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Catholic Homeschool Moms

More than Ordinary Time

catholic home school moms

24: 20 Years of Homeschooling with Pam

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Pam has been married for 27 years and has 7 children ranging from 24 to 11, which means that she has been homeschooling for 20 years. Over the years, she normally had 6 children to homeschool at any given time. Currently, Pam has 3 children left at home, in middle school and high school. Her experience has run from Kindergarten through High School.

In this episode, you will also learn:

  • How her family uses morning prayers
  • Why she recommends daily Mass
  • The benefits of the band and orchestral program in her local community
  • How the Homeschool Co-Op supports the home studiesPam S & Family
  • Why she feels having another person grade papers objectively is important
  • Ways she is preparing her children for college
  • How testing and writing papers has been important for college prep
  • Ways she motivates her children that have special learning needs
  • How the “Sandwich Generation” Pam is in affects her homeschooling
  • What keeps Pam motivated to continue to homeschool for over 20 years
  • How praying the Rosary has changed her family
  • The impact that a visit to Rome had on her family
  • How the arts have played a role in her children’s development
  • Way her faith has taught her family to serve others
  • The key to the future of her family
  • How Pam describes her family

Recommended Reading:

Rediscover Jesus

The Hidden Power of Kindness: A Practical Handbook for Souls Who Dare to Transform the World, One Deed at a Time

End of the Present World and the Mysteries of the Future Life

Homeschooling Through an 18 Year Age Difference with Michelle T.

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Michelle met her husband at college and has been married 27 years. They have 7 children, comprised of 6 boys and 1 girl and they range in age from 24 years old to 6 years old. Her husband wanted a large family and to homeschool the children. Michelle said you can have a large family, but not homeschooled because she was so overwhelmed at the thought of it.

Her children started out in Catholic school, and the first communion of her son was the catalyst for changing her heart about homeschool. Also during the same time, she began to meet more homeschool families and she could see a different dynamic within this families. So she took the plunge and began homeschooling when her oldest son was in 3rd grade.

In this episode, you will also learn:

 

  • How Michelle balances having multiple children homeschooled at the same time
  • Why she belongs to 2 different Co-ops
  • How Michelle also manages to work part time
  • The lengths she goes through to juggle the schedules
  • The biggest challenges Michelle has faced
  • What has made her children more independent learners
  • What motivates her family to continue homeschooling
  • Ways that intermittent public school attendance has proved frustrating for her children
  • What Michelle would change about her homeschooling experience
  • How her expectations had to come in line with the reality of homeschooling
  • The extra curricular activities Michelle chooses and why
  • What types of family devotions work for Michelle’s family
  • The unusual Christmas traditions she has with her family
  • How Michelle describes her family
  • Why Michelle recommends trying out homeschooling a year at a time

Recommended Reading:

Serial Winter – Larry Wydell

The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: King Solomon’s Secrets to Success, Wealth, and Happiness

Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

22: Homeschooling for a Season with Kim Tisor

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Podcast photo Kim T.

Kim Tisor is a mother, a morning show host for a local radio program, and she is also a fellow podcaster.  Kim has 3 children ranging from 6-11 and she has been married for 17 years.  Kim was a convert to Catholicism after being raised as a Southern Baptist.  Kim home schooled her children for awhile, and made a year by year decision as to whether they would continue it.  Eventually, it came time to make a different choice.  Kim is here to share her journey to those decisions for her family.

We will also learn:

  • How Kim came to home school her children initially
  • How she balanced homeschooling with her career
  • What caused her to send her children back to traditional school for now
  • How the Holy Spirit plays a role in her decision making process
  • A surprising fact about February
  • How she went from protestant to Catholic
  • The role Advent played into her conversion
  • What drew her to the Advent traditions
  • Why her denomination choice had to be a family decision
  • The purpose of her podcast about Catholicism
  • How she infuses her faith into every area of her family life
  • How the transition to Catholicism affected her children

 

You can listed to Kim’s podcast, Our Catholic Way, here.

21: Why Extra-Curricular Activities are Important for Homeschoolers with Mandy

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Mandy initially planned on putting all her kids in school and raise them traditionally.  After her sister started homeschooling 18 years ago, it made her re-think that decision.  Over time, she began to feel that maybe she should homeschool her 7 children.  She’s now convinced more than ever, that it’s the right decision for her family.

Mandy shares her story and talks about:

  • How homeschooling seems to take place 24/7 at her house
  • Why her children take music lessons and dance lessons
  • The motivation to take on extracurricular activities
  • The lessons her children have learned from competitive activities
  • The role of family support in her homeschooling decisions
  • How pushing her children to continue with activities they weren’t naturally good at has helped them have a breakthrough
  • Ways she has turned her children into independent learners
  • How an Adoration hour benefits Mandy
  • Who her Saint has been for the last several years
  • Ways a miscarriage has impacted her children
  • Ways her family focuses on quality of time, rather than monetary goals

 

Mandy is currently reading The Little Flower.

19: Homeschooling Eases Peanut Allergy Risk with Lesa Wackerle

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Lesa Wackerle’s been homeschooling for 10 years now.  Her children are in 9th and 10th grade.  Lesa’s son has a severe peanut allergy, so she found it was easier to keep him home, than to risk having other people feed him.  Lesa’s children have been homeschooled since preschool and they wouldn’t have it any other way.Podcast photo Lesa

Listen to this episode to learn:

  • How Lesa’s children became self-directed and dictate their own school schedule
  • Lesa’s fears about not being “enough” for her children
  • The challenges Lesa has faced
  • How peanut allergies have created an independent and empowere child
  • The organization that Lesa wishes she had joined sooner
  • Extra curricular activities that keep the kids social
  • How Scouting has positively impacted her children
  • Ways Lesa provides self-care for her soul
  • Lesa’s favorite tools for homeschooling

 

Lesa’s got a lot to share, so don’t miss a moment of this episode!

18: Homeschooling to Heal Family Trauma with “Katherine”

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Welcome to Catholic Homeschool Moms!  Today is a very special episode, and we are actually covering a topic that is a first for us.  We will call today’s guest “Katherine”, to protect her privacy and the privacy of her children.  Katherine is still married to her husband, but they are estranged and living apart.   The situation is tragic for both Katherine and her children, and we certainly want to keep this family in our prayers.  IMG_0384

Katherine has 4 boys that she is currently raising as a single parent, while living with her parents.  Despite Katherine’s marriage turning out differently than she had planned, the need to meet her children’s emotional needs was what drove the decision for Katherine to homeschool her older children.

In this episode you will learn the following:

  • Why Katherine chose homeschooling at this time
  • How Katherine achieved the support of her estranged husband for homeschooling
  • How Katherine manages homeschooling in less than ideal circumstances
  • What emotional needs Katherine hopes homeschooling is meeting for her children
  • The toll this situation is taking on Katherine
  • This impact of family support during tough times

 

We hope that you will listen to Katherine’s story with empathy.  We want this episode to support and encourage Katherine in the homeschooling community.  There is room here for us all.  There is room in the Catholic faith for us all.

17: Homeschooling Someday Saints with Gina

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Welcome!  My guest today is Gina, who blogs at SomedaySaints.com.  Gina’s family does a mixture of Podcast photo Ginahomeschooling for her daughters, 4th and 6th grades, and classical charter school for the boys.  She and her husband considered homeschooling even before they got married.  They began when their oldest was in 1st grade and have continued.  They have lived in CA and now live in CO.  They have tried other schooling options but have not been satisfied.

Gina shares the following about her family:

  • Her girls do most of their schoolwork in the mornings, but usually have some to finish in the afternoons.
  • Because their family is expecting a new baby this fall, Gina began their school year in July so they could have some flexibility in their schedule when the baby is born.  She plans to take a couple of weeks off to allow everyone to adjust.
  • Gina’s biggest challenge is trying to homeschool while having a toddler in tow—and soon a newborn to add to the mix!
  • Gina’s advice to other homeschooling moms is to take it year by year.  “You don’t have to stick to the same old routine every year.”
  • Her motivation to keep going is the delight she sees in her children when they are learning.
  • Gina takes the attitude of learning from the mistakes she has made.
  • She also discusses their extracurricular activities, their family devotions, and the books she is currently reading.
  • Gina’s self-care routine includes waking up early to have some quiet devotion time before the children awake.  It gives a sense of calm and a sense of control over the day.  She also enjoys quilting and working out to stay fit.
  • Check out Gina’s blog and find her on Facebook and Instagram!

Selling Older Children on Homeschooling Isn’t Easy with Kelly the Kitchen Kop

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Kelly the Kitchen Kop is a full time business owner, a mother of 4, a devout Catholic Christian and also home schools her children.  Kelly’s business promotes real food and helps equip people with the tools necessary to make good food choices.  Kelly is here today to share her wisdom on juggling running her business, with homeschooling her children.  Kelly is a Catholic convert, and that guides each decision she makes.Podcast photo Kelly

In this episode, Kelly talks about:

  • The things going on with her children that caused her to choose home schooling
  • How she had to sell the idea of homeschooling to her children
  • Why she wanted to homeschool, even though she lived in one of the best school districts
  • Kelly’s biggest regrets about homeschooling
  • Kelly’s trick for getting work done even though she homeschool the kids
  • How to make “no” your default word

Recommended Reading:

The Magnifi-Kid

Real Food for Rookies

You can get in touch with Kelly at:

kellythekitchenkop.com

kelly@kellythekitchenkop.com

14: Un-Schooling is NOT Un-Parenting with Vanessa Vanderhyde

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Welcome!  My guest today is Vanessa Vanderhyde, who is a homeschooling mom of six children.  Her sons are 10, 8, 6, and 4—-and she has twin toddler girls!  She and her husband were also homeschooled as children and were open to homeschooling their own family.  Vanessa and her husband have been married for almost 11 years, and her husband owns and operates two businesses out of their home.  She blogs about her experiences at Podcast photo Vanessawww.frogsandflutterbyes@blogspot.com.

Vanessa speaks openly about her personal experience growing up as a homeschool student. Her education was less structured due to medical reasons, and any gaps were filled as needed when she attended community college.  She says that it was many years later that she read some of John Holt’s books and realized that her mom gave her a huge gift in homeschooling her.  This relieved some of the bitterness and helped to heal the relationship between her and her mother.

In addition, Vanessa shares the following about her experience:

  • She knew all along that she wanted to homeschool her children; she says it was her “lifelong” dream.
  • She knew she was interested in Charlotte Mason and the “un-schooling” theory.
  • At first her attitude was to learn from the mistakes her mother made in homeschooling and “do everything right.”  Reading John Holt’s books changed that attitude!
  • Vanessa makes the point that “un-schooling” and “un-parenting” are NOT the same thing.
  • Her motivation to take a more relaxed approach in “un-schooling” her children was the birth of her twin daughters, while her youngest son was a high-needs child.
  • Vanessa tries to focus on ONE particular theme/task for homeschooling.  One year it was about doing chores, and one year it was about tackling reading, writing, and arithmetic AFTER the chores were completed.
  • Vanessa embraces extracurricular activities that multiple family members can enjoy.
  • The children participate in Friday co-op, music lessons, tae kwon do, and summer choir.

Vanessa also shares her family’s emphasis on faith, books she is currently reading, how afternoon rest time gives her a break each day, and what she does for self-care each month.  The ONE word she uses to describe her family is a good one: GROWING, meaning constantly developing and changing.  Listen in to hear more of Vanessa’s story!

13: A Decade of HomeSchooling with Holly Coolman

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Welcome!  My guest today is Holly Coolman, who is a wife, mother, theologian, and recent convert to the Catholic faith.  She is beginning to write a book focusing on the reasons behind the Feast Days.  Holly has been homeschooling since 2005 when her children were 7, 5, and 3.Podcast photo Holly

Holly shares the following about her experience as a Catholic Homeschool Mom:

  • It was a big family move to Boston that prompted the family to homeschool.
  • When they looked at schooling options and considered homeschooling, they intended to try it for a year.
  • The first year went better and easier than expected, so they continued for the next four years.
  • Holly and her husband joined the Anglican church soon after their marriage but noticed that many of the practices and traditions were rooted in Catholicism.
  • They made the gradual move in 2008 to convert to the Catholic faith.
  • Holly makes an intentional effort to focus on the liturgical year and Feast Days.
  • In their daily life, they incorporate the Catholic faith with prayers and Bible reading during their “Morning Meeting,” and read excerpts from a book together and focus on Feast Days at the dinner table.
  • This year, Holly is homeschooling her youngest, while the older two attend Catholic high schools.
  • Her daily schedule includes “Morning Meeting” followed by 2-4 hours of focused work.  Afternoons are for enrichment activities, field trips, and homeschool co-op.
  • Holly says that what keeps her going is the feeling that God has called her to do this.
  • If she had to do something differently, she would prioritize self-care and her personal spiritual nourishment.

Holly also shares the extracurricular activities and devotions that their family does.  Are you curious about the books on her nightstand?  Listen as she shares how homeschooling has made a difference in her life.  Her advice to other homeschool moms is to form a small support system of other moms.  Join me for more from Holly!