Brave Writer

Today we are talking about the Brave Writer lifestyle and how it shows up in homeschooling families all around the globe. Our guests and partners in crime, Kara Anderson and Caitlin Fitzpatrick, co-host the wonderful The Homeschool Sisters podcast.“I think Brave Writer brings joy because it gives the parent permission to let school be a lifestyle, and take the school away from the education.” –Caitlin AndersonCaitlin is a school psychologist, a mother of three and calls herself an “unexpected homeschooler.”Kara never imagined herself homeschooling either, when she was working at the newspaper. She brought her passion home with her and works part-time while learning with her two favorite people on the planet.“As a writer and somebody who love books, I want my kids to love it, but I know it’s not going to work if I try to force them to love it. Brave Writer has been a perfect solution to that, and the whole lifestyle has taken that worry and anxiety and turned it into joy.” –Kara AndersonSo… what is an unexpected homeschooler?Caitlin works as a school psychologist and she is a product of public education. Her vision was that, when her kids were old enough to go to school, she would go back to work. Things don’t always go the way you envision.Caitlin and Kara both had to reassess what they knew about school and education when their kids experienced difficulties during the first few years of public education. The public classroom didn’t address their kids’ needs, so both of them decided to go on a new journey with their children.“It was a very unexpected, impulsive decision and one that I haven’t regretted for a second.” –Caitlin Fitzpatrick  Support can be a vital part of homeschooling, for both the child and the parent. The Internet makes finding that support easier than it has ever been. Kara and Caitlin have never met, but they support each other through every step of the homeschooling process.You can connect with like-minded, brave individuals online – and it can be vital for your own well-being as a homeschooling parent. Online communication can bring you together from hundreds of miles away to help each other, at any time.Kara and Caitlin are a gentle, supportive and nourishing presence in the homeschooling world. If you haven’t already, head over to TheHomeschoolSisters.net and listen to the podcast.Resources:The Homeschool Sisters: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PinterestKara Anderson: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TwitterCaitlin Fitzpatrick: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter“The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Poetry Tea Time” by Kara AndersonSimple HomeschoolVoxer - Fast, Simple, Voice & Messaging AppYou can download show notes for the podcast here: http://blog.bravewriter.com/category/podcasts/ Download Free Writing Lessons here: http://go.bravewriter.com/free-writing-lessons

Welcome to the beginning of this Brave Writer Podcast series. Today we’re talking to Rebecca Spooner, a hip homeschooler and a shining example of the Brave Writer Lifestyle. Rebecca writes about homeschooling on her blog Hip Homeschooling, and she helps others with planning their lives and launching their own blogs at RebeccaSpooner.com.Rebecca has five kids between the ages of three and nine, all of whom are homeschooled. It turns out, being homeschooled gave Rebecca unrealistic expectations for being a homeschool teacher. She came in with a plan and schedules, and then she had a massive wake-up call. Her five kids need five entirely different styles of teaching.“I had it all figured out, but it was just this massive wake-up call because all my kids have are different learning styles. Every one of them.”Rebecca’s first child is an auditory learner. She relates to that, so the teaching style is easier. Her second child is a kinesthetic learner, a more tactile learning style that involves learning by physically doing, which is almost the exact opposite. Rebecca had to learn and adapt to the differences, and becoming a Brave Writer helped her accomplish that goal.“All kids are going to learn better when it’s experiential and they can own the experience. It’s totally shaped the way that we do everything.”One of the key features of the Brave Writer Lifestyle and Enchanted Education is the family participation, and Rebecca is a champion of the lifestyle. By embracing the Brave Writer Lifestyle, Rebecca made homeschooling what she wanted it to be: an environment where her kids got to learn together, and where she got to learn because she was learning with them.“Brave Writer really did change the entire way that I approach homeschooling … it totally changed my perspective and it gave me permission to make homeschooling what I wanted it to be.”Rebecca’s main goal with her website is to show other moms real life and provide a sense of community, because she feels like everything we see out there makes us feel like a failure and makes us feel like we’re not doing enough. She shows her successes, but she also shows her failures. It’s an excellent resource for anyone interested in homeschooling or education, and she also hosts a podcast.I appreciate Rebecca taking time out of her busy day to join us today. She shows that a Brave Writer can nurture any learning style, and Hip Homeschooling provides a strong community and a great example for any current or potential homeschool teacher.Resources:Learn more about Rebecca: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TwitterHip HomeschoolingInterested in starting a blog? Rebecca can helpWatch Julie talk about The Enchanted EducationAre you a homeschooler parent? Check out The Writer’s JungleYou can download show notes for the podcast here: http://blog.bravewriter.com/category/podcasts/Download Free Writing Lessons here: http://go.bravewriter.com/free-writing-lessons

Today we welcome one of the most prolific writers of children’s fantasy and poetry, Jane Yolen! [This post contains Amazon affiliate links. When you click on those links to make purchases, Brave Writer receives compensation at no extra cost to you. Thank you!] When I began my freelance writing career, I chose the picture book […]

Today we’d like to welcome two amazing women who are on the cutting edge of children’s poetry. Janet Wong is a prolific writer of poetry and short stories for young people. Her work has received wide recognition from shows like Oprah Winfrey to awards such as the Asian Pacific American Award for Literature. She is […]

I’m excited to introduce you to my good friend (and sorority sister, ha!) Leslie Gustafson! Leslie’s worked as a marriage and family therapist for over 25 years and is a homeschooling mother of a teenage son. She regularly appears on the Fox Morning show in Denver Colorado sharing relationship advice for couples. Because so many […]

by Nancy Graham, Brave Writer Minister of Magic Hi everybody! Our summer online writing classes are filling up but there are spots left in a choice few (classes start July 5th!)— Kidswrite Basic with Deb Bell, April Hensley, or Sarah Holden my summer movie club, Magnificent Horses, and the SAT/ACT Essay class led by longtime […]

Image of Amy Ludwig VanDerwater is by Melissa Deakin It was my delight and privilege to talk with Amy Ludwig VanDerwater. Her poetry is delicious—like a strawberry smoothie or a fresh mint lemonade. She brings vowels and consonants together in ways that leave the mouth happy and satisfied. Not only that, her family lives in […]

Welcome to our first Poetry Teatime Podcast! I was honored to interview Marilyn Singer, award-winning poet and author. Marilyn and I met for the interview long distance—she, in her home in Brooklyn, and me, Julie, in a library in Cincinnati. Unfortunately the library failed us, a bit. The Internet connection was variable throughout and you […]

Johannah (26) was in town, and Noah (28) was downtown. I brought them together in my backyard for a conversation in front of our Periscope audience. They share about their experiences growing up, what they are doing today, and answer questions from parents. I am hyper and too loud and talk too fast. I was […]

After a long, dark slumber, we return! In fact, we recorded this podcast a couple months after recording the previous, Englishes, but because of complications in life, it sat forgotten and ignored on the Internet. No links, no listeners, no happiness. No more! Please join us as we tackle a topic close to my heart, […]