The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today, we’re diving into a big question: Is college really the best path for everyone? For decades, it’s been presented as the obvious next step after high school, but in today’s world, is that always true? We’ll be talking about the risks, the challenges, and even some of the dangers of college—especially in light of recent events—while also looking at alternatives that might better fit your family. Our goal isn’t to make the decision for you, but to encourage you to think critically about what’s truly best for your kids. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who pay one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re asking the question: Does learning always have to be fun to be valuable? In today’s world, it feels like everything has to be exciting, engaging, and entertaining to matter. But what about the times when things feel… well, boring? Can kids still learn deeply even when they aren’t entertained? And is it possible that growth and learning are still happening, even during those boring moments? We’ll dig into these questions and more—and we think you’ll find the answers encouraging! We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who pay one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we’re talking about something that can make or break your school year — your non-negotiables. Every family has different priorities, but if you don’t know what’s most important to you, it’s easy to get distracted by all the extras and other peoples opinions. Today we’re going to share some of our own non-negotiables, talk about why they matter, and hopefully help you think through what you want to hold onto in your homeschool this year. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who pay one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week Ben is joined by his wife, Rissa, as they talk about the start of a brand-new homeschool year. They'll dive into the curriculum she’s using, how the first week didn’t go exactly as planned, and what it looks like to adjust when some of the material turns out to be too advanced for one of their kids. He is also joined by his cousin Perry to talk about a new audio drama from the Jesus Film Project, which he had a hand in creating. This is something your entire family can enjoy together, and we think you'll enjoy it! We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who pay one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week, and don't forget to smile Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we’re joined by a brand-new homeschooling dad, Dustin Garrett, who’s just getting ready to start the adventure. We’ll be talking about what led his family to homeschool, What they are hopeful for, their approach to homeschooling so far, and a whole bunch more. We’re also excited to have Todd's daughter, Katherine Petgen, with us to share about her upcoming online story writing class for homeschoolers. These were fun and encouraging conversations, and we hope you enjoy! But before we begin We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who pay one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re joined by a very special guest — Ashley Wiggers from Homeschooling Today magazine. Ashley is a homeschooling mom and graduate who has a heart for helping families homeschool boldly. Our topic this week is: What should preschool look like, skipping kindergarten, and the road to reading. It was an amazing conversation, and we know you’ll walk away encouraged! But before we begin We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who pay one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're tackling the dreaded question: When should I start the school year? The answer isn’t always one-size-fits-all, so it should make for a great conversation. We’re also reminiscing about some of our family RV travels and talking about the lasting value of making memories together as a family. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who pay one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re bringing you an episode from the archives where we discuss how parenting and homeschooling aren’t two separate things—they’re one and the same. When you approach homeschooling with this mindset, it can make a powerful difference in your day-to-day homeschool life! We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who pay one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Don't forget to share our show with another homeschooling mom and please leave us a review on whatever pocast app you listen on! Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re talking about how to incorporate activities often considered extracurricular—like music, construction, cooking, computers, art, and more—into your regular homeschool routine. We also interview former Disney animator Chad Stewart, who shares about his animation course designed specifically for homeschoolers interested in art and animation. It's an encouraging episode, and we hope you enjoy it! We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who pay one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Don't forget to share our show with another homeschooling mom, and please leave us a review on whatever pocast app you listen on! Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are excited to be joined by Todd's daughter, Maggie! She’s getting married in just a few weeks, so we talk all about her upcoming wedding, her journey to becoming a nail technician, and what life has been like after school. It’s a fun episode, and we hope you enjoy listening! We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who pay one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We have a fun, different episode this week! We talk 4H, the county fair, the 4th of July, and some other ways to connect as a family this summer! We had a great time recording this episode, and we hope you enjoy it! Before we begin, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re talking about how important it is to de-stress and recharge, and we’ll discuss what summer break can look like for older kids. We hope you enjoy it! We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their math curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we encourage you to check it out for next school year at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries — a community of Christians who share one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they follow God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman. One last thing — if you haven’t already, please consider leaving us a review on whatever podcast app you use. This is a great way to help spread the word about The Smiling Homeschooler! Have a great week, and don’t forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we were joined be Debbie Wilson. Over this past weekend, one of the Wilson kids graduated, so we talked to Debbie about her approach to graduations and transitioning into her final years of homeschooling. She also shares what some of the highlights were for this past school year, what curriculum she enjoyed, and what she wants to do differently going into the next year. She is always encouraging, and we hope you enjoy! We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries a community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we are playing an episode from way back in the archives. We were joined by Homeschooling Mom, Author, and speaker, Durenda Wilson. We are big believers in her approach to homeschooling, and think you will find this interview encouraging! Durenda has been battling cancer, and we would ask you to join our family in praying for her recovery. To support her and her family, visit her website durendawilson.com. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries a community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! With the school year wrapping up, we’re taking some time to talk about the signs that it might be time to make a few changes in your homeschooling for next year! As always, we hope this episode is encouraging and helps you smile! Before we begin, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making the Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their math curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries. A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today we’re talking about wrapping up the school year, creating a fun summer bucket list, and how we can help our children feel valued for who they are. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making the Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we're sharing an email from a homeschooling mom who recently pulled her kids out of school. She's been wrestling with the reasons behind her decision to homeschool, and her experience is both honest and encouraging. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making the Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week, and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we’re sharing an episode from the archives all about spelling! We were joined by Debbie Wilson—a homeschooling mom of eight—who shares her tips, tricks, and philosophy on teaching spelling. It was a great episode, and we hope you find it encouraging! Before we begin, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making the smiling homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we have a fun and relaxed episode for you! We talk about some advice that changed one homeschooling mom's life, and encourage you to be confident that your children are going to turn out okay. We hope you enjoy! Before we begin, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making the Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! My name is Ben Wilson, and today we’re joined by longtime homeschooling mom Becky Clark. She shares her journey and offers wisdom for moms who may be wondering if they’re doing things “right.” Becky has a heart for encouraging moms to resist comparison and pressure, and instead, focus on homeschooling in a way that’s best for their child. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making the Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encouarge you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are bringing you an episode from the archvies where we were joined by my brother, Ike. Our topic was how to encourage your child in their interests, and in pursuing their dreams. He has some great advice to share, and we hope you enjoy! We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making the Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week is our third and final part of the Lies Our Homeschooled Kids Believe. We’ll be tackling common misconceptions like: • “I won’t be able to play sports if I’m homeschooled.” • “I don’t have any friends because I’m homeschooled.” ...and many more It’s going to be another great episode—We hope you enjoy! We want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries is A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman

Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we're diving into Part 2 of our mini-series on the lies homeschooled kids believe. Here are just a couple of the lies we unpack in this episode: “I’m homeschooled, so I won’t be able to get into college.” “Going to a real school wouldn’t influence me.” We tackle these myths head-on and share the truth behind them—along with a whole lot of encouragement. We think you’ll find this episode both helpful and uplifting! We want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries: A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman. Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast. Today, we’re diving into a conversation that hits close to home for so many of us homeschooling families—especially when it comes to the things our kids are believing. Maybe you've heard it from your own child—or maybe just caught it in their tone: "Other kids are getting a better education than me..." "I’m missing out on all the fun..." "Going to real school wouldn’t change me..." These kinds of thoughts can sneak in quietly, but they carry a lot of weight—and if we’re not careful, they can start shaping how our kids see themselves, and their education. So today, we’re unpacking some of the most common lies our homeschooled kids believe! This is going to be another encouraging episode! We want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We have a great episode for you this week! we’re tackling some of the biggest questions and challenges homeschool parents face—how do we balance it all while still slowing down to enjoy the moments? What about the pressure of keeping up with standards or fighting that nagging feeling of being “behind”? Join us as we dive into real struggles (and wins!) from homeschool parents just like you. We’ll be talking about motivation, schedules, and legal changes! We hope you’re encouraged by the conversation! We want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman One last thing: another great way that you can support what we do is sign up for our short weekly email over at thesmilinghomeschooler.com. Also while you are at it, sign your husband up for the Familyman weekly over at familymanweb.com. You won't regret it! Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Believe it or not, we are in the final stretch of the school year! Which is what our topic is all about! How to enjoy this spring season, whether or not to push through to the end, or when it might be a good idea to stop or change things up! We hope you are encouraged by our conversation! We want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries: A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're talking about smiling. Sometimes homeschooling, parenting, and life in general can feel so tough and exhausting that smiling feels nearly impossible. If that's you, you're not alone—it's completely normal and part of life! Our goal today is to encourage you on those hard days and share a few ideas to help you find a reason to smile, even when it doesn’t come easy. We want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we're bringing back an episode from our archives with Debbie Wilson, where she shares practical ways to beat the dreaded winter doldrums. She also talks about the curriculum she used that semester and how she tackled getting back into the swing of things for the second half of the school year. Whether you’re hearing this for the first time or revisiting it, Debbie’s insights are just as encouraging and helpful today as they were when we first aired this episode! We want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This weeks episode is a great one! Our topic for discussion revolves around the fact that the hard things in life usually are the good things! We delve into this and talk about all the distractions and things we need to do that keep us from relationships. We hope you enjoy! We want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Tonight, we have a special guest who’s no stranger to the homeschool community—Suzanne Nunn from the podcast Not by the Book! She’s deep in the world of homeschooling, and is gearing up for convention season, and has even created her own curriculum called Musings. We’re going to dive into why homeschool conventions are such a game-changer, the story behind Not by the Book, and what she’s learned from interviewing so many inspiring people. Plus, we’ll talk about her Musings curriculum—what it is, who it’s for, and how it can help homeschool families like yours. Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman. Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week Ben is joined by his mom, Debbie Wilson. The topic this week is a silent struggle that many homeschooling moms experience, which is loneliness. This is something Debbie has dealt with many times over the years, and she has some great practical advice and encouragement to share. We want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and keep smiling!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week's episode is a rerun, but is a really important episode to listen to! We discuss the fact that every child is smart, just not in the same way. It's critical that our children know that we believe they are smart, and encourage them in that. Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also, Today’s Show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! It is that time of year when you should start thinking about attending a homeschooling convention near you! So this week we create a top 10ish list of the best reasons why you need to go! We want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries. A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman. Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are joined by Dustin Garrett from Samaritan Ministries. He has an amazing and hilarious birth story to share, and how Samaritans can equip homeschoolers to dream big! It was a really fun episode and we think you will enjoy it. Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week were joined by speaker and homeschooling mom Jan Smith. She has a heart for moms being home with their kids. We had an amazing conversation packed with her wisdom and encouragement as she reminded us of a woman's value as a mom and wife! We want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are answering the most commonly asked homeschooling questions. Whether you are a brand-new to homeschooler or a seasoned veteran, this will be a helpful and encouraging episode! We want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also, Today’s Show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman. If you would like to take advantage of the World Watch special promotion, use the code todd3 for three free months plus 7 days! Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week our topic is how to handle the rise of ChatGPT/AI, and the positive and negative impacts it can have on our homeschooling. This was another great episode and we hope you find it encouraging and helpful! Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also, Today’s Show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, A community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God's Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are back with our last episode of 2024! This week our topics are New Years resolutions and that it is never to late to decide to change something that isn't working in your homeschooling! Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also, thank you to Homeschooling Today Magazine for supporting the Smiling Homeschooler. They are an amazing source of encouragement, and if you haven't already, make sure to subscribe over at homeschoolingtoday.com. Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We want to say Merry Christmas to all of our listeners. This is an episode that your entire family will enjoy, and we would encourage you to take just a few minutes today and listen to Todd read Gladys Remembers Christmas. If you would like to get your own copy, follow this link: Gladys Remembers Christmas. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making the Smiling Homeschooler possible! They are an amazing math curriculum and help homeschoolers smile! Check out their free trial over on their website, teachingtextbooks.com. Also Thank you to Homeschooling Today magazine! They are an amazing source of encouragement and if you haven't subscribed already, make sure to do so over at homeschoolingtoday.com. Have a Merry Christmas and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re talking about embracing the break and letting go of the pressure to stick to traditional “education” during the holiday season. We’ll share how your child is learning incredible life lessons during this special time of year and why these fleeting moments are so important. A big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for making the Smiling Homeschooler possible! They offer an incredible math curriculum that is both fun and flexible. If you’d like to learn more or give them a try, visit their website at teachingtextbooks.com. We also want to thank Homeschooling Today magazine for partnering with us. Their magazine is an excellent source of encouragement for homeschooling families and makes a thoughtful gift for any homeschooling mom. It’s not too late to grab a subscription for a friend! Visit homeschoolingtoday.com to learn more. Have an amazing week, and don’t forget to smile!

Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week Todd is on his own, and his topic is when it all seems too hard....don't quit. This is a message that every homeschooler will need to hear at some point, and we think you will find it encouraging. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making the Smiling Homeschooler possible! They are an amazing math curriculum, and help more homeschoolers smile. Go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com We also want to thank Homeschooling Today Magazine for their support. If you need more encouragement and inspiration, then subscribe to their magazine over at homeschoolingtoday.com. Lastly don't forget to get your Christmas orders in before it is too late! If you order now you should be able to get our Christmas game and You Da' Dad daily calendar in time. You can purchase these products at thesmilinghomeschooler.com

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we explore how to approach teaching practical skills to your kids: When to guide them and when to let them figure it out. How much to Push vs letting curiosity lead, and creative ways to instill the value of hard work! We want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Also, thank you to Homeschool Today magazine for their support. They are a fantastic source of encouragement and would make a great Christmas gift for any homeschooling mom. Subscribe over at homeschoolingtoday.com. Don't forget to pick up your Christmas game and You'da dad daily calendar over on our website thesmilinghomeschooler.com.

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! I'm Ben Wilson. A couple of years ago, we had four amazing homeschooling moms, Lexi, Ali, Rebekah, and my wife Rissa, join us to share their homeschooling journey. Now they are back! We asked them many questions to see how their first couple of years has been, and their answers were amazing and encouraging. Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Don't forget to pick up your Christmas game and You'da dad daily calendar over on our website thesmilinghomeschooler.com. Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week our discussion is about whether or not it is possible for every day of homeschooling to be a good day, and some of the things that can help make it better, or worse! It was a fun topic, and we think you will be encouraged! Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. Don't forget to pick up your Christmas game and You'da dad daily calendar over on our website thesmilinghomeschooler.com. Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are back with a great new episode! Our topic this week is what decisions can we let our children make, and what decisions do we make for them? We break it down from young kids all the way up through graduation! It was a great conversation, and we hope you enjoy it! Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. We’d also like to thank Homeschooling Today magazine for their support. If you’re looking for more encouragement and inspiration, head over to homeschoolingtoday.com and subscribe to their incredible magazine. Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Unfortunately, while we were recording by internet stopped working again, so we are going to re-play an episode from a couple of years ago where we discuss ways to help fight the feeling of your children being behind. This is something that almost every homeschooler will struggle with at some point, so we think this is a great topic and will help you smile! Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. We’d also like to thank Homeschooling Today magazine for their support. If you’re looking for more encouragement and inspiration, head over to homeschoolingtoday.com and subscribe to their incredible magazine. Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are back with a brand new episode! Our topic this week is the moments that make us laugh during homeschooling. This is something we haven't ever really talked about before, but these are some of the best moments you'll experience in your homeschooling journey. Hopefully this episode will help you smile and laugh more in the coming homeschooling week! Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. We’d also like to thank Homeschooling Today magazine for their support. If you’re looking for more encouragement and inspiration, head over to homeschoolingtoday.com and subscribe to their incredible magazine. Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We’re back from a wonderful vacation! We made it home safely, but we’re still in recovery mode, so today we’re sharing another special episode from the archives. A couple of years ago, my parents, Todd and Debbie, hosted an episode on their own where they answered some fantastic listener questions. These questions are still so relatable, and I think you'll find the answers encouraging and uplifting. We hope you enjoy this episode! Before we dive in, we want to say a big thank you to our sponsor, Teaching Textbooks. They offer one of the best math curriculums out there, making math easier and more enjoyable for homeschoolers. Be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. We’d also like to thank Homeschooling Today magazine for their support. If you're looking for more encouragement and inspiration, head over to homeschoolingtoday.com and subscribe to their fantastic magazine. Have a great week, and don’t forget to smile!

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Our family is currently on vacation, but we have a fantastic episode from our archives that we think you'll enjoy. In this episode, we were joined by Charlene Notgrass from Notgrass History and Be Happy Homeschooling. Her passion is encouraging homeschooling moms, and she brings so much wisdom and realness to the conversation. We hope this episode helps you smile! Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. We’d also like to thank Homeschooling Today magazine for their support. If you’re looking for more encouragement and inspiration, head over to homeschoolingtoday.com and subscribe to their incredible magazine. Have a great week and don't forget to smile

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we have a great episode for you. We asked our community what they are most discouraged by in their homeschooling. The responses that so many homeschooling moms had to share were real and relatable. We share some of their answers and try to provide some encouragement that discouraged homeschooling moms need to hear! We really enjoyed recording this episode, and hope you enjoy listening to it! Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be sure to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com for your math needs this school year. We’d also like to thank Homeschooling Today magazine for their support. If you’re looking for more encouragement and inspiration, head over to homeschoolingtoday.com and subscribe to their incredible magazine. Lastly, if you enjoy our show, don't forget to share it with another homeschooling mom. This could be a great way to help spread some encouragement to those around you! Have a great week and don't forget to smile!