Happy, Holy Mama

Planning Season is officially here! I'm talking to clients, mom friends, and random people all over the world via social media and everyone is doing the same thing: Trying to figure out their homeschool for this year. What language arts curriculum is best? When should we do school? What should we use for religion? What will keep my kids the most motivated and engaged? And these are fine questions to ask, but they're not the best questions. They won't yield the best results. Especially if you are trying to make those decisions reliant on your own limited understanding. That's why I'm talking about some of the biggest homeschool planning mistakes I've seen parents waste so much time doing, and want to give you some insight on how to it better, more efficiently, and more effectively. Because I want you to enjoy your homeschool life. There's no reason not to! Enjoying it can absolutely start with the best plans…and the best plans are made with the Lord. Grab your earbuds to hear more in: Homeschool Planning Mistakes that Waste Your Time and Energy. Plan Your Year With the Lord HERE.

You've explained it. You've reminded them. You've shown them what to do. And yet somehow you're still repeating yourself, chasing people down, and ultimately wondering why simple things feel so hard. Whether it's chores, schoolwork, attitudes, or just getting out the door on time, unmet expectations can quickly turn an ordinary day into a frustrating one. And, if you're not careful, they can turn into a life that feels overwhelming and defeating. But what if the problem isn't that your expectations are too high? What if the real issue is something deeper? In this episode, I'm unpacking why expectations so often steal our peace as homeschool moms. We're not stopping there, though. Today, I'm explaining how to tell the difference between expectations that help your family grow and expectations that are making your motherhood harder than it needs to be. We'll talk about the hidden desires behind our expectations, why some frustrations keep showing up again and again, and a simple shift that can help you focus on who your children are becoming, instead of getting stuck on what isn't happening fast enough. If you've been feeling discouraged, impatient, or exhausted by the gap between what you hoped would happen and what's actually happening, grab your earbuds and join me for: The Unmet Expectations That Are Stealing Your Peace, and What to Do About Them. Plan your year with the Holy Spirit HERE Come work with me HERE!

Something that caught me off guard last year was how hard it hit me that my oldest was graduating from our homeschool and would be leaving in a matter of days, instead of years. Whether your kids are still little, about to start high school, or if graduation is right around the corner, the thought of your baby leaving is likely something that tugs on your heart strings and, if you're not careful, can threaten to steal your peace. As a mom who is currently standing in that strange space between "done with school" and actually launching into the world with my second oldest now, I have caught myself wondering if he's really ready. And the answer is that, he's as already as I've been able to make him. And now with two boys leaving my home, what I've come to realize is that the real question is…am I ready? Preparing your child, and yourself, for their eventual "launching" into adulthood is what I'm diving into in this week's Happy, Holy Mama Podcast episode. Because, one of the hardest parts of homeschooling isn't teaching our children. It's learning how to gradually let them go. The truth is, they will have gaps. We all have them. And thankfully God is not asking you to create a flawless adult before graduation. He's asking you to prepare them to the best of your ability, and then trust HIM with your child when you can no longer be there for every moment. We'll talk about: The evolution of your relationship with your graduating teen How to stop letting fear about the future steal the time you still have together today The shift from teaching to mentoring/consulting as your children become young adults How to support your teen without over-coaching, over-planning, or taking responsibility for choices that belong to them If you're navigating the emotions of raising teens, preparing a graduate for the next chapter, or simply wondering how to hold both sadness and hope at the same time, then grab your earbuds and join me for this honest conversation about trusting God, releasing control, and preparing both your child and yourself for the beautiful, and exciting, next season ahead! Join me here for: Getting Your Child (and Yourself) Ready to Launch After Graduation. Then come work with me HERE! Get your FREE Happy, Holy Homeschool Blueprint HERE!

As a homeschooling mom of seven, one of the things I coach on most often is setting healthy boundaries with your children to protect your peace. So many parents are afraid of their children's push back and negative reactions, so you hesitate to create rules and enforce boundaries. But that only leaves you feeling stuck, trapped, and at the mercy of your children. In this episode, I'm going to teach you how to stop letting your child's potential reaction manage your parenting. I'm sharing four real-life examples of boundaries that come up frequently in parenting, covering issues like repetitive asking, responding to disrespect, and enforcing rules about chores and assignments. I rarely give out scripts, but I'm giving you the exact dialogue I use in my own home so you can hear my tone and tweak the wording to feel natural and right for your family. Grab your earbuds and join me to learn how to calmly, respectfully, and confidently step into your role as the leader and maintain a peaceful inner dialogue in: The Boundary Scripts That Stop Your Child's Emotions From Running the House. Grab your free Happy, Holy Homeschool Blueprint to plan your year with the Lord Here! Get the details for the new pricing structure of Happy, Holy Mama MEMBERSHIP here!

My son, Noah, is graduating from our homeschool this week and I thought it would be super fun to have him on the podcast to talk about his journey! In today's very special episode, we talk honestly about the fears, freedom, challenges, and beautiful growth that came from homeschooling through the teen years…for both of us! We share what it looked like to pull him out of traditional school in middle school, how homeschooling helped him discover his passions and independence, and why high school became less about checking boxes and more about helping him become the person God created him to be. This conversation is full of encouragement for homeschool moms who are wondering: Am I doing enough? What if my teen lacks motivation? How do I prepare them for adulthood? Can homeschooling really work in high school? Noah also shares his perspective as a homeschooled teen—what helped him thrive, how he found friendships and leadership opportunities, and why learning to follow God's voice mattered more than having everything figured out. If you've ever felt nervous about homeschooling through high school, this episode will leave you feeling encouraged, hopeful, and reminded that you do not have to do this perfectly to do it well. You'll hear: Why homeschooling high school can actually strengthen your relationship with your teen The shift from "teacher" to mentor during the high school years How interest-led learning builds confidence and independence Practical encouragement for creating transcripts around your teen's real interests and skills Noah's advice for teens who feel nervous about homeschooling How discernment and prayer shaped his college decision This episode is a beautiful reminder that homeschooling is not just about academics—it's about helping your children become who God created them to be. Grab your earbuds to join Noah and me for: Homeschooling High School with Confidence! Get your FREE Happy, Holy Homeschool Blueprint here! Get the details for the Happy, Holy Mama Membership HERE!

The busyness of the semester is in full swing and, frankly, I'm tired! Not the kind of tired I was when our first six kids were eight and under, but still feeling pretty exhausted. I know I'm not the only one. There are days when we can absolutely pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and get the things done. And then there are days when everything just feels nearly impossible. Yes, it might have to do with how much sleep you're getting, but it also might have a lot to do with how you're talking to yourself. What I've learned, and what I'm talking about in today's podcast episode, is that there is a major difference between being physically tired and emotionally tired. If you catch yourself saying, "I can't handle this. I don't wanna do this anymore. This is too much," then, maybe the thing you're actually tired of is feeling incapable and inadequate to handle the life God is giving you. My sisters in Christ, here's the truth: God does not give you more than you can handle, especially when you lean into Him for strength. If that feels hard, please grab your earbuds and let's talk about what's really wearing you down, and how to lay it at the foot of the Cross in: Physical vs Emotional Exhaustion. Join my Beloved Lent Study HERE! The doors close this Friday, February 20, 2026 at midnigth Eastern time!

Do you know what impacts every Catholic homeschool mom, especially when we're feeling tender, overwhelmed, or unsure of ourselves? Other people's opinions. Today, I'm talking about what happens in your heart and mind when someone criticizes your parenting, questions your homeschool choices, or simply gives you that look that makes you spiral. I unpack the truth about how emotions actually work, why other people can't "make" you feel shame or discouragement, and how our own thoughts often become the loudest voice in the room. I share with you simple steps to calm your nervous system down when you feel triggered by other people's words, and three gentle questions to ask God to help you root yourself in His truth, instead of someone else's opinions. This episode is for the mom who's tired of being knocked off course by fear of judgment, whether it's from family, strangers, friends, or even the voice in your own head. Grab your earbuds and join me a mini-lesson that I teach all of my clients, and that I deeply believe will have a directly positive impact on your day: How to Stop Letting Other People's Thoughts Derail Your Day. Join BELOVED Lent Study HERE to give up the feeling of being "not enough" for Lent this year! Doors are now open!

I've been noticing on social media over the past few weeks that so many parents were itching to send their kids back to school, which wasn't surprising. But what did surprise me was how many homeschooling parents are feeling tempted to throw in the towel, because it's just feeling so hard to keep going. This has been stirring up a lot for me, especially for the parents who deeply desire to homeschool, but are feeling overwhelmed, inadequate, and without any other option. I think it touches a tender place in my heart, because I can remember a time when I felt that way too. And so I've been reflecting recently on why I no longer do. So in this week's podcast episode, I share what I've discovered! I unpack a little bit of why it can feel really hard to be with our people all the time… and why it can feel confusing when we deeply desire connection, but we don't always know how to have it. Especially when our kids seem to resist lessons, avoid assignments, and argue about chores! Here's the main takeaway from today's episode that I deeply want you to get: if you are homeschooling and you feel that urge to send your kids away or have a break, nothing's wrong. You are not broken. You probably just haven't been taught the tools to slow down and connect (with yourself or with them). It is not too late. You can learn how to do this. You can learn how to connect with your kids in a way that is life-giving for both you and for them… You can put your life in Right Order. And when you do, you can feel more satisfied and fulfilled and content in your life exactly where you are. If you are in need of some encouragement and love this week, grab your earbuds and join me for: When Homeschool Feels Like Too Much: The Missing Skill No One Taught Us Join the Beloved Waitlist HERE! We begin soon!