February 3, 2025 • 27 mins
Join me as I sit down with *Vicki Tillman* from *Seven Sisters Homeschool* and the *Homeschool High School Podcast* to discuss the joys and challenges of homeschooling! Vicki, a veteran homeschool mom of five, shares her wisdom, insights, and encouragement for homeschool moms at every stage of the journey.
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(01:53):
All right.
Hi, Tilly.
How are you today? I am very happy to be here, so I am just fine.
Actually, I'm very excited to, to get to know you.
Um, we both know Teresa Weedrick very well, I think. 6 00:02:06,499.999 --> 00:02:11,500 And I've had, um, some work, worked with her a bit, and that's kind of our connection.
.999I, I didn't know about you until just a while ago.
(02:14):
And then I deep dived, and I thought, well, you know, I really want to talk to this lady.
So, but if you can introduce yourself to, to the people here, and um, Then that would be great.
Yeah.
I'm so happy to be here.
So I love meeting new homeschoolers and, uh, new to me anyway.
So I'm Vicki Tillman.
I'm from the Homeschool High School Podcast and Seven Sisters Homeschool.
(02:37):
And we do, um, how toss and curriculum and help people get through the high school years and the homeschool.
What a necessary work.
Yeah, you know, and there's like I seen Seven sisters and I thought no, I wonder where the seven sisters come comes from.
.9995Like, where did you get your name from? Oh Such a good question. 19 00:03:00,99.9995 --> 00:03:02,460 So there's six of us seven sisters.
(03:02):
So there's me Sabrina and Kim and Allison and Sarah and Marilyn and well Sisters in the Lord, and some are biological sisters, and some are sisters by their kids getting married.
And so in the homeschool world, you're just connected in all kinds of ways. 22 00:03:23,360.001 --> 00:03:29,630.001 But we homeschooled our kids together, and, uh, in co ops and umbrella schools and all kinds of situations.
(03:29):
.001So, uh, we just became sisters. 24 00:03:32,340.001 --> 00:03:35,390.001 And, uh, but there's only six of us. 25 00:03:35,400.001 --> 00:03:41,540.001 So who's the seventh sister? You are so that is so cool. 26 00:03:42,530.001 --> 00:03:45,370.001 Everybody is their unique sister to us.
And all together, we make a seven sisters community.
(03:50):
.001That's just amazing. 29 00:03:51,560.001 --> 00:03:52,550 Well, that's great. 30 00:03:52,810.001 --> 00:03:53,880 Yeah, I just wondered.
.001I thought, well, how did they come up with that? 7 sisters? But now that you say it, Makes complete sense. 32 00:03:58,700.001 --> 00:04:03,670.001 So yeah, so yeah, I'm kind of getting into your homeschooling journey a bit. 33 00:04:03,710.001 --> 00:04:13,360 Um, can you share your journey with homeschooling and, and what inspired you to start and, and take it from there? Like, take, take your thoughts about homeschooling.
(04:14):
.001Originally, I started homeschooling my oldest when he was starting the kindergarten. 35 00:04:20,320.101 --> 00:04:26,460.001 And I had made up my mind to homeschool him before homeschooling was very popular. 36 00:04:26,880.101 --> 00:04:39,50.001 Um, because when I was in high school, kind of back in the hippie days, if you loved education, you know, liked writing research paper were kind of nerdy. 37 00:04:39,350.001 --> 00:04:41,760.001 It was a very rotten thing to be. 38 00:04:41,770.001 --> 00:04:46,420 And I didn't want my kids to feel bad about enjoying learning. 39 00:04:46,975.001 --> 00:04:48,255.001 So I decided to homeschool. 40 00:04:49,85.001 --> 00:04:56,975.001 And then, um, we ended up with a whole bunch of our friends in a little, um, local school because it was fun to be together with them. 41 00:04:57,655.001 --> 00:04:59,665.001 And so we did that for a couple of years. 42 00:04:59,715.001 --> 00:05:04,345 And then we moved from Florida up to the Pennsylvania area.
(05:04):
And. 44 00:05:06,375.001 --> 00:05:11,135.001 The, you know, the little, little tiny school there didn't exist. 45 00:05:11,135.001 --> 00:05:18,765.001 It was these huge schools and then I remembered, I wanted to homeschool my kids anyway. 46 00:05:18,775.001 --> 00:05:27,665.001 And so we, and then we met all these other wonderful homeschoolers and then it was too much my support group to ever quit. 47 00:05:27,675.001 --> 00:05:28,935.001 So we homeschooled. 48 00:05:29,690.001 --> 00:05:46,740 All right, kids, all the way through graduation and, you know, really invested in the homeschool cause and community because, yeah, so are you a graduated homeschool mom now? Are you still graduating? Are you still homeschooling? Yeah, yeah, I graduated the youngest.
(05:46):
.001He is now Graduated from college and his master's program. 50 00:05:51,820.001 --> 00:05:52,710.001 So it's been a minute. 51 00:05:53,390.001 --> 00:05:54,90.001 Okay. 52 00:05:54,160.001 --> 00:05:54,760.001 All right. 53 00:05:54,930.001 --> 00:05:59,850 Oh, that's cool You know, it's you know, I I also i'm done homeschooling. 54 00:05:59,860.001 --> 00:06:17,870.002 We had seven and i'm done homeschooling and that um I think what you can bring to to the table for young moms and those who are going through what you've been through Is um immeasurable and and you can't really Get that from anybody, but somebody who's been through it. 55 00:06:17,960.002 --> 00:06:25,590.002 So, yeah, yeah, I really think it's our responsibility to not leave the next generation hanging. 56 00:06:25,590.102 --> 00:06:28,370.001 You know, we've already learned the hard way. 57 00:06:28,370.001 --> 00:06:33,580.002 So if we can save someone else a little trouble, why not? Yes. 58 00:06:34,30.002 --> 00:06:45,625.002 So, for all the moms out there who are in the thick of it, what for you was the most challenging part of homeschooling chemistry? Yeah, really. 59 00:06:45,865.002 --> 00:06:57,295.002 I think most people would probably, most probably most people would probably say like, um, organization or like chemistry, oh, I can't, I can't even say the word organized, you know? No. 60 00:06:58,295.002 --> 00:07:00,775.002 But I learned not to let that bother me. 61 00:07:01,215.002 --> 00:07:02,145.002 So that's for sure. 62 00:07:02,805.002 --> 00:07:03,515.002 Exactly. 63 00:07:03,775.002 --> 00:07:11,285.001 So what was difficult about chemistry? I don't even know if I dare to ask that question because my chemistry was not my thing either. 64 00:07:11,785.002 --> 00:07:14,555.002 Yeah, you did this like seven times I'm sure. 65 00:07:14,555.102 --> 00:07:18,865.002 So, um, now stoichiometry, you know, and all these. 66 00:07:18,885.002 --> 00:07:25,185.002 Strange letters and numbers and you're turning MA science into math, and I just did not like it. 67 00:07:25,185.002 --> 00:07:31,55.002 It seemed like it should be a wonderful thing, but to me it was just hard to just glad to get over. 68 00:07:31,355.002 --> 00:07:31,715.002 You got it. 69 00:07:31,835.002 --> 00:07:39,25.002 So that's why you're helping homeschoolers through high school, right? Because you know the challenges of it and you know Yeah. 70 00:07:39,25.002 --> 00:07:39,745.002 How that goes. 71 00:07:39,745.002 --> 00:07:41,545.002 So you're there to support them, which is great. 72 00:07:42,420.002 --> 00:07:42,690.002 Yeah. 73 00:07:42,720.002 --> 00:07:53,780.002 So how did you work as, um, a, as a, a coach or a counselor while you were doing school, and how did, how did you work through that as a homeschool mom? Because five kids is nothing to sneeze. 74 00:07:53,780.002 --> 00:07:55,460.002 That, that's a lot of work, right? Yeah. 75 00:07:55,525.002 --> 00:07:56,870.002 That, that is very true. 76 00:07:56,960.002 --> 00:07:57,440.002 Yes. 77 00:07:57,860.002 --> 00:08:12,160.002 Um, the, the reason why I started working as a counselor, um, is the, we lived in South Philadelphia, so if you, you know, for the locals around here, you know, it is a very, um. 78 00:08:13,160.002 --> 00:08:14,660.002 Urbanizing area. 79 00:08:14,710.002 --> 00:08:21,650.002 Yeah, and it got dangerous for my kids, although we loved all the things that were there. 80 00:08:21,750.002 --> 00:08:25,900.002 Um, but I, it wasn't safe for my children anymore. 81 00:08:25,910.002 --> 00:08:31,280.001 So there needed to be more income in the family and I wasn't good at math. 82 00:08:31,280.001 --> 00:08:37,859.902 Obviously, I couldn't do stoichiometry very well, so I couldn't get a banking job, you know, something simple. 83 00:08:38,340.002 --> 00:08:44,130.002 Um, but I was always the kind of person who people walked up to in the grocery store and started telling me their problems. 84 00:08:44,130.002 --> 00:08:47,430.002 You know, like, that was, you know, it just, it just happens. 85 00:08:48,430.002 --> 00:08:59,29.902 Um, so I went to college and got my master's degree in counseling and, uh, uh, have worked in a small, well, moderately sized company. 86 00:09:00,29.902 --> 00:09:07,489.901 Where they were very flexible with my, uh, I said homeschoolings first, my kids are first and they said, yeah, we believe in families too. 87 00:09:07,519.902 --> 00:09:10,79.901 So we've been very much a family atmosphere. 88 00:09:10,399.901 --> 00:09:17,779.901 What made it work though for me in the homeschooling is that we could homeschools adaptable. 89 00:09:17,889.902 --> 00:09:20,929.902 So we would do the things we had to do together. 90 00:09:21,494.902 --> 00:09:31,984.902 In the morning, and there were some things that, um, I could not be present for, for my kids because I actually had to go to work. 91 00:09:32,414.902 --> 00:09:35,304.902 And so, but we were part of a homeschool community. 92 00:09:35,624.902 --> 00:09:42,454.901 So my, my sisters, um, would take my kids places that I couldn't get. 93 00:09:42,764.901 --> 00:09:43,174.901 And. 94 00:09:43,349.902 --> 00:09:48,149.902 Then things that they didn't feel comfortable about, I could do. 95 00:09:48,159.902 --> 00:09:53,309.902 So I was, um, I served as academic advisor because you learn the ropes. 96 00:09:53,789.901 --> 00:09:59,909.902 And so, you know, their kids and how many get to the next part after graduation. 97 00:10:00,129.901 --> 00:10:04,909.902 So we all, you know, like the, everybody brought something to the table and we all made it work. 98 00:10:05,704.902 --> 00:10:06,894.902 Yeah, that's amazing. 99 00:10:06,894.902 --> 00:10:09,264.902 I like that, that, um, that community. 100 00:10:09,314.902 --> 00:10:31,344.902 And I, and I, I think that is maybe as a homeschool mom, like that is something everybody has different access to different communities and different parts of whatever, you know, like whoever they can do it with or whether it's like online or whether it's local or, but yeah, that community I think is very essential as a homeschool mom. 101 00:10:31,344.902 --> 00:10:34,634.902 Like we always think of our kids socialization, but yeah. 102 00:10:34,849.902 --> 00:10:42,29.902 The, to me, the socialization for the moms is almost just important to, to fill their kids up again. 103 00:10:42,199.902 --> 00:10:42,539.902 Yeah. 104 00:10:43,454.902 --> 00:10:44,644.902 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 105 00:10:44,944.902 --> 00:10:51,384.902 And so that then out of my, um, counseling that I grow into a coach also. 106 00:10:51,394.902 --> 00:11:04,284.901 So, because that's a whole different kind of, of, yeah, it's not solving problems as much as helping people to get to the fullness of who they are supposed to be. 107 00:11:04,294.901 --> 00:11:05,464.901 So, like, exactly. 108 00:11:06,464.901 --> 00:11:15,4.901 People may have some issues they want to work on, but it's like, how do I get to be the best homeschooler that my family needs? Yeah, you're right. 109 00:11:15,14.901 --> 00:11:20,914.9 They're like, they're trying to look forward to something and trying to straighten certain things out that they're struggling with. 110 00:11:20,914.901 --> 00:11:23,434.9 And it's, it's a nice to walk alongside. 111 00:11:23,664.901 --> 00:11:25,294.901 And I'm sure you do that in counseling just as well. 112 00:11:25,294.901 --> 00:11:29,14.901 But it's nice to walk alongside someone and, and gear them the way. 113 00:11:29,44.901 --> 00:11:29,424.901 Yeah. 114 00:11:29,534.901 --> 00:11:29,844.901 Yeah. 115 00:11:30,184.901 --> 00:11:31,94.901 So, okay. 116 00:11:31,309.901 --> 00:11:51,169.901 That said, what were the difficulties of homeschooling? What did you find, um, what did you like best about homeschooling? I, well, the community, of course, um, because I just love the, even though I'm an introvert, um, I love the feeling of doing things with people. 117 00:11:51,689.901 --> 00:12:01,269.901 So you know, we, when we were co oping, you know, teaching things and watching the kids faces light up or, you know, planning out our, our lessons. 118 00:12:01,289.901 --> 00:12:05,799.901 So I love the community and I absolutely love. 119 00:12:06,379.901 --> 00:12:12,259.901 Um, working with my kids and other kids, too, on helping them learn to think well. 120 00:12:13,259.901 --> 00:12:15,989.901 And so that was everything we did. 121 00:12:16,599.901 --> 00:12:16,939.9005 Yeah. 122 00:12:16,939.9005 --> 00:12:23,459.9 So could you define like a moment that you say, Oh, this was like when I felt like I was a homeschooling success. 123 00:12:23,459.901 --> 00:12:29,979.901 What, where did you feel that as a, as a homeschool mom? This was, this makes it all worth all the troubles homeschooling. 124 00:12:30,979.901 --> 00:12:32,839.901 That, that is a good question. 125 00:12:32,839.901 --> 00:13:13,744.899 I mean, the first thing that comes to mind is, I mean, it sounds cheesy, but we had at graduation, we would do a group graduation of our local and so many of those kids because I served as their academic advisor, I graduate a prop of, you know, 20 to 40 of these kids every year and watching my kids, And other kids that I also loved with their little blue cap and gowns on walking across the stage and knowing they knew what was going to happen next, as far as they have control over life, you know, their college plans or their career plans or their military plans. 126 00:13:14,354.899 --> 00:13:18,724.9 And they knew they had an assurance about what they were going to do. 127 00:13:19,74.9 --> 00:13:20,684.9 And I would just cry. 128 00:13:20,774.9 --> 00:13:21,904.8 And it was wonderful. 129 00:13:22,784.9 --> 00:13:32,284.9 Yeah, yeah, so like launching everyone was your favorite part, like knowing that they're prepared to do what, what, um, what they have to do and that they're capable of doing. 130 00:13:32,314.9 --> 00:13:35,454.899 I think that's the main thing that they're capable of, of getting out there and doing. 131 00:13:35,454.9 --> 00:13:37,664.9 Yeah, that is, that is wonderful. 132 00:13:37,664.9 --> 00:13:41,444.8 And then to follow through and to say, Oh, um, to see. 133 00:13:41,584.9 --> 00:13:45,904.9 them thrive as human beings and as people and know that you had a hand in it. 134 00:13:45,904.9 --> 00:13:48,354.9 That is, that is one of the blessings of homeschooling. 135 00:13:48,354.9 --> 00:13:48,634.9 Yeah. 136 00:13:49,284.9 --> 00:13:59,14.899 So what would you, what would you suggest or how, what advice would you give to a homeschool mom who's just starting? Uh, that's a good question. 137 00:13:59,24.899 --> 00:14:03,304.9 So the first piece of advice is you can do this. 138 00:14:04,224.9 --> 00:14:09,24.9 And the second piece of advice is there's not one right way to do that. 139 00:14:10,24.9 --> 00:14:14,334.9 And so you do the way that's best for your family. 140 00:14:15,244.9 --> 00:14:23,94.899 And the third piece of advice is, if you're really feeling insecure, go work with a homeschool coach. 141 00:14:23,94.999 --> 00:14:26,934.9 For sure. 142 00:14:27,934.9 --> 00:14:32,424.9 That's, that is a way that you don't have to do all the decisions. 143 00:14:32,424.9 --> 00:14:43,144.899 There's so many decisions that have to be made and, um, to have somebody that's already walked the path walk with you is, well, yeah, and I think it's like a, it's, it's easy to feel alone. 144 00:14:43,384.9 --> 00:15:03,314.9 And I think even in the midst of, like, a co op group where you, it looks like everybody's just coping wonderfully and doing everything that you think they, they look well, right? And you think, oh, I'm failing, right? And then to have someone to walk alongside you, because sometimes talking to people, you know, is, is kind of, can kind of be difficult at times. 145 00:15:03,374.9 --> 00:15:06,324.9 It's somebody who's kind of more far from the situation. 146 00:15:06,334.9 --> 00:15:07,334.9 So, yes, definitely. 147 00:15:07,334.9 --> 00:15:09,654.9 So, yeah, you'll have found that in your counseling. 148 00:15:10,109.9 --> 00:15:12,149.9 Um, practice as well, right? Yes. 149 00:15:12,219.9 --> 00:15:12,519.9 Yeah. 150 00:15:13,299.9 --> 00:15:13,669.9 Yeah. 151 00:15:13,949.9 --> 00:15:29,299.899 So, um, and then also like you do a bit of quick, like you said, you do academic, um, you were teaching kids like, so how do you also do that in your business? Can you explain a little bit of your business as a homeschool coach? And yeah. 152 00:15:29,689.9 --> 00:15:30,69.9 Yeah. 153 00:15:30,119.9 --> 00:15:30,509.9 Yeah. 154 00:15:30,859.9 --> 00:15:38,339.9 So, um, In the curriculum development hat, with Seven Sisters Home School, we have a website. 155 00:15:38,339.9 --> 00:15:40,319.9 It's the number seven in sistershomeschool. 156 00:15:40,889.9 --> 00:15:41,349.9 com. 157 00:15:41,799.9 --> 00:15:57,339.9 And what we do is all of the things that we have learned, we turn into blog posts on, you know, like the basics, how to homeschool, high school and all, um, so that people feel like they can go there and read, um, how to's. 158 00:15:57,699.9 --> 00:16:02,519.9 But also, curriculum development for high schoolers. 159 00:16:02,959.9 --> 00:16:05,479.9 Um, and this is why we do that. 160 00:16:05,819.9 --> 00:16:16,559.899 Cause when we started homeschooling, there were still dinosaurs, you know, back, you know, in the state truant officers at the door drills, you know, there just wasn't much available. 161 00:16:17,59.9 --> 00:16:20,509.9 Um, and so we had to create our own curriculum for a lot of things. 162 00:16:20,509.9 --> 00:16:24,349.9 Cause we just couldn't, um, get hold of things that we needed. 163 00:16:24,739.9 --> 00:16:26,759.9 So the curriculum that we developed. 164 00:16:27,309.9 --> 00:16:31,979.9 Over generations of high schoolers, you know, our kids were opinionated. 165 00:16:32,419.9 --> 00:16:49,174.9 They let us know what worked and what didn't, and you know, we don't like busy work, you know, we want to Different kind of learners in the same co op class and some are going to college and some are going in the workforce and to be able to have something that's adaptable with no wasted time. 166 00:16:49,694.9 --> 00:17:05,194.899 And so we developed, um, you know, electives like psychology and human development, you know, things that are, are important electives for their trans financial literacy, um, philosophy. 167 00:17:05,614.899 --> 00:17:32,454.8 Um, so I like thinking, um, And then, uh, the things that, that we just, our, our teens stomped their feet and said we don't like it, um, we made our own curriculum in language arts, so literature study guides and writing guides, because they needed no busy work, but to learn their analysis and writing communication skills without, you know, killing the book.
(17:32):
.8Yeah, yeah. 169 00:17:36,414.9 --> 00:17:45,44.9 So, um, so then, so your philosophy is obviously is like, let's, let's do, um, what matters. 170 00:17:45,114.9 --> 00:17:47,254.9 Let's not just do stuff to do stuff. 171 00:17:47,394.899 --> 00:17:47,824.899 Right. 172 00:17:48,234.9 --> 00:18:05,694.9 Um, can you add anything that to that? Like, as far as like, What other, like, what philosophies did you bring into your curriculum besides, like, the fact that you wanted to make sure there was no, um, waste of time stuff, kind of? Well, again, we, we wanted our kids to learn to think. 173 00:18:06,284.9 --> 00:18:16,924.9 So, like, the, the, the literature study guides and the writing guides, um, lean more on inferential thinking rather than just regurgitating facts. 174 00:18:17,214.9 --> 00:18:18,174.9 Exactly, yeah. 175 00:18:18,844.9 --> 00:18:29,634.9 Um, because what we want them to be able to do is, is to graduate and go into adulthood and feel like they can figure things out themselves. 176 00:18:29,644.9 --> 00:18:30,24.9 Yes. 177 00:18:30,174.9 --> 00:18:30,634.9 Yes. 178 00:18:30,914.899 --> 00:18:31,254.899 Yeah. 179 00:18:31,254.9 --> 00:18:33,704.9 So that they're kind of learning beyond the 18 years. 180 00:18:33,714.9 --> 00:18:42,364.9 Like you create a love in it, like a thought process and a love for it that, you know, like they're not just going to learn while they're with you, they're going to keep wanting to do that. 181 00:18:42,844.9 --> 00:18:48,534.899 Like you don't want to like stifling, like just making them regurgitate will stifle Right. 182 00:18:48,544.899 --> 00:18:49,614.899 So yeah, that is man. 183 00:18:49,614.899 --> 00:18:52,94.899 That's a good, a good philosophy for sure. 184 00:18:52,464.899 --> 00:19:08,574.898 Um, do you integrate biblical principles into your curriculum or do you just, yeah, we're, we're all of us different flavors of, uh, you know, denominations and all, um, but we do have a, uh, biblical worldview. 185 00:19:09,574.898 --> 00:19:13,354.898 So won't you, what you won't find is preachy. 186 00:19:14,214.898 --> 00:19:15,614.898 So it just. 187 00:19:16,74.898 --> 00:19:22,824.898 Yes, teens don't put up with that and, uh, but we also what we found is in the states. 188 00:19:23,434.898 --> 00:19:25,444.898 There are a number of states. 189 00:19:25,914.898 --> 00:19:35,94.898 That will reimburse homeschoolers for their curriculum purchases, but they can't have any religious inferences in them. 190 00:19:35,564.897 --> 00:19:43,779.798 So we developed our, took our basic curriculum and tweaked them so that those. 191 00:19:44,779.798 --> 00:19:47,619.798 So we have two threads if you go to our website. 192 00:19:47,619.798 --> 00:20:00,169.798 So we've got the whole thread for those who are in states that reimburse because there's so much to bring to the table and the parents can handle the religious aspect on their own then. 193 00:20:00,739.798 --> 00:20:01,989.798 Yeah, yeah, for sure. 194 00:20:01,989.798 --> 00:20:04,389.798 And they can do it the way they want to, for sure. 195 00:20:04,429.798 --> 00:20:06,79.798 Like, the way they feel that it should be done. 196 00:20:06,389.798 --> 00:20:06,749.798 Yeah. 197 00:20:07,289.798 --> 00:20:14,89.798 So, what have you learned? Like, obviously, you're mentoring through the curriculum and probably all aspects of homeschooling. 198 00:20:14,89.798 --> 00:20:15,89.798 You're mentoring moms. 199 00:20:15,499.798 --> 00:20:28,89.798 Um, what have you learned from mentoring moms throughout the years of doing that? Um, not to Take things very seriously with a smile. 200 00:20:28,219.798 --> 00:20:28,509.798 Yeah. 201 00:20:28,669.798 --> 00:20:30,569.798 And then to probably they need to do that. 202 00:20:31,209.798 --> 00:20:31,729.798 Yeah. 203 00:20:32,119.798 --> 00:20:36,399.797 Like what you saw on somebody's Pinterest or social media feed. 204 00:20:36,839.798 --> 00:20:37,879.798 That's not serious. 205 00:20:38,419.798 --> 00:20:39,99.797 It's not real. 206 00:20:39,629.798 --> 00:20:47,999.797 Um, that if we're not enjoying life, at least some of it, then we need to do some praying and tweaking. 207 00:20:48,429.797 --> 00:20:49,489.797 Yes, that's for sure. 208 00:20:49,489.797 --> 00:20:49,779.797 Yeah. 209 00:20:49,809.797 --> 00:20:50,799.797 So, um. 210 00:20:51,429.798 --> 00:20:56,969.798 Well, and so you, you said that you were into co op groups and you did a lot of that kind of stuff while you were doing it. 211 00:20:57,289.798 --> 00:21:08,909.798 So what advice would you give someone who is beginning, wants to go to a co op group or wants to start a co op group? Or, um, yeah, just can you give some advice around that? Yeah, yeah. 212 00:21:08,959.798 --> 00:21:13,679.798 And you know, these days there's so many ways to join a homeschool group. 213 00:21:13,729.798 --> 00:21:22,469.798 So I, I always encourage parents that there's not one right way to homeschool and there's not one flavor of co op. 214 00:21:22,869.798 --> 00:21:35,19.798 And so when you go to look, you know, when, when there are groups that are accepting, you know, new students, Is see if you can visit and see if it feels like the atmosphere for your team. 215 00:21:36,19.798 --> 00:21:41,189.798 Because some are like are, you know, the classical education model, which is. 216 00:21:41,604.798 --> 00:21:45,684.798 It's marvelous for some teens and stifling for others. 217 00:21:46,684.798 --> 00:21:52,554.798 Just because it's there doesn't mean it's the right way for your teen, and that's okay. 218 00:21:53,464.798 --> 00:21:56,584.7975 So yeah, that's a great idea. 219 00:21:56,584.7975 --> 00:22:03,744.798 Yeah, but what would you what would you do for up? A mother who's having trouble with her teens, like, like you said, stifling feel stifling. 220 00:22:03,744.798 --> 00:22:10,654.798 What would you suggest that that mother does with for that team? That that is a good question. 221 00:22:10,664.797 --> 00:22:13,754.798 So, and that would be a really individual thing. 222 00:22:14,354.798 --> 00:22:18,84.798 So, in those cases, if it's really something that. 223 00:22:19,84.798 --> 00:22:22,264.798 stuck, I'd say go work with a homeschool coach. 224 00:22:22,624.798 --> 00:22:52,999.798 And I mean, it sounds cheesy, but for real is, you know, the coaches like you, you know, people like me, we've been around for a while been in the trenches, or find another mom who is friendly, you know, a good listener, and just don't do it alone, like process towards a A good outcome and also sometimes all teens need is to just throw out the book and start from scratch. 225 00:22:53,329.798 --> 00:22:55,9.7975 And right exactly. 226 00:22:55,9.7975 --> 00:22:55,279.797 Yeah. 227 00:22:55,489.798 --> 00:22:55,789.798 Yeah. 228 00:22:56,789.798 --> 00:22:57,249.798 Yeah. 229 00:22:58,179.798 --> 00:22:58,379.798 Yeah. 230 00:22:58,379.798 --> 00:23:04,639.798 So how would you encourage a mom to take to have her team take ownership for. 231 00:23:05,149.798 --> 00:23:08,609.798 His education and they're all different. 232 00:23:08,709.798 --> 00:23:16,359.798 They're all some are born motivated and you have to come back and some of them, you have to find their motivation. 233 00:23:16,689.798 --> 00:23:27,129.797 So, um, really, really encourage moms to be with the team and have the team set goals. 234 00:23:28,129.797 --> 00:23:31,739.797 And that's, you know, like, don't take your agenda. 235 00:23:31,769.797 --> 00:23:34,439.797 Like, if your team is. 236 00:23:35,19.797 --> 00:23:45,969.797 Not highly motivated teen and you see them as Harvard potential, you know, that's, that's not going to work because you'll be fighting with them all the time. 237 00:23:46,449.797 --> 00:23:54,419.797 So adjust to what the teen can do now and then see if you can add enough good in life. 238 00:23:54,439.797 --> 00:24:00,819.797 You know, some adventures, some fun, some inspiration, um, that helps them find their motivation. 239 00:24:00,959.797 --> 00:24:02,289.796 Then they'll motivate themselves. 240 00:24:03,289.796 --> 00:24:04,339.796 Yeah, absolutely. 241 00:24:04,339.796 --> 00:24:05,669.796 I totally agree with that. 242 00:24:05,679.796 --> 00:24:22,249.795 You know, like, um, sometimes our expectations as parents can stifle our children and, um, whereas we could be letting go of our own expectations and working into their expectations and it could be a totally different outcome. 243 00:24:22,649.795 --> 00:24:25,119.796 That's really, really, that's really profound. 244 00:24:25,249.796 --> 00:24:27,319.796 What you, what you just said there is amazing. 245 00:24:27,319.796 --> 00:24:27,619.796 Yeah. 246 00:24:28,619.796 --> 00:24:35,159.796 Um, so what projects are you working on right now? So currently I am getting ready. 247 00:24:35,189.796 --> 00:24:42,769.795 This sounds really weird, but I decided to start teaching a class to adults on the U. 248 00:24:42,769.796 --> 00:24:42,959.796 S. 249 00:24:42,989.796 --> 00:24:54,449.796 Constitution because I miss teaching and so it's a really low key thing that I'm going to be doing online just just because I miss teaching and it's a good topic. 250 00:24:55,349.796 --> 00:25:11,929.796 But then on the the teen curriculum side, we're finishing a critical thinking text for the teens and got several study guides are getting ready to finish off. 251 00:25:12,659.796 --> 00:25:19,279.796 Hopefully, by the end of the month of study guides to finish a whole year of C. 252 00:25:19,279.796 --> 00:25:19,439.796 S. 253 00:25:19,439.796 --> 00:25:20,449.796 Lewis studies. 254 00:25:20,669.795 --> 00:25:23,729.795 Oh, yeah, that's going to be fun. 255 00:25:24,729.795 --> 00:25:26,549.794 You must absolutely love studying. 256 00:25:26,559.795 --> 00:25:31,819.795 You must absolutely love delving into those kind of things and, um, preparing all that kind of stuff. 257 00:25:32,654.795 --> 00:25:33,484.795 Such a nerd. 258 00:25:33,804.795 --> 00:25:42,314.795 I, you know, not, not like, not like, you know, peach low D level, you know, like college teacher, but I just, yeah, such a nerd. 259 00:25:42,444.795 --> 00:25:43,874.794 That's that's wonderful. 260 00:25:43,874.795 --> 00:25:45,134.795 It's wonderful. 261 00:25:46,134.795 --> 00:25:50,64.794 Do you have anything else you want to add? And then we'll, um, we'll probably close up and. 262 00:25:51,64.794 --> 00:25:51,884.794 Yeah, yeah. 263 00:25:52,114.794 --> 00:25:58,164.794 Oh, it's wonderful to meet you and just to encourage all of our homeschool friends. 264 00:25:58,174.794 --> 00:25:59,214.794 You can do this. 265 00:25:59,304.793 --> 00:26:00,654.794 You can do this. 266 00:26:01,654.794 --> 00:26:02,4.794 Absolutely. 267 00:26:03,4.794 --> 00:26:03,934.794 Get support. 268 00:26:03,974.794 --> 00:26:06,944.794 There's support if you need it, but you can do this. 269 00:26:06,944.894 --> 00:26:11,624.794 Yeah, from two moms who are on the other side. 270 00:26:11,954.794 --> 00:26:12,474.794 I've done it. 271 00:26:13,474.794 --> 00:26:14,284.794 You can do this. 272 00:26:14,284.794 --> 00:26:14,524.794 Yes. 273 00:26:15,524.794 --> 00:26:15,874.794 All right. 274 00:26:15,894.794 --> 00:26:20,84.794 Well, thank you very much for coming on with me today, Tilly, and I really appreciated it. 275 00:26:20,754.794 --> 00:26:22,474.793 Yes, my, my honor. 276 00:26:22,484.793 --> 00:26:22,844.793 Thanks.
All right.
Hi, Tilly.
How are you today? I am very happy to be here, so I am just fine.
Actually, I'm very excited to, to get to know you.
Um, we both know Teresa Weedrick very well, I think. 6 00:02:06,499.999 --> 00:02:11,500 And I've had, um, some work, worked with her a bit, and that's kind of our connection.
.999I, I didn't know about you until just a while ago.
(02:14):
And then I deep dived, and I thought, well, you know, I really want to talk to this lady.
So, but if you can introduce yourself to, to the people here, and um, Then that would be great.
Yeah.
I'm so happy to be here.
So I love meeting new homeschoolers and, uh, new to me anyway.
So I'm Vicki Tillman.
I'm from the Homeschool High School Podcast and Seven Sisters Homeschool.
(02:37):
And we do, um, how toss and curriculum and help people get through the high school years and the homeschool.
What a necessary work.
Yeah, you know, and there's like I seen Seven sisters and I thought no, I wonder where the seven sisters come comes from.
.9995Like, where did you get your name from? Oh Such a good question. 19 00:03:00,99.9995 --> 00:03:02,460 So there's six of us seven sisters.
(03:02):
So there's me Sabrina and Kim and Allison and Sarah and Marilyn and well Sisters in the Lord, and some are biological sisters, and some are sisters by their kids getting married.
And so in the homeschool world, you're just connected in all kinds of ways. 22 00:03:23,360.001 --> 00:03:29,630.001 But we homeschooled our kids together, and, uh, in co ops and umbrella schools and all kinds of situations.
(03:29):
.001So, uh, we just became sisters. 24 00:03:32,340.001 --> 00:03:35,390.001 And, uh, but there's only six of us. 25 00:03:35,400.001 --> 00:03:41,540.001 So who's the seventh sister? You are so that is so cool. 26 00:03:42,530.001 --> 00:03:45,370.001 Everybody is their unique sister to us.
And all together, we make a seven sisters community.
(03:50):
.001That's just amazing. 29 00:03:51,560.001 --> 00:03:52,550 Well, that's great. 30 00:03:52,810.001 --> 00:03:53,880 Yeah, I just wondered.
.001I thought, well, how did they come up with that? 7 sisters? But now that you say it, Makes complete sense. 32 00:03:58,700.001 --> 00:04:03,670.001 So yeah, so yeah, I'm kind of getting into your homeschooling journey a bit. 33 00:04:03,710.001 --> 00:04:13,360 Um, can you share your journey with homeschooling and, and what inspired you to start and, and take it from there? Like, take, take your thoughts about homeschooling.
(04:14):
.001Originally, I started homeschooling my oldest when he was starting the kindergarten. 35 00:04:20,320.101 --> 00:04:26,460.001 And I had made up my mind to homeschool him before homeschooling was very popular. 36 00:04:26,880.101 --> 00:04:39,50.001 Um, because when I was in high school, kind of back in the hippie days, if you loved education, you know, liked writing research paper were kind of nerdy. 37 00:04:39,350.001 --> 00:04:41,760.001 It was a very rotten thing to be. 38 00:04:41,770.001 --> 00:04:46,420 And I didn't want my kids to feel bad about enjoying learning. 39 00:04:46,975.001 --> 00:04:48,255.001 So I decided to homeschool. 40 00:04:49,85.001 --> 00:04:56,975.001 And then, um, we ended up with a whole bunch of our friends in a little, um, local school because it was fun to be together with them. 41 00:04:57,655.001 --> 00:04:59,665.001 And so we did that for a couple of years. 42 00:04:59,715.001 --> 00:05:04,345 And then we moved from Florida up to the Pennsylvania area.
(05:04):
And. 44 00:05:06,375.001 --> 00:05:11,135.001 The, you know, the little, little tiny school there didn't exist. 45 00:05:11,135.001 --> 00:05:18,765.001 It was these huge schools and then I remembered, I wanted to homeschool my kids anyway. 46 00:05:18,775.001 --> 00:05:27,665.001 And so we, and then we met all these other wonderful homeschoolers and then it was too much my support group to ever quit. 47 00:05:27,675.001 --> 00:05:28,935.001 So we homeschooled. 48 00:05:29,690.001 --> 00:05:46,740 All right, kids, all the way through graduation and, you know, really invested in the homeschool cause and community because, yeah, so are you a graduated homeschool mom now? Are you still graduating? Are you still homeschooling? Yeah, yeah, I graduated the youngest.
(05:46):
.001He is now Graduated from college and his master's program. 50 00:05:51,820.001 --> 00:05:52,710.001 So it's been a minute. 51 00:05:53,390.001 --> 00:05:54,90.001 Okay. 52 00:05:54,160.001 --> 00:05:54,760.001 All right. 53 00:05:54,930.001 --> 00:05:59,850 Oh, that's cool You know, it's you know, I I also i'm done homeschooling. 54 00:05:59,860.001 --> 00:06:17,870.002 We had seven and i'm done homeschooling and that um I think what you can bring to to the table for young moms and those who are going through what you've been through Is um immeasurable and and you can't really Get that from anybody, but somebody who's been through it. 55 00:06:17,960.002 --> 00:06:25,590.002 So, yeah, yeah, I really think it's our responsibility to not leave the next generation hanging. 56 00:06:25,590.102 --> 00:06:28,370.001 You know, we've already learned the hard way. 57 00:06:28,370.001 --> 00:06:33,580.002 So if we can save someone else a little trouble, why not? Yes. 58 00:06:34,30.002 --> 00:06:45,625.002 So, for all the moms out there who are in the thick of it, what for you was the most challenging part of homeschooling chemistry? Yeah, really. 59 00:06:45,865.002 --> 00:06:57,295.002 I think most people would probably, most probably most people would probably say like, um, organization or like chemistry, oh, I can't, I can't even say the word organized, you know? No. 60 00:06:58,295.002 --> 00:07:00,775.002 But I learned not to let that bother me. 61 00:07:01,215.002 --> 00:07:02,145.002 So that's for sure. 62 00:07:02,805.002 --> 00:07:03,515.002 Exactly. 63 00:07:03,775.002 --> 00:07:11,285.001 So what was difficult about chemistry? I don't even know if I dare to ask that question because my chemistry was not my thing either. 64 00:07:11,785.002 --> 00:07:14,555.002 Yeah, you did this like seven times I'm sure. 65 00:07:14,555.102 --> 00:07:18,865.002 So, um, now stoichiometry, you know, and all these. 66 00:07:18,885.002 --> 00:07:25,185.002 Strange letters and numbers and you're turning MA science into math, and I just did not like it. 67 00:07:25,185.002 --> 00:07:31,55.002 It seemed like it should be a wonderful thing, but to me it was just hard to just glad to get over. 68 00:07:31,355.002 --> 00:07:31,715.002 You got it. 69 00:07:31,835.002 --> 00:07:39,25.002 So that's why you're helping homeschoolers through high school, right? Because you know the challenges of it and you know Yeah. 70 00:07:39,25.002 --> 00:07:39,745.002 How that goes. 71 00:07:39,745.002 --> 00:07:41,545.002 So you're there to support them, which is great. 72 00:07:42,420.002 --> 00:07:42,690.002 Yeah. 73 00:07:42,720.002 --> 00:07:53,780.002 So how did you work as, um, a, as a, a coach or a counselor while you were doing school, and how did, how did you work through that as a homeschool mom? Because five kids is nothing to sneeze. 74 00:07:53,780.002 --> 00:07:55,460.002 That, that's a lot of work, right? Yeah. 75 00:07:55,525.002 --> 00:07:56,870.002 That, that is very true. 76 00:07:56,960.002 --> 00:07:57,440.002 Yes. 77 00:07:57,860.002 --> 00:08:12,160.002 Um, the, the reason why I started working as a counselor, um, is the, we lived in South Philadelphia, so if you, you know, for the locals around here, you know, it is a very, um. 78 00:08:13,160.002 --> 00:08:14,660.002 Urbanizing area. 79 00:08:14,710.002 --> 00:08:21,650.002 Yeah, and it got dangerous for my kids, although we loved all the things that were there. 80 00:08:21,750.002 --> 00:08:25,900.002 Um, but I, it wasn't safe for my children anymore. 81 00:08:25,910.002 --> 00:08:31,280.001 So there needed to be more income in the family and I wasn't good at math. 82 00:08:31,280.001 --> 00:08:37,859.902 Obviously, I couldn't do stoichiometry very well, so I couldn't get a banking job, you know, something simple. 83 00:08:38,340.002 --> 00:08:44,130.002 Um, but I was always the kind of person who people walked up to in the grocery store and started telling me their problems. 84 00:08:44,130.002 --> 00:08:47,430.002 You know, like, that was, you know, it just, it just happens. 85 00:08:48,430.002 --> 00:08:59,29.902 Um, so I went to college and got my master's degree in counseling and, uh, uh, have worked in a small, well, moderately sized company. 86 00:09:00,29.902 --> 00:09:07,489.901 Where they were very flexible with my, uh, I said homeschoolings first, my kids are first and they said, yeah, we believe in families too. 87 00:09:07,519.902 --> 00:09:10,79.901 So we've been very much a family atmosphere. 88 00:09:10,399.901 --> 00:09:17,779.901 What made it work though for me in the homeschooling is that we could homeschools adaptable. 89 00:09:17,889.902 --> 00:09:20,929.902 So we would do the things we had to do together. 90 00:09:21,494.902 --> 00:09:31,984.902 In the morning, and there were some things that, um, I could not be present for, for my kids because I actually had to go to work. 91 00:09:32,414.902 --> 00:09:35,304.902 And so, but we were part of a homeschool community. 92 00:09:35,624.902 --> 00:09:42,454.901 So my, my sisters, um, would take my kids places that I couldn't get. 93 00:09:42,764.901 --> 00:09:43,174.901 And. 94 00:09:43,349.902 --> 00:09:48,149.902 Then things that they didn't feel comfortable about, I could do. 95 00:09:48,159.902 --> 00:09:53,309.902 So I was, um, I served as academic advisor because you learn the ropes. 96 00:09:53,789.901 --> 00:09:59,909.902 And so, you know, their kids and how many get to the next part after graduation. 97 00:10:00,129.901 --> 00:10:04,909.902 So we all, you know, like the, everybody brought something to the table and we all made it work. 98 00:10:05,704.902 --> 00:10:06,894.902 Yeah, that's amazing. 99 00:10:06,894.902 --> 00:10:09,264.902 I like that, that, um, that community. 100 00:10:09,314.902 --> 00:10:31,344.902 And I, and I, I think that is maybe as a homeschool mom, like that is something everybody has different access to different communities and different parts of whatever, you know, like whoever they can do it with or whether it's like online or whether it's local or, but yeah, that community I think is very essential as a homeschool mom. 101 00:10:31,344.902 --> 00:10:34,634.902 Like we always think of our kids socialization, but yeah. 102 00:10:34,849.902 --> 00:10:42,29.902 The, to me, the socialization for the moms is almost just important to, to fill their kids up again. 103 00:10:42,199.902 --> 00:10:42,539.902 Yeah. 104 00:10:43,454.902 --> 00:10:44,644.902 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 105 00:10:44,944.902 --> 00:10:51,384.902 And so that then out of my, um, counseling that I grow into a coach also. 106 00:10:51,394.902 --> 00:11:04,284.901 So, because that's a whole different kind of, of, yeah, it's not solving problems as much as helping people to get to the fullness of who they are supposed to be. 107 00:11:04,294.901 --> 00:11:05,464.901 So, like, exactly. 108 00:11:06,464.901 --> 00:11:15,4.901 People may have some issues they want to work on, but it's like, how do I get to be the best homeschooler that my family needs? Yeah, you're right. 109 00:11:15,14.901 --> 00:11:20,914.9 They're like, they're trying to look forward to something and trying to straighten certain things out that they're struggling with. 110 00:11:20,914.901 --> 00:11:23,434.9 And it's, it's a nice to walk alongside. 111 00:11:23,664.901 --> 00:11:25,294.901 And I'm sure you do that in counseling just as well. 112 00:11:25,294.901 --> 00:11:29,14.901 But it's nice to walk alongside someone and, and gear them the way. 113 00:11:29,44.901 --> 00:11:29,424.901 Yeah. 114 00:11:29,534.901 --> 00:11:29,844.901 Yeah. 115 00:11:30,184.901 --> 00:11:31,94.901 So, okay. 116 00:11:31,309.901 --> 00:11:51,169.901 That said, what were the difficulties of homeschooling? What did you find, um, what did you like best about homeschooling? I, well, the community, of course, um, because I just love the, even though I'm an introvert, um, I love the feeling of doing things with people. 117 00:11:51,689.901 --> 00:12:01,269.901 So you know, we, when we were co oping, you know, teaching things and watching the kids faces light up or, you know, planning out our, our lessons. 118 00:12:01,289.901 --> 00:12:05,799.901 So I love the community and I absolutely love. 119 00:12:06,379.901 --> 00:12:12,259.901 Um, working with my kids and other kids, too, on helping them learn to think well. 120 00:12:13,259.901 --> 00:12:15,989.901 And so that was everything we did. 121 00:12:16,599.901 --> 00:12:16,939.9005 Yeah. 122 00:12:16,939.9005 --> 00:12:23,459.9 So could you define like a moment that you say, Oh, this was like when I felt like I was a homeschooling success. 123 00:12:23,459.901 --> 00:12:29,979.901 What, where did you feel that as a, as a homeschool mom? This was, this makes it all worth all the troubles homeschooling. 124 00:12:30,979.901 --> 00:12:32,839.901 That, that is a good question. 125 00:12:32,839.901 --> 00:13:13,744.899 I mean, the first thing that comes to mind is, I mean, it sounds cheesy, but we had at graduation, we would do a group graduation of our local and so many of those kids because I served as their academic advisor, I graduate a prop of, you know, 20 to 40 of these kids every year and watching my kids, And other kids that I also loved with their little blue cap and gowns on walking across the stage and knowing they knew what was going to happen next, as far as they have control over life, you know, their college plans or their career plans or their military plans. 126 00:13:14,354.899 --> 00:13:18,724.9 And they knew they had an assurance about what they were going to do. 127 00:13:19,74.9 --> 00:13:20,684.9 And I would just cry. 128 00:13:20,774.9 --> 00:13:21,904.8 And it was wonderful. 129 00:13:22,784.9 --> 00:13:32,284.9 Yeah, yeah, so like launching everyone was your favorite part, like knowing that they're prepared to do what, what, um, what they have to do and that they're capable of doing. 130 00:13:32,314.9 --> 00:13:35,454.899 I think that's the main thing that they're capable of, of getting out there and doing. 131 00:13:35,454.9 --> 00:13:37,664.9 Yeah, that is, that is wonderful. 132 00:13:37,664.9 --> 00:13:41,444.8 And then to follow through and to say, Oh, um, to see. 133 00:13:41,584.9 --> 00:13:45,904.9 them thrive as human beings and as people and know that you had a hand in it. 134 00:13:45,904.9 --> 00:13:48,354.9 That is, that is one of the blessings of homeschooling. 135 00:13:48,354.9 --> 00:13:48,634.9 Yeah. 136 00:13:49,284.9 --> 00:13:59,14.899 So what would you, what would you suggest or how, what advice would you give to a homeschool mom who's just starting? Uh, that's a good question. 137 00:13:59,24.899 --> 00:14:03,304.9 So the first piece of advice is you can do this. 138 00:14:04,224.9 --> 00:14:09,24.9 And the second piece of advice is there's not one right way to do that. 139 00:14:10,24.9 --> 00:14:14,334.9 And so you do the way that's best for your family. 140 00:14:15,244.9 --> 00:14:23,94.899 And the third piece of advice is, if you're really feeling insecure, go work with a homeschool coach. 141 00:14:23,94.999 --> 00:14:26,934.9 For sure. 142 00:14:27,934.9 --> 00:14:32,424.9 That's, that is a way that you don't have to do all the decisions. 143 00:14:32,424.9 --> 00:14:43,144.899 There's so many decisions that have to be made and, um, to have somebody that's already walked the path walk with you is, well, yeah, and I think it's like a, it's, it's easy to feel alone. 144 00:14:43,384.9 --> 00:15:03,314.9 And I think even in the midst of, like, a co op group where you, it looks like everybody's just coping wonderfully and doing everything that you think they, they look well, right? And you think, oh, I'm failing, right? And then to have someone to walk alongside you, because sometimes talking to people, you know, is, is kind of, can kind of be difficult at times. 145 00:15:03,374.9 --> 00:15:06,324.9 It's somebody who's kind of more far from the situation. 146 00:15:06,334.9 --> 00:15:07,334.9 So, yes, definitely. 147 00:15:07,334.9 --> 00:15:09,654.9 So, yeah, you'll have found that in your counseling. 148 00:15:10,109.9 --> 00:15:12,149.9 Um, practice as well, right? Yes. 149 00:15:12,219.9 --> 00:15:12,519.9 Yeah. 150 00:15:13,299.9 --> 00:15:13,669.9 Yeah. 151 00:15:13,949.9 --> 00:15:29,299.899 So, um, and then also like you do a bit of quick, like you said, you do academic, um, you were teaching kids like, so how do you also do that in your business? Can you explain a little bit of your business as a homeschool coach? And yeah. 152 00:15:29,689.9 --> 00:15:30,69.9 Yeah. 153 00:15:30,119.9 --> 00:15:30,509.9 Yeah. 154 00:15:30,859.9 --> 00:15:38,339.9 So, um, In the curriculum development hat, with Seven Sisters Home School, we have a website. 155 00:15:38,339.9 --> 00:15:40,319.9 It's the number seven in sistershomeschool. 156 00:15:40,889.9 --> 00:15:41,349.9 com. 157 00:15:41,799.9 --> 00:15:57,339.9 And what we do is all of the things that we have learned, we turn into blog posts on, you know, like the basics, how to homeschool, high school and all, um, so that people feel like they can go there and read, um, how to's. 158 00:15:57,699.9 --> 00:16:02,519.9 But also, curriculum development for high schoolers. 159 00:16:02,959.9 --> 00:16:05,479.9 Um, and this is why we do that. 160 00:16:05,819.9 --> 00:16:16,559.899 Cause when we started homeschooling, there were still dinosaurs, you know, back, you know, in the state truant officers at the door drills, you know, there just wasn't much available. 161 00:16:17,59.9 --> 00:16:20,509.9 Um, and so we had to create our own curriculum for a lot of things. 162 00:16:20,509.9 --> 00:16:24,349.9 Cause we just couldn't, um, get hold of things that we needed. 163 00:16:24,739.9 --> 00:16:26,759.9 So the curriculum that we developed. 164 00:16:27,309.9 --> 00:16:31,979.9 Over generations of high schoolers, you know, our kids were opinionated. 165 00:16:32,419.9 --> 00:16:49,174.9 They let us know what worked and what didn't, and you know, we don't like busy work, you know, we want to Different kind of learners in the same co op class and some are going to college and some are going in the workforce and to be able to have something that's adaptable with no wasted time. 166 00:16:49,694.9 --> 00:17:05,194.899 And so we developed, um, you know, electives like psychology and human development, you know, things that are, are important electives for their trans financial literacy, um, philosophy. 167 00:17:05,614.899 --> 00:17:32,454.8 Um, so I like thinking, um, And then, uh, the things that, that we just, our, our teens stomped their feet and said we don't like it, um, we made our own curriculum in language arts, so literature study guides and writing guides, because they needed no busy work, but to learn their analysis and writing communication skills without, you know, killing the book.
(17:32):
.8Yeah, yeah. 169 00:17:36,414.9 --> 00:17:45,44.9 So, um, so then, so your philosophy is obviously is like, let's, let's do, um, what matters. 170 00:17:45,114.9 --> 00:17:47,254.9 Let's not just do stuff to do stuff. 171 00:17:47,394.899 --> 00:17:47,824.899 Right. 172 00:17:48,234.9 --> 00:18:05,694.9 Um, can you add anything that to that? Like, as far as like, What other, like, what philosophies did you bring into your curriculum besides, like, the fact that you wanted to make sure there was no, um, waste of time stuff, kind of? Well, again, we, we wanted our kids to learn to think. 173 00:18:06,284.9 --> 00:18:16,924.9 So, like, the, the, the literature study guides and the writing guides, um, lean more on inferential thinking rather than just regurgitating facts. 174 00:18:17,214.9 --> 00:18:18,174.9 Exactly, yeah. 175 00:18:18,844.9 --> 00:18:29,634.9 Um, because what we want them to be able to do is, is to graduate and go into adulthood and feel like they can figure things out themselves. 176 00:18:29,644.9 --> 00:18:30,24.9 Yes. 177 00:18:30,174.9 --> 00:18:30,634.9 Yes. 178 00:18:30,914.899 --> 00:18:31,254.899 Yeah. 179 00:18:31,254.9 --> 00:18:33,704.9 So that they're kind of learning beyond the 18 years. 180 00:18:33,714.9 --> 00:18:42,364.9 Like you create a love in it, like a thought process and a love for it that, you know, like they're not just going to learn while they're with you, they're going to keep wanting to do that. 181 00:18:42,844.9 --> 00:18:48,534.899 Like you don't want to like stifling, like just making them regurgitate will stifle Right. 182 00:18:48,544.899 --> 00:18:49,614.899 So yeah, that is man. 183 00:18:49,614.899 --> 00:18:52,94.899 That's a good, a good philosophy for sure. 184 00:18:52,464.899 --> 00:19:08,574.898 Um, do you integrate biblical principles into your curriculum or do you just, yeah, we're, we're all of us different flavors of, uh, you know, denominations and all, um, but we do have a, uh, biblical worldview. 185 00:19:09,574.898 --> 00:19:13,354.898 So won't you, what you won't find is preachy. 186 00:19:14,214.898 --> 00:19:15,614.898 So it just. 187 00:19:16,74.898 --> 00:19:22,824.898 Yes, teens don't put up with that and, uh, but we also what we found is in the states. 188 00:19:23,434.898 --> 00:19:25,444.898 There are a number of states. 189 00:19:25,914.898 --> 00:19:35,94.898 That will reimburse homeschoolers for their curriculum purchases, but they can't have any religious inferences in them. 190 00:19:35,564.897 --> 00:19:43,779.798 So we developed our, took our basic curriculum and tweaked them so that those. 191 00:19:44,779.798 --> 00:19:47,619.798 So we have two threads if you go to our website. 192 00:19:47,619.798 --> 00:20:00,169.798 So we've got the whole thread for those who are in states that reimburse because there's so much to bring to the table and the parents can handle the religious aspect on their own then. 193 00:20:00,739.798 --> 00:20:01,989.798 Yeah, yeah, for sure. 194 00:20:01,989.798 --> 00:20:04,389.798 And they can do it the way they want to, for sure. 195 00:20:04,429.798 --> 00:20:06,79.798 Like, the way they feel that it should be done. 196 00:20:06,389.798 --> 00:20:06,749.798 Yeah. 197 00:20:07,289.798 --> 00:20:14,89.798 So, what have you learned? Like, obviously, you're mentoring through the curriculum and probably all aspects of homeschooling. 198 00:20:14,89.798 --> 00:20:15,89.798 You're mentoring moms. 199 00:20:15,499.798 --> 00:20:28,89.798 Um, what have you learned from mentoring moms throughout the years of doing that? Um, not to Take things very seriously with a smile. 200 00:20:28,219.798 --> 00:20:28,509.798 Yeah. 201 00:20:28,669.798 --> 00:20:30,569.798 And then to probably they need to do that. 202 00:20:31,209.798 --> 00:20:31,729.798 Yeah. 203 00:20:32,119.798 --> 00:20:36,399.797 Like what you saw on somebody's Pinterest or social media feed. 204 00:20:36,839.798 --> 00:20:37,879.798 That's not serious. 205 00:20:38,419.798 --> 00:20:39,99.797 It's not real. 206 00:20:39,629.798 --> 00:20:47,999.797 Um, that if we're not enjoying life, at least some of it, then we need to do some praying and tweaking. 207 00:20:48,429.797 --> 00:20:49,489.797 Yes, that's for sure. 208 00:20:49,489.797 --> 00:20:49,779.797 Yeah. 209 00:20:49,809.797 --> 00:20:50,799.797 So, um. 210 00:20:51,429.798 --> 00:20:56,969.798 Well, and so you, you said that you were into co op groups and you did a lot of that kind of stuff while you were doing it. 211 00:20:57,289.798 --> 00:21:08,909.798 So what advice would you give someone who is beginning, wants to go to a co op group or wants to start a co op group? Or, um, yeah, just can you give some advice around that? Yeah, yeah. 212 00:21:08,959.798 --> 00:21:13,679.798 And you know, these days there's so many ways to join a homeschool group. 213 00:21:13,729.798 --> 00:21:22,469.798 So I, I always encourage parents that there's not one right way to homeschool and there's not one flavor of co op. 214 00:21:22,869.798 --> 00:21:35,19.798 And so when you go to look, you know, when, when there are groups that are accepting, you know, new students, Is see if you can visit and see if it feels like the atmosphere for your team. 215 00:21:36,19.798 --> 00:21:41,189.798 Because some are like are, you know, the classical education model, which is. 216 00:21:41,604.798 --> 00:21:45,684.798 It's marvelous for some teens and stifling for others. 217 00:21:46,684.798 --> 00:21:52,554.798 Just because it's there doesn't mean it's the right way for your teen, and that's okay. 218 00:21:53,464.798 --> 00:21:56,584.7975 So yeah, that's a great idea. 219 00:21:56,584.7975 --> 00:22:03,744.798 Yeah, but what would you what would you do for up? A mother who's having trouble with her teens, like, like you said, stifling feel stifling. 220 00:22:03,744.798 --> 00:22:10,654.798 What would you suggest that that mother does with for that team? That that is a good question. 221 00:22:10,664.797 --> 00:22:13,754.798 So, and that would be a really individual thing. 222 00:22:14,354.798 --> 00:22:18,84.798 So, in those cases, if it's really something that. 223 00:22:19,84.798 --> 00:22:22,264.798 stuck, I'd say go work with a homeschool coach. 224 00:22:22,624.798 --> 00:22:52,999.798 And I mean, it sounds cheesy, but for real is, you know, the coaches like you, you know, people like me, we've been around for a while been in the trenches, or find another mom who is friendly, you know, a good listener, and just don't do it alone, like process towards a A good outcome and also sometimes all teens need is to just throw out the book and start from scratch. 225 00:22:53,329.798 --> 00:22:55,9.7975 And right exactly. 226 00:22:55,9.7975 --> 00:22:55,279.797 Yeah. 227 00:22:55,489.798 --> 00:22:55,789.798 Yeah. 228 00:22:56,789.798 --> 00:22:57,249.798 Yeah. 229 00:22:58,179.798 --> 00:22:58,379.798 Yeah. 230 00:22:58,379.798 --> 00:23:04,639.798 So how would you encourage a mom to take to have her team take ownership for. 231 00:23:05,149.798 --> 00:23:08,609.798 His education and they're all different. 232 00:23:08,709.798 --> 00:23:16,359.798 They're all some are born motivated and you have to come back and some of them, you have to find their motivation. 233 00:23:16,689.798 --> 00:23:27,129.797 So, um, really, really encourage moms to be with the team and have the team set goals. 234 00:23:28,129.797 --> 00:23:31,739.797 And that's, you know, like, don't take your agenda. 235 00:23:31,769.797 --> 00:23:34,439.797 Like, if your team is. 236 00:23:35,19.797 --> 00:23:45,969.797 Not highly motivated teen and you see them as Harvard potential, you know, that's, that's not going to work because you'll be fighting with them all the time. 237 00:23:46,449.797 --> 00:23:54,419.797 So adjust to what the teen can do now and then see if you can add enough good in life. 238 00:23:54,439.797 --> 00:24:00,819.797 You know, some adventures, some fun, some inspiration, um, that helps them find their motivation. 239 00:24:00,959.797 --> 00:24:02,289.796 Then they'll motivate themselves. 240 00:24:03,289.796 --> 00:24:04,339.796 Yeah, absolutely. 241 00:24:04,339.796 --> 00:24:05,669.796 I totally agree with that. 242 00:24:05,679.796 --> 00:24:22,249.795 You know, like, um, sometimes our expectations as parents can stifle our children and, um, whereas we could be letting go of our own expectations and working into their expectations and it could be a totally different outcome. 243 00:24:22,649.795 --> 00:24:25,119.796 That's really, really, that's really profound. 244 00:24:25,249.796 --> 00:24:27,319.796 What you, what you just said there is amazing. 245 00:24:27,319.796 --> 00:24:27,619.796 Yeah. 246 00:24:28,619.796 --> 00:24:35,159.796 Um, so what projects are you working on right now? So currently I am getting ready. 247 00:24:35,189.796 --> 00:24:42,769.795 This sounds really weird, but I decided to start teaching a class to adults on the U. 248 00:24:42,769.796 --> 00:24:42,959.796 S. 249 00:24:42,989.796 --> 00:24:54,449.796 Constitution because I miss teaching and so it's a really low key thing that I'm going to be doing online just just because I miss teaching and it's a good topic. 250 00:24:55,349.796 --> 00:25:11,929.796 But then on the the teen curriculum side, we're finishing a critical thinking text for the teens and got several study guides are getting ready to finish off. 251 00:25:12,659.796 --> 00:25:19,279.796 Hopefully, by the end of the month of study guides to finish a whole year of C. 252 00:25:19,279.796 --> 00:25:19,439.796 S. 253 00:25:19,439.796 --> 00:25:20,449.796 Lewis studies. 254 00:25:20,669.795 --> 00:25:23,729.795 Oh, yeah, that's going to be fun. 255 00:25:24,729.795 --> 00:25:26,549.794 You must absolutely love studying. 256 00:25:26,559.795 --> 00:25:31,819.795 You must absolutely love delving into those kind of things and, um, preparing all that kind of stuff. 257 00:25:32,654.795 --> 00:25:33,484.795 Such a nerd. 258 00:25:33,804.795 --> 00:25:42,314.795 I, you know, not, not like, not like, you know, peach low D level, you know, like college teacher, but I just, yeah, such a nerd. 259 00:25:42,444.795 --> 00:25:43,874.794 That's that's wonderful. 260 00:25:43,874.795 --> 00:25:45,134.795 It's wonderful. 261 00:25:46,134.795 --> 00:25:50,64.794 Do you have anything else you want to add? And then we'll, um, we'll probably close up and. 262 00:25:51,64.794 --> 00:25:51,884.794 Yeah, yeah. 263 00:25:52,114.794 --> 00:25:58,164.794 Oh, it's wonderful to meet you and just to encourage all of our homeschool friends. 264 00:25:58,174.794 --> 00:25:59,214.794 You can do this. 265 00:25:59,304.793 --> 00:26:00,654.794 You can do this. 266 00:26:01,654.794 --> 00:26:02,4.794 Absolutely. 267 00:26:03,4.794 --> 00:26:03,934.794 Get support. 268 00:26:03,974.794 --> 00:26:06,944.794 There's support if you need it, but you can do this. 269 00:26:06,944.894 --> 00:26:11,624.794 Yeah, from two moms who are on the other side. 270 00:26:11,954.794 --> 00:26:12,474.794 I've done it. 271 00:26:13,474.794 --> 00:26:14,284.794 You can do this. 272 00:26:14,284.794 --> 00:26:14,524.794 Yes. 273 00:26:15,524.794 --> 00:26:15,874.794 All right. 274 00:26:15,894.794 --> 00:26:20,84.794 Well, thank you very much for coming on with me today, Tilly, and I really appreciated it. 275 00:26:20,754.794 --> 00:26:22,474.793 Yes, my, my honor. 276 00:26:22,484.793 --> 00:26:22,844.793 Thanks.
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