Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast

Homeschool high school transcripts can feel intimidating—but they don't have to be! As we head into 8th grade, I'm already looking ahead to the world of high school records, and today I'm sharing 15 common transcript mistakes you'll want to avoid. If you've ever worried about "messing it up," you're not alone. In this episode, I'll walk through the biggest pitfalls, share tips for keeping solid re...

Starting the homeschool week doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Say hello to my favorite secret weapon—✨ Mom And Me Monday! ✨ In this episode, I'm sharing how this simple shift completely changes the way we start our week. By frontloading the big, high-demand lessons on Monday, we set the tone for smoother days ahead while keeping things stress-free and flexible. This creative, manageable approa...

Homeschool year planning doesn't have to feel overwhelming—I promise! In this episode, I'm sharing exactly how I plan our entire homeschool year without the stress, the chaos, or the endless second-guessing. From setting realistic goals to building a schedule that actually works for real life, I'll break it all down into simple, manageable steps that leave you feeling organized, confident, and rea...

Ready to peek behind the curtain of how I'm planning our 8th grade homeschool year—without the stress? In this episode, I'm sharing exactly how we're ditching the rigid hour-by-hour grind and embracing a flexible homeschool flow that actually works for our family. I'll walk you through our planning process, the colorful charts that keep us on track, and how we're keeping things organized without o...

Homeschool record keeping doesn't have to be stressful—or take up all your time. In this episode, I'm sharing my easy homeschool portfolio and record keeping system for 2025–2026, plus the digital tools and resources I'm using to stay organized this year. Whether you're brand new to homeschool organization or just looking for a simpler way to manage records, this episode will give you ideas to kee...

Hey friends, Shanna here! 🌟 Can you believe this is the 50th episode of Making Everyday Magic ? 🎉 To celebrate, I'm getting extra real with you about something every homeschool parent struggles with but doesn't always admit—confessions. If you've ever felt homeschool guilt, compared yourself to others, or worried you're not doing enough, you're not alone. 💛 In this milestone episode, I'm sharin...

Hey friends, Shanna here! 🌟 Thinking about starting secular homeschooling? Before you dive in, let's talk about the 5 realities I wish someone had told me when we first began. Secular homeschooling isn't less—it's just different. It means teaching with evidence-based resources, critical thinking, and academic excellence without faith-based content. But the path comes with a few surprises: 1️⃣ Fin...

Hey friends, Shanna here! 🌟 Today's episode is extra special—I'm joined by our resident dad to share his honest take on why we homeschool. You've heard my side of the story, but what does Dad really think about kitchen-table science, pajama math lessons, and the rollercoaster ride of learning at home? 🤔 We're diving into the ups, downs, and unexpected joys that make our homeschool journey unique...

Alright friends—let's talk history. If you've ever felt like homeschool history is either boring, overwhelming, or impossible to find without the fluff—this episode is for you. I'm sharing my Hot Takes: History I Would Recommend —the secular, smart, and actually engaging resources that are making a real difference in our homeschool. No busywork. No filler. Just meaningful, context-rich history tha...

Alright friends, let's get real— is it a privilege? Today, I'm digging into a tough but necessary conversation about privilege: how it shows up in homeschooling, how it shapes our choices, and the role it plays in everyday life. This isn't the fluffy side of homeschooling—it's the real talk we need if we're going to be honest about the blessings, blind spots, and challenges that come with the jour...

So… I did a thing. I organized my very first homeschool science class—and I lived to tell the tale! 🧬🌍 In this episode of Making Everyday Magic , I'm spilling all the details about pulling together a group for homeschool science classes at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. We've been attendees before, but being the one coordinating everything? Whole. Different. Story. ✨ What you'll hear: ✔...

Just wrapped up a whirlwind homeschool road trip through the South—and I'm giving you the full download. From feeding parrots in the Smokies to rafting, go-karts, and yes… Buc-ee's bathrooms, this trip had everything —adventure, learning, and a bit of chaos. So would I recommend this homeschool field trip? Well… there were some wins, a few surprises, and some definite "next time we'll skip that" m...

Let's talk about record keeping for this school year —or in my case, playing some serious catch-up. 😅 If you're behind on logging hours, organizing your homeschool year, or just trying to remember what actually happened… you're in good company. In this episode, I'm diving into: 📚 what record keeping looks like in our homeschool 🧠 why I'm finally shifting gears as we head into 8th grade 📂 how I...

We made it, friends! 🎓 In this Year End Review Of Our Homeschool , I'm reflecting on what might've been our most unpredictable—and most meaningful—year yet. Life got messy, but homeschool let us breathe through the chaos and come out stronger. This episode dives into: 📚 What actually worked (and what totally didn't) 🔁 How flexibility carried us through the hard stuff 🌿 The real-life lessons we...

Let's talk homeschool science—and yes, we're bringing LEGOs to the lab. 🧪✨ In this episode, I'm sharing the hands-on, curiosity-sparking science options we're seriously considering for next year, including how we're planning to use LEGOs to explore physics, engineering, and STEM in our secular homeschool. We'll dive into: 🧱 Why LEGO might be our favorite science tool 🔬 Edible Knowledge: Physic...

Let's get real about homeschool budgeting—because it's not just about receipts and rows on a spreadsheet. It's about building the life and learning we actually want. In this Budget With Me for Next Year episode, I'm breaking down every dollar we've spent (and are planning to spend) on homeschooling. Yep, real numbers, real categories, and a full walkthrough of our actual homeschool spending spread...

It's that time again—Order With Me for next school year! 🎉 I'm walking you through our 2025–2026 homeschool curriculum picks for 4th and 8th grade: what we're sticking with, what we're trying new, and how I'm keeping things simple, structured, and still flexible. Because let's be honest—clicking "place order" is both terrifying and deeply satisfying. 😅📚 ✨ If you're knee-deep in homeschool prep...

Hey friends! ✨ It's that time again— Plan With Me For Next Year! I'm diving headfirst into our 2025–2026 homeschool plans for 4th and 8th grade, and you're coming along for the ride. 📚🗓️ I'm sharing how I map out our homeschool year—from curriculum picks to building in flexibility and creating a rhythm that actually fits real life . Because let's be honest, the best plan is the one that works fo...

Hey friends, Shanna here! 💖 Today we're talking about a BIG mindset shift: Are you making the mistake of confusing school with learning? Because let's be real—school and learning are not the same thing. 📚❌ Just because a kid checks all the boxes or sits through all the lessons doesn't mean they're actually learning something that sticks. And that pressure to "do school right" can get in the way...

Let's talk real life—because some of the most important things our kids need to know just aren't being taught. I'm talking life skills: time management, stress regulation, basic home and health know-how… the stuff that builds confident, capable humans. But where are the resources? In this episode, I'm diving into the gaps—what's missing, what I've pieced together, and why I think we're all out her...

Feeling like homeschooling—or just life—is a lot right now? Let's simplify. In this episode of Making Everyday Magic , I'm talking about how a small dose of commitment can go a long way in creating consistency, calm, and actual progress without the overwhelm. You don't need to have it all figured out. You don't have to go all-in. You just need a little courage to show up, take a micro step, and ke...

Okay, friend—this one's raw, real, and exactly what I needed to hear myself say. As we look ahead to our ninth year of homeschooling (what?!), I'm getting brutally honest about where we're heading, what's working, and what absolutely isn't. It's time to stop pretending we can do all the things . I'm chatting about why I'm skipping the guilt, letting go of unrealistic expectations, and finally lean...

Let's talk about the kind of learning that actually sticks . In today's episode, I'm diving into why planting prior knowledge —exposing our kids to big ideas early and often—matters way more than cramming facts or teaching to the test. This one's for all my fellow homeschoolers playing the long game . We're building a foundation of understanding, not just a checklist of facts. When we let go of th...

So, you're thinking about homeschooling... but have no clue where to start? I've got you. 💛 In this episode, I'm sharing a real-life, no-fluff quick-start homeschool guide to help you move from "just thinking about it" to actually getting started—with confidence. We'll talk about why people homeschool, bust some common myths, and cover the most important first steps to take. I'll also share a bit...

Is free chemistry actually worth it ? 🤔 Spoiler alert: YES, it is! 🙌 In today's episode, I'm breaking down why the ACS Middle School Chemistry curriculum is one of the BEST completely free homeschool resources out there. From high-quality lessons to hands-on experiments using everyday materials, this curriculum brings chemistry to life without costing you a dime. 🔬✨ I'm sharing exactly how we'...