One of Stephen Covey’s most powerful habits is simple to say and hard to live: “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” At Christmas—when emotions, expectations, and schedules are all dialed up—this habit becomes a beautiful way to make your Christ-centered homeschooling feel more like the manger and less like the mall. And underneath […]
Seek First to Understand Read More »
If you’ve homeschooled for more than five minutes, you already know:Everyone has opinions.Everyone has needs.And they don’t always match. Stephen Covey’s Win–Win principle gives homeschool moms a simple way to handle this without power struggles, resentment, or giving up what matters most. It’s not complicated.But it is different from what most of us grew up
Think Win–Win in Your Homeschool Read More »
If homeschool feels like ping-pong—one day you’re the drill sergeant, the next you’re the doormat—there’s a steadier path. Psychologist Diana Baumrind described three parenting styles—authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative—based on how parents blend warmth (responsiveness) with structure (demandingness). Maccoby & Martin later added a fourth: uninvolved/neglectful. Because home and school share space in homeschooling, your “style
Parent Like Marmee, Teach Like Atticus Read More »
Embracing the Homeschool You Never Wanted For the mom who feels nudged by God to homeschool but doesn’t really want to (and has plenty of reasons why she’s “not a fit”). This is not a pep talk—it’s a practical, faith-centered reframing of what success can look like, how to use your actual strengths, and how
When You’re Called But Don’t Feel Capable Read More »
In a recent podcast interview with Kathy Mellor, we explored some of the cultural forces shaping today’s world—ideas like Marxism, Postmodernism, and Wokeism. These worldviews affect the way people see truth, power, and identity, and they explain a lot about why conversations feel so polarized right now. But our conversation didn’t stop with just defining
Connecting Across Differences Read More »
Every homeschool mom faces it. Your child reacts by dragging their feet, complaining, or outright refusal. When this happens, it’s easy to feel like something is wrong—with your child, your plan, or maybe even with you. But here’s the truth: resistance is normal. It doesn’t mean homeschooling isn’t working. In fact, it’s often a powerful
When Kids Resist: Turning Struggle Into Growth Read More »
Homeschooling always starts with such good intentions, doesn’t it? Fresh notebooks, color-coded schedules, detailed lesson plans—we launch into the year full of excitement and determination. And then, a few weeks in, reality sets in. Lessons take longer than we planned. The toddler interrupts. The teen rolls her eyes at the carefully prepared activity. Suddenly, the
Lighten Up: Bringing More Play into Homeschool Read More »
The Mindset Shift Every Homeschool Mom Needs Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “If my child would just cooperate, homeschooling would go so much smoother”? Maybe it was during a math meltdown, or when the sibling fights broke out again, or when your teenager resisted every assignment you suggested. As a homeschool mom, I’ve been
Stop Seeing Your Kids as Projects Read More »
“Sometimes all it takes is one person who doesn’t give up on you.” Have you ever looked into the eyes of a defiant child and wondered: How do I even begin to reach them? Beneath the eye rolls, shutdowns, or outbursts—what’s really going on? This week I watched Brave the Dark by Angel Studios. It
One Steady Light: What Brave the Dark Offers Parents, Mentors & Homeschoolers Read More »
What if the way we try to encourage our kids is actually doing the opposite? In our effort to boost confidence, we often say things like, “Good job!” or “You’re so smart!” But research—and timeless educational philosophy—shows that praise can create approval addiction, while appreciation builds resilience, motivation, and inner strength. Let’s unpack the powerful
Beyond Praise: How Appreciation Builds Identity, Character, and Lasting Motivation Read More »