10 Minutes to a Better Homeschool

Our guest for this episode is mother, grandmother, author, and seasoned homeschooler Leila Lawler, of the popular blog Like Mother, Like Daughter. She joins us to share about her experiences homeschooling her own children, who are now grown.Leila encourages us to consider time-tested approaches, as well as time-tested literature, as we develop our homeschool plans and also gives some great advice about getting the routine household tasks, like laundry and meal planning, done and out of the way.Leila's wisdom is both practical and inspiring, so sit back and enjoy!

Heather Woodie is not a new face around here. Last spring, as part of the Ultimate Guide to Homeschool Methods, she told us all about the unit study approach to homeschooling and why it has been a great fit for her family.

Carole Joy Seid knows homeschool moms -- sometimes better than they know themselves. She homeschooled her only child and then went on to become a homeschool speaker and consultant.On this episode of the podcast, she tells us a little about what it was like to be a homeschool pioneer when she was first starting out. She also shares some insight with us on the topic of helping our children work on non-academic areas, like practical life skills and character building, while they're at home with us.Finally, she encourages us all to have a little fun with our kids. There is a whole lot of wisdom packed into this little conversation, so sit back and enjoy.

Shawna Wingert is a homeschool mom to two boys who each have a unique mix of abilities and challenges when it comes to learning. In this episode of the podcast, she shares about how she arrived at the decision to teach her boys at home and tells us a few lessons she herself has learned along the way. I couldn't help but be inspired as I listened to her, and I think you will be too.

Tsh Oxenreider is a world-traveler, entrepreneur and a homeschool mom. Did I mention she was also a ton of fun to talk to? Founder of the Simple Living Media Network and author of three books, Tsh and husband Kyle homeschool their three kids.Last year they took the entire show on the road for a year as they traveled the world as a family. Get the scoop on the best and worst parts of word-schooling on this episode of the podcast.

Jimmie Lanley has homeschooled her rising junior from the very beginning, and she doesn't regret homeschooling her only child for a single second. She has some great advice today for moms who are homeschooling or thinking about homeschooling an only child.As an added bonus Jimmie is also homeschooling high school with confidence and has a few things to share about that as well. Sit back and enjoy Jimmie's passion for learning right alongside her daughter.

LaToya Edwards is no longer a single homeschooling mom, in fact she is expecting a new baby with her new hubby really soon, but for a number of years she set aside her law degree and homeschooled her two boys as a single mom.So she has been there, done that and has a heart for helping single moms with the practical advice and encouragement they need to homeschool.

Erin Hassett has ten (yes, you read that right!) kids whom she has homeschooled from the very beginning. A seasoned pro at homeschooling, Erin chats with us today about the importance of good habits, battling burnout and the memories of read-alouds. This is a fun one!

Jamie from The Unlikely Homeschool is all about eclectic homeschooling. With her multiple-year scope in hand, she likes to poll her kids to determine what they will study each year.A planner who never stops planning, Jamie has some great insights on gaps, teaching boys, and letting kids be kids -- even if they are homeschooled.

Trina Holden knew quite a bit about homeschooling before she even started homeschooling her own kids. That's because she was homeschooled herself. Now she and her husband (who was also homeschooled -- see a trend?) continue the family tradition.Trina's own homeschool experience was a unique blend of Charlotte Mason and pioneer-style unschooling, which created in her an entrepreneurial spirit. Though her methods are sometimes different (but not always) from her mom's, she is still striving for the same end -- kids who grow to be life-long learners. This is a fun one!

Allison Burr is learning to take things slow. The child of a public school superintendent, once she got the bug to homeschool there was no stopping her -- just ask her husband!And while she started her homeschool journey intent to finish each year as quickly as possible, Allison is learning to see the beauty in restful learning. Slow down with us today on the podcast.

Kendra Fletcher is a homeschooling pro. With eight kids - two already graduated - whom she homeschooled from the very beginning, she's been at this gig for a while. In the show we chat about tips for homeschooling as an introvert and managing multiple ages.As a fellow introvert this episode was especially encouraging to me. I love to hear that my frustrations are not mine alone. There is nothing like a "Hey! Me too," to make someone's day.

Dianna Kennedy is fun, feisty and one busy woman. She has five of six kids still at home -- three of whom she homeschools. She shares about her Catholic faith and parenting tips at The Kennedy Adventures. Did I mention that she also works part time as a nurse?Dianna and I talk about how she gets it all done, as well as about how she is slowly letting go of her preconceived notions about how education should look.

Mary Prather is a homeschool mom with a heart for other homeschool moms. She was mentored by friends in her early homeschooling days and now strives to pay that mentorship forward by encouraging and equipping other moms. Her calm demeanor will set you at ease, so pull up a chair for this episode of the podcast.

Jen Dunlap is an encourager. She encourages her six kids as she homeschools them, and she has a heart for encouraging other homeschool moms.I am so happy to bring you this episode today -- I think it will inspire and bless you as we chat being counter-cultural, how we keep focused while homeschooling, and beating the bad days.

Colleen Kessler spends her days herding rabid cats. Not really -- she just homeschools her four kids at the family home in Ohio.A former classroom teacher and gifted intervention specialist, she now homeschools her own twice-exceptional son and provides parenting, gifted, and science resources on her blog. Today she shares a few of those parenting tips with us.Her reminders are very welcome as we get back into routines and head into the tough homeschool burnout season.

About five years ago Kris Bales got up and got moving the week of Thanksgiving and lost four pounds. That was the beginning of a 90 pound weight-loss journey that she works to maintain even today.Her story and her tips for how to get moving yourself are just a part of the podcast today, where we also chat about her favorite homeschooling mentor, how she defines homeschool success, and why it is important to find your homeschool tribe.

What I love about Mystie Winckler is that I absolutely learn something new every single time I talk to her. That's pretty amazing, because being good friends, we talk quite a bit.This episode is fun, but it is also rich with tons of good information. Mystie and I chat second generation homeschooling (it's all going to be OK -- really!), why organization is more than pretty labels, and the single thing you can do to make the biggest difference in your organizing life this year.And we also spar about the great bed made/bed unmade debate. You'll have to listen and decide which side you come down on.