Homeschooling IRL

On this episode of the HomeschoolingIRL podcast, we answer a question from a listener who wants to know about switching roles. What happens when circumstances dictate that mom is the primary breadwinner. What does it look like when dads choose to stay home and do the homeschooling? Fletch and Kendra interview two homeschool dads who did just this. Listen in to Steve Wilkins and Dr. Jay Wile and hear their stories and how it worked in their families. Also on this show we dive into a discussion about reunions, high school friends, homeschool conferences and when it is okay to publicly criticize homeschool or parenting ministries that teach legalism. Tune in for a great show. SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: Dr. Jay Wile Betty the Surf Dog - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Rasta The Chocolate Lab - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website Fletch Twitter Kendra Twitter LISTEN HERE Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

On this episode of Homeschooling In Real Life, Fletch and Kendra discuss what it's like when your homeschool student abandons your family's faith and lifestyle. How can this happen in a Christian home where you have created a sheltered homeschool environment? Christian homeschooling is designed to protect our kids. Shouldn't our children turn out perfect? To answer that question, we interview a young man who has done that very thing, but here is the best part: after being raised in a rigid environment which he ultimately rejected, he is still a huge proponent of  home education and thinks his mom is one of the best teachers around! Homeschooling parents, this is an episode you won't want to miss! We may challenge you to rethink about how you listen to your kids, how to look for and complement their strengths, but mostly we will remind all of us how important it is to just point them to Jesus. We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Like Arrows! FamilyLife’s first feature film LIKE ARROWS, explores the joys and heartaches of parenting with a story that spans over 50 years. Join us in theaters across America for a special 2 night showing of LIKE ARROWS followed by exclusive after-show content with the film-makers, including celebrated faith-based film-makers Alex and Stephen Kendrick as well as FamilyLife Today’s Dennis and Barbara Rainey and Bob Lepine. You’ll leave encouraged and equipped with powerful next steps to make Christ the center of YOUR parenting. LIKE ARROWS will be in theaters for two nights only, MAY 1ST and 3RD. To view the trailer and find theater info, visit the link below. If you missed the movie in theatres be sure to check out the Digital, DVD and Blueray versions on the website, LikeArrowsMovie.com Visit here to learn more.  

Homeschool critics seem to be everywhere and some of us have had our share of uncomfortable conversations about our choice to homeschool, how we're going about it, whether or not we're qualified to teach our own kids, and even what they're learning. Learning how to answer homeschool critics, especially those who are close to us, sometimes requires us to offer a soft answer. Other times it requires us to be very direct and set firm boundaries in our conversations or interactions with our critics. Either way, we need to remind ourselves of the gospel and remember that our identity is in Christ alone. On this short episode of HomeschoolingIRL, Fletch and Kendra discuss gracious responses and remind us all that we only really have an audience of One. Tune in and enjoy this episode of Homeschooling In Real Life To Go! We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Like Arrows! FamilyLife’s first feature film LIKE ARROWS, explores the joys and heartaches of parenting with a story that spans over 50 years. Join us in theaters across America for a special 2 night showing of LIKE ARROWS followed by exclusive after-show content with the film-makers, including celebrated faith-based film-makers Alex and Stephen Kendrick as well as FamilyLife Today’s Dennis and Barbara Rainey and Bob Lepine. You’ll leave encouraged and equipped with powerful next steps to make Christ the center of YOUR parenting. LIKE ARROWS will be in theaters for two nights only, MAY 1ST and 3RD. To view the trailer and find theater info, visit the link below. If you missed the movie in theatres be sure to check out the Digital, DVD and Blueray versions on the website, LikeArrowsMovie.com Visit here to learn more.

What if someone told you that you had no right to be angry? What if you could live a life that was defined as unoffendable? What would it look like to not be offended by the things people say and do, or by the way they treat you? And what if you could smile and relax, knowing that God has covered every offense with his inexhaustible love for you? Homeschoolers, let's face it. We are quick to be offended. Whether it's outsiders who watch us and don't like our educational choices or fellow homeschoolers who challenge our methods or curriculum, we can often take offense at anyone who questions what we are doing. What would your life look like if you were unoffendable? On this episode of HomeschoolingIRL, we're talking with radio host Brant Hansen about his new book, Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better. When the gospel gets involved, it really is your best life, forever. Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!   We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, The Miracle Season! Based on the inspiring true story of West High School girl's volleyball team. After the tragic death of the school's star player Caroline "Line" Found, the remaining team players must band together under the guidance of their tough-love coach in hope of winning the state championship. Visit here to learn more.

Barrett Johnson wrote a viral sensation entitled, How to Raise a Pagan Kid in a Christian Home. Writing from his heart on a topic he was keenly aware of in the church, he never expected the speedy response he received from parents in the broader Christian community, many of whom were replying with a hearty, "Amen!" and  a social media engagement. On this popular podcast from Fletch and Kendra, they sit down to talk with Barrett and his wife Jenifer, and discuss exactly what they mean when they say, "We work so hard to shelter our kids, but we can shelter them so much that we don't equip them to have a faith that stands out in this world."   Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!   We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, The Miracle Season! Based on the inspiring true story of West High School girl's volleyball team. After the tragic death of the school's star player Caroline "Line" Found, the remaining team players must band together under the guidance of their tough-love coach in hope of winning the state championship.  Film Opens on April 6th. Visit here to learn more.

There is a quiet fight going on under the surface in homeschooling for a long time. "Let's face it. The quiet fight between women in homeschooling often comes down to pride." - Angie Tolpin We dive back into familiar waters on this episode and tackle the issue of competition and pride that we see generally among women in the church, but specifically within the walls of homeschooling. "You know there are greater possibilities of friendship and Christian fellowship in your life. And yet — despite your best intentions — there is something in the way, something holding you back from your spiritual growth with your sisters in Christ. But what is it? A silence. A distance with no name. A weapon of the enemy fashioned to drive us apart and stop us from creating the fellowship we need for our growth in Christ.  Something so subtle you might never understand it alone, much less be able to overcome it." -The Quiet Fight Between Women Fletch and Kendra sit down with author Angie Tolpin and haven an honest discussion about the reasons women have a difficult time connecting or feel as if there is an undercurrent of comparison and competition running through our relationships. Join them on this episode as they talk again about how Jesus changes our communication and frees us to stand shoulder to shoulder with each other as we seek to bring glory to God. Timeline 1:02 – Introduction 13:00 – Angie Tolpin Interview, 1 26:30 – Angie Tolpin Interview, 2 38:30 - Q and A with K and A Music clips used on this show: “Scheming Weasel” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/   Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!   The animated feature, ‘ICE DRAGON: LEGEND OF THE BLUE DAISIES,’ blooms on big screens nationwide for a two-day family-friendly Adventure. Take an amazing journey to an enchanted world that holds a secret…where hope is in a song! In select cinemas nationwide March 24 and 26 only. If you missed the live event, purchase a copy for your home library on Blue Ray, Digital or DVD. Visit  here to learn more.

Ever wonder how to give your kids a healthy love for the world and a desire to know other cultures? How about making missions an every day part of your homeschool and home life? What if you can't travel far from home but want your kids to develop a view that reaches far beyond your hometown? Join us and Sonlight Curriculum co-founder Sarita Holzmann for a lively discussion on homeschooling, reading, missionaries, biographies, a desire to love the lost, and of course, the gospel. SHOW NOTES: Sonlight Curriculum 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!   The animated feature, ‘ICE DRAGON: LEGEND OF THE BLUE DAISIES,’ blooms on big screens nationwide for a two-day family-friendly Adventure. Take an amazing journey to an enchanted world that holds a secret…where hope is in a song! In select cinemas nationwide March 24 and 26 only. If you missed the live event, purchase a copy for your home library on Blue Ray, Digital or DVD. Visit  here to learn more.    

Raising boys can be tricky business, no? And if we have a heart to see our boys really change the world with solid character, big ideas, and compassionate hearts, we can feel defeated when we see them being goofy and a little out of control as kids. That's exactly why we wanted to have a solid conversation with friend and author Heather Haupt, who has written a book about teaching our boys what it means to take the high road and be "knights" who fight for honor and protect the weak in our world. Heather has hands-on tools and plenty of encouragement to share. We love this episode! SHOW NOTES: Heather Haupt.com Knights in Training 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: Parenting Principles over Formulas with Heather Haupt - Episode 142 Music clips used on this episode: None used Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!   The animated feature, ‘ICE DRAGON: LEGEND OF THE BLUE DAISIES,’ blooms on big screens nationwide for a two-day family-friendly Adventure. Take an amazing journey to an enchanted world that holds a secret…where hope is in a song! In select cinemas nationwide March 24 and 26 only. If you missed the live event, purchase a copy for your home library on Blue Ray, Digital or DVD. Visit  here to learn more.  

Should you turn the TV on?  Yes or no? On this episode we  jump into a topic that is quick to divide families as we answer the question: Is there any redeeming value in having television in your home, or should we avoid this portal into American culture? Join along and listen as Fletch and Kendra talk openly about welcoming television back into their home and the parameters involved in their decision to navigate culture with a television. This is an episode that is sure to get you thinking and talking. 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: None Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!   The animated feature, ‘ICE DRAGON: LEGEND OF THE BLUE DAISIES,’ blooms on big screens nationwide for a two-day family-friendly Adventure. Take an amazing journey to an enchanted world that holds a secret…where hope is in a song! In select cinemas nationwide March 24 and 26 only. If you missed the live event, purchase a copy for your home library on Blue Ray, Digital or DVD. Visit  here to learn more.

This is our second stab at the topic of homeschool burnout. Back in Episode 39, we interviewed four homeschool moms and discussed the topic: I Love Homeschooling, But I'm Totally Burned Out.  On that episode we verified that homeschooling moms burn out often and regularly. Our listener Anna, wrote in and asked if we would expand the topic a little more. "I'm just having a really hard time figuring out how to carve out some (consistent) space in our life for me to recharge my batteries, and I'd love to know how other moms manage to do that."  Anna, this episode is just for you! We decided to hit this topic alone. We are not strangers to burnout. In fact, we are in the middle of our own homeschool/homeschooling/homeschoolers burnout as we sat down to record this show. Our listeners get a front row seat as we discuss honestly how we are choosing to work through our own burnout. Tune in as we offer practical advice to both mom and dad as we answer the question about how to deal with homeschool burnout. Timeline 1:53– Introduction 8:00 - Letter #1 - Jennifer, Binge Listener/Fluff Lover 10:37 - Letter #2 - Heather, Hope Shifting 16:00 – Homeschool Burnout - Segment 1/Practical Response 31:58 - Homeschool Burnout - Segment 2/"Me" Time 41:30 - Homeschool Burnout - Segment 3/Fletcher Burnout Music clips used on this show: "Slow Down'" Keb' Mo' (Buy It Here On iTunes)   Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!   We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new DVD release, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas! Visit  here to learn more.  

Tragedy. In terms of media and social media, tragedy has become a staple of our daily diet. The world seems to be going crazy and the news is full of stories that are difficult for kids to process and understand. How do we talk to our children about race issues, murder, terrorism, and other tragic current events?  On this episode, we dive right into modern events and take on the headlines of the day. We discuss ages and appropriateness of content and conversation, how to address our children's fears, and of course how to bring the gospel into every conversation.   Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!   We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new DVD release, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas! Visit  here to learn more.

When Cindy West reached out to us and asked to talk about something she's seeing in the homeschool community at large, we jumped at the opportunity. And it's this: Some homeschoolers feel they must adhere so closely to a particular homeschool philosophy that they have lost all their homeschool joy. Essentially, their homeschools are owning them. So what's the remedy? Tune in to "When Your Homeschool Owns You" to find out! SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: Cindy West can be found here: Our Journey Westward. 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, Veritas Press! We'd like to thank our sponsor, Veritas Press and their app, The Phonics Museum! The Phonics Museum is the only complete reading app that will teach your child to read in record speed. Taking a “tools of learning” approach, the app helps establish a strong foundation of reading for children through a complete commitment to a phonics approach. Vintage Homeschool Moms is excited to be able to offer you the chance to try The Phonics Museum for two weeks FREE. To redeem this exclusive offer, click here to get your first two weeks free! LISTEN HERE Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

Does Santa have any place in the celebration of Christmas? If you listen to some homeschoolers talk about it, event the mention of Santa Claus associated with Christmas will land you in the "loner's corner" of your co-op. Yet, others celebrate good ol' jolly Santa Claus right next to the baby Jesus. There is also a third category of homeschoolers (like Fletch) who enjoy stirring the pot and cracking off remarks like: "You know...if you rearrange the letters in Santa...it spells S-A-T-A-N." Fletch can be cheeky that way! Where does that leave us? Should we allow Santa to have a seat at the Christmas table or should he and Rudolph be hidden high up on the shelf with that pesky elf? With sleighbells ringing and all the yuletide they can muster, Fletch and Kendra sit down for an open, honest discussion about the celebration of Christmas and answer the question: What should Christian homeschooling parents do with Santa Claus at Christmas? Tune in and join them for a fun and lively debate on this edition of HomeschoolingIRL.     Recommended Resources: Prodigal God by Timothy Keller Hope Shifting by Jim Applegate 5 Terrific Christmas Advent Devotionals - HomeschoolingIRL Blog Previous Episodes Mentioned: None Music clips used on this episode: Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley - Go buy it on iTunes Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Willie Nelson - Go buy it on iTunes Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor, Kiwi Crate!   We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Kiwi Crate! KiwiCo has monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun! Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM -- science, technology, engineering, art, and math -- accessible and are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning. Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits. Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network is excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer, click here to get your first month free today (just pay $4.95 for shipping) LISTEN HERE Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

Are you stuck in holiday traffic? Are you locking yourself in the bathroom at your family get-together to avoid Crazy Uncle Larry? Are you sick of hearing Christmas music? This quick episode is just for you! Merry Christmas HIRLers! Join Fletch and Kendra on this short and fun episode as we share some Christmas laughs with you. You might find out a few things that you didn't know about Fletch and Kendra. (No, she really doesn't like Italian Christmas music!) Find out more facts as we play a quick round of "Q and A with K and A." Then see if you agree as we comment on your answers to our Facebook questions like "What Christmas song drives you nuts?" We each have goodies to lock into the HIRLer's Treasure Chest and then join us as we finish the podcast with a Christmas edition of "Would you rather..." This episode is meant to be light hearted, but it also gives you a chance to take a private peek at your two hosts. Join us as we celebrate Christmas week on this episode of Homeschooling In Real Life.   SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: Hope Shifting - by Jim Applegate Previous Episodes Mentioned: Why the Rise In African-American Homeschooling - Episode 54 Music clips used on this episode: Wonderful Christmas Time- Paul McCartney - Go buy it on iTunes Last Christmas - Wham! - Go buy it on iTunes Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley - Go buy it on iTunes Baby It's Cold Outside - Dean Martin - Go buy it on iTunes 12 Days of Christmas - Bing Crosby - Go buy it on iTunes All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey - Go buy it on iTunes Christmas Song - Chipmunks - Go buy it on iTunes Carole of the Bells - John Williams - Go buy it on iTunes Grandma Got Runover By A Reindeer - Elmo and Patsy - Go buy it on iTunes Christmas Shoes - Newsong - Go buy it on iTunes Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Bruce Springsteen - 

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)   Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor, Kiwi Crate!   We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Kiwi Crate! KiwiCo has monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun! Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM -- science, technology, engineering, art, and math -- accessible and are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning. Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits. Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network is excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer, click here to get your first month free today (just pay $4.95 for shipping)