Homeschooling IRL

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 HomeschoolingIRL Coffee Tumblers - Check out these cool tumblers from HIRLer Cyndi Newman Please visit our sponsor: HEDUA, creators of The Well Planned Day Planner Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline’s Coffee for 10% off any order. Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.

On the last episode we sat down with our good friends Jeremy and Michele White to have a serious discussion about adoption. We discussed the beginning of their homeschool journey, why they chose to adopt and the changes that happened as a homeschool family. On this podcast we dig just a little bit deeper. The White's second adoption did not end as they had planned. They open up about their story and share their journey with our listeners. This couple is not afraid to get real and share how the gospel allowed them to push through the hardest times in their marriage and family life only to come out of a failed adoption with a heart and a passion for adoption just as strong. Learn about Kendra's latest addiction and Fletch's current favorite podcast on a quick edition of everyone's favorite quiz show: Q and A with K and A. Lastly, Fletch and Kendra unveil their Fall lineup of topics. You won't want to miss what is coming. Timeline 3:08 – Introduction 16:08 - Part One -  Ninja Jesus/Adoption Talk Intro 20:29 - Part Two - Interview, Jeremy/Michele White 33:04 - Part Three - Interview, Jeremy/Michele White 40:06 - QandA with KandA - Addictions/Podcasts Show Notes HomeschoolingIRL Coffee Tumblers - Check out these cool tumblers from HIRLer Cyndi Newman Please visit our sponsor: HEDUA, creators of The Well Planned Day Planner Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline’s Coffee for 10% off any order. Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.

We have had several listeners ask us to address the topic of adoption, and while it would be really easy for us to produce a podcast explaining how to adopt and the benefits involved when a family adopts, we wanted to tackle all of the issues a family might be experiencing when bringing a child into the home. In this two-part series, we sit down with our good friends in real life, Jeremy and Michele White, for a serious discussion about adoption. In this first episode, we discuss the beginning of the Whites' journey, what led them to adopt, and how adoption ultimately changed their family and their homeschooling. We hope this story is a blessing and an encouragement to everyone who listens. Timeline 3:09 – Introduction 14:47 - Part One -  Discussion 18:02 - Part Two - Interview, Jeremy/Michele White 36:21 - Part Three - Interview, Jeremy/Michele White Show Notes HomeschoolingIRL Coffee Tumblers - From HIRLer Cyndi Newman Please visit our sponsor: HEDUA, creators of The Well Planned Day Planner Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline’s Coffee for 10% off any order. Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.

So, you've decided that homeschooling is the best option for your kids this year, but the response from your kids has been less than positive. You want to follow God's calling, but your kids are threatening a mutiny. What do you do now? Fletch and Kendra dive right into this discussion, because it is very close to home. They had a similar situation with a child in their home, and on this episode of Homeschooling in Real Life, they discuss how they navigated their relationship with that child and how God taught them all a meaningful life lesson in the process.   SHOW NOTES Give a listen and let us know what works well as you budget for your homeschool year. Timeline :58 – Introduction 11:47 - Part One - Our story 27:15 - Part Two - Discussion Show Notes HomeschoolingIRL Coffee Tumblers - From HIRLer Cyndi Newman                     Please visit our sponsor: HEDUA, creators of The Well Planned Day Planner       Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline’s Coffee for 10% off any order. Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.

Can you afford to homeschoool? What if your budget is already at its max, and you feel you're barely scraping by just to provide the basics for your family? Join Fletch and Kendra as we sit down with our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network colleague and CPA Carol Topp for a lively and quick discussion of how to make homeschooling work on a small or non-existent budget, the realities and expenses of homeschooling older kids, and the need to examine our hearts when it comes to finances and what God is calling us to do.   SHOW NOTES Give a listen and let us know what works well as you budget for your homeschool year. Timeline 2:14– Introduction 10:08 - I Can't Afford To Homeschool 19:11 -Interview with Carol Topp, CPA Show Notes HomeschoolCPA Dollars and Sense podcast, with Carol Topp Microbusiness for Teens Dave Ramsey, Financial Peace University                       Please visit our sponsor: HEDUA, creators of The Well Planned Day Planner       Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline’s Coffee for 10% off any order. Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.

As we head into another homeschool year, it is so easy for many of us to get behind before we even get started. If we are not careful, we can get buried in the details and never get our heads above water. On this episode of HomeschoolingIRL, we dive into the discussion about organizing your homeschool. You know that we are not afraid to talk about potential pitfalls in both the uber-restricted and chaotic homeschool environments. Along the way, we share some of our favorite apps and technology that we have at our fingertips to help us organize our homeschool year. Give a listen and let us know what works well as you organize your homeschool year. Timeline :51– Introduction 8:20 - Homeschool Organization, Part One 22:43 - Homeschool Organization, Part Two Show Notes                       Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline’s Coffee for 10% off any order.   How to Organize Your New Year Tell Your Time (affiliate link) Evernote Cozi Squarespace Note FTTT Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.

As homeschooling moms, some subjects are very difficult to talk about, especially if we are feeling pressure to put on a facade that our lives are polished and life at home is picture-perfect. Struggling with depression in the homeschooling community can very quickly lead to shame and loneliness. Let's face it folks, the pressure to have everything all together can make the struggle that much more difficult and the Christian homeschooling world does not always create a safe environment to be real and transparent. On this episode of HomeschoolingIRL, we dive into another difficult discussion about depression among homeschooling moms. Joining us is Dr. Melanie Wilson, a Christian psychologist and homeschooling mom of 6. Together we discuss the signs of depression, how to find help for yourself and how you can minister to other struggling moms. This is another tough topic and another chance for you as a listener to let us have the conversation first. But please, don't let it stop there, if you are a mom (or dad) struggling with depression, please reach out and let us point you in the direction to find some help for you. Timeline 2:47– Introduction 11:48 - Interview with Dr. Melanie Wilson, Part One 29:43 - Interview with Dr. Melanie Wilson, Part Two Show Notes Our Guest on this episode: Dr. Melanie Wilson, Christian Psychologist. Melanie has a podcast called The Homeschool Sanity Show. She also blogs at www.psychowith6.com     Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline’s Coffee for 10% off any order. The Art of Manliness Blog - Leashing the Black Dog - A series about male depression Music clips used on this show: "Sound of Silence" Simon and Garfunkel (Buy It Here On iTunes) Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.

We love to sit down in the studio and discuss the questions sent in from listeners. On this episode of Homeschooling in Real Life, Fletch and Kendra we respond to a listener who asked how she can homeschool when her non-supportive spouse is skeptical and negative about her efforts. Here's the deal: we don't have the answers and there are no magic bullets out there, but that does not stop us from tackling this very difficult topic. This was the perfect question to get us thinking and working our thoughts outloud for our listenters.  Tune in and give a listen as we answer in a way that provides both the practical and the hopeful. We really think you'll be encouraged to seek God and listen for what He has in store for your family. Timeline :53– Introduction 9:10 - Part One 25:10 - Part Two Show Notes Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline’s Coffee for 10% off any order. Music clips used on this show: "One'" Three Dog Night (Buy It Here On iTunes) Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.

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 Show Notes Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline’s Coffee for 10% off any order. Music clips used on this show: "Slow Down'" Keb' Mo' (Buy It Here On iTunes) Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week 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. Timeline 0:53– Introduction 10:20 – Launching Your Kids From High School Show Notes Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline’s Coffee for 10% off any order. 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/ Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.

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   Show Notes   Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline’s Coffee for 10% off any order.   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/ Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.

Spicy words? Uncontrolled tongues? What do you do when Mom is the one to lose control of her mouth and damages the ones she loves with sharp words? One of our faithful HIRLers called in asking us to answer these questions, so we dove right in. Join us as we open up about our own struggles with losing our temper with our kids. What do we do when we lose control of our mouth and unleashes on those around us. This is a transparent episode about a difficult topic we have not conquered in our own home. Join us! Timeline 1:02 – Introduction 10:24 – Listener Call-In 12:09 – Spicy Words Show Notes Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline’s Coffee for 10% off any order. 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/ Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.

This is the second installment in our two-part series, Why the Rise in African American Homeschooling? In part one we sat down for a rich discussion with Dr. Ama Mazama to discuss the  issues of racism in our school system and why so many African American families were choosing to leave the public school system to begin homeschooling. Like us, many of our listeners responded to that first episode by telling us that their thoughts were really challenged on the hidden ways racism continues to thrive in the public school system and to some extent in the homeschool movement. Now in this second part, we continue the discussion with homeschooling mom Belinda Bullard. Belinda shares with us some of the struggles she experienced when she decided to educate her children from home. She also shares her story of finding very limited options with Christian homeschooling curriculum and how she responded by creating her own inclusive curriculum that celebrates the African American heritage and aims to strengthen and empower the African American student and their family. Once again, even if you are not an African American parent, we want to encourage our listeners to take part in this conversation. We have found that the reality of racism can even be found lurking in the shadows of Christian homeschooling. It is our hope that this podcast can help the discussion and be one step in trying to be a part of the solution to the reality of racism and inequality everywhere. Timeline 3:57 - Introduction 12:00 - Interview Part 1 30:45 - Interview Part 2 Show Notes Belinda Bullard's Blessed Heritage Curriculum Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline's Coffee for 10% off any order. 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/ Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.

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?"   Timeline 1:00 - Introduction 2:40 - Letter from Listener 1 5:04 - Letter from Listener 2 7:04 - Sibling rivalry intro 12:00 - Siblings who are Introverts/Extroverts 14:16 - Two boys battling all the time 18:17 - Coffee Contest Winner/Bonus Question for Fletch/Kendra 23:45 - Siblings fighting for attention 25:00 - Creating space for your kids 26:00 - Sarcasm among siblings 27:30 - Boys fighting 29:39 - Help me! I'm nagging 33:35 - Closing thoughts SHOW NOTES Our Sponsor: Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline's Coffee for 10% off any order. 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) Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.

Last month, Fletch read an interesting article in The Washington Post called, Racism in Schools is Pushing More Black Families to Homeschool Their Children. The title alone was enough to get him interested, but in the article the writer discussed why there has been such a sharp rise in African American Homeschooling. We thought this was a good discussion to have with our listeners, so we pursued the author for an interview. Dr. Ama Mazama, professor of African American Studies at Temple University and homeschooling parent, joins us for an important discussion. In our interview, Professor Mazama discusses her research and shares with us why she believes there has been a distinct rise in homeschooling among black families. You will want to listen to this interview and join us as we explore the questions and challenges that this discussion creates. Timeline 3:00 - Introduction 9:30 - Interview Part 1 35:20 - Interview Part 2 Show Notes Dr. Mazama's Biography Racism in Schools is Pushing More Black Families to Homeschool Their Children. Please visit our coffee sponsor: Caroline's Coffee for 10% off any order. Music clips used on this show: "Night Cave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.