June 18, 2025 • 22 mins
You’ve asked the question—maybe in a Facebook group, maybe at a co-op meeting, or maybe sitting on your kitchen floor surrounded by catalogs: What’s the best homeschool curriculum?
But what if that’s the wrong question entirely?
In this empowering episode, Christy-Faith unpacks the real reason so many homeschool moms get stuck in the curriculum trap—and what to do instead. If you’ve ever felt like you just need someone to tell you what to buy so you don’t mess everything up, this episode will help you breathe again.
Spoiler: the curriculum isn’t the magic. You are.
The Christy-Faith Show | Ep. 70
🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES
Free Homeschooling Resources
Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey:
👉 https://christy-faith.com/links
Thrive Homeschool Community
Join Christy-Faith’s online community for mentorship, encouragement, and real friendships that last:
👉 https://christy-faith.com/thrive
Christy-Faith’s List
A curated directory of homeschool-friendly service providers, businesses, and colleges:
👉 https://christy-faiths-list.com
Christy-Faith’s Book: Homeschool Rising
📖 Includes an entire chapter on deschooling—the step you can’t skip:
👉 https://christy-faith.com/book-homeschool-rising
Other Resources Mentioned in this Episode
📌 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure (FREE):
👉 https://christy-faith.com/download-free-20-questions-to-kickstart-your-deschooling-adventure
📌 5 Minute Homeschool Style Finder (FREE):
👉 https://christy-faith.com/5-minute-homeschool-style-finder
🎙️ SHOW SPONSORS
BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible structure, biblical worldview
✔ Built-in critical thinking and hands-on learning
👉 https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/christy
CTC Math
✔ Online, self-paced K–12 math curriculum
✔ 50% off + free trial for Christy-Faith listeners
👉 https://ctcmath.com/how-it-works/home-school?tr_id=CF
LearningRx
✔ Cognitive skills training for kids with ADHD, dyslexia & more
✔ $50 off assessment with code HOME50
👉 https://LearningRx.com or call 866-272-4601
Lovevery – The Reading Skill Set
✔ Game-based, science-backed reading program
✔ 98% of kids improved in just 6 weeks!
💰 https://lovevery.com/christyfaith (code CHRISTY10)
🎧 SHOW RECAP
Choosing homeschool curriculum can feel overwhelming—but the secret to clarity isn’t in another catalog or blog list. It starts with a shift in mindset.
✅ Why “What’s the best curriculum?” is the wrong question
✅ The truth about deschooling—and why it’s not optional
✅ How traditional school mindsets are sabotaging your homeschool
✅ What to ask instead: “What curriculum is good for us?”
✅ How to avoid curriculum panic (and regret shelf)
✅ Real steps to finding curriculum that fits your kids and your chaos level
If you’ve ever felt like you're doing too much, spending too much, or second-guessing everything—this is your reminder that the curriculum isn’t in charge. You are.
📌 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with a homeschool mom who needs clarity, not more confusion.
💬 What’s been your biggest homeschool curriculum challenge—and what helped you finally figure it out? Share in the comments!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Christy-Faith (00:00):
So you've just Googled what is the best
(00:02):
homeschool curriculum, read 14contradicting Facebook comments,
clicked a Pinterest link thatled to a dead end, and now
you're sitting on the floorsurrounded by open catalogs and
snack wrappers thinking, why isthis so hard? I just wanna
homeschool my kid. Can someonejust tell me what curriculum I
should buy? Which ones are good?Friend, I see you and I was you.
(00:26):
Let's just stop for a minute andtake a collective breath because
I need to tell you something.We've been lied to. And today,
my friend, we're gonna get tothe bottom of curriculum
decisions. But before we diveinto that, let me quickly
introduce myself for those ofyou who are new here. Hi, I'm
Christi Faith, author ofHomeschool Rising, keynote
speaker and founder of ThriveHomeschool Community.
(00:49):
Thrive is a space where wementor and guide homeschool moms
to create an amazing homeschoolprogram that both you and your
kids love. It's also a place forreal connection, solid training,
and support from parents whotruly get it. All right, now
let's unpack this lie. We havebeen all led to believe that if
(01:20):
we could just find the rightcurriculum, the magical unicorn
of homeschooling resources,everything will click, our
children will beg for moreschool, And we become that mom
who does read alouds while thesourdough rises and the toddler
silently builds a STEM projectquietly in the corner. Spoiler
alert, that's not real.
That mom isn't real. Thatunicorn curriculum isn't real.
(01:43):
Also, of course, you're askingthis question. It's one of the
most common questions newhomeschool moms ask, and I wanna
take it easy on you as I saythis and promise that you'll
stick with me through thisepisode. When we are asking what
curriculum is good and whatcurriculum should I buy, it's
actually the wrong question.
And the fact that you're askingit, it is not your fault. There
(02:06):
is a very good reason why we allthink that there is just some
special curriculum that weshould all be using out there.
We were all probably raised insome sort of system ourselves,
and we were told, Here's theprogram, follow it. So now as a
homeschooler, your brain isscreaming, can somebody just
tell me what to buy so I don'truin my child's future? Now you
(02:28):
gotta trust me with this episodebecause I wanna take a minute
and unpack what's really behindthe question, what curriculum is
good?
Because it's not what you think.Because when a mom asks, what
curriculum should I buy? Whatshe really means is, will this
work? Will my kid fight me onit? Will I waste $300 and lose
(02:48):
my last sliver of sanity?
Will this help me feel like I'mnot totally messing up this
homeschool thing? To which Isay, fair. Those are absolutely
reasonable concerns. And thetruth is, yes, there is boring
curriculum. Yes, there areglitter covered overpriced
bundles.
And yes, there are options thatwill make homeschool mom life
(03:11):
harder. But before you buyanything, the most important
thing is to do a smidge pleaseof deschooling. In fact, and I
know this might sound annoyingbecause you really probably just
clicked on this episode wantingto be told what curriculum is
good and which one you shouldbuy. But when I go to
conferences and I teach myHomeschool 101 class, I have
(03:31):
moms do several steps beforeeven considering making their
purchase. And deschooling is oneof those steps, so we're gonna
go over it for just a minutehere.
And I'm only kind of joking whenI say it's kind of a matter of
homeschool survival. I knowdeschooling might sound like one
of those trendy homeschoolingbuzzwords that feel a little
fuzzy or maybe even a bitintimidating. It's also close to
(03:55):
the word unschooling, which is atotally different thing. That's
one of the homeschool pedagogiesor one of the nine homeschooling
styles. But here's the truth.
Deschooling isn't just aconcept. It can be a
homeschooling savior. And as Isay in my homeschool one zero
one classes, I wanna train youto homeschool in a way so that
you don't burn out and quitlater. And this is one of the
(04:17):
keys to doing that. So what isdeschooling?
It's the process of steppingaway from the idea that school
has to look a certain way.Desks, bells, worksheets, rigid
schedules, textbooks, grades,and instead figuring out what
actually works for your kid andyour family, and might I add,
(04:37):
your dreams. It's such animportant step that I dedicate
an entire chapter to deschoolingin my book, Homeschool Rising,
because honestly, if you skipthis part, curriculum might feel
weird, wrong, or just way tooextra. And why? Because when we
skip deschooling, we don'tactually start homeschooling.
(04:58):
What ends up happening is wejust recreate the same school
mindset at home, with ourselvescast as the frazzled teacher and
our kids as the disinterested,slightly mutinous students. And
we start measuring our successby how many boxes we checked,
how still the child sat, whatgrades they're getting, did we
(05:18):
finish the curriculum on time,whether we made it to the end of
lesson 14 by Friday withoutanyone crying, including us.
Here's the truth bomb. You can'tbuild something new if you're
still clinging to what brokeyou. So what is it?
Deschooling is unlearning thehabits, the expectations, and
the emotional baggage we allpicked up from the traditional
(05:41):
school systems, even if you'venever set foot in a classroom as
a parent. It's about pausinglong enough to ask, what do I
believe about learning? Why am Ipanicking if we don't start by
08:30AM? Why do I feel likewe're failing if I don't have a
three ring binder color coded bysubject? Deschooling helps you
stop asking, how do I makeschool at home?
(06:03):
And start asking, what kind oflife do we want and how does
learning naturally fit intothat? Honestly, most people are
shocked to realize their biggeststressor in homeschooling isn't
the curriculum at all. It'stheir leftover beliefs about
what learning has to look like.And if you're thinking, okay,
Christy, yeah, but where do Istart? I gotcha.
(06:25):
We'll get into that after thebreak. this word from our
sponsors. As a homeschool momwho values a family together
approach and leans towards theclassical and Charlotte Mason
styles, I often struggle tobring my educational vision to
life with my kids' diverse agesand learning needs. With all our
interests and super packedschedule, bridging that gap
between the dreamy homeschool Iwant and reality, I gotta be
(06:46):
honest. It's a challenge.
Now, yes, I know perfectionisn't the goal. But if you're
listening and you could use alittle easing of your mental
load in your day to day, I founda resource that has become the
quiet hero of our routine, andit could be a really great
option for you too. BJU Presshomeschool curriculum. Now many
think that BJU Press homeschoolis solely an all in one option,
(07:06):
and though it does excel in thatrole, did you know you can also
opt for specific courses andtailor them to fit your family's
needs just as I have? BGU PressHomeschool provides the perfect
balance of structure andflexibility and easily
complements my family's mixedage family together on the couch
learning style.
They are to none in integratinga biblical worldview,
(07:27):
stimulating critical thinking,and offering tons of hands on
activities in the lessons. Tofind out how BJU Press
Homeschool can come alongsideyou in your homeschooling goals
too. Visitbjupresshomeschool.com or click
the link in the show notes. I'vegot some news. There's a new
reading curriculum that ditchesworkbooks and drills for fun and
games.
If you're thinking fun and gamessounds a little too good to be
(07:51):
true, it's not. Ninety eightpercent of children improved
their reading test scores injust six weeks with the reading
skill set by Lovevery. It's aphonics based program that
follows a science of reading,but makes learning to read fun,
motivating, and confidenceboosting because it happens by
playing games and thenpracticing with just right skill
(08:11):
level books. Kids love it andparent educators love it, and it
works. Visitlovevery.com/christyfaith today
and use code Christy to get 10off your purchase of the reading
skill set by Lovevery. That'slovevery.com/christyfaith.
Welcome back. I pulled thedeschooling framework straight
(08:33):
out of my book, HomeschoolRising, and turned it into a
totally free resource that isavailable for you. It's called
20 Questions to Kickstart YourDeschooling Adventure, AKA your
gentle invitation to startunraveling the school y knots in
your brain. These 20 questionsare simple but powerful, like,
oh, wow, I never realized Ithought like that kind of
(08:56):
powerful.
And no, this isn't just fornewbies. Even if you've been
homeschooling for a while, ifthings feel a little bit heavy
or off, or you're feeling alittle burnt out, this could
just be the reset button youdidn't know you needed. You can
download it right now atchristy-faith.com or click the
link in the show notes. It'scompletely free, it's low
pressure, and it might just saveyou from impulse buying $200
(09:19):
worth of curriculum that willsit on that shelf mocking you
later. Here's the bottom line.
Deschooling is the thing youskip when you just wanna get
started and then circle back toin tears six months later. So
please be smarter than the past,Christy, and start there. And
bonus, you may not know this,but inside Thrive Homeschool
(09:40):
Community, my online community,we actually walk you through
this deschooling phase withsupport, practical steps, and
yes, office hours, where weanswer all the questions you're
too scared to post in a Facebookgroup because you don't want 42
contradicting responses and onepassive aggressive GIF. So yeah,
deschooling is kind of a bigdeal. It's not woohoo stuff,
(10:03):
it's real wisdom.
Now, once you've begun thatlittle identity shift, then we
can talk curriculum. But if youskip this part, friend,
everything else is gonna feeloff no matter how many stickers
or manipulatives it comes with,because you won't really
understand the why behind evenall the homeschool activities
that you're doing. Now, when Isaid earlier, when you're asking
(10:24):
what curriculum is good, and Isaid that's actually the wrong
question, I was saying that notbecause I think you're
uninformed or you're dumb oranything like that, not because
you failed some secrethomeschool parent quiz. It's
because you and me and all ofus, we've been set up. The
system has us believing thatthere's some sort of best out
(10:45):
there.
Like, there's gonna be anenvelope reveal with dramatic
music and a winner. And thetruth is, there is no one right
answer. There's only what fitsyou and what fits your kid. And
surprise, that might not be theglossy influencer approved
program with the $500 price tagand matching flashcards in four
(11:05):
languages. So let's reframe thecurriculum.
Not what curriculum is good, butwhat curriculum is good for us.
Totally different question,right? Way fewer tears, way more
snap breaks and giggles. Becausehere's the truth, no one wants
to say out loud in the Facebookgroups. Curriculum doesn't teach
(11:25):
your child, you do.
That fancy expensive set youordered isn't going to climb out
and lovingly correct your kid'smath mistakes or turn your
child's meltdown into ateachable moment. Curriculum is
just a tool. It's a vehicle. Andtools are only helpful if they
get the job done that you wantdone, if they fit your hand and
(11:48):
the job you're doing. And whatthat means is that your kid
isn't just a blank slate.
You're not a robot who justinputs instructions and outputs
perfectly educated humans.That's not the point. That's not
why we're doing this. And no,your child's resistance to
cursive and writing an essay isnot a character flaw. What those
(12:08):
things are are clues.
When you start paying attentionto how your kid learns best, how
you teach best, and how you bothcan actually enjoy spending your
day, the right curriculum startsto look a lot different, doesn't
it? This is exactly what we doin step two of my fail safe
homeschool setup, which is inThrive Homeschool Community.
(12:28):
There's a quick video modulewhere I walk you through it like
a real human, not a robotteacher voice, plus a printable
worksheet so you can figure outwhat kind of curriculum actually
fits you personally, your kidswiring, and your daily chaos
level. And look, Thrive mightnot be for you, but seriously,
if you're feeling stuck on thisquestion, go watch that module,
(12:49):
fill out that worksheet. It'snot magical by any means, but it
is a massive clarity boost.
You can totally Google your wayto the same answers eventually,
or you can just open up mymodule because I've done all the
obsessing and thinking for youahead of time. You can also DM
us inside Thrive when you getstuck and get all the help that
you need. My whole point here islet's start asking the better
(13:12):
question because the secretsauce to homeschooling is you.
The curriculum is just theseasoning. And step three is
simple, know thyself and thy offspring.
This is where the magic happens.Not the target aisle magic or
the Pinterest mom magic, but thekind of practical magic that
keeps you from rage quitting midFebruary because you bought a
(13:33):
curriculum that looks great onInstagram, but makes your family
miserable. So here's what we do.We stop looking at the
curriculum catalog like it's themenu at Cheesecake Factory,
which is completelyoverwhelming. Right?
And we start watching our kids.Is your child the kind of kid
who builds intricate Lego worldswith functioning governments and
(13:54):
trade systems, but bursts intotears at the sight of a
workbook? Do they love listeningto stories for hours, but go
full limp noodle when faced witha timed worksheet? Do they
thrive on structure and clearexpectations or wilt the moment
you say the word schedule likeit's a threat? These aren't just
personality quirks, they arecurriculum clues.
(14:15):
Ignore them at your own peril.And you, my dear homeschool
parent, are not off the hookeither. I care about you and I
want you to love this life aswell. So this is what I need you
to know too. Ask yourself whatkind of life you want and what
you care about.
Are you secretly allergic toglitter and Pinterest crafts? Do
(14:36):
you need a script to function,or does a scripted lesson make
you feel like a hostage? Willyou actually print 10 laminated
activities per day? Now we allagree here. No.
You won't. Don't lie. Becauselet's be honest. The best
curriculum in the world isn'tgonna work if it turns you into
a resentful, exhausted, gluestick wielding rage monster.
(15:00):
This is exactly why I built outthe fail safe homeschool setup
and put module one in thebeginning.
It's the student interview andparent reflection packet. You
can think of your own interviewquestions to ask your kid, or
you can use my resources and doit in a more guided way with
experts. Totally your call. Forthose going through the fail
safe setup, I often encouragemoms to grab a snack. It takes
(15:22):
about an hour per kid and thenan extra hour for you reflect in
blessed silence with a pen andmaybe a tea latte.
But however you do it, it'simportant to interview your
kids, reflect on what you want,because you'll walk away with
insight into how your childtics, what lights them up, and
what makes you a more confidentteacher, not a martyr on the
(15:44):
altar of someone else'scurriculum plan. Because if you
don't know what you really wantand the best ways to serve your
kids, you will start panicbuying whatever's on sale or
whatever looks the best online.And the truth is, no matter how
many Amazon reviews it has orhow many influencers swear by
it, if it doesn't work for yourkid and your sanity, it's not
(16:06):
the right fit. So reflecting,trust me, the path to a
peaceful, functional homeschoolstarts there. Know thyself, know
thy offspring, then you can buythe thing.
Now it's time to move into thenext step, which is a big one.
Where do we even start? We'llget into those practical details
right after the break. Before wecontinue, I wanna share with you
(16:28):
a program that's been a gamechanger for our homeschool. At
our center, we instructed andhelped kids through pretty much
every math program on the marketand know firsthand just how
important a solid mathfoundation is for our kids'
futures.
As a career educator with highstandards, finding the right
program that checked all theboxes felt like too tall of an
order. Until one day, I triedCTC Math. CTC Math is an online
(16:51):
math curriculum for k to 12students with motivating
interactive lessons that allowkids to learn at their own pace.
It does all the teaching andgrading so you don't have to,
and their adaptive lessonsadjust so your child is
progressing confidently. WithCTC Math, your child is getting
a top notch education, and youjust made your homeschool life
easier.
Visit ctcmath.com to start yourfree trial today, or click the
(17:13):
link in the show notes. Is yourchild struggling with attention,
memory, reading, writing, ormath? If you're experiencing
this, you know how heartwrenching it is to watch them
face these hurdles. You'vepoured love, time, and attention
into their education, yet thestruggle persists, leaving you
feeling stuck and desperatelysearching for answers. You guys,
I want you to know aboutLearningRx, a proven program
(17:34):
designed to help your child'scognitive skills, enabling them
to think faster, learn moreeasily, and perform at their
best.
I'm talking getting real longterm help here with things like
ADHD and dyslexia. LearningRx isbacked by thirty five years of
research, and their results aretransformative. Use code HOME
for $50 off your cognitiveskills assessment. Go to
(17:55):
learningrx.com or click the linkin the show notes. Okay, so you
followed the steps I've goneover so far.
You've deschooled, or at leastyou're on that journey. You've
stared deeply into your child'ssoul and your own, and you've
realized that asking whatcurriculum is good is kind of
like asking what shoes are best,right? Well, you'll realize
(18:15):
actually it depends. Are wegoing hiking or are we going to
the Oscars? So now you'reasking, where in the world do I
actually start?
Here's the honest, slightlyannoying answer. You could spend
hours online. You could fallinto a YouTube poll about
Charlotte Mason and classicaleducation and whether math needs
(18:36):
to be living. You could download19 curriculum samples, stalk
every homeschool blogger'sbookshelf, and wind up crying
over a phonics scope andsequence like it's ancient Greek
prophecy. Or you can do it alittle bit more strategically.
I can tell you how we do it inThrive. We literally walk you
through the process step by steplike your favorite GPS system,
(18:57):
but with less recalculating andmore, you've got this. What we
do in there is we start out withfiguring out your homeschooling
style. And no, you don't have tobe crunchy or classical or any
type of pedagogy to be inThrive. Then once we figure out
your homeschooling style, whichby the way, there is a free five
minute homeschool style finderon my website.
You can do this for free rightnow. After I have you figure out
(19:20):
your homeschooling style, then Imove to you understanding your
kids' learning preferences.After you've explored your kids'
giftings and what they need, andyou've dreamt a little bit about
what you want for your ownhomeschool, you've figured out
what homeschooling style orpedagogy you are, then you're
ready to start thinking aboutwhat to buy. In Thrive, we offer
you lots of worksheets andblueprints to organize your
(19:43):
curriculum buying, and also youcan DM the mentors and come to
office hours to bounce ideas offor get our opinions from us or
other Thrive members. Here's mypoint.
I don't want you to do it alone.I want you to find people who
are ahead of you in this game,who aren't judgy, and who can
help you out with some practicalwisdom. Because at the end of
the day, here's what's real.Curriculum isn't the magic
(20:05):
ingredient. You are.
Do you see it now? So let's landthis plane. There is no magic
curriculum. In fact, a lot of itdoes the job pretty well. It's
really a matter of finding theright fit for you.
Every curriculum will requiresome tweaking. Every single one
will feel awkward at some point.You might even need to switch
mid year. Yes, I know, gasp.It's okay.
(20:28):
It doesn't mean that you failed.It means you're paying
attention. You're growing,you're adapting, you're being
the grownup in the room. Becausehere's the truth, you can give
your kid a solid education witha boring workbook, and you can
give them a garbage educationwith the trendiest, most
expensive curriculum in theuniverse. Because it's not
(20:49):
really about the curriculum.
It's about connection. It'sabout knowing your family,
knowing your values, knowingyour rhythm, and trusting that
you will figure out the restbecause you want what's best for
your kid. So here is yourpermission to stop unicorn
hunting. Deschool, investigate,pick something decent, tweak as
(21:12):
needed, and just get after itand give yourself and your kids
so much grace that it feelsborderline irresponsible. And of
course, if you want real helpwith all of these details, you
know what I'm about to say, youcan get that in Thrive
Homeschool Community.
Of course, I will put the linksin the show notes. Okay, that is
(21:32):
it for today. So go reject thecurriculum panic and embrace the
glorious snack filledbeautifully chaotic mess that is
real homeschooling. Andseriously, if that laminator is
giving you anxiety, put it down.It's not the boss of you.
Alright, see you next time. Bye,Har.
So you've just Googled what is the best
(00:02):
homeschool curriculum, read 14contradicting Facebook comments,
clicked a Pinterest link thatled to a dead end, and now
you're sitting on the floorsurrounded by open catalogs and
snack wrappers thinking, why isthis so hard? I just wanna
homeschool my kid. Can someonejust tell me what curriculum I
should buy? Which ones are good?Friend, I see you and I was you.
(00:26):
Let's just stop for a minute andtake a collective breath because
I need to tell you something.We've been lied to. And today,
my friend, we're gonna get tothe bottom of curriculum
decisions. But before we diveinto that, let me quickly
introduce myself for those ofyou who are new here. Hi, I'm
Christi Faith, author ofHomeschool Rising, keynote
speaker and founder of ThriveHomeschool Community.
(00:49):
Thrive is a space where wementor and guide homeschool moms
to create an amazing homeschoolprogram that both you and your
kids love. It's also a place forreal connection, solid training,
and support from parents whotruly get it. All right, now
let's unpack this lie. We havebeen all led to believe that if
(01:20):
we could just find the rightcurriculum, the magical unicorn
of homeschooling resources,everything will click, our
children will beg for moreschool, And we become that mom
who does read alouds while thesourdough rises and the toddler
silently builds a STEM projectquietly in the corner. Spoiler
alert, that's not real.
That mom isn't real. Thatunicorn curriculum isn't real.
(01:43):
Also, of course, you're askingthis question. It's one of the
most common questions newhomeschool moms ask, and I wanna
take it easy on you as I saythis and promise that you'll
stick with me through thisepisode. When we are asking what
curriculum is good and whatcurriculum should I buy, it's
actually the wrong question.
And the fact that you're askingit, it is not your fault. There
(02:06):
is a very good reason why we allthink that there is just some
special curriculum that weshould all be using out there.
We were all probably raised insome sort of system ourselves,
and we were told, Here's theprogram, follow it. So now as a
homeschooler, your brain isscreaming, can somebody just
tell me what to buy so I don'truin my child's future? Now you
(02:28):
gotta trust me with this episodebecause I wanna take a minute
and unpack what's really behindthe question, what curriculum is
good?
Because it's not what you think.Because when a mom asks, what
curriculum should I buy? Whatshe really means is, will this
work? Will my kid fight me onit? Will I waste $300 and lose
(02:48):
my last sliver of sanity?
Will this help me feel like I'mnot totally messing up this
homeschool thing? To which Isay, fair. Those are absolutely
reasonable concerns. And thetruth is, yes, there is boring
curriculum. Yes, there areglitter covered overpriced
bundles.
And yes, there are options thatwill make homeschool mom life
(03:11):
harder. But before you buyanything, the most important
thing is to do a smidge pleaseof deschooling. In fact, and I
know this might sound annoyingbecause you really probably just
clicked on this episode wantingto be told what curriculum is
good and which one you shouldbuy. But when I go to
conferences and I teach myHomeschool 101 class, I have
(03:31):
moms do several steps beforeeven considering making their
purchase. And deschooling is oneof those steps, so we're gonna
go over it for just a minutehere.
And I'm only kind of joking whenI say it's kind of a matter of
homeschool survival. I knowdeschooling might sound like one
of those trendy homeschoolingbuzzwords that feel a little
fuzzy or maybe even a bitintimidating. It's also close to
(03:55):
the word unschooling, which is atotally different thing. That's
one of the homeschool pedagogiesor one of the nine homeschooling
styles. But here's the truth.
Deschooling isn't just aconcept. It can be a
homeschooling savior. And as Isay in my homeschool one zero
one classes, I wanna train youto homeschool in a way so that
you don't burn out and quitlater. And this is one of the
(04:17):
keys to doing that. So what isdeschooling?
It's the process of steppingaway from the idea that school
has to look a certain way.Desks, bells, worksheets, rigid
schedules, textbooks, grades,and instead figuring out what
actually works for your kid andyour family, and might I add,
(04:37):
your dreams. It's such animportant step that I dedicate
an entire chapter to deschoolingin my book, Homeschool Rising,
because honestly, if you skipthis part, curriculum might feel
weird, wrong, or just way tooextra. And why? Because when we
skip deschooling, we don'tactually start homeschooling.
(04:58):
What ends up happening is wejust recreate the same school
mindset at home, with ourselvescast as the frazzled teacher and
our kids as the disinterested,slightly mutinous students. And
we start measuring our successby how many boxes we checked,
how still the child sat, whatgrades they're getting, did we
(05:18):
finish the curriculum on time,whether we made it to the end of
lesson 14 by Friday withoutanyone crying, including us.
Here's the truth bomb. You can'tbuild something new if you're
still clinging to what brokeyou. So what is it?
Deschooling is unlearning thehabits, the expectations, and
the emotional baggage we allpicked up from the traditional
(05:41):
school systems, even if you'venever set foot in a classroom as
a parent. It's about pausinglong enough to ask, what do I
believe about learning? Why am Ipanicking if we don't start by
08:30AM? Why do I feel likewe're failing if I don't have a
three ring binder color coded bysubject? Deschooling helps you
stop asking, how do I makeschool at home?
(06:03):
And start asking, what kind oflife do we want and how does
learning naturally fit intothat? Honestly, most people are
shocked to realize their biggeststressor in homeschooling isn't
the curriculum at all. It'stheir leftover beliefs about
what learning has to look like.And if you're thinking, okay,
Christy, yeah, but where do Istart? I gotcha.
(06:25):
We'll get into that after thebreak. this word from our
sponsors. As a homeschool momwho values a family together
approach and leans towards theclassical and Charlotte Mason
styles, I often struggle tobring my educational vision to
life with my kids' diverse agesand learning needs. With all our
interests and super packedschedule, bridging that gap
between the dreamy homeschool Iwant and reality, I gotta be
(06:46):
honest. It's a challenge.
Now, yes, I know perfectionisn't the goal. But if you're
listening and you could use alittle easing of your mental
load in your day to day, I founda resource that has become the
quiet hero of our routine, andit could be a really great
option for you too. BJU Presshomeschool curriculum. Now many
think that BJU Press homeschoolis solely an all in one option,
(07:06):
and though it does excel in thatrole, did you know you can also
opt for specific courses andtailor them to fit your family's
needs just as I have? BGU PressHomeschool provides the perfect
balance of structure andflexibility and easily
complements my family's mixedage family together on the couch
learning style.
They are to none in integratinga biblical worldview,
(07:27):
stimulating critical thinking,and offering tons of hands on
activities in the lessons. Tofind out how BJU Press
Homeschool can come alongsideyou in your homeschooling goals
too. Visitbjupresshomeschool.com or click
the link in the show notes. I'vegot some news. There's a new
reading curriculum that ditchesworkbooks and drills for fun and
games.
If you're thinking fun and gamessounds a little too good to be
(07:51):
true, it's not. Ninety eightpercent of children improved
their reading test scores injust six weeks with the reading
skill set by Lovevery. It's aphonics based program that
follows a science of reading,but makes learning to read fun,
motivating, and confidenceboosting because it happens by
playing games and thenpracticing with just right skill
(08:11):
level books. Kids love it andparent educators love it, and it
works. Visitlovevery.com/christyfaith today
and use code Christy to get 10off your purchase of the reading
skill set by Lovevery. That'slovevery.com/christyfaith.
Welcome back. I pulled thedeschooling framework straight
(08:33):
out of my book, HomeschoolRising, and turned it into a
totally free resource that isavailable for you. It's called
20 Questions to Kickstart YourDeschooling Adventure, AKA your
gentle invitation to startunraveling the school y knots in
your brain. These 20 questionsare simple but powerful, like,
oh, wow, I never realized Ithought like that kind of
(08:56):
powerful.
And no, this isn't just fornewbies. Even if you've been
homeschooling for a while, ifthings feel a little bit heavy
or off, or you're feeling alittle burnt out, this could
just be the reset button youdidn't know you needed. You can
download it right now atchristy-faith.com or click the
link in the show notes. It'scompletely free, it's low
pressure, and it might just saveyou from impulse buying $200
(09:19):
worth of curriculum that willsit on that shelf mocking you
later. Here's the bottom line.
Deschooling is the thing youskip when you just wanna get
started and then circle back toin tears six months later. So
please be smarter than the past,Christy, and start there. And
bonus, you may not know this,but inside Thrive Homeschool
(09:40):
Community, my online community,we actually walk you through
this deschooling phase withsupport, practical steps, and
yes, office hours, where weanswer all the questions you're
too scared to post in a Facebookgroup because you don't want 42
contradicting responses and onepassive aggressive GIF. So yeah,
deschooling is kind of a bigdeal. It's not woohoo stuff,
(10:03):
it's real wisdom.
Now, once you've begun thatlittle identity shift, then we
can talk curriculum. But if youskip this part, friend,
everything else is gonna feeloff no matter how many stickers
or manipulatives it comes with,because you won't really
understand the why behind evenall the homeschool activities
that you're doing. Now, when Isaid earlier, when you're asking
(10:24):
what curriculum is good, and Isaid that's actually the wrong
question, I was saying that notbecause I think you're
uninformed or you're dumb oranything like that, not because
you failed some secrethomeschool parent quiz. It's
because you and me and all ofus, we've been set up. The
system has us believing thatthere's some sort of best out
(10:45):
there.
Like, there's gonna be anenvelope reveal with dramatic
music and a winner. And thetruth is, there is no one right
answer. There's only what fitsyou and what fits your kid. And
surprise, that might not be theglossy influencer approved
program with the $500 price tagand matching flashcards in four
(11:05):
languages. So let's reframe thecurriculum.
Not what curriculum is good, butwhat curriculum is good for us.
Totally different question,right? Way fewer tears, way more
snap breaks and giggles. Becausehere's the truth, no one wants
to say out loud in the Facebookgroups. Curriculum doesn't teach
(11:25):
your child, you do.
That fancy expensive set youordered isn't going to climb out
and lovingly correct your kid'smath mistakes or turn your
child's meltdown into ateachable moment. Curriculum is
just a tool. It's a vehicle. Andtools are only helpful if they
get the job done that you wantdone, if they fit your hand and
(11:48):
the job you're doing. And whatthat means is that your kid
isn't just a blank slate.
You're not a robot who justinputs instructions and outputs
perfectly educated humans.That's not the point. That's not
why we're doing this. And no,your child's resistance to
cursive and writing an essay isnot a character flaw. What those
(12:08):
things are are clues.
When you start paying attentionto how your kid learns best, how
you teach best, and how you bothcan actually enjoy spending your
day, the right curriculum startsto look a lot different, doesn't
it? This is exactly what we doin step two of my fail safe
homeschool setup, which is inThrive Homeschool Community.
(12:28):
There's a quick video modulewhere I walk you through it like
a real human, not a robotteacher voice, plus a printable
worksheet so you can figure outwhat kind of curriculum actually
fits you personally, your kidswiring, and your daily chaos
level. And look, Thrive mightnot be for you, but seriously,
if you're feeling stuck on thisquestion, go watch that module,
(12:49):
fill out that worksheet. It'snot magical by any means, but it
is a massive clarity boost.
You can totally Google your wayto the same answers eventually,
or you can just open up mymodule because I've done all the
obsessing and thinking for youahead of time. You can also DM
us inside Thrive when you getstuck and get all the help that
you need. My whole point here islet's start asking the better
(13:12):
question because the secretsauce to homeschooling is you.
The curriculum is just theseasoning. And step three is
simple, know thyself and thy offspring.
This is where the magic happens.Not the target aisle magic or
the Pinterest mom magic, but thekind of practical magic that
keeps you from rage quitting midFebruary because you bought a
(13:33):
curriculum that looks great onInstagram, but makes your family
miserable. So here's what we do.We stop looking at the
curriculum catalog like it's themenu at Cheesecake Factory,
which is completelyoverwhelming. Right?
And we start watching our kids.Is your child the kind of kid
who builds intricate Lego worldswith functioning governments and
(13:54):
trade systems, but bursts intotears at the sight of a
workbook? Do they love listeningto stories for hours, but go
full limp noodle when faced witha timed worksheet? Do they
thrive on structure and clearexpectations or wilt the moment
you say the word schedule likeit's a threat? These aren't just
personality quirks, they arecurriculum clues.
(14:15):
Ignore them at your own peril.And you, my dear homeschool
parent, are not off the hookeither. I care about you and I
want you to love this life aswell. So this is what I need you
to know too. Ask yourself whatkind of life you want and what
you care about.
Are you secretly allergic toglitter and Pinterest crafts? Do
(14:36):
you need a script to function,or does a scripted lesson make
you feel like a hostage? Willyou actually print 10 laminated
activities per day? Now we allagree here. No.
You won't. Don't lie. Becauselet's be honest. The best
curriculum in the world isn'tgonna work if it turns you into
a resentful, exhausted, gluestick wielding rage monster.
(15:00):
This is exactly why I built outthe fail safe homeschool setup
and put module one in thebeginning.
It's the student interview andparent reflection packet. You
can think of your own interviewquestions to ask your kid, or
you can use my resources and doit in a more guided way with
experts. Totally your call. Forthose going through the fail
safe setup, I often encouragemoms to grab a snack. It takes
(15:22):
about an hour per kid and thenan extra hour for you reflect in
blessed silence with a pen andmaybe a tea latte.
But however you do it, it'simportant to interview your
kids, reflect on what you want,because you'll walk away with
insight into how your childtics, what lights them up, and
what makes you a more confidentteacher, not a martyr on the
(15:44):
altar of someone else'scurriculum plan. Because if you
don't know what you really wantand the best ways to serve your
kids, you will start panicbuying whatever's on sale or
whatever looks the best online.And the truth is, no matter how
many Amazon reviews it has orhow many influencers swear by
it, if it doesn't work for yourkid and your sanity, it's not
(16:06):
the right fit. So reflecting,trust me, the path to a
peaceful, functional homeschoolstarts there. Know thyself, know
thy offspring, then you can buythe thing.
Now it's time to move into thenext step, which is a big one.
Where do we even start? We'llget into those practical details
right after the break. Before wecontinue, I wanna share with you
(16:28):
a program that's been a gamechanger for our homeschool. At
our center, we instructed andhelped kids through pretty much
every math program on the marketand know firsthand just how
important a solid mathfoundation is for our kids'
futures.
As a career educator with highstandards, finding the right
program that checked all theboxes felt like too tall of an
order. Until one day, I triedCTC Math. CTC Math is an online
(16:51):
math curriculum for k to 12students with motivating
interactive lessons that allowkids to learn at their own pace.
It does all the teaching andgrading so you don't have to,
and their adaptive lessonsadjust so your child is
progressing confidently. WithCTC Math, your child is getting
a top notch education, and youjust made your homeschool life
easier.
Visit ctcmath.com to start yourfree trial today, or click the
(17:13):
link in the show notes. Is yourchild struggling with attention,
memory, reading, writing, ormath? If you're experiencing
this, you know how heartwrenching it is to watch them
face these hurdles. You'vepoured love, time, and attention
into their education, yet thestruggle persists, leaving you
feeling stuck and desperatelysearching for answers. You guys,
I want you to know aboutLearningRx, a proven program
(17:34):
designed to help your child'scognitive skills, enabling them
to think faster, learn moreeasily, and perform at their
best.
I'm talking getting real longterm help here with things like
ADHD and dyslexia. LearningRx isbacked by thirty five years of
research, and their results aretransformative. Use code HOME
for $50 off your cognitiveskills assessment. Go to
(17:55):
learningrx.com or click the linkin the show notes. Okay, so you
followed the steps I've goneover so far.
You've deschooled, or at leastyou're on that journey. You've
stared deeply into your child'ssoul and your own, and you've
realized that asking whatcurriculum is good is kind of
like asking what shoes are best,right? Well, you'll realize
(18:15):
actually it depends. Are wegoing hiking or are we going to
the Oscars? So now you'reasking, where in the world do I
actually start?
Here's the honest, slightlyannoying answer. You could spend
hours online. You could fallinto a YouTube poll about
Charlotte Mason and classicaleducation and whether math needs
(18:36):
to be living. You could download19 curriculum samples, stalk
every homeschool blogger'sbookshelf, and wind up crying
over a phonics scope andsequence like it's ancient Greek
prophecy. Or you can do it alittle bit more strategically.
I can tell you how we do it inThrive. We literally walk you
through the process step by steplike your favorite GPS system,
(18:57):
but with less recalculating andmore, you've got this. What we
do in there is we start out withfiguring out your homeschooling
style. And no, you don't have tobe crunchy or classical or any
type of pedagogy to be inThrive. Then once we figure out
your homeschooling style, whichby the way, there is a free five
minute homeschool style finderon my website.
You can do this for free rightnow. After I have you figure out
(19:20):
your homeschooling style, then Imove to you understanding your
kids' learning preferences.After you've explored your kids'
giftings and what they need, andyou've dreamt a little bit about
what you want for your ownhomeschool, you've figured out
what homeschooling style orpedagogy you are, then you're
ready to start thinking aboutwhat to buy. In Thrive, we offer
you lots of worksheets andblueprints to organize your
(19:43):
curriculum buying, and also youcan DM the mentors and come to
office hours to bounce ideas offor get our opinions from us or
other Thrive members. Here's mypoint.
I don't want you to do it alone.I want you to find people who
are ahead of you in this game,who aren't judgy, and who can
help you out with some practicalwisdom. Because at the end of
the day, here's what's real.Curriculum isn't the magic
(20:05):
ingredient. You are.
Do you see it now? So let's landthis plane. There is no magic
curriculum. In fact, a lot of itdoes the job pretty well. It's
really a matter of finding theright fit for you.
Every curriculum will requiresome tweaking. Every single one
will feel awkward at some point.You might even need to switch
mid year. Yes, I know, gasp.It's okay.
(20:28):
It doesn't mean that you failed.It means you're paying
attention. You're growing,you're adapting, you're being
the grownup in the room. Becausehere's the truth, you can give
your kid a solid education witha boring workbook, and you can
give them a garbage educationwith the trendiest, most
expensive curriculum in theuniverse. Because it's not
(20:49):
really about the curriculum.
It's about connection. It'sabout knowing your family,
knowing your values, knowingyour rhythm, and trusting that
you will figure out the restbecause you want what's best for
your kid. So here is yourpermission to stop unicorn
hunting. Deschool, investigate,pick something decent, tweak as
(21:12):
needed, and just get after itand give yourself and your kids
so much grace that it feelsborderline irresponsible. And of
course, if you want real helpwith all of these details, you
know what I'm about to say, youcan get that in Thrive
Homeschool Community.
Of course, I will put the linksin the show notes. Okay, that is
(21:32):
it for today. So go reject thecurriculum panic and embrace the
glorious snack filledbeautifully chaotic mess that is
real homeschooling. Andseriously, if that laminator is
giving you anxiety, put it down.It's not the boss of you.
Alright, see you next time. Bye,Har.
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