The Homeschool Sisters Podcast

The sisters are back! And in the first episode of Season 7, they're sharing back-to-school and last-day-of-school traditions. Plus, how do you celebrate when you are a learning all the time family? Cait + Kara also catch everyone up on their summers, plants and more! To view all content and links,   please visit the show notes for this episode .

It's here sisters - tons of book ideas for you, plus your permission slip to read outside this summer! Whether you hit the pool, the campground, or the backyard while your kids jump on the trampoline, Cait + Kara are sharing some books they hope to tackle during "summer break." This is their third Poolside Professional Development Episode. Make sure you check out the first and second installments!...

The sibling relationship is unique, especially when we're young and all living together in the same home. Add homeschooling to that, and it's really vital to have some sibling strategies. Cait + Kara have called in sibling expert Lynna Sutherland of Homeschooling Without Training Wheels for this episode. Lynna is a mom to 8 and host of the new podcast Sibling Relationship Lab. She also offers sibl...

In this episode, the sisters are joined by Erin Loechner, founder of the international online homeschool community for little ones, Other Goose. Erin and the sisters are breaking down simple homeschooling with kids ages 2-7 - how to make it intentional and fun, without making yourself crazy. Cait, Kara and Erin discuss common early years questions including what to do when your kids don't like you...

In this episode, the sisters are celebrating a book birthday with friend Pam Barnhill. Her new book Plan Your Year: Homeschool Planning with Purpose and Peace is available for sale TODAY! Get your copy here .  The sisters are sharing this replay episode from last year - one of their most popular episodes so far. Tune in to learn all about Morning Time, plus all about Pam’s book, Better Togeth...

This sisters are joined this week by long-time friend Jamie Martin of Simple Homeschool! Jamie has written a new book that is THE guide for introverts and for helping extroverts understand introverts better: Introverted Mom: Your Guide to More Calm, Less Guilt and Quiet Joy. Learn about why introversion is a super power, how to make homeschooling work when you need frequent recharge time, and...

The sisters are chatting one-on-one time this week ... How to get it when you're homeschooling and together ALL THE TIME, why it's valuable and what you can do when this just isn't the season for it. Cait and Kara share simple ideas for one-on-one time at home or when you just have a few minutes and how to make the most of the time we get together. To view all content and links,   please visi...

In this episode, Cait + Kara address a common question they get from parents - how to meet their children's emotional needs, and how to deal with issues like anxiety and more while homeschooling. With plenty of candor, the sisters are their own experiences with this issue and how they've navigated rough patches (and beyond) with their own children. To view all content and links,   please visi...

Today the sisters are chatting about methods and philosophies and why you don't necessarily need to choose one in order to homeschool. Cait + Kara share their own experiences, and about learning this lesson the hard way - one of them even got booted from a group! (Wait until you hear the reason). The sisters also talk about finding support if you don't choose a strict method to follow. To view all...

The sisters have a tiny case of spring fever in this episode which covers rhythms, new routines, seasonal changes in the their homeschools and more. (Specifically Bob Ross and The Tiny Chef.) Join them for a candid chat about how rhythm isn't like a crockpot, and why quarterly reviews are the routine sweet spot. To view all content and links,   please visit the show notes for this episode . &...

Sisters, if you just aren't good at playing, or don't especially love playing, this is the episode for you! Cait + Kara are talking about what you can do if you can't help but think about laundry and dishes when you wish you could just focus on tiny plastic animals. And if you just really don't want to play, what you can do instead? The sisters have lots of ideas! Cait + Kara have your back, frien...

Shawna Wingert joins this sisters in this episode to talk about when your homeschool doesn't look like the one next door, and why just because it's different, doesn't mean it's less. Shawna is a special education teacher turned business consultant, and mom of two brilliant boys with differences and special needs. She's just launched a new venture - Different by Design Learning - which creates cust...

The sisters are chatting strewing. What is it? How do you do it? What if your kids hate what you strew? And do you need to start with a book? Cait + Kara are tackling your strewing questions and queries, and sharing lots of examples of how they use strewing in their homeschools.  To view all content and links,   please visit the show notes for this episode .

Sisters - so many of you have asked for this one, and Cait + Kara are thrilled to finally be able to share it with you. In this episode, Anne Guarnera of Language Learning at Home is addressing all your foreign language learning questions - from whether we need to start when our kids are tiny, to whether computer-based programs are a viable option. Anne is a whiz - not only does she have a PhD in...

Cait + Kara are both unexpected homeschoolers. In fact, it's one of the (many) things that bonded them. Listen in as they share how they ended up homeschooling their kiddos AFTER sending their kids to preschool programs. In fact, one of them even quit homeschooling for a short time and sent a child back to school before giving homeschooling another shot. Also, hear a bit about the upcoming virtual...

The sisters are sharing their favorite books that inspired them in the early years of parenting and homeschooling. They each tried to pick 5 without too much overlap ... and ended up with books that helped them gain confidence and learn about topics like nature, play, child development and more. Make sure you head over to the show notes to share your favorite early years books! Cait + Kara are als...

The sisters are back with Season 6, and they're talking one of their very favorite topics - Hyggeschooling! Listen as the sisters talk cozy homeschooling, building atmosphere, and adding twinkle lights everywhere! This episode will inspire you to put on your warmest socks, pour everyone some hot chocolate and actually enjoy February. To view all content and links,   please visit the show note...

Subscription boxes are so much fun! And they make great holiday gifts. So in this week's episode Cait + Kara are exploring tons of boxes. From science, to art, to cooking and beyond, the sisters are giving the details on each box, and many of the companies even offered special codes for listeners - just go to the show notes at thehomeschoolsisters.com and look for Episode 57. Cait + Kara are also...

The holidays are here, sisters, and if like us, you're feeling just a *tiny* bit overwhelmed, join us for this replay episode with the fantastic Melissa Camara Wilkins. Melissa is a mama of 6, a writer, homeschooler and Cait + Kara's very favorite resource for living simply and authentically. Listen as Melissa shares two questions she asks her family each season to bring joy instead of busyness, a...

In this episode, the sisters dive into game schooling by subject. This is Cait's forté, so Kara does the interviewing, while Cait fills us in on her favorite games for each subject. The sisters also chat about a few popular games, and how games can make all the difference during the holiday season and leading into the winter. (Games are so hygge!) So grab your coffee or tea and listen in - but don...

This week this sisters chat deep dives - how do we know how much to "push," and when to let kids just explore interests? Plus, they share all their favorite Harry Potter resources. We're not saying that Cait and Kara nerd out for a half-hour, but one of them does actually say that's exactly what they do. ;) Listen in as they suggest books, games, activities and more for your favorite little Potter...

In this week's episode, the sisters are joined by S.D. and Gina Smith - a homeschooling couple that shares their experience balancing life with homeschooling and working from home. Sam is the author of the hugely popular Green Ember series of books, but he's quick to point out that the characters he's created wouldn't be widely known if it wasn't for Gina, his wife of 18 years who homeschools thei...

The sisters are chatting non-fiction today! From their favorite go-to authors, to the books that have stood the test of time in their homes, they are coming to you with tons of recommendations. Listen in as Cait + Kara chat biographies to encyclopedias, and how to find non-fiction books your kids will adore. To view all content and links,   please visit the show notes for this episode .

Challenging seasons are just part of life, but when we homeschool, those seasons can feel extra ... tricky. This is the episode for you if you've navigating something new, and trying to still keep things on track. Join Cait and Kara as they chat survival strategies and share simple tips - you've got this, sister! To view all content and links,   please visit the show notes for this episode .

In this week's episode, Cait and Kara chat about what we can do when our kids are curious about public school or maybe even feeling like they are missing out. From making time for friends, to helping your kids take ownership of their homeschool experience, the sisters address the question: What do I do when my child keeps asking about public school? To view all content and links,   please vis...