Coffee With Carrie: Homeschool Podcast

Be inspired to home educate (or to keep homeschooling) your child!  If you need even more reasons to home educate or you need a confidence that you are teaching your children well, then listen to this week's conversation with Jennifer Pepito.  Jennifer Pepito is the best selling author of Mothering by the Book, Habits for a Sacred Home, and soon-to-be- released book, The Inspired Homeschool.  Jennifer is also the fou...

You CAN teach your child to read without being a reading specialist or having a teaching credential.  For most children, learning to read is a natural and relatively easy process.  Homeschool moms do not need to overcomplicate the process or feel inadequate or underqualified.  In this week's coffee break, Carrie talks with Melanie Jeffery, the host of the top 3% globally ranked podcast, Phonics Rules for Kids, about ...

"Help! My child is an awful speller?  Why and what can I do?"  Even good readers can be bad spellers.  There's a scientific reason for this.  If you have a child or teen who reads well, has a great vocabulary, but misspells just about everything, then make sure you listen to this episode.  If your child struggles with spelling and/or has dysgraphia or dyslexia, then you will love the suggestions in this wee...

C.S. Lewis once said, "We read to know that we are not alone”.  Let's spend the year reading with the most reluctant convert and one of the world's most beloved authors and theologians.  In this episode, Carrie shares the year-long unit study she did with her family on the life and works of C.S. Lewis.  The first part of the unit study is perfect for the whole family- from 1st graders to high schoolers.  T...

How many times do you hear in a day “Mom, I need your help"?  How many times do you say to yourself,  “I need him to do more on his own without my help or without me directing every step of the way.”  In this week's episode, Carrie is addressing a question she gets all the time:  “How can I get my kid to be more independent?”  Carrie shares simple strategies to help your childr...

Anyone and everyone can homeschool their children, but sometimes, not everyone should homeschool.  The day you became a parent, you became your child's most important teacher so, yes, you can teach your child.  However, there may be life circumstances or challenging seasons that can make home education difficult.  And that is ok!  Saying no to homeschooling for one season doesn't mean it will be a hard "No" fore...

Are you interested in the idea of nature studies but aren't quite sure what they are or how to get started?  In this week's episode, Carrie encourages you to dip your feet into the relaxing waters of nature studies. There is no better way to explore and appreciate God’s handiwork than by doing nature studies and there is no better time to try out nature studies than during the summertime.  In this coffee break, Carr...

Don't stress about creating report cards or transcripts!  You may not even need them.  If your state requires them, if your student athlete needs them, if the college admission board requests them,  or if you have no idea if you even want them, then make sure you listen to this week's episode.  Keeping record of your child's learning, recording your child's progress,  and creating a report card or transcrip...

Carrie is celebrating another year around the sun and another year of motherhood.  As a fun way to celebrate Mother's Day and her Birthday (which happens to fall on the same day this year), Carrie is sitting down with one of her favorite people- her daughter, Francesca!  Carrie and Francesca love to go on coffee dates and talk about life, work, books, cooking, movies, and the family T.  In this week's coffee date, Fr...

Carrie and Rachel answer all of your high school questions and calm your fears!  Rachel shares insights from her new book, Their Future Is Shining Bright: A Guide to Homeschooling in High School—and Equipping Your Child for Success and Fulfillment in Adulthood  and Carrie gives advice from her book, Homeschool High School:  A Handbook for Christian Education.  Both Carrie and Rachel have homeschool graduat...

Today, did you exercise?  Did you explore nature?  If you are adventure schooling, you've done both and so much more!  What is "adventure schooling?"  In this week's episode, Carrie is talking with Nichole Holze, aka Lucky Wander and Coleyraeh. Nichole breaks down exactly what adventure schooling means and how to adventure responsibly.  She also shares practical insights on scouting out the perfect adventur...

Yes, Physical Education (PE) is truly essential!  Movement and exercise play a key role in your child's overall learning and academic success. Free time is foundational for your teen's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Everything is interconnected, and it all matters. In this week's episode, Carrie discusses why you shouldn't save physical activity for "after you finish your schoolwork." She explains how exercise sup...

What do unicorns, hamsters, and the comparison trap have in common?  If your interest is piqued and you are wondering what on earth this has to do with homeschooling, then join Carrie for this week's podcast.  Do you feel like you are constantly spinning your wheels but going nowhere and accomplishing nothing?  If so, then take a little break from all of the hustle and bustle, get off the crazy train for a minute or ...

Are you thinking of pulling your child out of the traditional school setting to homeschool?  Are you a homeschool mom thinking of putting your child into a traditional classroom?  If so, make sure you listen to this week's conversation.  This week, Carrie is talking with public school principal turned home educator, Mandy Davis.  Mandy is the founder of Home Built Education and is also a speaker, homeschool advo...

He is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!  Next week is the most important and solemn week of the year.  We remember the redemptive work of our savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross and our new life in Christ because of His death and resurrection.   This week, take a break from your usual activities and lessons.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares simple ways to celebrate Holy Week & Easter in meaningful ways.&...

As a homeschool mom, do you feel like you live in the kitchen?  Between planning, shopping, prepping, and cooking the meals (and cleaning the mess after each meal), it is hard to find time to finish all the chores and teach the kids!  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with fellow foodie, homesteader, and host of Elevating Motherhood podcast, Lori Beth Auldridge.  Carrie and Lori share secrets to cooking not only b...

As a mother, especially as a homeschooling mom, reading is one of the most important habits you should form.  Why should you make the time when you have so many other things to do?  Reading broadens your horizons, enhances your concentration, enables you to view the world from other perspectives, enriches your knowledge, refines your thinking, and strengthens your intellectual abilities.  And if those reasons aren't ...

Does your child have trouble following directions, organizing tasks, or sitting still for more than 5 second?  Is his work messy, does he have poor time management skills, is he always forgetting materials (or can’t find them), or is he easily distracted or overwhelmed?  Does your child have ADHD?  Do you have ADHD?  Are you also a homeschooling mom?  If so, then you don't want to miss this week's epi...

Would you like to create a calmer home environment?  In this week's episode, Carrie talks again with Jami Glenn, an Emotional Wellness Coach, the owner of Sacred Ground Coaching, and the host of Emotions With Ease Podcast.  Jami shares simple practices that families can start doing today that will help create relational connections and a calmer family dynamic.  If you crave a less chaotic and more peaceful home envir...