The Relatable Homeschoolers

Episode 40: Homeschooling through the Holidays

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.

If you missed last week's episode, make sure you check it out because we shared what gifts are on our holiday gift list! If you need help with your gift list, we provided many ideas and links for you to check out.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

• When is the right time to put up your Christmas tree? Any time! (0:36)
• Harmony's holiday homeschool (5:05)
• Annie's holiday homeschool (8:40)
• Heather's holiday homeschool (13:23)
• Travel and other holiday planning (14:41)
• Our favorite Advent resources (17:47)
• What we're looking forward to most this holiday season (26:50)

Links from this episode:

• Kendra Tierney at Catholic All Year
• William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
• "A Visit From St. Nicholas" by Clement C. Moore
• Read-Aloud Revival's Christmas School 2021 – Tomie dePaola
• Read-Aloud Revival's Christmas School 2022 – Jan Brett
• Reusable Advent calendar with drawers
• LEGO Harry Potter Advent Calendar
• The Office Advent Calendar
• Office Ladies Podcast
• Teachers Pay Teachers
• The Catholic All Year Compendium
• The Lazy Genius Podcast Episode #288: How to Make the Rest of 2022 Easier
• The Christmas Countdown by Margie J. Harding
• Read-Aloud Revival’s December Picture Booklist
• Read-Aloud Revival’s Christmas Novels and Short Stories Booklist
• Florilegia Spiritual Practice
• The Truth in the Tinsel

Episode39: Holiday Gifts for the Homeschool Mom

Annie, Harmony, and Heather had so much fun recording this episode of The Relatable Homeschoolers! 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!

We only have one more episode after this for Season 4, so check in next week to hear how we homeschool through the holidays.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

• Subscription gifts (1:14)
• Stocking stuffers (4:00)
• Self-care and just-for-fun gifts (6:07)
• Tech gifts (9:37)
• Life hack gifts (or, gifts that make our lives easier) (12:40)
• General gift-buying suggestions, the importance of asking yourself what you really want, the value to be found in Holiday Gift Guides, and how there's no shame in asking for LEGOs (16:26)
• What's bringing us joy right now (23:56)

Links from this episode:

Heather's Gift List:

• FriXion Pens
• Kindle Unlimited
• Insulated Food Thermos
• Under the Weather MyPod
• Beetles Gel Nail Polish Kit
• Rocketbook

Annie's Gift List

• Freadom T-shirt
• Home Librarian Mug
• Home Sweet Homeschool Sign
• Ultimate Homeschool Mom Totebag
• Kanoodle Games
• Charcuterie board
• Big Boards for Families book
• Super Sticky Post-It Notes
• Pentel Pens

Harmony's Gift List

• Quaintly Tea & Book Club
• Sleeping Bear Yarn Club
• Blue Apron
• Rifle Paper Co.'s Holiday Gift Guide
• Pippi Post
• Read-Aloud Revival Premium
• Harry Potter LEGOs

Episode 38: Transitioning to Public School with Lindsay Hufford

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!

In this episode, we're talking about:

• Why Lindsay and her family switched from homeschooling to public school (
• Pros and cons of switching to public school (5:55)
• Transitioning a child with special needs into public school (8:48)
• The questions a parent thinking about public school should ask themselves and their kids (11:40)
• Wisdom for potential and new public school parents (15:48)
• How transitioning from being a homeschool mom to a public school mom has impacted Lindsay (19:34)
• Advice and encouragement for parents thinking about public school (24:07)

Links from this episode:

• Lindsay on Instagram
• Episode 14 of The Relatable Homeschoolers: A Look Inside Lindsay Hufford's Homeschool
• Season 1 of the podcast with Lindsay
• Season 2 of the podcast with Lindsay

Episode 37: Lazy Genius Your Homeschool Part 2

Today we're picking up where we left off with Part 2 of How to Lazy Genius Your Homeschool!

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!

We hope you enjoy this week's episode and that it encourages you as you continue on this journey you have been called to. Also, get excited--next week, we're talking about our favorite gifts for the homeschool mom, and it's full of fun things you'll want to add to your Christmas wish list!

 

In this episode, we’re talking about:

• Principle #7: Put Everything in Its Place (1:13)
• Principle #8: Let People In (4:58)
• Principle #9: Batch It (9:22)
• Principle #10: Essentialize (11:02)
• Principle #11: Go in the Right Order (13:48)
• Principle #12: Schedule Rest (16:11)
• Principle #13: Be Kind to Yourself (20:01)
• What's bringing us joy in our homeschools right now (22:07)

Links from this episode:

• Harmony’s Famous Homeschool Carts
• Ticonderoga Student Pencils
• Ticonderoga Mom Pencils
• Essentialism by Greg McKeown
• The Lazy Genius Podcast: The Seven Kinds of Rest
• Plum Paper Planners

Episode 36: Lazy Genius Your Homeschool Part 1

Friends, we have a fun episode for you today! We're talking about how we can lazy genius our homeschools. What exactly does it mean to lazy genius your homeschool? Read on and listen in to find out more!

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.

Just to be clear, The Lazy Genius Way is not a homeschool-specific book, but we strongly believe that the practical concepts are applicable and beneficial to homeschoolers! In today's episode, we talk about deciding once, starting small, living in the season, building the right routines, and setting house rules. Don't they all sound like concepts that can improve a homeschooler's day? Listen in to see how you can lazy genius your homeschool!

 

In this episode, we’re talking about:

• The Lazy Genius's motto (1:21)
• Principle #1: Decide Once (1:57)
• Principle #2: Start Small (3:31)
• Principle #3: Ask the Magic Question (6:53)
• Principle #4: Live in the Season (9:38)
• Principle #5: Build the Right Routines (14:32)
• Principle #6: Set House Rules (16:48)
• What's bringing joy to our homeschools right now (19:55)

Links from this episode:

• The Lazy Genius podcast
• The Lazy Genius Way book
• Deschooling
• Heidi St. John

Episode 35: Homeschooling Is Not Your Identity

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."

Episode 34: Homeschooling and Home Management

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!

Episode 33: To Co-op or Not to Co-op?

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!

Episode 32: Creating a Homeschool Space You Love

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.

Episode 31: Welcome Back and Season 4 Preview

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!