Homeschool Better Together

In this episode of the Homeschool Better Together podcast, I’m talking about one key mindset shift that can make a world of difference in your homeschool—honoring your school day. It’s easy to let distractions take over or convince ourselves that we can always multitask, but setting aside dedicated time for homeschooling is critical. I’ll share how this simple change has transformed our homeschool...

In this episode of the Homeschool Better Together podcast, I’m giving you a bit of a pep talk. I’ve been there—staring at the clock, realizing the day is slipping away and thinking, “If I can’t follow my perfect plan, I might as well do nothing.” Sound familiar? Well, I discovered that my problem wasn’t laziness—it was perfectionism. And that perfectionism was sabotaging my ability to be consisten...

In this episode of the Homeschool Better Together podcast, I’m sharing an overview of our curriculum choices for the 2024-2025 school year. With both a senior and a 9th grader, our homeschool routine is a bit different, and I’m excited to walk you through our approach. We start each day with a focused morning time that sets the tone for learning, followed by individual subjects tailored to each ch...

In this episode, I share a hard-learned lesson: as homeschooling moms, we shouldn't be the ones working the hardest! I used to think every lesson had to be fun and engaging, but it turns out, simplicity and consistency are key. I talk about the importance of short, manageable lessons and meeting our kids where they are—focusing on what really matters. Morning time routines have also been a game ch...

In this episode of Homeschool Better Together, I'm tackling something we all face—the way that initial excitement of a new homeschool year can quickly fade. Trust me, I’ve been there too. So, let's chat about what happens when that "honeymoon period" ends and how to handle it without the guilt. I’ll share how I’ve learned to go with the natural ups and downs of homeschooling instead of forcing the...

Starting a new homeschool year is exciting but can also feel overwhelming. In this episode, I share some of the common challenges we face, like kids resisting lessons or forgetting things over the break. I offer practical tips to ease the transition, like involving your kids in planning, starting with subjects they enjoy, and reviewing key skills before diving into new material. I also talk about...

Oh, my goodness! Starting a new homeschool year can feel like a rollercoaster with its ups and downs. In this episode, I share my favorite strategies to make this transition smoother and more enjoyable. We talk about dealing with that first-week exhaustion and finding the right balance between excitement and routine. Curious about my secrets for a smoother start? Tune in to hear how small changes,...

As summer winds down, our family loves to kick off the school year with a special back-to-school tradition. For the past few years, we've visited the donut shop, and it's become a cherished ritual for us. From picking out donuts to snapping a photo outside the shop, this simple tradition brings us joy and wonderful memories. In this episode, I share why having a back-to-school tradition is importa...

In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Korte, a seasoned homeschool mom of 10, to discuss the joys and challenges of homeschooling a large family. Lindsay shares her journey of 15 years of homeschooling, starting from the early days of teaching multiple young children together, to adjusting her approach as her kids grew older. We dive into the importance of family learning and how Lindsay uses r...

I’m excited to announce that Your Morning Basket Plus is now Wonder Studies! This new name reflects our expanded focus, which still includes your favorite Morning Time Explorations and Little Explorers programs but now also offers Voyages—unit studies that make it easier for your entire family to integrate learning across all subjects. We’re offering a special bonus to celebrate: join as an annual...

Struggling to keep your homeschooling engaging and effective? I’ve got you covered! In this episode of Homeschool Better Together, Laney Homan and I chat about the benefits of unit studies. I share memories of my early homeschooling days, filled with unit studies that made learning come alive for my kids. Laney, a busy mom of eight, brings her real-life experiences to the table. She shares tips on...

Feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of homeschooling methods? You're not alone! In this episode of Homeschool Better Together, I explore the diverse world of homeschooling options, from classical education to unschooling. I share my personal journey of “uschooling” and highlight the importance of creating a personalized education plan that fits your family’s unique needs. You'll find practical ad...

Are you ready to make civics a fun and engaging part of your homeschool? Pam Barnhill and Meg Angelino discuss the new "Citizenship Together" curriculum, designed to bring government and citizenship concepts to life through detailed, engaging lessons. Meg, with her extensive background in history and education, shares practical tips for seamlessly integrating this curriculum into your homeschool,...

Welcome to the Homeschool Better Together Podcast, where we explore building a joyful homeschool experience for your family. In today's episode, we are thrilled to have Colleen Kessler, an education consultant with a master's degree in gifted education, homeschool mom, podcast host, and author. We'll be discussing Colleen's latest book, "The Homeschool Advantage," which highlights how to leverage...

Feeling overwhelmed with language arts education in your homeschool? Join hosts Pam Barnhill, Meg Angelino, and Laney Homan, in episode nine of Homeschool Better Together, as they discuss how literature-based learning can revolutionize language arts education for your family. Discover the transformative power of integrating grammar, writing style, literary analysis, and vocabulary activities throu...

Welcome to the Homeschool Better Together Podcast, where we explore building a joyful homeschool experience for your family. In this episode, host Pam Barnhill explores five different types of curriculum—scripted, open-and-go, fixed grid, buffet, and whole-family learning—and discusses how each one can meet the unique needs of your homeschool journey.  By understanding the different kinds of...

Welcome to the Homeschool Better Together Podcast, where we explore building a joyful homeschool experience for your family. In this episode, host Pam Barnhill shares four practical tips that will help you move from feeling overwhelmed to prepared; ensuring your homeschooling days are filled with curiosity, excitement, and wonder. Whether it’s planning amazing field trips, following your kids' int...

Welcome back to the Homeschool Better Together Podcast. In today's episode, host Pam Barnhill and guest Amie Gardner dive into the intricacies of homeschool planning and the tools that can make it all more manageable. Amie shares her experience using Put Your Homeschool Year on Autopilot, which has been a game-changer in balancing lesson plans for her family and creating a confident, structured ho...

Welcome to the Homeschool Better Together Podcast, where we explore where we explore building a joyful homeschool experience for your family. In this episode, host Pam Barnhill provides actionable tips to help make your homeschool planning simpler and more flexible. Pam tackles some common struggles, such as, when life happens and your perfectly laid plans fall apart. Listen in for practical solut...

Welcome to the Homeschool Better Together Podcast, where we journey through the challenging yet rewarding world of homeschooling as a community. In today's episode, you'll discover how strategic planning frameworks can relieve the overwhelm of daily decision-making, turning any curriculum into a seamless, open-and-go experience. Whether you're like "Best Intention Becky," who loves to plan but ten...

Welcome to the Homeschool Better Together Podcast, where we explore building a joyful homeschool experience for your family. In this episode, host Pam Barnhill shares insights and practical tips for determining what's "enough" for your family. Pam breaks down four homeschool mom personality types - Carefree Cathy, Best Intention Becky, Strategic Susan, and Overwhelmed Olivia. You'll find out which...

Welcome to the Homeschool Better Together Podcast, where we explore building a joyful homeschool experience for your family. Are you looking to equip your kids with valuable life skills and build confidence in the kitchen? Then you won't want to miss Episode 2. In this episode, the host, Pam Barnhill, is joined by Katie Kimball, the national voice of Healthy Kids Cooking, two time TEDx speaker, wr...

Welcome to the Homeschool Better Together Podcast, the place where we explore the wonders of homeschooling as a community. In this episode, host Pam Barnhill shares her personal experience of finishing up the school year with her kids and introduces the new direction of the podcast. She reflects on the importance of simplifying the podcast and merging two previous podcasts into one, focusing on th...

Are you ready for homeschooling to feel joyful again? Do you need support as you learn alongside your kids? Welcome to Homeschool Better Together. Hosted by Pam Barnhill, this podcast shares how to stop questioning if you are doing enough and create a homeschool experience that fits your family. Each Tuesday, we break down the big ideas into manageable chunks to give you the confidence and resourc...

In this episode of Your Morning Basket, host Pam Barnhill welcomes Jennifer Pepito, the host of the Restoration Home podcast, to chat about creating a sacred home environment. They dive into the inspiration behind Jennifer's newest book, "Habits for a Sacred Home," which draws from the monastery movement and the impact of spiritual disciplines on history. The conversation covers the specific pract...