Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids

In this insightful episode I am joined by the hosts of Homeschool Unrefined, Angela and Maren. We dive deep into their personal journeys transitioning from homeschooling to public schooling with their children. As seasoned homeschoolers with a combined experience of over a decade, they share the challenges, surprises, and rewards that have come with this significant shift. Episode Highlights: Introduction to Homeschool Unrefined: Meet Angela and Maren, the voices behind Homeschool Unrefined. A brief history of their homeschooling journey and how they transitioned into podcasting. Angela's Journey: Life in Minnesota with three teens: 19, 17, and 15. Reflecting on 10 years of homeschooling and the decision to move her children into public high school. Maren's Journey: From teaching in a classroom to homeschooling her four children: 17, 15, 15, and 13. Navigating the complexities of homeschooling with neurodiverse children and how that influenced their learning styles. Homeschooling to Public School Transition: The decision-making process behind the shift from homeschool to public school. The importance of empowering children to take ownership of their education and advocate for their needs. Challenges and Lessons Learned: The mental shift required for parents when moving from a structured classroom environment to a more flexible homeschooling approach. How their children adapted academically and socially in the public school system. Reflections on Teaching and Education: Insights from their experiences as former classroom teachers and how that influenced their homeschooling approach. Discussing the balance between academic rigor and fostering a love of learning. Maintaining Core Values: How their family values and educational philosophies have remained intact despite the shift to public schooling. The ongoing role of homeschooling principles in their children's education and personal growth. Practical Advice for Families: Tips for parents considering a similar transition from homeschooling to traditional schooling. The importance of flexibility, understanding your child's unique learning needs, and maintaining a focus on holistic development. Reassuring advice on the long-term benefits of homeschooling and how it sets children up for success. Final Thoughts: Embrace Variety: It's okay to have multiple interests and hobbies. Trying new things adds richness to life and helps you discover more about yourself. Learning is Personal: Everyone learns differently, and that's something to be celebrated. Finding what works best for you is key to feeling good in your own skin, mind, and body. Modeling Curiosity: As lifelong learners, we set an example for our children. Curiosity and self-care are powerful tools for personal growth. Confidence in Your Path: Trust in your unique journey. The system might not always fit you, and that's okay. It's not about you—it's about the system. Continue to explore and adapt learning methods that Resources Mentioned: Book: Think Differently About Learning: A Homeschool Where Children and Parents Thrive Homeschool Unrefined Website Instagram If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify and share your thoughts on homeschooling and education transitions with us on our social media channels!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is part 2 of 3 of our LIVE summer conversation series on "How to Be an Awesome Homeschooler." Kelly Edwards from “90-Minute School Day” and Robyn Robertson of “Honey! I’m Homeschooling the Kids” dive into the complexities of choosing and using curriculum in homeschooling or not using curriculum at all! They discuss the myths and expectations surrounding curriculum, the importance of understanding your family's unique needs, and how to balance structure with the freedom of learning. They also explore ways to make curriculum work for you, rather than feeling controlled by it. Tune-in to hear insights for both new and seasoned homeschoolers, emphasizing the importance of connection, communication, and flexibility in education. Would you like to join the next conversation LIVE? Sign-up here to join our Summer Conversation Series! Save the date for our upcoming final conversation, hosted LIVE at 11 AM EDT: July 16th - How Do I Know If I'm Doing Enough? Other Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Wild + Free conference in Sept. Honey, I’m Homeschooling the Kids podcast Honey, I’m Homeschooling the Kids patreon 90-Minute School Day podcast 90-Minute School Day in the Life community Wild Math Will you take a moment and rate the podcast? Go to the show in your feed and scroll down to leave a 5 star review with one-click. If you have a minute longer to support the podcast, would you write a review? That is such a great way to say “thank you” if you enjoy the content we prepare and publish! Thank you for your support and listening. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 04:43 Live Convo 38:45 Conclusion 40:10 Join Us Next Week 41:00 Outro See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to How to Be an Awesome Homeschooler! Join hosts Kelly Edwards, creator of The 90-Minute School Day, and Robyn Robertson, creator of Honey! I'm Homeschooling the Kids, as they introduce and dive into their exciting summer conversation series for 2024. In this special episode, Kelly and Robyn pull back the curtain on their friendship, families, and homeschools. They share updates from their independent lives and, most importantly, announce what’s coming up for How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler! They discuss their upcoming 2024 Summer Conversation series and how they’ve reimagined their popular summit into a three-part live conversation across three Tuesdays in July, focusing on big homeschooling questions. The best part? YOU! This is a free and LIVE offering for everyone, so come and join us! Reserve your seat here. All you have to do now is to save the dates to join the fun LIVE. Here’s the schedule: "How Do I Not Screw This Up?" on July 2nd, 2024 at 11am EDT “Curriculum Conundrum: Dispelling Myths, Embracing Freedom” on July 9th, 2024 at 11 am EDT "How Do I Know if I'm Doing ‘Enough’?" on July 16th, 2024 at 11 am EDT We can’t wait to be with you in the How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summer Conversation Series, where we will learn from one another’s personal homeschooling experiences, challenges faced, and the valuable lessons we’ve all learned along the way. Don't miss out on the opportunity to connect, share, and grow with fellow homeschoolers. Tune-in and get inspired! Save your seat here. Also inside this episode, Robyn and Kelly discuss: Why is homeschooling so scary for parents? Where do parents get stuck? What does school have to do with our understanding of education and learning? What about going back to school? How does unschooling look everyday? Other resources mentioned in this episode: That Canadian Citizenship Reel How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Recordings Save Your Seat for Summer Conversation Series! HSLDA.ORG Homeschool Laws - United States HSLDA.ORG Homeschool Laws - International Wild + Free conference in Sept. Honey, I’m Homeschooling the Kids podcast Deschooling Conscious Parenting and Deschooling Strewing 90-Minute School Day podcast Strewing Episode Deschooling Episode 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:18 How We Met 00:06:52 Life Changes 00:10:01 Reflections on Life 00:15:33 Learning is Life 00:20:25 Launching a Community 00:23:17 Reimagining the Summit 00:28:55 Getting Ready for the Podcast Series 00:30:05 Unpacking the Concept of Home Learning 00:32:47 Dealing with Challenges in Homeschooling 00:36:19 Navigating Challenges in Homeschooling 00:37:30 Understanding the Role of School in Education 00:41:25 Defining Education, Schooling, and Learning 00:42:59 Exploring Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation 00:44:21 Tailoring Education to Individual Needs 00:51:22 Reflecting on the Homeschooling Journey 00:52:06 Rethinking Education and Learning 00:55:06 Focusing on How to Succeed in Homeschooling 00:55:28 Embracing the Process of Learning 00:56:21 Looking Forward to Future ConversationsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Impacts of Technology on Learning The world of learning today looks a lot different from the learning world that I grew up in. When my kids were younger they loved the story I told of a memorable day in my first grade class when my teacher rolled a large machine into our classroom. As we sat there in silence, she announced that the contraption she had brought in was called a.... computer! And the entire class would get a chance to use it. You can imagine our excitement. The computer produced questions on the screen and we each took turns typing the answers. It was the first and only time we had access to a computer that year and for years to come. By the time I was in junior high school we had computer labs and classes using computers. By high school I even ventured to take a rudimentary programming class. Fast forward to today and my home educated children can travel to countries they are interested in visiting via Virtual Reality. They can take a University level class from an Ivy League school from the couch, for free. They can get help refining their resume through a chat generative pre-trained transformer. They can learn a new skill or technique for an infinite number of things via YouTube. They have access to the world at their finger tips. Technology has brought major shifts in learning. Should we be excited about what the future holds for our learners? Will homeschoolers and unschoolers have more access to opportunities previously held by education gatekeepers? Do our technological tools bring dangers that we should be wary of? How can we best support and protect our children from pitfalls? Or do we need to? How can we create and foster educational programs and environments that will prepare our children for the future? In This Episode- Technology, Digital Learning and Impacts on Learners In this episode I spoke with Josh Davidson. Josh is a dad and founder of an award winning online learning program, Night Zookeeper. As the Managing Director of a digital platform that services families and in particular kids under the age of 12, I wanted to hear his insight on the influence of technology and digital learning on education, the job market and the future. Technology has brought major shifts in learning. We explored a few of those shifts and shared our ideas on the good and bad. Should we be excited about what the future holds for our learners? Do our technological tools bring dangers that we should be wary of? How can we best support or protect our children from dangers? Or do we need to? How can we create and foster educational programs and environments that will prepare our children for the future? What impacts will technology and Artificial Intelligence have on the job market? I enjoyed Josh's viewpoint on technology and how it is shaping our future. His perspective is uplifting and pragmatic. He offers a good reminder that we are all really seeking solutions to problems. And as much as sometimes we may be drawn to worry about the bad, there is still a lot of good that we are contributing to the world. Resources Josh Davidson is the Founder and Managing Director of Night Zookeeper, the award-winning online language arts program designed to make learning fantastically fun for children ages 6-12. With a dedication to improving online education over the past 12 years, Josh has brought enthusiasm and passion to the field of education, offering an exciting learning experience beyond the confines of traditional classrooms. Josh's pioneering spirit emerged during his MA in Digital Art, making him one of the trailblazers in the United Kingdom for this field of study. Leveraging his creative expertise, he has elevated online learning to new heights through Night Zookeeper. Every aspect of this innovative program reflects his commitment to fostering children's creativity, encouraging them to unleash their imagination by designing their own imaginative animals within an interactive world that ignites a love for reading and writing. At the forefront of innovation and growth, Josh and the Night Zookeeper team have continuously pushed the boundaries of online education. Embracing the ever-evolving landscape of technology, they have seamlessly integrated cutting-edge solutions to keep up with the dynamic trends shaping the thriving world of technology and education. As a result, Night Zookeeper has emerged as a pioneer in its field, providing adaptable solutions that redefine the learning experience for children worldwide and encourages children to have fun whilst learning. If you would like to learn more about the platform and program, go HERE. Josh referenced author Daniel Pink. https://www.danpink.com/I referenced Dr. Peter Gray and his work on the importance of kids playing modern day tools mentioned in his book Free To Learn. Thank You To Our Sponsor Sponsor support allows me to continue to create this podcast and allow it to be easily accessible for you. This episode was brought to you by MEL Science. MEL Science MEL Science is a subscription service that offers a range of educational resources and hands-on experiments for homeschooling families. From chemistry to physics, medicine to STEM, MEL Science subscription boxes are packed full of exciting experiments and activities that will inspire and educate. These boxes are a perfect way to give homeschooling kids a practice with the hands-on boxes and get them involved in science activities. With MEL Science, you’ll get all the materials needed for each experiment, including detailed instructions and educational materials that explain the scientific concepts behind each experiment. If you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to teach science, MEL Science is a great choice. Don’t forget to take advantage of the 60% discount for your first box, and start exploring the fascinating world of science with MEL Science today. USE CODE MEL60 At CHECKOUTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Unschooling Journey- From Childhood To Adulthood with Missy Willis Missy is a mom to two, writer, and self-directed education advocate. As a trained teacher, she imagined a life devoted to traditional education, but in 2007 she moved away from the standardized schooling model with her own kids and hasn’t looked back. Let ‘em go Barefoot is the community and podcast she created to share stories, insights and research on conscious parenting and education. Her work has reached hundreds of thousands of people across the globe. What has emerged is a felt sense that we are in the midst of a Great Educational Awakening. Missy is currently collaborating with another veteran unschooling mom, Ann Hansen of Inner Parent Coaching, to create a supportive community for the next generation of unschooling parents. A foundational principle of their work is: The Future of Education is not in the Classroom Find out more or to get involved at www.letemgobarefoot.com or on Instagram @letemgobarefoot In This Episode This is the second time Missy has been featured on my podcast. (She has also co-hosted excellent conversations in my Homeschool Club) I wanted to bring her back on the show to hear her perspective on unschooling through the years. Her oldest is now an adult and her youngest is in her teens. (I suggest you listen to her first interview to hear more about her background in education and their unschooling beginning). In this episode we explored the many layers of unschooling, learning and parenting. Peaceful Parenting and open communication in unschooling How she has has approached academics in unschooling What helped their family to continue unschooling in the later years- getting clear on the why Recognizing the ups and downs and the challenges Unschooling into Post Secondary- creating portfolios, dual enrolment, college entry and career tracks Building experiences, adventures and engaging with the world The research- Self Determination Theory: Autonomy, Competence and Relatedness Resources You can reach Missy through Let Em Go Barefoot on social media and her website. Website- Let Em Go Barefoot Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/letemgobarefoot Instagram- Instagram @letemgobarefoot Self Determination Theory If you would like to hear additional conversations with Missy, I recommend her first interview- Conscious Educator. Or, her recorded Honey! I’m Homeschooling Co-Hosted Conversations- Veteran Unschooling Moms Q&A, and Conscious Parenting & Deschooling. For Support on your homeschooling and Unschooling journey join my Honey! I’m Homeschooling Patreon Community. Or connect with me One-On-One HERE. Thank you Sponsors Sponsor support allows me to continue to create this podcast and allow it to be easily accessible for you. This episode was brought to you by MEL Science. MEL Science MEL Science is a subscription service that offers a range of educational resources and hands-on experiments for homeschooling families. From chemistry to physics, medicine to STEM, MEL Science subscription boxes are packed full of exciting experiments and activities that will inspire and educate. These boxes are a perfect way to give homeschooling kids a practice with the hands-on boxes and get them involved in science activities. With MEL Science, you’ll get all the materials needed for each experiment, including detailed instructions and educational materials that explain the scientific concepts behind each experiment. If you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to teach science, MEL Science is a great choice. Don’t forget to take advantage of the 60% discount for your first box, and start exploring the fascinating world of science with MEL Science today. USE CODE MEL60 At CHECKOUTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Evgenia is a homeschooling mama of one boy and the founder of Fit Mama Method. She was born in the Soviet Union and lived in Russia until 29 years old. She holds 2 Master Degrees in Journalism and Sports. Evgenia came to Canada to complete a college program and decided to stay. She was the head coach of an Acrobatic Gymnastics Program and a personal trainer until she decided to stay home with her son. Evgenia is a homeschool mom and entrepreneur. Her Nourished Motherhood Program has helped many homeschooling mamas to beat burn-out with a holistic approach to wellbeing, motherhood and homeschooling. In This Episode​ Often, my podcast interviews offer perspective into different points of view, circumstances and the rest of the world. It can be easy to live our life and assume that everyone shares similar thoughts, ideals and circumstances. But that is not always the case. I personally enjoy hearing the stories from others that have grown up and lived a learning life quite different from my own, or the one that I know. It gives me a better understanding of the world. In this episode Evgenia shares about life growing up in the Soviet Union and how that reflects on childhood and parenting. What does a life shaped by living behind the Iron Curtain look like? We talked about: The school system (a day in the life of the school day, and class in the Soviet Union) Raising children (the expectations on both kids and parents) Family and community purpose (How differently they varied from life in the western world today) Homeschooling This was a wonderful discussion on not only how we are shaped, but the changes that we go through in our lives that begin to change our world, values and parenting. And of course...lead us to homeschooling. Resources Connect with Evgenia on her website- fitmamamethod.com Instagram- @fit.mama.method If you want to learn more about getting started in homeschooling, listen to my episode 7 Steps To Begin Homeschooling Thank you Sponsors Sponsor support allows me to continue to create this podcast and allow it to be easily accessible for you. This episode was brought to you by Fearless Learners by Success Codes and MEL Science. Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes;Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects.All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the ‘right’ environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences. *Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go to learningsuccessacademy.com Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live MEL Science MEL Science is a subscription service that offers a range of educational resources and hands-on experiments for homeschooling families. From chemistry to physics, medicine to STEM, MEL Science subscription boxes are packed full of exciting experiments and activities that will inspire and educate. These boxes are a perfect way to give homeschooling kids a practice with the hands-on boxes and get them involved in science activities. With MEL Science, you'll get all the materials needed for each experiment, including detailed instructions and educational materials that explain the scientific concepts behind each experiment. If you're looking for a fun and exciting way to teach science, MEL Science is a great choice. Don't forget to take advantage of the 60% discount for your first box, and start exploring the fascinating world of science with MEL Science today. USE CODE MEL60 At CHECKOUTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Free To Learn and PLAY with Dr. Peter Gray Peter Gray is an American psychologist, author and research professor. He has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. His research focuses on the role of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves, through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. He has expanded on these ideas in his book, Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life (Basic Books). He has been a regular contributor to Psychology Today magazine and is a founding member and president of the nonprofit Alliance for Self-Directed Education (ASDE) and a founding board director of the nonprofit Let Grow. He earned his undergraduate degree at Columbia College and Ph.D. in biological sciences at the Rockefeller University many years ago. His own current play includes kayaking, long-distance bicycling, backwoods skiing, and vegetable gardening. In This Episode: The Importance Of Free Play​ This episode is a re-release of an earlier episode with Peter Gray. (episode 47) It is such a wonderful and important discussion that I want to make sure it stays accessible. In this episode we talk about: The importance of FREE PLAY Self Directed Learning and the key parts of the self directed learning environment The lack of free play in our world today and what the absence of it has led to Parents Fears around self directed education Resources Research studies: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/experts/peter-gray-phd Observational study Jay Feldman https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED453128 Study of Grown Unschoolers https://www.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/Published%20Grown%20Unschoolers%20I.pdf https://www.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/Published%20Grown%20Unschooles%20II.pdf Brian Sutton Smith Play Scholar Play Theory Democratic Schools Sudbury Valley School Peter Gray’s Book Free To Learn: Why Unleashing The Instinct To Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students For Life Alliance For Self Directed Education Let Grow Project Podcast Sponsor This episode was brought to you by Fearless Learners by Success Codes Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes;Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects.All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the ‘right’ environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences. *Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go to learningsuccessacademy.com Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler~ March 24th 2023 Grab your FREE or Full Access Pass ticket (only $37) ~ HOW TO BE AN AWESOME HOMESCHOOLER The summit is open to all since we are hosting it as an audio only experience on the Clubhouse app. But if you register for your FREE TICKET through the website you also receive our Digital Swag Bag that gives you a ton of resource freebies for parents and kids (like my son’s Science Animal Journal, Kelly Edwards Creating Quiet Time packet, Free Conscious Parenting mini course, Discounts on our favourite books, Kids Entrepreneurship Course, Discounts to online resources and MORE. If you cannot make the live event, we are also offering a FULL ACCESS package of the recordings, pdfs and post summit community gatherings which include a Movie Screening~ The amazing film MaidenTrip~ and Live Group Q&A and Coaching with Kelly Edwards of 90 Minute School Day and I. We are able to create this summit and make it accessible because of our wonderful Sponsors. Night ZooKeeper, Learning Success Academy, Erica Kesilman~Conscious Parent Coach, Mel Science, Storitopia, Amanda Schenkenberger~ Homeschool Coach, Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids podcast and 90 Minute School Day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Homeschooling Affected My Life with Amanda Schenkenberger Amanda Schenkenberger is a grown homeschooler that now homeschools her own 4 children. She is also a homeschool coach and mentor to moms that are busy trying to find more joy and less anxiety in homeschooling. You can connect with Amanda and access her support through her website, moms.heartsmarthomeschool.com You can also connect with her through Instagram @homeschoolcoachingmama In this episode Amanda took time out to share her reflections, triumphs and struggles through homeschooling. "How homeschooling affected my life and how it translated to her homeschool now." In This Episode with Amanda I often get the question, this seems great for a few years when they are young, but how do homeschoolers really turn out over the long run? What about: Socialization? How Will They Live In The "Real World" If They Are Never Told What To Do? What Will They Learn If They Don't Go To School? If They Do Go To School, Won't They Be Too Far Behind? In this episode Amanda answers these questions and talks about how her experiences have shaped her as an adult. She shares the strengths; the work ethic that she built even though her life was filled with a large amount of play and freedom. Amanda shares the notable experiences that question what we think are set parameters of learning; like learning how to read from her deaf parent. And the life shifts that brought change; her homeschooling days coming to an end as her parents went through a divorce. As well as how she prepared going to school for the first time ever. If you are a parent that is curious about homeschooling, or are questioning what your homeschool choice will turn out to look like, then listen to this episode. Resources and Connection Amanda has chosen to continue to homeschool her own children. She also runs a business that support others homeschool moms through coaching and community. She understands that Homeschooling can be a beautiful, joy-filled experience—or it can be a stressful, overwhelming routine. That's why she created Heart Smart Moms. You can connect with Amanda and access her support through her website, moms.heartsmarthomeschool.com You can also connect with her through Instagram @homeschoolcoachingmama Heart Smart Homeschool Moms is also a sponsor for HOW TO BE AN AWESOME HOMESCHOOLER Summit! We are grateful for the sponsors that help our summit to happen and remain accessible to the community. If you would like to hear more stories from grown homeschoolers and unschoolers, then check out my episode with Hannah Frankman, Liana Francisco and Zoi Hunter How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit If you haven't already heard, March 24th is our third How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit! We are hosting this full day summit LIVE and our special guests are bringing the Powerful P's to the table through interactive keynotes and workshops~ PURPOSE. PERSIST. PLAY. We have Leah Boden laying the foundation for PURPOSE. Julie Bogart showing the art of PERSIST. Mr. Chazz is educating us all on the power of PLAY. Kelly Edwards is guiding us through her workshop on Supporting Neurodiversity. And you get ME, Robyn Roberston and a few special guests embracing the Self Directed Teen. Go to the website HOW TO BE AN AWESOME HOMESCHOOLER to register for your FREE ticket and receive extra goodies. If you cannot make the live event, we are also offering a package of the recordings, pdfs and post event community goodies. Shout Out To Our Podcast Sponsors! This episode was brought to you by Fearless Learners by Success CodesFearless Learners by SuccessCodes;Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects.All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the 'right' environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences. *Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go to learningsuccessacademy.comWatch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Build Your Community~How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Have you ever felt disconnected from community? Even more so now that you homeschool? Are there times when you feel like your ideas on learning and living your family life are too different from others around you? Do you want to connect wth others that "get you"? Do you want to build your community? Kelly Edwards and I have been in your shoes. As homeschool parents we have felt like taking the leap to home educate has isolated us at times. It has also connected us to others who we may have not ever considered as community otherwise. In this episode Kelly and I talk about our origin stories as homeschooling parents. We also share how we connected as friends in need of community. We also share: What community can look like for homeschoolers How community can challenge us Ways to build community And we talk about one of our favourite communities of all~ How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler 2023~Purpose.Persist.Play Purpose. Persist. Play. This is the third year of our homeschool summit, How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler. We are bringing the powerful "P"'s. Join us March 24th for Purpose. Persist. Play. If you are looking to learn more about homeschooling, unschooling, self directed learning, parenting, self improvement and just being awesome in general- we've got you :) This year's summit is another impactful day of community, inspiration and learning. Join Kelly Edwards of the 90 Minute School Day as we gather, learn and reflect on supporting our Neurodiverse children in her workshop on Neurodiversity in our Home Education. Connect with the iconic Julie Bogart of Bravewriter on how and what we choose to PERSIST. Get clarity and comfort from Leah Boden of Modern Miss Mason when we guide with PURPOSE. Be inspired on the value of PLAY with parent educator Mr. Chazz. Then spend time with me and some really awesome self directed teens in my workshop on Self Directed Teens. Resources How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler~ register on our website for the FREE summit and receive a wonderful digital Swagbag filled with goodies and resources for your home learning journey. You can also purchase tickets of the summit recordings, keynote pdf's and extra VIP goodies. (Early bird sale on now) Connect with my community on Clubhouse~ Honey! I'm Homeschooling Club to get in on the pre-summit action. (And meet over 2500 parents that are in the thick of homeschooling or learning more about it before they take the plunge) Kelly Edwards~ 90 Minute School Day Check out my interview with Shannon Loucks that I referenced in this episode. Or listen to my interviews with previous summit keynotes~ Dr. Gina Riley, Rachel Rainbolt, Demetria Giles, Ainsley Arment, Leah McDermott, Karema Akilah, Karen Ricks, Julie Bogart, Leah Boden and my friend and summit co-creator, Kelly Edwards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Building Joy~The Power of Play & Partnership Shannon Loucks considers herself a fierce defender of childhoods. Ever since her first job, she has sought out opportunities to be in the presence of children as they explore the world around them. From babysitter, to camp counselor, to a Degree in Education, to finally landing as a full time witness of fun to two boys who have become her greatest teachers. Each of these opportunities led Shannon to believe in the power of play and partnership as a way to bring about more joy with a by-product of love into the lives of those who hold the biggest spaces in our hearts. Shannon joined me on this episode to talk about raising self directed people (she's a mom to grown unschoolers), play and partnership in parenting and the ways that we can build joy into childhood. In This Episode Fear and worry seem to be our constant companions as parents. Especially for those of us homeschoolers that feel that also carry the extra responsobility of educating our children without school. But before she came on my show, I had recently read Shannon's book, Love More~ 50+ way to build joy into childhood. It's a beautiful yet simple read that shows how it doesn't have to be fear and worry but love, fun and joyful by the simple everyday things we can do with our kids. So in this episode, I wanted to find out more from Shannon about what this looked like in her family's life and how they were able to stay connected through the years. We talked about: Why homeschooling or unschooling does not guarantee you'll get the perfect relationship with your child How To Stay Connected To Our Kids What it means to partner instead of have "power over" The fear of unschooling- permissive parenting and the difference between permissive parenting vs present parenting Reflections from her kids as young adults that grew up in a self directed learning home~ what would the change, keep and their transitions to college Their Family Mission Statement and how they build it Her book, Love More~ 50 + Ways To Build Joy Into Childhood Resources Shannon's website~ https://breakingdaylight.org/ Shannon's Book Love More~ 50 + Ways To Build Joy Into Childhood Life Is Good Unschooling Conference Sir Ken Robinson Ted Talk~ Do Schools Kill Creativity? If you would like to hear from parents with grown unschoolers, listen to my interview with Pam Laricchia ~ Exploring Unschooling Check out our Third How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit, March 24th 2023~ Purpose, Persist & Play Thank you Sponsors! Our podcast sponsors allow us to continue to offer information, insight and encouragement to you for free! Thank you to our sponsor, Storitopia. STORITOPIA is a podcast app created for kids. It's a space where parents, kids and caregivers can discover the best kids' podcasts. STORITOPIA is an incredible tool to help educate and entertain your curious kids. Discover wonderfully whimisical stories, uncover shocking science facts and learn the history of everything from Hypatia to hot dogs! Discover starts as soon as you download the STORITOPIA app. Find it in the apple app store or at storitopia.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Modern Miss Mason: Leah Boden​ Leah Boden is a mom to 4 kids and a long time home educator. She is a speaker, a podcast host, homeschool coach and runs workshops sharing the beauty of a Charlotte Mason approach to childhood, motherhood and education. She and her family live in the West Midlands, England. Leah's new book, Modern Miss Mason is your invitation into an adventure where Leah shows you the fresh face of an age-old perspective on motherhood, childhood and education. And no, you do not have to be a follower of Charlotte Mason to read her book. No matter what educational and learning path you prescribe to, this book and Leah's ideas are universal. It will breath life and beauty back into childhood and your home education. In This Episode As a young mother and new home educator, Leah was overwhelmed by the breadth of available resources. How to know which to choose? Curriculum or no curriculum? What would best guide and inspire her children? Whose voices should she trust? That's when she discovered the timeless work and words of Charlotte Mason. Leah knew that Charlotte Mason's approach and method fit what their family was looking for in the learning journey ahead. In this episode Leah shares with me how and why she continues to find joy, wonder and curiosity in their learning life. We discuss their learning life today, her wonderful book and "how our internal work affects our external world". As in her book, Modern Miss Mason, we break it down into: Reframing Motherhood-the correlation between how refreshed mothers are and their ability to trust childhood. If mothers can learn to do for ourselves what we do for our children. We discuss tools to avoid or come out of burnout and overwhelm. Reframing Childhood- Children are born persons. Building rhythms. Reframing Education- Sifting through the countless curriculums, information and resources. Knowing what your why. Education is the science of relations. RELATIONSHIPS are key. If you are new to Charlotte Mason, Leah offers a few recommendations on how to slowly dive into the Charlotte Mason world. Resources​ Leah's book, Modern Miss Mason is well worth the read. You can find it HERE. Find out more about Leah and her work on her website. Leah's workshops and courses. Listen to my first interview with Leah HERE (Homeschooling Styles: Charlotte Mason with Leah Boden) If you are looking for support from Honey! I'm Homeschooling community, join HERE or book a one-on-one private call with me HERE. Thank you To Our Sponsor! Sponsors are special to our podcast because it is through their contribution that we can continue to create and curate this podcast, resources and information free for our listeners. Shout out to this episode's sponsor~ LOME Lome is a digital family organizer that provides magical features to help you mange the chaos. It offers: An incredibly flexible planner that enables you and your family to establish healthy rhythms and communication Magic Import - overwhelmed from endless school and activity emails? Just send these to Lome and it will automatically extract the relevant events and add them to your calendar. Daily Agenda text - get a group text with your spouse that highlights the key events and reminders for the day Simple Meal Planner Chore Charts Routine Trackers - kids can walk through bedtime or morning routines in "Gameboard Mode" Voting - invite the family to decide whats for dinner, (or who would win - dad vs bear?) And of course Calendar integrations: sync Lome with your existing calendars Alongside all these features, Lome offers practical inspiration for healthy household rhythms: A curated bank of ideas for shared fun activities, meaningful conversation topics, healthy habits and routines, and intentional downtime time together. Access this via any browser or just text Lome “convo” or “fun” for instant ideas when you’re feeling uninspired. Lome also partners with experienced experts and families like yours to highlight compelling household routines that real families actually use. Ideas from these creators are featured in the Inspiration Bank and also accessible via a public author profile pages. (You can find Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids HERE ) Lome was built by Dads for families like yours. For a limited time, sign up for Lome and secure a forever FREE account. Head to withlome.com/planner to learn more and sign up See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Landmark Study: Parents Want Independent Meaningful Learning What do parents want in their child’s learning experiences? Self-Directed Education: Landmark Research on Family and Student Interests and Needs, the first US national study of its kind, provides key insight into what parents want, suggesting that millions are open to and desire expanding ways of learning. In fact, this study shows that nearly 19 million families are searching for a better learning experience for their children. More than ever, families across the nation are open to exploring alternatives to their current choice in education. We Are Born To Learn~ Self Directed Education Mosaic is a global digital platform and community that supports independent, meaningful learning. Th goal of Mosaic is to empower individuals, families and communities through shared resources, thought leadership, and relationships. One of the recent resources that Mosaic launched was a large national study that delved into what parents want in their child's learning experiences. The answer was overwhelming. The biggest interest was in Self Directed Education Parents are looking for their kids to be more actively engaged in the learning process. In this episode I speak with Bonnie Benjamin-Phariss, the Interim Executive Director of Mosaic and Bill Vesneski, Head Researcher on the study. We explore: The research What parents want and what parents don't want Why a study like this is so needed How it means to be actively engaged in the learning process The top goals that parents share or want to see If you would like to learn more about the study, go to weareborntolearn.org The National Survey On Self Direction Executive Summary can be found HERE. Resources​ If you would like additional resources and information on Self Directed Education, then check out Dr. Peter Gray and Dr. Gina Riley. Dr. Gray and Dr. Riley have worked together to survey, research and write about self directed education and unschooling. The Journal Of Unschooling and Alternative Learning Unschooling: Exploring Learning Beyond The Classroom is the first academic publication on Unschooling. Connect with community and join us on Patreon! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will Unschooling leave my kids unprepared for the adult world? This is a question or fear that weighs on the minds of parents that are considering unschooling or are even possibly already involved in living an unschooled life.Parents always want the best for their kids. They want the most for their kids and the thought that our choices will cause detriment to their futures can be a heavy burden to carry. But this is a question that I have also heard from parents sending their kids to school! Will sending my children to school in this fast changing world leave them unprepared for the adulthood? So in this episode I tackle this question from the perspective of~ What do our children really need in order to be prepared for adulthood? If they are to be successful in their careers, in the job world and as human beings, what is required? What Do They Need To Be Prepared For Adulthood? When I define the term "unschooling" or answer questions about it, I usually base it on definitions around how it applies to learning within a framework of school defined learning and work produced from it. A definition I usually refer to is that unschooling is the learner choosing the how, what, where and when of their own learning. And the why is their own. But this definition misses a big part of what unschooling is based on. (And the detailed, more involved explanation) Unschooling is so much more than how it can be or cannot be like school style learning. Unschooling is based on a foundation of trust and safety. It is based on supporting and helping to build the capacity to work on some of our most complex problems~Relationships. Relationships with others and with ourselves. Unschooling is creating an environment where the learner feels part of a positive relationship where they feel safe to explore, be curious, ask questions, try new things, make mistakes, backtrack and pivot. It is working within a framework that allows space and time to practice competence in something that is meaningful to the learning, even if that thing may not be as meaningful to the parent. As I was reading about the skills, knowledge and competencies that our world requires and will continue to require I see a common thread. The work force, employers and industry are seeing a lack of skills from young people. These skills are not math facts or essay writing. They are not dates in history or or other hard knowledge. They are what many term the 'soft" skills that are not as easily quantifiable for data like grades and scores can be. Skills and Social Emotional Learning 79% of employers say social-emotional skills are the most important qualities for job success. Employers are citing skills such as adaptability, collaboration, independence, life skills and self regulation as needed. And it's not just employers that require these skills for the job. These social-emotional skills are important to just begin navigating the job market and prepare for work that did not exist even a few years ago! Here is an enlightening conclusion to another study: There was a mismatch between the education sector's perception of skills demand and that of the work sector. What does that mean? "While the education sector believes that it prepares students well for the labor market by focusing on basic cognitive and technical skills development, the study find that employers have a different view of the most important skills for labor market success and where the principle gaps are." What Can We Do As Unschoolers And Self Directed Learners? I know our concern can be focused on our children missing out if we don't get them to memorize their multiplication tables by a certain age or have every sign of the periodic table under their belt. Or be able to blast off an essay on the merits of - you fill in the blanks-. But a lot of what we can do to help them be prepared for the adult world is love them for who they are. Not what they are producing. The measure of your parent worth is not on your children's grades or the awards that they receive. Support your kids in experiencing life and demonstrating compassion. Be part of community. Allow them to volunteer, work and gain a wider perspective of the world. Build your positive relationships Engage in not just discussion but also active listening with your kids Listen to who they are and what they represent. What are they proud of? What are some things that they love about themselves? Share in the joys of others Have conversations about key social situations. In what ways can they ask for help? Or show gratitude? Help connect our older children with mentors, professionals or organizations Create a soft framework or rhythms in your home. Rhythms that create connection and allow our kids to feel capable on their own. Let our children know that what they do and say is valuable Resources Studies Referenced on Social Emotional Learning Employer Voices, Employer Demands, and Implications for Public Skills Development Policy Connecting the Labor and Education Sectors The Economic Value Of Social and Emotional Learning https://www.cfchildren.org/what-is-social-emotional-learning/work/ Podcast Episodes: Skills Homeschoolers Need For The Future The Right Side Of Normal And Honouring Our Individual Learners with Cindy Gaddis Social Emotional Learning with Dr. Lorea Martinez Learning, Partnering and Parenting With Teens with Lainie Liberti Direct Homeschool Support and Community Homeschool Coaching Support Join Our CommunitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.