October 14, 2023 ā¢ 37 mins
Get ready to buckle up and embark on an educational adventure like no other! In this month's episode of The Mommy Mentor, we have the incredible Morgan Ryza, the homeschooling extraordinaire, joining us for a information-filled conversation that will leave you both enlightened and entertained. šš« Morgan Ryza is not your average homeschool expert. With 12 years of homeschooling and unschooling experience under her belt, she's like a Jedi Master of Education, wielding her knowledge with finesse. But that's not all! She's also a master's degree holder in education, a published author, and has taught in both public schools and virtually for over 13 years. Talk about an impressive resume! šāØ Whether you're a seasoned homeschooling parent or just curious about alternative education options, tune in to The Mommy Mentor's latest episode with Morgan Ryza. Get ready to learn, to laugh a little, and embrace the wild and wonderful world of homeschooling like never before! š§š¤© Remember, education doesn't have to be boring. It can be an adventure filled with adventure, growth, and a whole lot of fun. Don't miss out on this epic episode - hit that play button now! šš„š§
For information on this podcast and more, visit mommymentorpodcast.com. Ā My name is Erinn Kennedy-Heldt & I am a registered nurse and a Mom of three.Ā I have professional experience with moms & babies as a post-partum nurse, which keeps the newborn & post partum transition fresh in my mind.Ā And I have my personal experience of 17 years of parenting. Ā Morgan's website:Ā www.guidance2homeschooling.comMark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (00:00):
šµ Welcome to the Mommy Mentor Podcast.
This parenting bullsheetis hard, am I right?
From sleepless nights with newbornsto sleepless nights with teens.
(00:22):
From potty training tosending them off to college.
I'm here to get you throughit all as your Mommy Mentor.
My name is Erinn Kennedy Heldt and I'ma registered nurse and a mom of three.
I have professional experience withmoms and babies as a postpartum
nurse, which keeps the newborn andpostpartum transition fresh in my mind.
I have 17 years of parentingexperience as well.
(00:45):
For information on this podcastand more, go to mommymentorpodcast.
com.
Parents, grab a cup of whatever youprefer and settle in for the next episode.
Hello, Mommy Mentor audience.
(01:06):
This is Morgan Ryza.
We have, am I saying it correctly?
Ryza?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Um, it's Ryza, but you're all good. (01:11):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (01:13):
Morgan Ryza.
We want to get it correctly.
I'm very, uh, I take names seriously.
So Morgan Ryza and MorganRyza is a homeschool expert.
When asked what her superpower was,she said, helping parents homeschool
and unschool their children to buildlasting relationships, create shared
(01:33):
memories and customize their child'seducation, and that is her mission.
She also has 12 years of homeschoolingexperience and unschooling experience.
She has a master's degree in education.
She also has teaching, uh, someexperience in teaching public, in
public schools and 13 years virtually.
She also is a published author.
(01:55):
You are amazing.
Wow.
Very accomplished.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: All the things. (01:59):
undefined
Yes.
So lots of experience in education.
Thank you.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor: Yes you're Welcome. (02:05):
undefined
We do have that in common.
I also have a degree in education,although I made it through student
teaching and a substitute teachingassignment and that was about it.
Um.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (02:16):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (02:17):
So, um, my question is what brought you to
wanting to homeschool or unschool?
Where did you, where didthat journey start for you?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So we started and I thought (02:27):
undefined
just like most parents that mychildren would go to public school.
I was actually a public school teacher.
Um, and I taught first grade for 10 years.
Then we were in this small schooland I thought my son would start
kindergarten there the next year.
(02:48):
And my husband had a perfect jobopportunity across the country.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (02:54):
Oh.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So we moved from Houston to Idaho, (02:56):
undefined
and I thought my child was going tobe in my friend's class down the hall.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (03:06):
Right.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And suddenly, you know, he's going (03:07):
undefined
to be in a stranger's classroom.
And while everyone does that, includingthe kids in my class every year.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (03:15):
Yes.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Like, I'm a teacher. (03:16):
undefined
I maybe will just keep him at home.
this one year and hegraduates this December.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (03:24):
Wow.
So it went definitely more than one year.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (03:27):
undefined
Yes.
I thought, Oh, we'll just do kindergarten.
It was half a day here.
And I thought, Oh, I can do that.
And he was really the one who sent us.
To more of an unschooling pathwhen you get into homeschooling.
It's just a differentform of homeschooling.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (03:44):
Mm-hmm.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And he was the one who really (03:44):
undefined
just needed more freedom.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (03:49):
Sure, yes.
And You did you realize that justthe traditional setting was not
going to work for your child andthat was a motivator for you as well?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes, of course, when I thought (03:57):
undefined
he was going to be in my friend'sclass, maybe we wouldn't have to
have the ADD, ADHD conversation.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (04:05):
I see, I see.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: As early, you know, she knew our family (04:06):
undefined
and then when he was going to be ina brand new environment, I was just
like, we'll just keep him at home.
And then even me puttingthat public school at home
environment did not work for him.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (04:24):
I see.
Even you trying to do your traditionalclassroom at home was not working.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes, even that. (04:29):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (04:31):
Wow.
Okay.
So, um, what are insights and likesome insights and some benefits
of homeschooling that you havefound for children's overall
development and educational progress?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So the biggest benefit is you get to (04:45):
undefined
teach your kid right where they are.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (04:49):
Awesome.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And you know, it's that one on one if (04:50):
undefined
they are lacking in reading or mathskills, you get to address it right there.
They're not waiting to go toafterschool tutoring, or even if they're
ahead, you get to keep moving on.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (05:04):
True.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And really play to their strengths. (05:05):
undefined
You can address their weaknesses forsure, but if they have a strength or
just an area of interest, you can.
spend a whole lot of time in there.
So that was the best benefit for both of
my kids.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (05:20):
Sure.
You're able to individualize theireducation a little bit more and you
don't really have to worry so muchabout where other children are at.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (05:29):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (05:29):
And kind of wait for them or, or, you know,
feel that you're too far advanced for
them.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Exactly. (05:36):
undefined
Exactly.
And I mean, it's, it's really whatevery teacher would love to do.
Like there is nothing wrongwith teachers or anything.
I mean, I have tens of friends thatare teachers and they're doing the
very best they can, but when you have30 kids in a classroom and the state's
telling you exactly what you have todo, it's really hard to meet that child
(05:58):
where they are for every single one.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (06:01):
Yes.
Yes, and I can, I can kind of relateto that myself, having, my children are
all born in July, so they started schoolwhen they were like, they were just
over five years old, and my girls had notrouble, but my son, you know, boys are
just a little different, and he just, Ihad to like, get his first grade teacher
to understand, he is, he could be like,seven months, six months younger than
(06:25):
a classmate, and you know, we have to,work with that developmentally as well.
You know, it's also, it's, it'seducation, but also development and,
um, just in being a person, you know,your developmental skills and what
you're capable of in a classroom,
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Especially at those younger grades. (06:41):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (06:42):
Exactly.
Exactly.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: It's huge in those younger grades, so, (06:44):
undefined
I mean, that's, that's just one of themajor benefits is the individualized
instruction, for sure.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (06:54):
That's amazing.
Yeah, that's really, Ididn't think of that.
I mean, makes sense.
Um, What are some key considerationsthat parents should keep in mind when
deciding to homeschool their child?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So you definitely want to, I (07:09):
undefined
always tell people to stop andthink about why you're doing this.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (07:15):
Mm-hmm.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So that you can set goals accordingly. (07:15):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (07:18):
Sure.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And you, I mean, there's a million (07:18):
undefined
reasons why it can be anything fromreligious, although often it's not,
it can be for one year, it can be, youknow, ongoing, you want to graduate
your kids from homeschool 'cause that'sjust gonna dictate how you choose.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (07:35):
Mm-hmm.
. Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: your curriculum, how you
choose how you homeschool.
So always start with that why.
And even if the kids are young, Iencourage parents to talk to them
about how their, you know, perfectday of homeschooling would be.
So you both are on the same pagebecause you get to create it
from scratch.
(07:56):
Yes, sure.
You can kind of tailor it to whatyour child needs, but also what
would be fun for them and whatwould actually be engaging for them.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (08:03):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (08:04):
That's amazing.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (08:04):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (08:05):
And have you found more people
interested in homeschooling orunschooling since the pandemic?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (08:12):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (08:13):
And the increase with mental health.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Such an increase with mental health (08:16):
undefined
and just the school system and nowseeing what is being taught, what
is happening in each classroom.
I think everybody wasable to see more of that.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (08:29):
Yes.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: With COVID. (08:30):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (08:31):
Right.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: But, you know, and then coming back, (08:31):
undefined
they were like, Oh, you know, someof that was busy work and I would do
enjoy spending time with my kids and Iwant to do these things and every, and
you know, just like so many people nowcan work from home that there's been
a whole restructure of what we can do.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (08:48):
That is true.
We've it's the pandemic definitelychanged and taught us that we can
adapt, uh, to not having to go places.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (08:56):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (08:56):
Yeah.
Yes.
And I suppose in that regard, uh,you can kind of meet your child
where you're at, they're at withtheir mental health as well.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Oh, for sure. (09:04):
undefined
That has been a huge thing for a lot ofparents with, you know, just bullying
and other things going on in schools.
They're able to pull them out andfeel comfortable homeschooling them.
Now there's so many resourcesand you can do so many things.
It doesn't look like what it did, youknow, back in the nineties, eighties,
(09:26):
nineties, when you were sitting at atable, I mean, you can do virtual field
trips, you can take online classes, youknow, so I think it's really shifted and
that the pandemic woke a lot of people up.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (09:40):
Right, right.
I would, I would agreewith that, definitely.
I've, um, my daughters have, um, bothmental health struggles, and I have
a couple of co workers who like justthe other day, she was like, I think
I'm going to have to bring her homefrom school because of her anxiety.
She's having a bad day.
So it's kind of nice to have, um,to be able to meet your child where
they're at and still have them beable to obtain their education and not
(10:04):
suffer, you know, mental health wise.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (10:07):
undefined
And with that, then you'reable to address that and that
becomes part of their learning.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (10:12):
Exactly.
Exactly.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: It's not something to the side. (10:13):
undefined
You can really.
Spend a lot of time, you know,addressing that in that area
and making accommodations.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (10:25):
Yes.
A lot of people would say, I mean, Ikind of can hear, um, just the opposition
of, Oh, well, you're taking them out ofschool and you're, you're kind of, um,
babying them perhaps, or preventing themfrom experiencing problems that they're
eventually going to experience anyway,when they have to go into the world
and into the workplace and et cetera.
(10:45):
However,
You and I kind of probably are on thesame page of you're meeting your child
where they're at, you're gonna give themthose developmental skills, and you're
going to work with them on that issue.
It just because they're at homedoesn't mean that you're not
going to work with them on thatissue and prepare them for life.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Right. (11:00):
undefined
And you're, you're right there to walkbeside them and help them navigate that.
So then they're super prepared whenthey encounter it as they grow older.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (11:12):
Whereas they're at school and there are adults there
and they do have trusted adults oftenthere and you can have your, you know,
your plans and your, um, you know,your IEPs or your other plans that are
yes, legally binding and et cetera.
But you're You're your child's numberone advocate and you're not there.
Um, so I can kind of understand wherebeing able to walk beside them the
(11:34):
entire journey throughout their day andsee what truly sends them into a panic
or what is truly triggering for themand being able to address those things.
You know your child best andyou also are the person that's
obtaining that medical care too.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (11:49):
undefined
Yes.
So then you're able to address it rightat the time you can make the appointments.
You know, during the day and justreally help with that mental health.
I worked with a familyand I mean, they did that.
And I said, you know what,you can just take a step back.
Like they are learning somuch in these coping skills.
With this they were doing like a reallyintense program to address her needs, but
(12:14):
it was worth it I was like for her to gethere then you can go back and then she'll
excel because she won't be so distracted.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (12:21):
Right, she has the tools to be able to get
her education properly, you know,without being distracted by XYZ or
having, you know, whatever struggles.
That's, yes, I love that.
I can kind of like, I, you know, I don'tknow how old you are, but I'm a 41 almost
and being a child of the 80s and 90s whereit's like, well, you get up and you keep
(12:41):
going and yep, you skinned your knee.
That's nice.
You know, Oh, somebody made fun of you.
That's too bad.
You know.
Um, and like, my parents would listen tome, but it was just like, okay, they're
rubber, you're glue, that kind of thing.
Um, but now we're like listeningto our children more and we're,
um, acknowledging their emotions.
And, and I think that that's justonly going to improve our world.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: For sure, and they'll be ready and (13:05):
undefined
they'll know who they are, they won'thave this misrepresentation of themselves
because you're able to give them theconfidence to be who they are instead of
trying to pretend.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (13:20):
And there's not the outside people
shaking their confidence either.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (13:23):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (13:24):
Yes.
Yes.
Because, well, we'veall been to high school.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes, for sure. (13:28):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (13:29):
Um, my next question is how can parents effectively
create a structured and engaging learningenvironment at home, um, for, or while
they're homeschooling their children?
You know, you do need some structure,but how are we going to do that in the
home?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So I really think this (13:45):
undefined
depends on your family.
Lots of parents like tolatch on to checklists.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (13:53):
Okay.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And I am forever telling them, okay, (13:54):
undefined
you can't like, that's not going tocreate the perfect homeschooled child
because every child is different.
And if you pulled your kids out or youkept them at home, there's a reason.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (14:08):
Right.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And you need to look at what's (14:08):
undefined
going to work for your family.
So for example, I have.
And early bird.
He is all with always up earlytalking, talking, talking
lots of words in the morning.
Now my daughter is a night out.
She will stay up super latereading her book, doing her things.
So, to me, they're they're two years apartso I need to homeschool you together.
(14:32):
I'm not going to spend the morning withthis one in the afternoon with this one.
And so I was like, okay, thisis what's going to work for us.
You know, I will spend sometime with him in the morning.
We can get some stuff that only he'sdoing and then come together, meet
with her and then give her assignments.
Cause I am also not a night owl.
So I do not need her comingto wake me up and tell me.
(14:53):
I have this problem with math.
I'm like, just circle it.
We'll handle it in the morning or,you know, lunchtime the next day.
So, you just got to set up thestructure that's going to work for you.
The school system makes you feel likeyou have to spend a certain number of
hours on every little subject, but reallymaking the connections between those
(15:13):
subjects is where that Love of learningcan happen and really engage the student.
So I tend to say less structure wouldbe better unless your kid just needs it.
You know, they're the kidthat has their own agenda.
They're like, okay,today we're doing this.
So I think as long as you feellike your kid is moving forward,
(15:36):
less structure is where it's at.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (15:40):
Awesome.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Because as the mom, it (15:41):
undefined
will stress you out.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (15:44):
True.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: With this structure, and you (15:44):
undefined
don't need to be stressed.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (15:47):
Okay, yeah, right, you're trying to take away stress.
You're trying to de stress the situation.
Yes.
Well, and I suppose because, youknow, like, we've been, we've
been, it's been drilled into us.
School days are six hours, and, youknow, you, you spend an hour on each
subject, and et cetera, and it's, andthey're so fragmented, the subjects.
They're not interrelated,when in, in reality, they are.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes, in reality, I mean, you could (16:06):
undefined
study an area of history that youreally want to deep dive into and you're
reading, you're writing your history.
I mean, you can bring inscience with different areas.
I mean, your math, you do haveto kind of pull in, but you
are doing one on one learning.
It's so much faster.
It's like that tutoring modelthat just moves kids faster.
(16:29):
You don't have to spend anhour in the math workbook.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (16:32):
Sure.
Yes.
It's.
And then you brought up agood point of your daughter.
You are the teacher.
You're home.
So your daughter, "Mom", andit's been a little night.
I have a question.
So you have to set up thoseboundaries, I suppose, too.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (16:46):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (16:46):
You know, this is when I'm the
teacher and this is when I'm mom.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Right. (16:49):
undefined
Right.
And I mean, it's kind of hard and that wasreally, um, a dip and that's a difficult
Point of contention for a lot of parentswhen they first they want to like put
on the teacher hat and do those thingsand you do like there had to be some
boundaries because I don't want you wakingme up at midnight to talk about math.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (17:07):
Yeah.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And, but You know, you work that out (17:08):
undefined
with your kids and they'll really,that relationship that you build
working those things out is priceless.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (17:18):
Yes.
Yes.
I suppose that you get, um, you getpaid in those experiences almost.
And you, you being the mom and theteacher, they're both enriching roles.
So why not mesh them when they mesh?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: When it works for your (17:31):
undefined
family for
sure.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (17:33):
Yes, but some people need the structure of
this is mom, this is teacher It'sjust whatever works for your family.
Yes, that is I'm just like All theseaspects of because you know, I never
even thought I would I never consideredhomeschooling my own children I
just thought I have my own classroomexperience and I was like woah with
(17:55):
that and so Explanation of why Ididn't continue my teaching career
Um,
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: so you're like, that was enough. (18:00):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (18:02):
That
was, I just was, uh, you know, you doyour student teaching and I had, my
first substitute teaching assignmentwas, um, high school kids, high
school health, and I was like 22.
So, you know, it's, it was justlike, not the best because I'm
like four years older than them.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (18:19):
undefined
Yes.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (18:21):
So it was like a lot of stress.
And then it turned out that Iwas driven into nursing when
my daughters were born early.
So, but we had never, I never evenconsidered, even with my own experience
in education, uh, homeschoolingmy children, mainly because I was
just like, we need that structure.
I don't think I'm capableof giving that structure.
(18:41):
I don't think I'm capable of wearingthe mom hat and the teacher hat.
So, you know, it does, ithas to work for your family.
You have to be able to do those things.
And I know for myself, I would, I amorganized and like the trying to put it
to each child's level would have been veryhard for me, but so kudos to you because
(19:02):
it's amazing that like you're doing asuperpower, you're teaching to different
levels of children, really developmentallyand educationally, and that is hard
to do at the same time, I imagine.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes, it can be definitely challenging. (19:15):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (19:17):
What do you think the biggest challenges are, other
than you said your timing schedule?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Oh yeah, the timing, but the biggest (19:23):
undefined
challenge is definitely making timein your day, your week, your month
to address their like interest.
So I'm big on definitely spendingtime in areas they're interested in.
But when you're the only driver, andyou're having to balance that it can
(19:46):
be hard, you know, like if you have achild in sports, and then another child
in dance, I mean, just think about that.
But like, Expanded because during theday, they're going to go want to go to
the park, and then this one's going towant to go to the library or do the thing.
So it's really a give and take.
And then the more you have, the morediffering opinions you have on what they
(20:09):
would like to do with their free time.
So it's, and it really, it's a.
Difficulty for a mom, but it's a benefitbecause the kids learn to compromise
and they learn, you know, that that'skind of a shared time and how can I
make the most, uh, you know, practice.
So if I had to take my son to practice,my daughter would always come and slowly,
then the other little sisters came.
(20:31):
And so then she had aplay group every practice.
So it works, but like,sometimes it doesn't.
And then you're like, okay, we can drophim off and then we can run, do this.
So it's just finding that balance.
For every season becauseit's over and over.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (20:47):
Right
It changes I know just like kidsconstantly changes that changes and what
compromises you need to find change.
Yes.
I can only imagine What resources andtools do you recommend for parents
to start off their homeschooling
journey?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So when you're just starting off, (21:03):
undefined
like I said, just kind of evaluateand think about your why before you
jump in to buying the curriculumor because it can be expensive.
And then as a parent, because you areon a budget, you feel tied to that.
Then you're going to force your kid tofinish it, even though maybe now it's.
(21:23):
You realize it's not a good fit.
I mean, it sounds ridiculous, butso many moms get trapped in this.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (21:30):
Okay.
Yeah.
I didn't, I didn't, you just saidpurchase a curriculum and I was like,
you have to purchase a curriculum.
Can you talk a little bit more aboutlike how that, like what, if you, what
is your why and you find your why andyou decide, okay, I am committed to this.
How do you find those?
Like, what do you do next?
And
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: What do you do next? (21:49):
undefined
So you can, like, you can meet witha homeschool coach and they'll walk
you through this, but basically...
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (21:55):
Such as yourself.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (21:56):
undefined
So I can do this, but you, you're goingto go and you're going to figure out, you
know, what is your approach going to be?
Um, and there's all these differenthomeschooling philosophies and
they all have different curriculumsthat you can purchase accordingly.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (22:12):
I see.
I see.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So it gets into that sort of thing (22:14):
undefined
and the problem is a lot of timeslike mom may latch on to one and this
seems very the perfect ideal, butit doesn't fit well for their kids.
So you have to look at both peopleand or all the people and decide
what's going to fit best for them.
(22:35):
And then I suggest checking withyour library because a lot of
times they will have pieces to thiscurriculum, if not the whole thing.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (22:43):
Oh, wow.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (22:44):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor: Very nice pro tip. (22:45):
undefined
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Try it before you buy it for free. (22:46):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (22:48):
Okay.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: If you don't have it, then you can (22:49):
undefined
get on groups, Facebook groups, eBay.
You can find the curriculum usedbecause somebody bought it, didn't
work for them and they had to sell it.
So
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (23:00):
There you go.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So a lot of moms don't (23:01):
undefined
realize, Oh, I could do that.
And even if they say, Oh yeah, butthe workbook's written in the first
few pages, it's, and, but it's a largediscount, go ahead and get it, erase it.
You know, redo those pages,whatever needs to happen.
I mean, are they necessary?
Then you can see, is thisgoing to work for me?
(23:21):
So I'm always trying tohelp people, parents.
Save a little bit of money andmake sure they're making the right
decision because otherwise youfeel very trapped and tied to it.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (23:30):
Right.
Yes.
Cause you're committed and you have this.
I mean, we're not all made of money andwe have limited funds and then you're
like, well, I spent all this money.
We got to do it.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: We're doing it. (23:38):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (23:40):
So yeah, like looking around first to see like
what curriculum you can find thatfits for you and your, and your child.
I suppose you should, would you recommendincluding your child in like looking
at the curriculum or is that kind oflike harder to do and you kind of just
have to assume what your child would...
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: if it's an online curriculum, a lot (23:57):
undefined
of times they will give you, um, asample or like two weeks to try it
or something like, so that's great.
If you can do that withyour kids, I would do that.
If they're middle school and up, Isit, I sit down my, when my kids were
this, I tell parents, um, you know,show them the images on the computer.
(24:21):
If you can go look at it in person, showthat like, Look at it in person because
It's amazing what kids latch onto andwhat they're looking for, you know, if
they want colored workbook or if theywill, you know, a certain text is right.
And it's, it's crazy because if they'vebeen homeschooled this whole time, they
(24:41):
kind of know they can pick and choose.
And they're not like wewere sitting in school.
This is your math workbook.
This is the one.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (24:49):
This is it.
Yeah.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yeah. (24:50):
undefined
There's no negotiation, butit's nice because they know how
they learn and they're like,this one will work best for me.
You get it and you move forward.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (25:00):
Yeah.
I suppose when they're older, it is easierto include them in making those choices.
I love those free samples.
That's yeah.
Very smart to get the promo packagesor free trials or whatever you can do.
And what do you, do those curriculums,you know, we are all concerned about
meeting the graduation requirementsand the state's requirements and etc.
(25:21):
Do those, um, curriculums meetstate requirements and, you know,
state to state things are differentand how does that all work?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So that's the thing. (25:29):
undefined
There is a great website.
It's the Homeschool Legal DefenseAssociation and you can just Google that.
And each state has their ownrequirements for homeschooling, period.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (25:41):
Oh, I see.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yeah, so you can go look there. (25:42):
undefined
Some states require testing.
Some states require you have someonemeet with you and go over your plan and
then meet with you at the end of the yearand look at what was accomplished and
some states, um, you just tell them youhomeschool if you pull your kids out.
But if you've never send your kids,you don't have to talk about it.
(26:03):
So it's a very big range.
So for Idaho, it is we have to teach you.
Basic, basic language is wehave to teach similar subjects
that are taught in school.
You do address similar subjects.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (26:19):
I see.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yeah. (26:20):
undefined
And then each statehas its own graduation.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (26:24):
Okay.
For, for, for children.
Okay.
For homeschool, um, children,they have their own graduation
requirements that are separate.
I imagine from like yourpublic school and your private
school requirements.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So it's a little, yeah. (26:35):
undefined
So it's a little different.
And I mean, that websitegives you all the information.
And it's really best to look therebecause if it changes, they update it.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (26:46):
I see that.
Yeah, I suppose you do have todo that because things change.
And then you're then the homeschoolstudents don't need to do like things
like state testing and things like that.
And you're not teaching to the test, whichis like what so many teachers hate about
being a professional teacher right now.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (27:03):
undefined
So that, I mean, that was one of the bigindicators when we started homeschooling.
Yes.
I was like, okay, maybe just this year.
But then I realized in our state, mykids did not have to take state testing.
I was like, oh, this is what we'redoing because the teacher in Texas,
where there's high stakes testing.
I hated that for the kids.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (27:25):
Oh, yes.
Yeah, definitely.
Where it's like we have to get thismuch percentage of kids passing at this
percent so that we get this funding andit's like, what are we talking about
here?
Yes.
And it's so,
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: it's just mind boggling that (27:36):
undefined
we put so much pressure on.
I do understand that thereis some accountability.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (27:42):
Sure.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: But The amount of (27:42):
undefined
pressure put on that test.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (27:45):
Yes.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: For the teacher, for the (27:46):
undefined
student, for the district.
It's just crazy.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (27:50):
It's a lot.
It's a lot.
And I mean, it's one day.
So it's a, it's just like a briefsnippet of what a child actually knows.
And if they have.
Test anxiety or anything like that, likewe always told our kids, just do your
best and it's okay, just do your best,it's just try your best and however you
do, that's how you do, we know what yourgrades are, we're not worried about it,
(28:12):
you know, and it would, one of, one oftheir teachers once, oh my gosh, she was
so nervous, I could just see it and Itried to come over and talk to her and
it was just like, no calming her downand she just kept clicking away and I was
like, oh yeah, so and, but parents, yeah.
Can't take into account that day.
They can't take an account that thatscore doesn't exactly matter and
(28:35):
definitely doesn't mean your child issmart or not smart and it's just so
unfortunate that teachers are pressuredto the point where they have to focus
so much on that material rather thanreal life experience and also teaching
things that they will use in liferather than focusing so much on things
that they will just do on a test.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (28:57):
undefined
And those are two of the things that arehuge when you homeschool experiential
learning, because they can do all thethings like as a teacher, you try to
bring into your classroom, the cookingelement or the measuring elements, you
know, they just have it right there.
It's just part of your daywhen you're homeschooling.
And as far as that goes, and the reallife experience, you know, they are
(29:21):
living in the world, you're goingout, you're doing the things, going
to the grocery store, going to thelibrary, and they're experiencing
those things, interacting with adults.
And they're ready forthat as they get older.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (29:35):
Yes, and they're learning things like planning for a
grocery list, planning for budgeting,and what, well there's math in there.
And then when you get themhome and there's cooking that
food, there's math there.
You know, and it's also reallife experience, because they're
going to need to know how tocook and grocery shop and budget.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (29:50):
undefined
Yes.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (29:51):
Yeah.
And those are actually thingsthat our schools don't teach.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Right. (29:55):
undefined
Like, and, and a lot of times parentswould tell me, you know, when I was
talking to parents where their kidsare in public school and my kids are in
homeschool, they're, Oh, we do this thingwhere they pretend and they do this.
And I'm like, Oh yeah, we dosomething similar except I'm
like, okay, this is our budget.
Let's see if we can stay on it.
You know, while we'reAt the grocery store.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (30:13):
Right.
We're actually doing it real life.
Yes.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (30:16):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (30:16):
Yes.
Um, what would your biggest pieceof advice for parents who at any
stage of their child's age or, oreducation are thinking about doing...
what is their why?
You've said that many times, but whatshould, what is your biggest thing
that you would say to a person who'sconsidering homeschooling their child,
(30:37):
whether it's a, uh, a child who'snot done school before or a child
who wants to do a different format of
school?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: I would say try it. (30:45):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (30:47):
Try it.
Yeah.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Try it. (30:48):
undefined
Do it.
I mean, you can always put them in school.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (30:51):
True.
That, yeah, the schoolsystem's not going anywhere.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: It's not going anywhere. (30:54):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (30:55):
Mm hmm.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And you have so many (30:55):
undefined
resources available right now.
With the internet, with onlineclasses, with in person classes
that are where people are makingpods and doing homeschool that way.
You have so many options that ifyou don't try it, will you regret
it in a year or two from now?
(31:17):
So...
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (31:17):
It's kind of like anything in life.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (31:19):
undefined
So I would just say if it's in the backof your mind, maybe we should do this.
Or if your child's asking todo this and it's available
for your family, then try it.
you know, give yourself thatyear and see how it works.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (31:34):
Definitely.
Just jump in and try it.
If it works for your family and itworks for your child, try it out.
See how it works.
You can always go back intothe traditional schooling.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes, but, and if your kids say, Hey, (31:43):
undefined
I want to go to school, ask them why?
Because my child wanted to go to schoolbecause she wanted the lunch kit.
And I was like, we can get a lunchkit and you can pack it every day.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (32:00):
You can do exactly what the kids at school do.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Like she was young and I get it, but I (32:04):
undefined
was like, Oh, We can get one of those.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (32:08):
Yeah,
I imagine a lot of kids say theywant, like, Oh, I want to see my
friends, or I want to see other kids.
What would you say about, like,socialization with homeschooling?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: With so many kids homeschooling (32:18):
undefined
now, all you have to do is look andfind park days, find field trips
that people are organizing that youcan get together, and then you will
find your group at those things.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (32:31):
Right, you can go on field trips together, and
do your park days together, and doyour, like your, I suppose you're
doing physical activity like, you know,like physical education activities,
you can do those things together.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (32:41):
undefined
So there's tons of like PE coops where people get together and
they'll do different sports or co opswhere they teach different classes.
Like if this mom is great at math andshe's teaching math and someone else
is doing history and they break it updifferently and it's one day a week.
So then they're getting together andthey're getting that classroom experience.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (33:03):
Mhm.
Right.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Without the (33:04):
undefined
pressure.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (33:05):
Right.
That brings up an interesting point, iswhat would you say about, you know, well
this child is, is, has been homeschooledtheir whole life, what are they going to
do when they get into a college settingand it's a classroom traditional setting?
You know, do we have, dochildren struggle in that regard?
You know, I, I can, I can hear the peanut
gallery.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: I think in the past, like we were (33:25):
undefined
saying in the 80s and 90s, when itlooked like homeschooling at your
kitchen table, maybe they did.
But now these kids are so savvyand they have taken, they have
just lived in the world and theyhave taken their classes online.
And had real life experiences doingthe things that they're ready for the
(33:47):
college class, especially the socialaspect, but academically, they're
ready because they had all the things.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (33:55):
Sure,
because you had your student out inthe world interacting with adults
at the grocery store at the whereverdoing things that they were doing
for their homeschool experiences.
So they're already used to interactingwith adults and outside world.
Not only that, now, um, I'mgoing to, we have online school.
Like most of college are asynchronousclasses or just held online.
(34:18):
And so I guess.
We're the age that we're thinkingyou're going to need to go to a lecture
hall and a lab, but you're maybe notgoing to have to do that anymore.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: No. (34:27):
undefined
And it's amazing when I talkedto a lot of, so, um, my son
will graduate this December.
And when I talked to friends who havekids that have graduated, I mean, they're
just totally ready for the college classesfor the work that they're going into for
the apprenticeships that they're doing.
I mean, ready to knock it outof the park because everybody
(34:51):
was met where they were at.
They weren't just given the onehomeschool curriculum that was available.
They were met where theywere at and moved forward.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (35:00):
True story.
Yes.
My daughters are both doing, uh,PSEO this year, they're seniors.
So they have like one or two classesat the high school, and then they're
doing the rest of it is PSEO.
And they're like, woohoo, it's online.
And I'm like, oh, you hatedthis when it was the pandemic,
but now you're all for it.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: That's so true. (35:20):
undefined
That's funny.
But, but they're probablyway more tech savvy now.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (35:25):
I know.
I know.
I mean, I, I had to learnhow to do a zoom meeting.
I had never started a zoom meetingprior to this whole podcast experience.
So they're sitting here doingeverything and teaching me things.
And I'm like, Oh man,the tables have turned.
I used to be teaching my mom things.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Exactly. (35:42):
undefined
So I mean, it's fantastic.
And I just love that there's somany options for us in the U.S.
Like every state can homeschool,every state can unschool.
Everybody has access to public schools.
So you have all these choices.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor: You have more choices now. (35:58):
undefined
And, and given our experience of thepandemic and having to adapt that way,
we have more options than we had before.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (36:07):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (36:08):
That is amazing.
Yes.
So do you have a website,
Morgan?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: I do. (36:12):
undefined
It's called guidance.
The number two homeschoolingto guidance2homeschooling.
com.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (36:18):
Perfect.
Um, Mommy Mentor audience, you knowwhere to find your homeschool coach.
It's Morgan.
She's here.
And given the amazing technology, we cando that from anywhere in the country.
She can help you fromanywhere in the country.
Um, so Morgan, it's been sucha pleasure talking with you.
I really appreciate your time andyour expertise and sharing this
(36:40):
information with the Mommy Mentoraudience because even if I don't want
to homeschool, I know someone does.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Awesome. (36:47):
undefined
Thank you so much for having me.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor: Yes, you're welcome. (36:49):
undefined
You have a lovely evening.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: You too. (36:52):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (36:52):
Thank you.
Bye bye.
Well, Mommy Mentor audience, Ihope you enjoyed that interview.
That was Morgan Ryza once again, andshe is an expert in homeschooling
and unschooling your children.
Her website is guidance to,the number 2, homeschooling.
com.
Please go and find her if youneed help homeschooling your child
(37:13):
for she is a wonderful resource.
Please go to her website formore information on homeschooling
and unschooling your child,and she is also a homeschooling
and unschooling coach as well.
Thank you so much for joiningus on the Mommy Mentor Podcast.
It was a very interesting episode.
I learned so much.
I hope you did, too, and if you needmore information on this podcast episode.
(37:38):
You can find more information on iton my website, mommymentorpodcast.
com.
And like I said, you canalso take a look at Morgan's
website, guidance2homeschooling.
com.
Thank you so much, mommies, forlistening, and I hope you have a
wonderful day, evening, or middle of thenight, whatever time you're listening.
šµ Welcome to the Mommy Mentor Podcast.
This parenting bullsheetis hard, am I right?
From sleepless nights with newbornsto sleepless nights with teens.
(00:22):
From potty training tosending them off to college.
I'm here to get you throughit all as your Mommy Mentor.
My name is Erinn Kennedy Heldt and I'ma registered nurse and a mom of three.
I have professional experience withmoms and babies as a postpartum
nurse, which keeps the newborn andpostpartum transition fresh in my mind.
I have 17 years of parentingexperience as well.
(00:45):
For information on this podcastand more, go to mommymentorpodcast.
com.
Parents, grab a cup of whatever youprefer and settle in for the next episode.
Hello, Mommy Mentor audience.
(01:06):
This is Morgan Ryza.
We have, am I saying it correctly?
Ryza?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Um, it's Ryza, but you're all good. (01:11):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (01:13):
Morgan Ryza.
We want to get it correctly.
I'm very, uh, I take names seriously.
So Morgan Ryza and MorganRyza is a homeschool expert.
When asked what her superpower was,she said, helping parents homeschool
and unschool their children to buildlasting relationships, create shared
(01:33):
memories and customize their child'seducation, and that is her mission.
She also has 12 years of homeschoolingexperience and unschooling experience.
She has a master's degree in education.
She also has teaching, uh, someexperience in teaching public, in
public schools and 13 years virtually.
She also is a published author.
(01:55):
You are amazing.
Wow.
Very accomplished.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: All the things. (01:59):
undefined
Yes.
So lots of experience in education.
Thank you.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor: Yes you're Welcome. (02:05):
undefined
We do have that in common.
I also have a degree in education,although I made it through student
teaching and a substitute teachingassignment and that was about it.
Um.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (02:16):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (02:17):
So, um, my question is what brought you to
wanting to homeschool or unschool?
Where did you, where didthat journey start for you?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So we started and I thought (02:27):
undefined
just like most parents that mychildren would go to public school.
I was actually a public school teacher.
Um, and I taught first grade for 10 years.
Then we were in this small schooland I thought my son would start
kindergarten there the next year.
(02:48):
And my husband had a perfect jobopportunity across the country.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (02:54):
Oh.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So we moved from Houston to Idaho, (02:56):
undefined
and I thought my child was going tobe in my friend's class down the hall.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (03:06):
Right.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And suddenly, you know, he's going (03:07):
undefined
to be in a stranger's classroom.
And while everyone does that, includingthe kids in my class every year.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (03:15):
Yes.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Like, I'm a teacher. (03:16):
undefined
I maybe will just keep him at home.
this one year and hegraduates this December.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (03:24):
Wow.
So it went definitely more than one year.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (03:27):
undefined
Yes.
I thought, Oh, we'll just do kindergarten.
It was half a day here.
And I thought, Oh, I can do that.
And he was really the one who sent us.
To more of an unschooling pathwhen you get into homeschooling.
It's just a differentform of homeschooling.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (03:44):
Mm-hmm.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And he was the one who really (03:44):
undefined
just needed more freedom.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (03:49):
Sure, yes.
And You did you realize that justthe traditional setting was not
going to work for your child andthat was a motivator for you as well?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes, of course, when I thought (03:57):
undefined
he was going to be in my friend'sclass, maybe we wouldn't have to
have the ADD, ADHD conversation.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (04:05):
I see, I see.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: As early, you know, she knew our family (04:06):
undefined
and then when he was going to be ina brand new environment, I was just
like, we'll just keep him at home.
And then even me puttingthat public school at home
environment did not work for him.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (04:24):
I see.
Even you trying to do your traditionalclassroom at home was not working.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes, even that. (04:29):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (04:31):
Wow.
Okay.
So, um, what are insights and likesome insights and some benefits
of homeschooling that you havefound for children's overall
development and educational progress?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So the biggest benefit is you get to (04:45):
undefined
teach your kid right where they are.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (04:49):
Awesome.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And you know, it's that one on one if (04:50):
undefined
they are lacking in reading or mathskills, you get to address it right there.
They're not waiting to go toafterschool tutoring, or even if they're
ahead, you get to keep moving on.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (05:04):
True.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And really play to their strengths. (05:05):
undefined
You can address their weaknesses forsure, but if they have a strength or
just an area of interest, you can.
spend a whole lot of time in there.
So that was the best benefit for both of
my kids.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (05:20):
Sure.
You're able to individualize theireducation a little bit more and you
don't really have to worry so muchabout where other children are at.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (05:29):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (05:29):
And kind of wait for them or, or, you know,
feel that you're too far advanced for
them.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Exactly. (05:36):
undefined
Exactly.
And I mean, it's, it's really whatevery teacher would love to do.
Like there is nothing wrongwith teachers or anything.
I mean, I have tens of friends thatare teachers and they're doing the
very best they can, but when you have30 kids in a classroom and the state's
telling you exactly what you have todo, it's really hard to meet that child
(05:58):
where they are for every single one.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (06:01):
Yes.
Yes, and I can, I can kind of relateto that myself, having, my children are
all born in July, so they started schoolwhen they were like, they were just
over five years old, and my girls had notrouble, but my son, you know, boys are
just a little different, and he just, Ihad to like, get his first grade teacher
to understand, he is, he could be like,seven months, six months younger than
(06:25):
a classmate, and you know, we have to,work with that developmentally as well.
You know, it's also, it's, it'seducation, but also development and,
um, just in being a person, you know,your developmental skills and what
you're capable of in a classroom,
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Especially at those younger grades. (06:41):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (06:42):
Exactly.
Exactly.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: It's huge in those younger grades, so, (06:44):
undefined
I mean, that's, that's just one of themajor benefits is the individualized
instruction, for sure.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (06:54):
That's amazing.
Yeah, that's really, Ididn't think of that.
I mean, makes sense.
Um, What are some key considerationsthat parents should keep in mind when
deciding to homeschool their child?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So you definitely want to, I (07:09):
undefined
always tell people to stop andthink about why you're doing this.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (07:15):
Mm-hmm.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So that you can set goals accordingly. (07:15):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (07:18):
Sure.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And you, I mean, there's a million (07:18):
undefined
reasons why it can be anything fromreligious, although often it's not,
it can be for one year, it can be, youknow, ongoing, you want to graduate
your kids from homeschool 'cause that'sjust gonna dictate how you choose.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (07:35):
Mm-hmm.
. Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: your curriculum, how you
choose how you homeschool.
So always start with that why.
And even if the kids are young, Iencourage parents to talk to them
about how their, you know, perfectday of homeschooling would be.
So you both are on the same pagebecause you get to create it
from scratch.
(07:56):
Yes, sure.
You can kind of tailor it to whatyour child needs, but also what
would be fun for them and whatwould actually be engaging for them.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (08:03):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (08:04):
That's amazing.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (08:04):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (08:05):
And have you found more people
interested in homeschooling orunschooling since the pandemic?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (08:12):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (08:13):
And the increase with mental health.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Such an increase with mental health (08:16):
undefined
and just the school system and nowseeing what is being taught, what
is happening in each classroom.
I think everybody wasable to see more of that.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (08:29):
Yes.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: With COVID. (08:30):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (08:31):
Right.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: But, you know, and then coming back, (08:31):
undefined
they were like, Oh, you know, someof that was busy work and I would do
enjoy spending time with my kids and Iwant to do these things and every, and
you know, just like so many people nowcan work from home that there's been
a whole restructure of what we can do.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (08:48):
That is true.
We've it's the pandemic definitelychanged and taught us that we can
adapt, uh, to not having to go places.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (08:56):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (08:56):
Yeah.
Yes.
And I suppose in that regard, uh,you can kind of meet your child
where you're at, they're at withtheir mental health as well.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Oh, for sure. (09:04):
undefined
That has been a huge thing for a lot ofparents with, you know, just bullying
and other things going on in schools.
They're able to pull them out andfeel comfortable homeschooling them.
Now there's so many resourcesand you can do so many things.
It doesn't look like what it did, youknow, back in the nineties, eighties,
(09:26):
nineties, when you were sitting at atable, I mean, you can do virtual field
trips, you can take online classes, youknow, so I think it's really shifted and
that the pandemic woke a lot of people up.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (09:40):
Right, right.
I would, I would agreewith that, definitely.
I've, um, my daughters have, um, bothmental health struggles, and I have
a couple of co workers who like justthe other day, she was like, I think
I'm going to have to bring her homefrom school because of her anxiety.
She's having a bad day.
So it's kind of nice to have, um,to be able to meet your child where
they're at and still have them beable to obtain their education and not
(10:04):
suffer, you know, mental health wise.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (10:07):
undefined
And with that, then you'reable to address that and that
becomes part of their learning.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (10:12):
Exactly.
Exactly.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: It's not something to the side. (10:13):
undefined
You can really.
Spend a lot of time, you know,addressing that in that area
and making accommodations.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (10:25):
Yes.
A lot of people would say, I mean, Ikind of can hear, um, just the opposition
of, Oh, well, you're taking them out ofschool and you're, you're kind of, um,
babying them perhaps, or preventing themfrom experiencing problems that they're
eventually going to experience anyway,when they have to go into the world
and into the workplace and et cetera.
(10:45):
However,
You and I kind of probably are on thesame page of you're meeting your child
where they're at, you're gonna give themthose developmental skills, and you're
going to work with them on that issue.
It just because they're at homedoesn't mean that you're not
going to work with them on thatissue and prepare them for life.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Right. (11:00):
undefined
And you're, you're right there to walkbeside them and help them navigate that.
So then they're super prepared whenthey encounter it as they grow older.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (11:12):
Whereas they're at school and there are adults there
and they do have trusted adults oftenthere and you can have your, you know,
your plans and your, um, you know,your IEPs or your other plans that are
yes, legally binding and et cetera.
But you're You're your child's numberone advocate and you're not there.
Um, so I can kind of understand wherebeing able to walk beside them the
(11:34):
entire journey throughout their day andsee what truly sends them into a panic
or what is truly triggering for themand being able to address those things.
You know your child best andyou also are the person that's
obtaining that medical care too.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (11:49):
undefined
Yes.
So then you're able to address it rightat the time you can make the appointments.
You know, during the day and justreally help with that mental health.
I worked with a familyand I mean, they did that.
And I said, you know what,you can just take a step back.
Like they are learning somuch in these coping skills.
With this they were doing like a reallyintense program to address her needs, but
(12:14):
it was worth it I was like for her to gethere then you can go back and then she'll
excel because she won't be so distracted.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (12:21):
Right, she has the tools to be able to get
her education properly, you know,without being distracted by XYZ or
having, you know, whatever struggles.
That's, yes, I love that.
I can kind of like, I, you know, I don'tknow how old you are, but I'm a 41 almost
and being a child of the 80s and 90s whereit's like, well, you get up and you keep
(12:41):
going and yep, you skinned your knee.
That's nice.
You know, Oh, somebody made fun of you.
That's too bad.
You know.
Um, and like, my parents would listen tome, but it was just like, okay, they're
rubber, you're glue, that kind of thing.
Um, but now we're like listeningto our children more and we're,
um, acknowledging their emotions.
And, and I think that that's justonly going to improve our world.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: For sure, and they'll be ready and (13:05):
undefined
they'll know who they are, they won'thave this misrepresentation of themselves
because you're able to give them theconfidence to be who they are instead of
trying to pretend.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (13:20):
And there's not the outside people
shaking their confidence either.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (13:23):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (13:24):
Yes.
Yes.
Because, well, we'veall been to high school.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes, for sure. (13:28):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (13:29):
Um, my next question is how can parents effectively
create a structured and engaging learningenvironment at home, um, for, or while
they're homeschooling their children?
You know, you do need some structure,but how are we going to do that in the
home?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So I really think this (13:45):
undefined
depends on your family.
Lots of parents like tolatch on to checklists.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (13:53):
Okay.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And I am forever telling them, okay, (13:54):
undefined
you can't like, that's not going tocreate the perfect homeschooled child
because every child is different.
And if you pulled your kids out or youkept them at home, there's a reason.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (14:08):
Right.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And you need to look at what's (14:08):
undefined
going to work for your family.
So for example, I have.
And early bird.
He is all with always up earlytalking, talking, talking
lots of words in the morning.
Now my daughter is a night out.
She will stay up super latereading her book, doing her things.
So, to me, they're they're two years apartso I need to homeschool you together.
(14:32):
I'm not going to spend the morning withthis one in the afternoon with this one.
And so I was like, okay, thisis what's going to work for us.
You know, I will spend sometime with him in the morning.
We can get some stuff that only he'sdoing and then come together, meet
with her and then give her assignments.
Cause I am also not a night owl.
So I do not need her comingto wake me up and tell me.
(14:53):
I have this problem with math.
I'm like, just circle it.
We'll handle it in the morning or,you know, lunchtime the next day.
So, you just got to set up thestructure that's going to work for you.
The school system makes you feel likeyou have to spend a certain number of
hours on every little subject, but reallymaking the connections between those
(15:13):
subjects is where that Love of learningcan happen and really engage the student.
So I tend to say less structure wouldbe better unless your kid just needs it.
You know, they're the kidthat has their own agenda.
They're like, okay,today we're doing this.
So I think as long as you feellike your kid is moving forward,
(15:36):
less structure is where it's at.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (15:40):
Awesome.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Because as the mom, it (15:41):
undefined
will stress you out.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (15:44):
True.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: With this structure, and you (15:44):
undefined
don't need to be stressed.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (15:47):
Okay, yeah, right, you're trying to take away stress.
You're trying to de stress the situation.
Yes.
Well, and I suppose because, youknow, like, we've been, we've
been, it's been drilled into us.
School days are six hours, and, youknow, you, you spend an hour on each
subject, and et cetera, and it's, andthey're so fragmented, the subjects.
They're not interrelated,when in, in reality, they are.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes, in reality, I mean, you could (16:06):
undefined
study an area of history that youreally want to deep dive into and you're
reading, you're writing your history.
I mean, you can bring inscience with different areas.
I mean, your math, you do haveto kind of pull in, but you
are doing one on one learning.
It's so much faster.
It's like that tutoring modelthat just moves kids faster.
(16:29):
You don't have to spend anhour in the math workbook.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (16:32):
Sure.
Yes.
It's.
And then you brought up agood point of your daughter.
You are the teacher.
You're home.
So your daughter, "Mom", andit's been a little night.
I have a question.
So you have to set up thoseboundaries, I suppose, too.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (16:46):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (16:46):
You know, this is when I'm the
teacher and this is when I'm mom.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Right. (16:49):
undefined
Right.
And I mean, it's kind of hard and that wasreally, um, a dip and that's a difficult
Point of contention for a lot of parentswhen they first they want to like put
on the teacher hat and do those thingsand you do like there had to be some
boundaries because I don't want you wakingme up at midnight to talk about math.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (17:07):
Yeah.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And, but You know, you work that out (17:08):
undefined
with your kids and they'll really,that relationship that you build
working those things out is priceless.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (17:18):
Yes.
Yes.
I suppose that you get, um, you getpaid in those experiences almost.
And you, you being the mom and theteacher, they're both enriching roles.
So why not mesh them when they mesh?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: When it works for your (17:31):
undefined
family for
sure.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (17:33):
Yes, but some people need the structure of
this is mom, this is teacher It'sjust whatever works for your family.
Yes, that is I'm just like All theseaspects of because you know, I never
even thought I would I never consideredhomeschooling my own children I
just thought I have my own classroomexperience and I was like woah with
(17:55):
that and so Explanation of why Ididn't continue my teaching career
Um,
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: so you're like, that was enough. (18:00):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (18:02):
That
was, I just was, uh, you know, you doyour student teaching and I had, my
first substitute teaching assignmentwas, um, high school kids, high
school health, and I was like 22.
So, you know, it's, it was justlike, not the best because I'm
like four years older than them.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (18:19):
undefined
Yes.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (18:21):
So it was like a lot of stress.
And then it turned out that Iwas driven into nursing when
my daughters were born early.
So, but we had never, I never evenconsidered, even with my own experience
in education, uh, homeschoolingmy children, mainly because I was
just like, we need that structure.
I don't think I'm capableof giving that structure.
(18:41):
I don't think I'm capable of wearingthe mom hat and the teacher hat.
So, you know, it does, ithas to work for your family.
You have to be able to do those things.
And I know for myself, I would, I amorganized and like the trying to put it
to each child's level would have been veryhard for me, but so kudos to you because
(19:02):
it's amazing that like you're doing asuperpower, you're teaching to different
levels of children, really developmentallyand educationally, and that is hard
to do at the same time, I imagine.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes, it can be definitely challenging. (19:15):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (19:17):
What do you think the biggest challenges are, other
than you said your timing schedule?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Oh yeah, the timing, but the biggest (19:23):
undefined
challenge is definitely making timein your day, your week, your month
to address their like interest.
So I'm big on definitely spendingtime in areas they're interested in.
But when you're the only driver, andyou're having to balance that it can
(19:46):
be hard, you know, like if you have achild in sports, and then another child
in dance, I mean, just think about that.
But like, Expanded because during theday, they're going to go want to go to
the park, and then this one's going towant to go to the library or do the thing.
So it's really a give and take.
And then the more you have, the morediffering opinions you have on what they
(20:09):
would like to do with their free time.
So it's, and it really, it's a.
Difficulty for a mom, but it's a benefitbecause the kids learn to compromise
and they learn, you know, that that'skind of a shared time and how can I
make the most, uh, you know, practice.
So if I had to take my son to practice,my daughter would always come and slowly,
then the other little sisters came.
(20:31):
And so then she had aplay group every practice.
So it works, but like,sometimes it doesn't.
And then you're like, okay, we can drophim off and then we can run, do this.
So it's just finding that balance.
For every season becauseit's over and over.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (20:47):
Right
It changes I know just like kidsconstantly changes that changes and what
compromises you need to find change.
Yes.
I can only imagine What resources andtools do you recommend for parents
to start off their homeschooling
journey?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So when you're just starting off, (21:03):
undefined
like I said, just kind of evaluateand think about your why before you
jump in to buying the curriculumor because it can be expensive.
And then as a parent, because you areon a budget, you feel tied to that.
Then you're going to force your kid tofinish it, even though maybe now it's.
(21:23):
You realize it's not a good fit.
I mean, it sounds ridiculous, butso many moms get trapped in this.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (21:30):
Okay.
Yeah.
I didn't, I didn't, you just saidpurchase a curriculum and I was like,
you have to purchase a curriculum.
Can you talk a little bit more aboutlike how that, like what, if you, what
is your why and you find your why andyou decide, okay, I am committed to this.
How do you find those?
Like, what do you do next?
And
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: What do you do next? (21:49):
undefined
So you can, like, you can meet witha homeschool coach and they'll walk
you through this, but basically...
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (21:55):
Such as yourself.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (21:56):
undefined
So I can do this, but you, you're goingto go and you're going to figure out, you
know, what is your approach going to be?
Um, and there's all these differenthomeschooling philosophies and
they all have different curriculumsthat you can purchase accordingly.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (22:12):
I see.
I see.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So it gets into that sort of thing (22:14):
undefined
and the problem is a lot of timeslike mom may latch on to one and this
seems very the perfect ideal, butit doesn't fit well for their kids.
So you have to look at both peopleand or all the people and decide
what's going to fit best for them.
(22:35):
And then I suggest checking withyour library because a lot of
times they will have pieces to thiscurriculum, if not the whole thing.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (22:43):
Oh, wow.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (22:44):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor: Very nice pro tip. (22:45):
undefined
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Try it before you buy it for free. (22:46):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (22:48):
Okay.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: If you don't have it, then you can (22:49):
undefined
get on groups, Facebook groups, eBay.
You can find the curriculum usedbecause somebody bought it, didn't
work for them and they had to sell it.
So
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (23:00):
There you go.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So a lot of moms don't (23:01):
undefined
realize, Oh, I could do that.
And even if they say, Oh yeah, butthe workbook's written in the first
few pages, it's, and, but it's a largediscount, go ahead and get it, erase it.
You know, redo those pages,whatever needs to happen.
I mean, are they necessary?
Then you can see, is thisgoing to work for me?
(23:21):
So I'm always trying tohelp people, parents.
Save a little bit of money andmake sure they're making the right
decision because otherwise youfeel very trapped and tied to it.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (23:30):
Right.
Yes.
Cause you're committed and you have this.
I mean, we're not all made of money andwe have limited funds and then you're
like, well, I spent all this money.
We got to do it.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: We're doing it. (23:38):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (23:40):
So yeah, like looking around first to see like
what curriculum you can find thatfits for you and your, and your child.
I suppose you should, would you recommendincluding your child in like looking
at the curriculum or is that kind oflike harder to do and you kind of just
have to assume what your child would...
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: if it's an online curriculum, a lot (23:57):
undefined
of times they will give you, um, asample or like two weeks to try it
or something like, so that's great.
If you can do that withyour kids, I would do that.
If they're middle school and up, Isit, I sit down my, when my kids were
this, I tell parents, um, you know,show them the images on the computer.
(24:21):
If you can go look at it in person, showthat like, Look at it in person because
It's amazing what kids latch onto andwhat they're looking for, you know, if
they want colored workbook or if theywill, you know, a certain text is right.
And it's, it's crazy because if they'vebeen homeschooled this whole time, they
(24:41):
kind of know they can pick and choose.
And they're not like wewere sitting in school.
This is your math workbook.
This is the one.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (24:49):
This is it.
Yeah.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yeah. (24:50):
undefined
There's no negotiation, butit's nice because they know how
they learn and they're like,this one will work best for me.
You get it and you move forward.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (25:00):
Yeah.
I suppose when they're older, it is easierto include them in making those choices.
I love those free samples.
That's yeah.
Very smart to get the promo packagesor free trials or whatever you can do.
And what do you, do those curriculums,you know, we are all concerned about
meeting the graduation requirementsand the state's requirements and etc.
(25:21):
Do those, um, curriculums meetstate requirements and, you know,
state to state things are differentand how does that all work?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So that's the thing. (25:29):
undefined
There is a great website.
It's the Homeschool Legal DefenseAssociation and you can just Google that.
And each state has their ownrequirements for homeschooling, period.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (25:41):
Oh, I see.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yeah, so you can go look there. (25:42):
undefined
Some states require testing.
Some states require you have someonemeet with you and go over your plan and
then meet with you at the end of the yearand look at what was accomplished and
some states, um, you just tell them youhomeschool if you pull your kids out.
But if you've never send your kids,you don't have to talk about it.
(26:03):
So it's a very big range.
So for Idaho, it is we have to teach you.
Basic, basic language is wehave to teach similar subjects
that are taught in school.
You do address similar subjects.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (26:19):
I see.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yeah. (26:20):
undefined
And then each statehas its own graduation.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (26:24):
Okay.
For, for, for children.
Okay.
For homeschool, um, children,they have their own graduation
requirements that are separate.
I imagine from like yourpublic school and your private
school requirements.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: So it's a little, yeah. (26:35):
undefined
So it's a little different.
And I mean, that websitegives you all the information.
And it's really best to look therebecause if it changes, they update it.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (26:46):
I see that.
Yeah, I suppose you do have todo that because things change.
And then you're then the homeschoolstudents don't need to do like things
like state testing and things like that.
And you're not teaching to the test, whichis like what so many teachers hate about
being a professional teacher right now.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (27:03):
undefined
So that, I mean, that was one of the bigindicators when we started homeschooling.
Yes.
I was like, okay, maybe just this year.
But then I realized in our state, mykids did not have to take state testing.
I was like, oh, this is what we'redoing because the teacher in Texas,
where there's high stakes testing.
I hated that for the kids.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (27:25):
Oh, yes.
Yeah, definitely.
Where it's like we have to get thismuch percentage of kids passing at this
percent so that we get this funding andit's like, what are we talking about
here?
Yes.
And it's so,
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: it's just mind boggling that (27:36):
undefined
we put so much pressure on.
I do understand that thereis some accountability.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (27:42):
Sure.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: But The amount of (27:42):
undefined
pressure put on that test.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (27:45):
Yes.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: For the teacher, for the (27:46):
undefined
student, for the district.
It's just crazy.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (27:50):
It's a lot.
It's a lot.
And I mean, it's one day.
So it's a, it's just like a briefsnippet of what a child actually knows.
And if they have.
Test anxiety or anything like that, likewe always told our kids, just do your
best and it's okay, just do your best,it's just try your best and however you
do, that's how you do, we know what yourgrades are, we're not worried about it,
(28:12):
you know, and it would, one of, one oftheir teachers once, oh my gosh, she was
so nervous, I could just see it and Itried to come over and talk to her and
it was just like, no calming her downand she just kept clicking away and I was
like, oh yeah, so and, but parents, yeah.
Can't take into account that day.
They can't take an account that thatscore doesn't exactly matter and
(28:35):
definitely doesn't mean your child issmart or not smart and it's just so
unfortunate that teachers are pressuredto the point where they have to focus
so much on that material rather thanreal life experience and also teaching
things that they will use in liferather than focusing so much on things
that they will just do on a test.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (28:57):
undefined
And those are two of the things that arehuge when you homeschool experiential
learning, because they can do all thethings like as a teacher, you try to
bring into your classroom, the cookingelement or the measuring elements, you
know, they just have it right there.
It's just part of your daywhen you're homeschooling.
And as far as that goes, and the reallife experience, you know, they are
(29:21):
living in the world, you're goingout, you're doing the things, going
to the grocery store, going to thelibrary, and they're experiencing
those things, interacting with adults.
And they're ready forthat as they get older.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (29:35):
Yes, and they're learning things like planning for a
grocery list, planning for budgeting,and what, well there's math in there.
And then when you get themhome and there's cooking that
food, there's math there.
You know, and it's also reallife experience, because they're
going to need to know how tocook and grocery shop and budget.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (29:50):
undefined
Yes.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (29:51):
Yeah.
And those are actually thingsthat our schools don't teach.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Right. (29:55):
undefined
Like, and, and a lot of times parentswould tell me, you know, when I was
talking to parents where their kidsare in public school and my kids are in
homeschool, they're, Oh, we do this thingwhere they pretend and they do this.
And I'm like, Oh yeah, we dosomething similar except I'm
like, okay, this is our budget.
Let's see if we can stay on it.
You know, while we'reAt the grocery store.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (30:13):
Right.
We're actually doing it real life.
Yes.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (30:16):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (30:16):
Yes.
Um, what would your biggest pieceof advice for parents who at any
stage of their child's age or, oreducation are thinking about doing...
what is their why?
You've said that many times, but whatshould, what is your biggest thing
that you would say to a person who'sconsidering homeschooling their child,
(30:37):
whether it's a, uh, a child who'snot done school before or a child
who wants to do a different format of
school?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: I would say try it. (30:45):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (30:47):
Try it.
Yeah.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Try it. (30:48):
undefined
Do it.
I mean, you can always put them in school.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (30:51):
True.
That, yeah, the schoolsystem's not going anywhere.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: It's not going anywhere. (30:54):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (30:55):
Mm hmm.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: And you have so many (30:55):
undefined
resources available right now.
With the internet, with onlineclasses, with in person classes
that are where people are makingpods and doing homeschool that way.
You have so many options that ifyou don't try it, will you regret
it in a year or two from now?
(31:17):
So...
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (31:17):
It's kind of like anything in life.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (31:19):
undefined
So I would just say if it's in the backof your mind, maybe we should do this.
Or if your child's asking todo this and it's available
for your family, then try it.
you know, give yourself thatyear and see how it works.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (31:34):
Definitely.
Just jump in and try it.
If it works for your family and itworks for your child, try it out.
See how it works.
You can always go back intothe traditional schooling.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes, but, and if your kids say, Hey, (31:43):
undefined
I want to go to school, ask them why?
Because my child wanted to go to schoolbecause she wanted the lunch kit.
And I was like, we can get a lunchkit and you can pack it every day.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (32:00):
You can do exactly what the kids at school do.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Like she was young and I get it, but I (32:04):
undefined
was like, Oh, We can get one of those.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (32:08):
Yeah,
I imagine a lot of kids say theywant, like, Oh, I want to see my
friends, or I want to see other kids.
What would you say about, like,socialization with homeschooling?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: With so many kids homeschooling (32:18):
undefined
now, all you have to do is look andfind park days, find field trips
that people are organizing that youcan get together, and then you will
find your group at those things.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (32:31):
Right, you can go on field trips together, and
do your park days together, and doyour, like your, I suppose you're
doing physical activity like, you know,like physical education activities,
you can do those things together.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (32:41):
undefined
So there's tons of like PE coops where people get together and
they'll do different sports or co opswhere they teach different classes.
Like if this mom is great at math andshe's teaching math and someone else
is doing history and they break it updifferently and it's one day a week.
So then they're getting together andthey're getting that classroom experience.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (33:03):
Mhm.
Right.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Without the (33:04):
undefined
pressure.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (33:05):
Right.
That brings up an interesting point, iswhat would you say about, you know, well
this child is, is, has been homeschooledtheir whole life, what are they going to
do when they get into a college settingand it's a classroom traditional setting?
You know, do we have, dochildren struggle in that regard?
You know, I, I can, I can hear the peanut
gallery.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: I think in the past, like we were (33:25):
undefined
saying in the 80s and 90s, when itlooked like homeschooling at your
kitchen table, maybe they did.
But now these kids are so savvyand they have taken, they have
just lived in the world and theyhave taken their classes online.
And had real life experiences doingthe things that they're ready for the
(33:47):
college class, especially the socialaspect, but academically, they're
ready because they had all the things.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (33:55):
Sure,
because you had your student out inthe world interacting with adults
at the grocery store at the whereverdoing things that they were doing
for their homeschool experiences.
So they're already used to interactingwith adults and outside world.
Not only that, now, um, I'mgoing to, we have online school.
Like most of college are asynchronousclasses or just held online.
(34:18):
And so I guess.
We're the age that we're thinkingyou're going to need to go to a lecture
hall and a lab, but you're maybe notgoing to have to do that anymore.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: No. (34:27):
undefined
And it's amazing when I talkedto a lot of, so, um, my son
will graduate this December.
And when I talked to friends who havekids that have graduated, I mean, they're
just totally ready for the college classesfor the work that they're going into for
the apprenticeships that they're doing.
I mean, ready to knock it outof the park because everybody
(34:51):
was met where they were at.
They weren't just given the onehomeschool curriculum that was available.
They were met where theywere at and moved forward.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (35:00):
True story.
Yes.
My daughters are both doing, uh,PSEO this year, they're seniors.
So they have like one or two classesat the high school, and then they're
doing the rest of it is PSEO.
And they're like, woohoo, it's online.
And I'm like, oh, you hatedthis when it was the pandemic,
but now you're all for it.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: That's so true. (35:20):
undefined
That's funny.
But, but they're probablyway more tech savvy now.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (35:25):
I know.
I know.
I mean, I, I had to learnhow to do a zoom meeting.
I had never started a zoom meetingprior to this whole podcast experience.
So they're sitting here doingeverything and teaching me things.
And I'm like, Oh man,the tables have turned.
I used to be teaching my mom things.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Exactly. (35:42):
undefined
So I mean, it's fantastic.
And I just love that there's somany options for us in the U.S.
Like every state can homeschool,every state can unschool.
Everybody has access to public schools.
So you have all these choices.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor: You have more choices now. (35:58):
undefined
And, and given our experience of thepandemic and having to adapt that way,
we have more options than we had before.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Yes. (36:07):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (36:08):
That is amazing.
Yes.
So do you have a website,
Morgan?
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: I do. (36:12):
undefined
It's called guidance.
The number two homeschoolingto guidance2homeschooling.
com.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (36:18):
Perfect.
Um, Mommy Mentor audience, you knowwhere to find your homeschool coach.
It's Morgan.
She's here.
And given the amazing technology, we cando that from anywhere in the country.
She can help you fromanywhere in the country.
Um, so Morgan, it's been sucha pleasure talking with you.
I really appreciate your time andyour expertise and sharing this
(36:40):
information with the Mommy Mentoraudience because even if I don't want
to homeschool, I know someone does.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: Awesome. (36:47):
undefined
Thank you so much for having me.
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor: Yes, you're welcome. (36:49):
undefined
You have a lovely evening.
Morgan Ryza, guidance2homeschooling.com: You too. (36:52):
undefined
Erinn, the Mommy Mentor (36:52):
Thank you.
Bye bye.
Well, Mommy Mentor audience, Ihope you enjoyed that interview.
That was Morgan Ryza once again, andshe is an expert in homeschooling
and unschooling your children.
Her website is guidance to,the number 2, homeschooling.
com.
Please go and find her if youneed help homeschooling your child
(37:13):
for she is a wonderful resource.
Please go to her website formore information on homeschooling
and unschooling your child,and she is also a homeschooling
and unschooling coach as well.
Thank you so much for joiningus on the Mommy Mentor Podcast.
It was a very interesting episode.
I learned so much.
I hope you did, too, and if you needmore information on this podcast episode.
(37:38):
You can find more information on iton my website, mommymentorpodcast.
com.
And like I said, you canalso take a look at Morgan's
website, guidance2homeschooling.
com.
Thank you so much, mommies, forlistening, and I hope you have a
wonderful day, evening, or middle of thenight, whatever time you're listening.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Nikki Glaser Podcast
Every week comedian and infamous roaster Nikki GlaserāÆprovides a fun, fast-paced, and brutally honest look into current pop-culture and her own personal life.