The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast
About
This is the best podcast for homeschooling moms who need encouragement! Our goal is to help you smile more! Whether you are a new homeschooler or a veteran, we are positive you will feel encouraged!
Episodes
- Episode 403 - Homeschool Moms Are Changing Lives
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast focuses on encouraging homeschool mothers. It highlights the significant and lasting impact homeschool moms have on their children's lives.
- Episode 402 – Planner Moms, Relaxed Moms, and Everyone In Between
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast explores four homeschool personalities and various homeschooling approaches, including planner and relaxed homeschoolers. It discusses different scenarios to demonstrate how personalities sh…
- Episode 401 – Parenting Adult Children (Even If Yours Are Still Young)
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast focuses on parenting adult children. The discussion covers the transition from parenting young children to letting go as they mature, including the challenges of parenting older children and…
- Episode 400 – Celebrating 400 Episodes of Encouraging Homeschoolers to Smile
The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast celebrates its 400th episode. The hosts reflect on the podcast's origins, memorable guests, and their mission to encourage homeschooling families.
- Episode 399 - How to Stay Motivated at the End of the School Year
The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast discusses how to maintain motivation at the end of the school year. The episode addresses common homeschooling concerns as the academic year winds down.
- Episode 398 - Juggling It All & Getting Kids to Care
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast addresses the challenges of homeschooling, including juggling multiple responsibilities and motivating children aged 10-12 in their learning. It offers encouragement and practical advice for…
- Episode 397 - Shaping Your Homeschool Approach
Katherine Petgen, a homeschool mom and graduate, joins the podcast to share her experiences and insights on homeschooling. The discussion covers how homeschooling shapes life, identifying homeschool personality types, and deciding when to…
- Episode 396 - Encouragement Every Homeschool Family Needs to Hear - With David and Shirley Quine
On this episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast, David and Shirley Quine from Cornerstone Curriculum share their homeschooling wisdom. The conversation focuses on encouragement for homeschool families.
- Episode 395 – Recharging Your Homeschool Mom Batteries - With Brandee Gillham
Brandee Gillham from the Colorado State Homeschool Organization joins The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast to discuss homeschool conventions. She shares her experiences and tips for homeschooling mothers, including advice for Type A personalit…
- Episode 394 - The Power of Books and Audiobooks in Homeschooling - With Jim Hodges
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast features a conversation with audiobook reader Jim Hodges. They discuss the role of books and audiobooks in homeschooling, emphasizing the importance of imagination and family-friendly conten…
- Episode 393 – Homeschooling Through Difficult Seasons – A Life Update with Rissa Wilson
On this episode of The Smiling Homeschooler, Rissa Wilson joins Ben to discuss homeschooling through difficult seasons. They talk about adapting expectations and finding grace during challenging times, offering encouragement that tough sea…
- Episode 392 - Homeschooling Without Support
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast addresses the challenges of homeschooling without external support. It explores how to handle criticism and maintain confidence in the decision to homeschool.
- Episode 391 - Help! Am I Qualified to Homeschool High School?
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast discusses common concerns parents have about homeschooling high school, including qualifications and social opportunities. It explores the origins of these fears and whether they are justifi…
- Episode 390 - Home Is Where They Belong - A Conversation With Gena Suarez and Deborah Wuehler
Gena Suarez and Deborah Wuehler of The Old Schoolhouse join the podcast to discuss the benefits of homeschooling. They talk about homeschooling as an act of discipleship and the positive outcomes for children.
- Episode 389 - When Life Gets in the Way of Finishing the Curriculum
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler discusses the common homeschooling challenge of balancing curriculum completion with real-life opportunities. The hosts address feelings of pressure and stress among homeschooling parents regarding…
- Episode 388 - Balancing It All: Homeschool, Work, Church, and Family Time
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler discusses how to balance various commitments such as homeschooling, work, church, and family time. It offers encouragement on managing busyness, prioritizing, and protecting family time.
- Episode 387 - Is All This Arguing and Bickering Normal?
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast explores the common issue of arguing and bickering within homeschooling families. It aims to provide encouragement and perspective on this challenge, which many parents identify as a signifi…
- Episode 386 - Resetting Your Homeschool Mindset for the New Year
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast focuses on resetting a homeschool mindset for the new year. Topics include changing routines, simplifying, and addressing listener questions. The hosts also share listener highlights and fut…
- Episode 385 - You Don’t Have to Do It All: Letting Go of Homeschooling Pressure
This episode from The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast discusses how homeschooling parents can let go of the pressure to cover every subject, helping them to feel more at ease with their homeschooling journey.
- Episode 384 - The Moments Our Kids Will Remember
The Smiling Homeschooler podcast discusses the types of memories children retain, emphasizing the importance of relationship, presence, and togetherness in everyday moments. The episode aims to encourage parents who worry about difficult s…
- Episode 383 - When Friendship Is Hard (For Moms and Kids)
The Smiling Homeschooler podcast discusses the difficulties of friendship for moms and kids, prompted by a listener's struggle. It explores why friendships can be harder than expected and what parents can control in helping to build relati…
- Episode 382 - Simple Ways to Encourage a Mom This Christmas
This episode discusses practical ways to encourage homeschooling mothers during Christmas. It also covers meaningful gift ideas for husbands and other homeschooling moms. The episode acknowledges the potential for overwhelm during Christma…
- Episode 381 - Breaking Free From the Lies of Fear
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast addresses fears that homeschooling mothers experience, such as not measuring up or failing their children. It explores how these fears affect decision-making and discusses replacing them wit…
- Episode 380 - Guarding Their Hearts: What Should Our Kids Watch? - With Sam Wilson
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast explores media discernment for homeschooling families, focusing on content choices for children. It features an interview with Sam Wilson, lead animator for The Wingfeather Saga, who discuss…
- Episode 379 - The Lessons That Stick Aren't From a Textbook
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast features Todd discussing the joys and challenges of homeschool basketball season and encouraging parents to celebrate memories made with their children. He also explores the concept of elect…
- Episode 378 - Homeschooling During a Hard Season of Life - With Rissa Wilson
Rissa Wilson joins this episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast. She shares her experiences homeschooling during a difficult time and offers encouragement. The episode aims to support listeners who are going through similar challenges.
- Episode 377 - Making Math Less Miserable
This episode explores making math more enjoyable for homeschoolers. It covers what truly matters in math education and how it applies to daily life.
- Episode 376 - Investing in Family: Why Vacations and Breaks Matter
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast discusses the value of family vacations and breaks as investments in family relationships and memories. The hosts also share thoughts on taking breaks during the homeschooling year.
- Episode 375 - The Reward of Investing Time in Your Children - With Renee Miller
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast features Renee Miller, founder of Miller Pad and Paper. She discusses the rewards of investing time in children and the positive outcomes of homeschooling.
- Episode 374 - Surviving Spelling and English Without Losing Your Mind
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast discusses strategies for homeschooling families to approach spelling and English studies without stress. It covers common hurdles families face with these subjects.
- Episode 373 - Hard Days Happen: You’re Not Alone
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast revisits the topic of difficult days in homeschooling and parenting. The discussion aims to encourage homeschooling mothers who experience overwhelming moments.
- Episode 372 - Does Science Have to Be So... Scientific?
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast explores alternative approaches to science education in homeschooling. It suggests prioritizing a love of discovery and curiosity over memorizing technical details and vocabulary. The discus…
- Episode 371 – The Smiling Homeschooler’s Guide to Teaching Literature
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast explores teaching literature in a homeschool setting. The discussion focuses on the purpose of teaching literature, how much is sufficient, and ways to foster a love for reading without stre…
- Episode 370 - Education or Indoctrination? - Rethinking the College Choice
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast explores the choice of college after high school. It discusses the potential risks and challenges of college, as well as alternative educational paths.
- Episode 369 - Does Learning Have to Be Fun to Be Effective?
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast discusses if learning needs to be fun to be effective. The hosts explore whether children can still learn deeply even during boring moments.
- Episode 368 - Our Non-Negotiables: Setting Priorities in Homeschooling
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast focuses on setting non-negotiables and priorities in homeschooling. The discussion aims to help families determine what is most important to them for the upcoming school year.
- Episode 367 - A Real Life Start to a New Homeschool Year - With Rissa Wilson
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast features Ben and Rissa Wilson discussing the start of a new homeschool year, including curriculum choices and adapting when things don't go as planned. The episode also includes a discussion…
- Episode 366 - From Curiosity to Conviction: Our Homeschooling Journey - With Dustin Garrett
Dustin Garrett, a new homeschooling dad, joins the podcast to discuss his family's homeschooling journey. Katherine Petgen also shares details about an upcoming online story writing class for homeschoolers.
- Episode 365 - Let Them Be Little: Rethinking Preschool and Kindergarten - With Ashley Wiggers
Ashley Wiggers discusses rethinking preschool and kindergarten, and the journey to reading. This episode also mentions Teaching Textbooks and Samaritan Ministries.
- Episode 364 - Back to School… But When?
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast discusses when to start the school year. The hosts also reminisce about family RV travels and the value of making memories together as a family.
- Episode 363 - Why You Can't Separate Homeschooling From Parenting
The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast discusses the connection between parenting and homeschooling. The episode explores how viewing parenting and homeschooling as one can make a difference in daily homeschool life.
- Episode 362 – Turning the Extras into Essentials – with Chad Stewart
This episode discusses incorporating extracurricular activities such as music, construction, cooking, and art into a homeschool routine. It includes an interview with former Disney animator Chad Stewart, who talks about his animation cours…
- Episode 361 - Life After Graduation: Encouragement for New Grads and Parents - With Maggie Wilson
Maggie Wilson is featured on The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast to share her experiences after graduation, including her career as a nail technician and her upcoming marriage. The episode provides encouragement for recent graduates and their…
- Episode 360 - Making Summer Memories as a Family
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast focuses on making summer memories as a family. Topics include 4H, the county fair, and the 4th of July,July. The hosts also thank their sponsors, Teaching Textbooks and Samaritan Ministries.
- Episode359 - Why Recharging and Rest Matter for You and Your Kids
The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast discusses the importance of recharging and rest for both parents and children, and explores how summer break can be structured for older kids.
- Episode 358 - What Worked (and What Didn't) This School Year - With Debbie Wilson
Debbie Wilson joins The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast to share insights on her homeschooling journey, including reflections on graduations, preferred curriculum, and plans for the upcoming year.
- Episode 357 - Durenda Wilson - Why Homeschooling Doesn't Have to Take All Day
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast features an archived interview with Durenda Wilson, who shares her insights on homeschooling and explains why it doesn't need to consume the entire day.
- Episode 356 - Signs you Might Need to Make a Change Next School Year
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast explores indicators that it might be time to adjust homeschooling plans for the next academic year. The discussion aims to provide encouragement for homeschooling families.
- Episode 355 - Ending Well: A Strong Finish to the Homeschool Year
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast focuses on concluding the homeschool year, developing a summer bucket list, and fostering a sense of value in children.
- Episode 354 - The Heart Behind Homeschooling
This episode of The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast explores the motivations behind homeschooling. The discussion includes an email from a homeschooling mother sharing her recent experience and reasons for choosing this educational path.