Homeschool Talks: Ideas And Inspiration For Your Homeschool

Is your homeschool student interested in starting a business? Join Jeremiah Lorrig (Deputy Director of Generation Joshua) and Russell York (CEO of Cosmo Technologies) for a conversation about entrepreneurship and Russell’s own experience as a homeschool grad who co-founded a tech company.

Join Jim Mason (HSLDA Vice President of Litigation and Development) as he chats with Wil and Meeke Addison of American Family Radio about their homeschool journey. They’ll discuss common misconceptions about homeschooling, hot-button cultural issues relating to education, and how Wil and Meeke went from being college campus missionaries to radio show hosts. “What we found really worked for us because it pushed our son; he was already pretty advanced. And it also created a family environment for our girls. They were so splintered: ‘I'm this age, so this is my group of friends.’ And, ‘I don't connect with this sibling and this sibling is annoying.’ And what we quickly saw was that the family was restored. They began to like each other. They were each other’s friends, and it was something that was really beautiful to watch.” — Meeke Addison 

Join Jim Mason (HSLDA Vice President of Litigation and Development) and education professor Cheryl Fields-Smith for a conversation about the emergence of homeschooling in the black community. Their interview covers some common reasons black families are choosing to homeschool, Dr. Fields-Smith’s work researching stories of black homeschoolers, and why Dr. Fields-Smith sees homeschooling as a form of resistance and healing for black families. “To have single black women who are foregoing a regular income into their home, sometimes at the point where they have to go into subsidized housing in order to homeschool, that is a huge sacrifice to me. I mean, it just made me pay attention.” - Dr. Cheryl Fields-Smith

Join Heather Frommack (HSLDA Director of Outreach and Educational Consulting) and Amy Milcic (blogger and homeschool mom) for a conversation full of ideas and encouragement for moms with active little ones. They’ll share some great resources and tips so you can walk away inspired to help your wiggly kids love learning. “It's OK to think outside the box and to build on interest. It can be very easy as well to see what you’re not doing or what your kids are not doing. But focus on what is working, and those “aha” moments where the little light bulb goes off. Try to focus on where they’re making progress rather than where their weakness might be. And just building on those strengths, I think, can be really huge for your kids, but also for yourself.” — Amy Milcic 

Are you homeschooling while serving in the military or as a military spouse? Join Natalie Mack (HSLDA Educational Consultant) and Heather Everett, homeschool mom and military spouse, for a conversation all about success strategies for homeschooling as a military family. “Every duty station that we go to, God has something for us there.  And no matter what, we have always found community in the places that we've gone. And we’ve found opportunities for our lives to have impact and to be impacted in that space. And so whether it's getting involved with co-ops and classes or meeting a friend with skills that can help our homeschool or giving of our own skills and resources to help the community around us, regardless, those are all opportunities provided by Him for us.”  — Heather Everett

Join Heather Frommack (HSLDA Director of Outreach and Educational Consulting) and author Missy Andrews as they discuss some of their own experiences as homeschool moms. They’ll share some practical encouragement and advice for other parents whose identity may be wrapped up in their child’s performance in homeschool. “Well, one thing to ask yourself is when your child gets a grade, how do you respond to that grade? Do you worry and feel less because your child didn't get an “A” in such and such subject or isn't doing well? Are you borrowing from your child's successes or feelings of worth and value? Do you worry about their future because they didn't get a hundred percent on their arithmetic test? Do you think that you must be a failure because they didn't get a hundred percent on their arithmetic test? These are all telltale signs that you are conflating the project with your personhood and theirs.” — Missy Andrews

Join HSLDA High School Consultant LaNissir James and Lillie Schmidt from HSLDA Online Academy for a conversation all about homeschooling through high school. LaNissir and Lillie will discuss what parents can look forward to in high school and share some success stories that will encourage and inspire you!    “Something I loved about being homeschooled is that you could get ready for college earlier. We were looking to be college-bound, and it’s such an overwhelming experience. You have a lot of independence for the first time and you’re simultaneously trying to figure out how to learn on your own, and maybe in a way you’re not used to in a traditional school, because it’s much more structured. Whereas in homeschooling, when you get to high school, it can be a lot more like college. I remember many days when I was done by Friday morning because I had finished all of my other work because I knew how to work ahead. And that was really important in college and the transition really wasn’t hard.” — Lillie Schmidt

Homeschooling boys can be a challenge—especially once they hit those teenage years. But it can also be a ton of fun! Join HSLDA High School Consultant LaNissir James as she chats with author, blogger, and speaker Monica Swanson about homeschooling teenage boys. They’ll cover topics like boundaries and freedom, following your teen’s interests, and how to keep a close relationship as your boys grow up.    “Sometimes, especially around middle-school, when kids are tweens or teenagers, parents have this tendency to pull back and be like, “OK, I guess they need freedom now. They’re changing. They’ve got their friends now and they don’t need mom and dad.” And I’m like, “No, no, no, no!” This isn’t the time to pull back. They actually need you now, maybe more than ever. I believe with all my heart that they are grateful when you give them a boundary. And I think when parents are kind of like, “Well, you decide,” they’re kind of like, “I don’t know! Who knows! How do I know?” They need somebody that says, ‘I actually

Are you looking for a positive and empowering U.S. history curriculum that’s completely free? In this episode of Homeschool Talks, HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason talks with Robert Woodson, founder of the 1776 Unites curriculum. They discuss why Robert decided to create the curriculum, what it can offer for homeschooling families, and more!

How can we teach U.S. history in a way that celebrates our heritage, acknowledges our flaws, and gives us hope for the future? Today on Homeschool Talks, HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason talks with Dr. Wilfred McClay, a history professor at Hillsdale College and author of Land of Hope: An Invitation to the Great American Story.

Are you worried that homeschooling might limit your student’s opportunities for sports? Join HSLDA President Mike Smith, Jeff Roberts (president of the Homeschool World Series Association) and HWSA Alumni Micah Davis for a great conversation all about baseball options for homeschoolers!

Do you have questions about homeschooling a child with special needs? Join HSLDA Special Needs Consultants, Rochelle Matthews-Somerville and Krisa Winn as they help answer your questions as well as offer encouragement and practical tips on your homeschool journey!  Questions covered include:       -- How do I create a Student Education Plan (SEP) for my child?  -- Where do I start with a child on the autism spectrum?  -- What are some of the best practices for teaching a child with dyslexia? 

Do you have questions about homeschooling through high school? Join Anita Gibson and Carol Becker, HSLDA High School Consultants, as they answer your questions as well as offer encouragement and practical tips for your homeschool journey! Questions covered include: -- How do you prepare high school transcripts? -- What are the pros and cons of using accredited programs?  -- What is a four-year plan, and why is it important?   

Got questions about homeschooling in middle school? Join Heather Frommack (HSLDA Director of Outreach and Consulting Services) and Natalie Mack (High School Consultant) as they answer questions about homeschooling in 6th through 8th grade.    Questions covered include: -- How do you choose a curriculum without becoming overwhelmed? -- What is the difference between unschooling and interest-led learning? -- How do you homeschool while working full-time? -- How do you prepare your kids for high school? 

Got questions about homeschooling in the early years? Join Rochelle Matthews-Somerville (HSLDA High School and Special Needs Consultant) and Krisa Winn (HSLDA Special Needs Consultant) as they answer questions about homeschooling in Pre-K through 5th grade.  Questions covered include:  -- Should I hold my kid back a grade? What about skipping grades?  -- Should I create an online or physical portfolio?  -- Can I make my own curriculum, or should I buy one? 

If you are a military spouse or parent and are also homeschooling your children, you know there are unique challenges to relocating your family when duty calls. Join Natalie Mack and Beverly Jacobson (retired Air Force wife, Trisomy Advocate, and mom to nine) for a conversation about finding connection even through the ups and downs of relocating as a military homeschool family. They’ll share some of their own experiences, how they’ve made it through tough times, helpful resources and advice, and lots of encouragement!

When you think about parenting teens, are “confidence” and “joy” words that come to mind? Join Faith Berens (HSLDA Special Needs Consultant) and Connie Albers (speaker and author of Parenting Beyond the Rules: Raising Teens with Confidence and Joy!) for an encouraging conversation about parenting teens in today’s world. They will discuss some of the tough issues that teens face, the power of listening, encouragement for parents with a broken or hurting relationship with their teen, and more!

On this week’s episode of Homeschool Talks, Join Jim Mason (HSLDA Vice President of Litigation and Development) and Peter Gray, Ph.D. (Professor at Boston College, Author, and founding member of the nonprofit Let Grow) for a conversation about Dr. Gray’s study on how families are doing after this past year.

On this week’s episode of Homeschool Talks, join Faith Berens and Marianne Sunderland for a conversation about homeschooling children with dyslexia. They’ll discuss Marianne’s experiences as a dyslexia advocate and homeschool mom of 8 (7 with dyslexia), how to have a growth mindset, when and how to get help for your kids, and more!

Join Jim Mason (HSLDA Vice President of Litigation and Development) and Sarah Schutte (Homeschool Grad, Podcast Manager and Associate Editor for the National Review) for a conversation about Sarah’s homeschool and post-grad experience. They’ll discuss how homeschooling allowed Sarah to learn how to work through her learning disability, and her experience working for the National Review in New York City.