Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast

Let’s talk homeschool science—and yes, we’re bringing LEGOs to the lab. 🧪✨ In this episode, I’m sharing the hands-on, curiosity-sparking science options we’re seriously considering for next year, including how we’re planning to use LEGOs to explore physics, engineering, and STEM in our secular homeschool.

We’ll dive into:
🧱 Why LEGO might be our favorite scienc...

Let’s get real about homeschool budgeting—because it’s not just about receipts and rows on a spreadsheet. It’s about building the life and learning we actually want. In this Budget With Me for Next Year episode, I’m breaking down every dollar we’ve spent (and are planning to spend) on homeschooling. Yep, real numbers, real categories, and a full walkthrough of o...

It’s that time again—Order With Me for next school year! 🎉 I’m walking you through our 2025–2026 homeschool curriculum picks for 4th and 8th grade: what we’re sticking with, what we’re trying new, and how I’m keeping things simple, structured, and still flexible.

Because let’s be honest—clicking “place order” is both terrifyi...

Hey friends! ✨ It’s that time again—Plan With Me For Next Year! I’m diving headfirst into our 2025–2026 homeschool plans for 4th and 8th grade, and you’re coming along for the ride. 📚🗓️

I’m sharing how I map out our homeschool year—from curriculum picks to building in flexibility and creating a rhythm that actually fits <...

Hey friends, Shanna here! 💖 Today we’re talking about a BIG mindset shift: Are you making the mistake of confusing school with learning? Because let’s be real—school and learning are not the same thing. 📚❌

Just because a kid checks all the boxes or sits through all the lessons doesn’t ...

Let’s talk real life—because some of the most important things our kids need to know just aren’t being taught. I’m talking life skills: time management, stress regulation, basic home and health know-how… the stuff that builds confident, capable humans. But where are the resources?

In this episode, I’m diving into the gaps—what’...

Feeling like homeschooling—or just life—is a lot right now? Let’s simplify. In this episode of Making Everyday Magic, I’m talking about how a small dose of commitment can go a long way in creating consistency, calm, and actual progress without the overwhelm.

Okay, friend—this one’s raw, real, and exactly what I needed to hear myself say. As we look ahead to our ninth year of homeschooling (what?!), I’m getting brutally honest about where we’re heading, what’s working, and what absolutely isn’t.

It’s time to stop pretending we can do all the thing...

Let’s talk about the kind of learning that actually sticks. In today’s episode, I’m diving into why planting prior knowledge—exposing our kids to big ideas early and often—matters way more than cramming facts or teaching to the test.

This one’s for all my fellow homeschoolers playing the

So, you're thinking about homeschooling... but have no clue where to start? I’ve got you. 💛

In this episode, I’m sharing a real-life, no-fluff quick-start homeschool guide to help you move from “just thinking about it” to actually getting started—with confidence. We’l...

Is free chemistry actually worth it? 🤔 Spoiler alert: YES, it is! 🙌
In today’s episode, I’m breaking down why the ACS Middle School Chemistry curriculum is one of the BEST completely free homeschool resources out there. From high-quality lessons to hands-on experiments usin...

Let’s play Never Have I Ever: Homeschool Mom Edition! 🤭✨
In today’s episode, I’m spilling the tea on all the homeschool trends, popular curriculum, and "must-dos" that I’ve never tried — and honestly? I don’t regret it one bit. 😂 Homeschooling looks different for every family, a...

Let’s get real—parenting today is political. Homeschooling? Even more so. In this episode, we’re diving headfirst into what it means to raise the next generation with intention, integrity, and impact. 💥

In a world that often feels divided, raising kids who think for themse...

It’s that time again… thinking for next year. 😅 My brain is doing that homeschool ping-pong thing where I’m asking all the questions and getting... not a lot of answers (yet).

✨ What’s next?
🔬 Where are we headed with physics?

🎙️ Deep Dive: 7th Grade Language Arts | Michael Clay Thompson Level 4 in Our Homeschool

Let’s break down our 7th grade language arts curriculum! This year, we’re using Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts Level 4—the Classic Literature Le...

Somehow, we’re already closing out the 3rd quarter of our homeschool year! 🤯 As we roll into the final stretch, we’re finally settling into our new routine, soaking up that fresh spring energy, and—because homeschool planning never really stops—starting to think about next year.

🌸 In this episode:

Welcome back to Time With A Homeschool Mom! Today, we’re tackling the ultimate homeschool mom challenge—balancing productivity with the much-needed downtime we all deserve. If you ever feel like there’s just never enough time, you’re not alone!

In this episode, I’m sharing my best time manag...

Homeschooling and parenting come with a lot of feelings—and let’s be real, guilt is a big one. No matter how much we plan, adjust, or pour into our kids, that little voice still whispers, “Am I doing enough?”

Today, I’m diving into how I navigate the guilt—what triggers it, how I shift my mind...

Curious about how to make Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts Level 1 work in a secular homeschool? This program is unlike anything else, and I’m sharing exactly how we use it for 3rd grade language arts. From grammar and vocabulary to writing and poetics, I’l...