Homeschooling IRL

Join us on this episode of Homeschooling in Real Life as we talk about the ins and outs of traveling with kids. On this episode we are NOT talking about vacation planning. Instead we are talking about giving your family a love for travel, a love for God's world and a love for taking your love for Jesus around the world as a family ambassadors living on mission. Live from the Teach Them Diligently convention floor in Nashville, TN, Kendra interviews family travel expert Jen Reyneri from WordTraveling.com. Listen as they discuss about traveling and finding the Glory of God all over the world. This episode will encourage you and motivate you as a homeschool family to show your children something more than your own backyard. SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: WordTraveling with Jen Reyneri Betty The Surf Dog Twitter Feed - Home of Betty the Surf Dog Fletch Twitter Kendra Twitter Previous Episodes Mentioned: Music clips used on this episode: Jet Airliner - Buy it on iTunes Here 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.  

Homeschooling Multiple Ages! 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. Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th! Visit

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! Let's be real folks! It's February and the mid-year homeschooling doldrums can hit any of us. One of our listeners sent us a great email with five questions all about homeschool challenges and wanting to throw in the towel. As we read through the questions he asked, we decided to combine all of them into one podcast and return  to a popular theme and call this episode, I Love Homeschooling But I'm Totally Burned Out. Don't be confused. You may think this is an episode for just the homeschool moms, but moms and dads alike are going to relate to the questions and discussions. As we answered his questions, we also turned our microphones onto other loyal listeners and asked three seasoned homeschool moms how they survive homeschool burnout in their home. These moms did not disappoint! Their answers were terrific and timely as we all approach midyear burnout in our homeschool  classrooms. Episode Timeline 2:12 - Introduction - The Fluff! 10:30 - Question 1 - Have you ever wanted to throw in the towel and put the kids in public school? 18:33 - Question 2 - Has mom ever been burned out? 24:35 - Question 3 - Has there ever been a disagreement about the direction of your homeschool between mom and dad? 33:28 - Question 4 - What do you do with lazy kids? 37:33 - Question 5 - Has dad ever needed to step in and stop the direction of the family? Academically Socially? Show Notes: Guests: Michele White, Kari Clark, and Cheryl Pitt Intro clip: Wipeout by the Surfaris - We encourage you to purchase this directly from iTunes ---------------------------------------------------------------- Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th! Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

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! How important is it for us to practice transparent parenting with our children? What should you do when your children ask you questions that are just too personal or too painful to answer? If we do practice transparency, will our kids simply follow our example? In this episode, we sit down with marriage and family therapist, Chris Oneth, to discuss the topic of transparency in our parenting. We answer these questions and many more as we talk through this very difficult topic. Join us as we discuss the importance of being honest with our kids and share techniques for walking into the difficult conversations. We share with our listeners how the gospel helps us to conquer our fears. We also address the error of parenting from a place of shame and as always we encourage you to celebrate the freedom that comes when we embrace the grace of God. Join us on this episode as we encourage you to press into your anxiety, to get real in your marriage, and to practice transparency with your children. Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)   Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th! Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

On this episode of the HomeschoolingIRL podcast, Fletch and Kendra begin a new series called, "I Love Homeschooling But..." and discuss the topic of having your kids with you All. The. Time. We really do love this aspect of homeschooling, and many of us want to spend the best hours of our kids' days with them. But the reality is, there are days when we feel as if we're all breathing down each other's necks, and that can be difficult to navigate with grace. Joining Fletch and Kendra in the studio is HomeschoolingIRL listener, Angela Hoffman, from HomeschoolInnovation.com. After a frustrating day of homeschooling and tweeting with Kendra, we thought it would be real and very current to have her on the episode with us. Episode Timeline 3:50 Studio discussion part 1. 19:00 Fletch and Kendra spend time with Angela Hoffman 29:42 Studio discussion part 2. 43:27 HIRLers Treasure Chest ------ 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! Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th! Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

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 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! Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th! Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

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!     Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th! Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

For the rest of the year, we will be running a "Best of" series of the Homeschooling IRL episodes continuing with Homeschooling and Marriage. Many of these episodes were earlier episodes that you might have missed. Enjoy! You are going to want to grab your spouse for this episode! Fletch and Kendra dive right into the middle of the topic and discuss how the stress of homeschooling can leak into your marriage relationship. Throughout this episode you will hear live interviews conducted with couples on the floor of the Teach Them Diligently Conference in Nashville, TN. Be prepared for answers that you might not expect!  Fletch and Kendra also spend time talking and laughing with TTD conference founders and directors, David and Leslie Nunnery, about the challenges we've seen in our own marriages and some helpful ideas on how to preserve intimacy in the middle of family, life and school.  Pull up a chair and prepare to get real with Fletch and Kendra as we look at What Homeschooling Does To A Marriage.  For complete show notes and links to what we discussed on this episode, go to our website: HomeschoolingIRL.com   Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th! Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

For the rest of the year, we will be running a "Best of" series of the Homeschooling IRL episodes, starting with 5 Ways to Rock Homeschool. Many of these episodes were earlier episodes that you might have missed. Enjoy!       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.     Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th! Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

This week on the Best of Homeschooling IRL:  Do you struggle with teaching writing to your homeschool kids? This is the episode for you. As homeschool parents, some of us were not given great tools for writing in our own education, so when it comes to teaching the subject, we already feel ill-prepared. Others of us are great writers and love to write, but we have no idea how to teach our kids how to take great ideas from their head and put them into words on paper. We are joined in the studio by Kim Kautzer who developed Write Shop writing program for homeschoolers. During our interview Kim encourages our listeners by providing the basic steps to get over the writing roadblocks you may have in your homeschool. If writing is the "big but" in your homeschool, you need to listen to this episode of HomeschoolingIRL. EPISODE TIMELINE :50 Fluff - Hot summers, Push Pins 6:22 Teaching Writing with Kim Kautzer, Part 1 22:00 - Teaching Writing with Kim Kautzer, Part 2 31:57 -  The show is over. iTunes Reviews. Goodbye! SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: Write Shop Write Shop Facebook Group - this is a closed group you will need to join   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: Write Myself A Letter by Frank Sinatra- 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. * Subscribe to the HomeschoolingIRL website and you will be notified when every new episode is released.

In this Best of Homeschooling IRL episode, Fletch and Kendra chat with Kathy Lee, mom of many and co-author of The Homegrown Preschooler. Kathy is a child development specialist who has homeschooled and raised kids and now speaks all over the country to parents (often with several of her kids in tow!) We discuss the growing trend of high academic unrealistic expectations at younger ages, play-based preschool, and developing relationships with our young kids and teens that last well into their adulthood.   EPISODE TIMELINE 3:10 Fluff - Chocolate Labs and Newsies!  12:28 Unrealistic Expectations - Part 1 Kathy Lee 30:25 Unrealistic Expectations - Part 2 Kathy Lee 42:23 The show is over. Goodbye! SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: The Homegrown Preschooler KathyHLee.com - personal blog 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: Three Little Birds/Bob Marley - Buy it now on iTunes Seize the Day/Newsies - Buy it now 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. * Subscribe to the HomeschoolingIRL website and you will be notified when every new episode is released. Follow this link and begin your FREE SUBSCRIPTION.   Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!

This week on the Best of Homeschooling IRL:  Sheila Gregoire is the author of the book, The Good Girl's Guide To Great Sex. She is also a popular speaker and blogger at To Love Honor and Vacuum. Sheila joins us in the studio again this week as we discuss the phenomenon that is the "purity culture" and its affect on the Christian homeschooling community. How do we convey a Biblical view of sex and marriage to our kids without strapping them with the burden and bondage of religious behaviorism? How can we equip them to enter into marriage with a healthy, godly view of sex and what it contributes to a marriage? Join us for a lively and helpful discussion on the purity culture. EPISODE TIMELINE 3:32 - Fluff : California Rain and Halloween.  11:28 - Interview with Sheila Gregoire: The Purity Culture 33:48 - Goodbye! The Show Is Over! SHOW NOTES: Recommended Resources: To Love Honor and Vacuum - our guest for this episode 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: Talking Sex With Sheila Gregoire Music clips used on this episode: White Wedding by Billy Idol - 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. * Subscribe to the HomeschoolingIRL website and you will be notified when every new episode is released. Follow this link and begin your FREE SUBSCRIPTION. Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!

For the next few weeks, we're playing a few episodes of Our discussion on this episode comes right out of the current headlines. Homeschool graduate and reality TV star, Josh Duggar, has fallen from the spotlight due to his confessions of struggling with adultery, pornography and a history of molestation. We jump into to discuss the frequent failures we have seen by men in the homeschooling movement. We talk openly on this episode about what happens when we forget the one thing that tethers us to the truth. If you've been following the Josh Duggar story, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Join us for an open and honest discussion about living as loved in the light of the gospel. Timeline 2:34 – Introduction 12:50 - Part One -  Just the Facts! 24:51 - Part Two - We Want A King! 28:40 - Part Three - No Safe Environment! 35:27 - Part Four - Success Stories 47:00 - What Did Josh Duggar Forget? Show Notes Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Raddish - a cooking club and curriculum, specially designed FOR KIDS by chefs and educators! Raddish is perfect for homeschooling families! Teach thematic cooking lessons that incorporate math, science, nutrition, geography, and culture. With Raddish, the kitchen is the tastiest place to learn! Use coupon code PODCAST at checkout for $15 off a 6 or 12 month membership. Visit RaddishKids.com/Homeschool to learn more and to download a free lesson.  Check out this info pack: Raddish One Page

All good things must come to an end, and as such, this is the final episode of the Homeschooling In Real Life podcast. Thank you for hanging in there with us through 155 episodes. It was a great run and we even slipped a final episode in last week before saying goodbye! Celebrate with us as we say thank you to everyone who has impacted this ministry, from guests to tech help to our in-house babysitters to you, our faithful HIRLers. We'll also leave you with the four things we think made up the heart and soul of our podcast for 155 episodes. Can you guess what they are? Of course we couldn't end without some good old fashioned fluff and a lot of fun. Listen along and discover how Fletch does not really know the words to Frank Sinatra's "My Way." And for those of you wondering what we've been hinting about, we finally break the suspense and tell you what's next for Fletch and Kendra and the Homeschooling in Real Life crew. SHOW NOTES: None 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: The Final Countdown by Europe - Buy it Here on iTunes My Way by Frank Sinatra - 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. * Subscribe to the HomeschoolingIRL website and you will be notified when every new episode is released. Follow this link and begin your FREE SUBSCRIPTION.

In 1997, 21-year-old Joshua Harris wrote a revolutionary book on dating. The book would go on to be an international bestseller and catapult Joshua into the Christian spotlight. I Kissed Dating Goodbye was embraced by the homeschool community and the Christian church at large, and continues to shape the consciousness of how Christians view singleness, dating, and relationships. Lately, though, Joshua Harris has weathered a battering of online criticism from disenchanted Christians. Some have lashed out at Harris directly for I Kissed Dating Goodbye and others have set up websites dedicated to Harris’ “victims”. Many have called for Joshua Harris to apologize for what they believe was hurtful teaching, while others are applauding him for his stance and encouraging him to stand his ground. Harris has felt pressure from all sides to do or say something. Are you ready to hear from Joshua himself? We're discussing the book, the movement, and the new documentary being made where Joshua discusses the errors of I Kissed Dating Goodbye as well as where he thinks he got it right in this compelling and lively interview with Joshua Harris. SHOW NOTES: Josh Harris Website I Survived I Kissed Dating Goodbye Website Kickstarter Campaign: I Survived I Kissed Dating Goodbye Sandy Cove Ministries 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 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,