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NouveauEp. 143 - The Hidden Reasons Kids Resist Schoolwork (And What Helps) | Sarah Collins13 novembre 2026 · 50 min

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Dernier épisode: 13 Nov 2026

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Explore game-changing educational and homeschool ideas. Designed for intentional parents like you.

Épisodes 143

Ep. 143 - The Hidden Reasons Kids Resist Schoolwork (And What Helps) | Sarah Collins
13 novembre 202650 minSaison 1 · Épisode 143
Why does your child say "I can't do this" the minute schoolwork comes out, and what actually helps? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith, an education and parenting expert with over 20 years of experience, sits down …
Notes de l’épisode
Why does your child say "I can't do this" the minute schoolwork comes out, and what actually helps? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith, an education and parenting expert with over 20 years of experience, sits down with pediatric occupational therapist Sarah Collins of HomeschoolOT to uncover the hidden reasons kids resist schoolwork. Before you treat it as a behavior problem, learn how to tell whether the child, the environment, or the task needs to change.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why "I can't do this" often means "I can't do it this way"
How to tell whether the child, the environment, or the task needs to change
How sensory processing and executive functioning sit under homeschool meltdowns
The body signals and daily patterns that show what is really going on
Why silliness, stalling, and meltdowns can be the same avoidance
How fear turns parents into accusers, and how to be your child's teammate
Top-down and bottom-up: finding the "just right challenge" without lowering the bar
How seating, movement, and sensory needs shape a homeschool learning space
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Reverse Planning Journal — Sarah's listener discount, code ICANTHISWAY
HomeschoolOT — Sarah's website and one-on-one consultations
The OT is IN podcast — Sarah's podcast, organized by topic
A Chameleon Tale: A Colorful Sensory Story — Sarah's children's book
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly businesses and providers
Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith's membership community for homeschool moms
About our guest:
Sarah Collins, MSOT, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist, homeschool mom, and founder of HomeschoolOT. She helps families understand the skills behind learning, including executive functioning, sensory processing, and handwriting, so they can better support their children at home. Sarah is also the host of The OT is IN podcast, where she brings an occupational therapy lens to the everyday challenges of homeschooling.
👉 homeschoolot.com
Instagram · Facebook · LinkedIn · TikTok · YouTube
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(00:43) - When Your Child Says "I Can't"
(02:15) - Meet Sarah Collins, Pediatric OT
(02:51) - Why Every Parent Needs an OT Lens
(05:32) - Before You Call It a Behavior Problem
(06:40) - The Child, the Environment, or the Task?
(09:09) - Investigate Before You Compare Siblings
(11:17) - Body Signals and Patterns to Watch For
(13:51) - Giving Kids Words for Big Feelings
(18:00) - Is Helping Your Child "Too Soft"?
(19:35) - Fear-Based Parenting vs. Being Their Teammate
(22:25) - When Resistance Looks Like Silliness or Stalling
(23:58) - What Happens Before, During, and After
(26:26) - If Kids Designed Their Own Learning Space
(31:01) - Seating, Movement, and Sensory Needs
(33:35) - Chosen Tasks vs. Assigned Tasks
(35:53) - How to Adjust Without Lowering the Bar
(36:55) - Top-Down, Bottom-Up, and the "Just Right Challenge"
(39:35) - How Sarah Works with Homeschool Families
(41:22) - For the Mom Who Thinks Homeschooling Isn't Working
(44:18) - You Don't Have to Do This Alone
(46:44) - The Eye-Tracking Story
(48:52) - Final Thoughts
Chapitres (23)
Ep. 142 - AI and Homeschooling: Using ChatGPT Without Hurting Learning // Nancy Manos
5 novembre 202650 minSaison 1 · Épisode 142
Avec Nancy Manos
Should your kids be using AI like ChatGPT for school — and how do you keep it from doing their thinking for them? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Nancy Manos, host of the AI and Your Homeschool …
Notes de l’épisode
Should your kids be using AI like ChatGPT for school — and how do you keep it from doing their thinking for them? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Nancy Manos, host of the AI and Your Homeschool Podcast and a homeschool leader for more than 20 years, to talk about AI and homeschooling with wisdom instead of fear.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
What AI tools like ChatGPT actually are — and a Christian perspective on why they can't replace human relationships or spiritual guidance
How to raise kids wisely with AI without reacting in fear or blind enthusiasm
Why AI can sound confident and still be completely wrong — including a research study it made up
Privacy and flattery: what to watch for every time you type into an AI tool
The critical thinking skills kids need for jobs that don't even have names yet
Why the struggle of learning builds a "muscle" AI can't build for your kids
The question to ask when your child says, "Can I just use AI for this?"
Practical ways homeschool moms can use AI — from multi-age lesson ideas to field trip planning
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
AI and Your Homeschool Podcast — Nancy Manos's podcast for parents navigating AI and technology
Free Family Discussion Guide — Nancy's free guide with questions for parents, teens, and the whole family
The Trojan Horse of the Digital Age: Why Christians Must Discern AI — book by Misty Phillip
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers
Thrive Homeschool Community
About our guest:
Nancy Manos homeschooled her two daughters from preschool through high school and has served in homeschool leadership for more than 20 years. She is passionate about encouraging and equipping parents in the homeschool adventure. Nancy hosts the AI and Your Homeschool Podcast, where she helps parents raise children wisely and with discernment in a world of rapidly changing technology.
👉 nancymanos.com
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(02:33) - Raising Kids Wisely Without Fear or Blind Enthusiasm
(05:32) - Why Teens Need to Understand AI for Future Jobs
(07:11) - What AI Is (and What It Can't Do)
(10:40) - Technology Won't Fix Our "Me Problems"
(12:44) - The Skills Kids Need for Jobs We Can't Name Yet
(16:02) - Why Struggle Builds the Learning Muscle
(18:30) - "Can I Just Use AI for This, Mom?"
(19:53) - AI Concerns: Misinformation, Privacy, and Flattery
(25:08) - You Don't Have to Master Every AI Tool
(26:23) - AI Slop and Why Kids Will Crave Real Humanity
(28:05) - Did I Just Cheat? The Hidden Cost of Shortcuts
(29:58) - Practical Ways Homeschool Moms Can Use AI
(32:47) - Are Some Skills No Longer Needed?
(36:04) - What Kind of Adults Are We Raising?
(39:09) - The Homeschool Advantage: Education as Skills
(40:40) - What Nancy Would Do Differently Today
(46:14) - Asking "Why?" Behind Every Assignment
(48:20) - Nancy's Free Family Discussion Guide
Chapitres (19)
Ep. 141 - Why Kids Need Fairy Tales // Andrew Pudewa
29 octobre 20261 h 2 minSaison 1 · Épisode 141
Should parents read fairy tales to their kids — even the dark ones? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Andrew Pudewa, founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, to talk about …
Notes de l’épisode
Should parents read fairy tales to their kids — even the dark ones? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Andrew Pudewa, founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, to talk about why kids need fairy tales and how these old stories shape a child's moral imagination. As Andrew puts it, paraphrasing G.K. Chesterton: children already know dragons exist — fairy tales teach them that dragons can be slain.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why reading aloud to children is the most important thing you can do for strong readers, writers, and speakers
What the "moral imagination" is and how stories build it
Why fairy tales may hold more truth than history textbooks
What makes a story a true fairy tale — and where these stories came from
Are fairy tales too scary for kids? How to use your judgment based on age and personality
Why kids need stories about death, loss, and other hard things
How fairy tales teach courage, wisdom, self-control, and justice
How screens crowd out imagination — and why kids should hear the story before they see the movie
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) — the writing program Christy-Faith's family and co-op use
Fairy Tales and the Moral Imagination — Andrew Pudewa's talk on why fairy tales matter
The Tale of Snow White and the Widow Queen by Jonathan Pageau — Andrew's favorite fairy tale book
Tending the Heart of Virtue by Vigen Guroian — how classic stories awaken a child's moral imagination
The Mysteries of Life in Children's Literature by Mitchell Kalpakgian — books that inspire a love of life
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi — the novel Christy-Faith and Andrew both love
The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald — one of Christy-Faith's favorites, free to read online
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
About our guest:
Andrew Pudewa is the founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing. Presenting around the world, he addresses issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, and spelling with clarity, insight, practical experience, and humor. His seminars for parents, students, and teachers have helped transform many a reluctant writer and have equipped educators with powerful tools to dramatically improve students' skills.
👉 iew.com
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(02:54) - How a Church Banner Sparked His Fairy Tale Research
(06:46) - What Is the Moral Imagination?
(08:58) - Why Stories Teach More Than History Textbooks
(13:13) - What Makes a Story a Fairy Tale?
(16:52) - "Dragons Can Be Slain": Why Fairy Tales Have a Dark Side
(18:32) - Are Fairy Tales Too Scary for Kids?
(24:50) - Why Kids Need Stories About Death and Loss
(27:37) - Are We Protecting Our Kids Too Much?
(29:29) - What Good Literature Gives Kids
(34:37) - Why We Crave Stories Where Good Wins
(38:31) - How Kids Step Inside the Story
(41:17) - Fairy Tales and the Four Cardinal Virtues
(45:37) - How Fairy Tales Spark Awe and Wonder
(48:40) - How Screens Steal Imagination
(50:06) - Why Imagination Matters for Faith
(55:57) - Andrew's Favorite Fairy Tales
(58:15) - Disney vs. the Original Fairy Tales
(01:00:40) - Final Thoughts
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 140 - How to Homeschool Multiple Kids Without Burning Out | Smooth Days Part 4
22 octobre 202635 minSaison 1 · Épisode 140
Homeschooling more than one child and bouncing like a human pinball from phonics to fractions to grading essays? In the finale of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith, an education …
Notes de l’épisode
Homeschooling more than one child and bouncing like a human pinball from phonics to fractions to grading essays? In the finale of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith, an education and parenting expert with over 20 years of experience, shows you how to homeschool multiple kids without burning out — with a realistic teaching budget, boundaries that protect your sanity, and simple systems that build capable kids.
🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules
See how real homeschool days come together, and build a schedule that works for every kid in your house.
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Your real teaching budget: about 2 to 3 hours a day — total, not per kid
How much of your time littles, elementary kids, and teens actually need
Why everyone in the family needs a printed schedule with margin built in
Multi-level homeschooling: which subjects to teach together and which to keep separate
The interruption rule (“blood, fire, or flood”) and how to teach kids to wait
Three boundaries that protect your homeschool: your phone, your personal space, and your core school hours
Why chores are part of school — and how to anchor them to meals
Building capable kids with “I do, we do, you do” and the parental involvement index
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family’s needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Smooth Homeschool Days Part 1 (Ep. 137) — The early years: pre-K to 2nd grade
Smooth Homeschool Days Part 2 (Ep. 138) — The elementary years: 3rd to 6th grade
Smooth Homeschool Days Part 3 (Ep. 139) — The teen years: building independence without losing connection
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly businesses and providers
Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith’s membership community for homeschool moms
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome to Smooth Homeschool Days Part 4
(00:56) - When Your House Feels Like a Circus
(01:54) - A Multi-Level Homeschool Isn’t Three Separate Schools
(02:21) - How This 4-Part Series Works
(03:18) - The One Number That Changes Everything
(04:00) - Your Real Teaching Budget: 2 to 3 Hours a Day
(04:28) - Younger Kids Need More of Your Time
(06:01) - How Much Time Your Teen Really Needs From You
(06:39) - Why Everyone Needs a Printed Schedule
(07:36) - Teach Together Whenever You Can
(08:17) - What the Research Says About Mixed-Age Learning
(08:42) - Which Subjects to Keep Separate
(09:32) - What a Multi-Level Homeschool Day Looks Like
(14:08) - Interruptions: The Homeschool Day Killer
(14:42) - The Interruption Rule: Blood, Fire, or Flood
(15:11) - Teaching Kids How to Wait
(17:21) - A Boundary With Yourself: Your Phone
(17:57) - Boundaries Around Your Personal Space
(19:00) - Boundaries With the Outside World
(21:00) - Running a House That Has School in It
(21:47) - Anchor Chores to Meals
(22:59) - The Planning Fallacy: Why You Need Margin
(23:31) - Time-Based vs. Lesson-Based Homeschooling
(24:13) - Chores Are Part of School
(25:13) - The Independence Trap
(28:10) - Capability, Not Independence
(30:00) - Gradual Release: I Do, We Do, You Do
(30:28) - What Kids Can Do on Their Own, by Age
(31:31) - The Parental Involvement Index
(33:48) - The Whole Series in Four Sentences
(34:47) - Final Thoughts: What Smooth Homeschool Days Really Are
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 139 - Teen Homeschooling: How to Build Independence Without Losing Connection | Smooth Days Part 3
15 octobre 202630 minSaison 1 · Épisode 139
Is your teenager shutting the bedroom door, sleeping until ten, and tuning out every reminder — while you quietly wonder if you’re losing them? In Part 3 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert …
Notes de l’épisode
Is your teenager shutting the bedroom door, sleeping until ten, and tuning out every reminder — while you quietly wonder if you’re losing them? In Part 3 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith explains what’s really happening in the teen brain and how teen homeschooling can build real independence without losing connection.
🎁 Free Resource: 15 Questions to Ask Before You Join a Homeschool Co-Op
Save yourself the time and misery of joining the wrong co-op. Grab my free guide and find the right fit for your family.
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep — and why it’s okay to start school at 9 or 10
Attention span by age: what to expect from 12–14 vs. 15–18 year olds
Executive function in teens: why knowing and doing run on different hardware
Scaffolding that isn’t you: checklists, timers, and outside deadlines
What the research says about teen moods, conflict, and family time
How much independent work to expect in 7th–8th, 9th–10th, and 11th–12th grade
The ladder of ownership: handing over the school day one rung at a time
What to do when your teen says “I want to go to real school” — and how to repair a strained relationship
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans and Savings
Resources mentioned:
Smooth Homeschool Days Part 1 (Ep. 137) — The early years: pre-K to 2nd grade
Smooth Homeschool Days Part 2 (Ep. 138) — The elementary years: 3rd to 6th grade
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly businesses and providers
Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith’s membership community for homeschool moms
⭐ New to homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome to Smooth Homeschool Days Part 3
(01:01) - When Your Teen Starts Pulling Away
(02:15) - Your Teen Still Needs Healthy Attachment
(03:37) - How This 4-Part Series Works
(04:07) - From Manager to Consultant: Ages 12 to 17
(04:28) - Why Teens Need More Sleep
(06:06) - Attention Span by Age: 12–14 vs. 15–18
(07:01) - The Teen Brain Under Construction
(07:40) - Knowing vs. Doing: Why Teens Procrastinate
(08:23) - Scaffolding That Isn’t You
(12:18) - The Emotional Baseline of a Teenager
(12:45) - What the Research Says About Teen Moods
(13:28) - Bedtime Talks: When Teens Want to Process
(14:05) - How Conflict Changes in the Teen Years
(14:44) - Why Teens Need More Autonomy
(15:45) - 7th and 8th Grade: What to Expect
(16:53) - 9th and 10th Grade: Plan Backwards
(18:01) - 11th and 12th Grade: Preparing for the Transition
(18:36) - Letting Teens Learn from Mistakes
(19:03) - The Ladder of Ownership
(19:59) - Hand Over Decisions, Not Just Responsibility
(23:47) - “I Want to Go to Real School”
(25:01) - The 24-Hour Rule
(27:00) - Action Step: Stop Being the Schedule Police
(28:36) - Small Signs of Repair
(28:59) - Final Thoughts: Warm, Firm, and Respectful
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 138 - Elementary Homeschooling: How Much Independence Should Kids Really Have? | Smooth Days Part 2
8 octobre 202638 minSaison 1 · Épisode 138
Your child did long division perfectly on Monday — so why are they staring at the same problems like they’re written in a foreign language today? In Part 2 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool …
Notes de l’épisode
Your child did long division perfectly on Monday — so why are they staring at the same problems like they’re written in a foreign language today? In Part 2 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith explains what kids in 3rd through 6th grade are really ready for, how much independence they can handle, and how to raise the bar without losing the relationship.
🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules
Wondering how much school is really enough? See what real homeschool days look like with my free sample schedules.
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What’s developing in the brain between ages 8 and 11 — and why abstract math can feel impossible
Attention span by age for assigned work (and the video game myth)
How much independent work is realistic at ages 8–9 vs. 10–11
Why skills seem to vanish overnight — and why unevenness is not regression
The math anxiety loop: how worry freezes working memory
The golden rule for frustrating lessons: two explanations, then stop
The 3 academic hinges of the elementary years and grade-by-grade expectations
The correction-to-connection ratio and how to batch your corrections
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family’s needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans and Savings
Resources mentioned:
Smooth Homeschool Days Part 1 (Ep. 137) — The early years: pre-K to 2nd grade
Homeschool Rising — Christy-Faith’s book, including the chapter on deschooling
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly businesses and providers
Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith’s membership community for homeschool moms
⭐ New to homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series is the best place to begin.
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome to Smooth Homeschool Days Part 2
(01:01) - The Math Meltdown Every Mom Knows
(01:47) - How This 4-Part Series Works
(03:08) - What’s Developing in Kids Ages 8 to 11
(03:51) - Concrete Thinking: Why Worksheets Feel Harder
(05:12) - Attention Span by Age for Assigned Work
(06:48) - Working Memory: Why Writing It Down Helps
(11:23) - The Great Myth of Independent Work
(12:34) - How Much Independent Work Is Realistic by Age
(13:58) - Why Skills Vanish Overnight
(16:27) - The Emotional Life of Elementary Kids
(18:21) - Shame, Comparison, and “Are You Mad at Me?”
(21:05) - The Math Anxiety Loop
(25:26) - The Golden Rule: Two Explanations, Then Stop
(27:11) - The 3 Academic Hinges
(29:16) - Grade-by-Grade Expectations: 3rd to 6th
(32:33) - The Correction-to-Connection Ratio
(33:27) - Routine and Batching Your Corrections
(35:59) - Dignity Around Mistakes
(36:25) - Final Thoughts: Protect the Relationship
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 137 - How to Homeschool Pre-K to 2nd Grade Without Constant Battles | Focus, Behavior & Meltdowns | Smooth Days Part 1
1 octobre 202647 minSaison 1 · Épisode 137
Is your five-year-old refusing to do their letters, or is your seven-year-old melting down over a single phonics page? In Part 1 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith explains …
Notes de l’épisode
Is your five-year-old refusing to do their letters, or is your seven-year-old melting down over a single phonics page? In Part 1 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith explains why most of what looks like a behavior problem in kids ages 4 to 7 is really brain development — and how to homeschool pre-K to 2nd grade without constant battles.
🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules
Wondering how much school is really enough? See what real homeschool days look like with my free sample schedules.
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why most “behavior problems” in kids ages 4–7 are really brain development
Attention span by age — how long young kids can really focus on assigned work
Why a 4-year-old can only hold about two pieces of information at once (and how to give instructions that stick)
The “yesterday vs. today” problem — and what’s really behind it
Why young kids need to move while they learn, plus the “upside-down kid” test
Co-regulation: why young kids can’t calm themselves down yet
Refusal vs. meltdown — a 60-second protocol and the 3 types of meltdowns
How long to homeschool each day from pre-K to 2nd grade
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family’s needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans and Savings
Resources mentioned:
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly businesses and providers
Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith’s membership community for homeschool moms
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University — Research on executive function, including attention, working memory, and self-control
Wiley Blevins — Early literacy expert and author of A Fresh Look at Phonics
⭐ New to homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series is the best place to begin.
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome to the Smooth Homeschool Days Series
(01:30) - When “Bad Behavior” Is Really Biology
(03:52) - The 3 Brain Pillars Under Construction
(04:25) - Attention Span by Age for Assigned Work
(06:47) - Working Memory: Give One Step at a Time
(09:47) - Inhibitory Control and the Yesterday vs. Today Problem
(14:24) - Why Young Kids Need to Move While They Learn
(19:34) - Co-Regulation: Why Kids Can’t Calm Down Alone
(23:08) - The 3 Biggest Predictors of Self-Regulation
(26:13) - Refusal vs. Meltdown: Know the Difference
(28:02) - The 60-Second Protocol for Refusals
(32:09) - The 3 Types of Meltdowns
(36:19) - From Behavior Cop to Behavior Detective
(41:58) - How Much School Pre-K to 2nd Grade Really Needs
(44:03) - Mastery Over Exposure
(44:37) - Final Thought: Grace for Your Kids and Yourself
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 136 - Christian Marriage Advice: How to Repair, Reconnect & Grow Together // Debra Fileta
24 septembre 20261 h 3 minSaison 1 · Épisode 136
Why do so many Christian marriages struggle even when both spouses truly love each other? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with licensed professional counselor Debra Fileta to talk about her new book …
Notes de l’épisode
Why do so many Christian marriages struggle even when both spouses truly love each other? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with licensed professional counselor Debra Fileta to talk about her new book, Relationship Skills, and the four seasons every marriage passes through. Healthy marriages aren't found — they're built.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why Christian marriages struggle from a lack of skill, not a lack of love
The difference between a difficult, dysfunctional, and toxic relationship — and when to get professional help
The four seasons of marriage: spring, summer, fall, and winter
Why the goal of Christian marriage isn't just longevity — it's transformation
How to change old patterns by starting with what you bring to the table
The 90-second hack for building emotional intimacy in marriage
How to apologize to your spouse in 3 steps: own it, validate, and share your plan for change
Why marriage repair after conflict can make you stronger — and why there's hope even in winter
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Relationship Skills by Debra Fileta — Debra's newest book on the four seasons of relationships
People Skills by Debra Fileta — a great relationship-skills book for homeschool families
Relationship Skills Quiz — free quiz to find which skills your relationship needs in this season
Talk To Me: The Debra Fileta Podcast
Debra Fileta Counselors Network — faith-forward, clinically trained counselors
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers
Thrive Homeschool Community
About our guest:
Debra Fileta is a Licensed Professional Counselor, national speaker, and founder of the Debra Fileta Counselors Network. She is the bestselling author of ten books, including RESET, Soul Care, and her newest book, Relationship Skills. Debra is the host of the popular podcast and nationally syndicated radio show Talk To Me, where she facilitates on-air, authentic counseling-style sessions with notable pastors and leaders.
👉 DebraFileta.com
👉 @DebraFileta on Instagram
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(01:07) - Why the Church Is Ready to Talk About Mental Health
(03:00) - Healthy Marriages Aren't Found, They're Built
(05:13) - Difficult vs. Toxic Relationships: An Important Disclaimer
(08:34) - Is He a Narcissist? When to Get Professional Help
(11:03) - The Four Seasons of Marriage
(15:44) - What Does God Want for Our Marriages?
(23:38) - Spring: Planting New Seeds in Your Marriage
(26:55) - Why Change Starts With You
(29:03) - Summer: The Emotional Intimacy Gap
(31:08) - The 90-Second Connection Hack
(37:08) - Fall: Vulnerability and What Not to Hide From Your Spouse
(42:03) - Rupture and Repair After Conflict
(43:18) - How to Apologize to Your Spouse in 3 Steps
(47:50) - Why Repair Is God's Heart for Relationships
(54:05) - Winter: There Is Hope for a Cold Marriage
(59:17) - Resources From Debra Fileta
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 135 - What Every Homeschool Dad Needs to Know // Dr. Joe O’Tool
17 septembre 20261 h 7 minSaison 1 · Épisode 135
What is a homeschool dad actually supposed to do when his wife is the one teaching? Most homeschool content is written for moms, so dads are left guessing — supportive, but unsure where they fit. Homeschool …
Notes de l’épisode
What is a homeschool dad actually supposed to do when his wife is the one teaching? Most homeschool content is written for moms, so dads are left guessing — supportive, but unsure where they fit. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Dr. Joe O'Tool, a board-certified functional neurologist and second-generation homeschooler, to answer the question directly: what every homeschool dad needs to know.
🎁 Free Resource: The New Homeschooler's Roadmap
Your free step-by-step companion to this whole journey — all 8 steps, all the links, plus episode playlists organized by your biggest worries. Save it to your desktop — it's your command center.
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
What the dad's role in homeschooling actually is when mom is the primary teacher
Why the best homeschool dads lead without micromanaging the day-to-day
What to say to your wife when she has taught the same concept five times and hit a wall
Why a dad's criticism is usually fear talking — and what to do with that fear
The one action step Dr. Joe gives every nervous homeschool dad
Why deschooling matters just as much for dads as it does for moms
The skill that predicts academic success better than intelligence does
How to explain your family's homeschooling to coworkers and friends without apologizing
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
The Stinks — Dr. Joe O'Tool's children's book about getting outside and getting the stink off
Lifestream Clinic — Dr. Joe's functional neurology practice in Ankeny, Iowa
Homeschool Iowa — the state organization Dr. Joe serves on the board of
Homeschool Rising — Christy-Faith's book, including the chapter on deschooling
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein — the book Dr. Joe references on struggle and long-term learning
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community
About our guest:
Dr. Joe O'Tool is a board-certified functional neurologist practicing in Ankeny, Iowa, where he works daily with children facing learning, behavior, and development concerns, and with patients experiencing concussion, vertigo, brain fog, and dizziness. He is a second-generation homeschooler who grew up in a family of nine children, and he and his wife, Angie, homeschool their own kids today. He serves on the board of Homeschool Iowa and is the author of the children's book The Stinks. His personal motto is: "Step Up. Change Lives. Inspire Hope."
👉 lifestreamclinic.com
👉 Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(02:03) - Meet Dr. Joe O’Tool
(04:21) - Why His Parents Homeschooled Before It Was Legal
(07:42) - What Homeschooling Did for the Sibling Relationships
(09:20) - The Dad’s Role When Mom Is the Teacher
(10:54) - There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Homeschool Rhythm
(14:55) - Speaking to the Dad Who’s Afraid They’re Behind
(18:39) - What His High School Actually Looked Like
(22:52) - Trade-Offs, Gap Years, and Missing Out
(30:05) - When Mom Is at Her Wits’ End
(33:33) - Dad as Vision Caster, Not Micromanager
(36:14) - When Dad Is Looking Over Her Shoulder
(41:37) - The One Action Step for Every Homeschool Dad
(44:21) - The Skill That Predicts Success Better Than Grades
(45:34) - Stop Teaching Kids to Find the Right Answer
(52:44) - For the Dad Who Feels on the Outside
(53:48) - Know Your Wife, Not the Curriculum
(58:52) - For the Dad Who Feels Like the Only One
(01:04:04) - The Stinks and What’s Next for Dr. Joe
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 134 - Homeschool to Military: Enlistment, ROTC & Service Academies with Natalie Mack (Part 4 of 4)
10 septembre 202658 minSaison 1 · Épisode 134
Can homeschool graduates actually join the military — and is enlisting the only way in? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and retired …
Notes de l’épisode
Can homeschool graduates actually join the military — and is enlisting the only way in? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and retired military spouse with more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, to map every pathway to service. Enlistment, ROTC, service academies, military colleges, the Guard and Reserves — plus the tier rule that quietly decided how homeschoolers were treated for years.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
The five military pathways open to homeschool graduates, not just enlistment
Why homeschool graduates are now tier one — and what to do if a recruiter says otherwise
What the ASVAB actually measures, and why it isn't only for future service members
How the free ASVAB Career Exploration Program works for any student in 10th grade and up
The option that keeps your student's test scores out of a recruiter's hands
How ROTC scholarships work, and the service obligation that can come with them
What a service academy application really demands, and why you start before ninth grade
Why applying early decision can quietly disqualify a service academy candidate
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50
True North Homeschool Academy
✔ Cognia-accredited live online and self-paced courses for grades 6–12
✔ Dual degree track or tech & trades diploma
✔ Small classes, college-ready rigor, faith-friendly environment
👉 Explore Courses & Get Started
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
March to Success — free ASVAB prep from the U.S. Army: march2success.com
Natalie Mack's website: natalie-mack.com
High School Decisions Bootcamp — use code CHRISTY for a listener discount: natalie-mack.com/high-school-decisions-bootcamp
Natalie's homeschool courses and masterclasses: natalie-mack.com/masterclass
101 Tips for Homeschoolers — Natalie's book: Get the book on Amazon
The Impact of Homeschooling — Natalie's TEDx talk: Watch the TEDx talk
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
⭐ This is Part 4, the final episode of a 4-part series with Natalie Mack on homeschooling high school.
Part 1 — How to Homeschool High School With Confidence
Part 2 — Can Homeschoolers Play College Sports? NCAA Eligibility Explained
Part 3 — How to Prepare Your Homeschooler for College
Part 4 — Homeschool to Military (this episode)
About our guest:
Natalie Mack, M.Ed. is the founder of Homeschool Natalie Mack, and a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of 101 Tips for Homeschoolers. With more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, she helps families confidently navigate high school, transcripts, college admissions, military service, and other postsecondary pathways. Natalie is passionate about equipping parents with practical guidance so they can make informed decisions.
👉 natalie-mack.com
👉 Instagram: @homeschoolnataliemack
👉 TikTok: @homeschoolnataliemack
👉 Facebook: Homeschool Natalie Mack
👉 YouTube: @homeschoolnataliemack
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(01:14) - The Series So Far
(02:25) - Meet Natalie Mack
(04:45) - A Military Family
(10:36) - Not a Fallback Option
(11:28) - The Five Pathways
(12:32) - Service Academies
(13:41) - Military Colleges
(14:56) - Guard and Reserves
(21:06) - Can Homeschoolers Enlist?
(23:21) - Tier One Explained
(25:59) - Documentation and Transcripts
(28:50) - What Is the ASVAB?
(31:16) - The Free Career Test
(34:11) - Keeping Scores Private
(41:00) - ROTC Scholarships
(43:33) - Service Academy Prep
(47:17) - Don't Bet on One School
(51:57) - Asking Better Questions
(54:21) - Where to Find Natalie
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 133 - How to Prepare Your Homeschooler for College (Part 3 of 4) // Natalie Mack
3 septembre 202655 minSaison 1 · Épisode 133
How do you prepare a homeschooler for college — and do you have to do the traditional four years to get there? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., a homeschool consultant and …
Notes de l’épisode
How do you prepare a homeschooler for college — and do you have to do the traditional four years to get there? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., a homeschool consultant and TEDx speaker with more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, to walk through every college-bound pathway open to homeschool families. Dual enrollment, community college, dual degree programs, and the traditional four-year route — plus the transfer trap that quietly costs families thousands.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
The four college-bound pathways available to homeschool families, laid out side by side
When community college during high school is a smart move — and when it isn't
How dual enrollment works, and why one semester course can equal a full high school year
Why some dual credit classes never transfer, and the residency requirement behind it
The exact question to ask a college registrar before your teen enrolls in anything
What dual degree programs are, and which students they actually fit
How the college application process differs for homeschool students (and how much it doesn't)
Why colleges actively recruit homeschool students for the skills they bring
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Natalie Mack's website — home of her free downloadable extracurricular activity resume for tracking leadership, service, and volunteer work: natalie-mack.com
High School Decisions Bootcamp — use code CHRISTY for a listener discount: natalie-mack.com/high-school-decisions-bootcamp
Natalie's homeschool courses and masterclasses: natalie-mack.com/masterclass
101 Tips for Homeschoolers — Natalie's book: Get the book on Amazon
The Impact of Homeschooling — Natalie's TEDx talk: Watch the TEDx talk
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
⭐ This is Part 3 of a 4-part series with Natalie Mack on homeschooling high school.
Part 1 — How to Homeschool High School With Confidence
Part 2 — Can Homeschoolers Play College Sports? NCAA Eligibility Explained
Part 3 — How to Prepare Your Homeschooler for College (this episode)
Part 4 — From homeschool to military service: enlistment, ROTC, and service academies
About our guest:
Natalie Mack, M.Ed. is the founder of Homeschool Natalie Mack, and a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of 101 Tips for Homeschoolers. With more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, she helps families confidently navigate high school, transcripts, college admissions, military service, and other postsecondary pathways. Natalie is passionate about equipping parents with practical guidance so they can make informed decisions.
👉 natalie-mack.com
👉 Instagram: @homeschoolnataliemack
👉 TikTok: @homeschoolnataliemack
👉 Facebook: Homeschool Natalie Mack
👉 YouTube: @homeschoolnataliemack
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction and Where We Are in the Series
(01:14) - Meet Natalie Mack
(03:06) - Demystifying Homeschooling High School
(04:39) - You're Not Neglecting Them — You're Supporting Them
(05:14) - Should Homeschoolers Use Community College?
(06:19) - Lower Stakes, Lower Cost, Real College Experience
(07:32) - When Community College Isn't the Right Fit
(08:30) - How Dual Enrollment Actually Works
(09:04) - One Semester Course Equals One Full High School Year
(13:10) - The College-Bound Pathways, Laid Out
(14:22) - What Dual Degree Programs Are
(15:20) - Why Families Are Rethinking the Four-Year Price Tag
(19:38) - The Dual Credit Transfer Trap
(20:42) - Residency Requirements and Why Colleges Protect Their Brand
(21:46) - How to Find Out What Actually Transfers
(23:00) - Getting Buy-In From Your Student
(24:34) - When Pushback Is Really Overwhelm
(30:16) - Building Confidence and a Love of Learning
(31:34) - Should Your Teen Sit In on the Consultation?
(34:28) - The Shift From Teacher to Facilitator
(36:49) - Why the Mental Health Piece Matters in High School
(43:38) - The Traditional Four-Year Application Process
(45:15) - Transcripts, Activity Resumes, and the Common App
(46:14) - Wearing Two Hats: Mom and Guidance Counselor
(48:48) - Why Colleges Actively Recruit Homeschool Students
(51:21) - Skills, Character, and What Employers Want Now
(52:29) - Don't Apologize for Homeschooling
(53:35) - Where to Find Natalie Mack
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 132 - Can Homeschoolers Play College Sports? NCAA Eligibility Explained (Part 2 of 4) // Natalie Mack
27 août 202658 minSaison 1 · Épisode 132
Can homeschoolers actually play college sports? If your athlete has ever said "I want to play in college," there is a separate process running alongside college admissions that most homeschool families never …
Notes de l’épisode
Can homeschoolers actually play college sports? If your athlete has ever said "I want to play in college," there is a separate process running alongside college admissions that most homeschool families never hear about until it's too late. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., to walk through exactly how NCAA eligibility works when you're the one wearing the guidance counselor hat.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Whether homeschool students can compete in NCAA athletics just like traditionally schooled students
Where to find the NCAA Eligibility Center's homeschool toolkit and why it's the document to follow
How the 16 core courses and the 10/7 rule actually work
What a Core Course Worksheet (CCW) is and when a parent has to fill one out
When the eligibility clock starts and why 9th grade is already late to begin planning
How dual enrollment, co-op classes, and online courses count toward eligibility
The real difference between Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3 requirements
The most common mistakes that quietly create eligibility problems for homeschool athletes
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Natalie Mack's website — free high school planning checklist for grades 9–12, the high school decisions workshop, and her homeschool courses
High School Decisions Bootcamp — use code CHRISTY for a listener discount
Natalie's homeschool courses — cross-cultural American literature and model diplomacy global affairs simulation
101 Tips for Homeschoolers — Natalie's book
The Impact of Homeschooling — Natalie's TEDx talk
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
⭐ This is Part 2 of a 4-part series with Natalie Mack on homeschooling high school.
Part 1 — How to Homeschool High School With Confidence
Part 3 — the college-bound path, including community college and dual enrollment
Part 4 — from homeschool to military service: enlistment, ROTC, and service academies
About our guest:
Natalie Mack, M.Ed., is the founder of Homeschool Natalie Mack, and a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of 101 Tips for Homeschoolers. With more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, she helps families confidently navigate high school, transcripts, college admissions, military service, and other postsecondary pathways. Natalie is passionate about equipping parents with practical guidance so they can make informed decisions.
👉 natalie-mack.com
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction and why this series got split into four episodes
(02:30) - Natalie's daughter and the road to Division 1 soccer
(06:16) - Can homeschoolers compete in NCAA athletics?
(09:20) - The NCAA Eligibility Center and the homeschool toolkit
(10:55) - The 16 core courses and the 10/7 rule
(12:28) - Core Course Worksheets for parent-taught classes
(16:46) - When the clock starts: planning before 9th grade
(19:24) - What athletic scholarship money really looks like
(20:59) - Division 1 vs. Division 2 vs. Division 3
(22:33) - What the NCAA counts as a homeschool course
(24:54) - The mistakes that create eligibility problems
(28:37) - "Why not just send them to brick-and-mortar?"
(33:28) - Dual enrollment, co-ops, and outside instructors
(38:52) - What to do while your student is still in middle school
(41:06) - The broken leg question every family should ask
(43:26) - When a kid's identity gets wrapped up in performance
(50:46) - Why one thing should never be everything
(53:24) - What's coming next in the series and how to find Natalie
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 131 - How to Homeschool High School With Confidence (Part 1 of 4) // Natalie Mack
21 août 202653 minSaison 1 · Épisode 131
Your student is heading into ninth grade and suddenly everything feels like it counts. Credits, transcripts, graduation requirements, college, and a hundred decisions you're not sure you're qualified to make …
Notes de l’épisode
Your student is heading into ninth grade and suddenly everything feels like it counts. Credits, transcripts, graduation requirements, college, and a hundred decisions you're not sure you're qualified to make. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., to answer the question that keeps homeschool moms up at night: how do you homeschool high school without living in a pressure cooker?
This is Part 1 of a four-part high school series.
🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules
See how real homeschool families actually structure their days — then take what works and leave the rest.
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
What actually changes when you move from homeschooling middle school into high school
Why Natalie calls high school a blank canvas — and why there's no single right way through it
The five core subject areas that build a sound high school foundation
How many credits a homeschool high schooler needs each year, and what a credit really represents
Why every student needs a homeschool transcript — even the ones who say they're not going to college
When to start the transcript and why it stays a draft document for years
How to set your own graduation requirements and where state law comes into it
The biggest mistake homeschool parents make in high school planning — and how fear drives it
The truth about the all-AP myth, straight from a College Board parent advisory council member
How to choose between dual enrollment, AP, CLEP, and online classes using four fit filters
The dual credit mistake that costs families real money when credits don't transfer
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Natalie Mack's website — free high school planning checklist for grades 9–12, the high school decisions workshop, and her homeschool courses: natalie-mack.com
High School Decisions Bootcamp — use code CHRISTY for a listener discount: High School Decisions Bootcamp
Natalie's homeschool courses — cross-cultural American literature and model diplomacy global affairs simulation: Natalie's Courses
101 Tips for Homeschoolers — Natalie's book: 101 Tips for Homeschoolers
The Impact of Homeschooling — Natalie's TEDx talk: Watch the TEDx talk
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
About our guest:
Natalie Mack, M.Ed., is the founder of Homeschool Natalie Mack, and a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of 101 Tips for Homeschoolers. With more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, she helps families confidently navigate high school, transcripts, college admissions, military service, and other postsecondary pathways. Natalie is passionate about equipping parents with practical guidance so they can make informed decisions.
👉 natalie-mack.com
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Meet Natalie Mack
(02:15) - What's Coming in This 4-Part Series
(05:30) - Natalie's Five Kids and Their Different Paths
(09:20) - What Actually Changes in High School
(10:30) - High School Is a Blank Canvas
(16:33) - Why 14-Year-Olds Shouldn't Have to Decide Forever
(18:25) - Homeschooling Is the Flex
(21:00) - Trust the Process and Calm It Down
(26:00) - Credits, Transcripts, and the Five Core Subjects
(28:00) - How Many Credits Per Year
(29:30) - Why Every Student Needs a Transcript
(31:20) - Graduation Requirements and the Diploma
(36:55) - The Biggest Mistake: Planning From Fear
(40:15) - Dual Enrollment, AP, CLEP, or Online
(43:00) - The Dual Credit Transfer Trap
(45:25) - How Early Should Families Start Planning?
(49:05) - Where to Find Natalie Mack
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 130 - 7 Homeschool Systems That Make Your School Year Run Smoother (Part 2 of 2)
13 août 202632 minSaison 1 · Épisode 130
It's 8 AM on the first day of school — pencils sharpened, kids ready — and the website won't load, a password is wrong, and the whole morning unravels before it starts. In Part 2 of How to Set Up Your …
Notes de l’épisode
It's 8 AM on the first day of school — pencils sharpened, kids ready — and the website won't load, a password is wrong, and the whole morning unravels before it starts. In Part 2 of How to Set Up Your Homeschool Year, homeschool expert Christy-Faith — author of Homeschool Rising with over 20 years of experience in education — moves from mindset to the nuts and bolts: the 7 systems she sets up every summer so her homeschool runs at a clip instead of starting in overwhelm.
🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules
Curious what other homeschool moms' schedules actually look like? Grab free sample schedules by age and stage — Christy-Faith's own included.
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why the worst time to teach a new chore system is September — and when to train it instead
How a simple printed schedule lowers your kids' stress hormones (clinicians have measured it)
Why you don't need a dedicated schoolroom — and the "everything has a home" rule that keeps your house tidy
The unglamorous tech-and-passwords setup that saves your first day of school
How to teach kids exactly what to do when mom gets pulled away mid-lesson
The prep work Christy-Faith does every summer before she opens a single curriculum
How to layer subjects in slowly so the year starts calm instead of like a tidal wave
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Get 50% Off (Homeschool Discount)
👉 Start Your Free Trial
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
True North Homeschool Academy
✔ Cognia-accredited live online and self-paced courses for grades 6–12
✔ Dual degree track or tech & trades diploma
✔ Small classes, college-ready rigor, faith-friendly environment
👉 Explore Courses & Get Started
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Free Sample Homeschool Schedules — by age and stage: christy-faith.com/download-free-sample-homeschool-schedules
How to Set Up Your Homeschool Year (Part 1) — start here first: Listen to Part 1
Homeschool Rising — Christy-Faith's book (deschooling chapter): Homeschool Rising
The Christy-Faith List — find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome to Part 2 — Building Your Year by Hand
(01:31) - What This Show Is About
(02:41) - System 1: Retrain Chores in the Summer
(05:01) - System 2: The Printed Schedule (A Security Blanket for Kids)
(11:46) - System 3: Give Everything a Home (You Don't Need a Schoolroom)
(15:59) - System 4: Set Up Tech & Passwords Before Day One
(20:38) - System 5: Teach the Plan for When Mom's in the Weeds
(23:52) - System 6: Do Your Own Homework First
(27:10) - System 7: Layer Your Subjects in Slowly
(31:44) - The 7 Systems, Recapped
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 129 - How to Set Up Your Homeschool Year: The Episode I Needed a Decade Ago (Part 1 of 2)
7 août 202628 minSaison 1 · Épisode 129
You planned the perfect first week — and by day three it was already falling apart. What actually torches the start of a homeschool year has nothing to do with school supplies, curriculum, or the color-coded …
Notes de l’épisode
You planned the perfect first week — and by day three it was already falling apart. What actually torches the start of a homeschool year has nothing to do with school supplies, curriculum, or the color-coded spreadsheet you built in July. It's your expectations. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith, an education and parenting expert with over 20 years of experience, walks through the seven mindset shifts that make setting up your homeschool year sustainable instead of soul-crushing.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why everything is hard at the beginning — even in year 15 — and the three-things rule that keeps week one from burying you
Why the first weeks of school are the worst possible time to teach brand-new content
How to prep before day one so your kids aren't learning new systems and new material at the same time
Why your July and August plan is supposed to fall apart — and the documented brain glitch behind it
How much margin to build into every single slot in your homeschool schedule
Why there's no "teacher hat" to put on, and what changes when you teach as yourself
Why you were always the variable, not the curriculum box
Why that bone-deep week-one exhaustion is proof your brain is doing hard, honest work
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
✔ Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Free Sample Homeschool Schedules — Christy-Faith's real schedules for every age and stage, PK through 12th: Get the Schedules
Free Curriculum Recommendations — The vetted list, by subject, with zero paid placements: Free Download
New to Homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series is the best place to begin
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: Learn More
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - The Day That Fell Apart
(02:07) - Why I Threw the First Draft in the Trash
(03:41) - Expectations vs. Systems — What Part 1 Covers
(05:20) - Mindset 1: Everything Is Hard at the Beginning
(06:11) - The Three-Things Rule
(07:36) - Mindset 2: The Worst Possible Time to Teach New Content
(09:20) - Start Prepping Before Day One
(12:51) - Mindset 3: Your July Plan Is Supposed to Fall Apart
(13:35) - The Planning Fallacy
(14:55) - Why Every Schedule Needs Margin
(15:46) - Mindset 4: There Are No Hats
(17:00) - Mindset 5: You Were Always the Variable, Not the Box
(19:40) - Mindset 6: Go Easy on Your Kids Too
(24:04) - Mindset 7: Why Week One Levels You
(25:47) - Your Expectations Weigh More Than Your Curriculum
(27:01) - The Recap — and What’s Coming in Part 2
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 128 - How to Stop Second-Guessing Your Homeschool Decisions
30 juillet 20261 h 22 minSaison 1 · Épisode 128
You've researched the curriculum, built the schedule, and made the plan — so why do you still lie awake wondering if you're doing enough? In this rare, behind-the-scenes episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith …
Notes de l’épisode
You've researched the curriculum, built the schedule, and made the plan — so why do you still lie awake wondering if you're doing enough? In this rare, behind-the-scenes episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with the mentors of Thrive Homeschool Community to talk about why even devoted homeschool moms keep second-guessing their decisions — and how to finally trust that you're the right one to make the call for your kids.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
The three questions that keep homeschool moms up at night: "Am I doing enough? Am I doing too much? Are these the right things?"
Why more information hasn't made homeschooling easier — and how too many "experts" fuel the second-guessing
Where real homeschool confidence actually comes from (hint: it's not a perfect curriculum)
What the Accelerator group is and how it walks new members through Christy-Faith's core frameworks
Why "Finding Your Why" becomes the North Star for every curriculum and scheduling decision
How office hours, DMs, and mentor support give you an objective second set of eyes — not more forum noise
Why competence breeds confidence — and why every family's homeschool plan should look different
What makes a values-aligned support community different from a free Facebook group
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial · Get 50% Off for Homeschool Families
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith's training and support community for homeschool moms: christy-faith.com/thrive
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction: A Rare Look Inside Thrive
(01:35) - Meet the Thrive Mentors
(06:06) - Why Every Homeschool Mom Needs a Guide
(09:51) - Too Much Information, Too Many “Experts”
(13:24) - “Yes, I Can Do This”: Where Confidence Comes From
(16:58) - Inside the Accelerator Group
(36:21) - A Guided Community vs. a Facebook Group
(38:42) - The Fears That Keep Moms Up at Night
(46:15) - Finding Your Why: Your Homeschool North Star
(48:43) - Why Every Homeschool Plan Looks Different
(01:00:04) - Homeschool as a Lifestyle, Not a Classroom
(01:02:35) - Learning to Trust Your Own Decisions
(01:08:30) - Why Thrive Is a Paid Community
(01:16:05) - Investing in Yourself as a Homeschool Mom
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 127 - Benefits of Reading Aloud to Kids - Even After They Can Read
23 juillet 202632 minSaison 1 · Épisode 127
Should you still be reading aloud to your kids after they can read on their own? It turns out this is one of the most settled questions in all of education — and the answer has been sitting in a government …
Notes de l’épisode
Should you still be reading aloud to your kids after they can read on their own? It turns out this is one of the most settled questions in all of education — and the answer has been sitting in a government report since 1985. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith walks through what the research actually says about reading aloud to kids, why it never expires, and why the book on your couch may outrank half of what's on your lesson plan.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why reading aloud to kids is called the single most important activity for building a reader
What the million word gap study found about read-alouds before kindergarten
Why the rare words in books almost never show up in everyday conversation
What MRI scans revealed about a child's brain during a read-aloud
How animated screens do the imagining that a book leaves to your child
Why reading aloud to older kids does NOT make them lazy readers
The difference between constrained and unconstrained reading skills
What kids themselves say they want most from being read to
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial — or purchase with the homeschool discount
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
✔ Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Free Quote of the Week Notecard — the Emilie Buchwald quote from this episode, ready to print
My Curriculum Recommendations — the free list, by subject
All of Christy-Faith's free homeschool resources
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers
Thrive Homeschool Community
Homeschool Rising — Christy-Faith's book
Related episodes:
Ep. 107 — How to Reduce Screen Time for Kids
Ep. 61 — Are Schools Killing a Love of Learning?
Ep. 92 — Behind the Screen (Part 1/6) — the start of Christy-Faith's vulnerability series
⭐ New to Homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series is the best place to begin.
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Should You Be Reading Aloud to Your Kids?
(01:53) - Welcome + Why This Episode
(02:50) - When Reading Aloud Feels Like a Chore
(04:03) - How Story Time Became “Literacy”
(06:55) - Am I Doing Enough?
(07:35) - The Million Word Gap
(08:47) - Why Book Words Beat Everyday Words
(12:37) - Inside Your Child's Brain During a Read-Aloud
(13:57) - What Screens Do Instead
(14:54) - “My Kid Can Read Now — Can I Stop?”
(16:22) - Constrained vs. Unconstrained Skills
(17:14) - Lifting Big Kids to a Higher Ledge
(18:01) - Beowulf and the Seventh-Grade Reading Circle
(19:49) - Why Kids Love Being Read To
(22:39) - What Kids Say They Want Most
(23:52) - Family Read-Alouds
(24:35) - Start Tonight — Even Five Minutes
(27:15) - Reading Is Worth It
(28:05) - The Quote and the Free Notecard
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 126 - How to Homeschool a Child Who Won’t Sit Still
16 juillet 202636 minSaison 1 · Épisode 126
You've said "sit down, please" about twenty thousand times this week — and it's starting to feel personal. It isn't. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith unpacks what's actually happening in your child's brain, why …
Notes de l’épisode
You've said "sit down, please" about twenty thousand times this week — and it's starting to feel personal. It isn't. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith unpacks what's actually happening in your child's brain, why the wiggling may be how the learning gets in, and the small shifts that make the morning stop being a fight.
🎁 Free Resource: 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure
Twenty honest questions that help you spot the school-shaped rules you're still carrying — so you can put them down, one at a time.
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
The attention-span rule of thumb every homeschool mom should know — a few minutes per year of age on a grown-up-chosen task
Why a 45-minute lesson is quietly asking your six-year-old to hold on three times longer than they can
The three expectations strangling your homeschool mornings — and permission to put all three down
What 54 studies and nearly 30,000 kids revealed about movement and learning
How to shorten and split lessons without falling behind
Why doing the hard subjects first changes the whole back half of your day
How to rescue your read-alouds — a still body was never the point
Loop scheduling and trimming your list so a lighter day actually gets finished
How to build the focus muscle one minute at a time
How to tell the difference between a kid being a kid and something worth investigating
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ My favorite online math program — a real teacher walks them through every lesson
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off for Homeschool Families
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure — Spot the school-shaped rules you're still carrying
Sample Homeschool Schedules — Real, doable rhythms you can borrow, including loop schedules
Quote of the Week Notecard — A free printable of this episode's quote
Homeschool Rising — Christy-Faith's book, including the chapter on deschooling
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: Get on the waitlist
All of Christy-Faith's free resources
Related episodes:
Ep. 82 — How Long Should a Homeschool Day Really Be?
Ep. 64 — Overwhelmed by Homeschooling? How to Make It Manageable
⭐ New to Homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series is the best place to begin.
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - The "Sit Down, Please" Morning
(04:16) - Expectation One: What Focus Actually Looks Like
(05:40) - Expectation Two: Redefining What "Done" Means
(06:35) - Expectation Three: The Wiggling Isn’t Disrespect
(07:50) - Shorten and Split the Lesson
(09:00) - What Deschooling Actually Means
(14:10) - Let Them Move on Purpose: 54 Studies, 30,000 Kids
(15:30) - Do the Hard Things First
(16:45) - Rescuing Your Read-Alouds
(20:51) - Trim Your List and Loop Your Subjects
(22:06) - Build the Focus Muscle Slowly
(23:00) - Check the Inputs Before You Worry
(27:30) - Is My Kid Normal, or Is Something Deeper Going On?
(31:55) - Where We Started, Where We Landed
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 125 - How to Homeschool Without a Co-Op and Still Find Community | Throwback Thursday
10 juillet 202628 minSaison 1 · Épisode 125
Homeschooling can feel wonderful and lonely at the very same time — especially when there's no co-op nearby, or the ones around you just don't fit. Here's the good news: real community is absolutely possible …
Notes de l’épisode
Homeschooling can feel wonderful and lonely at the very same time — especially when there's no co-op nearby, or the ones around you just don't fit. Here's the good news: real community is absolutely possible without one. In this Throwback Thursday favorite, homeschool expert Christy-Faith busts the socialization myth and shares 8 natural ways to find your people, whether you're an extrovert or a shy park-bench introvert.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why homeschooling without a co-op does NOT mean your kids are missing out
The truth about homeschool socialization — and why school-style socializing was never the gold standard
8 natural ways to build real community: faith groups, volunteering, playgroups, libraries, museums, neighbors, and more
How everyday errands and conversations grow your child's emotional intelligence and confidence
Simple scripts to break the ice with new homeschool families — even if you're shy
Why the depth of your friendships matters far more than the number
3 doable action steps to start finding your people this week
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial • Get 50% Off for Homeschool Families
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real, long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment (use code HOME50)
True North Homeschool Academy
✔ Cognia-accredited live online and self-paced courses for grades 6–12
✔ Dual degree track or tech & trades diploma
✔ Small classes, college-ready rigor, faith-friendly environment
👉 Explore Courses & Get Started
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Homeschool Rising — Christy-Faith's book; see Chapter 7 for the healthy-socialization checklist
How to Find the Best Homeschool Co-Op (And When to Walk Away)
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(00:22) - Homeschooling Without a Co-Op Can Feel Lonely (You're Not Alone)
(01:17) - The Pressure to Justify Your Homeschool
(03:20) - The Socialization Myth, Busted
(04:17) - Depth Over Numbers: Real-World Socialization
(10:10) - Faith Communities & Starting a Small Group
(11:16) - Volunteering & Playgroups
(12:52) - Breaking the Ice at the Park
(13:50) - Libraries & Community Hubs
(16:18) - Museums, Science Centers & Your Neighbors
(17:57) - Clubs, Sports & Built-In Activities
(23:49) - Finding Your People Takes Time
(25:31) - 3 Action Steps to Take This Week
(27:01) - You Can Thrive Without a Co-Op
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 124 - The Homeschool Boy Episode Every Mom Needs | Remembering Durenda Wilson
3 juillet 202655 minSaison 1 · Épisode 124
If you're raising boys, you already know they don't always learn the way school expects them to — and that can leave you wondering if something is wrong. In this throwback episode, homeschool expert …
Notes de l’épisode
If you're raising boys, you already know they don't always learn the way school expects them to — and that can leave you wondering if something is wrong. In this throwback episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with the beloved Durenda Wilson to talk about how boys actually learn and how to raise them into capable, confident men. We're revisiting this conversation in loving memory of Durenda.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why boys often learn differently than girls — and what the brain research actually shows
How to let go of rigid scope-and-sequence without feeling like you're falling behind
Why movement, energy, and hands-on learning matter so much for boys
How to raise self-directed sons who take ownership of their own learning
The relationship-first approach that keeps boys from burning out on school
How to protect connection while still teaching resilience and hard things
Why sibling conflict is actually training ground for real life
How to homeschool with the long game in mind — raising capable, confident men
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial | 👉 Get 50% Off
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Durenda Wilson — her books and podcast: durendawilson.com
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
About our guest:
Durenda Wilson was a homeschooling author, speaker, and podcaster with more than 30 years of home education experience. A mom of eight — seven graduated — and grandmother of ten, she was a trusted voice at homeschooling conventions and the host of The Durenda Wilson Podcast. Her books include The Four Hour School Day, The Unhurried Homeschooler, and Unhurried Grace for a Mom's Heart. Durenda passed away recently, and this throwback is shared in loving memory of her.
👉 durendawilson.com
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction & Remembering Durenda Wilson
(01:34) - Meet Durenda Wilson & Her Heart for Boys
(03:48) - Why Boys Need a Different Approach
(06:36) - How Boys Actually Learn
(13:25) - Ditching Rigid Scope & Sequence
(16:32) - Raising Self-Directed, Resilient Sons
(21:13) - Raising Boys Who Become Capable Men
(24:15) - Relationship Over Busywork
(34:27) - Homeschooling with Long-Term Vision
(40:11) - Modeling a Balanced Life
(48:34) - Sibling Relationships as Training Ground
(54:14) - Final Encouragement
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 123 - Homeschool Hot Takes: Unschooling, Curriculum Overload, and Starting Later | Live Q&A
25 juin 202645 minSaison 1 · Épisode 123
Is unschooling going too far — or is it exactly right? In this live Q&A from the Summer Homeschool Help Desk series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith pulls no punches on unschooling's real risks, curriculum …
Notes de l’épisode
Is unschooling going too far — or is it exactly right? In this live Q&A from the Summer Homeschool Help Desk series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith pulls no punches on unschooling's real risks, curriculum overload, whether it's too late to start in high school, and what it actually takes to raise a well-educated child at home.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why Christy-Faith believes pure unschooling carries real risks — and what she calls educational neglect
The difference between unschooling, deschooling, and interest-led learning
How to use BJU Press without doing every single thing in the curriculum
Whether it's too late to start homeschooling in middle or high school (spoiler: it's not)
How working moms and single moms can realistically homeschool
What to do when your child can't spell and it's affecting their confidence
How to source curriculum so it doesn't require you sitting next to your kid every second
Real questions from real homeschool moms in the Summer Homeschool Help Desk
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial | Get 50% Off
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
How to Homeschool Guide — free 23-page ebook for anyone considering or just starting homeschool
5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder — free quiz to discover your homeschool style in under 5 minutes
Free Curriculum Recommendations — Christy-Faith's curated list by subject, no paid placements
Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith's membership community for homeschool moms
The Christy-Faith List — free directory of homeschool-friendly businesses and providers
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome to the Summer Homeschool Help Desk
(02:00) - Christy's Free Resources for Homeschool Moms
(06:45) - Spelling Struggles and Older Students
(11:35) - Curriculum Overload: How Much Is Too Much?
(18:00) - Is It Too Late to Pull My Kids Out of School?
(19:45) - Homeschooling While Working or in School Yourself
(28:45) - Christy's Hot Take on Unschooling
(36:15) - Single Moms, Working Moms, and Thrive
(38:40) - You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 122 - Working Moms, Curriculum Choices, and Homeschool Structure | Live Q&A
19 juin 202637 minSaison 1 · Épisode 122
You've been up at midnight Googling curriculum, schedule templates, and whether you're doing enough. That stops here. In this Summer Homeschool Help Desk Live Q&A, homeschool expert Christy-Faith — author of …
Notes de l’épisode
You've been up at midnight Googling curriculum, schedule templates, and whether you're doing enough. That stops here. In this Summer Homeschool Help Desk Live Q&A, homeschool expert Christy-Faith — author of Homeschool Rising and a homeschooling mom of four who also works full time — answers real questions from real moms on curriculum choices, daily structure, living books, reading gaps, toddlers underfoot, and how to stop doing it all yourself.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations
In this episode, you'll learn:
How working moms make homeschooling work — and why "sourcing" is the real secret
How to choose curriculum strategically so you're not teaching every subject yourself
Why kids need structure (backed by 70 years of child psychology research) and what it actually looks like
How to handle naysayers and skeptics who question your homeschool decision
How to teach history in a way kids love — spines, living books, and picture books explained
What to do if your child is behind in reading or has a suspected learning disability
How to manage homeschooling when you have toddlers in the house
Why the Christy-Faith List is the homeschool resource you didn't know you needed
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial | Purchase (50% off)
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder — Free quiz to discover your homeschool style or pedagogy
How to Homeschool Guide — Free 26-page ebook: 6 steps to get started and launch
Free Sample Homeschool Schedules — Preschool through high school
Free Curriculum Comparison Chart
Free Curriculum Recommendations Download — Christy-Faith's fail-proof subject-by-subject list
The Christy-Faith List — Free directory of homeschool-friendly businesses, doctors, and providers
Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith's membership community for homeschool moms
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction & Summer Help Desk Series
(01:45) - Meet Christy-Faith & Free Resources Overview
(04:00) - Free Resources: Style Finder, How to Homeschool Guide & More
(06:00) - Working Moms & Homeschooling: How to Make It Work
(08:10) - How to Teach History with Living Books & Spines
(09:00) - New Homeschoolers: Where to Start
(11:30) - Why Kids Need Structure (What the Research Says)
(15:20) - The Christy-Faith List: Find Providers Who Get You
(15:30) - Curriculum Recommendations Download
(18:00) - Handling Naysayers & Building Your Support Tribe
(19:30) - Daily Schedules, Habit Stacking & Chores
(22:00) - When Other Homeschool Moms Judge Your Choices
(24:00) - Teaching History Across Age Gaps
(27:00) - Spines, Living Books & How to Use Both
(28:00) - Reading Disabilities, Dyslexia & When to Seek Help
(32:00) - Homeschooling with Toddlers in the House
(35:20) - Multisensory Curriculum & Final Questions
(36:20) - Closing Encouragement
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 121 - Are You Sheltering Your Kids or Giving Them What They Need? | Live Q&A
12 juin 20261 h 4 minSaison 1 · Épisode 121
You've heard the question — maybe from a relative, a neighbor, or a stranger at a party: aren't you sheltering your kids? In this archived Summer Homeschool Help Desk live Q&A, homeschool expert Christy-Faith …
Notes de l’épisode
You've heard the question — maybe from a relative, a neighbor, or a stranger at a party: aren't you sheltering your kids? In this archived Summer Homeschool Help Desk live Q&A, homeschool expert Christy-Faith answers real questions from real homeschool moms and unpacks the difference between sheltering your kids and "greenhousing" them — protecting them while they grow strong. Because a strong homeschool was never about the perfect curriculum. It's about a secure, confident mom who knows her why.
🎁 Free Resource: The 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder
There are 9 homeschool styles — and when you know yours, the curriculum, the schedule, and your whole approach finally click. Take the free quiz and find your fit.
👉 Take the Free Quiz
In this episode, you'll learn:
The difference between sheltering your kids and "greenhousing" them
Why a strong homeschool isn't built on the perfect curriculum
How to become a secure, confident homeschool leader who knows her "why"
How to handle the pressure to prove your kids are keeping up
Why trauma doesn't build resilient adults — but healthy challenge does
How to find your homeschool style (and why it matters before you buy curriculum)
When reading struggles mean it's time to get an evaluation
Real questions from real homeschool moms in the Summer Homeschool Help Desk
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off for Homeschool Families
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50
True North Homeschool Academy
✔ Cognia-accredited live online and self-paced courses for grades 6–12
✔ Dual degree track or tech & trades diploma
✔ Small classes, college-ready rigor, faith-friendly environment
👉 Explore Courses & Get Started
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder: find your homeschool style
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
Homeschool Rising (Christy-Faith's book): Homeschool Rising
The Christy-Faith List — find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome to the Summer Homeschool Help Desk
(04:30) - The Critics and Pressure Homeschool Moms Face
(08:30) - Where Homeschoolers Get Stuck
(16:00) - How to Find Your Homeschool Style
(21:00) - Best Practices Over What's Popular
(28:30) - Knowing Your "Why" as the Homeschool Leader
(36:00) - Why Investing in Your Homeschool Isn't Selfish
(40:00) - "Aren't You Sheltering Your Kids?"
(43:00) - Sheltering vs. Greenhousing: Raising Resilient Kids
(48:00) - Reading Struggles and When to Get Help
(53:30) - The Christy-Faith List + Final Encouragement
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 120 - Homeschool Moms Asked Me Their Hardest Questions. Here Are My Answers.
5 juin 202647 minSaison 1 · Épisode 120
Is it ever too late to start homeschooling? What curriculum should you actually trust? In this episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith opens the floor and answers the hardest questions real homeschool moms …
Notes de l’épisode
Is it ever too late to start homeschooling? What curriculum should you actually trust? In this episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith opens the floor and answers the hardest questions real homeschool moms brought to her live Q&A — from homeschooling a gifted kindergartner to choosing curriculum, deschooling, and whether to school straight through the summer.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Whether it's ever too late to start homeschooling — even with an eleventh grader
How to choose homeschool curriculum you can actually trust (and why Christy won't just hand you a list)
What to do when you're homeschooling a gifted child — especially with a new baby in the house
How to find your homeschool style so curriculum decisions get easier
What deschooling is and why most new homeschoolers need it first
How to keep US curriculum going when your family moves overseas
The real case for and against homeschooling year-round vs. taking summers off
When it makes sense to outsource the subjects that aren't your strong suit
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Purchase
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Free Curriculum Recommendations — Christy's by-subject list of curriculum she trusts: Free Curriculum Recommendations
5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder — Discover your homeschooling style in five minutes: Homeschool Style Finder
How to Homeschool Guide — Christy's free getting-started guide: How to Homeschool Guide
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
⭐ New to homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series is the best place to begin.
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction: Is It Ever Too Late to Start?
(01:14) - The Biggest Mistakes Homeschool Moms Make
(12:25) - Choosing Curriculum You Can Actually Trust
(13:06) - Homeschooling a Gifted Child with a Newborn
(14:46) - Finding Your Homeschool Style
(17:39) - Deschooling: Where to Begin
(25:51) - What Thrive Community Actually Offers
(30:52) - Curriculum Help for Multiple Ages
(32:00) - Homeschooling Across Borders
(39:08) - Year-Round or Summers Off?
(43:03) - Outsourcing the Hard Subjects
(45:06) - The Math Program I Use + Final Encouragement
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 119 - Why Boredom Is the Best Thing You Can Give Your Kids This Summer
29 mai 202628 minSaison 1 · Épisode 119
Before you spend another $500 on summer camp, ask one question: is boredom actually bad for your kids — or is it exactly what their growing brains need? In this episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith makes …
Notes de l’épisode
Before you spend another $500 on summer camp, ask one question: is boredom actually bad for your kids — or is it exactly what their growing brains need? In this episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith makes the research-backed case that slow, unstructured, "boring" summers are one of the most powerful gifts you can give your kids. She breaks down what the science says, why their "I'm bored" makes us panic, and five simple moves for a slower, richer summer.

🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why boredom is good for kids — and the brain science that proves it
What the CDC found about kids, screen time, and rising anxiety and depression
How the brain's "default mode network" fuels creativity, memory, and identity
Why unstructured play and white space matter more than another summer camp
The real reason your kid's "I'm bored" makes YOU feel so uncomfortable
How sitting with boredom builds frustration tolerance and emotional regulation
5 practical moves for a slower, richer summer — including the "fridge list"
The one-afternoon challenge that shows you what your kids can do on their own
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Purchase
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(00:37) - The Summer Camp Trap
(02:43) - The Summers We Used to Have
(04:06) - What's Replacing Boredom Today
(05:19) - What the Research Says About Boredom
(13:37) - Why Boredom Makes Us Uncomfortable
(16:47) - White Space Is Not Neglect
(20:47) - 5 Moves for a Slower, Richer Summer
(25:48) - Your One-Afternoon Challenge
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 118 - How to Build a Professional Homeschool Transcript (With Joan Girkins from Homeschool Records)
22 mai 202650 minSaison 1 · Épisode 118
If you've been putting off building a homeschool transcript because it feels too complicated, too official, or just too much — this episode is for you. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Joan …
Notes de l’épisode
If you've been putting off building a homeschool transcript because it feels too complicated, too official, or just too much — this episode is for you. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Joan Girkins, founder of Homeschool Records and a veteran homeschool mom of 20+ years, to demystify the entire process and give you a real, confidence-building action plan.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why keeping homeschool records matters — even if your state doesn't require it
Whether a homeschool transcript carries the same weight as a public or private school transcript
What "accreditation" actually means and why it's not a barrier for homeschool families
When to start building your child's transcript (hint: 9th grade, out of the gate)
What colleges actually want to see — and how to work backwards from their requirements
Why record-keeping matters even if your child isn't college-bound
How a student resume (activities, awards, achievements) can open doors to military academies, scholarships, and more
How Homeschool Records' guided platform teaches you how to build a transcript as you go
What to do if you've been homeschooling for years with zero paper trail
The exclusive listener coupon code — use CHRISTYFAITH for 20% off + free trial at Homeschool Records
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Purchase
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Homeschool Records — Joan's guided platform for professional transcripts & student resumes. Free trial + use code CHRISTYFAITH for 20% off: homeschoolrecords.com
Solid Rock Consulting Services — Joan's consulting firm: solidrockconsultingservices.com
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
About our guest:
Joan Girkins is a veteran homeschool mom who homeschooled all four of her children for over 20 years and is now watching her grandchildren be homeschooled. She is the founder of Homeschool Records, a guided online platform that teaches parents how to build professional transcripts, student resumes, and complete academic documentation — step by step, as they go.
👉 homeschoolrecords.com
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction & Why Homeschool Records Matter
(02:07) - Joan's Homeschool Story
(04:30) - Why Record-Keeping Brings Integrity to Your Homeschool
(06:28) - Record-Keeping for Every Homeschool Style (Yes, Even Unschoolers)
(10:00) - Does a Homeschool Transcript Carry the Same Weight as Accredited Transcripts?
(13:22) - Colleges Are Actively Recruiting Homeschoolers
(14:58) - Working Backwards from College Requirements
(18:23) - Why Professional Transcripts Matter (First Impressions)
(20:24) - When to Start Building Your Transcript
(21:11) - The Student Resume: Activities, Awards & Achievements
(27:43) - What to Do If You Have Zero Paper Trail
(30:40) - Families Who Aren't Planning on College
(33:08) - Build It As If They Are College Bound
(35:12) - Documentation Deadlines You Don't Want to Miss
(38:49) - How a Well-Documented Record Opens Doors (Including Military Academies)
(41:10) - Record-Keeping Reminds You of How Far You've Come
(41:50) - How Homeschool Records' Platform Works
(43:50) - Record-Keeping for Unschoolers in High School
(46:54) - Listener Discount Code & Free Trial
(47:43) - Joan's Encouragement for Homeschool Moms
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…
Ep. 117 - When Your Baby Won’t Sleep and Homeschool Still Has to Happen
14 mai 20261 h 14 minSaison 1 · Épisode 117
You're homeschooling a five-year-old, chasing a toddler, and surviving on whatever broken sleep your baby will give you. The advice you were raised on — cry it out, Ferber method, strict schedules — may not be …
Notes de l’épisode
You're homeschooling a five-year-old, chasing a toddler, and surviving on whatever broken sleep your baby will give you. The advice you were raised on — cry it out, Ferber method, strict schedules — may not be sitting right anymore. So what do you actually do? Natalie Diaz, founder of Twiniversity and Certified IBCLC, brings nearly two decades of one-on-one experience with exhausted moms to answer that question — gently, practically, and without shame.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why sleep training advice shifted so dramatically — and what the science now says
The real reasons your baby isn't sleeping (and how to work through the checklist)
Natalie's step-by-step approach for the mom who won't do cry-it-out but desperately needs sleep
Why "sleepy gets sleep" is actually true — and how to use it to your advantage
How breastfeeding and sleep are connected in ways most books get dangerously wrong
The 3-hour chunk method for surviving newborn life without losing yourself
What husbands and pediatricians consistently miss about mom exhaustion
How to protect your marriage through the sleepless seasons — before resentment builds
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 Visit bjupresshomeschool.com/christy
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Purchase
LearningRx
✔ Individualized brain training to strengthen focus, memory, and processing speed
✔ Real results for struggling learners of all ages
👉 Visit learningrx.com
True North Homeschool Academy
✔ Live, online classes taught by expert teachers
✔ Designed specifically for homeschool families
👉 Visit truenorthhomeschool.academy
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 Visit summithealthshare.com/cf
Resources mentioned:
Twiniversity — global resource hub for twin families: twiniversity.com
Tiny New Yorkers — Natalie's personal IBCLC services (covered by many insurance plans): tinynewyorkers.com
What to Do When You're Having Two (book): Amazon link
The Newborn Twin Sleep Guide (book): Amazon link
The Twiniversity Podcast: Spotify | YouTube
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
About our guest:
Natalie Diaz is the founder of Twiniversity, a Certified IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), author, and podcast host with nearly two decades of experience working one-on-one with moms through newborn nights, feeding struggles, and the depletion that doesn't lift. A twin mom herself, she founded Twiniversity in 2009 and built it into a platform reaching over one million people weekly in more than 100 countries. She is the author of What to Do When You're Having Two and The Newborn Twin Sleep Guide, and the host of The Twiniversity Podcast. Her personal IBCLC practice, Tiny New Yorkers, is covered by many insurance plans throughout the United States.
👉 twiniversity.com
👉 tinynewyorkers.com
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome and Sleep Shift
(01:09) - Meet Natalie Diaz
(04:27) - Twiniversity Origin Story
(06:12) - Exhaustion and PPD
(16:07) - Why Sleep Training Changed
(19:42) - Twin Sleep Guide Basics
(20:52) - Free Classes and Resources
(24:01) - Is Cry It Out Traumatic
(27:18) - Safe Sleep and Anxiety
(30:28) - Ideal Sleep Conditions
(35:39) - Routine Over Schedule
(38:13) - Breastfeeding Friendly Methods
(40:26) - No One Size Fits All
(41:17) - Track Baby Rhythms
(42:04) - Shifts and Support
(43:55) - Three Hour Chunks
(45:34) - Bedtime Routine Basics
(46:37) - Nap Trapping Strategy
(53:16) - Homeschool Mom Reality
(01:02:03) - Delegation and Love
(01:09:25) - Resources and Wrap Up
Chapitres
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Ep. 116 - You’re Not Going to Finish Your Homeschool Curriculum - Here’s What to Do
8 mai 202629 minSaison 1 · Épisode 116
You counted the lessons left. You counted the days left. The math doesn't work — and now that quiet voice is asking if you've ruined your kids. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith has been there. In this episode …
Notes de l’épisode
You counted the lessons left. You counted the days left. The math doesn't work — and now that quiet voice is asking if you've ruined your kids. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith has been there. In this episode, she gives you the framework she uses every single year with her own kids so you never panic about unfinished curriculum again.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations
🎁 Free Printable Notecard: "The scope and sequence is not a contract. It's a menu."
Download this beautiful, ready-to-print notecard featuring this episode's quote of the week.
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why an unfinished curriculum is not a sign of failure — and what it actually means
The mindset shift that ends the panic for good (it starts with one question)
What curriculum is actually for — and why finishing it was never the point
How to sort every subject into skill-based vs. content-based — and why it changes everything
Exactly what to keep going, what to park until next year, and what to skip entirely
How to build an actual end-of-year plan in under 30 minutes
The "ghost metric" haunting your homeschool — and how to fire it
The quote of the week: why the scope and sequence is a menu, not a contract
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Purchase
Azure Standard
✔ Homeschool-family-owned company
✔ Organic, natural, and non-GMO groceries, health, home, and garden products
✔ All vetted to be free of harmful preservatives, food colorings, chemicals, and pesticides
✔ Use code CHRISTYFAITH15 for 15% off your first order
👉 Browse Azure's Grocery, Health & Home Products
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Free Printable Notecard — "The scope and sequence is not a contract. It's a menu.": Free Download
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
Episodes mentioned in this episode:
Episode 64 — If you're feeling generally overwhelmed, start here
Episode 88 — The liberation episode: all the things homeschool moms don't need to care about
Episode 70 — If curriculum decisions are weighing on you right now
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(00:00) - 3:10 Welcome & What This Episode Is Really About
(00:00) - 5:31 Mindset First: Why Unfinished Pages Hurt So Much
(00:00) - 8:42 Curriculum Is Your Vehicle, Not Your Boss
(00:00) - 11:57 Framework: Skill-Based vs. Content-Based Subjects
(00:00) - 17:00 How to Sort Your Subjects & Do the Surgery
(00:00) - 19:07 Christy's Own End-of-Year Plan (Real Example)
(00:00) - 23:58 The Ghost Metric — and How to Fire It
(00:00) - 25:55 Quote of the Week & Free Notecard Download
(00:00) - 26:38 Related Episodes
Chapitres
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Ep. 115 - Why Your Child Says Reading Is Boring (And What to Do About It) // Janel Nansenn
1 mai 202649 minSaison 1 · Épisode 115
Your child reads beautifully out loud — but ask them what just happened in the story, and you get a blank stare. That's the gap most homeschool moms don't catch until it's too late.In Episode 115, homeschool …
Notes de l’épisode
Your child reads beautifully out loud — but ask them what just happened in the story, and you get a blank stare. That's the gap most homeschool moms don't catch until it's too late.
In Episode 115, homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with educational therapist Janel Nansenn — founder of Read-A-Rific and a 25-year private practice veteran who has helped over 3,000 students — to break down the reading comprehension gap most families don't catch until fourth grade, when the doors really start closing.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
In this episode, you'll learn:
What the Matthew effect is — and why it's the silent reason struggling readers fall further behind every year
The critical difference between reading fluency and reading comprehension (and why fluent readers can still have huge gaps)
The single skill underneath strong reading comprehension — concept visualization — and why most curricula skip it entirely
The real reason kids say "reading is boring" (it's not laziness)
The red flags that signal a comprehension problem before it tanks your child's confidence
Comprehension-rich activities every homeschool mom should be doing — even if your child is already a strong reader
How to evaluate whether a reading curriculum actually teaches comprehension or just tests it
Why visualization is the bridge to math word problems, writing, vocabulary, and every other subject
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Purchase
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Free symptoms checklist for weak visualization skills: readarific.com
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com
Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive
About our guest:
Janel Nansenn is an educational therapist with a master's degree in speech-language pathology and audiology, and the founder of Read-A-Rific. With nearly 25 years in private practice, she has helped over 3,000 students of all ages become independent, confident learners by addressing the root cause of reading comprehension struggles: weak concept visualization.
👉 readarific.com
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - The Matthew effect — why reading comprehension is the quiet worry
(02:00) - Meet Janelle Nansen, founder of Read-A-Rific
(03:28) - Janelle's story: how she discovered concept visualization
(08:03) - Why she narrowed her practice to reading comprehension
(08:46) - Reading fluency vs. reading comprehension
(15:29) - Why kids think reading is "boring"
(18:52) - The shame spiral: comprehension struggles and self-esteem
(20:44) - Comprehension-rich activities every homeschool mom should do
(23:29) - Red flags: symptoms of weak visualization skills
(26:23) - Why visualization matters across math, writing & vocabulary
(29:35) - How to evaluate a reading comprehension curriculum
(34:26) - Charlotte Mason, narration & the long history of these methods
(46:27) - The takeaway: find the root cause
(47:49) - Where to find Janelle
Chapitres
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Ep. 114 - Why Your Kid Hates Writing — Two Master Teachers Divulge Their Secrets
25 avril 20261 h 4 minSaison 1 · Épisode 114
If your kid hates writing, you're not alone — and the problem usually isn't the kid. It's that we were never shown the actual process. In this episode, Christy-Faith sits down with veteran teacher and BJU Press …
Notes de l’épisode
If your kid hates writing, you're not alone — and the problem usually isn't the kid. It's that we were never shown the actual process. In this episode, Christy-Faith sits down with veteran teacher and BJU Press curriculum specialist Sharon Fisher to walk through the four-stage writing process homeschool moms have been missing — and the one mistake that quietly kills your child's voice every time you sit down to write.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why writing is a process, not an event — and what that mindset shift changes
The four stages of the writing process and why mashing them together backfires
Why correcting spelling during drafting is the fastest way to make your kid hate writing
The "brain dump" technique that protects your child's creativity
The critical difference between revising and editing (most moms combine them — don't)
How to teach writing as a skills-based progression, not a content-completion checklist
Why two or three really good writing projects a year beats ten rushed ones
The best writing curriculum for homeschool families and what makes it different
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples
CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Purchase
LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
✔ Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
BJU Press Homeschool Writing Curriculum: View Samples
The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: Browse the directory
Thrive Homeschool Community: Join Thrive
About our guest:
Sharon Fisher is a wife, mother, and grandmother passionate about helping homeschool parents and Christian educators teach with excellence and a biblical worldview. She holds a B.S. and M.A. in Elementary Education and brings years of full-time elementary classroom experience plus her work as a former elementary author for BJU Press. Sharon presents teaching workshops nationally and internationally, and currently serves as Social Media Coordinator, Workshop Speaker, Blog Writer, and Curriculum Specialist.
👉 Visit BJU Press Homeschool
Connect with Christy-Faith:
Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
TikTok: @christy_faith
Website: christy-faith.com
Book: Homeschool Rising
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction — Why writing is hard to teach
(02:25) - Meet Sharon Fisher — A master teacher's perspective
(06:50) - Where most parents go wrong with writing
(10:56) - Writing is a process, not an event
(19:22) - The brain dump: don't steal your kid's voice
(23:59) - Stop "smooshing" the stages together
(28:29) - Why drafting matters and what it looks like
(37:03) - Revising vs. editing — the critical difference
(43:30) - Skills-based vs. content-completion teaching
(49:38) - The spiral approach and exposing kids to great writing
(01:01:28) - Final word — Keep joy at the center
Chapitres
Chargement des chapitres…

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