Raising Lifelong Learners

Parents often ask whether they should have their child tested for giftedness, learning disabilities, anxiety, or other unique characteristics that seem to impact their child's emotional resilience, learning, and educational achievement. Are tests a good way to understand and meet those needs? Colleen answers that questions specifically with reference to families who are homeschooling as this uniqu...

In today's podcast episode, Colleen walks you through several factors that might contribute to your child's lack of motivation (or apparent lack of motivation) what you can do to identify the obstacles, and how you can build a supportive environment that utilizes your student's strengths and interests to build internal motivation! The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath....

In today's podcast episode, Colleen answers a mom's questions about considering homeschooling as an option for her twice-exceptional student. It can be overwhelming to consider taking this step, wondering where you'll find the resources you'll need and how to help your kids get connected with peers. Colleen shares some of her best advice and the things that have really worked for her family over t...

It's easy to slip into the temptation to compare our kids to others because it's the easy, even lazy, way to quickly build our kids up and help them to feel better about themselves. What we might not consider are the unintended consequences and the emotional fallout that can result when we compare our kids to each other or other kids and especially when we do that out loud in front of them. In tod...

On last week's podcast, Colleen talked about some of the unique challenges and also unique strengths of homeschooling neurodiverse and twice exceptional kids. This week, Colleen explores specifically why it's so important that we as parents embrace, lean into and celebrate our children's neurodiversity and teach them to view it as a gift and not a defect. Colleen has some specific strategies to sh...

There are many challenges to homeschooling neurodiverse kids. Colleen can tell you you're not alone if you're bumping up against some of those challenges. But, surprisingly, sometimes the things that make homeschooling your gifted and twice-exceptional kids hard work are also the things that make homeschooling such a beautiful fit for them! In this podcast episode, Colleen will equip you with some...

It isn't easy being a mom of differently wired kiddos and being fully present while still juggling all of the other responsibilities of adult life as well as homeschooling! In today's podcast episode Colleen shares some more detailed strategies for how you can carve out that intentional time with your children and give them the best of yourself even when you have a lot of other responsibilities to...

In today's episodes of the Raising Lifelong Learners podcast, Colleen talks about what to do if they homeschool opportunities your kiddos need just don't exist - or at least don't exist in your local area. She shares tons of tips for creating what it is that your kids need if it isn't already available, and even a variety of suggestions for what that might look like and how to to find your people...

In today's podcast episode, Colleen talks about the characteristics of gifted children. Even though they are not all the same, there are lots of common traits that can help you to recognize if your high achievers may actually be gifted. She also discusss some of the less known or understood aspects of giftedness that go deeper than just being bright students, good readers, or math champions! The R...

Parents of gifted learners - especially profoundly gifted children - often struggle to balance the educational acceleration of their children with their emotional development. What are current best practices for academic acceleration of exceptionally gifted children and how can parents meet both the academic and social needs of these students? Should we allow our kids to finish high school early a...

Do you find yourself spending lots of extra time supporting the social and emotional needs of your gifted, twice-exceptional, or otherwise neurodiverse kiddo and worry that your other kids are being neglected? Has the additional care and attention you've devoted to one child put a strain on sibling relationships? If you're facing this struggle, you're not alone! Colleen talks about some practical...

Today on the podcast Colleen is addressing a question that came from one listener, but it could just as well have come from any number of moms she's talked to - in her private consulting as well as in the Learner's Lab community. What if I'm not cut out for this? What if I don't have what it takes? What if I need to do more or be more ... and I just can't? What do we tell ourselves on those self-d...

If you are feeling like a homeschool failure, if you've hit the winter doldrums slump of the school year and wondering if you're ruining your children, Colleen has just the message you need to hear. She shares a cringe-worthy disaster that happened in her kitchen ... and how she used that unexpected event to remind herself (and us) of important strategies for emotional resilliance when we feel lik...

This episode is based on a listerner's questions and concerns about having one child newly diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia and dysgraphia while the rest of her siblings are neurotypical. Colleen responds with real life examples, support and encouragement while providing practical tips to help ease the overwhelm. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out mo...

The transition from the relaxed, anything goes nature of a holiday break to some sort of regular homeschooling routine can be real challenge each year. In today's episode, Colleen shares the reality of helping neurodiverse kids transition back to school after a break, as well as her best tips and tricks for success.  The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more...

We are kicking off the new year with two questions I am asked all the time. #1 - What is my biggest homeschool regret? and #2 - What is my greatest homeschool victory?  The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at  https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL .

As we continue our discussion of how to navigate the holiday season with intense kiddos, today's focus is on gratitude. Colleen shares ideas for how to help our families practice gratitude during the holidays, and why it matters so much for neurodiverse kids.  The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at  https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=R...

For intense children, the holidays can be a difficult season. In today's episode, Colleen shares how to help your intense kids during the holidays, including tips for navigating the chaos and overstimulation that comes with the holiday season, so that your kids can actually have fun.  The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at  https://www.ctcmath.com/purc...

The social and emotional needs of gifted and twice exceptional children are a common concern for parents. How do we help strengthen and support our neurodiverse children as they navigate social development and emotional regulation? Colleen is here to help.    The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at  https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RL...

Homeschooling high school can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be! In this episode, Colleen discusses practical tips and tricks for creating transcripts, managing the worry and guilt as well as strategies to help you and your child finish strong.  The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at  https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL .

This is the second episode in a two part series, all about the ages and stages of interest-led learning. Join Colleen as she shares practical examples and encouragement for homeschooling high school using an interest-led approach.  The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at  https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL .

This is the first episode in a two part series, all about the ages and stages of interest-led learning. Join Colleen as she shares practical examples and encouragement for child directed learning, beginning in the preschool years.  The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at  https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL .

How do we help our kids find their interests? What can we do to foster them and then what happens if our kids change interests? These are all good questions and worth exploring as we move into a more relaxed, eclectic, interest led, child driven approach in our homeschools. The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at  https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homesc...

Does your state offer charter school options for homeschoolers? Have you been wondering if a charter might be a good option for your family? I am joined in this episode by Shawna Wingert. She shares her own experience with a homeschool charter and what she sees as the overall pros and cons of enrolling in one.  The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at  h...

Colleen tackles another listener question - "How do we let go of our older children and give them the space they need?" The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast is brought to you by CTCMath. Find out more at  https://www.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool50?tr_id=RLL .