we really don't have to do all of the education or our children by ourselves. There are so many opportunities out there to outsource some of the kid's learning. In this episode of the podcast we will talk about why you might want to outsource, some examples of outsourcing, and the benefits and drawbacks of doing so. 

If you have been around homeschooling circles you may have heard the term "deschooling." This podcast answers the questions what is deschooling, how long you might want to do it, as well as some practical suggestions for deschooling-type activities. Pam also talks about if people have always homeschooled need to deschool. Enjoy! 

So many parents now are trying to work and homeschool. Some are working inside the home and some are even working outside the home. The good news is, it totally can be done and my guest today has done it. If your are working for yourself or someone else, inside the home or out, this episode has some actionable tips you can use to make homeschooling happen while you work. Don't miss it! 

Homeschool moms have a tendency to be just a little bit tough on themselves and quite honestly it isn't the most helpful trait we have. Today I am joined by my good friend Mystie Winckler to talk about why we do this and how God uses our homeschools to draw us closer to Him. This all ties into Mystie's new book The Convivial Homeschool. Listen on to find out more. 

I find it sad when families homeschool up until high school and then stop -- not because they don't desire to homeschool further but instead because they think they can't. On our episode today I am here to tell you YES you can, and my special guest Ann Karako knows how -- she's graduated five kids from her homeschool! Ann and I talk about everything from how to do it, is college possible, and incr...

Middle school will bring changes to your homeschool and not all of them will be good. But some will. Just like anything there are life-situations that are difficult, but hey, everyone can read now -- which can be a game-changer for homeschooling. Now is the time to nudge your kids into burgeoning independence (but check up on them often!). We give you all the tips you need to homeschool middle sch...

Nothing strikes fear into the hearts of most homeschooling parents more than teaching their kids math. What if instead of fear we could approach math with curiosity? What if instead of dread, we instead looked at ways we could play?  Today I am joined on the podcast by Mark Hendrickson, the developer of the Math Playground at Beast Academy. Mark chats about how we can look at math differently and...

Homeschooling in the upper elementary years is all about burgeoning independence, but probably not as much as you were hoping for. How can we encourage our kids to take charge of more, while make sure that skills still get covered? And how to we make the all-important leap from learning to read to reading for information? Give this episode a listen to find out. 

Money is often a tough topic for parents to talk about with kids. Maybe this is because many of us have been raised to believe that it is taboo to talk about money. Maybe it's because nobody ever had these conversations with us, so we flounder over what to say. Maybe we just don't want to give bad advice.  Whatever our reluctance to chat about money, it is an important topic we need to address. On...

When you are starting out homeschooling the early years you have a tendency to want to do all the things. The good news is -- you don't need to! Instead early elementary is a time for building habits, following interests, and cementing those important basic skills. In this episode of the podcast I dive deep into what you need to do for early elementary homeschooling.  For the show notes and resour...

It's the age-old questing that is asked often: what do I do when my child just  refuses to do his or her schoolwork? The answer might just surprise you because it has less to do with your child and more to do with you, the homeschooling parent After we rule out that the kid is having a bad day and the refusal is bigger than that, there there are two areas that we need to address as parents to solv...

A good homeschool day often comes down to a good start. The momentum of getting everyone started in the morning can't guarantee that the day will end well, but days rarely end well that never begin in the first place. Right? So in this episode Pam chats about the importance of getting the day off to a good start -- no matter what time that is -- and some tips for how to make that happen.  For more...

Homeschooling work out way better than what you expected? Maybe now, given the choice, homeschooling is something that you have decided to make a permanent fixture for your family. Welcome to the club! In this podcast episode Pam talks about what changes you can make now that you are a long-haul homeschooler and five resources you can use to begin redefining what learning looks like in your home. 

It wasn't what you wanted to do, but because of mandates or other issues, you once again find yourself homeschooling for the new school year. If you are making this change, what are the things that you can do to move closer to a homeschooling lifestyle and enjoy being with your kids more?   In this episode we talk about the difference between homeschooling and virtual schooling, the first steps to...

So often when we begin thinking about homeschooling our kids we form a picture in our heads of what we want it to be like. Unfortunately for many of us, the idyllic vision we create in our heads is not exactly what comes to pass when we actually begin homeschooling.  Does this mean we have to give up the complete vision we created and just settle for checking boxes and getting things done? Not at...

We are totally rebranding and reviving the Homeschool Snapshots. Introducing 10 Minutes to a Better Homeschool where we bring you short, actionable episodes each week to help you make the most of your homeschool days. Good for veterans and newbies alike, join veteran homeschool mom and podcast host Pam Barnhill (and sometimes a guest) as we talk all things homeschooling.

When Emily Cook couldn't find the homeschool curriculum she wanted, she made her own! Emily shares how Build Your Library, her literature-based secular curriculum, got started and how it helps families provide a structured approach to interest-led learning using unit studies and more.

Virginia Lee Rogers, a contributor to Charlotte Mason IRL, shares the story of this lovely Instagram account. Discover the purpose behind these practical, inspirational, & authentic glimpses into real life CM families. And find out how Virginia Lee strives to apply these practices in her homeschool.

As co-host of Homeschool Unrefined, a podcast about all things homeschooling, Maren Goerss delights in lifting up other homeschoolers along their journey. From to-do lists to self care, Maren's reminders and encouragement provide the inspiration to enjoy the everyday and beyond.

You don't have to be a homeschool purist. You can find ways to use different parts of different approaches to help your homeschool flourish. Elsie Iudicello shares her secrets for creating a beautiful blend of Classical and Charlotte Mason homeschooling. Be refreshed with her creative ideas and lovely inspiration!