make joy normal: cozy homeschooling

send us a text via Fan Mail! I received this fan mail a few days ago, and wanted to respond with my take on it.  This mom is doing so many good things already, please know I pray for you all and hope this helps! Hi Bonnie -- I am really struggling. I deeply desire a joyful home and yet every day , without fail I am yelling, the kids are fighting, the baby is overtired and the house is a mess.  I&a...

send us a text via Fan Mail! After listening to the episode on cosleeping, a listener submitted these questions: So this mum has a large family. She has a baby who's just over one,  that this is usually around the time that she has stopped co -sleeping and transitioned to a crib. She'd like to keep co -sleeping, but a couple of things are frustrating at this stage of babyhood, how do I m...

send us a text via Fan Mail! My dear friend Zoe joins me to discuss how she mentors moms to take a look at how we can create more ease and joy in the daily task of meal prep and menu planning.  Dealing with decision fatigue and how to create an environment that is more streamlined and restful.  We talk about Sunday as a day of rest, and what that can look like in our busy family lives.  Spend some...

send us a text via Fan Mail! I received great question(s) yesterday, what do we do when our kids can't spell...what do we do when they're behind....what do we do when our head's not in the game. "Hi Bonnie! I have a question! My 10 year old son is very very very much a struggling speller. I mean, I’m sure he is dyslexic. He can’t spell at all and I’ve tried everything. What wou...

send us a text via Fan Mail! Short answer to an important question...our experience and how it changed over the years:  "Hi Bonnie! I’m thinking about our daily/weekly routines for this school year and wondering if you have thoughts on chores for kids. I’m looking at how many hours we have in the day and plugging in reading aloud, a little sit down work, more reading aloud, practicing piano,...

send us a text via Fan Mail! Haley and I discuss co-sleeping and breastfeeding, I chat about my journey into co-sleeping and the benefits I’ve observed. Overall, the conversation highlights the benefits and challenges of co-sleeping and offers insights into creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment for the whole family. We share our personal experiences and offer thoughts on how to navigat...

send us a text via Fan Mail! In this conversation, Mariette and I discuss how to motivate children to do tasks they don't enjoy, specifically focusing on math. We explore strategies such as setting parameters, incorporating math into daily activities, and giving children a sense of control and choice.  Takeaways Set parameters and give children a sense of control and choice when it comes to t...

send us a text via Fan Mail! Question submitted via text message -   I’m wondering if you have any episodes or blog posts about math after chocolate chips - my oldest is 8 and about to start grade 3. We have been using your little yellow book along with The 3 R’s as a guide for our math learning so far. Would love to hear about where you went from there with your kids, any particular curriculums t...

send us a text via Fan Mail! Sheila, a veteran homeschooling mother from Arizona, shares her experience with burnout and the challenges of homeschooling children with a large age gap.  We touch on mothering teens and keeping the connection as they become adults.   soundbites: "It's a beautiful thing that you're doing." "Nobody prepares us for what it's going to be lik...

send us a text via Fan Mail! A short answer to a question submitted on buzzsprout's new "FAN MAIL" function.  Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal   By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic   www.bonnielandry.ca Shop my recommended resources Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast! 

send us a text via Fan Mail! Takeaways from this episode: Passions can be turned into high school courses, such as chess Course titles can reflect the skills and concepts learned, like "applied mathematics through strategy."  A high school course typically requires 120-150 hours of work, so what does that look like for their passions? A topical list of previous episodes is available for...

send us a text via Fan Mail! A listener, Caroline, brings her questions to the show, delving into the high school years for the first time with lots of younger siblings.  Homeschooling with JOY Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal   By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic   www.bonnielandry.ca Shop my recommended resources Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Po...

send us a text via Fan Mail! well, exactly spelling and the brain by Andrew Pudewa Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal   By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic   www.bonnielandry.ca Shop my recommended resources Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast! 

send us a text via Fan Mail! 1:42 - Conversion and honouring womanhood 4:53 - Welcome and family life 7:42 - Homebirth and home education 11:03 - Sharing birth experiences  20:27 - Motherhood, birth and feminism 29:30 - Sharing our passion, using our gifts 34:06 -  All mothers work 37:40 - Surrendering to motherhood 42:50 -  Mindful use of social media On Instagram : @radical.homemaker One Tired M...

send us a text via Fan Mail! Homeschool Connections founders Walter Crawford and Maureen Whittmann join me to discuss the online platform and how it is unique for homeschooling elementary through high school. We also discuss the upcoming online conference *click here for early bird pricing available until April 26, 2024* 2:11 - Welcome Walter and Maureen 6:52 - The beginnings of Homeschool Connect...

send us a text via Fan Mail! Such a pleasure to have Julie Bogart join me to discuss her upcoming book and the importance of teaching writing and critical thinking skills in  our homeschool.  00:41 - Welcome Julie / Beginnings in teaching writing  4:27 - Becoming critical thinkers  8:35 - Differing opinions in families/communities   17:32 - Teaching children how to think, not what to think   25:25...

send us a text via Fan Mail! Another repurposed episode from the pre-podcast days... 1:15 - Finding time, creating time 2:10 - Slowing down     9:13 - Using a timer 12:06 - Make mealtimes easier 13:03 - A good day starts the night before 13:50 - Working alongside our children 18:23 - Managing during crisis Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley indentured servants (blog post) a day without programs or w...

send us a text via Fan Mail! Repurposing a YouTube live from a while back.... At the beginning of covid I did some YouTube live, and thought they’d be worthiwhile sharing.  Here’s where I make the bold statement that I can out talk covid 19.  And I did.   1:20 - Why simplicity matters 6:31 - Start your day with a list 7:44 - Read to your kids 9:09 - Chaos undermines joy 14:35 - Assessing your life...

send us a text via Fan Mail! Welcome to our guest, Patrick Brown, homeschool dad and host of the podcast Crown and Crozier.  2:28 - Welcome Patrick, family life and podcast 13:14 - Raising our kids to be politically, economically awake 17:11 - Educating ourselves as parents 21:30 - Great resources available 32:08 - Voting, freedom and virtue 40:39 - Instilling a love of history 52:09 - Great examp...

send us a text via Fan Mail! Christina and I discuss where to begin if you are new to homeschooling, especially if your child has already been in school.  How to establish a routine and create a playful, joyful environment for learning. We also discuss teaching a second language and using curriculum.  2:51 - Facing loneliness in motherhood 7:55 - Where do you start if you want to homeschool? 14:27...

send us a text via Fan Mail! Homeschooling mom and author Samantha Stephenson joins me to discuss the moral formation of our children and how to discuss sensitive topics with our kids. 3:10 - Welcome Samantha! 6:19 - What is bioethics? 18:15 - How to approach difficult questions 23:19 - Using dignified language with our children 29:14 - Answering questions in an age appropriate manner 37:52 - Teac...

send us a text via Fan Mail! Well.  If it makes your life simpler, let's try that out.  2:10 - Welcome Ashlee! 3:30 - How did you learn about Marquette? 6:18 - What is ecological breastfeeding? 10:06 - NFP, FAM and how Marquette differs from other methods 18:42 - Would you use Marquette postpartum or while breastfeeding? 20:01 - Is it a challenging method to learn? 22:31 - Isn't NFP the...

send us a text via Fan Mail! 2:07 - What do you make of oral reports? 5:04 - Learning speech arts through coop activities  14:26 - Historical fiction and memorization  30:05 - Playing with dress up clothes Homeschooling, simplified: great books to study Canadian history The Poet's Eye by Arthur Alexander Make Joy Normal Podcast by topic   #makejoynormal #homeschooling #learning #languagearts...

send us a text via Fan Mail! This is a live talk I did online when covid happened, and I've decided to produce a few of them here, converted into a podcast episode.  3:01 - Relationships first 5:58 - Develop a plan 7:12 - Simplicity in our homes 14:54 - Taking time off homeschooling 16:22 - Ideas for getting help 20:18 - Investing in yourself 25:12 - Creating your village 28:15 - Living in a...

send us a text via Fan Mail!   Homeschooling, simplified: what matters most: securing cooperation without sacrificing kindness #makejoynormal #homeschooling #education #attachment #kindness #relationship #joy  Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal   By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic   www.bonnielandry.ca Shop my recommended resources Thanks for listening to Ma...