The Relatable Homeschoolers: Recent Episodes
relatablehomeschoolers
Welcome to The Relatable Homeschoolers podcast. We're so excited you're here! We're Harmony, Annie, Heather, and Lindsay, four moms with very different homeschools. Whether you're a veteran homeschooler, new to homeschooling, or just homeschool-curious, we want to encourage you on your journey.
It's the most wonderful time of the year--the holidays! Are you curious as to how homeschooling through the holidays looks in other's homeschools? In this episode, Annie, Harmony, and Heather share what homeschooling looks like in their homes over the holidays.
We talk about our routines and how long a break (if any) we take. We talk about traditions and things we like to focus on over the holidays, and we share the resources we use in our homeschools. The three of us are Christians so we also talk about observing Advent in our homes.
We're taking a break from the books (well, schoolbooks, that is) and sharing what's on our Christmas wish lists with all of you (Hint: they might include books).
We break out holiday gifts into different categories and share our top items for stocking stuffers, tech gifts, subscription gifts, self-care, and life hack gifts. There are many links for this episode, so be sure to check out the links section if you are interested in any of the products we mentioned.
We also love hearing what other homeschool moms are wishing for, so be sure to tell us what's on your holiday gifts list!
In this episode, Harmony talks to Lindsay, our former cohost, about what it's been like to transition her kids from homeschooling to public school. If you've thought about or are thinking about public school, wondering what questions you should be asking yourself and your kids, this episode is for you.
Lindsay shares her family's journey from homeschooling to public school--why they decided to go the public school route, how they handled the transition, and what it's been like to become a public school family. She discusses the pros and cons they've weighed, addresses some of the common biases homeschoolers tend to have against public school, and talks candidly about the decision to put a child with a learning disability into public school.
Finally, Lindsay offers wisdom and advice based on her public school experience, for anyone who's curious about or considering transitioning their homeschooled kid(s) to a public school setting. While Lindsay's public school experience is, of course, unique to her community, there are takeaways and valuable insights here, no matter where you live.
Join us in welcoming Lindsay back to the podcast for this special episode!
The three of us are big fans of The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi. If you missed Lazy Genius Your Homeschool Part 1, be sure to go back and listen to that episode!
In Part 1 (Episode 36), we went through the first six principles: decide once, start small, live in the season, build the right routines, and set house rules.
In this week's episode, we dig into the next seven principles. We discuss how it is essential to put everything in its place (thank you, Benjamin Franklin, for your wise words!), batch it, essentialize, and go in the right order.
The last two principles are our favorites: schedule rest and be kind to yourself! How, as homeschool moms, do we need to prioritize these two? We are constantly on the go, and if we aren't careful, we can get caught up in the comparison game. Rest is essential for our well-being, and so is kindness! So remember - you are killing it at this homeschool gig! You are the mom for the job, and you've got this!
Let's lazy genius our homeschools! Annie, Harmony, and Heather are all big fans of The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi. In Kendra's book, there are 13 key principles, and in this episode, we tackle the first six. What about the rest of the principles? Tune in next week for Lazy Genius Your Homeschool Part 2!
The biggest point Kendra makes in her book is to be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't. This isn't about what your neighbor does or how your sister might do something--this is about YOU and finding out what works best for you and your family! We take each of Kendra's principles and run them through our homeschool filters to see how we can incorporate them into our homes and routines to make our days run more smoothly.
What, exactly, do we mean when we say that homeschooling is a calling? To sum it up briefly, it means you are more than "just" a homeschool mom. Your worth is not based on your performance as a homeschooling mom. Homeschooling is something we do, it is not who we are. We are whole people with interests and passions, dreams and goals beyond mothering and homeschooling. This is healthy.
We all need to make time for ourselves away from our children, to engage in interests apart from our roles as mothers and educators, and we should never feel guilty about this. Most of us are with our kids day in and day out, every single day, and we need to be intentional about scheduling time to be ourselves, to--as The Lazy Genius puts it--"feel like a person."
What does home management look like when you're homeschooling? In short, it can look like chaos! But it doesn't have to. We have nine kids between the three of us, and we know how quickly our houses can be turned upside down when we're there day in and day out.
We all do different things differently in the areas of cleaning, meal planning, and the like. There's no one right way to handle homeschooling and home management simultaneously. The key is having a plan or system in place that you can fall back on weekly. We're here to share our own systems with you in the hope that we can encourage you to find the best way for your homeschool and your home.
Join us for Episode 34: Homeschooling and Home Management!
In this episode of The Relatable Homeschoolers, we are talking all about whether to co-op or not to co-op!
First, it's important that we look at the different types of co-ops (cooperatives) available to homeschoolers.
The main type of co-op that homeschoolers think of when they hear the words "homeschool co-op" are parent-led and parent-taught. In these co-ops, a group of homeschooling families come together, and the parents (usually the moms, but sometimes also dads) figure out what they would be good at teaching and what the needs of their students are. Most of these meet at a church or other site that allows the homeschool group to use all of part of the building for a nominal fee or donation.
There are other types of co-ops that have more of an academic bent and are usually run by a nonprofit with paid teachers. These are generally called "tutorials." They have become more widespread as the homeschooling population in the US continues to grow.
A homeschool co-op may or may not be for you. In this episode, you will hear about the different types of co-ops that Harmony and Heather have been a part of, but you will also hear why Annie has chosen not to be involved in a co-op (availability and proximity can be key factors).
Join us for Episode 33!
You know you have all searched Pinterest for "homeschool room." We are guilty of it, too. The perfectly decorated rooms with school-like borders on the wall, Ikea table and drawers that seat all your children, and an American flag in the corner. We all have an idea in our minds that in order to have a homeschool space you love, it needs to be Pinterest-worthy.
Over years of homeschooling, Annie's, Harmony's, and Heather's homeschool spaces have all evolved. Some changes are due to moving houses, and some changes are due to growing kids (why do they insist on growing?), but mostly we have all come to realize that in creating a homeschool space you love, it isn't about how picture-perfect it is. It's about how it works for your family on a day-in and day-out basis.
In this episode, you will hear how we have gone from classroom-esque spaces in our homes to homeschooling on the couch or at the kitchen table or even in the car. Where you homeschool in your home should be a pleasant space for you, the homeschool mom, as well. It should be comfortable and enjoyable for you to be there.
Welcome back to Season 4 of The Relatable Homeschoolers! We are thrilled to be back with you for another ten episodes.
In this episode, we share about how our summers went, what's staying the same this year in our homeschools, and what looks different. We share some of the curriculums we are using in our homeschools and give you a preview of the topics we're going to cover in Season 4, something we've never done before. Get ready! Finally, as always, we end the episode with what's bringing us joy in our homeschools right now.
Get excited about Season 4, because we have a great lineup. We will be talking about creating a homeschool space you love, to co-op or not to co-op, running your household while homeschooling, and so much more. We hope you'll tune in!
This final episode of Season 3 of The Relatable Homeschoolers was such a fun episode to record! We held an AUA (Ask Us Anything) and answered all your homeschool questions. This is a wrap for Season 3, and we hope you glean something new.
One question we get a lot is how we (Harmony, Annie, and Heather) met and started a homeschool podcast! It's a fun story that began about eight years ago. Listen in to hear the backstory behind The Relatable Homeschoolers!
In this episode of The Relatable Homeschoolers, we're talking about our favorite homeschooling books, the books that have been foundational in our homeschool journeys. Our favorite homeschooling books have taught us, inspired us, and helped educate us on how we wanted our homeschools to look.
We all LOVE books, and we each picked three favorites to share. I don't think you can fully understand how difficult this decision was for each of us. We share some of the books that we go back to again and again but also some newer favorites. We even get down to the nitty-gritty of what books have the best paper. We are, indeed, book nerds!
We hope you enjoy this episode. Maybe you'll hear your favorite homeschooling book mentioned, but even if you don't, you will surely leave with a list of outstanding resources to check out.
Welcome to another episode of The Relatable Homeschoolers! All homeschooling parents have at least a few things they wouldn't be willing to go without, and we're no different. This week, we're sharing our favorite homeschool things, our personal must-haves, the items we'd grab first if there was a fire--you get the picture.
We'd love to know what your favorite things are! Drop us a comment or an email at therelatablehomeschoolers@gmail.com. We're always on the lookout for great resources, tools, and tricks from other homeschoolers.
In this episode of The Relatable Homeschoolers, we're talking about homeschooling on the go. What we mean by "on the go" is when you take homeschooling outside of your home.
Homeschooling on the go can simply mean keeping your eye out for learning experiences wherever you are already planning on traveling. Whether conferences, museums, or art expos, the internet can help you find learning experiences when you travel.
Join us for Episode 27: Homeschooling on the Go!
To homeschool over the summer or not is the question we are tackling in this episode of The Relatable Homeschoolers. Homeschooling over the summer has its benefits, and you'll hear how the three of us approach it differently.
We all wholeheartedly agree that continuing with math and math facts is essential when kids are young and helps the new school year start off so much better.
Reading is another biggie that we all support continuing with through the summer. While we don't assign formal reading programs or writing projects, having your children participate in something like the library summer reading program is a great way to keep them reading.
There is no right or wrong way to homeschool. Every family is different with different life circumstances. Some families choose to school year-round and take a week off every six weeks, while others homeschool January through October, taking the holiday months off but schooling through the summer. There is no wrong homeschool schedule or rhythm, and there is no wrong way to approach homeschooling over the summer, either.
Buying curriculum can be daunting, even for seasoned homeschoolers. Out-of-the-box In this episode, The Relatable Homeschoolers are talking all things buying curriculum: what to buy, where to buy, how to spend and save well. We talk about how not to become a curriculum junkie, how to know when it's time to switch curriculums (hint: it's not only when the kids need a change), and why we buy multiples of consumables. Join us for this timely conversation. Have you ordered your curriculum for 2022-23 yet? If not, we've got the answers to (we think) most if not all of your questions!
In this episode, we're talking all things games. We define "gameschooling," but we also talk about our favorite games, games we use to support learning and building basic skills like math and spelling, games that make great gifts and games we take on the go so we can pull them out of a purse or backpack to ease moments of waiting, such as at the doctor's office. Do you use games in your homeschool or for family fun? What are your favorite games? Hopefully we'll inspire you to check out some new ones!
In this episode of The Relatable Homeschoolers, we're diving into what our marriages have looked like through our years of homeschooling and how homeschooling has affected our marriages. We discuss how unity between the husband and wife is essential, and we break down how we have handled resentment toward our working spouses, who get to do "the fun stuff." We all have different homeschools and different dynamics in the home, so we each come at these from different perspectives. Join us for Episode 23: Marriage and Homeschooling.
In this episode of The Relatable Homeschoolers, we're talking about homeschooling schedules and rhythms. We discuss the difference between and the defining characteristics of each. We also share what each of us tends to lean towards, resources we like, and what to do when your schedule or rhythm stops working. Join us for Episode 22!
Welcome to Season 3 of The Relatable Homeschoolers! We're coming at you with a slew of new episodes we're excited to share, on topics ranging from marriage care to schedules versus rhythms to using games in your homeschool.
It's been a little while since we were last with you, so we thought we'd spend this first episode of Season 3 catching up with each other and bringing you up to speed, too, with what's been happening in our homeschools.
As you'll hear in this episode, there have been some changes. The most significant change is that Lindsay Hufford has stepped away from the podcast because she is no longer homeschooling. We already miss the wisdom and insight she shared, and we hope to have her come back as a guest sometime soon.
Also, you'll hear how both Harmony and Heather moved since the last episode, Heather into a new home with a homeschooler's dream library, and Harmony from Memphis to four-and-a-half acres in her home state of Michigan.
We have so much in store for you in Season 3, so get ready! For now, we hope you enjoy catching up with The Relatable Homeschoolers. We'd love to catch up with you, too, so drop us a line at therelatablehomeschoolers@gmail.com. We'd love to hear your homeschool stories and questions!
We're wrapping up Season 2 of The Relatable Homeschoolers podcast by talking about the all-important subject of self-care for the homeschool mom.
Self-care looks different in different seasons of life. Sure, self-care might look like a massage or a manicure, but in this episode, we dig deeper into the small things we can build into our daily routines. The little things that speak care to you are essential and deserve priority!
If you are in survival mode and living in your joggers, there is no shame. We've all been there. Burnout is real, and the key to avoiding it is balance. As moms, we wear so many different hats, and we need to be aware of what drains us and what refreshes us. We tend to deprioritize ourselves, and in the long run, our whole family suffers.
Self-care is not selfish.
After talking about the necessities like math, science, history, and language arts, we are now talking about all the fun extras. The non-core subjects include things like art, music, foreign language, cooking, and handicrafts!
Whether you teach the "extras" or the "riches" classes in your home, or your children go to classes or take online classes, including these in your homeschool day makes your days better.
In this episode, we're breaking down homeschool language arts. We discuss what it covers, how we all approach the subject, and the many curriculums we've used. There are many ways to integrate language arts into your homeschool day. Whether it's diagramming sentences, copywork, dictation, narration, spelling, writing essays, or reading good literature, language arts encompasses many skills. And really, all you need is a library card and a whiteboard. Sound crazy? Listen in, and we'll unpack it all for you.
We've been working our way through the core homeschool subjects. If you missed our previous discussions on math and science, check out episodes 15 and 16. Today on the podcast, we're talking homeschool history, geography, current events, and more. Once again, you'll see how different this looks in each of our homeschools.
Whatever your homeschool style, you're bound to walk away from this episode with some new ideas and great resources to check out for teaching homeschool history.
In this week's podcast episode, we're discussing homeschool science. As in last week's episode on homeschool math, we are breaking down how we do science in our homeschools and the resources we use.
Whether you are science-savvy or the thought of teaching science makes you want to hibernate, you'll be able to relate to this episode. Between the three of us--Annie, Heather, and Harmony--we cover a wide range of approaches to homeschool science.
In this week's episode of The Relatable Homeschoolers, we're talking homeschool math. Math seems to be the subject parents worry about the most. If math is a subject area you struggle with or feel insecure about teaching, this episode is for you. No matter how you approach teaching homeschool math to your kids, you will glean some insight in this episode.
It’s time for another snapshot episode featuring one of our cohosts. This week, we hear from Lindsay as Annie interviews her about her homeschool journey. Lindsay is a wife, mom of three, and small business owner. She homeschools her three children using a relaxed, eclectic approach that uses the best of several philosophies to help create an environment that encourages curiosity. Lindsay’s homeschool revolves around the rhythms of small-scale flower farming and her floral design business. Her family homeschools year-round with lots of breaks for adventures.
Join the Relatable Homeschoolers as we talk about one of the biggest worries of homeschooling parents: how to feed our people! Because kids are always hungry, right? And they're home with us all. day. long. We can't rely on public school meals to fill their tummies--we have to do it ourselves. In this episode, we share our tips, tricks, and strategies for handling all. the. meals, including the biggie: family dinner. Food matters!
Join us for a look inside Annie Carlson's farm-based homeschool on the plains of North Dakota, where a former high school science teacher has lain aside traditional methods in favor of an approach inspired by the Robinson Curriculum. We'll hear about how Annie got started homeschooling, her greatest strength and greatest challenge, and what makes her homeschool unique. Come be inspired with us!
Welcome to Season 2 of The Relatable Homeschoolers. In this episode, we talk about homeschooling during the winter, what we're reading with our kids as well as individually, why regular breaks from school do us good, and what's saving our homeschools right now. We hope you'll join us for the next nine episodes. We have some great topics on the docket!
In the final episode of Season 1, the Relatable Homeschoolers are talking about building confidence as a homeschool mom. How do we grow in confidence? What do we do when our confidence is flagging? How do we help our kids grow in confidence, too? Join Heather, Annie, Lindsay, and Harmony for a discussion on confidence, with the usual plethora of resources and tips.
In today’s episode, we are doing another deep dive into the homeschool of one of our cohosts! Listen in as Heather interviews Harmony about what her homeschool looks like.
Harmony Harkema is a full-time work-from-home mom who homeschools her two daughters in the fringe hours. Harmony works in the book publishing industry and is an avid reader.
Join us for a look inside the unique homeschool of a busy working mom!
Have you ever said something to your kid 7,426 times, and they still don't acknowledge you? We get it! In this episode, we are talking about how to get your kids to listen, which matters even more when you're in the role of both mom and teacher. Tune in, because we're sharing all our tips and tricks for getting our kids to cooperate in our families, as well as in our homeschools!
Join The Relatable Homeschoolers for a deep dive into the homeschool of one of our four cohosts: Heather Gerwing. Heather has homeschooled her four kids in Southeastern Michigan for a decade, and she has a wealth of encouragement and advice to share about making your homeschool your own, how your homeschool should change with your kids as they grow, and how to make adventure a part of your homeschooling journey.
In this episode, we're talking about the most common homeschool approaches, from classical to unschooling. Not because we think you should choose one per se, but because we know it's helpful to have a common vocabulary when you're looking at curriculum and talking to other homeschoolers. We're also sharing our philosophies (spoiler: we all use a mix) and how they shape our homeschools.
In this episode, we explore what it's like to homeschool while holding down full-time employment, whether it's a corporate job, running your own business, or a mix. How can you get both done, and done well? We're sharing some of our practical tools for doing just that.
In this episode, we're looking at what to do when you find yourself unexpectedly thrust into homeschooling, whether that's because of COVID-19, a family emergency, or some other scenario.
Emergencies are not fun! Usually, there is panic, and emotions are on high alert! When your emergency requires you to reevaluate your children's education--there are a lot of questions. Emergency homeschooling is not only possible, but you can succeed!
In this episode, Annie, Heather, Lindsay, and Harmony talk about why it matters to have a positive "why" as a homeschooling parent, especially on the hard days, and how to craft one. They also look at finding an approach to home education that fits your unique kids and family culture with its diverse personalities and interests--including yours as the teacher.
This year, as COVID-19 continues and school districts nationwide are scrambling to come up with plans for educating kids online, in modified in-person scenarios, or using a hybrid approach, many parents are asking, "What would homeschooling look like for my family?" and "How do I even get started?" In this week's episode of The Relatable Homeschoolers, we're answering the 14 most common questions that keep popping up.
In this episode, Harmony, Annie, Heather, and Lindsay discuss how thinking about education as a homeschooler differs from thinking about education as a public school parent, how relaxing and freeing that can be, and the many benefits to our children and families.
Welcome to The Relatable Homeschoolers podcast. We're so excited you're here! Today, you'll meet Harmony, Annie, Heather, and Lindsay, four moms with very different homeschools. Whether you're a veteran homeschooler, new to homeschooling, or just homeschool-curious, we want to encourage you on your journey.
In this episode, we're talking about how we became homeschoolers, what’s kept us homeschooling over the years, and why homeschooling works for our families.