Homeschooling IRL

On this week’s episode of Homeschooling in Real Life, we’re answering listeners emails on a wide variety of topics. Judgmental homeschoolers? We got that. Homeschooling high school? Yep, that, too. Chances are, if you’ve had a question for Fletch and Kendra, you’ll hear the answers you’ve been waiting for. It’s fast-paced, light, sometimes serious, but always with the goal of keeping the main thing the main thing. Get Social With Us: Follow Fletch/Kendra: Fletch Twitter Kendra Twitter Follow the Studio Dogs: Betty the Surf Dog - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Rasta The Chocolate Lab - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Previous Episodes Mentioned: None Music clips used on this episode: None used LISTEN HERE Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

  Need some motivation? Encouragement? Tips? Join us for 5 Ways to Rock Your Homeschool! We originally titled this one "The Practical Episode",  and that is exactly what we're talking about. Let's go back to school with some tips that will hopefully bring you some freedom and joy this year! After 17 years of homeschooling, we've picked up a few ideas that have helped us as we've homeschooled our 8 children. We'll share those ideas with you and encourage you as you kick off the school year. Let's do this! Find our complete show notes for this episode on the HomeschoolingIRL website. Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every two weeks as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.

Back in Episode 25, we talked about launching your kid into college. During that discussion, we explained how we have chosen to launch our kids during their senior year of high school, which allows them the freedom to begin making life decisions before they even leave our home. One of our listeners wrote in and asked if we would explain what that looks like from a practical standpoint. On this episode, we talk through what launching your high schooler into life can look like when you begin that during the senior year, before they even leave your home.  What does it look like to remove curfews and provide the freedom for your children to make their own choices regarding sleep schedules, work schedules, schooling and relationships and how do you walk alongside them when those choices lead to disappointment. Music clips used on this show: "Free Fallin'" Tom Petty (Buy It Here On iTunes) “Carefree” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!  

Special Replay:  We received a message on the HomeschoolingIRL Facebook page that said, "Please, please, please do an episode on siblings fighting. Thanks!" Sibling relationships. Sibling rivalries. Siblings fighting. We put out the question to our listeners and they responded with story after story of siblings who know how to tease, fight and use sarcasm like professionals. On this episode, we dig into the topic of parenting through sibling relationships in your homeschool. Fletch and Kendra open up about their own family and share practical advice for handling those tricky, sticky moments when brothers and sisters want to be anything but best friends. We also announce our coffee contest winner and we each answer the question: "What Ben/Jerry's ice cream flavor would you create and what would you call it?" Music clips used on this show: "George Street Shuffle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Three Little Birds, Ziggy Marley (Click on link to purchase) Pick A Little/Talk A Little, The Music Man (Click on link to purchase) Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!  

On today's episode of Homeschooling In Real Life,  Martha called in to ask, "How Do I Make My Homeschool Fun?" We loved this question, so both Fletch and Kendra take a stab at answering. As you have come to expect, their answers line up perfectly with the "have to" parent and the "get to" parent.  Tune in to make your homeschool fun!   For the next few months, we will be running a "Best of" series of the Homeschooling IRL episodes. Many of these episodes were earlier episodes that you might have missed. Enjoy! Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

Are you starting your school year? We are! Let's gather around the teacher's lounge and gear up for another year of teaching our kids at home. Fletch and Kendra are starting their 19th year of homeschooling with a bang and letting you in on the fun. On this episode, they are also imparting 5 questions to ask yourself as you head back to school this year. Join us and let's get the school year rolling! SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: None Follow Fletch/Kendra: Fletch Twitter Kendra Twitter Follow the Studio Dogs: Betty the Surf Dog - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Rasta The Chocolate Lab - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Previous Episodes Mentioned: None Music clips used on this episode: What Did You Learn In School Today? by Pete Seeger - Buy It Here On iTunes LISTEN HERE Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.   Thank You to our Network Sponsor - CTC Math!

What happens when classroom teachers decide to homeschool their own children? How do they make the transition from classroom management to managing the personalities around their kitchen table?  If you are a classroom teacher considering homeschooling your own kids, you'll appreciate this episode and the conversation with former classroom teacher Jolanthe Erb, who brings ten years of homeschool experience to the discussion. We talk about issues unique to the classroom, how homeschooling is different, and why perhaps not everyone is equipped to teach every child. SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: Jolanthe Erb - Homeschool Creations Follow Fletch/Kendra: Fletch Twitter Kendra Twitter Follow the Studio Dogs: Betty the Surf Dog - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Rasta The Chocolate Lab - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Previous Episodes Mentioned: None Music clips used on this episode: Imagine by John Lennon- buy it here on iTunes Teach Your Children by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - buy it here on iTunes LISTEN HERE Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.   A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor:  Courageous Movie   From the Kendrick Brothers, creators of the No. 1 box-office movie WAR ROOM and OVERCOMER, comes the remastered re-release of COURAGEOUS Legacy, in theaters September 24. Celebrating 10 years of impact on families and fathers, this updated version of the film includes new scenes and an enhanced look and sound. Filled with action-packed drama, COURAGEOUS Legacy will once again have viewers laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children. Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous. Check out the trailer here!

How does a homeschooling parent possibly educate older kids while at the same time juggling preschoolers, toddlers, and babies? Is it even realistic to think we could do a good job while spinning so many homeschool plates? On this episode of Homeschooling in Real Life, Fletch and Kendra talk about how they've managed to homeschool 8 kids, how to structure a day so that schooling actually gets done, and how mom can survive and thrive during the demanding years of homeschooling multiple ages.     SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: Three Essential Keys to Homeschooling Multiple Ages Preschoolers and Peace Website Betty the Surf Dog - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Rasta The Chocolate Lab - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Fletch Twitter Kendra Twitter Previous Episodes Mentioned: All of them Music clips used on this episode: None LISTEN HERE Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.   A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor:  Courageous Movie   From the Kendrick Brothers, creators of the No. 1 box-office movie WAR ROOM and OVERCOMER, comes the remastered re-release of COURAGEOUS Legacy, in theaters September 24. Celebrating 10 years of impact on families and fathers, this updated version of the film includes new scenes and an enhanced look and sound. Filled with action-packed drama, COURAGEOUS Legacy will once again have viewers laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children. Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous. Check out the trailer here!

Hard times! As much as we might like it to be, life is not all ponies, rainbows, and watercolor daisies. On this episode of HomeschoolingIRL we discuss the issue of homeschooling when life gets hard. Difficulties can look different in every family - marital stress, tragedies, health challenges, financial loss - and we'll consider how each of these hardships can put unusual stress on a homeschooling family. What is our response? What should it be? Join us as we interview homeschooling mom and blogger Linda Difino, who shares her story of homeschooling through multiple hard times. For complete show notes and links to what we discussed on this episode, go to our website: HomeschoolingIRL.com For the rest of the year, we will be running a "Best of" series of the Homeschooling IRL episodes. Many of these episodes were earlier episodes that you might have missed. Enjoy!       A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor:  Show Me The Father Movie The Kendrick Brothers, creators of WAR ROOM and FIREPROOF, have some exciting news to share: they have TWO films coming to theaters this fall—SHOW ME THE FATHER on September 10 and COURAGEOUS Legacy on September 24. Featuring a variety of amazing, true stories, the Kendrick Brothers’ new feature film SHOW ME THE FATHER takes audiences on an inspiring and emotional cinematic journey. Their first documentary film has something for everyone and invites you to think differently about how you view your earthly father story and also how you personally relate to God. Check out the trailer here!  

Some of our best episodes have been created as the result of our listeners' great ideas, and this is one of those episodes! We're talking all about leaving younger siblings with older siblings in the role of babysitter: the ins and outs, the expectations, and other various aspects of that realty. We hope it sets the stage for good discussion with your own kids and allows you to successfully encourage your own in-house babysitters. SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: None Get Social With Us: Follow Fletch/Kendra: Fletch Twitter Kendra Twitter Follow the Studio Dogs: Betty the Surf Dog - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Rasta The Chocolate Lab - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Previous Episodes Mentioned: None Music clips used on this episode: None   LISTEN HERE Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.   A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor:  Show Me The Father Movie The Kendrick Brothers, creators of WAR ROOM and FIREPROOF, have some exciting news to share: they have TWO films coming to theaters this fall—SHOW ME THE FATHER on September 10 and COURAGEOUS Legacy on September 24. Featuring a variety of amazing, true stories, the Kendrick Brothers’ new feature film SHOW ME THE FATHER takes audiences on an inspiring and emotional cinematic journey. Their first documentary film has something for everyone and invites you to think differently about how you view your earthly father story and also how you personally relate to God. Check out the trailer here!  

Kimm Crandall was the perfect homeschooling mom: she had her curriculum chosen carefully, her children lined up quietly and obediently in the church pew, and her home-ground wheat bread delivered piping hot from her oven. She was doing everything "right". Still, God seemed angry with her, and she felt as if nothing she did would make Him happy with her. As she polished up the outside, she was dying slowly on the inside, bound up by her own good works and suffocating under the lack of grace within the homeschooling community she was a part of. It's an important and tender interview, peppered with humor and self-effacing realism. But the beautiful truth here is that Kimm boldly and bravely points us back to the Jesus, the only One who redeems every mess, every moment, and every bit of chaos. Visit our sponsor: Are you looking for a new Math Curriculum? CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Favorably reviewed in Cathy Duffy’s 102 Top Picks and The Old Schoolhouse Crew Review, the lessons are short and concise to help your children break down concepts and appreciate math in a whole new way! The lessons are taught the traditional way, not to a “test”. Each one of the video tutorials is taught by an internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, who is renowned for teaching math concepts in a simple, easy-to-understand way (and in only a few minutes at a time). Using a multi-sensory approach having the combination of effective graphics and animation synchronized with the voice of a friendly teacher together with p...

Special Replay Episode:  When we talk about the desperate need to get it right, Fletch is quick to say, “Oh! You mean homeschooling in the age of Pinterest?” On this episode we are talking about how to homeschool when we feel like we just don’t measure up to the other homeschool moms we know. We are joined in the studio by Kym Smythe, Sabrina Justison and Vicki Tillman, three of the sisters from 7SistersHomeschool.com and The Homeschool Highschool Podcast. We discuss how to handle the competition, comparisons and the desperate need to get it right. 7SistersHomeschool.com has a curriculum bundle of 10 resources including a Career Exploration workbook, tools for writing a personal mission statement, practical instruction for developing interview skills and more. Each piece of the bundle is in .pdf ebook format and downloads instantly to your device after purchase. The bundle is regularly priced at $13.45, but for Homeschooling In Real Life listeners your big sisters at 7SistersHomeschool.com are offering a coupon code that will knock 25% off that price; you pay just $10.08 when you use coupon code 7sistershirl. For a detailed description of all that's in the Career Exploration Bundle, check out the ebookstore at 7SistersHomeschool.com. SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: 7SistersHomeschool.com Homeschool Highschool Podcast Follow Fletch/Kendra: Fletch Twitter Kendra Twitter Follow the Studio Dogs: Betty the Surf Dog - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Rasta The Chocolate Lab - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Previous Episodes Mentioned: None Music clips used on this episode: Get It Right - Glee Cast - Purchase it Here LISTEN HERE Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below. Visit our sponsor: Are you looking for a new Math Curriculum? CTCMath specializes in providing 

What's Your New Normal?  - HIRL Episode 160 What does life look like post-pandemic? Which activities are you are eager to return to, and what will you change going forward? From changing the family schedule, to changing the pace of life, to learning how to connect through the smart use of technology, these are the questions Fletch and Kendra discuss on this week's episode of Homeschooling in Real Life. Answers will differ from person to person and family to family, but one thing remains true for every single one of us: life will never be the same again. Join us for another episode of Homeschooling In Real Life! While sheltering in place during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, Fletch and Kendra have dusted off the microphones and come out of retirement to discuss the pressing questions we are all wrestling with and encourage our listeners to avoid hope-shifting in the middle of a crisis. Need a fresh dose of encouragement? Join us! SHOW NOTES: None Recommended Resources: Homeschooling Resources for your neighbor Listen to Kendra LIVE on Zoom  Get Social With Us: Follow Fletch/Kendra: Fletch Twitter Kendra Twitter Follow the Studio Dog: Rasta The Chocolate Lab - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Previous Episodes Mentioned: None Music clips used on this episode: Boat Drinks by Jimmy Buffett - buy it here on iTunes SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW: Allow the magic of the internet to deliver Homeschooling In Real Life to your tablet or smart phone. Let us show you how easy it is: * Follow this link to our iTunes page. * IMPORTANT STEP: Under our big red HomeschoolingIRL logo, just click on View in iTunes * The iTunes program will automatically launch and take you to our podcast page. * FIRST - Click SUBSCRIBE. Voila! All or our podcasts will come directly to your computer and smart phone. * NEXT - Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. Remember the best reviews are 5-stars (hint hint!). * Thanks for being one of our listeners! HIRLers rock! WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LISTEN TO HomeschoolingIRL? * You can listen right on this page. There is an audio player below. * You can listen on your iPod, Smartphone or tablet. Open the PODCAST app on your device, search podcasts for "HomeschoolingIRL" and click subscribe. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. ADVERTISERS/SPONSORS: Kendra Fletcher, Author of Lost & Found The “right” homeschooling philosophy. The “right” brand of theology. The “right” meal-planning, home-managing, keep-it-all-together parenting.

Blessed Are The Crisis Schoolers - HIRL Episode 159 How can you support your neighbor who is suddenly learning how to school their kids at home? What does it mean to "Love Thy Neighbor" during this Covid-19 pandemic? We are three weeks into the COVID-19 global crisis and families around us are settling into new routines. For some, this "new normal" is anything but normal or routine. These families are struggling to juggle family, work and this new version of schooling their kids at home. Following up from last week's episode about homeschooling during a pandemic, Fletch and Kendra discuss three ways for you to support your neighbors who are struggling to survive through Crisis Schooling. During this pandemic, Fletch and Kendra have dusted off the microphones and come out of retirement to discuss the pressing questions we are all wrestling with and encourage our listeners to avoid hope-shifting in the middle of a crisis. Need a fresh dose of encouragement? Join us! SHOW NOTES: Episode Photo by Nina Strehl on Unsplash Recommended Resources: Homeschooling Resources for your neighbor Listen to Kendra LIVE on Zoom  Get Social With Us: Follow Fletch/Kendra: Fletch Twitter Kendra Twitter Follow the Studio Dogs: Rasta The Chocolate Lab - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Previous Episodes Mentioned: None Music clips used on this episode: Buy More Than You'll Ever Know by Watermark on Apple Music SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW: Allow the magic of the internet to deliver Homeschooling In Real Life to your tablet or smart phone. Let us show you how easy it is: * Follow this link to our iTunes page. * IMPORTANT STEP: Under our big red HomeschoolingIRL logo, just click on View in iTunes * The iTunes program will automatically launch and take you to our podcast page. * FIRST - Click SUBSCRIBE. Voila! All or our podcasts will come directly to your computer and smart phone. * NEXT - Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. Remember the best reviews are 5-stars (hint hint!). * Thanks for being one of our listeners! HIRLers rock! WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LISTEN TO HomeschoolingIRL? * You can listen right on this page. There is an audio player below. * You can listen on your iPod, Smartphone or tablet. Open the PODCAST app on your device, search podcasts for "HomeschoolingIRL" and click subscribe. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. ADVERTISERS/SPONSORS:

Hope Shifting and Covid19 - HIRL Episode 158 What does homeschooling look like in the face of a worldwide pandemic? How does sudden change affect the breadwinner in the home who is unexpectedly out of work? What happens when a homeschooling parent suddenly has everyone in the family home all day long? What do we talk about with our children? How do we balance sharing news, information, and our own fears? We’re dusting off the microphones and cranking up the volume as Fletch and Kendra discuss the pressing questions we’re all wrestling with and encourage our listeners to avoid hope-shifting in the middle of a crisis. Need a fresh dose of encouragement? Join us! SHOW NOTES: One Little Corner courtesy of Jon Troast. Turn Off the News courtesy of Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real. Recommended Resources: Redeemer Modesto Get Social With Us: Follow Fletch/Kendra: Fletch Twitter Kendra Twitter Follow the Studio Dogs: Rasta The Chocolate Lab - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Previous Episodes Mentioned: None Music clips used on this episode: Go support Jon Troast here. Really go do it. Buy Turn Off The News by tapping on the link. SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW: Allow the magic of the internet to deliver Homeschooling In Real Life to your tablet or smart phone. Let us show you how easy it is: * Follow this link to our iTunes page. * IMPORTANT STEP: Under our big red HomeschoolingIRL logo, just click on View in iTunes * The iTunes program will automatically launch and take you to our podcast page. * FIRST - Click SUBSCRIBE. Voila! All or our podcasts will come directly to your computer and smart phone. * NEXT - Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. Remember the best reviews are 5-stars (hint hint!). * Thanks for being one of our listeners! HIRLers rock! WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LISTEN TO HomeschoolingIRL? * You can listen right on this page. There is an audio player below. * You can listen on your iPod, Smartphone or tablet. Open the PODCAST app on your device, search podcasts for "HomeschoolingIRL" and click subscribe. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. ADVERTISERS/SPONSORS: Kendra Fletcher, Author of Lost & Found The “right” homeschooling philosophy. The “right” brand of theology.