The Durenda Wilson Podcast

Last week I did another FB/IG live and this time I was answering questions about homeschooling in the middle years (4th-6th grade) as I share from my book, The Four Hour School Day! It's an exciting time as in this season our kids are finding their footing when it comes to schoolwork and preparing for the jr. high and high school years.  Listen in as we cover questions like: Did you do classes at this age? I’m concerned for my middle schooler with writing. Should I use a curriculum? What kinds of social activities or events did your middle schoolers participate in while you homeschooled? Can you recommend some activities that your family did to help middle schoolers interact with other homeschoolers? Should these events be parent-led or child-led? And more!! (Please check out The Four Hour School Day at durendawilson.com)  

The main biblical commands that God gives children are to obey and honor their parents, to follow their parent's instructions, and learn from their wisdom. That’s because children need to be able to trust their parents to establish biblical boundaries for them while they are learning to walk in wisdom. This is faith at its core: trusting when you may not understand or see. I always told my kids that honoring and obeying their parents was how they please God and they had to trust that God was leading us as we led them. This is also why there is much more in the scriptures that speak to the parents about being very careful to pass on God’s word and ways to our children, not provoke them to anger, train them, etc. Part of creating a home learning environment where kids thrive is being faithful to discipline them.  Be the parent! Resources mentioned in the podcast:   Parenting with Ginger Podcast Don’t Make Me Count to Three and I Can’t Believe You Just Said That by Ginger Hubbard   Parenting by Paul David Tripp    Please be sure to check out The Four Hour School Day at durendawilson.com

Today I'm answering questions from moms about the early educational years (K-3) based on a few of the principles in my new book, The Four Hour School Day! I answer questions like: How can I best teach a highly active 1st grader? What tools would you recommend to have on hand for a kindergartener? How can I do history and science together with my 1st and 4th graders? This was a FB/IG Live and it's loaded with encouragement to simplify! Don't forget to check out my new book, The Four Hour School Day, available at durendawilson.com  

Sometimes it’s wise to take the time to think through the practical circumstances surrounding our school choices.  Today I’m sharing a few simple, yet important things to consider when it comes to homeschooling and how they might compare to a traditional classroom setting. There are more benefits to home education than one might realize. There are several things we often don't consider and yet they can make a huge difference in making learning happen more easily and happily!   Please check out The Four Hour School Day at durendawilson.com  

Homeschooling: Parents You Can Do This! Never in the history of homeschooling have we had so many resources to help us, but many parents are still hesitant because they don’t feel “qualified”. Today I’m sharing some of the many reasons I believe many parents are qualified, they just don’t realize it.  Listen in for encouragement whether you are simply considering homeschooling or already are and could use a dose of truthful affirmation! Please check out The Four Hour School Day on durendawilson.com   famoushomeschoolers.net

Many parents are scared right now. They are frightened for their children and their future and wondering how in the world they can best prepare them. What's happening right now is not a surprise to God and I can assure you that He has made you and your children for such a time as this. In fact, He has been intentional in doing so. But as parents, we need to remember and embrace our God-given role.  Listen in for some bold encouragement in this short podcast!   Please don't forget to check out The Four Hour School Day at durendawilson.com!

In our 25+ years of homeschooling, the question about socialization is the most commonly asked one.  Today I'm sharing why I don't actually think it's a very legitimate question and certainly not something that most homeschoolers should be fretting about!  (The Four Hour School Day is now available for pre-order at durendawilson.com)

The role of parents is marginalized in our culture. This downplay of our very influential and crucial role in our kids' lives by society directly oppose God’s plan for the family.   As parents, you have the privilege and the responsibility to make all decisions concerning your children, including their education.   For the first time, I am reading a small portion of my new book, The Four Hour School Day!    Please share this podcast with your friends and anyone you know who may be considering homeschooling!   Go to durendawilson.com to check out my new book!

When we decided to homeschool, I don't think most of us realized how much time we would spend dealing with kids who are bickering and fighting.  It can be easy to lose hope and feel like we are failing. Today I want to talk about what's really happening in terms of opportunity when it comes to sibling relationships! Not only is there hope, but there are also some major benefits in taking the time to deal with sibling conflict! Listen in to get some hindsight perspective from someone who's been there and is now on the other side! (I misquoted the scripture-it was 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18, 1 Corinthians :) ) durendawilson.com

It can be easy to bristle at the thought of our husbands being our covering, or even that we need one. Our husbands have a God-ordained role in our lives and it’s a beautiful thing! We can save ourselves so much grief by dialing in on biblical roles graciously given by God for our good!   durendawilson.com

I have said this over and over again:  it's crucial to know that God is sovereign, but if we don't believe He is good as well, we're sunk. If we believe He is powerful but not good, we have no hope. So the enemy works overtime trying to convince us that God is not good. He knows the power of fully trusting in the power of God AND the goodness of God. Listen in as we zero in on the hope we have in the fact that God is both sovereign and good! durendawilson.com

The enemy loves nothing more than to distract us from God's calling on our lives because he knows how powerful a woman of God can be. She poses a very real and present threat to the kingdom of darkness. I've recently had a refresher on the joy of my calling as a wife. After 31 years, I can honestly say that the blessings of walking in biblical principles have far outweighed the hard work. Listen in to find encouragement for your marriage! durendawilson.com 

To say that we live in uncertain times feels like a massive understatement. What we are wanting, even more than that...what we are NEEDING... is hope. Not false hope. Not hope based on lies, but REAL hope. Hope that is eternal and unchanging, a place to firmly plant our feet in the midst of uncertainty. Today we are going to visit Jeremiah who, in the midst of uncertainty and hopelessness poured his heart out to God. It's here that we have a point of entry into the suffering of God's people, Israel, that helps us face the darkest aspects of our own human experience and find hope. durendawilson.com  

I've learned much in my 31 years of marriage and 30 years of parenting. I've transitioned into a new season and so many of the same questions I had when I started my journey as a wife and mom are needing to be asked again: What does it look like to be a godly wife in this season?  What does it look like to be a godly mom in this season? How do I prioritize my days? As I revisit these, I am reminded of God's unchanging heart for us as wives and moms! Listen in to this 20-minute podcast of encouragement as we walk this journey together! durendawilson.com

To say that we live in uncertain times feels like a massive understatement. What we are wanting, even more than that...what we are needing... is hope. Not false hope. Not hope based on lies, but real hope, hope that is eternal and unchanging, a place to firmly plant our feet in the midst of uncertainty. Join me for this 15-minute episode as I share the hope we can find in the midst of uncertainty! durendawilson.com