Homeschooling For Catholic Parents

🇺🇸 Happy 250th America! (And Happy Birthday Mat!) The Jemisons have been at the beach celebrating for the week so please enjoy this Greatest Hits replay that originally aired on February 23, 2025 .  Do you want to raise self-starters who are eager for knowledge and actively seek out ideal sources to satisfy their curiosity? Let's think of home education as the petri dish for that! In contrast...

What keeps children Catholic long after they leave home? After interviewing youth minister Rick Grinstead, Maeve couldn't stop thinking about one powerful statement: "They didn't leave the faith in college. They left a faith that was never theirs." In this episode, Maeve and Mat explore what it really takes to help children move beyond simply attending Mass to developing a pers...

What is the ultimate goal of homeschooling? In this Father's Day episode, Maeve sits down with journalist, author, and homeschool father Alex Newman to discuss faith, discipleship, education, and the responsibility parents have in shaping the next generation. Alex shares his own journey from a nominal Catholic upbringing to becoming one of America's most outspoken advocates for Christian...

What if one of the biggest mistakes we make with teenagers is trying to teach before we've truly connected? In this encouraging conversation, Maeve sits down with youth ministry veteran Rick Grinstead to discuss what today's teens are really looking for—and how parents can help them develop a faith that is genuinely their own. Drawing from more than thirty years in ministry and his exper...

Former public school teacher and veteran homeschool educator Scott Clifton joins us to discuss why he and his wife chose homeschooling long before it was popular, what he witnessed inside the public school system, and why Christian parents should feel confident homeschooling through high school. In this conversation, Scott shares stories of students who flourished after leaving traditional schools...

Fresh back from the FPEA Homeschool Convention, Maeve and Mat share some of their favorite moments from a weekend full of encouragement, unexpected conversations, and memorable encounters. From celebrating a homeschool graduation to connecting with Catholic families from across the country, this year's convention revealed a growing hunger for faith, community, and truth. Along the way, a chan...

Many new or discerning homeschool parents share the same fear: “What if we butt heads all day?” In this episode, Maeve and Matt unpack real listener concerns and offer practical, Catholic-rooted solutions for cooperation, motivation, and peaceful homeschooling. They revisit the timeless wisdom of Charlotte Mason, explore what “first-time obedience” looks like (and why counting to three doesn’t wor...

Homeschooling high school can feel intimidating — transcripts, SATs, AP classes, college admissions… suddenly the stakes feel higher and many homeschool moms begin to doubt themselves. In this deeply encouraging episode, Maeve sits down with Dumb Ox Learning founders Jenni Cassidy and Helen Harrold, two Catholic homeschool mothers who, between them, have homeschooled 14 children across the U.S. an...

In this episode of Homeschooling for Catholic Parents , Maeve and Mat share the exciting countdown to the launch of the new Catholic Homeschool Planner on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima Feast Day — along with hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from the planner photo shoot, homeschooling life, and camping adventures in rural Florida. The conversation takes a deeper turn as they reflect on truth,...

Homeschooling can feel isolating—but it was never meant to be done alone. In today’s episode, Maeve sits down with Kim Hannon, one of the founders of TBHC Group and the Tampa Bay Homeschool Conference, to talk about what it really looks like to build meaningful community as a homeschool family. From her early days as a “recovering public school teacher” to leading a thriving homeschool network ser...

Ever feel like you’re doing things right… and still feel like the worst homeschool mom in the world? In this honest episode, Maeve and Mat share a very real parenting moment—from three basketball practices and a questionable haircut… to trying to pull their kids away from friends to watch a once-in-a-lifetime rocket launch. Spoiler: it did not go well. But what unfolds is something every parent ne...

After one of the most powerful Easters of her life—including a beach Mass, ocean baptisms, and joy unexplainable—Maeve finds herself just days later overwhelmed, discouraged, and hiding in her closet. In this deeply honest episode, she shares the reality of the spiritual life: the highs, the crashes, and the quiet work God is doing in both. If you’ve ever wondered why the hardest days seem to foll...

You don’t have to do it all—but you do have to know what matters. In this episode, I sit down with Catholic author, bioethicist, and homeschool mom Samantha Stevenson to talk about the questions shaping our homes—and our future. We dive into her powerful conversion story, the surprising path that led her to homeschooling, and why the everyday conversations you have with your children may matter mo...

Press play and pray with us—this simple chaplet carries promises you don’t want to miss. In this episode, we slow down and step into something deeply simple… and deeply powerful. This week, my family gathered together to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet—and we’re inviting you to join us. But before we press play, let’s talk about why this prayer matters. The Divine Mercy devotion was revealed to St....

Holy Week is the most important week in human history… And yet, it can pass like any other week in our homes. In today’s episode, Maeve shares how to slow down, step away from unnecessary pressure, and intentionally enter into the richness of this week with your children. This isn’t about doing more. It’s about making space for what matters most. 💛 In This Episode, You’ll Hear  Why taking Holy We...

What do you do when anxiety shows up in your homeschool day—whether it’s in you, your child, or the whole emotional atmosphere of the home? In this encouraging conversation, Maeve sits down with Catholic speaker, counselor, and author Catherine DiNuzzo to talk about what anxiety actually is, how to recognize it in ourselves and our kids, and how to respond with both practical wisdom and Catholic h...

If you have a child who is obviously bright but still struggling to read, this episode will feel like a deep breath. Maeve welcomes veteran educator Kathleen Alford to discuss children who do not fit the standard instructional mold, why phonics is not always enough, and what parents can do instead. You’ll hear practical strategies, compassionate insight, and a much-needed reminder: your child is n...

In this episode, Maeve and Matt tackle one of the most common questions homeschool families hear: But how will they be socialized? With humor, real-life stories, and a deeper look at what socialization actually means, they challenge the idea that classrooms are the gold standard for healthy human formation. From fire station field trips and community connections to awkward stereotypes about homesc...

In this edition of Homeschooling for Catholics , Maeve and Matt tackle a challenge every homeschooling family knows too well: how to bring your spouse into the homeschool rhythm without resentment or burnout. We laugh about Ash Wednesday fasting fails (yes, peanut butter makes a cameo), explore why teamwork matters , and tease a few practical ideas like read-aloud rhythms , field trip bonding , an...

Life is cyclical. History repeats. And sometimes… so do our parenting fears. In this vulnerable episode, Maeve shares her own “Confessions” — from SAT calculator panic and Florida’s Bright Futures scholarship pressure… to a much deeper confession about a child who has stepped away from the faith. Through the story of St. Monica and St. Augustine, the fall of Rome, and even a recurring lice invasio...

Teaching your child to read can feel overwhelming—even for experienced homeschool moms.  In this encouraging conversation, Maeve sits down with former literacy teacher and phonics expert Melanie Jeffrey, host of Phonics Rules for Kids , to talk about why many children struggle with reading and how simple, clear phonics instruction can change everything. You’ll learn: The best age to begin phonics...

What does wise parenting look like in a modern world? In this episode, we talk about staying attentive without hovering, protecting your child’s sense of control, and why waiting for problems to appear is often too late. We share real-life stories, research-backed insights, and practical ways to stay engaged with your kids as they grow — without shaming, spying, or stepping on their independence....

What does “critical thinking” actually look like in a Catholic homeschool? In this episode, Maeve and Matt unpack why critical thinking breaks down when we stop slowing down, questioning ourselves, and seeking truth with humility—and why Catholic families have a unique advantage when truth is the goal. Using a real-life conversation sparked by a “Friendly Defender Friday” question (“Do Catholics b...

What if the most important parts of homeschooling aren’t the lessons you finish—but the moments you almost miss? In this episode, Maeve reflects on a simple prayer— “Lord, show me what’s important today” —and how God answered it through ordinary homeschool moments: a rare nap, a family heirloom quilt, a child’s honest question, and the quiet joy of watching children thrive. Drawing from Scripture,...

Even the most beautiful homeschool days have a behind-the-scenes mess. In this episode, Maeve shares 20 practical, doable ways to reset the moment and turn around hard homeschool days —with faith, humor, and a healthy dose of realism (and maybe a little wine at the end). You’ll hear: Why praying in front of your kids matters The power of Holy Spirit hugs (yes, they’re a thing) Simple resets that w...