Homeschooling For Catholic Parents

In this episode, Maeve and Mat share ten practical tools that have strengthened their Catholic homeschooling over the years — from faith-filled apps and saint resources to apologetics cards, family-friendly podcasts, and tech choices that support virtue. You’ll hear real-life stories from their home, how these tools have shaped their kids’ faith and confidence, and why small daily practices — like...

As we ring in 2026, this homeschool family is learning in nature while camping in Georgia.  Please enjoy a replay of Homeschooling for Catholic Parents' most popular episode of all time.  Thank you so much for tuning in each week. We appreciate you being here!  Episode Notes (Replayed January 4, 2026) Originally published March 30, 2025 Are you worried about staying consistent in your homesch...

What does it actually mean to raise “successful” kids—and does success have anything to do with money? In this milestone 100th episode , Maeve and Matt walk through a popular Rich Habits Test for Parents , answering 40 questions with total transparency (no pretending, no parenting flexing). From screen time and food habits to gratitude, grit, and goal-setting, they score themselves honestly—and in...

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...

In Part 2 of Maeve’s rich and energizing conversation with 1000 Hours Outside founder Ginny Yurich , the wisdom keeps flowing. Ginny unpacks what it truly means to honor a child’s individual timeline , including her story of the daughter who became a certified personal trainer at 15 —after years of slower reading and spelling progress that would’ve been labeled in a traditional system. They discus...

In this bonus Advent episode of Homeschooling for Catholic Parents , Maeve and Matt pop in with a ten-minute “Advent present” for you: one simple, golden piece of parenting advice that can make Christmas calmer and saner for years to come! They also share an update on their family’s Flame of Love Rosary tally for November, rejoicing that 19,070 souls were released from purgatory through prayer. Al...

In this episode, Maeve sits down with Ginny Yurich—beloved author, speaker, and founder of the 1000 Hours Outside movement—to talk about why time in nature is nothing short of transformational for families. Jenny shares the honest truth about her early motherhood years, the surprising four-hour outdoor experiment that saved her sanity, and the science behind attention, mood, circadian rhythm, vest...

In this beautiful pre-Advent conversation, Maeve welcomes Catholic convert and homeschooling mom-of-six Rebecca Grabill to explore how liturgical living can anchor families during the most chaotic time of the year. Rebecca shares her conversion story, her family’s journey into homeschooling, and the surprising depth and symbolism behind the Magi, the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and the...

Feeling like you're in a whirlwind season? Join us as we talk about deadlines, dental visits, sports schedules, field trips, and creative pressure—and find God speaking right into the chaos. With humor and honesty, Maeve shares how a simple Gospel reading from Luke 17 stopped her in her tracks and reframed everything she’d been carrying. From surrendering stress in the middle of real-life par...

Maeve sits down with Andrew “Alob” Laubacher—worship leader and Executive Director of Human Reality—to talk about digital addiction and how Catholic families can reclaim time, attention, and joy. Alob shares his conversion story from “party, drugs, rock and roll” to adoration and ministry, then explains how modern platforms are engineered for compulsion (social-validation loops, intermittent rewar...

It’s Maeve’s quarterly cry episode—so buckle up. Between hand-foot-and-mouth disease, a Boy Scout rebelling against a blowtorch, a dream interview gone poof, and a computer crash that would make Job weep, Maeve somehow still finds grace (and a killer football analogy). Mat’s back, the Bucs are battling, Booker T. Washington makes a cameo, and the moral of the story? Homeschooling’s a lot like maki...

It’s been a tough week in the Jemison household, but out of the chaos comes hope — and a spiritual weapon too powerful to ignore. In this episode of Homeschooling for Catholic Parents, Maeve shares a moving story of faith, family, and revival: from a college recruiting trip that turned into a surprising conversation about the Eucharist, to a mysterious rosary that’s changing lives across the world...

Show Notes, Published October 19, 2025  In this lively and meaningful episode of Homeschooling for Catholics , Maeve and Mat record on the Feast of the Guardian Angels —and kick things off with angel hair pasta, angel food cake, and a hilarious family story at a trampoline park after a hurricane. (Yes, guardian angels were working overtime that day.) From there, the conversation turns to one of th...

This week, Maeve chats with Marie Hanson — Catholic wedding planner, educator, and founder of White Lily Weddings — about how she went from teaching music to planning faith-filled weddings (and building a business that lets her stay home with her littles). Marie dishes on the quirky rules of Catholic weddings (sorry beach brides 🌊✋), the St. Joseph lily legend, and why debating college friends a...

Fresh back from the Eucharistic Encounter in Tampa, we share what it’s like to watch 12,000 Catholics fill an arena for prayer, talks, and powerful adoration. From Fr. Mike Schmitz and Dr. Edward Sri to moving moments with Matt Maher, we talk confession (ever have an Act of Contrition fail?), Eucharistic miracles, first-class relics, and why the Eucharist is truly the source of our hope. You’ll al...

Ever wondered what a real Catholic homeschool week looks like—chaos, laughter, faith, and all? In this episode, we dish on the family’s routine. From early-morning workouts and devotional time, to co-op days, crazy Wednesdays packed with activities, and Fridays filled with faith discussions, you’ll get an honest look at the ebb and flow of our homeschooling life. Along the way, you’ll hear funny f...

What if the greatest mission field for your kids isn’t across the ocean—but across the street? In this episode, Maeve talks with Isabel Tom, author of The Value of Wrinkles , about helping children discover the gift of older adults in their lives. From grandparents who live down the road to the lonely widow in the front pew, Isabel shares practical (and fun) ways families can build bridges across...

Long Live Charlie Kirk, an inspiration of courage in the faith! Parents, we should draw courage from him as we homeschool and raise our kids in the ways of the Lord. Charlie was a brilliant debater; his movement was a raging success, a truly remarkable and passionate Christian. We don't have to achieve that kind of success to leave a lasting impact on our world through our family legacy. Stop...

Welcome to the “Metheny Manifesto” episode, where we learn that the only thing parents should be yelling from the sidelines is… nothing!  The main lesson? Don’t be “that parent” screaming at your kid to “rebound!” or “shoot!”—especially if your kid’s underwater at a swim meet and can’t hear you anyway. The Metheny Manifesto, written by a former pro baseball player turned Little League coach, went...

Show Notes Published August 31, 2025 In this episode, Maeve and Mat juggle homeschooling and youth sports like Olympic-level plate spinners. They weigh the pros (teamwork, perseverance, socialization, and the dream of raising the next LeBron) against the cons (schedules that make NASA jealous, wallet-draining fees, and locker room “life lessons” you wish your kids missed). The verdict? Sports are...

Ever wonder how to homeschool on one income without selling a kidney? Join us as we cancel forgotten subscriptions, dodge $200 art classes, and debate if a flask at Sunday Mass is a budgeting hack or a confession starter. Learn why your 10-year-old doesn’t need a $1,000 iPhone, how garage sales are treasure hunts, and why “just because it’s on sale” is not a retirement plan. Spoiler: You can homes...

In this episode, we chat with Leslie Dirnberger—homeschooling expert, president of Aspire Education, and author of “School in Our National Parks and Some Secret Spots.” When given the best growing conditions, children come up with some profound thoughts that become lifelong memories for the proud parent who was there when they first thought them. We dive into the joys of outdoor learning, and why...

Parents, God created your children as learners. These little people are constantly taking in information and learning about the world around them. You might not have thought about the fact that he created parents as teachers! You're already teaching your kids. In this episode, listen in for 10 tips for constant learning in your homeschool. (Hint: You're already doing a handful of them!)...

In this episode, we get a crash course in Catholic education philosophy, with shoutouts to St. Bonaventure (who apparently moonlighted as a motivational speaker) and St. John Newman (whose quotes are so deep, you’ll need a theological dictionary and maybe a nap). The episode’s main lesson? Don’t stress about curriculum—focus on forming virtuous, faith-filled humans. And if you’re feeling lost, rem...

The statistics are downright depressing, particularly regarding our children leaving our homes and then abandoning the faith of their childhood. The youth exodus from church and the faith must be stopped! This episode will provide you with encouragement and wisdom to counter the tactics of secularism as you join the fight for your children and the Kingdom.  Show Notes: Published July 27, 2025 Nata...