Homeschool is a Work of Heart

Send us Fan Mail People have been blaming "writer's block" for far too long. There are more legitimate reasons why things aren't getting done. It's time to call it out for what it is. Likely, your child's idleness is caused by one of three things. And! This applies beyond writing - and our children. We may need to take a dose of our own medicine. Does your child strug...

Send us Fan Mail Is there such a thing as being "too" polite? Yes! This is especially true when politeness feels insincere and becomes a habitual response with little to no meaning behind it. In today's society, adults and children apologize too much, and I'm not sorry for believing that. Sorry. Not sorry! Tune in this week to learn how much apologizing is too much, what we sho...

Send us Fan Mail Is your homeschooling adventure happening precisely as you imagined it would? I doubt it is. Most of us envision one thing, and reality serves up something unforeseen.  The key to joy and happiness is finding a way to embrace the journey rather than fight it every step of the way.  This week, I have a short but sweet message to share with you.  Enjoy!

Send us Fan Mail Confident people are fun to be around. Thank goodness confidence isn't genetic. We can all become more confident people. In this episode, we dive into the transformative idea that confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you create.  We’ll explore how self-doubt, while familiar, can hold us back and how to replace it with confidence through small, intentiona...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode, I have a family activity sure to inspire you! Has your family ever chosen a "Word of the Year"? They are way better than New Year's Resolutions. There are so many benefits connected to this simple but valuable exercise of finding your family's special 2025 word. 1. Teach your children how to succeed in goal setting. 2. Improve famil...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling drained from the holiday hustle? You’re not alone—but it’s time to hit the reset button for the new semester!  This week on the podcast, I’m sharing a fun, low-pressure way to ease back into homeschooling: a light and playful poetry unit. Discover why poetry is a powerful tool for boosting creativity, emotional expression, and literacy skills—all while keeping the stress t...

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to building lifelong friendships wasn’t just about how we treat others but also how we treat ourselves?  Think about your closest friend—would you ignore their struggles, skip checking in, or avoid listening to their heart? Of course not! You'd be there for them. How do you show up for yourself, though? Journaling helps us cultivate that same deep, uncondition...

Send us Fan Mail Words hold incredible power—whether you're giving feedback or receiving it. This is true for our children and ourselves, whether reviewing writing, offering advice to a friend, or even self-critiques.  In this episode, we’ll discuss how to approach giving and getting feedback with intention, kindness, and clarity, transforming it into a tool that builds confidence and connect...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling exhausted from constantly deciding what to teach, when to teach it, what to cook for dinner, or how to fit everything into your busy day? Indecision doesn’t just drain your energy—it leaves you feeling stuck and overwhelmed in every area of life. But with a little intentional planning, everything from homeschooling to meals and family time can become more productive and le...

Send us Fan Mail Here's a fun idea! It came to me mid-night: "Why not invite some of my students to read their wonderful narratives this month?!" The hardest part was picking only three. However, the three stories you'll hear this week will entertain and impress you. All I can say is, "There's more where that came from!" All of our students wrote wonderful realis...

Send us Fan Mail Are you struggling with a non-motivated learner in your home? It happens. As a parent-teacher, you need a bag full of tricks! I have several to share with you today. We'll take a look at basic needs, motivational techniques, and the power of mindset. I'm confident you're about to be inspired and encouraged.  We'll take a deeper dive into this topic during this...

Send us Fan Mail Conversations can easily get heated in today's climate—even with our kids. But it’s important to keep our cool. This week, I have three suggestions to help.  First, remember that your children are unique individuals, and their choices don’t define you. Second, show yourself the same grace you give your child; homeschooling (and life!) can be challenging, so be kind to yoursel...

Send us Fan Mail This week, I’m diving into how even the smallest actions can have a powerful impact on raising kids who stand up for others—future upstanders! I’ll share three practical tips that’ll make a difference: Idea 1: Teach Empathy Through Open Conversations Start by reading books or watching shows that spark empathy discussions. Ask questions like, “How do you think that person felt?” Bu...

Send us Fan Mail Many parents sign up for our WOW Writers Clubhouse simply because, in addition to all the instructional pieces, our program offers "essay reviews." Most parents tell us they're unsure how to review their children's writing in a way that encourages the child while calling out the areas needing more practice. So, this week, I'll show you how we do this.  Of...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever noticed how many people grow and evolve during their most challenging moments? In hard times, we have to rise with courage and determination to see an affliction through.  I've also noticed that these people are here to teach us.  As I've been journaling my gratitudes, I've realized that the individuals who’ve impacted me most significantly, the Brave...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this week’s episode! Just as golf can throw an unexpected curve, homeschool parents sometimes whisper, “Well, I didn’t see things going that direction today.” Thankfully, golfers have something called a mulligan —a do-over. It’s a chance to reset and try again, keeping the game fun instead of frustrating. In homeschooling, we sometimes need the same grace. When a day go...

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready to dive into emergency preparedness this month? It's the perfect time of year. This week, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Cheryl Daley—homeschool mom, podcaster, and author of her debut children's book, Let’s Talk Emergencies! A Guide to Life-Saving Lessons in Kid-Friendly Language. In honor of Emergency Awareness Month, Cheryl shares her journey, tips, an...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode, we will discuss five ways we can help our children navigate overwhelming world events, from natural disasters like Hurricane Helene to missile attacks and local evacuations. You’ll learn practical techniques to ease your child’s anxiety and foster a sense of safety. You will also hear some useful ways to communicate with your kids, listen to their fear...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s podcast, you can get ready to dive into some fun, fall-themed activities that’ll bring the whole family together! From a "Photography Walk" to snap those Insta-worthy autumn leaves to a "Nature Scavenger Hunt" where you collect treasures like pinecones and acorns, the adventure starts outdoors. There are pumpkin volcano science experiments (becau...

Send us Fan Mail Would you like to know a secret? How about the secret formula for success!? In this week's episode, I'll share my not-so-secret formula for success . If you'd like your child to reach more goals and produce more results in learning and life, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Enjoy! Links Pinterest Ideas for Mastering Multiplication Facts Five for Five:...

Send us Fan Mail Is your child constantly putting off homework or chores? Procrastination isn’t always about laziness—it often stems from confusion, overwhelm, or even fear of failure. In this week's episode, we dive into procrastination's emotional and academic impacts on kids and how you, as a parent, can help. Learn why this behavior might be modeled at home and discover three proven...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode explores the power of using the words “not right now” instead of a hard “no” when setting boundaries. This approach can help reduce stress and prevent overwhelm. It’s a gentle way to acknowledge others’ needs while giving yourself the space to breathe and prioritize. Applying this strategy lets us stay helpful and maintain control of our time—without stret...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's podcast, I explore the difference between being alone and feeling lonely, emphasizing that while being alone is a physical state that can offer benefits like focus and creativity, loneliness is a subjective feeling of sadness from a lack of connection. Community is the essential ingredient needed to combat loneliness. Through various ways of connecting, whether...

Send us Fan Mail Parenting is a challenge. Homeschooling our kids takes that challenge to a whole new level. We wear so many hats! I’ve been there and done that. I've also identified seven parenting pitfalls I've personally encountered. I figured this would make an excellent topic for this week's podcast. Let's not feel guilty about falling into these pitfalls — let's get...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is a reminder to all of us that failure is universal. In fact, it should be expected.  Today, I'll offer you three steps to consider the next time you or your child experience the feeling of failure.  With this week's inspiration and actionable steps, you'll be encouraged to embrace the journey, no matter how many course corrections you need...