Homeschooling IRL

A special replay!  We all have those people in our lives who prove to be a challenge to love: a grumpy toddler, a brooding teen, an irritable spouse, a controlling parent. How do we love them in spite of their unloveliness? What does the gospel tell us about our own unloveliness, and God's love for us? Tun in to this episode of Homeschooling in Real Life for a touching and deeply meaningful conversation about loving the unlovable. 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: Unlovable by The Smiths - 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.

Are you a homeschooling mom who needs to work? Are you contemplating a job alongside homeschooling? Join us for this episode of Homeschooling in Real Life as we talk with Jimmie Lanley, a mom who found the need to be employed but also wanted to continue educating her daughter at home with excellence. Jimmie is straight-forward and encouraging as she shares her experience and wisdom with our listeners. SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: JimmieLanley.com 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: The Hustle - Van McCoy (Buy it on iTunes here)    Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Overcomer Movie Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey. Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box-office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson. Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you? Click here to learn more!  

Author Kristen Hatton joins us for an important discussion that encompasses the world our teen girls are growing up in. From eating disorders to the impact of social media on a young woman's self image, Kristen's latest book, Facetime: Your Identity in a Selfie World, is a significant guide to pointing our teenaged daughters to Christ to find their acceptance and worth. Raising daughters? This episode is just for you.   SHOW NOTES: KristenHatton.com Facetime - Your Identity in a Selfie World Sandy Cove Family Camp - Homeschool Week 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 used Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Overcomer Movie Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey. Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box-office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson. Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you? Click here to learn more!   LISTEN HERE Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

During a recent homeschooling convention where we were speaking, an older gentleman approached the Homeschooling in Real Life booth and asked what we might know about grandparents who homeschool. He was planning to help his daughter homeschool her children, and he was there to gather information. The topic of grandparents who homeschool is an exciting one! The possibilities for how a grandparent might help out in the homeschool setting are endless, and the opportunities for discipleship are indeed beautiful.  We're joined by "vintage" homeschool mom Felice Gerwitz of the Vintage Homeschool Moms podcast as we discuss the ways in which grandparents can contribute to the education of their grandchildren.    SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: Vintage Homeschool Moms Media Angels 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: Grandma's Hands by Keb Mo - Buy It Here on ITunes Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Overcomer Movie Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey. Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box-office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson. Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you? Click here to learn more!

We have big dreams when we begin parenting: how many children we'll have, what we'll do together, how our relationship will be when they are adults. It doesn't take long for us to realize that we're not in control of who or how our children are, and soon we can find ourselves disappointed that we didn't have a child like X, Y, and Z.  How do we respond when we finally acknowledge that we are disappointed? How does the gospel inform our choices, our conversations, and our relationship to our kids? Listen in as Fletch and Kendra discuss The Disappointed Parent. SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: None mentioned in the 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: You Can't Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones - Buy It Here on ITunes Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Overcomer Movie Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey. Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box-office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson. Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you? Click here to learn more!

Homeschooling is a choice born out of the freedom to choose what we feel to be the best educational option for our children. It should follow, then that if a family who has made the choice to homeschool then decides to put a child into a traditional school setting, fellow homeschoolers will support that freedom to choose, too. Unfortunately, that's not the reaction many receive when they announce they'll be returning to school. Instead of encouragement and reassurance, they often receive condemnation from the homeschool community. What's a homeschooler to do? And what is the Biblical, grace-filled, gospel-centered response as both the homeschooling parent returning kids to a classroom and the homeschooling friend looking on? 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: Judge Not - Bob Marley (Buy it here on iTunes)   Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Bridgeway Academy! Bridgeway Academy was founded in 1989 in response to the need for more freedom in education as well as the protection that accreditation offers for homeschooling families. Since then, more than 30,000 K–12 students, and many charter and brick-and-mortar schools, have made Bridgeway Academy their trusted education partner. As part of our commitment to personalized homeschooling, we are proud to offer both secular and Christian options for homeschool families, charter schools, state organizations, co-ops, athletic organizations, arts schools, and others who seek flexible education options for their families. Click here to learn more!   LISTEN HERE Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

Apps! Mobile phones! iPads! Technology! It all moves so fast and changes seemingly overnight. How do we keep up with what our kids are asking to use or are being exposed to, even if we are trying to keep it all in balance? Join us on this highly informative episode of Homeschooling in Real Life as we welcome author and speaker Leah Nieman to discuss five apps every parent should know about right now. It's an up-to-the-minute conversation, but even if you're listening months or even years from its publication, you'll be able to glean from the discussion about how to handle all of the emerging technology in our über fast-paced world. SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: Leah Nieman can be found here: Leah Nieman View her informative video, Apps All Parents Should Know Apps All Parents Should Know eBook  View the Tech Talk Conversation Cards video Tech Talk Conversation Cards Leah's Dating Apps series Sign up for Leah's weekly Tech News for Parents Newsletter. Get her Family Digital Media Agreement Free! 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.   Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Bridgeway Academy! Bridgeway Academy was founded in 1989 in response to the need for more freedom in education as well as the protection that accreditation offers for homeschooling families. Since then, more than 30,000 K–12 students, and many charter and brick-and-mortar schools, have made Bridgeway Academy their trusted education partner. As part of our commitment to personalized homeschooling, we are proud to offer both secular and Christian options for homeschool families, charter schools, state organizations, co-ops, athletic organizations, arts schools, and others who seek flexible education options for their families. Click here to learn more!

It's that time of year again - graduation is upon us and college is looming into the future.  In this replay of the Best of Homeschooling IRL, listen in as Fletch and Kendra interview Jean Burke of College Prep Genius with tips for affording college. ---- When our students hope to go to college, the perennial question remains: how in the world will they pay for it? We decided to return to the topic of affording college with College Prep Genius Jean Burk because we know she has valuable information to share. We think you'll be encouraged and feel equipped as you help your college-bound student get the education they are pursuing!   SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: College Prep Genius 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 ADVERTISERS/SPONSORS: LISTEN HERE Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

This week on this replay episode of Homeschooling IRL:  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.   EPISODE TIMELINE :50 Fluff - LOST, Father's Day, Publishing, Summer Vacation 7:25 Homeschooling Multiple Ages, Part 1 18:16 - Homeschooling Multiple Ages, Part 2 33:35 The show is over. Goodbye! 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 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. * Subscribe to the HomeschoolingIRL website and you will be notified when every new episode is released. Follow this link and begin your FREE SUBSCRIPTION. LISTEN HERE Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below. Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -TimeforLearning.

This week on Special Edition - Homeschooling IRL - Enjoy this episode replay sponsored by Christian Standard Bible!  Mid-January. Harumph. Are you feeling the mid-year slump in your homeschool, too?  In this episode of Homeschooling in Real Life, Fletch and Kendra talk about how the mid-year slump affects their homeschooling and give several practical ways in which you can beat the mid-year slump, too. SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: Lost and Found, by Kendra Fletcher Key Life Ministries with Steve Brown Interview with Key Life 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: The Worst Is Yet To Come, Keb' Mo - Buy it here on iTunes Music clips used on this episode: None Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor - Christian Standard Bible The Christian Standard Bible captures the Bible’s original meaning without compromising clarity. An optimal blend of accuracy and readability, this translation helps readers make a deeper connection with God’s Word and inspires lifelong discipleship. The CSB is for everyone—for readers young and old, new and seasoned. It’s a Bible pastors can preach from and a Bible you can share with your neighbor hearing God’s Word for the very first time. Find out more here!

This week on Special Edition - Homeschooling IRL - Enjoy this episode replay sponsored by Christian Standard Bible!    Join us as we welcome pastor, homeschool father, and family devotions author, Marty Machowski. We talk with Marty about family devotions and why we need to encourage each other as families to gather together around the Word of God.  These are wonderful books for families just like yours. They are easy to use, with ideas that are easy to grasp, and they teach to a level that will engage everyone in the entire family. Marty's books have been a hit in our family and we are sure they will be with yours as well. Join us and be inspired and encouraged for family devotions in your home. SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: Marty Machowski Theology For Kids New Growth Press 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: The Love of God - MercyMe - Purchase it Here Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor - Christian Standard Bible The Christian Standard Bible captures the Bible’s original meaning without compromising clarity. An optimal blend of accuracy and readability, this translation helps readers make a deeper connection with God’s Word and inspires lifelong discipleship. The CSB is for everyone—for readers young and old, new and seasoned. It’s a Bible pastors can preach from and a Bible you can share with your neighbor hearing God’s Word for the very first time. Find out more here!

This week on Special Edition - Homeschooling IRL - Enjoy this episode replay sponsored by Christian Standard Bible!  We are talking about Family Devotions for the Real Family on this podcast. You know REAL family devotions. The families with the toddler hijacking the deep discussion, and the teens are daydreaming, and mom is falling asleep because it's been a long, long homeschooling day. Can you relate to family worship that looks like this? Family worship can be trying for most families, and on this episode of Homeschooling in Real Life, we talk with a dozen dads about what it looks like in their homes. But we won't leave you feeling like a failure! We want to encourage you to discover God's glory with your family in a way that suits you best. Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor - Christian Standard Bible The Christian Standard Bible captures the Bible’s original meaning without compromising clarity. An optimal blend of accuracy and readability, this translation helps readers make a deeper connection with God’s Word and inspires lifelong discipleship. The CSB is for everyone—for readers young and old, new and seasoned. It’s a Bible pastors can preach from and a Bible you can share with your neighbor hearing God’s Word for the very first time. Find out more here!

"Out of Retirement" Update from Homeschooling in Real Life: Leaving Legalism Hey there, HIRLers! We’ve missed you all so much that we decided to come back for one more episode. We’re celebrating the Ultimate Homeschool Network’s 5th anniversary and catching you up on good ol’ Homeschooling in Real Life stuff. It’s fun frivolity and all the fluff you’ve come to expect. Happy homeschooling! Find more Homeschooling in Real Life episodes here Discussing the topics that you might not find covered at your local homeschooling convention, veteran homeschooling parents and bloggers, Andy and Kendra Fletcher, use humor and honesty to pull the veil back on Christian homeschooling.  “Andy and Kendra Fletcher bring a healthy dose of reality to the Christian homeschooling community. They share their personal successes and failures with humor and humility. I look forward to every episode” – John Wilkerson, The Wired Homeschool These witty podcasters like to poke sticks at the conventional and with heaps of grace they will confront a few of the sacred cows that Christian homeschoolers like to worship. Their love for the Gospel will remind their listeners on every episode of the freedom that Christ pours out in generous amounts. Grace Wins! “Love Love Kendra and Fletch! They are such a down-to-earth couple that love the Lord. Their podcast definitely reflects it’s name – Homeschooling in real life. Very Real! Very Encouraging! And Very Funny!” – Teriann, iTunes Review

We home educators spend a lot of time educating our kids. But what about us? Are we taking the time to learn more, discover more, and be curious? This episode of Homeschooling in Real Life is dedicated to you, the homeschooling parent. We want to see you grow and thrive in your role as parent educator, and to that end we're talking about the reasons to educate yourself as well as the how-to. Let's get learning!   SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: Hoopla - Library digital borrowing Khan Academy - Free education Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks The Well-Educated Mind, Susan Wise Bauer MIT Open Courseware 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: Episode 91 - Is Me Time Necessary? Music clips used on this episode: School Boy Heart by Jimmy Buffett - Buy it here on iTunes Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor - Change is in the Air Movie This story embraces the imperfections that make us human, offers a way to set ourselves free and asks us all to take a good, long look at the wild birds in the sky. Watch the trailer here!

Our listeners love when we podcast about the process of raising children into adulthood. But every time we talk about raising kids or the transitions into teen years or launching our adolescents out into the world, we are asked constantly for resources. On this episode we introduce our listeners to one of our favorite new resources for young men. Our old friend, Barrett Johnson from I.N.F.O. for Families, is releasing a new book called The Young Man's Guide to Awesomeness and we love what he has put together. This is a special episode because both Fletch and Barrett were home alone for the recording. Join in as the two guys get on the microphones without their wives for a discussion about how to walk into awkward conversations with young men and encourage them how to guard their hearts, get the girl, and save the world! 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   Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor - Change is in the Air Movie This story embraces the imperfections that make us human, offers a way to set ourselves free and asks us all to take a good, long look at the wild birds in the sky. Watch the trailer here!