The Homeschool Solutions Show

Long before textbooks and workbooks were invented, students kept notebooks and commonplace books to help them think, understand, and remember what they learned. Learning journals are a tool your student can use to do the same — here's how to begin using them!  About Janice Janice Campbell, a lifelong reader and writer, loves to introduce students to great books and beautiful writing. She holds an...

Although there are many practical reasons to read daily, the list of the benefits of reading begins with delight. There are few things more soul-nourishing than a great book. However, reading can reduce stress, improve communication skills, increase empathy, build vocabulary, and so much more.  It's no surprise that reading builds brains; what's surprising is how little reading time is built into...

Join Jessica Smartt for a conversation about building your community as a mom! About Jessica Jessica is a wife, homeschool mom of three, author, and blogger. She lives in sunny North Carolina on a big family farm with chickens, goats, cousins, and lots of mud. Resources  Memory-Making Mom by Jessica Smartt Let Them Be Little by Jessica Smartt Homeschool Bootcamp with Jessica Smartt Connect Jessica...

This is the last episode in a 3 episode series. What do you say to your child when a simple "yes" or "no" just don't seem to meet the demands of the hour? The answer? Nothing at all. For most parents, though, saying nothing is simply not an option. They're afraid it might communicate weakness or concede too much ground to their children. But here's the thing - clear answers regarding how to deal w...

Ample time for discussion of knowledge and learning from elders truly invested in their future are major advantages for homeschoolers. However, most important to note is...Why your effort and interaction as homeschool parent must equal or exceed the expectations you have for your student in order to capitalize on these advantages.  About Jennifer Jennifer Cabrera, the Hifalutin Homeschooler , is t...

The second part of a 3 part series, in this episode we focus on when it's appropriate and necessary to say "no" to your child. The truth is, no one is more appropriately positioned to say this word to our children, but it is also true that no one can more inappropriately wield the power it possesses in their lives. We have to make sure that we're not issuing a "no" when the response should be "yes...

This is the first episode of a 3 part series followed by "When to Say No" and "When to Say Nothing at All". In this episode we focus on a simple word that is often so difficult for parents to say to their children - "yes". Whether it's in answer to a request to go on a bike ride or in response to an act of obedience, so often our answer is "no" or nothing at all. Children are always probing, thoug...

What is it like to home school in high school? In this episode Jessica offers her experience so far with the nitty gritty honest feedback about what's hard, what's great, and what she recommends! About Jessica Jessica is a wife, homeschool mom of three, author, and blogger. She lives in sunny North Carolina on a big family farm with chickens, goats, cousins, and lots of mud. Resources  Schole Acad...

A new homeschool year is upon us and there may be no better time to speak to all the homeschooling dads out there. As most of you recognize, your wife is doing critical work. In fact, few other occupations in the world can compare with it. Why, then, do we as husbands find it so difficult to be involved in it? This episode of the Homeschool Solutions Show is my humble attempt to address all the hu...

Don't let anyone shame you for sheltering your kids. The true argument is not about creating open minds, but about who gets to them first. This episode is about why Old School Homeschooling is the best way to ensure continued homeschool freedom for truth and reason! About Jennifer Jennifer Cabrera, the Hifalutin Homeschooler , is the writer of homeschool truth, humor, and inspiration.  Jennifer li...

Join curriculum expert Cathy Duffy and me as we talk about the art of choosing homeschool curriculum. You'll learn about goals, learning styles, types of homeschooling, and more. I think you'll come away feeling much more comfortable about making choices that fit your family. About Cathy Cathy Duffy has been reviewing homeschool curriculum and resources since the 1980s, and is the author of severa...

You pretty much know where you are and where you'd like to be in your homeschool, but the space between those two places can be terribly frustrating. You've probably tried many times to build a habit or acquire a discipline that you believe would benefit your homeschool and have failed just as many times to the point that you may have given up altogether. Well, this episode is here to encourage yo...

Writing can seem as natural as speaking to a child who grows up around adults who write lists, notes, and letters. Join me as I share a few thoughts about special childhood notes and letters I've written and received, and why those little notes can count as first steps in writing. About Janice Janice Campbell, a lifelong reader and writer, loves to introduce students to great books and beautiful w...

In this episode Jessica interviews Jodi Mockabee and they discuss the best hiking spots in the US, whether kids need to go to public school to experience "the real world," the first step to declutter your house, attachment issues, and so much more. About Jodi Jodi Mockabee is a photographer, writer, blogger, speaker, social media influencer, and homeschooling mother of five living in the Black Hil...

The earliest steps in writing often happen because children want to communicate. Here are a few thoughts on how the simple, natural writing moments that occur in daily life can form a strong foundation for future learning, as well as create some sweet memories. About Janice Janice Campbell, a lifelong reader and writer, loves to introduce students to great books and beautiful writing. She holds an...

One thing that parents are very good at? Telling their children what to do. One thing they're not so good at? Showing them what to do. As influential as our words can be, they pale in comparison to the incredible power of example in the lives of our children. Our job is not only to instruct them but show them how to live a life of service to God and their fellow man. About Sean Sean Allen is the f...

Homeschooling year-round makes total sense, but sometimes we just need a break from planning and pushing. Here's a look at the pros and cons of summer homeschooling and my hack for continued learning while enjoying the traditions of summer. About Jennifer Jennifer Cabrera, the Hifalutin Homeschooler , is the writer of homeschool truth, humor, and inspiration.  Jennifer lives in Salado, Texas with...

It is so wonderful to see so many families making the decision to homeschool for the first time! In my conversations with many of these new homeschool parents, it's almost as if the same question lingers on all of their faces: "Can I actually do this?" My answer to that? "Absolutely, yes! And I'll tell you exactly why..." And that's just one of the things I feel that every new homeschool parent sh...

It may be hard to imagine mud as a positive thing, but there was a season of life when it helped me learn to be a better homeschool mom. Perhaps these thoughts can help you, too. About Janice Janice Campbell, a lifelong reader and writer, loves to introduce students to great books and beautiful writing. She holds an English degree from Mary Baldwin College, and is the graduated homeschool mom of f...

If anyone needs time to recharge, it's homeschool moms. Educating your children at home is super rewarding, but also super taxing. At the end of the day your inner battery is probably flashing red. You need to recharge - everyday. But you also need more than that. Daily recharging is probably only getting you by. Over time your battery isn't what it once was. You need a more deliberate plan to get...

In this episode Jessica sits down with the very wise Jennifer Pepito to chat about her new book, Habits for a Sacred Home: 9 Practices from History to Anchor and Restore Modern Families (Helping Moms Experience Peace & Return to Simple Daily Rhythms from Historic Christians like St. Benedict) About Jennifer Jenifer Pepito is the host of Restoration Home podcast, author of Mothering by the Book, an...

Sometimes life changes abruptly in ways we can't control, and it can leave us feeling tired, anxious, or sad. As I've read the daily newspaper over the last few months with its grim news of weather disasters, fires, political instability, and war, I thought it might be time to revisit some thoughts I shared at the beginning of the Covid-19 event that changed many of our lives for at least a year o...

Fathers, like mothers, are busy, but our kind of busy has a way of pulling us away from our family. There just is no let up in all the things they have to do, but if we're not careful we'll wake up one day and realize that all those to-dos took us away from the duty to influence the lives of our children for good. This episode is a call to be more deliberate in turning away from the demands of the...

Sudden and unwanted changes in our familiar homeschool activities and social circles can send our confidence skidding off the road. We can cry on the side of the road, or use these sudden exits to get on a new road to the undiscovered interests and opportunities God is preparing. About Jennifer Jennifer Cabrera, the Hifalutin Homeschooler , is the writer of homeschool truth, humor, and inspiration...

In this episode, Jessica interviews Megan Ross, who amazingly juggles both homeschooling five children AND running an impressive homesteading operation. We talk about all the things - balancing schoolwork and farm chores, butchering animals (yes), growing fruit trees, and which homesteading ventures offers the biggest ROI. About Megan Megan Ross is a first generation homeschooler and homesteader i...