Episode 07: Homeschooling for the Sandwich Generation with Julie Foley

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Welcome!   My guest for today’s show is Julie Foley, who is a homeschooling mother of four kids who was born and raised Catholic.  Julie has a degree in Elementary Education and taught for three years before becoming a homeschooling mom.  She currently homeschools her high school age daughter, has two middle schoolers who participate in a partnership with Sacred Heart Academy, and has a three-year-old at home.  The partnership allows the students to attend a school program two days a week and be homeschooled the other days.  Julie has taken on added responsibility by having her mother (suffering from Alzheimer’s) live with them.

Julie wants you to know the following about her homeschooling journey:

• Julie’s oldest daughter began in school through her first-grade year.  Julie noticed that she wasn’t happy at school, so even with fear and uncertainty, she took on the role of a homeschool mom.
• Julie graciously views taking care of her mother as her “mission in life.”  She uses this as an example to her kids of showing works of mercy and being Christ to her mother.
• Julie faced a challenge when it came time to educate her son after two girls who were easy students to teach.  Listen to how she took on that challenge and has made it work beautifully.
• Julie advocates taking part in co-ops and homeschool groups for connection and resources.  When she was beginning, she never knew this would become so vital.
• Julie tries to start her day with quiet time and prayer.  She feels it helps her be “less harpy” with her kids.
• Julie uses devotion as an integral part of her children’s education.  They pray the rosary, the divine mercy chaplet, attend mass, and use various bedtime devotions to strengthen the family’s faith.

Julie also shares with us what she does to relax and take care of herself in the midst of this busy life.  She tells us about the great books currently on her nightstand, and the extracurricular activities that her family loves.  She sums up her attitude about homeschooling like this:  “IT’S ALL WORTH IT!”