Coffee With Carrie: Homeschool Podcast

Books take us places (figuratively and literally)!  In this episode of the Coffee With Carrie Homeschool Podcast, Carrie sits down with her daughter Francesca De Francisco to explore the magic of books and how they spark literary wanderlust—both taking us on journeys around the world without ever leaving home and inspiring us to actually travel to the places we read about.  Together they discuss h...

Be inspired to home educate (or to keep homeschooling) your child!  If you need even more reasons to home educate or you need a confidence that you are teaching your children well, then listen to this week's conversation with Jennifer Pepito.  Jennifer Pepito is the best selling author of Mothering by the Book , Habits for a Sacred Home , and soon-to-be- released book, The Inspired Homeschool...

You CAN teach your child to read without being a reading specialist or having a teaching credential.  For most children, learning to read is a natural and relatively easy process.  Homeschool moms do not need to overcomplicate the process or feel inadequate or underqualified.  In this week's coffee break, Carrie talks with Melanie Jeffery, the host of the top 3% globally ranked podcast, Phoni...

"Help! My child is an awful speller?  Why and what can I do?"   Even good readers can be bad spellers.  There's a scientific reason for this.  If you have a child or teen who reads well, has a great vocabulary, but misspells just about everything, then make sure you listen to this episode.  If your child struggles with spelling and/or has dysgraphia or dyslexia, then you will love t...

C.S. Lewis once said, "We read to know that we are not alone”.  Let's spend the year reading with the most reluctant convert and one of the world's most beloved authors and theologians.  In this episode, Carrie shares the year-long unit study she did with her family on the life and works of C.S. Lewis.  The first part of the unit study is perfect for the whole family- from 1st grade...

How many times do you hear in a day “Mom, I need your help" ?  How many times do you say to yourself,  “I need him to do more on his own without my help or without me directing every step of the way.”   In this week's episode, Carrie is addressing a question she gets all the time:  “How can I get my kid to be more independent? ”  Carrie shares simple strategies to help your children and...

Anyone and everyone can homeschool their children, but sometimes, not everyone should homeschool.  The day you became a parent, you became your child's most important teacher so, yes, you can teach your child.  However, there may be life circumstances or challenging seasons that can make home education difficult.  And that is ok!  Saying no to homeschooling for one season doesn't mean it...

Are you interested in the idea of nature studies but aren't quite sure what they are or how to get started?  In this week's episode, Carrie encourages you to dip your feet into the relaxing waters of nature studies. There is no better way to explore and appreciate God’s handiwork than by doing nature studies and there is no better time to try out nature studies than during the summertime...

Don't stress about creating report cards or transcripts!  You may not even need them.  If your state requires them, if your student athlete needs them, if the college admission board requests them,  or if you have no idea if you even want them, then make sure you listen to this week's episode.  Keeping record of your child's learning, recording your child's progress,  and creat...

Carrie is celebrating another year around the sun and another year of motherhood.  As a fun way to celebrate Mother's Day and her Birthday (which happens to fall on the same day this year), Carrie is sitting down with one of her favorite people- her daughter, Francesca!  Carrie and Francesca love to go on coffee dates and talk about life, work, books, cooking, movies, and the family T.  In th...

Carrie and Rachel answer all of your high school questions and calm your fears!  Rachel shares insights from her new book, Their Future Is Shining Bright: A Guide to Homeschooling in High School—and Equipping Your Child for Success and Fulfillment in Adulthood  and Carrie gives advice from her book, Homeschool High School:  A Handbook for Christian Education .  Both Carrie and Rachel have homescho...

Today, did you exercise?  Did you explore nature?  If you are adventure schooling, you've done both and so much more!  What is "adventure schooling?"  In this week's episode, Carrie is talking with Nichole Holze, aka Lucky Wander and Coleyraeh. Nichole breaks down exactly what adventure schooling means and how to adventure responsibly.  She also shares practical insights on sco...

Yes, Physical Education (PE) is truly essential!  Movement and exercise play a key role in your child's overall learning and academic success. Free time is foundational for your teen's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Everything is interconnected, and it all matters. In this week's episode, Carrie discusses why you shouldn't save physical activity for "after you...

What do unicorns, hamsters, and the comparison trap have in common?  If your interest is piqued and you are wondering what on earth this has to do with homeschooling, then join Carrie for this week's podcast.  Do you feel like you are constantly spinning your wheels but going nowhere and accomplishing nothing?  If so, then take a little break from all of the hustle and bustle, get off the cra...

Are you thinking of pulling your child out of the traditional school setting to homeschool?  Are you a homeschool mom thinking of putting your child into a traditional classroom?  If so, make sure you listen to this week's conversation.  This week, Carrie is talking with public school principal turned home educator, Mandy Davis.  Mandy is the founder of Home Built Education and is also a spea...

He is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!  Next week is the most important and solemn week of the year.  We remember the redemptive work of our savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross and our new life in Christ because of His death and resurrection.   This week, take a break from your usual activities and lessons.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares simple ways to celebrate Holy Week & Easter in me...

As a homeschool mom, do you feel like you live in the kitchen?  Between planning, shopping, prepping, and cooking the meals (and cleaning the mess after each meal), it is hard to find time to finish all the chores and teach the kids!  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with fellow foodie, homesteader, and host of Elevating Motherhood podcast, Lori Beth Auldridge.  Carrie and Lori share secr...

As a mother, especially as a homeschooling mom, reading is one of the most important habits you should form.  Why should you make the time when you have so many other things to do?  Reading broadens your horizons, enhances your concentration, enables you to view the world from other perspectives, enriches your knowledge, refines your thinking, and strengthens your intellectual abilities.  And if t...

Does your child have trouble following directions, organizing tasks, or sitting still for more than 5 second?  Is his work messy, does he have poor time management skills, is he always forgetting materials (or can’t find them), or is he easily distracted or overwhelmed?  Does your child have ADHD?  Do you have ADHD?  Are you also a homeschooling mom?  If so, then you don't want to miss this w...

Would you like to create a calmer home environment?  In this week's episode, Carrie talks again with Jami Glenn, an Emotional Wellness Coach, the owner of Sacred Ground Coaching, and the host of Emotions With Ease Podcast.   Jami shares simple practices that families can start doing today that will help create relational connections and a calmer family dynamic.  If you crave a less chaotic an...

In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Aby Rinella, a fellow homeschool mom who also has a homeschool graduate.  Aby is the co-host of School House Rocked Podcast , an advocate for homeschool freedom in Idaho, and the founder of the ministry, Called to the Top .  In this week's episode, Carrie and Aby look back on their homeschooling journey and candidly share the lessons they have le...

Is it possible to raise kids, teach them, and run a business?  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Andrea Snee, a mom who is doing it!  Andrea Snee is a home educator and the founder of Happy Trails Press, a publisher of homeschool resources including units, planners, magazine clubs, and book clubs.  Carrie and Andrea discuss how to work from home, work part-time outside the home, and h...

Are you trying to "get it all done" but the laundry, dishes, and lessons just keep piling up? Then join Carrie for a cozy cup of coffee as she shares simple, encouraging ways to make your homeschool days both practical and purposeful. In this episode, discover how everyday tasks like cooking meals, folding laundry, managing a budget, and tackling basic home repairs can naturally become p...

It is officially February!  Since we are in the season of love and showing others how much we love them, Carrie is feeling a bit nostalgic these days as her adult kids are living their lives and doing what they love.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares two special traditions she did with her children.  One tradition she did every February and one tradition she did once a year on each birth...

Do you want to become a master teacher and rock this home educator role?  You don't need be a trained teacher or have a Masters in Education.  You can simply apply the teaching methods of The Master Teacher:  Jesus.  In this episode, Carrie looks at Jesus’ teaching methods and shares how you can  use them in our own home education.  Jesus taught the most important lessons in the simplest of w...