The Durenda Wilson Podcast

Many parents homeschool their kids because they have one or more struggling learners, but often they feel ill-equipped and inadequate for the job. They know the traditional classroom setting isn’t working, but lack the confidence they would like to have when homeschooling their child.   Today my friend Peggy Ployhar joined me to talk about homeschooling with confidence when teaching a struggling learner. Ways to connect with Peggy: Website: https://spedhomeschool.com/ Podcast: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/spedhomeschool Blog: http://spedhomeschool.com/articles/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/spedhomeschool High School Master Class: https://www.empoweredhomeschool.org/high-school-master-class   (If you haven't checked out my new book, The Four Hour School Day please do that!  As a 25+ year veteran homeschooling mom of 8, I share WHY you can give your kids a robust education in four hours a day or less! FIND IT AT DURENDAWILSON.COM, Amazon or your favorite bookseller)

Today's podcast is a mercifully short one. I share a short story that I heard years ago that begs the question: What are we hanging on to that God is asking us to let go of? He is a GOOD God and today's short podcast is a poignant reminder of that. (If you haven't checked out my new book, The Four Hour School Day please do that!  As a 25+ year veteran homeschooling mom of 8, I share WHY you can give your kids a robust education in four hours a day or less!)

In spite of the fact that I have been a believer my entire life, I have struggled with anxiety off and on over the years and still do. There are times it has been debilitating.    I’d like to say that I have overcome anxiety and never struggle anymore, but that would be a flat-out lie. However, God has given me wisdom that I can go back to over and over again whenever I am in a season of struggling with anxiety.   Today I am sharing just a few simple principles/practices that have helped me over the years and that I still find very effective.   Scriptures mentioned: Hebrews 12:11  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Proverbs 25:28  A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 2 Timothy 1:7  God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power of love and of self-control (self-discipline) John 4:18,19  Perfect love casts out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.   Phil 4:6,7 Be anxious for nothing but in everything with prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known unto God and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”   (James 1:5-8)   Books mentioned: The Sovereignty of God-AW Pink (not an easy read) Is God Really in Control-Jerry Bridges Humble Roots-Hannah Anderson The Attributes of God-Arthur Pink (When we know our God well, it is far easier to trust Him which reduces our anxiety)   Message mentioned: The Sinfulness of Worry   (If you haven't checked out my new book, The Four Hour School Day please do that!  As a 25+ year veteran homeschooling mom of 8, I share WHY you can give your kids a robust education in four hours a day or less!)

A while back I asked, “If you could ask a veteran homeschooling mom anything, what would it be?” Today I am answering three of those questions:  How do you help/encourage teens to explore options after high school? I have a junior in high school that doesn’t have a clue what direction he wants to go. He goes between engineer and car mechanic…..very different paths! As a former public school teacher, the homeschool world was never ever something I expected to find let alone to admire it.  My question is how do you discern when you’re trying to force something on your children and when it’s God calling you out of your comfort zone?  I loved the last half of your new book, especially the boy part! I know all these things but how specifically did you “say fewer words!?” I am horrible at talking too much!! Podcast mentioned: Navigating the Post High School Years https://www.durendawilson.com/podcast-1/episode/c9196c29/navigating-the-post-high-school-years-podcast-32 (If you haven't checked out my new book, The Four Hour School Day please do that!  As a 25+ year veteran homeschooling mom of 8, I share WHY you can give your kids a robust education in four hours a day or less!)  

Have you ever noticed that the pace of the children seems to inevitably be slower than we want or would tend to go?  What if this is actually God’s plan? What if slowing down is God’s way of helping our children learn and develop naturally, instead of having to force things? Today I’m honing in on the need to slow down for the sake of the children. I’m reading a little bit from my book, The Unhurried Homeschooler, and from The Four Hour School Day. (Let me clarify that this isn't permission to let the children run the show. You are still the parent, always. However, it can be easy to run at a frenetic pace that simply isn't good for the children OR us!) (If you haven't checked out my new book, The Four Hour School Day please do that!  As a 25+ year veteran homeschooling mom of 8, I share WHY you can give your kids a robust education in four hours a day or less!)

Ready to start homeschooling or at least considering it? (Maybe you know someone who is?) Today I share the last 3 of 4 practical steps to get started on your homeschooling journey! (I share the first step and debunk common myths about homeschooling in part 1)   Making the decision Moving forward Connecting Deciding on your approach Books mentioned in this episode: The Four Hour School Day-Durenda Wilson The Unhurried Homeschooler-Durenda Wilson Better Late Than Early-Raymond and Dorothy Moore (This book can be difficult to find as it's an older one, but The Unhurried Homeschooler has similar principles) The Successful Homeschool Journey (or Home School Burnout)-Raymond and Dorothy Moore For the Children’s Sake-Susan Schaeffer Macaulay Learning All the Time and Teach Your Own-John Holt Access Encouraging a Homeschool Heart Devotional by Durenda Wilson Blog post on different homeschool approaches(remember that you don't have to choose just one! You can combine approaches to best fit your children and family!) Podcasts mentioned: The Homeschool Life: Simple Ways to Avoid Being Overwhelmed How to Start Homeschooling without Getting Overwhelmed (If you haven't checked out my new book, The Four Hour School Day please do that!  As a 25+ year veteran homeschooling mom of 8, I share WHY you can give your kids a robust education in four hours a day or less!)

Ready to start homeschooling or at least considering it? (Maybe you know someone who is?) Today I debunk some common myths about homeschooling and share the first of 4 practical steps to get started on your homeschooling journey! The other three steps will be shared in the next episode!    Making the decision Moving forward Connecting Deciding on your approach Podcast: Why You Don't Need to Know Everything to Give Your Kids a Great Education Podcast: Transitioning from Traditional School to Homeschool (this one is more about the heart transition) HSLDA.org (If you haven't checked out my new book, The Four Hour School Day please do that!  As a 25+ year veteran homeschooling mom of 8, I share WHY you can give your kids a robust education in four hours a day or less!)

Sara and I have been friends for a long, long time. We both homeschooled all of our kids and now almost all are grown and gone. There is something about walking alongside another homeschool mom for that long. It creates bonds that can never be broken. I moved across the country, but Sara came to visit, so we sat down together to talk about homeschooling. I wanted her to share some things about her homeschooling journey because I think stories are fun and inspiring!  I hope you enjoy our conversation! (If you haven't checked out my new book, The Four Hour School Day please do that!  As a 25+ year veteran homeschooling mom of 8, I share WHY you can give your kids a robust education in four hours a day or less!)

So much of raising healthy, productive adults has to do with relationships throughout their childhood. Making connections with our kids and giving them opportunities to build healthy relationships with friends and with learning requires some thought and intention.   So how do you make relationships with your kids fresh, exciting, heartfelt, and happy? My guest, Greta Eskridge, says to break away from the routine! Intentional adventures away from the comforts of home create bonding and sharing opportunities that will last a lifetime!  In this 2 part podcast, Greta answers questions like: Why is connection so important? Can you still adventure with your kids if you aren't outdoorsy? What about when things go wrong on adventures? Convincing young kids to adventure doesn't sound too difficult, but what about teens? How do you make adventuring a part of your home school days? Besides connecting through adventure, you are passionate about helping families fight pornography. Those two things don't seem to go together. Is there a connection?   Ways to connect with Greta: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maandpamodern/ Website: http://www.gretaeskridge.com Adventuring Together (book)   (If you haven't checked out my new book, The Four Hour School Day please do that!  As a 25+ year veteran homeschooling mom of 8, I share WHY you can give your kids a robust education in four hours a day or less!)

So much of raising healthy, productive adults has to do with relationships throughout their childhood. Making connections with our kids and giving them opportunities to build healthy relationships with friends and with learning requires some thought and intention.   So how do you make relationships with your kids fresh, exciting, heartfelt, and happy? My guest, Greta Eskridge, says to break away from the routine! Intentional adventures away from the comforts of home create bonding and sharing opportunities that will last a lifetime!  In this podcast, Greta answers questions like: Why is connection so important? Can you still adventure with your kids if you aren't outdoorsy? What about when things go wrong on adventures? Convincing young kids to adventure doesn't sound too difficult, but what about teens? How do you make adventuring a part of your home school days? Besides connecting through adventure, you are passionate about helping families fight pornography. Those two things don't seem to go together. Is there a connection?   Ways to connect with Greta: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maandpamodern/ Website: http://www.gretaeskridge.com Adventuring Together (book)   (If you haven't checked out my new book, The Four Hour School Day please do that!  As a 25+ year veteran homeschooling mom of 8, I share WHY you can give your kids a robust education in four hours a day or less!)

Today I want to talk to any moms out there who have littles and might be feeling a bit (or a lot) overwhelmed!  All eight of our kids were born in 13 years. We had two girls first and then 4 boys in less than 6 years. The last two (a girl and boy) were born within 4 years after that, so I’ve been there. Some days really do just feel like survival, but we want that to be the exception, not the rule. Listen in for practical tips that will help you thrive in this very special season. (If you haven't read my new book, please check it out: The Four Hour School Day, How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life!)      

The enemy is insidious and disguises himself as an angel of light. Often, without realizing it, both we and our children can easily absorb these lies and inhibit our ability to think biblically. Today, Elizabeth Urbanowitz from Foundation Worldview joins us as she shares the last 4 of 7 lies our kids(and maybe we) very well may believe! She will also give us some activities to do with our kids to help combat each lie and reinforce biblical truth! (The first three are covered in part 1) Ways to connect with Elizabeth: Foundation Website Foundation Facebook Page Foundation Instagram (If you've read my new book, please leave a review so the booksellers will show it to more moms as they search the sites and you haven't read it, please check it out...The Four Hour School Day, How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life!)  

The enemy is insidious and disguises himself as an angel of light. Often, without realizing it, both we and our children can easily absorb these lies and inhibit our ability to think biblically. Today, Elizabeth Urbanowitz from Foundation Worldview joins us as she shares the first 3 of 7 lies our kids(and maybe we) very well may believe! She will also give us some activities to do with our kids to help combat each lie and reinforce biblical truth! (We will cover the last 4 in part 2) Ways to connect with Elizabeth: Foundation Website Foundation Facebook Page Foundation Instagram (If you've read my new book, please leave a review so the booksellers will show it to more moms as they search the sites and you haven't read it, please check it out...The Four Hour School Day, How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life!)  

Today I want to talk about transitioning from traditional school to homeschool. I know there are a lot of parents out there with a sort of deer in the headlights feeling right now. I just did a podcast on feeling forced to homeschool and for many families, this is the case. School boards across the nation are literally locking parents out who aren't cooperating with their agenda and refusing to listen to what the parents have to say concerning their kids. Consequently, many families are choosing to homeschool who might not have otherwise. In my recent podcast on feeling forced to homeschool, I help parents walk through some of the feelings that they may be having as well as encouraging homeschoolers to come alongside these families and support them. Before we can do that well, we need to understand some of the things they might be feeling and dealing with right now and that's what I talked about in the podcast along with suggestions on how we can best help them. Today I want to continue the conversation by talking about transitioning from traditional school to homeschool. (If you've read my new book, please leave a review so the booksellers will show it to more moms as they search the sites and you haven't read it, please check it out...The Four Hour School Day, How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life!)

(Part 2)One of the chapters in my book, The Four Hour School Day, is titled Overcoming Obstacles. There are testimonies from several moms who had what most would consider insurmountable obstacles to homeschooling. They each share what their obstacles were, why they decided to move forward anyhow, and what the results have been. Many would consider being a single mom an obstacle that would keep someone from homeschooling, but the truth is that there are more single homeschooling moms out there than one might think. Today I’m excited to have my friend LaToya Edwards here today to share the rest of her story. LaToya is a homeschooling single mama to 4 boys living in Tampa Bay, FL. She's a Christian life coach and writer. You are going to LOVE her story and encouragement even if you are not a single mom!   Ways to connect: LaToya's website LaToya on IG HSLDA support for single moms (If you've read my new book, please leave a review so the booksellers will show it to more moms as they search the sites and you haven't read it, please check it out...The Four Hour School Day, How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life!)