10 Minutes to a Better Homeschool

One question we get often from moms: Is homeschooling a child with special needs possible? Can it work for my family or should I just stick with the system? In this episode of the podcast I am joined by Shawna Wingert from Different by Design Learning. She has two special needs kiddos (one current college sophomore) and has encouragement and tips for making it happen.

Just 8 spots left!! We are heading to the beach this January for our first ever We Gather Together Morning Time Retreat. Join me, Gather author Heather Tully, Dawn Garrett and the team as we do Morning Time together, relax on the beach, and share a ton of encouragement and ideas for your homeschool Morning Time.In this special episode of the podcast we discuss all the retreat details. Register and read more at https://pambarnhill.com/retreat.

What if you always intended for your kids to go into a public or private school and somehow God called you to do something different in your home? That is exactly what happened to Ashlee Williams and her husband. Hear about how this is called to homeschool mama made the decision to bring her kids home and has never looked back. She has some awesome advice for all homeschool moms in this episode.

It can be one of the most exciting times of your homeschool career, and the most intimidating -- starting kindergarten! How do you know what to teach? How do you not mess this up? Take a deep breath and listen on -- we've got all the info you need right here.

What if there were a way to make a homeschooling schedule that you could actually follow? Well there is! We start by scheduling time and not content. Then we move on to a scheduling hack that can change the course of your homeschool forever. Don't miss listening to this one!

Homeschool burnout happens to all of us. I'm joined today by mom of 10 Heather Tully to chat about why burnout happens, how to recognize the signs, and some tips for preventing it in our homeschools.

You have lots of kids and not a lot of time. How can you create a more efficient homeschool so that you can get more things done and still have a little sanity in your day? In today's podcast I have three different tools that you need to do exactly that.

Teaching my kids to read was something I worried about before we started homeschool. I had been a high school English teacher but the idea of taking someone who can't read and helping them to make sense of what is on a page seemed mysterious and complicated. Okay, maybe it sill is mysterious, bit it totally isn't complicated. With the right set of expectations and an incremental reading program that breaks it down step-by-step, you can totally do this!

How do you work from home and homeschool if you have a set schedule that you need to follow and actually have to be on at specific times? Is it even possible to get things done for work and be available to your kids at the same time? Jen McKinnon is back on the podcast today with five very practical strategies that work at home, moms can use them to help them accomplish what they need to do for their job and homeschool their kids successfully all in the same day.

Let's get real. We all worry about our kids and if we are adequately preparing them for the real world. But you know what? Parents who send their kids to school also wonder if there kids are going to be adequately prepared for the real world. This isn't just a homeschool worry, but a universal parent worry. The good news is, there are some ways that homeschoolers are uniquely prepared for the real world. Take hear mom and dad -- it's going to be ok. To access the show notes please visit: https://pambarnhill.com/tmbh35

This is the information I wish I had when I started homeschooling preschool over 11 years ago. It's a helpful bit of what you need, but more importantly paying attention to what you don't need to have a fulfilling preschool experience for your kids.

This is a special snippet from our Put Your Homeschool Year on Autopilot co-working session is a peek at how making realistic goals can shape your priorities in your homeschool. Join Pam, veteran mentor Laney Holman, and the planning moms for a sneak peek at how group planning sessions run and find out more about the importance of goals.

Our time as humans is finite. Sorry to be the one to break that to you. That means there are so many hours in a week to get the homemaking, the homeschooling, and all the other things (including a job if you have one!) done. In this episode of the podcast Pam talks about the myth of balance and the single mindset shift you can make that might just save your sanity as you do all the things.

I have a bone to pick with "planning from behind" and this show is where I'm going to do it. Find out why planning from behind isn't actually planning at all, what it REALLY is, why it's valuable (sure it is), and what real, helpful planning actually looks like for your homeschool don't miss this episode.

I have known Dawn Garret for about seven years now. She has worked with me for so long helping moms create homeschool plans that I had long forgotten that once upon a time she considered herself "not a planning person. It wasn't until she realized that here frustrations were coming from not having a path to follow that she started taking steps to create a plan that would bring sanity to her homeschool. Listen on to find out why she was skeptical about planning and how it ended up helping her anyway.

I hear it all the time -- there is no need for me to plan, I won't be able to follow the plan anyway. If you can do that and not be frustrated by the resulting school year, then great. I say don't mess with what's working. But if you don't feel like you can plan but you DO feel like you need some structure to keep from dissolving into chaos, then this episode is for you. Even if you feel like homeschool planning never worked for you before, I give you three reasons why you might want to try again.

Summertime. Where the living is easier (and summer homeschooling is easier too). These are my top tips for making this summer in your homeschool the best yet!

When people begin homeschooling, the very first question they often ask is, "How do I choose a curriculum?" These three tips will help you get started! Find the show notes for this episode at https://pambarnhill.com/tmbh27

I have been reading homeschool books for over 10 years now. Some have been forgettable, but so many have helped to shape the way I school my kids. Today I am sharing a number of my favorites and telling you why I think they are important reads. Check these out!

Sometimes simple is better. Kids need to make observations about the world around them. Further science ability depends on being able to look closely, to see the details, and record them. I love that nature study (free and readily available in your backyard) is the perfect way to hone those skills. Find out more in this episode of the podcast.

Homeschoolers worry, "What happens if I don't finish our curriculum before the end of the year?' The answer isn't as cut and dried and you might think. Some curriculum resources are never meant to be finished 100 percent (really!) and those can be closed and left until the following year. Watch or listen for ideas on what to do when the curriculum doesn't get done and how to prioritize what's important.

Do you suspect that your child has ADHD? Have you wondered what that means for your homeschool journey? Should you have him or here tested? Can you even do homeschooling properly with an ADHD child? I am joined on this episode of the podcast by Colleen Kessler, a former teacher and expert on gifted and twice-exceptional kids (plus a homeschool mom to more than one with ADHD) to answer those questions and more.

Is it even possible to homeschool cheaply without buying tons of expensive curriculum? What about homeschooling almost totally for free without buying curriculum at all? Whit a few handy tools and some extra time in your budget there are some things you can do to substantially reduce the amount of money you spend on homeschooling your kids. Find out all the details here.

Teaching to your kid's learning styles is a huge buzzword in homeschool circles, but on today's episode of the podcast we are talking about why it doesn't matter nearly as much as you might think and even how it can be detrimental to your kid's education. Have a listen and let me know what you think !

When you have a child that is struggling you can sometimes feel a little helpless. What are they really capable of? How can I help them to succeed? What if they never learn what they need to? Our guest today is Marianne Sunderland from Homeschooling with Dyslexia. She is here to help us recognize when our kids might be having an issue and what first steps we can take to begin to solve the problem.

Homeschooling preschool can seem daunting to first-time parents, not because it its difficult, but instead because this is the first chance to really buck the system and do something different that everyone else. At the end of the day, we feel like now we have to prove that this homeschooling thing is going to work. So what do we do? Usually too much. In this episode Pam breaks down the most important things to do in your homeschool preschool and how we can help.

It's my favorite time of year -- time for the homeschool convention. I will be speaking at all five of the regional GHC conventions this year and I think you should attend! In this episode of the podcast I am breaking down three reasons why attending a convention can be beneficial. Will I see you there?

These days homeschooling is such a common occurrence that when most people ask "Is it legal?" what they really mean is "What do you need to do legally homeschool?" The answer to that is complicated because it varies widely depending on where you live. In today's podcast Pam breaks down where the laws come from, ow you can find out more about them, and what it means to homeschool within the law.

Teaching to your kids' learning styles is a huge buzzword in homeschool circles, but on today's episode of the podcast we are talking about why it doesn't matter nearly as much as you might think and how it can even be detrimental to your kids' education. Have a listen and let me know what you think!

If you homeschool you have probably been asked about socialization. While I have no fear that your kids (or mine) are going to be especially socially awkward, there are some extra things that homeschool moms have to consider when it comes to helping their kids to make friends. I am joined by Mary Wilson today to talk about how we can make sure we are serving our kids well in this area.

The great thing about homeschooling is that we really don't have to do all of the education or our children by ourselves. There are so many opportunities out there to outsource some of the kid's learning. In this episode of the podcast we will talk about why you might want to outsource, some examples of outsourcing, and the benefits and drawbacks of doing so.

If you have been around homeschooling circles you may have heard the term "deschooling." This podcast answers the questions what is deschooling, how long you might want to do it, as well as some practical suggestions for deschooling-type activities. Pam also talks about if people have always homeschooled need to deschool. Enjoy!

So many parents now are trying to work and homeschool. Some are working inside the home and some are even working outside the home. The good news is, it totally can be done and my guest today has done it. If your are working for yourself or someone else, inside the home or out, this episode has some actionable tips you can use to make homeschooling happen while you work. Don't miss it!

Homeschool moms have a tendency to be just a little bit tough on themselves and quite honestly it isn't the most helpful trait we have. Today I am joined by my good friend Mystie Winckler to talk about why we do this and how God uses our homeschools to draw us closer to Him. This all ties into Mystie's new book The Convivial Homeschool. Listen on to find out more.

I find it sad when families homeschool up until high school and then stop -- not because they don't desire to homeschool further but instead because they think they can't. On our episode today I am here to tell you YES you can, and my special guest Ann Karako knows how -- she's graduated five kids from her homeschool! Ann and I talk about everything from how to do it, is college possible, and increasing responsibility for your high school student.

Middle school will bring changes to your homeschool and not all of them will be good. But some will. Just like anything there are life-situations that are difficult, but hey, everyone can read now -- which can be a game-changer for homeschooling. Now is the time to nudge your kids into burgeoning independence (but check up on them often!). We give you all the tips you need to homeschool middle school successfully in this episode! Enjoy.

Nothing strikes fear into the hearts of most homeschooling parents more than teaching their kids math. What if instead of fear we could approach math with curiosity? What if instead of dread, we instead looked at ways we could play? Today I am joined on the podcast by Mark Hendrickson, the developer of the Math Playground at Beast Academy. Mark chats about how we can look at math differently and model wonder for our kids and he shares some resources we can use to do just that. For the blog post that accompanies this podcast visit https://pambarnhill.com/tmbh09

Homeschooling in the upper elementary years is all about burgeoning independence, but probably not as much as you were hoping for. How can we encourage our kids to take charge of more, while make sure that skills still get covered? And how to we make the all-important leap from learning to read to reading for information? Give this episode a listen to find out.

Money is often a tough topic for parents to talk about with kids. Maybe this is because many of us have been raised to believe that it is taboo to talk about money. Maybe it's because nobody ever had these conversations with us, so we flounder over what to say. Maybe we just don't want to give bad advice. Whatever our reluctance to chat about money, it is an important topic we need to address. On this episode of the podcast I am joined by Matt Matheson who talks about the five areas we need to discuss with our kids and how we can work simple money lessons into our everyday lives by taking advantage of teachable moments. For more information visit https://pambarnhill.com/tmbh07

When you are starting out homeschooling the early years you have a tendency to want to do all the things. The good news is -- you don't need to! Instead early elementary is a time for building habits, following interests, and cementing those important basic skills. In this episode of the podcast I dive deep into what you need to do for early elementary homeschooling. For the show notes and resources visit: https://pambarnhill.com/tmbh06

It's the age-old questing that is asked often: what do I do when my child just refuses to do his or her schoolwork? The answer might just surprise you because it has less to do with your child and more to do with you, the homeschooling parent After we rule out that the kid is having a bad day and the refusal is bigger than that, there there are two areas that we need to address as parents to solve the issue. Listen onto find out how.

A good homeschool day often comes down to a good start. The momentum of getting everyone started in the morning can't guarantee that the day will end well, but days rarely end well that never begin in the first place. Right? So in this episode Pam chats about the importance of getting the day off to a good start -- no matter what time that is -- and some tips for how to make that happen. For more information visit https://pambarnhill.com/tmbh04

Homeschooling work out way better than what you expected? Maybe now, given the choice, homeschooling is something that you have decided to make a permanent fixture for your family. Welcome to the club! In this podcast episode Pam talks about what changes you can make now that you are a long-haul homeschooler and five resources you can use to begin redefining what learning looks like in your home.

It wasn't what you wanted to do, but because of mandates or other issues, you once again find yourself homeschooling for the new school year. If you are making this change, what are the things that you can do to move closer to a homeschooling lifestyle and enjoy being with your kids more? In this episode we talk about the difference between homeschooling and virtual schooling, the first steps to meeting your kid's needs, and how to go about finding curriculum for your shiny new homeschool. Hope we can help. For the show notes for this episode visit https://pambarnhill.com/tmbh02

So often when we begin thinking about homeschooling our kids we form a picture in our heads of what we want it to be like. Unfortunately for many of us, the idyllic vision we create in our heads is not exactly what comes to pass when we actually begin homeschooling. Does this mean we have to give up the complete vision we created and just settle for checking boxes and getting things done? Not at all. Instead we can find the virtue between the two vices and create a homeschool that will serve the very real people in our real homes. In this episode we talk bout the struggle and how to address the solution.

We are totally rebranding and reviving the Homeschool Snapshots. Introducing 10 Minutes to a Better Homeschool where we bring you short, actionable episodes each week to help you make the most of your homeschool days. Good for veterans and newbies alike, join veteran homeschool mom and podcast host Pam Barnhill (and sometimes a guest) as we talk all things homeschooling.

When Emily Cook couldn't find the homeschool curriculum she wanted, she made her own! Emily shares how Build Your Library, her literature-based secular curriculum, got started and how it helps families provide a structured approach to interest-led learning using unit studies and more.

Virginia Lee Rogers, a contributor to Charlotte Mason IRL, shares the story of this lovely Instagram account. Discover the purpose behind these practical, inspirational, & authentic glimpses into real life CM families. And find out how Virginia Lee strives to apply these practices in her homeschool.

As co-host of Homeschool Unrefined, a podcast about all things homeschooling, Maren Goerss delights in lifting up other homeschoolers along their journey. From to-do lists to self care, Maren's reminders and encouragement provide the inspiration to enjoy the everyday and beyond.

You don't have to be a homeschool purist. You can find ways to use different parts of different approaches to help your homeschool flourish. Elsie Iudicello shares her secrets for creating a beautiful blend of Classical and Charlotte Mason homeschooling. Be refreshed with her creative ideas and lovely inspiration!