The Homeschool Solutions Show

I don't know about your kids, but mine love to bake. There is something about getting in the kitchen and making a mess while making something yummy that appeals. This summer I had the pleasure of meeting Tiffany Dahle who has a brand new baking book out for kids. My favorite thing about it (other than the gorgeous photos)? It makes things easy. It is written in clear, kid-friendly language. I could totally hand this over to my kids and they will actually learn to bake all the things. On this episode of the podcast Tiffany and I chat about the book, but also many of the benefits of baking with kids. You also get to hear Tiffany's story of how she came unexpectedly to homeschooling and what it is meaning to her family. For links and more info: https://pambarnhill.com/cooking-with-kids/

How many times have you heard the phrase that kids just can't stick to an instrument long enough? Or that kids like to explore music but don't like to commit to anyone instrument? As a music teacher, I hear this complaint all the time. I hear it from parents and I hear it from other music teachers. They just say things like "Oh well, the child quit again! They have a short attention span, that's just how it is". But I'm here to tell you "No – that's not how it is"! It shouldn't be that way. It's a fallacy that kids can't persevere with music or that they can't stick to an instrument long enough. Absolutely not true. Listen or read more at https://www.gentleguitar.com/parent-role-in-music-education/

Andrew Stanley was homeschooled through eighth grade and gets it. He knows homeschooling makes the fodder for some funny jokes. Join me and Andrew on this episode of the podcast as we chat about how a finance major ended up as a standup comedian, if his years as a homeschooler somehow uniquely prepared him for his current profession, and other things he might not want his mother to know (as if she doesn't already).

So you've been doing Morning Time in your home and that now your kids are getting a little bit older, you're wondering should I still be doing Morning Time? Can I still be do Morning Time and how is that going to work? Maybe you've been doing Morning Time for quite a while and now some of your kids are starting to get a little bit older. They might even become a little reluctant to keep participating in Morning Time. Listen or read more at https://pambarnhill.com/morning-basket-with-older-kids/

Morning baskets are something that have been taking the homeschool world by storm. Everywhere you look there they are. So you might be wondering what is this morning basket thing and do I want to do one? Morning basket is just another name for a practice that has been going on in homeschool circles for over 30 years now. Simply, it's a time in the day when everyone in the family can come together and learn together about specific subjects and morning basket is just one of the names for it. Listen or read more at https://pambarnhill.com/homeschool-morning-basket/

Today on the podcast I am joined by Amy Sloan from humilityanddoxology.com and mom of five kids ages 4 to 14. For about the past five years Amy has made memory work a central part of her homeschool day. In this episode Amy and I discuss how to be consistent with memory work, how you find great pieces to memorize, and practical ways you can make this happen in your home. We also chat about the debate between memorizing facts versus spending your time memorizing other worthy passages, how to make it work for multiple ages, and even how to deal with attitudes if they arise. It's a fun episode! Check out the show notes at pambarnhill.com/hs179

Congratulations on making the decision to homeschool! Homeschooling has many benefits, and it is a decision that you will not regret. When it comes to how to homeschool, one thing you may be nervous about is how to tell others you're homeschooling. Telling friends and family may leave you concerned about possible negative feedback. Sharing the news with others also cements your decision; it makes it more real, and the thought of that may be scary. Listen or read more at https://www.findingjoyinthejourney.net/tell-others-youre-homeschooling/

Steve Demme has believed in homeschooling since before he had kids of his own. This former math teacher and pastor joined the fight of the homeschooling movement early, helping to lobby and shape legislation that gives us the homeschool freedoms we have today. Along the way, he and his wife homeschooled their own kids, he write a math curriculum, and became the funny, favorite math teacher of a generation of homeschool kids. He is on the podcast today to tell the story of the early days of the homeschooling movement, the fight to become legal, and the journey so far.

Deciding to homeschool was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make as a parent. I remember being so torn with emotions, worrying we were doing the right thing. I know now it was the best choice for my son. It's what worked for our family then and we just kept going. It's hard to believe, but we just graduated our oldest and he's off to college! My youngest is heading into 7th grade this year, and we're busy putting off the start of school as long as we can. All summer I've been cleaning out old notebooks, curriculum, and all sorts of homeschool clutter that reminds me of our first years on this journey. Listen or read more at https://www.adriennebolton.com/blog/2017/08/survive-first-year-homeschooling.html

The final interview in the Ultimate Guide to Homeschool Methods is with a super-special friend of mine, Brandy Vencel. I am not (currently) a Charlotte Mason homeschooler, but sitting at the feet of Brandy keeps inching me more and more in that direction I think. I just love chatting with her about Charlotte Mason. Brandy, who has used Ambleside Online since her oldest was in first grade, is on the Ambleside Online Auxiliary Board. She also provides excellent Charlotte Mason support on her blog Afterthoughts. Find the show notes for this episode at: https://pambarnhill.com/charlottemason