Homeschool Coffee Break

Are you constantly wondering if you're doing enough — or panicking that your kids are falling behind? The stress and overwhelm you're feeling as a homeschool mom may not be a "you" problem. It's 3 sneaky lies you've been believing, and it's time to let them go.In this episode, we break down the 3 biggest lies homeschool moms believe and how to flip the script so you can finally homeschool with confidence. Here's what we cover:✅Why "I'm not doing enough" is keeping you stuck in busywork that doesn't actually help your kids✅The truth about "falling behind" — and why your timeline is the only one that matters✅Why chasing the perfect curriculum is costing you peace (and your kids' love of learning)✅The simple 3-step process that replaces overwhelm with intention — no perfect curriculum required✅1 question to ask yourself this week that changes how you see your whole homeschoolStop second-guessing yourself. Listen to this episode and walk away with a simpler, more purposeful way to homeschool.Grab the free Read, Write, Discuss chart in the show notes and start using it this week!Resources for YouFree Read, Write, Discuss ChartHow to Simplify Your Homeschool (free 3-day video course) Show Notes:The Struggle Is RealAre you ending your school day thinking, did we even do enough today? Or even worse, you're thinking, am I messing this up completely? What if I told you the problem isn't you? It's the beliefs that you've been handed over the years and through your own schooling.Today, we're going to be talking about the 3 biggest lies that homeschool moms believe, and how we can correct them. Because a lot of times, the stress and the overwhelm that we feel, we are putting on ourselves. And it all starts up here in our mind.Lie #1: I'm Not Doing EnoughA lot of y'all are really worried. Am I doing enough? Am I doing the right activities? You feel behind, so then you add more, and more, and more, and you live right there, constantly second-guessing yourself.This belief comes from the public school mindset. You left a school system, and yet you're bringing it with you, and you're comparing yourself to the school system. And that's not going to help you whatsoever.Thomas Edison was labeled difficult in school. His mom pulled him out and taught him at home differently. She did not do the same kinds of things they were doing in school, and he actually became one of the greatest inventors in history. He didn't need more and more school. He didn't need more and more activities. He needed a different kind of education, a better kind of education.Here's something I want you to do — today or tomorrow. Ask yourself about your activities. Is this helping my child think? Or is it just completing something? Checking off that checklist that someone else gave you.I am not opposed to a checklist, as long as it's your checklist — not a curriculum scope and sequence where you gotta make sure you get everything done every single day. If your kids have bad attitudes, that's probably one reason. So stop checking off someone else's list.If it's just a completion activity, that means it's optional. It may not even be helpful. Ask yourself: does this build character in my kids? Does it help them think? Does it help them learn? If it doesn't, maybe get rid of all that busy work, because they're not retaining much of it anyway.You don't need more school. You just need a different kind of education. Start looking at ways you can develop your kids into thinkers.Lie #2: My Kids Are Falling BehindBehind whom? Seriously. The public school system should not be your standard. Other homeschoolers should not be your standard. Don't get on social media and start comparing yourself. Your kids are all unique. Your family is unique. You need to look at what is best for your kids.My youngest, Hunter, did not do a formal math curriculum until sixth grade. When he started in 6th grade, he caught up in a year and a half to grade level. He did not do math for 5 years, and he turned out okay. We did send him to a private Christian school in high school — his first year in 10th grade, he won the Math Award. He wasn't falling behind. I was doing what was best for him. He needed to focus on language. He didn't like reading, and we were going to work on that.My daughter, Gentry, we took off of math for a whole year around 7th grade. Her attitude was not good, she didn't like it at all — but no math. For a year. Did she fall behind? No. She finished in time. In fact, in college, she would help her friends do their math homework and tutor them, because she knew the tools.Abraham Lincoln had less than one year of formal schooling. He was self-educated through reading and discussion. He wasn't behind, because they didn't really compare. He just had a different and more powerful path of education.You care enough to homeschool your kids. They are not going to fall behind.When I think about Abraham Lincoln, it reminds me of the process that we teach our moms — Read, Write, D

What if your child graduated with straight A's but had no wisdom, no courage, and no character? Grades were never meant to be the real goal — and this episode is going to challenge everything you thought homeschooling was supposed to accomplish.We are breaking down why character education is the foundation your homeschool actually needs, and sharing 3 practical ways to start building it in your home this week:✅Why curriculum delivers information but character determines everything else✅1 question to ask at dinner tonight that builds character, ownership and leadership✅How to focus on just one character quality for 3 to 4 months without overwhelm✅Why a single Bible verse can do more for your child than any curriculum can✅The tool that helps your whole family work on character together every single dayGrab the Character Training Toolkit mentioned in this episode and start building what really matters in your homeschool.Resources for YouCharacter Training Toolkit (charts, e-book, videos) Free Character Mini Chart Show Notes:The Real Goal of Homeschooling: Raising Kids with Godly CharacterIf your child graduates with straight A's but lacks wisdom, character, and courage — have you really succeeded? Grades were never meant to be the goal of education. Today I want to talk about the real goal of homeschooling.God Uses Young Leaders — Not Just Good Test TakersWhen we go back and look at Scripture, we see repeatedly that God does use young leaders. But these leaders aren't necessarily ones that just passed the test. It goes so much deeper than that.David led Israel as a young man. He killed Goliath with some rocks. Daniel influenced kings through wisdom and character. They both had godly character and they had faith.We have the freedom to raise thinkers, leaders, and disciples. And that is exactly what we should be doing.Here's the thing. Curriculum delivers information. Character determines how that information is used. Let me repeat that. Curriculum delivers information. Character determines how that information is used.The Story of William WilberforceI want to tell you a little story about a man named William Wilberforce. His dad died when he was 9, so his mom sent him to London to live with his aunt and uncle. They were believers, and there was a lot of Christian influence in the home.He was exposed to a man named George Whitfield and became a believer himself at the age of 12. He also became friends with John Newton — for those of you who don't know who John Newton is, he wrote Amazing Grace. He was a slave trader who turned pastor. Wilberforce started seeking spiritual counsel from John Newton.And he said this: God had set before me two objects — the suppression of the slave trade, the reformation of manners.This took a lot of courage. Christian worldview drives out slavery — it is an anti-slavery mission. But this cause was very unpopular in Parliament back in the day.Wilberforce became the target of ridicule, political attacks, and even assassination threats. People wanted to kill him because he wanted to get rid of the slave trade. Admiral Nelson was so irate that he actually pummeled Wilberforce on the street.Twenty Years of PerseveranceHe began in 1793. He introduced an abolition bill. It failed by 8 votes. Then he had a new bill banning British ships from the slave trade. It failed by 2 votes. His political allies began to abandon him, but he continued to introduce abolition bills year after year.Twenty years of influencing public opinion. And he began to see the tide turn against the evils of slavery.Fast forward to February 23, 1807. He's in the House of Commons. The room rose to its feet, turned to Wilberforce, and began to cheer — three rousing Hip Hip Hoorays — while Wilberforce sat with his head bowed and wept. He was so overcome. The vote passed 283 to 16.They had abolished the British slave trade.That's the kind of person I want my kids to be. And I'm sure you want your kids to be strong in their faith but also strong in character. That is the character of a leader — faith-driven purpose, moral courage, perseverance despite failure after failure, a long-term vision, and a leadership stand that protects millions of lives.How to Build Godly Character in Your KidsSo how can we take this story and apply it to you? I believe we need to be raising our kids to have courage, perseverance, and endurance. And I think we take it off of our shoulders and put it on God's shoulders to train our kids in godly character. It was godly character that got Wilberforce through 20 years.I wouldn't try to tackle every character quality at once. I would choose one character quality that your kids need to work on and spend 3 or 4 months on it. Find a verse that reinforces that godly character. Let your kids memorize it and say it every morning at breakfast. And then, when they struggle and they don't do it, you bring them back to that verse. It's always back to God's words — not my words.One of the things we have put ou

Does your child pass the test on Friday and forget everything by Monday? That is not real learning — and this episode is going to show you exactly how to tell the difference.We are breaking down 2 powerful tools that reveal whether real learning is actually happening in your homeschool, and why ditching the test might be the best decision you make this year:✅Why tests measure short-term memory, not actual understanding✅The 2 tools that reveal what your child is truly learning✅How ONE simple question after any lesson builds thinking skills✅Why https://howtohomeschoolmychild.com/177younger and older kids need different assessment approaches✅The one daily habit that turns reading into deep, lasting learningGrab the free resource mentioned in this episode and go even deeper into the process that makes real learning stick.Resources for YouFree 3-Step Thinking Process ChartRaising Leaders, Not Followers Course Factory Model Education: Why Homeschool Moms Feel OverwhelmedHow to Break Out of the Homeschool TrapShow Notes:Do Kids Really Need Tests? How to Know If Real Learning Is HappeningHey, let's be honest — your child could pass the test on Friday and forget everything by Monday, right? So if that's true, how do we know if real learning is even happening? That's what we're going to talk about today.Some of you really do worry: Are my kids learning anything? Are they going to turn out okay? Will they be prepared for life?Testing Measures Memory, Not WisdomWe tend to think tests are the way to go. We just need to give them a test and find out. But testing often measures short-term memory, not wisdom — not long-term memory.One of my goals for our kids was to think wisely, to think critically, and to think biblically. I think wisdom is so important.Albert Einstein struggled in traditional schooling environments that emphasize memorization. And yet, his curiosity and his questioning produced breakthroughs in physics — the general theory of relativity — because of curiosity, because of questioning. Not because of memorizing something and taking a test.Real learning shows up as curiosity, connections, and insight. It allows your kids to go deep instead of surface learning.The Power of DiscussionI have two powerful tools I want to share with you. The first one is discussion. Discussion activates the brain in ways worksheets can't. It encourages open questions, conversations, and thinking out loud. This is so important because it prepares our kids for life and gets them to start thinking.And did you know writing is just thinking on paper? So you could be discussing this around the dinner table, or you could have the kids writing.One of the things that we teach is our Read, Write, Discuss method. We go deep into this in Raising Leaders, Not Followers, but basically every day your child reads something, they write one page in their writing journal — not a narration, but about how questions and why questions — and then discuss it once a week.That works well in any subject. You can do it in science, in history, in literature, in music. You could even do it in math sometimes.I encourage families to use your family read aloud. Whatever book you're reading out loud, everyone hears it. Every day you're reading it out loud, and then you write in your reading journal. This is especially true for older kids, because that is when those thinking skills really kick in, around 12 and 13 and up.They're going to write one page, and then once a week, you'll discuss it. Don't discuss your family read aloud every day — it sort of takes the fun out of reading. But once a week, have a discussion and ask open-ended questions and let them talk about it.The Power of Narration for Younger KidsFor younger kids, I would say the power of narration. Narration is a powerful tool. Charlotte Mason has really made that popular, and for people that follow the Charlotte Mason approach, this is their primary learning assessment.You can have a narration out loud, or you can have a narration on paper — a narration notebook where they write their narration. I would say younger kids, you could even do this with 4- and 5-year-olds, up to maybe 3rd grade, always narrating out loud.But as they get older, they should be able to write a paragraph about whatever they remember from the story. It's just telling back what they learned in their own words. It strengthens their memory, it improves communication, and it reveals to you their understanding of what was read.For moms that have multiple kids, it's hard to read everything that everyone's reading. So I say start with your read aloud, just to get started and get into a rhythm — discussion for older kids, and narration for younger kids.One Simple Prompt That Reveals EverythingAfter reading anything, just say: Tell me the most interesting thing you learned or remember from that book. That works in any subject.You're not adding more to your schedule. You're taking what you're already doing and instead of giving t

Are you homeschooling to escape the traditional school system, but still following its exact blueprint without realizing it? There is a trap that most homeschool moms fall into, and it quietly keeps your family stuck on the same conveyor belt you were trying to leave behind.This episode breaks down what is leadership education, why it is completely different from the traditional (public school) model most of us grew up with, and how simple shifts can change everything about how you homeschool:✅The ONE question you can ask your kids this week that sparks real critical thinking✅3 signs your child is actually growing that have nothing to do with a test✅The surprising historical reason schools were never designed to raise thinkers✅Why finishing the checklist-curriculum is actually working against your child's growth✅Why this approach pulls the best from 5 different homeschool methods into one clear purposeStop letting someone else's curriculum tell you what kind of homeschool mom to be. Hit play and find out how to take back the reins.Resources to Help YOURaising Leaders, Not Followers Course.How to Simplify Your Homeschool Course (3 daily videos, 5 minutes or less)Factory Model Education: Why Homeschool Moms Feel OverwhelmedShow Notes:You Left the School System — But Did You Leave Its Blueprint?Did you know many homeschool moms believe they have escaped the school system, but unknowingly they're still following its blueprint? The trap? They are focusing on information instead of transformation.Why do so many moms follow the traditional school model? Now, this isn't traditional over thousands of years — it's just the last 150 years. Why do we follow it? Because it's what we know. We grew up on the conveyor belt. It feels comfortable because it's what we know, and we don't know where to go to get off it.The traditional system was built during the industrial revolution. What was its purpose? To train workers for factories. They needed people that could not think. They needed worker bees that would do what they were told. And let's be honest, that's really where our society is. Most people don't know how to think.Where This Model Came From — And Why It Was Never About Your ChildHorace Mann was an education reformer who helped popularize the Prussian model of school back in the 1800s. This is what Charlotte Mason was so totally opposed to. That model treated a child as if they were a container that you just poured bits of information into and then let them regurgitate it. And that's a lot of what we do today in a traditional school — whether that's a public school or a private school.Horace Mann's goal in moving this from Europe to America was uniformity, obedience, compliance, and efficiency. It was not leadership. It was not innovation. It was not freedom. They wanted to control society. Industrialists were pouring billions of dollars into the education system, and Horace Mann went right along with it.Homeschooling, if we do it a different way, gives us the freedom to pursue a completely different goal. And Christian homeschooling does the same thing — just with a faith-based foundation.What Is Leadership Education — And Why Does It Matter?Instead of asking what information should my child memorize — which is teaching our kids what to think, a checklist mentality that isn't even your checklist, it's someone else's — leadership education asks a completely different question: what kind of person is my child becoming?Do they have the tools of learning and the desire to learn anything they need? Leadership education, or freedom education, teaches our kids how to think instead of just what to think. That's what I wanted. I wanted my kids to know how to think critically, how to think in wisdom, and how to think biblically.We homeschooled for 10 years. Halfway through, I started with Charlotte Mason, then moved to classical and interspersed some unit studies. But then I found leadership education and I was all in — because I believe it integrates all the best things from different approaches. The best of Charlotte Mason, classical, the Christian principal approach, unit studies, delight-directed learning — all put together with the purpose to raise kids to lead.And y'all are like, "Well, my kids aren't going to be a leader." Well, they may not be CEO or mayor of the city, but they're probably going to have kids someday and they will need to lead their family.From Information to Transformation: A Shift in PerspectiveWhen we quit asking about information and we start looking at transformation, we make a shift — a shift to character, thinking, initiative, responsibility, and so much more.George Washington had little formal education. What shaped him the most was mentorship. Lord Fairfax helped shape George Washington as a man — full, well-rounded mentoring. Thomas Jefferson had George Wythe mentoring him. They were all there at the same time during the colonial period.And what were they using? Reading, being responsible at

Ever feel like you're running a miniature public school in your living room? You're overwhelmed—not because you're doing too little, but because you're trying to do too much using the wrong model.Most homeschool moms recreate the factory model education system they walked away from. They don’t mean to, but they do. This system teaches kids what to think, not how to think. It, also, turns them into followers, not leaders. But what if doing LESS actually produced stronger learners?In this episode:✅The 3-question filter to eliminate busy work and focus on what actually matters✅ONE simple practice to start this week to stop overwhelm✅75 reasons you’re totally overwhelmed, homeschool mom✅How factory model education creates followers for the Industrial Revolution—not thinkers✅Why depth beats breadth✅How great leaders like Edison and Lincoln learned differentlyReady to break free from factory model education? Grab the free 3-day video course "How to Simplify Your Homeschool" with daily emails, short videos, and printables to help you put it into practice!Resources Mentioned: Free Course: How to Simplify Your HomeschoolCourse: Raising Leaders, Not Followers (17 tips on encouraging a love of learning)  Show Notes:Have you ever looked at your homeschool plan and felt like you were running a miniature public school in your living room? Many homeschool moms feel overwhelmed — not because they're doing too little, but because they are trying to do too much and follow the wrong model.The real issue is that, unintentionally, we recreate the system we walked away from. Think about it: three kids, times five lessons a day, times five days a week — that's 75 lesson plans a week. No wonder you're overwhelmed.Most homeschool moms were trained on the factory school model of education. They all come in to first grade, they do all the same things, and they go down the factory line all the way to 12th grade. Everything the same. Tested the same. It's like a factory.This model teaches us that learning must include multiple-choice tests, many subjects a day, and textbooks for everything. We've only had textbooks in the last hundred years — before that, they used real books. This model teaches us that worksheets, grading, and constant assessment is what education is. And even when we leave that school system, subconsciously we recreate it because that's all we know.All that system does is teach your kids what to think, not how to think. Don't you want your kids to know how to think and not just be a follower? That system creates followers — many worker bees. It was built because of the industrial revolution and they needed a lot of workers. So they built an education system that would produce followers.What Thomas Edison's Mom Knew That We ForgetThomas Edison struggled in traditional school. His teacher called him addled. His mother removed him from school and homeschooled him in the 1850s — we're talking almost 175 years ago. How did she homeschool him? Through reading, through curiosity, and through experimentation.That set up Edison to be a leader. He developed the light bulb, but because of curiosity and experimentation and strong character, he said, "I didn't fail a thousand times. I found 10,000 ways to not make a light bulb." He kept experimenting. He kept being curious to figure out an answer.He later credited his mother with giving him the freedom to explore ideas that led to over 1,000 patents — not just the light bulb, a thousand patents. One devoted parent focusing on curiosity can outperform an entire public school system.Why Doing Less Actually Produces Stronger LearnersI think it's not doing less education — it's doing less traditional conveyor belt education and doing more leadership education. Freedom education that gives your kids the freedom in life to pursue whatever they are called to do.One big factor is depth. Depth creates real learning. The brain builds strong connections when ideas are explored deeply rather than just skimmed quickly. Abraham Lincoln had less than one year of formal education. He educated himself primarily through reading a small number of great books repeatedly — what we would call classics.Some of you hear "classics" and you go, "Oh, boring." Well, I consider Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie a classic. I consider The Hobbit a classic. Don't think just because it says classic, it's old and dusty.I remember when my girls were going to read the Iliad. It comes in and it's that thick. I told myself I was reading it with them — if they're in high school and they can understand it, surely as an adult I can read and understand it. It was an awesome book. These books shaped Abraham Lincoln into a great leader. He didn't study a whole bunch of different subjects. He studied fewer ideas and he really dove deeply into them.The Three Question Filter: Cut the Busy WorkBefore you add anything to your homeschool, ask yourself three questions. Does this help my child lov

What if you could focus on just 7 core areas and know your kids are getting what they truly need? Meredith Curtis discovered the Seven R's during one of the hardest seasons of her life—caring for dying parents while homeschooling five children. This framework helped her "major on the majors and minor on the minors," and it will transform your homeschool too.In this episode, you'll discover:✅Why relationships are the foundation that makes all other learning possible—and what happens when they're broken✅The secret to raising kids who actually love to read (hint: it's not assigning book reports)✅How to teach writing so your kids can communicate clearly, graciously, and persuasively for any audience✅Why math mastery matters more than moving through a curriculum—and what to do when kids fall behind✅The difference between Googling answers and true research skills your kids will need for lifeReady to simplify and focus? The Seven R's will help you cut through curriculum overwhelm and build confident, capable lifelong learners.Resources Mentioned:Get your FREE Basic Pass to Life Skills Leadership Summit 2026 to give you confidence that your kids will be ready for adult life: The Seven R's of Homeschooling by Meredith Curtis - Practical guide to majoring on the majors and minoring on the minorsWho Dun It? Literature & Writing by Meredith Curtis - Teach high schoolers to write their own cozy mysteryHIS Story of the 20th Century by Meredith Curtis Meredith Curtis, pastor’s wife, mom to 5 homeschool graduates, and Grand-Merey to 8 angels, loves to read cozy mysteries, travel, hit the beach, and meet new people. She is always learning because the world is just full of mysteries and beauty! Meredith loves to encourage families in their homeschooling adventure because her own was such a blessing. She is a curriculum creator and author of Jesus, Fill My Heart & Home Bible Study and Who Dun It Murder Mystery Literature & Writing. Find Meredith at PowerlineProd.com, along with her online store and blog.You can also follow Meredith on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and on the Finish Well Podcast.Show Notes:Kerry: Hey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Life Skills Leadership Summit where we are going to be talking about an extremely important topic that is tools of learning because I think all of you want your kids to be able to learn as an adult and not be dependent on a teacher or on you. And that's what Meredith Curtis is here to talk to us about. So, welcome Meredith. Thanks for being here.Meredith: Oh, thank you for having me. I'm really excited about this year's conference and I love this topic we're talking about. I either call it tools of learning or the seven Rs and they're just so helpful in staying focused and making the majors the majors and the minors the minors.Kerry: That's a great way to put it. We're going to dive into her seven Rs and how it can apply to your homeschool. But before we do that, could you just tell our listeners a little bit about you?Meredith: Yes, I would love to. So, my name is Meredith Curtis and I am a pastor's wife. I'm the mother of five homeschool graduates and I have eight grandchildren that are perfect angels and I feed them too much sugar.I love spending time with my grandchildren. I love to travel. I love to read. I love Jesus. That's probably the most important thing. And I'm a writer and a speaker.Kerry, I love creating curriculum. I love teaching. I love creating curriculum. I love writing Bible studies, studying the Bible. Probably one of my favorite things is I wrote a curriculum called Who Done It? It's my most popular book, and it basically is a high school English class that teaches teens how to write their own cozy mystery.And I actually started writing a cozy mystery series. I have three books in it so far—Tea Time Trouble, Pumpkin Patch Peril, and Old-Fashioned Christmas Murder.Kerry: Okay, y'all. She has two interviews and we've talked about the cozy mysteries in the last one. So, y'all go listen to that. But I was just fascinated. I knew she taught the kids, but now she's written three of her own mystery books. And so, I just think that is so exciting as well. Plus, her husband, does he have four books out now?Meredith: He does. Well, he actually has a fifth book that's not fiction. It's called Forging Godly Men, and it's about mentoring godly men.Kerry: The other ones are novels. So he's got the four novels plus the one on raising our boys to be godly men. Today we're going to talk about writing, but let's back up. I know you either call it the tools of learning or the seven Rs. How did you discover these tools of learning?How the 7 Rs Were Born from CrisisMeredith: Okay. So, I was in my early 40s and I had a four-year-old, five-year-old, six-year-old. My oldest was already graduating from high school, starting college. And so I had this wide range of five children.And my parents got really sick, Kerry. They were so sick and they live fo

Peter denied Jesus three times, rebuked the Son of God, and walked away weeping bitterly. Yet God used him to start the New Testament Church and lead 3,000 people to salvation. If you've ever felt disqualified by your failures, shame, or mistakes, this powerful message will transform how you see yourself and your calling as a leader.In this episode, you'll discover:✅ Why Peter's biggest failures uniquely qualified him to lead the early church with compassion and understanding✅ The common lies Christian moms believe (I'm not doing enough, my kids won't turn out okay, I'm all alone) and the biblical truths that replace them✅ How to identify the enemy's attacks in your own thought life and respond with God's truth instead✅ Why accepting God's forgiveness—and forgiving yourself—is essential to stepping into your leadership calling✅ The surprising truth about rest, busyness, and why filling every moment doesn't make you enough for GodReady to replace lies with truth? Leaders aren't born perfect—they're made through failure, forgiveness, and faith. Discover your calling today.Resources Mentioned:Get your FREE Basic Pass to Life Skills Leadership Summit 2026 to give you confidence that your kids will be ready for adult life Living Fearless by Jamie Winship - Finding your identity and calling in God, identifying lies you believe, and replacing them with truthUnbound - Fighting Human Trafficking - Learn more about this important ministry and how to keep your students safeShow Notes:Hey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Life Skills Leadership Summit. Oh my goodness, it is finally here. It is Sunday night, five o'clock. We are going to have an awesome week.We get such great response from the Life Skills Leadership Summit. And I think one reason we have many homeschoolers here, but this is not just homeschooling, how to homeschool or homeschool curriculum. This has something that has some purpose and intention and that is to raise our kids to be ready for adult life, to raise our kids to walk in Jesus and lead and influence for Jesus.We have some people that homeschool, some people that don't. I would say most people do. But tonight, what I want to do is do a few things.Before I tell you this, I want to introduce my friend Meredith Curtis. She is our prayer coordinator. Let me tell you, we need a lot of prayer for this. I just got home from Dallas. My granddaughter, who's not even two months old, was dedicated. So I drove in and I just bounced right into this.I was praying on the way over here from Dallas. It's a three-hour drive just that y'all would be blessed. I really hope that God speaks through you. It may not be tonight, but I pray that he speaks to you sometime during the week, gives you encouragement, gives you motivation, helps you to finish strong, gives you wisdom in what you're doing, whether you're homeschooling or whether you're just raising your kids to follow God.What Is Leadership?Tonight is our Sunday kickoff. I am going to begin a series on Peter—Peter's leadership journey from failure to faith. And we're going to talk about the failures tonight. And we will expand it through the week.Let me tell you, sometimes I think Peter a leader. And we'll talk about that because you're like he denied Jesus. How could you be a leader? And yet God works so many things through him. So I'm super excited about that series.Before we get started, I would love for you to put something in the chat and tell me what is a leader. Let me just talk to you a little bit about a man named John Maxwell. He is a guru in leadership. And here's what he says: Leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less.Think about that. Leadership is influence. If you are being salt and light as Jesus commanded, then you have begun to obey God's call to leadership. It is influence.Too often we think my kid's not going to be president of the United States or CEO. But almost all of our kids will lead their families. They will be husbands and wives. They will have sons and daughters that they will need to lead. And so that is what leadership is.Another quote from John Maxwell is this: Leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less. How do you gain influence from people? You invest in them. How do you invest in them? It starts with giving them time.Peter: From Bold Declaration to Immediate FailureWe are going to look at Peter today. Yes, we're going to look more at his failures, but then we're going to move forward and look at the way that he influenced people. Again, I said 3,000 people trusted Jesus as their savior when he gave his first sermon.When we look at Peter and we look at Mark 8, Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked, "Who do people say that I am?" Well, they replied, "Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets."Then he asked them, "Who do you say I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Messiah. You a

What do you do when you're walking with God but your spouse isn't? Erin Cox shares her powerful testimony of marriage restoration that started in a living room encounter with Jesus and led to a complete transformation of her family.✅ Why "Christianese" was actually pushing her atheist husband further away ✅The 1 book that changed how she loved her unbelieving spouse ✅ How 1 Peter 3 became her daily prayer strategy ✅The moment the Holy Spirit told her exactly what to say after years of silence ✅ Why God can save anyone—even in a living room with no one else aroundReady to discover hope for your marriage?Grab the resources mentioned in this episode below!Resources MentionedGet your FREE Basic Pass to Life Skills Leadership Summit 2026 to give you confidence that your kids will be ready for adult life: https://HowToHomeschoolMyChild.com/lsls26I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, by Norman GeislerSacred Influence, by Gary ThomasErin Cox is a seasoned homeschooling mom of four, ranging from elementary age to young adult. Alongside her husband Danny, she serves over 100,000 homeschool families through publishing Charlotte Mason and Classical education curricula, all from their homestead in central Alabama. When Erin isn’t wrangling sheep, Australian shepherds, two rambunctious boys, or her energetic grandbaby, she enjoys audiobooks, podcasts, and the occasional quiet moment with embroidery. Connect with her at ShopGentleClassical.com and LifeAbundantlyBlog.com. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.

Is your child's screen time affecting their developing brain more than you realize? Join Kerry Beck as she sits down with Mandee Hamann, from Screen Strong, to uncover the surprising brain science behind screens and why even educational apps might be causing harm.✅Why the frontal cortex doesn't develop until age 25 and what that means for smartphone use ✅The shocking truth about dopamine levels in gaming vs. nature play ✅ How to tell the difference between passive and interactive screens ✅The 30-day detox that's reversing ADHD-like symptoms in kids ✅ Practical ways to replace screens with activities that build strong brain pathwaysReady to protect your child's developing brain?Grab the resources mentioned in this episode below!Resources Mentioned:Get your FREE Basic Pass to Life Skills Leadership Summit 2026 to give you confidence that your kids will be ready for adult lifeScreen Strong Chart for FamiliesMandee Hamann, businesswoman and former earlychildhood/children’s pastor is mom to 2 young adults and 1 teenager. After her own family struggled with toxic screen issues, she was introduced to ScreenStrong. The ScreenStrong lifestyle changed everything for her family. Mandee became a ScreenStrong Ambassador and is committed to spreading this powerful message. She occasionally guest hosts on the ScreenStrong Families Podcast and is a member of the ScreenStrong team as the Ambassador Liaison. She enjoys training & equipping Ambassadors from all over the globe to spread the ScreenStrong Solution to screen conflicts in the home. Follow ScreenStrong on Facebook and Instagram

Thirty years ago, we never imagined we'd be navigating conversations about gender identity and sexuality with our children, but here we are. In this powerful conversation, Dannah Gresh from Pure Freedom Ministries shares biblical wisdom and practical tools to help you confidently guide your kids through today's confusing culture.In this episode, you'll discover:✅Three key Bible passages every child needs to understand about their body and identity before the world tells them lies✅How to have age-appropriate conversations about gender and sexuality without robbing your children of their innocence✅The critical difference between accepting and affirming when someone you love is walking through gender confusion✅Why your child's maleness or femaleness is directly connected to reflecting God's image in the world✅Practical strategies for responding with both truth and compassion when your kids encounter gender ideology at school or onlineReady to equip yourself with biblical truth? Grab the resources Dannah mentions in this episode to start these important conversations with confidence.Get your FREE Basic Pass to Life Skills Leadership Summit 2026 to give you confidence that your kids will be ready for adult life: https://HowToHomeschoolMyChild.com/lsls26Resources Mentioned:It’s Great to Be a GirlLies Girls BelieveLies Girls Believe Mom’s GuideLies Young Women BelieveLies Women BelieveIt’s Great to Be a BoyLies Boys BelieveLies Men BelieveDannah Gresh is the founder of True Girl, a ministry dedicated to providing tools to help moms and grandmas disciple their 7–12-year-old girls. She is the co-host of Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth’s Revive Our Hearts podcast and Revive Our Hearts Weekend. She has authored over twenty-eight books, including a Bible study for adult women based on the book of Habakkuk. Dannah and her husband, Bob, have just released a new book and limited-series podcast called Happily Even After which tells their marriage redemption story. They live on a hobby farm in central Pennsylvania.Show Notes: Introduction: A Topic We Never Imagined FacingKerry: Well hey everyone, Kerry back here with Life Skills Leadership Summit. Today I'm excited—not because of the topic, because it's a really difficult topic on sexuality and gender—but Dannah Gresh, I've just gotten to know her from a distance through podcasts and Revive Our Hearts and reading one of her books as well. But I do know that she has got a lot to say on this issue. So Dannah, thank you so much for being here. I really appreciate it.Dannah: Oh, I am so honored and delighted. Thank you for having me.Kerry: So before we get started, let me just pray for us and we'll let God guide this conversation.Father in Heaven, thank you. Thank you for today. Thank you for Zoom. Thank you that we can have a conversation and we can share it with many, many people. We thank you that you are sovereign, that you're the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and we can rest in that no matter what's going on around us. And there's a lot of mess going on around us, but we can have our hope in Jesus.We just thank you for Jesus and the bond that we have in Him through the blood that He shed for us. I thank you for Dannah being here. I pray that the things that you want said will be spoken through this conversation, that you will be glorified, and that the ones that are listening, you will just really touch their hearts and show them what types of practical steps or spending more time in the Word—whatever you want them to do—and just to be led by the Holy Spirit. We pray all these things in Jesus' powerful name, amen.Dannah: Amen.About Pure Freedom Ministries and PartnershipKerry: Okay, for those of you that don't know, Dannah has Pure Freedom Ministries and this has two parts: True Girl and Born to Be Brave. By the time y'all listen to this, you probably already heard one of my kickoffs because we do one on Sunday night before the whole week and I'll explain it.But they are our organization that we are supporting through this Summit. So we'll take the profits that we make on anyone that upgrades from free to VIP. If you upgrade to VIP, 5% of our profits will go to this organization. And then some of our speakers—you've probably heard about the ones that have chosen to—if they decide to donate 5% of their commissions, then I will match that 5% as well.So hopefully, you know, that will be just a little way that y'all can support what Dannah and her team are doing. So I just want to make sure everyone understands that before we get going.Dannah: What a blessing. Thank you so much.Dannah's Story: From Teenager to Ministry LeaderKerry: Well, let's before we start this topic, can you just tell people a little bit about yourself?Dannah: Sure. Well, I love Jesus first and foremost, and He is the best part of everything about my life. I came to know Him when I was a really little girl through Child Evangelism Fellowship five-day clubs. I just love Child Evangelism Fellowship

Tired of the lies playing on repeat in your mind? Feeling like a fraud, rejected, or not good enough—even when you're managing everything? In this vulnerable episode, we're exploring how to speak the truth over yourself and your children, exchanging lies for God's identity and calling for your life.Kerry shares her deeply personal story of walking through rejection and discovering that speaking the truth out loud daily—not just thinking it—is what transforms your mind and breaks the power of lies.What you’ll learn in this episode:✅Why we must speak the truth out loud (not just think positive thoughts) to renew our minds✅The white stone with a new name in Revelation 2:17 and what it means for your identity✅The two questions that replace "Why, God?" and actually move you forward✅Kerry's story: learning to speak the truth as a warrior on her knees after 31 years of marriage ended✅How to help your kids speak the truth over the lies they believe about themselvesReady to start your identity exchange? Download the FREE Biblical Truths Printable mentioned in this episode—sample truths Kerry speaks over herself daily plus a blank page for your own.   Grab your copy of Jamie Winship's book Living Fearless! Podcast: Stop Negative Thinking for You & Your KidsShow Notes: Hey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop the overwhelm so you can actually take a coffee break.We talked last week about lies in our head and lies that our kids believe. This week, we're going to get to the hopeful part. That may have been a little depressing. We're going to get to the hopeful part. We're going to come talk to God about what our identity is in Him, what His calling is for us, and how we can replace those lies.Jamie Winship calls it identity exchange. We are going to exchange those lies for truth.Learning from Living FearlessWhat I'm sharing are things that I have learned from a man named Jamie Winship. He's written a book called Living Fearless. You can get the link to it in the show notes, and I highly recommend it. A few years ago, I bought a copy for every one of my children, and for my parents and my sister as well, because it had such a huge impact on us.We're going to talk today about how God actually gives you a new name, a true identity, and how to listen for it, how to find out what it is. We're going to start with Revelation 2. This is where Jesus is writing to the different churches, and he's written to a church called Pergamum. He says, you have remained true to my name, to God's name. You did not renounce your faith in me. And that was a good thing.But at the end of his letter, he has this to say in Revelation 2:17: Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious, I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away up in heaven. I will give to each of you a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands, except the one who receives it.You may be going, what is this white stone he's talking about? And how do we get a new name? Because that new name has something to do with your identity. Well, in ancient Greece, the jury members would give a white stone if they were going to acquit the man. They would give a black stone if the defendant was guilty. In ancient Rome, they had a custom of awarding white stones to the winner of athletic events, and their name was written on that stone.We want to talk about that new name, because we walk in newness of life. We walk in a new covenant. We're going to put away our sins. We're going to leave our past in the past, and we are going to walk in newness of life. That's what I want for you, Mom. That's what I want for your children as well.Can You Really Hear from God?If you've ever wondered, can I really hear God about my identity? How do I know? Sometimes we don't truly believe God and what He is saying. We say He can do the impossible, but we don't really think it for us.Let me share a couple stories that Jamie Winship shares. He met a man in Washington, D.C. who had been working with Congress, and this man comes up to him, like a bodybuilder, very well-built, very healthy. And he says, how can I know if I can really hear from God? And he said, well, you can come with me to a mission, because Jamie Winship had worked with the CIA over in the Middle East for decades, and he was now helping Congress with some things about working with conflict.He and this Jason Bourne dude and a Navy guy, they all got dropped off in Northern Africa, pitch dark. They get there, they're staying in tents, their host would fix their meals, and they would fix 4 plates. And the Jason Bourne guy would go, why is there someone else? Why do they keep fixing 4? There's only three of us.Eventually, after a few days, he says, well, go ask them. Since this guy could speak that language, he says, why do you have four plates? Well, it's for

Feeling like you're falling behind or failing your kids? The biggest problem in your homeschool isn't the curriculum or the schedule—it's the lies you quietly believe about yourself. In this episode, we're exploring identity exchange: getting rid of the lies in your head and walking in the calling God's given you.Kerry shares lessons from Jamie Winship's "Living Fearless" and the story of David—who learned his identity as warrior, musician, poet, and king while watching sheep in obscurity, just like God is forming your identity in the ordinary moments of homeschooling.What you’ll learn in this episode:✅Why identity exchange matters: the lies ("I'm not organized enough," "my kids need a real teacher") shape everything you do✅What David's story teaches us about learning our calling in ordinary, obscure seasons✅How the enemy attacks Christian homeschool families with little deceptions, not big temptations✅Why "always" and "never" statements are lies (only God always does something right!)✅Your homework: Ask God "What lie am I believing?" and write it down (we'll work on truth next week)Ready to start your identity exchange? Download the FREE Biblical Truths Printable mentioned in this episode—sample truths Kerry speaks over herself daily plus a blank page for your own. Grab your copy of Jamie Winship's book Living Fearless! Podcast: Stop Negative Thinking for You & Your KidsWell, hello everyone, this is Kerry Beck with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop the overwhelm so you can actually take a coffee break from your homeschool, your home, your family. Every once in a while, we need a break, and we need to refresh ourselves.This episode is being published at the very beginning of 2026, and so this morning, I actually was listening to some podcasts. I had heard some of these stories before, I'd read the book, and I was like, this is what I need to share with my moms, because I believe this is a great way to kick off the new year.Because I don't know about you, but I have a feeling that y'all are feeling a little overwhelmed and stressed out. You feel like you're falling behind, or you're failing your kids. And what we need to realize is the biggest problem in your homeschool, your family, is not the curriculum, is not the schedule, but it is the lies that you quietly believe in your head. You believe them about yourself, as a mom, as a homeschool mom.Learning About Identity ExchangeWhat I want to do today is it's going to be at least a two-part series. We're going to talk a little bit about how we can get rid of those lies, and we can walk in the calling that God's given us. And this really will affect your homeschool. It truly will.I want you to know that what I am sharing today comes from things that I have learned from a man named Jamie Winship. He wrote a book, Living Fearless, and it is Living Fearless, Exchanging the Lies of the World for the Liberating Truth of God. You can get a link to it in the show notes below. When I went on my prayer walk this morning, I really thought through some of these ideas all over again. What is my identity? Let's exchange the lies in my head for my true identity, my true calling from God.If the things I share today are helpful, I would love for you to share this with one person.The Lies We BelieveLet's talk about this for a second. When you're in the midst of homeschooling, you're rushing around, you're doing your math, and you're switching the laundry from the washer to the dryer, you're snapping at your kids, and then at night you're lying on your bed going, I'm ruining them. I'm not cut out for this.But let's be honest, that is not the truth. And you're not the only one that's ever thought that. Because a lot of Christian moms keep that reel in their head, the little script in their head. I'm not organized enough to homeschool. My kids would be better off with a real teacher. I'm just so inconsistent, I can't even hear God clearly.Well, those are lies in your head, and they shape the way you walk through your day. How you plan your day, or you avoid planning at all. Some of you Type A people got that checklist, those lies are affecting that checklist. Or, I don't know what it is, type B, C, or Z, one of them, you just don't even plan at all, because you're just avoiding it.Those lies affect the way that you react to your kids when they are struggling. When you invite God into your lessons, or you just push through. Which one are you?I believe the lessons that I've learned from Jamie Winship about my identity, and about the false identities, the lies, like, I'm a failure, I feel shame, I am inadequate. They keep us stuck. And we can't really hear from God when He is speaking a new name to us.You know, Revelation 2:17 talks about, if we walk victoriously, God is going to give us a white stone and a new name. I'm going to talk about that in the next episode. But we need to be able to hear that new name.David's Identity in the Fields

Teaching manners isn’t about rules and rigidity—it’s about showing love, kindness, and respect to the people around us. In this conversation with Monica Irvine from The Etiquette Factory, we unpack simple and practical strategies for teaching manners in a way that sticks. You’ll discover why manners are more than table rules and how they shape your children’s character for life.If you’ve ever wondered how to teach manners without constant correction, this episode is full of practical stories, heart-tugging lessons, and family habits that make character training simple. Monica shares easy-to-implement tips to help kids feel valued, develop respect for others, and build lifelong relationship skills.What you’ll learn in this episode:✅Why teaching manners is really about loving others✅The key mistake parents make with etiquette✅How to create “soft heart” moments for better learning✅Practical lessons your family can start using week✅How manners build humility, confidence, and strong relationshipsMonica Irvine is the President of The Etiquette Factory and co-Founder of Fundamentals4Kids. As a renowned national speaker and published author of over 20 books, Mrs Irvine delights in her passion for helping children and adults reach their full potential. Mrs Irvine is a retired homeschool mom who now enjoys the fruits of her labors watching her children raise her most loved grandchildren.Follow Monica Irvine and The Etiquette Factory on FacebookRecommended Resources:Character Training Tool KitCharacter Development Without the DramaCharacter Building in 3 StepsShow Notes: What It Really Means to Have MannersKerry: Well, let's talk about etiquette and manners. Could you tell our listeners just a little bit, maybe why is this so important? Especially in today's culture? And how does this go beyond just saying, please and thank you. I mean, please, and thank you are important, but that's just a little small part of it. So tell us why and what, how it goes beyond that.Monica: I know sometimes over the years I've told my husband I should have named the company something besides the etiquette factory, because I'll be at a convention and I can always see people's reaction. They look up and they read the sign, and I can read their brain often where they're going. Oh, that's great and all. But we've got more important things to worry about than what fork to eat your salad with and to me I know why it's so much more than that.Let me first give you the definition that we use for etiquette at the etiquette factory, and that is etiquette which manners and etiquette, chivalry all mean the same thing. Etiquette is helping those around us to feel valued, and comfortable.George Washington's Rules Changed EverythingMonica: Years ago I was homeschooling our kids, and we were studying the life of President George Washington. And what a fascinating life that man had! And as we were doing that I stumbled upon George Washington's rules of civility and decent behavior. Many of you have read a couple of those, if not just Google that. And you will see this list of 110 chivalry skills that, according to President Washington's journal, he put to memory at the age of 13 he actually copied these 110 chivalry rules out of a French book.As I started reading these rules, I just, I can just tell you the spirit penetrated my heart, and being the mom of 3 boys. I was like, Wow, you know, my boys, could benefit from knowing some of these? Of course, manners was always important to me. and so I said, You know, let's start trying to memorize one of these a week and kind of having a manners thing each week.We started memorizing these chivalry skills, and something happened. I started noticing a change in behavior. and it fascinated me because I was like, what's what's changed. I mean, I've always told my boys to have good manners. I've always taught them.The Problem with Teaching "In the Moment"Monica: I think a light bulb moment happened when it dawned on me that usually 98% of the time when I was trying to teach my children manners was in the moment of correcting, like my one of my kids would say or do something that wasn't the most polite, and I would be oh, honey, no, baby, you can't say that, that's not polite. And then I would go on to tell them why.When all of a sudden I shifted to start having a daily manners lesson during the school day, when my heart was softer. My children's hearts were softer because they weren't being fussed at. and we just had a discussion about well, how do we use our napkin correctly? Or how do you make an apology sound sincere. All of a sudden my boys would be like, Mom, let's do another one. What's the next one? Let's go ahead and talk about the next one. and it literally is what changed everything.Why Manners Really MatterMonica: Most people think of manners when they think of table manners right and usually family sit around the table, and for parents that manners are important to them. Their table sounds like this. Coul

What if your homeschool didn’t feel like a checklist, but a life-giving journey? In this Best of Homeschool Super Heroes Workshop episode, Julie Ross shares the tools of a Charlotte Mason education and how they can bring peace, beauty, and connection to your home.You’ll learn how to apply these tools—atmosphere, discipline, and life—in a way that nourishes both your children and yourself. This gentle philosophy isn’t about replicating school at home; it’s about building something far more meaningful.Here’s what you’ll take away:✅ What it really means to create a homeschool “atmosphere”✅ How habits form the foundation of discipline (without nagging)✅ Why ideas are the most powerful food for the mind✅ How to foster solitude, attention, and curiosity✅ The secret to cultivating beauty and truth in your homeThis week only, you can grab my Charlotte Mason Tool Kit for 50% off as a way to put these ideas into practice without overwhelm. Mentioned Resources: Charlotte Mason Tool Kit - SAVE 50% with code: CM50 Show Notes: Welcome to the Three Tools of a Life-Giving EducationHey, hello everyone. Welcome to the three tools of a life-giving education. I'm so excited to talk to you today about these amazing tools that we have for free.Charlotte Mason said, "Education is an atmosphere and a discipline and a life more important than the curriculum you're using." That's just one of the tools. Any resource you use can be shaped and guided according to these three tools to give your children a life-giving education.Before we dive into today's talk, I just want to introduce myself. I'm Julie Ross. I'm the creator of the Charlotte Mason curriculum, A Gentle Feast. I'm a homeschool veteran of over 20 years. I have five kiddos—one has graduated recently from college and then the other will be a senior in college in neuroscience next year. And then I have three teenagers that I'm still homeschooling.So I've been homeschooling for a while. Before that, I was a public school educator and I helped start a private Christian school. So I've been in the educational space for about 30 years now. And I'm also a certified Christian life coach. So I'm going to bring in all my experience as a teacher, as a homeschool mom, as a coach, and bring that all in and hopefully give you a really practical look at how these three tools of a Charlotte Mason education can help transform your homeschool.Tool #1: Education Is an AtmosphereSo let's start off with the first one. Education is an atmosphere. What in the world does that even mean? That seems so bizarre. Atmosphere, what does it have to do? How is that a tool to help guide our education?I would say this is in fact one of the most, if not the most important tool. Charlotte Mason said, "Therefore, we are limited to three educational instruments: the atmosphere of environment, the discipline of habit, and the presentation of living ideas." Going back again to the motto, education is an atmosphere, discipline, and a life.So, what are we talking about when we're talking about the atmosphere of your home or the home environment? This is from a Parents' Review article. That's the magazine that Charlotte Mason edited. And this author wrote, "There are many important aspects of home life, from first training to highest education, but there is nothing in the way of direct teaching that will ever have so wide and lasting an effect as the atmosphere of home."And the gravest thought concerning this is that in this instant, there's nothing to learn and nothing to teach. The atmosphere emanates from ourselves as the parents. It literally is ourselves. Our children live in it and breathe it and what we are is thus incorporated into them. There is no pretense here or possibility of evasion. We may deceive ourselves in the long run. We never deceive our children. The spirit of home lives in what is more—home atmosphere is accentuated in them. Atmosphere is much more than teaching and infinitely more than talk.And when I first read this quote, I was unbelievably convicted. Because the atmosphere of my home at the time was not what I wanted. It was not what I wanted my homeschool to be like. I felt like I was a drill sergeant constantly giving out orders, constantly wondering like why is this not done? This was supposed to be done minutes ago. Everybody get in the car. We got to go to this and we were just hurry hurry hurry stress stress stress stress.And I was like, this isn't why I homeschooled. This isn't the atmosphere I want to create. Because Charlotte Mason is saying here, this atmosphere that you might not even realize is what is going on in your home is going to have such a lasting effect on your children.What Atmosphere Do You Want to Create?I wanted my children to feel like school and learning was just part of life and it was this beautiful atmosphere. I wanted us to have deep connections. I wanted my kids to be curious. I wanted them to have time to be creative. And I realized that by me being stresse

Celebrate Epiphany with your family through hands-on activities that bring the story of the Wise Men to life. In this episode, we’ll explore creative crafts, thought-provoking questions, and global traditions to help your children understand the meaning of this special day.Learn how to incorporate the gifts of the Wise Men and act out the Nativity story together. Make Epiphany unforgettable with these fun and meaningful activities:✅ Questions to ponder during the 12 days of Christmas until Epiphany✅ 8 activities for families to celebrate Epiphany✅ Feast of Epiphany ideas✅ Create crafts like crown and star ornaments, stained glass windows, and glittery gifts✅ Explore the symbolism of frankincense, myrrh, and gold with sensory activities✅ Act out the Nativity story and discuss its significance with thought-provoking questions✅ Discover global Epiphany traditions and bring them into your own celebrationUse coupon code to save 40% on Christmas Celebrations & Star of Bethlehem. Expires Friday, Dec 19.Mentioned Links:Christmas Celebrations Ebook - SAVE 40% with code: DEC19Star of Bethlehem Family Bible Study Ebook - SAVE 40% with code: DEC19Posts to Help with Epiphany:Epiphany Traditions from our FamilyItalian Feast of EpiphanyShow Notes:What Is Epiphany and Why It MattersHey everyone, Kerry back here with Homeschool Coffee Break where we help you stop that overwhelm so you can actually have a coffee break. I actually have coffee with me today!Today what we are going to be talking about is how you can celebrate Epiphany and some of y'all are going, I don't even know what you're talking about. What in the world is Epiphany? We're gonna talk about Epiphany, but what I want to do is give you some hands-on activities. I think I have eight or nine activities that you can use.Because really, when this is published, we are smack dab in the middle of Christmas and New Year's. But there is something much more important than New Year's and that is the Feast of Epiphany on January 6th. That is almost a week away from when this is going to be published.Let's talk about what Epiphany is, how it can affect your family, how you can raise your kids to understand it. Because let me tell you, I had no idea till my kids were almost in high school what Epiphany was, what that feast was, what that holiday was.Understanding the 12 Days of ChristmasEpiphany is 12 days after Christmas. Ah, 12 Days of Christmas! It is not 12 days before Christmas—they are after Christmas. The Catholic church has a great handle on this and I am a Protestant and raise my kids in a Protestant church. And we don't, and I would like to help make a change with that because we need to give our kids the best Christian heritage.They need to know their church history. They need to know their Christian heritage. And if we are only letting certain denominations do that, then we are doing a disservice to our children.One of the things I have been thinking about just this past week, because I went to visit my middle daughter and her two grandkids, was what could I send to both the grandkid families to celebrate Epiphany. In the past, I've actually made 12 paper bags, like little brown paper bags, nothing big, to celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas.Because if you don't know this, the 12 Days of Christmas have symbolism. You see, when it was written, people could not talk in public about Christ. So they wrote this song and they could sing the song because of the symbolism. Partridge in a pear tree—that's Jesus in the manger. The three French hens—that is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All 12 of them have significance. If you don't know what that is, then go and look. We've got a whole ebook about that and it'll be in the show notes.Celebrating the Wise Men's JourneyBut that is something I think is really important. What we want to focus on today is that 12th day, the day of Epiphany, the day we celebrate that the Wise Men followed the star and found Jesus. That was not in the manger. It was probably maybe a year or two later. And so we are going to celebrate that on January 6th.What are some things that you could do to celebrate that?Activity #1: Read and Study Matthew 2First of all, you could read Matthew 2:1-12. There are nine clues about what is that star. If you need help, you can get our Star of Bethlehem study guide—it is in the show notes as well.You could have your children copy all 12 verses. If they're young, one verse a day for 12 days. You could have them retell the story in their own words, narrate it back, or rewrite it in their own words. All of that based in Matthew 2:1-12.Activity #2: Crown and Star CraftsAnother thing is you could do some crafts. You can make a crown craft. Let me tell you, my grandkids love all of that! You could cut out a crown and let them decorate it with jewels and stickers and whatever, put it on their head. And they can be, if you have three of them, they can be the three wise men. Even one of them—we d

Dreading math time every day? Feeling unqualified to teach it or overwhelmed by the daily battles? In this conversation with Nadim from CTC Math, we're exploring how to shift from being the teacher to being the coach—and why that makes all the difference for busy homeschool families.Nadim shares honest insights about building math independence, the truth about screen time and dopamine, and why short explanations with lots of practice work better than long lectures that confuse kids.In this episode:✅Why 5-minute explanations with 25 minutes of practice beat 30-minute lectures every time✅The truth about screen time, dopamine, and what's really damaging our kids✅How adaptive questions meet your child at their level and bring them up (instead of widening the gap)✅The freedom of K-12 access, anywhere/anytime learning, and a 12-month money-back guarantee✅How CTC Math helps overwhelmed or unqualified moms outsource the teaching while staying the encouragerReady to end the daily math battles? Try CTC Math with their free trial at CTCMath.com—no credit card required, and full memberships come with a 12-month money-back guarantee!Recommended Resource:Free trial at CTCMath.comNadim El-Rahi serves as the COO and CMO of CTCMath, where he leads product development, marketing, and family engagement for one of the world’s most trusted online maths programs. With a background in mathematics, economics, and education, he works closely with homeschool parents to understand their day-to-day challenges and build tools that genuinely make learning easier. Nadim is passionate about helping kids develop confidence, mastery, and a love of learning through clear instruction and self-paced progression. Representing a program used by tens of thousands of families, he brings both practical experience and a heartfelt commitment to supporting parents in their mission to help their kids thrive academically and personally.Follow Nadim and CTCMath on their social media accounts:FacebookIGTikTokYouTubeShow Notes:Welcome to Homeschool Coffee BreakHey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop the overwhelm so you can take a coffee break. I actually have coffee. Nadim's my guest today. He has coffee, too. We are ready.Y'all don't know this—Nadim represents CTC Math, so it is 3 o'clock my time in the afternoon. He's over in New Zealand, so he's definitely getting his cup of coffee. I guess I'm getting my afternoon coffee, because it's morning time over there when we are recording this. I appreciate you just getting up and being available for us today.We're going to talk about math, because I know that's a struggle for a lot of moms. They're not sure what to do, because if they're not a math person, they're just like, oh, here comes my math time.Meet Nadim from CTC MathBefore we do, Nadim, could you just tell people a little bit about yourself with maybe CTC math?Nadim: I appreciate that, Kerry. Well, I'm Nadim. I've been working at CTC Math for over 13 years now. I'm the COO here, with a special interest in mathematics and education, especially childhood all-rounded education, I would say.CTC Math is an online math curriculum from K-12 with short, concise, to-the-point video tutorials.When Math Time Feels OverwhelmingLet's just begin our time. We're going to get straight to it with math and some of the struggles that moms have, because some of them are overwhelmed, but some people just feel unqualified to even teach math. We either have the overwhelmed mom, we have the unqualified mom. What would you say to a mom who just dreads the part of her day that has to do with math?Nadim: Great question, Kerry, and I would say that you're not alone. Math anxiety is common, even among parents who loved math at school.I think we can shift the thinking, especially in today's day and age. There's a lot of outsourcing that can occur, and we can outsource those subjects that we don't particularly feel comfortable teaching, or want to teach, and then our goal as homeschoolers isn't to be the teacher as such, but to be the coach or encourager.I think kids build independence through this process, and parents can really focus on guiding, rather than planning every step or teaching every concept.That's such an important thing for each of us to decide. What are we going, as moms or dads, what are we going to actually teach, and then what can we use as resources? I'll be really honest. I loved math in high school. I was a math minor in college, and then we moved forward 20 or whatever years to homeschooling my kids in math.When we got to high school math, I was like, I don't really like math as much as I used to. I loved teaching the elementary, I taught that and everything, but sometimes I got to the point—now, this was 20 years ago—I had to find things that would work with my kids and with me.Building Habits and Routines for ConsistencyI also had to build in habits and routines so that it would become consistent. From your exper

Ever wondered what is Advent beyond just lighting candles or opening little doors on a calendar? Advent is about arrival and anticipation—a sacred season that prepares our hearts to celebrate Christ's first coming while also anticipating His second coming.In this episode, we're exploring the rich history of Advent from the 5th-6th centuries and practical ways to make space for Christ in your family this season. Let’s face it …the real crisis isn't a busy December—it's a Christ-less Christmas.In this episode:✅What is Advent and how you can celebrate as a family✅Why the first 2 weeks focus on reflection while the last 2 focus on celebration✅How to prepare room in your heart, schedule, and family for Jesus (not just more activities)✅Why hope in Jesus is confident expectation, not just wishful thinking✅Practical ways to anticipate Christ's coming like you'd prepare for honored house guests✅Beautiful traditions using Advent candles, scripture readings, and family devotionsReady to make Advent meaningful? Use the Advent resources below to help your family prepare room for Jesus!Recommended ResourcesChristmas Celebrations Bundle (SAVE $10 with code: DEC10 )Advent Tool Kit (SAVE $10 with code: DEC10 )Star of Bethtlehem ebookChristmas Celebrations ebookChristmas Around the World ebookJotham’s JourneyO Come, O Come EmmanuelShow Notes:What Is Advent?Advent means arrival and anticipation. We're going to talk more about this in Tuesday's class, but I want to give you some background.Back in the 5th-6th centuries, the church celebrated Advent in a specific way. The first two weeks of Advent, the church would reflect on the Second Coming. Disciples would chasten their hearts, confess sins, and spend time hoping for the quick coming of the Lord. It was a time of reflection and fasting.The last two weeks of Advent would then transition to focus on the first coming—Christ in the manger. This was a time of feasting.Advent and Christmas are never held as a full re-enactment of the life of Christ but point to our place between the Resurrection and Second Coming.How Do You Walk Through Advent?I'm going to share ideas over the four weeks of Advent, but today I want to talk about making space for Christ.There's a book called "Make Space for Christ" by Susan Narjala, and the concept comes from that line in the Christmas carol: "Let every heart prepare Him room." But how do we actually do that?The Crisis of a Christ-Less ChristmasWe face a crisis of a Christ-less Christmas. We forget the guest of honor—Jesus. We get so wrapped up in gifts, we forget to unwrap the greatest gift of all.The antithesis of fearing God isn't offending Him or denying Him or omitting Him. It's forgetting God. Luke 3:4-6 talks about preparing the way of the Lord.Anticipation Is KeyThink about how you prepare for house guests. It takes time, right? So does preparing for or anticipating the feast of Christmas.You clean the house, you clean the bedrooms. You make sure your guests will be comfortable. You get rid of unnecessary items in the guest room. You declutter. In the same way, we need to confess sin and make room in our hearts.Psalm 27 says, "One thing I seek, to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to meditate..." Sometimes you need to rearrange the room if necessary—get rid of toys, add water bottles, clean towels. Rethink, rearrange, and refocus so Christ has room in your family.We're anticipating the second coming of Christ as well. Growing up, we would read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. Now I do Advent candles each week along with Advent Bible reading or Jotham's Journey.When you greet and treat guests with love, it's not because you have to. You get to. You want to.Is There Room for Jesus?Is there room in your heart for Jesus? Is there room in your schedule for Jesus? Is there room in your family for Jesus?We need to re-prioritize. We need to respond in AWE to God's amazing love. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek first the kingdom of God."Hope: The First Candle in AdventIn America, we use the word "hope" to mean "wish." But in Jesus, hope means expecting Him—confident expectation. It's not just a wish that God is here or that Jesus saves. It's confident expectation.Think about the line from O Holy Night that you could use for copywork, dictation, or a short discussion about "thrill of hope":O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Savior's birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!We're still waiting for His coming again—the second coming. We're still weary from the world, from personal issues.Isaiah 40:31 talks about waiting on the Lord. Think about O Come Emmanuel—Israel hoped and waited 400 years. You can find more about this at howtohomeschoolmychild.com/o-come-o-come-emmanuel.Waiting on GodWe wait on God. I have a family devotion story about this. I'm still

Feeling overwhelmed by the busy holiday season and not sure how to make Advent meaningful for your family? In this conversation with Jamie Suel (artist, former missionary, and mom of five grown kids), we're exploring advent family ideas that create space to encounter God instead of just adding more activities to your already-full schedule.Jamie shares honest wisdom about slowing down, renewing your mind when life feels chaotic, and using beautiful visual reminders to help your kids focus on hope, peace, joy, and love throughout December.In this episode:✅Advent family ideas for creating physical and mental space to prepare your heart for Jesus✅Why traditions aren't just activities—they're cornerstones that help kids remember what matters✅How to interrupt negative thought patterns and renew your mind with God's truth (Romans 12:2)✅Beautiful Advent card traditions using hope, peace, joy, and love to teach kids to wait well✅Why your kids don't need you to be perfect—they need to see an imperfect person walking with GodReady to make Advent meaningful this year? Check out Jamie's beautiful Advent cards and devotionals at her Etsy shop or jamiesuel.com—perfect for creating visual reminders that bring your family back to Jesus all season long!Jamie and her husband of 31 years homeschooled their 5 children who are now all adults. She now has the joy of being Grandma to 3 precious little ones! "I spent the first part of my journey of motherhood stressed trying to do it perfectly. I am now seeking to live authentically with my children, and others, so they can know the deep love of the amazing God who created them for purpose in His world. I really want the people in my life to know that!"Follow Jamie on her socials:InstagramFacebookPintrestMentioned Resource:Prepare Him Room Advent Digital Prints Show Notes:Welcome and Friendship StoryHello, everyone! This is Kerry Beck with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop the overwhelm so you can take a coffee break. We are here with one of my very best friends, Jamie, and I don't say that lightly. I don't know how long we've known each other, 20 or 30 years. It's been a long time. We actually live in the same town, and y'all are in for a treat today.Seriously, Jamie and I—her kids are all adults now, but when her oldest was about 3, and her second one was about 1, she would come over for Bible study, and my kids were, like, 5 to 10, or somewhere in there, and they would play with her little kids, just so we could have some quiet time at the dining room table, and we could read God's Word, and we could pray together, and it's just been a blessing ever since.Meet Jamie SuelTell us a little bit about you and what you're doing right now.Jamie: Yeah, so we homeschooled throughout, there were different seasons when we did different versions of school. We served as missionaries in Kenya for a period of time, and so we homeschooled there, and just all different things with homeschooling.When we came back from serving overseas in Kenya, we began working with missionaries and doing security. My husband has a law enforcement background, and then I just had such a heart—I discovered on the field, actually, that my heart was to actually care and come alongside missionaries.In Kenya, I got to work with the homeschooling—so many people have to homeschool in Kenya, or when they're overseas—and so I got to work with them and helping them gather all their supplies, which is so fun. It's like getting to kind of spend other people's money. And create fun plans.I also just really love art, and that's kind of what I think prompted this time. Art is something that really ministers to me and helps me connect with the Lord. Also, bringing His truth into that is really important to me, so I feel like creating safe places where people can just slow down, get off the hamster wheel, and encounter the Lord, and create a joyful way forward. That's kind of my thing. That's really what I love.Five kids, they're all grown.Yeah, she's got grandkids. We're just sort of moving on in life. Before we talk about the art, I would like to spend a little bit of time talking about Advent, because I know you and I are on the same page, everyone's so busy. We're heading into—this is gonna publish right before Thanksgiving. We are in the busy season of the year.What Slowing Down for Advent Looks LikeWhat does slowing down for Advent look like to you, personally?Jamie: I love that. As I was thinking about coming on and talking with you about Advent today, I was trying to think, yes, today, it looks much different than it did when I had littles. But even when I had littles, there's something about the Advent season that is just really special.It is a time when the whole purpose of it is to focus us in on the Savior and His coming, to prepare for Him, and prepare our hearts for Him. For me now, currently, it looks like having special time—my reading changes, my focus kind of changes a little bit more on that,

Feeling the pressure to homeschool perfectly through Thanksgiving and Christmas while also hosting, baking, and keeping everyone cheerful? In this conversation with Kelly Warner from Hope in the Chaos, we're exploring how to make holiday homeschool simple, peaceful, and actually enjoyable—without the guilt of falling behind or missing out.Kelly shares honest stories from her decade of homeschooling (including the year she made her son do school through Christmas break!) and practical wisdom that will help you choose rest over stress this season.In this episode:✅Real holiday homeschool options from keeping rigid schedules to taking December completely off✅How to keep learning simple but meaningful through topic studies, service projects, and family traditions✅Why rest needs to be as much a part of your homeschool as the busyness✅The mindset shift that frees you from the pressure of being "behind"Practical ways to prioritize peace over perfection and connect with your kids during the chaosReady to simplify your holiday season? Grab Kelly's free Ultimate Holiday Planner mentioned in this episode to organize everything from cookie baking to gift wrapping in one simple place!Resources Mentioned:Homeschooling Through The Holidays 2025 The Ultimate Holiday Planner 25 Family Christmas TraditionsThe Heart of Serving Others at ChristmasKelly Warner is a seasoned homeschooling mom from Maine, where she lives with her husband and their four children, two of whom are proud homeschool graduates. With years of experience navigating the ups and downs of home education, Kelly is passionate about helping families simplify their journey and find encouragement amidst the chaos of daily life. She shares practical tips, inspiration, and real-life homeschooling wisdom on her website, Hope In The Chaos, and across social media.FacebookFacebook GroupInstagramPinterestShow Notes:Finding Hope in Holiday Homeschool ChaosToday, y'all are in for a treat, because I know overwhelm starts a lot—well, all the time, but especially during the holidays. How do you go through the holidays? How do you try to homeschool through the holidays?My good friend Kelly Warner is here, and we're just going to sort of pick her brain for some ideas.Kelly: I am so excited to chat about homeschool overwhelm and how your listeners can homeschool through the holidays with some simplicity, and hopefully get to the end of December and not feel like they missed it.Y'all, I didn't really think about this, but the name of her company is Hope in the Chaos. Just think about that. She talks about finding hope in the chaos of life, the chaos of homeschooling, the chaos of kids.Meet Kelly WarnerKelly: My name is Kelly Warner. I'm a homeschooling mom from Maine. My husband and I have 4 children, 2 of which are homeschool graduates.When I say we've done it all, we've done it all. We did start in the public school system, so I can talk about withdrawing and transitioning. I'd love to just help you make your homeschooling simpler.There is hope in the chaos, and life is chaotic, parenting is chaotic, raising children, homeschooling, but we can find hope. I find my hope in Christ, of course. That is where my hope is found, that's where we put our hope in this household.Those people that follow me know that I'm a person of faith, Kelly and I have similar faith, and so you might hear some of that sprinkled in here and there. Whether you agree with this or not, there are still things that you can grab, take hold of, and put into practice.The Homeschooling Through the Holidays SeriesFor those of you that don't know, she is the host of Homeschooling Through the Holiday series. Tell us a little bit about what inspired you to start this, and then are there any common struggles that you see with families during the holiday season?Kelly: Homeschooling through the Holidays is a 4-week series. We're starting November 17th. We have 16 amazing bloggers who are joining us to give readers just some practical tips and tried-and-true advice that works in their home.Homeschooling through the holidays has one goal: We want to make holiday homeschooling simple. For some, we're gonna talk about exactly how to homeschool through the holidays. Maybe you want to stick to your current schedule, your child needs that routine, you need the system.For others, perhaps you're wanting to take a break, and you want to feel okay about that. We cover it all.This whole series was dreamt of—I was thinking about this earlier today—actually in my bathroom. I was getting ready, I was dealing with the hustle and the bustle and the stress of it all. I was a newer homeschool mom, and just thinking about how do I make this all work? How does my family make this all work?It just seemed like every year the holidays brought in more stress and more chaos. I said, my readers feel the same. I know they absolutely are dealing with what we are, there's nothing new under the sun.I talked to some of my mentors, I think I might h

What if cultivating joy in your homeschool could be as simple as saying "good morning" with intention or creating one silly family tradition? In this conversation with Amber Smith (mom of 10!), we're exploring how gratitude practices transform not just your homeschool, but your relationships with your kids and your ability to handle the overwhelming seasons.From speaking life over a strong-willed child to filling your own tank when you feel depleted, Amber shares honest, practical wisdom that will help you step back and see the beautiful life you're actually building.In this episode:✅How cultivating joy through simple habits like "good morning" changes your family atmosphere✅The power of speaking life over difficult children instead of defeat✅Why remembering where you've come from creates gratitude in overwhelming seasons✅Practical gift-giving traditions that build thankfulness (including a hilarious "most beautiful of women" story!)✅How to find community and fill your tank when you're running on emptyReady to practice gratitude with your family? Grab the FREE 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge hyperlink mentioned in this episode and join hundreds of families starting November 1st!Recommended Resources:30 Days of Gratitude ChallengeGrand Prize GiveawayThe Six Keys to Your Successful Homeschool Year: Self-paced Course & Guided Journal. Book available on AmazonIn Due Season CoursesAmber Smith Amber Smith and her chef husband of 28 years raised ten wild children in southern Iowa. Her desire to help homeschool parents avoid burnout and build their best lives with strong relationships led her to start blogging at 200 Fingers & Toes. That is where you can find the latest articles, product reviews, and new In Due Season Homeschool Podcast episodes.Show Notes:Why Gratitude Can Give You PeaceWe are talking about a topic that I really think can slow you down and move you to a little bit of peace and joy, and a chance to maybe take that coffee break, or a bathroom break, or whatever you need to just get some peace. We are talking about gratitude today.My friend Amber Smith is here, and she's gonna be able to just bless you in your homeschool and in your family.Amber: I really enjoy getting to share with you and connect with the audience, and I'm looking forward to this 30 Days of Gratitude. I feel like it's such a good and important season to remind moms to just kind of step back and evaluate and assess kind of where we're at, and bring back an attitude of gratitude so we can kind of go forward into the holiday season realigned.Y'all, I'm gonna tell you right now, if Amber can focus on gratitude, and she has 10 kids, she calls herself 200 Fingers and Toes, then any homeschool family, any family at all, can take a step back and not get into the pressure.Meet Amber Smith: Homeschool Courage LenderAmber: One of the reasons why I started the blog was because so many people were hesitant to homeschool, and thought they weren't capable or equipped, and didn't have enough of X, Y, or Z. Really the main reason that I started sharing my story was because I wanted to show people that anybody could homeschool.Really, the desire to homeschool was the most important thing. Beyond that, it's just skills that you could learn. I was a high school dropout, I was involuntarily homeschooled for my last two years of high school. I got a job and took some classes at the community college.Coming forward as a homeschooling mom, I really didn't have a view of homeschooling and kind of had to find my own way. I have a heart for moms who are jumping into homeschooling and discovering it for themselves, and kind of making a roadmap for themselves that makes the most sense.I call myself a homeschool courage lender. I want to lend the courage to moms who are starting, so that they can get that for themselves, and then take that and start building homeschool that really fits them and is personalized to their life and family.We have 10 kids. I have graduated 7, and I have the last 3 at home right now. I am kind of on the downward slide. We're all down to high schoolers, and it's a very exciting time at our house, because I get to see the fruits of that, and I get to see the fruits of all of our children's lives, and how homeschooling has provided them with some skills.Cultivating Joy Must Be PracticedYou have made a comment that gratitude must be cultivated, nurtured, and practiced. What does that really look like in a real family life, especially when you have 10 children, or you still have those 3 at home?Amber: I was thinking back, what were the things I had to reset my brain to imagine me back at the table with 7 children, 7 and under, starting our first day of homeschool. Even that just makes my heart just so excited to see it was just an idea at the time, and we weren't really confident about what it was going to look like long-term in the future.One of those things that I think is so important about practicing gratitude is kind of lookin

What if gratitude could actually make you more beautiful from the inside out? In this conversation with Meredith Curtis, we're exploring the transformative power of cultivating gratitude in your homeschool family—and how thanksgiving changes not just your heart, but your entire countenance and home atmosphere.From Thanksgiving traditions that knit families together to miracle stories of God's provision, Meredith shares decades of wisdom on raising grateful children who focus on Jesus instead of consumerism.In this episode:✅How cultivating gratitude transforms you into a more beautiful person (yes, really!)✅Simple Thanksgiving traditions that build faith and family unity✅The crab legs miracle story that reminds us nothing is impossible with God✅Practical activities for the holiday season that shift focus from presents to Jesus✅Why serving others creates grateful hearts in your childrenReady to make gratitude a daily practice? Grab the free 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge mentioned in this episode and join hundreds of families started November 1st!Recommended Resources:30 Days of Gratitude ChallengeGrand Prize GiveawayGod's Girls Beauty Secrets Bible StudyCelebrate ThanksgivingJesus, Fill My Heart & Home Bible StudyChristmas Unit StudiesMeredith "GrandMerey" Curtis, mom of 5 homeschool grads and grandmother of 8, writes, speaks, leads worship, and loves celebrating God's goodness at every opportunity possible, believing that gratitude is the secret to joy. She enjoys creating homeschool curriculum and Bible studies for Christian families, as well as writing Maggie King Mysteries, wholesome cozies. Find her at PowerlineProd.com, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.Show Notes:The Beauty Secret That Changes EverythingMeredith Curtis is here with me today, and we're talking about gratitude. Meredith, y'all know I run the 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge, and I get guest bloggers to come in and post on our blog. I think Meredith has done it every single year I've ever done this. I know that's your heart. I know that's my heart. Gratitude just can do so many things for us.Meredith is a homeschooling mom who graduated her 5 children. Now she's grandmother to 8, so far, and all of them homeschool. She's a pastor's wife, a worship leader, a writer, a speaker, and she loves ministering to homeschool families. She's created a lot of curriculum, and she just started a mystery series called Maggie King Mysteries.Gratitude as a Beauty SecretMeredith, you have actually talked about gratitude as being a beauty secret. Can you sort of explain what you mean by that, and how you've seen gratitude actually transform someone from the inside?Meredith: I've always believed this, and I remember my grandmother used to say to me, beauty is as beauty does. When I was a young woman, teenager, young adult, young wife, I wanted to be beautiful on the inside. From my grandmother, I grasped that principle that beauty on the inside flows to the outside.One of the passages that really stood out to me was 1 Peter 3:1-7, and how God commends Sarah as a beautiful woman because of her gentle and quiet spirit. That got me on the road to thinking about beauty. I actually have a Bible study called God's Girls Beauty Secrets.When you're kind, when you're grateful, it changes your heart. Gratitude changes your focus from self to the Lord. Kindness changes your focus from self to others. When you're grateful and you walk into a home, or you walk into work, or you walk into your homeschool co-op or church, and you're having a conversation with people, it changes the expression on your face.You have more of a smile, you don't have those frowny frown lines. You have a beauty that emanates from you, and I think people want to be around you when you're like that. They want to be around people that are grateful, because it's gonna be raising them up rather than pulling them down.I'm a pastor's wife, and I see all the terrible things that happen to people. Mike and I have gone through so many trials. I think that sometimes the Lord just has to remind me, be grateful, be grateful, be grateful. When I am grateful, I notice the way people respond to me is very different than when I'm complaining and bitter.Beauty isn't just about a symmetrical face. Beauty goes so much beyond that, because it's your poise, it's your confidence. A truly beautiful woman walks into a room, and she's like, God is good, I'm so happy to see all of you, and her focus is completely on other people. That is beautiful.The Physical Impact of Bitterness vs. GratitudeYou know, as you're saying that, I do believe that however you're thinking on the inside is going to come out in your facial expressions, in your gestures, the way that you hold yourself. I also think, unfortunately, the opposite is true. Someone who is bitter—I have friends that are still holding bitterness towards people, and they're the ones that are in the hospital all the time. They've got illness, like, physical i

What if 5 minutes could completely shift your perspective from overwhelm to peace? In this episode, we're diving into powerful gratitude examples from history and my own life that prove thanksgiving isn't just feel-good advice—it actually changes your brain, your home atmosphere, and your children's mental health.From Abraham Lincoln declaring Thanksgiving during the Civil War to Corrie ten Boom thanking God for fleas in a concentration camp, you'll discover how gratitude transforms even the hardest circumstances into blessings.In this episode:✅2 practical activities you can do to go from complaining to gratitude✅3 real gratitude examples that prove thankfulness changes everything✅The 5-minute kitchen table practice that pulled me out of a breakdown and into peace✅Scientific proof that gratitude increases joy, decreases anxiety, and improves sleep✅How to raise grateful kids who are more satisfied, happier, and mentally healthier✅Daily thankfulness practices you can start today to shift your family's atmosphere from complaining to contentmentReady to transform your home with thankfulness? Grab the free 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge mentioned in this episode and join hundreds of moms starting November 1st!Show NotesWhen Complaining Takes Over Your MorningIt's Tuesday morning. You get up, you get breakfast ready, and your kids come in complaining, complaining, complaining. All of a sudden, someone spilled their milk, and the phone is buzzing, and before you realize it, you are mentally listing everything that's wrong.I'm going to share a way to flip the switch in your head and get back into a place of peace, a place of gratitude. Today, we are talking about changing complaining to thankfulness, to gratitude. I'm going to be giving you several gratitude examples along the way.Abraham Lincoln's Example During America's Darkest HourLet's start with Abraham Lincoln. Back in 1863, the war between the states was tearing America apart. Families were divided, thousands were dying, no one knew what the future held. And President Lincoln declared a National Day of Thanksgiving.He knew that the attitude of thanksgiving could actually change our country. He wrote, "Year filled with blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies, gracious gifts of Most High God." He was looking to God to say, even though everything around us is falling apart, we are gonna look up, and we are going to say thank you to God.So when everything in your life feels chaotic, you can still choose to focus on God's goodness.The Kitchen Table That Changed EverythingSeveral years ago, I was having a mental-emotional breakdown. In our house, I was walking back and forth, just reeling out in my head all the things I wanted to tell all the people that were giving me a hard time.And all of a sudden, I was like, stop, Kerry. Just stop. I went to the kitchen table, I just grabbed a piece of regular notebook paper, and I started writing down anything I could think of to be thankful for. It could have been a blue sky outside, a hot cup of coffee, I don't know. But I went and just wrote everything down.Got all the way down the list, and even got to the top, and started a second column. Almost to the bottom, I quit thinking about the things that God had given me, things to be thankful for, and I started to write down things about God. I started to praise Him for who He was in my life.By the time I finished that list, peace came over me. There was joy in my heart, because I knew that God was taking care of me, and it really didn't matter about all the craziness.Recognizing the Enemy's AttackMaybe your marriage is falling apart. Maybe you're rejected by your friends, or your mother-in-law's giving you a hard time. Maybe you're just totally overwhelmed, because you got 5 kids under the age of 7, and you're trying to homeschool a few of them.That is the enemy attacking you, and you can change that overwhelmed, rejected attitude to something positive. You need to realize that the negative voice and all those bad things is not yours. It is the enemy attack. He is trying to get you to think about you, your circumstances, instead of God and trusting in a faithful God.It only took me about 5 minutes, my perspective changed, and my heart and soul changed as well. My self-pity changed to praising God for His faithfulness, His character, and His provision that's always there.The Science Behind GratitudeI've been keeping a gratitude journal since about 2010 or 2011. This is actually my second gratitude journal. I actually hit 10,000 items earlier this year, and I know that keeping that journal changes the way I think.It's not just God saying this, which is all that really matters, but there is scientific evidence that gratitude and thankfulness changes the way we think. Research shows that gratitude increases our joy and our contentment. It decreases our anxiety and our depression. It even helps you sleep better and gives you a stronger immune system.If you are stressed

What if Christmas wasn't about doing more, but learning how to be more present with your family? In this episode, we're diving into why holiday perfection is stealing your joy and how you can shift from chaos to connection this season.We're talking about practical ways to focus on what really matters—faith, family, and freedom from the pressure to do everything perfectly. You'll discover how to choose meaningful traditions over Pinterest-perfect moments, and how to prepare your heart during Advent so you can actually enjoy Christmas morning.In this episode you will learn:✅Why scrolling social media makes you feel behind and stressed✅How to shift from perfection to presence during the holidays✅3 keys to a more peaceful Christmas✅Simple ways to create meaningful traditions your kids will actually remember✅How to use Advent to prepare your heart, not just check off a to-do listReady to make this your most peaceful Christmas yet? Grab the Christmas Celebration Bundle mentioned in this episode at HowToHomeschoolmychild.com/ChristmasbundleShow Notes:How to Be More Present This Christmas (Without the Holiday Stress)Hey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop stress so you can take a coffee break. Let me tell you, the topic we're talking about today can stress you out, but I'm here to give you some ideas and some solutions.Yes, you can see the background, it's one of my first episodes for this Christmas season, and I think it's really important to figure out what happens when you let go of holiday perfection. What if Christmas wasn't about doing more, but being more present?The Pressure of Holiday PerfectionYou know, I used to try to make everything, well, back in the day, magazine perfect. Y'all are dealing with making everything Pinterest perfect, or Instagram perfect. I used to get a magazine, Southern Living. Actually, I got a whole two rows of them, old copies, and Southern Living had always, around November, December, they'd have an article about decorating the tree, and having the perfect little snacks, and everything was just perfect.Only, anytime I tried that, it didn't work. So, I sort of gave up on it. Some of you may be thinking about, oh, I gotta get the perfect matching pajamas, or just the flawless photos, elaborate crafts. But by Christmas Eve, for myself, and especially Christmas Day after we'd opened gifts, I was exhausted and snappy, and as I've told you before, crying in the car on the freeway.I realized after a couple years like that, that Jesus never asked for perfection. He asked for presence. He just wants our presence with Him.Letting Go of the Comparison TrapHow can we let go of that perfection? And you may not be a perfectionist. But you may still be scrolling social media going, oh, I wish I had… oh, look at them, look at that.That is such a false hope. They are showing you their highlight reels. They are not giving you an accurate picture of what life is like. Because we scroll through Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and we feel behind already. We want our kids to have magical memories, but we forget that we set the tone as well.You see, when we do that, when we are constantly comparing ourselves to other people, we feel guilty. We feel overwhelmed. We feel stressed. And there's one more. Oh, we miss the joy of the season! You know, the season's supposed to be joyful and joy to the world. It is not happening.Your kids are not going to remember the perfect decorations, or the perfect decorating, tree decorating evening. They're going to remember the times as a family. They're gonna remember your peace and your presence with them. We don't need to be doing more, we just need to be present with our family.From Chaos to ConnectionSo how can we go from chaos to connection? Letting go of perfection actually opens the door for true connection.Think about it. What if on Christmas morning, y'all just had a great morning? If you open gifts in, that's great, but you're calm, your kids are happy, the home is at peace. Wouldn't that be awesome?But it doesn't just happen like this. We need to be intentional about it, and that is why I want to talk to you about that. We can use that time of Advent. Advent starts about 4 weeks before Christmas, and every week we can be doing different activities that can prepare our heart.Sometimes it's a heart surgery. We need to look at ourselves and see what do we need to do before God? Are there some sins that we need to confess? And we need to model that, and then show our kids as well. And then the different activities need to be purposeful and intentional.The Three Keys: Faith, Family, and FreedomThe key here is making a shift to faith, family, and freedom.Faith. Putting Christ back at the center. Back at the center of your celebration.Family, focusing on meaningful moments together, not the perfect photo.And then freedom, releasing the pressure to do everything perfect. And just have joy instead!You see, we need to spend t

Do you ever feel like Christmas sneaks up on you — and suddenly your home is filled with chaos instead of calm? In this episode, we’re talking about how to plan now so you can enjoy a peaceful Christmas filled with joy, not stress. You’ll hear how one simple shift helped our family slow down, say no to busyness, and finally make Jesus the center of our Advent season.Here’s what we’ll cover in this conversation:-The small change we made when my kids were in elementary school that transformed our holidays-Why saying NO to some things creates space for what matters most-How we brought Jesus back into focus (without becoming the Grinch)-The one Advent book that became a game-changer for our family-A sneak peek into my "Three Clues to Keep Christ in Christmas" classIf you’re ready to enjoy Christmas again instead of just surviving it, sign up for our FREE Class and start creating a plan for a peaceful, Christ-centered season.3 Clues to Keep Christ in Christmas: https://howtohomeschoolmychild.com/3clues

Fall can be full of cozy traditions — and it can also be a chance to point our families toward Jesus instead of fear. In this episode we share simple, Christ-centered ideas you can use at home or in your homeschool as meaningful Christian alternatives to halloween.You’ll hear practical activities — everything from Reformation Day celebrations to service opportunities for your kids — and one “ready-to-use” idea to try this month.✅ Family Praise Night (dessert + songs + testimonies)✅ Night bags or luminaries with Bible verses to line your walkways✅ Heroes of the Faith costume idea and mini-presentations for kids✅ Harvest (Thanks) Tree, scripture scavenger hunts, and Service Night ideas✅ How we host a Reformation Day party and a ready-made Reformation unit studyGrab the Reformation Day Unit Study mentioned in the podcast: (use coupon code REF25 for the limited-time discount)Show Notes:Christian Alternatives to Halloween: Faith-Filled Fall Traditions for Your FamilyHey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop the overwhelm so you could take a coffee break. We need a coffee break every once in a while.It is fall time. I got my fall background up here. I love fall. This morning, I went for a walk. I probably could have even put a jacket on, and I live in Texas, and it's still September. I am so excited. So, I don't know what your weather is like, but it has been getting cooler here as well.Today, what I want to do is talk to you about a time in the fall season that Christians often struggle with, and that is Halloween. What are we doing? I want to talk to you about some alternatives to Halloween.We are releasing this, and this Wednesday, we are going to have a Facebook party that will dive more into fall alternatives to Halloween. So I hope you will join me. It is in Facebook. There'll be some freebies in there, but there'll be some great resources as well.Halloween Doesn't Have to Be About Darkness or FearToday, what I want to share with you are some Christ-centered and some family-friendly alternatives that you can use in your family, in your home, and in your home school as well. And let's talk about fall traditions.If you are listening to this and there is a place to put a comment, leave a comment and let me know what's one of your fall traditions. We all have Christmas traditions, or Thanksgiving traditions. What are some traditions during the fall time?You know, I love the cooler weather. We did decorate pumpkins, and we still decorate pumpkins. My kids carved a pumpkin when they were younger. I remember one time I bought these big jewel stickers and bought one of those small little pumpkins for my two oldest granddaughters. They were probably like 2 and 4, 3 and 5, and they could just put those stickers all over wherever they wanted, and they had their own little decorated pumpkin, their jeweled pumpkin, we could say.What fall traditions do you want your kids to remember? When we lived in Idaho, we went apple picking, and then we would make apple cider right there. Some of y'all might go through those corn mazes. I've done that, not with my kids, but I've done it with Steve and with some adults as well. And then some of you might go to just a pumpkin patch. I know in Dallas, they have a beautiful arboretum completely decorated with all the fall stuff there is.So, what are some family traditions you might have for fall?Christ-Centered Alternatives to HalloweenNow let's move on to Christ-centered alternatives to Halloween. You know, the world, it seems like, has hijacked all Hallows' Eve. But we can take it back for holiness and for light.It is a dark holiday now, let's be honest, but we stand for the light, the light of Jesus Christ. And so, let's talk about some alternative things you might do during October, during the last week of October, and how you could really focus on the light of the world.Family Praise Night: Maybe just have some families over and have a family praise night, where everyone brings a dessert, and y'all sing some songs and share testimonies of God's work in your family.Light Bags: Maybe you could do like the light bags, and everyone in your neighborhood just gets the little sandwich bags, and they can decorate it, maybe even cut holes if you want, and put a candle, or if you don't want to do a candle, you could put those little electric candles in there. Then line them up on your sidewalk, or line them up across the front of your house as well. You might decorate them with Bible verses if you want.Heroes of the Faith Costume: Maybe everyone chooses a Bible character and dresses up as a Bible character, and you come ready to tell at least one little fact each child does about the person that they have dressed up. So, they're going to be learning, and they get to dress up as well.Harvest of Blessings Night: I have done this, and I do not have a picture of it. We took a big piece of brown paper wrap paper, and I just drew a tree with branches, but n

The world feels heavy right now, and as homeschool parents, we're navigating how to walk alongside our children through national tragedies while maintaining our faith and hope. In this deeply personal episode, I explore how God brings redemption even in the darkest moments and why talking about these difficult events with our kids is so important.We'll discuss the spiritual battle happening around us, the power of forgiveness in healing our own hearts, and practical ways to pray Scripture over your family daily.Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:✅Why forgiveness is for your healing & freedom, not for the person who hurt you✅How to put on the full armor of God to protect your family spiritually✅The importance of reading real Scripture with your children, even the young ones✅Practical prayer strategies you can start today✅How to recognize that people aren't your enemy, but the spiritual battle in the heavens is your enemyReady to stand firm in faith with your family? Grab the free Joy Scripture Cards to start praying Scripture over your loved ones today.Recommended Resources:Joy Scripture CardsTrial & Triumph

Are your kids dragging their feet when it’s time for schoolwork? Football season gives you the perfect opportunity to flip that around and show them how to enjoy learning in ways that connect with their real interests. With a little creativity, you can turn the excitement of the season into meaningful lessons that stick.In this episode, you’ll discover:✅Simple strategies to use football to inspire curiosity in your homeschool✅Fun writing prompts that work for both younger and older students✅Easy ways to tie math, science, and history to your child’s favorite sport✅Critical thinking activities that spark deeper learning✅How to highlight Godly character lessons through sports role modelsRecommended Resources:FREE Football Unit Study https://howtohomeschoolmychild.com/football-unit-study/ Sports Bundle (15 Minute Flash Sale - SAVE 87%)... includes 6 sets of printableshttps://howtohomeschoolmychild.com/hth-trip-sports-oto

Teaching manners isn’t about rules and rigidity—it’s about showing love, kindness, and respect to the people around us. In this conversation with Monica Irvine from The Etiquette Factory, we unpack simple and practical strategies for teaching manners in a way that sticks. You’ll discover why manners are more than table rules and how they shape your children’s character for life.If you’ve ever wondered how to teach manners without constant correction, this episode is full of practical stories, heart-tugging lessons, and family habits that make character training simple. Monica shares easy-to-implement tips to help kids feel valued, develop respect for others, and build lifelong relationship skills.What you’ll learn in this episode:✅Why teaching manners is really about loving others✅The key mistake parents make with etiquette✅How to create “soft heart” moments for better learning✅Practical lessons your family can start using week✅How manners build humility, confidence, and strong relationshipsRecommended Resources:Character Training Tool KitCharacter Development Without the DramaCharacter Building in 3 StepsMonica Irvine is the President of The Etiquette Factory and co-Founder of Fundamentals4Kids. As a renowned national speaker and published author of over 20 books, Mrs Irvine delights in her passion for helping children and adults reach their full potential. Mrs Irvine is a retired homeschool mom who now enjoys the fruits of her labors watching her children raise her most loved grandchildren.Follow Monica Irvine and The Etiquette Factory on FacebookShow Notes: How to Teach Manners: Beyond Please and Thank You with Monica IrvineWhat It Really Means to Have MannersKerry: Well, let's talk about etiquette and manners. Could you tell our listeners just a little bit, maybe why is this so important? Especially in today's culture? And how does this go beyond just saying, please and thank you. I mean, please, and thank you are important, but that's just a little small part of it. So tell us why and what, how it goes beyond that.Monica: I know sometimes over the years I've told my husband I should have named the company something besides the etiquette factory, because I'll be at a convention and I can always see people's reaction. They look up and they read the sign, and I can read their brain often where they're going. Oh, that's great and all. But we've got more important things to worry about than what fork to eat your salad with and to me I know why it's so much more than that.Let me first give you the definition that we use for etiquette at the etiquette factory, and that is etiquette which manners and etiquette, chivalry all mean the same thing. Etiquette is helping those around us to feel valued, and comfortable.George Washington's Rules Changed EverythingMonica: Years ago I was homeschooling our kids, and we were studying the life of President George Washington. And what a fascinating life that man had! And as we were doing that I stumbled upon George Washington's rules of civility and decent behavior. Many of you have read a couple of those, if not just Google that. And you will see this list of 110 chivalry skills that, according to President Washington's journal, he put to memory at the age of 13 he actually copied these 110 chivalry rules out of a French book.As I started reading these rules, I just, I can just tell you the spirit penetrated my heart, and being the mom of 3 boys. I was like, Wow, you know, my boys, could benefit from knowing some of these? Of course, manners was always important to me. and so I said, You know, let's start trying to memorize one of these a week and kind of having a manners thing each week.We started memorizing these chivalry skills, and something happened. I started noticing a change in behavior. and it fascinated me because I was like, what's what's changed. I mean, I've always told my boys to have good manners. I've always taught them.The Problem with Teaching "In the Moment"Monica: I think a light bulb moment happened when it dawned on me that usually 98% of the time when I was trying to teach my children manners was in the moment of correcting, like my one of my kids would say or do something that wasn't the most polite, and I would be oh, honey, no, baby, you can't say that, that's not polite. And then I would go on to tell them why.When all of a sudden I shifted to start having a daily manners lesson during the school day, when my heart was softer. My children's hearts were softer because they weren't being fussed at. and we just had a discussion about well, how do we use our napkin correctly? Or how do you make an apology sound sincere. All of a sudden my boys would be like, Mom, let's do another one. What's the next one? Let's go ahead and talk about the next one. and it literally is what changed everything.Why Manners Really MatterMonica: Most people think of manners when they think of table manners right and usually family sit around the table, and for parents th

Homeschooling isn’t just about academics—it’s about helping your kids discover their unique strengths and preparing them to lead. In this inspiring conversation with Heidi Christianson from Leadership Education Mentoring Institute, we explore the powerful role of mentoring youth in your homeschool, along with how to shift from a checklist mindset to a life-long learning approach.You’ll hear stories of real families, practical strategies for mentoring your kids, and encouragement to see your role as a parent-mentor in a new light. Whether you’re new to homeschooling or a veteran, this conversation will leave you inspired to create a family culture that values leadership, learning, and connection.What you’ll learn in this episode:✅Why every child is a genius—and how to help them shine✅The difference between teaching and mentoring youth✅How to create a homeschool culture that sparks a love of learning✅Practical tips to individualize your child’s education✅Encouragement for parents who feel overwhelmed or unsureCheck out LEMI, mentioned in the podcast and start mentoring your kids with confidence!Resources:The Learning Zone BookA credentialed teacher with a Master's in Education, Heidi Christianson has taught across university, community college, private, and charter school settings and homeschooled her five sons for over 20 years. Her commitment to personalized education led her to co-found a commonwealth school, develop curriculum, and co-author the book The Learning Zone. She has spoken at major homeschool conventions and serves as director of operations at the Leadership Education Mentoring Institute (LEMI). Heidi also founded The Genius Paradigm and Realizing Genius.FacebookInstagramYouTubeShow Notes: Discovering the Genius in Every Child: A Leadership Education Approach to Mentoring Youth Through HomeschoolingMeet Heidi ChristiansenHey, everyone! I'm Kerry Beck, with homeschool coffee break where we help you stop the overwhelm so you can actually take a coffee break. Today we are talking about a topic that I know y'all have heard me talk about a lot - leadership education. Heidi Christiansen from LEMI is here, and we're going to dive right into it.Heidi has 5 boys who are all grown now. Her youngest one graduated last year, and she homeschooled them for 23 years. Before kids, she actually taught at the university and at the community college level.She knew she wanted to teach, but never thought she would teach kids because she did not have a good experience in public school. When she went to enroll her oldest, she just couldn't do it. At that point she had toddler twins and a newborn, so she put him into a private school. But with that many kids already, there was no way she could continue.The Turning Point: When Traditional Methods Don't WorkKerry: So when our twins were ready for kindergarten, we jumped into homeschooling, and even though I had such a horrible time in the public school system, I found myself falling into that track and those habits. I was - I wanted my kids to love learning, but because I was, you know, especially with my experience in education I still was following, falling into those bad habits.Heidi: My 4th son, I like to say he's not my problem child, but he's the child that made me a better mother, and because of that he just fought me on the traditional education, and I knew that I was the one that had to change. You can't ask your kids to change in that way. They're kids.So I started doing research. That's when I found leadership education and I just loved it. One of the things they talked about in a foundational book, the Thomas Jefferson Education, by Oliver Demille, is how everyone is a genius. I just love that idea.What Leadership Education Really MeansKerry: When we're talking about leadership education, tell us what that is, and what that would really mean for a family, and how it's more than just a curriculum or a checklist.Heidi: It definitely is not a curriculum or a checklist. One of the important things I feel it's just so important for people to understand is that idea of what leadership is, because too often - I know my oldest son, he was about 12-13 years old when we started in leadership education, and I was all excited about it. I was trying to share it with him and he just started crying and saying, "Mommy, I don't want to be President."Leadership education is not about titles or positions. True leadership emerges when someone learns to navigate challenges thoughtfully, see patterns in human behavior and systems and guide others towards positive change. It's about developing the capacity to make a meaningful difference whether in your family, community or the broader world.Kerry: So good. I really appreciate you reminding people that not everyone's gonna grow up to be President of the United States or CEO, or even on the church elder board or something. But just like you said, moms are leaders and dads are leaders. I would say, 99% of the kids of the moms listen

You see those grade-level checklists and stress out. How will you check off all the boxes? The better question is how to help each child grow at their own pace? In this episode we tackle the grade level myth, so kids can learn at their own pace. You’ll discover practical ways an individualized learning plan helps your child gain confidence and real mastery in your homeschool.You’ll hear real stories and step-by-step ideas you can try this week — assess strengths, adapt lessons, and celebrate mastery instead of chasing someone else’s checklist.✅Why the one-room schoolhouse model was actually brilliant (and how it relates to your homeschool today)✅Real stories about kids who learned at their own pace and thrived (including my daughter who didn't know her times tables until algebra!)✅How individualized learning can turn apathy into excitement in your homeschool✅4 practical tips for teaching your kids at their own pace (even with multiple children)✅Why mastery matters more than checking off someone else's checklistRecommended Resource:FREE How to Simplify Your Homeschool - 3 part course Show Notes: The Problem with Grade-Level PressureHey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop the stress and stop the overwhelm so you can actually take a coffee break.Today we are talking about the grade-level myth. It makes me think about 150 years ago, one-room schoolhouse, and the one-room schoolhouse actually did so much good. I've actually heard more modern, younger people say, well, the reason we have grade levels now is it's such a better way to teach our kids. Well, not really.The one-room schoolhouse was fantastic. It is how people have learned for centuries. So today, I want to sort of talk about this myth of grade level and the pressure.Do you feel pressure sometimes? Are my kids on grade level? Am I doing the right thing? I see parents that are stressing out if there is this grade level that doesn't match their child's ability.Why Parents Stress About Grade LevelsSo many moms worry about those grade-level expectations, which some professor probably made up. They're comparing themselves to other homeschoolers that are following the conveyor belt model. They are comparing themselves to public school benchmarks, and they're stressing out, or they are afraid their kids are going to fall behind.Will they really be prepared for life? And let's face it, who made the grade level checklist? Y'all heard me say it before, quit checking off the checklist, especially someone else's. Now, if you make your own checklist, that's what God's putting on your heart, that's a whole different story.Real Stories of Learning at Their Own PaceLet's talk about Sarah. Sarah's my little imaginary friend. She is 8 years old. Technically, she is in 3rd grade.She loves to read. She reads chapter books that are 2 or 3 levels ahead in grade level, so she's reading on a 5th or 6th grade level. She can discuss themes of the book, vocabulary, beyond her age.Sounds like my little granddaughter, who's 6 years old, and she just finished kindergarten, and she's reading chapter books. It's awesome. But you know, we all have different strengths and weaknesses, because poor little Sarah, my imaginary friend.She still struggles with subtraction and with borrowing. She hasn't yet even reached multiplication. This reminds me of my daughter, Gentry, who did not know her times tables until algebra.We actually pulled her off of math for a whole year in seventh grade. But we let her go at her own pace, and she's an adult, 35 years old, and doing okay.From a parent's perspective, you see that grade level checklist says, Sarah should be multiplying by now, and then you stress out. You panic, and you're like, oh no, Sarah is behind.Don't worry about it. Let them move along at their own pace. Now, if they're moving along at their own pace because they're lazy and they're not doing the work, that's a whole different story. That's character, and we can talk about that in a future episode.How Individualized Learning WorksWhen we have individualized learning, some kids can dive really deep into certain topics. There are going to be fewer gaps in their learning, and it can build confidence and motivation. If it's something that they are especially if you're going in their interest as well.My friend had a son who was Hunter's age. Hunter was 6, and they're all learning to read, but not Will. Will didn't learn to read till he was 10 or 12 years old.Once he did, he went flying past all the kids on his grade level. You see, Hunter could sort of be on that grade level. He didn't like to read at the time, he does now. That's another thing. So, he moved along at whatever the grade level was, but Will didn't.His mom had to adapt his lessons for him, but once he took off, he skyrocketed.It reminds me of my second imaginary friend, James. James is 13 years old. His parents noticed, you know what, he sure loves tinkering with electronics and machi

Homeschool doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or exhausting. In this episode, we’ll explore the power of short lessons in homeschooling—a simple shift that helps kids stay focused, build confidence, and reduce daily stress.You’ll discover practical ways to break subjects into smaller sessions, add movement breaks, and use short lessons for mastery. With real-life examples for both elementary and high school, you’ll see how to make lessons in homeschooling more effective and doable for every age and stage. ✅ Why kids lose focus in long lessons (and how to fix it) ✅ How to structure short lessons for younger and older students ✅ The role of breaks and movement in keeping attention ✅ Practical examples for history, science, and more ✅ How short lessons build confidence and consistency👉 Grab the free notebooking resource mentioned in this episode to make short homeschooling lessons even more effective!Resources Mentioned:FREE Notebooking PagesShow Notes: Hey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop the overwhelm so you can take Coffee Break. We want to get you where you're not overwhelmed, you have the confidence to do what you need to do in homeschooling, and today's topic is so practical.It is something you can implement today, right after you listen to this. We're talking about building consistency and why shorter lessons can make a huge difference.The Problem with Long LessonsThink about it. You sit down with your 8-year-old to do a math lesson. And the first 10 minutes go well. But by minute 15, your kid's squirming in his chair, doodling in the margin, and suddenly needs a drink of water. And by minute 20, they're groaning, dragging their pencil, or even saying, this is too long, I hate math.It's not that they can't do the work. Their brains just aren't built for long lecture-style lessons. Most kids, especially in the elementary years, learn better with shorter, focused bursts of learning, and then followed by some sort of change of pace. You've heard that from Charlotte Mason, we're going to talk about that in a minute.So, you might do something focused, and then change to a hands-on activity or discussion, something that has some sort of movement in it. Remember that more learning, and this, if you do short lessons, you'll see more learning and less stress for you, mom, and your child.You see, the problem is long lessons often backfire. And maybe mom's all into it, but the kids aren't. Kids lose focus quickly, and then frustration happens for mom and the child. And then this leads to ups and downs and lots of inconsistency in your home school. We want to build consistency so that there's a little bit of learning taking place every single day.The Reality Check StorySome of you might sit down. We used to do read alouds, and it may be from a history book, and you begin to read aloud to your kids every morning. But about halfway through, you look around and you notice glazed over eyes. And by the end, one child is sprawled across the couch, staring at the ceiling, another fiddling with the Legos, and the youngest has just wandered off completely.And you think, they just don't like history. Now, I personally think it's okay if they're doing things with their hands. But you're like, they don't like it, I don't know what to do, and you have a good friend, hopefully maybe a veteran homeschool mom telling you, hey, you know what? If you would introduce this into smaller chunks instead of trying to read for an hour, that would be hard for me as an adult.Just read a few pages one day, and do a quick map, or a quick little activity afterwards, or let them narrate back to you. All of a sudden, your kids can lean in and maybe start asking questions as well.Why Traditional School Methods Don't Work at HomeSo the problem is, sometimes we as moms are trying to model after the traditional school, which is come in, sit down for an hour, and then go to the next class. And this is even true in elementary, in 3rd, 4th, and fifth, they are changing classes, and they're doing all types of these activities.You see, there is power in the short lessons, and they are focused. Why, these are easier for your kids to concentrate. It is said, and studies show, that a children's average attention span is about 2 to 5 minutes for each year of age. So, a 7-year-old can focus for maybe 15 or 20 minutes, and those longer lessons they lose focus and don't remember anything, and if you would just stick with this, they're going to have greater retention, and their mind isn't going to go off wandering after the 15 minutes.Parents, also, you will stay energized, and you will stay content, because all of a sudden, your kids are paying attention. They can focus for 15 minutes. This can help build consistency with a predictable routine. This, all of a sudden, is achievable.Charlotte Mason Was RightCharlotte Mason knew this, you've read this. She believes that shorter lessons are better for all the kids. Young

What if your homeschool didn’t feel like a checklist, but a life-giving journey? In this Best of Homeschool Super Heroes Workshop episode, Julie Ross shares the tools of a Charlotte Mason education and how they can bring peace, beauty, and connection to your home.You’ll learn how to apply these tools—atmosphere, discipline, and life—in a way that nourishes both your children and yourself. This gentle philosophy isn’t about replicating school at home; it’s about building something far more meaningful.Here’s what you’ll take away:✅ What it really means to create a homeschool “atmosphere”✅ How habits form the foundation of discipline (without nagging)✅ Why ideas are the most powerful food for the mind✅ How to foster solitude, attention, and curiosity✅ The secret to cultivating beauty and truth in your home🎯 Grab your FREE Pass to Homeschool Super Heroes. You’ll be inspired by 30+ veteran homeschoolers.

In this Best of Homeschool Super Heroes episode, Rachael Carman brings clarity to what matters most in your homeschool. After 26 years of homeschooling her seven kids, she shares why the most important subject to teach your children isn’t academic—it’s spiritual.This episode will encourage and equip you to make the Bible the foundation of your homeschool. Rachael’s wisdom is practical, powerful, and deeply rooted in God’s truth.You’ll learn:✅ What happens when you put the Bible at the center of your day✅ How to make worship and Scripture study a natural part of homeschooling✅ Why your kids need heart-shaping more than head knowledge✅ Tips to grow in your own walk with God as you lead your children✅ What to do when you feel discouraged or spiritually dry🎯 Grab your FREE Pass to Homeschool Super Heroes. You’ll be inspired by 30+ veteran homeschoolers.

With 20+ years of experience, Jen Merckling, shows you how to make any homeschool curriculum work—even if it's not the "perfect" fit. These 5 tips will help you feel confident, supported, and ready for a school year full of peace and growth.You’ll learn:✅Why modeling matters more than early independence✅How to pause and repeat without falling “behind”✅What to do when grade levels don’t match your child’s progress✅The truth about short lessons and how they help with consistency✅When and how to cut assignments and still count it as a win🎯 Grab your FREE Pass to Homeschool Super Heroes. You’ll be inspired by 30+ veteran homeschoolers.

There’s a lot we take for granted when it comes to homeschooling—especially our freedoms. In today’s conversation, you’ll hear how homeschool freedom is under threat in places you might not expect... and how one nonprofit is working to protect it.From museum tours to national advocacy, Steven Policastro shares how God is using their work to equip homeschool leaders in 130+ nations. You’ll be inspired to pray, take action, and help families around the globe.The surprising truth about where homeschool is illegal✅Why parental rights and Christian education go hand-in-hand✅How global leaders are uniting to defend freedom✅2 creative ways your family can support the mission✅How to turn this into a meaningful homeschool project🎯 Grab the free resource mentioned in the episode to get started!Homeschool Super Heroes Week FREE Pass - includes Prayer - Letter Writing BookSteven Policastro is the founder and director of the International Association for Creation, a global Christian 501(c)3 ministry dedicated to bringing quality Christ-centered education to the nations. He leads a team from around the world that is dedicated to amplifying learning from a biblical worldview, increasing access to homeschooling, and protecting parental rights throughout Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. In 2020, in partnership with the national Christian homeschool leadership and the Ministry of Sports & Culture, the team initiated and drafted public policy that legalized homeschooling in Bolivia.Today, he leads his team in:1. Scaling success by equipping experienced community leaders across Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific with the tools necessary to provide sustainable, local solutions for students, parents, and teachers.2. Facilitating high-level government discussions regarding the formation of education freedom zones in Mongolia.3. Establishing a national education framework for the Ministry of Education in South Sudan.4. Brokering refugee resettlement talks between national homeschool leaders in France and their European Union counterparts who are engaged in the current conflict over parental rights.Steven has presented to and engaged in dialogue with top world leaders, including government officials and Ph.Ds. in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, leading his team in facilitating ground-breaking diplomatic discussion on education reform that is qualitatively and quantitatively transforming nations. His efforts have opened access to critical infrastructure and opportunities for millions of individuals to continue to benefit from strategies that are amplifying learning, increasing access, and protecting rights in over one-hundred nations. He is a media spokesman in various areas of expertise, from education reform to transformative peace processes.Want to make a difference for homeschool families around the world?Visit associationforcreation.org to learn how you can:Discover the real challenges families face homeschooling across the globeEncourage a homeschool family overseas with a personal notePray intentionally for those facing oppositionShow Notes:Fighting for Homeschool Freedom Around the World with Steven PolicastroWhat Steven's Organization DoesKerry: Hey, everyone, Kerry Beck here with homeschool superheroes and homeschool coffee break. We're sort of doing a little joint thing. And this is going to be a podcast on my homeschool coffee break where we help you stop the overwhelm. So you can have a nice little coffee break. And today we are meeting and visiting with Steven Policastro, who is our title partner, and we are partnering with him and his nonprofit and making a donation to his organization. So welcome, Steven, so glad that you're here.Steven: Thank you so much for having me, Kerry. It's good to be with you again.Kerry: Very good. We've been partnering. I don't know 4 or 5 years, but I love partnering because I learned so much about what's going on around the world the way that God's working with Christian education and homeschooling. And we're going to talk about that. But Stephen runs a nonprofit that helps homeschoolers. Homeschooling be legal, or, you know, works in governments and that kind of thing, but also Christian education. Can you tell people just a little bit about how this all came to be, and what y'all do.Steven: Yeah. So I'm the founder and director of International Association for Creation, and our mission is to make Christian education possible everywhere. And we do that through several different means, primarily through training Christians to give Biblical worldview tours of secular museums and then also training national Christian homeschool leaders to be able to advocate for parental rights and the autonomy of Christian education in their nations from their context.How the Ministry StartedSteven: And the way that we got involved in both of these is, I initially began the ministry to support local Biblical worldview pro

As we approach the Day of the Christian Martyr on June 29, 2025, talking to kids about difficult topics like persecution or the life of a Christian martyr isn't easy—but it's important. In this episode, Kerry sits down with homeschool curriculum author Bonnie Rose Hudson to discuss how to introduce these powerful stories to children in a way that honors truth, age-appropriateness, and their emotional makeup.From personal stories to practical examples, you'll discover ways to guide your kids in understanding faith under fire. Bonnie also shares encouragement for parents and non-parents alike who want to support the global Church and disciple the next generation with bold, faith-filled examples.In this episode, you'll learn:✅How to gauge what details kids can emotionally handle✅Tips for weaving Christian martyr stories into Bible, history, or reading lessons✅Where to find trustworthy, age-appropriate resources✅What to say when your kids ask "Why would God allow this?"✅Encouragement for moms and dads who want their kids to live boldly for Christ✅Special insights on observing the Day of the Christian Martyr with your family🎯 Grab the resource mentioned in the podcast so you can start these conversations in your home today—especially as we prepare to honor the memory of those who gave their lives for faith this June 29th!Resources MentionedDay of the Christian Martyr Free Digital Resources: Show Notes:Kerry: We are talking about the persecuted church and wait, first of all, let's talk about what that is, and then we're going to talk about maybe integrating that into your homeschool, and maybe why and how those kind of things. But before we dive into this topic, Bonnie, could you just tell people a little bit about yourself.Bonnie Rose: Sure, I'm Bonnie Rose Hudson. I run write bonnierose.com. I have a lot of different subject areas for most ages. You will not find, ever find high school math on my site. I'm sorry. That's just not my thing, but I have a lot of history, science, Bible, language arts, geography, a lot of things like I said, quite a few different topics for most ages. Some of the material is a full year curriculum, others is supplemental. I do a lot of freebies every year. So if you sign up for my newsletter, you can get a freebie, usually on average, every 2 weeks, sometimes more often than that, and I just enjoy making resources as fun and affordable and easy to use as I can.Personal Journey to the Persecuted ChurchKerry: I know I've seen a lot of them. It's been a few years since I've actually reviewed them, but I continue to see so much, and she really does have a wide range, and so wide that here we are talking about the persecuted church. So just out of curiosity, what drew you to learn more about this area?Bonnie Rose: Well, I've had an interest ever since I was young. I heard stories growing up, but I kind of I think I tended to compartmentalize it. I thought it only happened, maybe in China or, you know, maybe someplace deep in Africa. And one year over Easter, I started reading some of the stories about people dealing with persecution from different ministry newsletters, and such, and it just really started to grow into a burden on my heart. And I wanted to share what I was reading about with the kids that I was writing for in a way that was age appropriate and sensitive because so much of almost all of the media that I was consuming was targeted directly for adults, and it just included more information than you want to share with your 8 year old, for instance.The Scope of Christian Persecution TodayKerry: That's so interesting. And you know, I actually get a magazine called Voice of the Martyrs. And so it's very interesting. I've read some of their books, and we may even talk about some of those people, but I mean, those are current events, too. But yet it isn't always something that's appropriate for kids. So how widespread really is persecution for Christians today?Bonnie Rose: Well, according to Open Doors, in the last 30 years the number of countries where Christians are suffering high or extreme levels of persecution has almost doubled. There are at least 76 countries, and those are countries where it goes beyond harassment or inconveniences. This is full persecution. And it's because of some of the digital technology advancements, facial recognition, it's getting even harder and harder and harder for the underground church to operate, and for believers, especially from certain other religious backgrounds, to meet, to grow, to access the information that they need. On average, one in every 7 Christians in the world are currently facing persecution. That number increases to one in 5 in Africa and 2 in 5 Christians in Asia. The Joshua Project says between 65% and 70% of the world's population live in a country that's considered religiously restrictive. So it really is in every corner of the globe on every continent, in some or almost every continent, in some form or another.Understan

If you’ve ever wondered how to slow down and connect while still “doing school,” this episode is for you. Today, I’m sharing how a simple walk with my granddaughter — and her obsession with roly-polies — reminded me why nature walks are a powerful tool in your homeschool. You’ll discover how even 15 minutes outside can spark curiosity, lead to deeper relationships, and provide rich educational experiences — without the need for worksheets or screens.We’ll cover:✅How to make nature walks meaningful (without being a science expert)✅Simple tools you can bring along for learning on the go✅Academic subjects that connect with nature walks✅How walking together builds family connection✅A simple way to turn every walk into a moment of gratitudeResources MentionedFree Nature JournalHandbook of Nature StudyChristian Liberty Nature ReadersUsborne First Book of NatureShow Notes:Hey, everyone, Kerry Beck here with homeschool coffee break where we help you stop the overwhelm so you can take a coffee break. I think I'll take one right now. Today we are talking about why nature walks belong in your homeschool, even if you're not an outdoorsy person. Before we dive into this, I would love for you to subscribe to this channel if you haven't already done so, or if you can leave a comment or a 5 Star Review. That would be awesome. And you may have a home school friend, just one home school friend that you could share this with, because we're recording this. It's summertime. It's a great time to be outdoors and do this.The Roly-Poly StoryIn fact, I'll just start. This episode was inspired by something that I did with my 8 year old granddaughter last week. She wanted to go on walks now. I'd get up early and go on my own sort of prayer, walk and fast walk, get some exercise in. But she wanted to go on walk, and on Friday, the last day we got out there, and she found a roly-poly on the sidewalk, and it was the first one. And it you know, those little ones say they roll up into a little ball. I mean she was talking to it somehow it fell off, and then she found another one, and we were walking down the sidewalk to get to the path, and there's a big stone wall, and there were roly-polies everywhere.I'm telling you we went on a 15 or 20 minute walk, and I think she talked to these roly polys the entire way, and they would be crawling, and she's like, "Oh, you don't like this hand. You like this hand. They don't ever want to go into this hand," and just went on and on they fall off, and then she'd have to get another one. The last one she actually carried pretty far all the way back to that stone wall, because she wanted to leave this roly-poly near his friends, so he would have some friends.Why This Story MattersNow, why do I share that story? I was like it reminded me so much of some of the things that we did with our kids out in nature, whether it's a nature walk, or just going out and looking, maybe even at the stars at nighttime. But she loved going on a walk. This was not a fast walk. This was a slow walk we talked, we visited, and I saw wonder, curiosity, and learning. And that does not come from a book or a worksheet.So nature walks are just such a simple, beautiful, powerful tool for your homeschool. And you can use it with all different ages, all at the same time as well.Why Nature Walks Are So ValuableWhy are they so valuable? Well, with your kids, they're going to help your kids slow down and observe. You know, you might go to a park, you know we've got a park over here, and you can wander through this trail, and there's brush everywhere, and you'll see all different kinds of leaves and plants. And actually, a few years ago, the girl, my 8 year old, her sister. They were both with me, and we're going down there, and the next day I find out she got a tick, and I was like, well, she's the only one that climbed a tree while we were out there, and so, but they slow down and they start to notice things.You can they can ask questions and maybe spark curiosity. I really had every intention of going back here and doing a little research with her about roly-polies and then rolling up, and then, when we got home, we had to get ready to take her to the doctor, and things sort of got busy. With your kids also, this can build a lifelong love of God's creation. God is the great Creator. So let them be out in that.Benefits for MomWith moms, you, mom, it'll help you get out of the house. It can refresh you mentally and emotionally. I think fresh air does wonders. I mean, sometimes I go on walks every day pretty much, but sometimes I just want to pray, and I go out. I've got a little circle drive, and I just walk back and forth 2 or 3 times, just going outside can refresh you. I remember when I did have Covid several years ago. I didn't feel good for about a couple days, but the one thing I did do is I went outside and walked up and down the driveway because fresh air and sunshine does something for you.This also gives you a chance to bond w

Need some fresh ideas to keep your kids learning this summer—without pulling out the curriculum bins? Whether you're a year-round homeschooler or ready for a much-needed break, there are simple, creative ways to make summer learning fun, meaningful, and totally stress-free.From read-alouds to banana caterpillars, this episode is packed with tips that encourage curiosity, build character, and keep everyone engaged (without screens!). We’re talking:✅How to build a summer reading rhythm the whole family loves✅Why boredom is actually good for your kids (really!)✅Tips to combat negative attitudes with God's Word✅Fun weekly learning ideas with zero worksheets✅How to set family reading goals with big rewardsGrab Read Aloud Book List mentioned in this episode to make your summer easier and more fun!Resources Mentioned:Read Aloud Book List Cell Pizza Oreo Moon PhasesSummer Science Experiments

Feeling overwhelmed by grumbling kids, comparison, or stress in your homeschool? In this episode, we talk about the power of being thankful for what you have—even in hard seasons—and how it can transform your heart, your home, and your family.You’ll hear personal stories, powerful Scripture, and practical steps you can take to build a daily gratitude habit. This episode will help you fight overwhelm and experience the joy that comes when you shift from complaining to contentment.✅Learn the science-backed benefits of gratitude✅Hear how Kerry's 10,000 gratitude journal entries shaped her mindset✅Get 3 simple tips for creating a family gratitude habit✅Discover practical ways to help your kids choose gratitude over grumbling✅Be encouraged with real-life stories of thankfulness in hard seasons📥 Grab the resource mentioned in the podcast—link is in the show notes!Resources Mentioned: Give Thanks Tool Kit30 Day Gratitude ChallengeGratitude Journal for Kids Show Notes:Hey, everyone, Kerry, Beck here with homeschool coffee break where we help you stop the overwhelm so you can actually take a coffee break. No coffee with me. I'm actually recording this in the afternoon. Haven't had coffee for a few hours, but I want to help you take a break, slow down and pause. And today's episode is so good and so helpful to you, I can, I promise you, if you put these things into practice, it will change the way you think, the way your mind works, and even help with your kids as well. We are talking about moving from complaining to being thankful, building a gratitude habit in your homeschool, in your family, in your home as well.Why does this episode matter so much? Let me just tell you. Actually, I think I wrote this down today. You'll be getting this in a few weeks. But I wrote this down today. I was sort of pondering what to do. But I've been keeping a gratitude journal since 2010. That's almost 15 years, and the first 2 or 3 years I wrote down 3 things but I discipline religiously every single day, and every year I did that I added a thousand things. Then I became a little less structured, but I still kept a gratitude journal throughout the year. I may not have done it every year, and sometimes, like here, you can see I sort of color coded. There you go. That's more than 3 things here. That's more than 3 things. So it just depended on the day there's 3 right there. But today, on May 27th 2025, I entered number 10,000. Can you see that? 10,000 right there?And I'll just, I was a little skeptical last week. I was like, I don't want to write anything down. I want 10,000 to be something really great. But then this one I was like, just write what you're thinking about Kerry. So 9,999 were friends that had been praying for me, especially a few weeks ago, when my son got married, and there's just a little tension and everything. But I knew everything would be great, and we would have great joy because they were supporting me in prayer, but 10,000 number 10,000 I didn't really think about this morning, and I just wrote down my kids, faith in God and their protection of me. My kids have just been so supportive of me over the last several years, and that makes me feel good. I'm not. I wasn't trying to make that number 10,000. But that's just really what came to mind.So that is what we're talking about. We're talking about gratitude and the power of gratitude in good times and in bad times, before we dive into that. If you have not subscribed to our channel, then I would strongly recommend that you do that. It will help us get this message out to more and more people, and don't more of us want our kids to go from complaining to gratitude. Don't we want to have victory through the gratitude? Don't we want to have joy through gratitude? I'm going to talk all about that today. So share this, find one person, you could click that, share button and share it with someone today.So the power of gratitude and hard seasons. Now, I don't know if you know me very well, but I will tell you. For the past 9 years it's been a struggle for me. I've been lonely at times. I have felt rejection. I've had lots of financial struggle in and out. I've had lots of grief, both death, rejection, abandonment, and betrayal, and it's hard. About 5 years ago, I want to say, 5 or 6 years ago I had one of the hardest thanksgivings. Thanksgiving seemed to have been really hard in the last 9 years, but God showed up. I had an explosion at the dinner table in my own parents. It was pretty embarrassing, and my own parents house, and about 2 or 3 days later I had to say, Okay, God, I need to apologize, and I went from negativity to joy and peace in my life, and some of that was thankfulness to God that he is working in me, and he is helping me get past all these hardships.I will tell you that faith is not about the absence of hardship. It's about how we trust God in the middle of all of it, and one of the ways we can show our trust is through gratitude. Being thankful is not

If you're wondering where to start homeschooling, the answer may surprise you—look in the mirror. In this episode, we talk about why your own education as a mom is the first and most important step in your homeschool journey. Education and leadership don’t begin with lesson plans—they begin with you.You'll hear why your kids will follow your lead more than your curriculum, and how a simple growth routine can shape your homeschool for the better. Whether you're a new homeschool mom or simply looking to refresh your perspective, this episode will help you take a powerful first step.Here’s what we cover:✅Why Charlotte Mason said, “There is no education but self-education”✅The simple 3-step plan Kerry used for personal growth ✅How to model a love of reading and lifelong learning for your kids ✅How reading, journaling, and sharing weekly simplifies your homeschool and gives YOU freedom to study what is important to your family ✅Why summer is the perfect time to start your growth habit👉 Grab the free resource mentioned in the podcast to kickstart your own growth routine and lead with confidence!From Overwhelmed Mom to Confident Mentor (use code: CONFIDENT10 to SAVE $10 & come free)4 Steps to Raising Christian Leaders in Your Homeschool (FREE Limited Time Replay)Show Notes Hey everyone, welcome back to Homeschool Coffee Break, where we are pouring you a fresh cup of encouragement for moms who are raising the next generation of Christian leaders. I'm your host, Kerry Beck, and today we're diving into a powerful truth: education starts with you, Mom.Leadership starts with you, Mom. Yes, you—not your curriculum, not the perfect schedule—you. Your habits, your mindset, your faith.I want to unpack this through this episode as well. But before I do, I just would love to encourage you to click the subscribe button so that we can get this out to more and more people, and more and more moms like you can get the encouragement, simplify their life, and get rid of the overwhelm. Stop the overwhelm so you can take a coffee break.All right. Let's start with Charlotte Mason. She says, "There is no education but self-education." What does that mean? True education is not external—memorizing a bunch of facts, saying, "I finished this book or this curriculum." It is all about internal. Real education is taking ownership, having that desire. You can't really even make your kids be educated because it has to be something from within them. And that is the same with you.You know, kids don't become leaders, they don't become educated from tests. They grow in their education by watching and imitating real life. That's you. They grow in ownership and leadership skills by watching you and imitating real life.So you cannot force education, but you can lead by example. And that's what it's all about. You need to lead by example. You need to take ownership of your own education, and then your kids will see what's going on.My kids never doubted that I love to read. Now I will tell you, when they were little, maybe they did, because I'd fall asleep at night. I tried to read at night in bed, and, you know, I'd just fall asleep with the book on my chest. I was tired all the time. But as we got out of those little kid stages, I read. I still read voraciously. I read all the time.And I'm watching my—especially my girls right now, because they've got kids at home—they are reading. They're actually reading instead of turning on that TV. That is a mom. They are modeling and mentoring a love for reading.I am thankful that all four of my grandkids—we don't know about Sloane, Sloane's only four months old—but all of them, even my grandson that goes 90 to nothing—he is all out boy—"Gigi, will you read a book?" Or I walked in last week on Monday night, I was up there, and he was sitting in his dad's lap, listening just still as could be, listening to him read that book.There is something special building relationships, but also you are modeling and mentoring for your kids the importance of reading, the importance of learning. And that is really a basis for moving forward to be a good leader.Let me just say, when I say leadership, some people get confused, and they're like, "My kid's not going to be CEO or Mayor or whatever." No. Leadership is influence—nothing more, nothing less. And you are a leader to your family. You are influencing. Your kids more than likely will grow up and have a family, and they will need to be able to lead and influence well.You know, I do a class. And I did one recently—"4 Steps to Raising Christian Leaders"—and this is really Step 4. It is you, Mom. You go first.And this is being published right before summertime. I don't know when you're listening to it, but this is being published right before summertime. It is a great time to take a step back and really work on your own education, growing yourself.So let's talk about a very simple growth routine for you. This is something I was able to do even when my kids were at home,

What’s the #1 thing you can do to raise confident Christian leaders? Teach your kids to own their education. Independent learning isn’t just a homeschool perk—it’s a leadership training ground.In this episode, we explore how independent learning shapes responsible, motivated, Christ-centered leaders. You’ll hear stories, examples, and practical steps you can start using today. ✅Why independent learning builds leadership and responsibility ✅What Charlotte Mason and Benjamin Franklin can teach us about self-motivated kids ✅The shift from teacher to coach—and how it sets your kids free ✅Practical ways to build ownership in your homeschool ✅How real work and self-direction grow lifelong learners🎁 Grab my free masterclass, 4 Steps to Raising Christian Leaders in Your Homeschool! Resources Mentioned:4 Steps to Raising Christian Leaders in Your Homeschool!

When life is busy and homeschooling feels overwhelming, it’s easy to fall back on textbooks just to get through the day. But if you’re ready for a more meaningful approach, this episode will show you how to be a lifelong learner—and raise kids who love learning too.We’re breaking down the mindset shifts and practical steps that help you get off the educational conveyor belt and spark curiosity, creativity, and deep thinking in your homeschool.✅The real reason textbooks feel safe—and what to use instead✅How curiosity fuels lasting learning far beyond any test✅Easy ways to integrate your child’s interests into daily lessons✅The 4-step method to develop real-world learners and leaders✅Why boredom might be the best gift you can give your kidsGrab the free class mentioned in the episode to go even deeper!Resources Mentioned:Homeschool Freedom Bootcamp - May 13-234 Steps to Raising Christian Leaders in Your Homeschool (FREE Masterclass)Want help starting these conversations? Grab my free 3-Step Chart to Develop Critical Thinking Skills.Use Read Aloud Book List for suggested readings

Every day, your kids face choices—from what to eat for lunch to how to treat others. And as homeschool moms, we want to raise children who make wise, godly decisions… but how do we actually teach them how to make good choices?In this episode, we talk about how to help your kids develop discernment, wisdom, and decision-making skills through stories, conversations, and daily life moments rooted in Biblical truth.✅Why wisdom matters more than knowledge alone✅ A simple, homeschool-friendly way to teach discernment✅What King Solomon can teach your kids about making wise decisions✅ How to create a “wisdom culture” in your family🎁 It’s time to sign up for the Homeschool Freedom Boot Camp right here - Resources Mentioned:Homeschool Freedom BootcampFREE 3-Step Critical Thinking ChartFREE Read-Aloud Book List

What if you didn’t have to force your kids through every lesson? What if they actually wanted to learn? That’s the power of curiosity learning—and in this episode, we’re talking about how to go from forced lessons to self-motivated learning.You’ll hear simple mindset shifts and practical tips to create an environment where your kids want to explore, ask questions, and dive deep into what fascinates them. Yes, it really is possible! ✅How to follow your kids’ interests without losing structure ✅Real-life examples of how to spark motivation using everyday tools ✅Why curiosity is hardwired into your kids—and how to nurture it ✅The problem with rigid curriculum and checklist-style learning ✅What Albert Einstein’s childhood can teach us about homeschooling🎁 Grab your free read-aloud book list to help spark curiosity in your homeschool! Resources Mentioned:FREE Read Aloud Book ListShow Notes:Hey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop the overwhelm and actually take a coffee break.Today we're talking about a big question: How do we raise kids who are self-motivated? I know some of you are thinking, "That’s impossible!" but I want to share how we can move from forced lessons to natural curiosity and interest. If you've ever felt like you're dragging your kids through every lesson or hearing constant complaints, we're going to talk about practical strategies that actually inspire them to want to learn.You don't need to push them harder; you need to ignite them. And some of the mindset shift has to happen in us, not just our kids.Why Motivation MattersMotivated, self-driven learners are naturally curious. God wired our kids to want to learn. Why do three- and four-year-olds constantly ask "Why?" Because everything is new to them. But traditional lessons, rigid schedules, and comparison to "normal" kids often squash that natural spark.In Proverbs 25:2, it says, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings." And Proverbs 18:15 says, "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out." We want our kids seeking, discovering, and engaging—not just checking off boxes.Even Albert Einstein struggled in traditional school but thrived when allowed to learn freely. His parents encouraged his interests—his father with a compass, his mother with music and books. Einstein credited curiosity as the foundation of his success. His mom believed in him and gave him freedom. Belief plus freedom equals self-motivation.Creating an Atmosphere of CuriosityHow do we create this kind of environment at home? Ditch the pressure. Fill your home with books, puzzles, maps, globes, art supplies, and nature materials. Our house had books in every room—yes, even the bathrooms!Say "yes" more often when your child shows interest, even if it’s not in your lesson plan. I shared the story of Hunter, who was supposed to write a five-paragraph essay on an emperor but got excited writing about Derek Jeter instead. That passion led us down an incredible learning rabbit trail, covering math, science, reading, and more.Let your kids follow their interests. Spark wonder. And leave room for boredom. Boredom leads to curiosity and creativity.Following Interests Instead of Just Giving InstructionsFocus on interests, not just instruction. Integrate passions into schoolwork. Math can happen with Legos. Writing can happen through comic strips. History can happen through stories.If you're not ready to completely let go of control, offer freedom within boundaries. Create a basket of books or a list of approved activities—then let your kids choose. When kids have ownership, learning becomes personal and meaningful.Use our "Read-Write-Discuss" method to dig deeper. Every day, read about a topic, write one page, and discuss it once a week. It’s simple but incredibly powerful for building critical thinking.Trust the Spark is Still ThereYou don’t have to bribe, beg, or battle your way through homeschooling. First, change your own mindset: believe that any topic can be educational. Then trust your kids to wonder, explore, and create.Invite curiosity. Celebrate progress. Trust that the spark God placed in your child is still there—maybe it just needs a little time and space to come back to life.You don't have to entertain your kids or control every minute. You just need to open the door to learning.Ready to Start?If you're ready to nurture curiosity in your homeschool, grab my free Read-Aloud Book List! It's full of ideas to spark wonder and help your kids fall in love with learning again.Thanks for joining me. I’m Kerry Beck with Homeschool Coffee Break. We'll talk again next time!

Homeschool burnout is real—and if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stretched thin, or just plain exhausted, this episode is for you. You don’t need a rigid schedule or a packed curriculum to be a “good homeschooler.” You need peace, purpose, and a plan that fits your family.Let’s talk about how to simplify your homeschool, focus on relationships, and stop chasing perfection. These mindset shifts and practical tips will help you prevent burnout and enjoy the journey again. ✅ Why homeschool burnout happens (and how to recognize it) ✅ Simple shifts that bring peace to your homeschool days ✅ The power of rhythms vs. rigid schedules ✅ How to focus on relationships over checklists ✅ Real examples from Charlotte Mason, Finland, and more🎁 Grab my free 3-day video course: How to Simplify Your Homeschool to start fresh with intention and joy!Show Notes:Hey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Homeschool Coffee Break where we help you stop the overwhelm so you can actually take a coffee break.Let’s talk about something I know most of us feel by the end of the school year: burnout. How do we homeschool without burnout? How do we simplify our homeschool so we can enjoy the journey?If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stretched thin, like you're drowning in lesson plans, laundry, cooking, chauffeuring, and expectations—you are not alone. Burnout feels like constant pressure, guilt, exhaustion, and comparison. Which one do you feel the most?Burnout brings mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion. And that exhaustion steals our joy—joy from our family, our children, our homeschool. So let’s talk about why it happens and what we can do.Why Simplifying Makes All the DifferenceBurnout often happens because we try to do too much and expect perfection. You might be modeling your homeschool after public school and feeling defeated. Or maybe you’re chasing a “perfect homeschool” that doesn’t even exist.God calls us to faithfulness, not busyness. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”So what if we actually lived like that?Let’s go back to Charlotte Mason. She believed education should be life-giving, not an exhausting checklist. She encouraged short lessons, outdoor time, living books—not busy work. Education in her time was full of rote memorization and long hours at a desk, and she pushed back on that.And right now—if it's spring when you're listening—your kids should be outside half the time. It doesn’t need to be complicated.Focus on Relationships Over ChecklistsYou can simplify your life and homeschool by focusing on what matters most: relationships, character, a love of learning, and the tools of learning. Ask yourself, what do we really need to accomplish today? Not what’s on the lesson plan—but what’s essential?Sometimes the right answer is to skip the science experiment and read on the couch with your child who’s having a tough day. That connection lasts longer than any worksheet ever will.I love looking at history for encouragement. Abraham Lincoln had less than a year of formal education, but he read the Bible, Aesop’s Fables, and classics. On his own. No checklist. No pressure. And he became one of the most influential leaders in history.Less Is More: What We Can Learn from FinlandFinland ranks among the top education systems in the world. They focus on fewer subjects, more depth, shorter school days, no homework for younger kids, and tons of play—especially outside.Less is more. In the early years, focus on language arts, reading, writing, and stories. History is a great fit, too. Then when they’re older and thinking abstractly, that’s when you layer in math, science, logic.Make your days shorter. We homeschooled from breakfast to lunch. That was it. And if it didn’t get done, it didn’t get done.Simplify Your Schedule and CurriculumChoose fewer, richer subjects. Focus on what’s essential. Pursue your child’s interests.We didn’t use a formal science curriculum in elementary. We picked a topic, went to the library, read about it, and did activities. Art and music were once a week. When your kids reach junior high or high school, then you start preparing for college—or a tech school or even a small business.Another idea to simplify . . .  Combine your kids whenever you can. We had one hour in the morning—our family time. We did Bible devotions at breakfast. Then during that hour, we had art appreciation, hymn singing, poetry reading, citizenship, Bible study, and a 30-minute read-aloud. Everyone together.Limit outside activities. One year, I was driving one daughter from one activity straight to the next. We decided to stop. They could choose two outside activities per year—and that was it.Routines That Restore PeaceBuild rhythms instead of rigid schedules. We had a general flow to our day, not a strict timeline. Breakfast with devotions, piano practice, songs, family time, and individual work from around 9:00 to 12:00. Lunch, th