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Why is it sometimes so hard to simply ask for what you want? You need more help around the house during the day. You want to ask your husband for some time together when he's done with work. You need support from family or friends. Or maybe there's something you've wanted to do for yourself for a long time, but every time you think about asking, you talk yourself out of it. What if they say no? What if they're upset? What if they think you're selfish? What if asking creates more trouble than it's worth? So instead, you keep doing it yourself, going without, or convincing yourself you didn't really need it anyway. This week, I'm bringing back one of our Most Valuable Podcast episodes to talk about what might actually be keeping you from asking for what you want—and how this struggle can affect far more than you realize. If you've ever struggled to ask for help, advocate for something you need, or even admit that you want something, grab your earbuds and join me for How to Ask for What You Want.  This is an episode worth hearing again! Get your free Homeschool Mindset Toolkit Here! Work with me here!

Have you ever snapped at your child and wondered, why did I get so angry so fast? Maybe the kids are arguing again. Maybe the schoolwork still isn't done, or you've asked someone to do the same thing three times.  One more little moment happens, and suddenly you're raising your voice—even though you promised yourself you wouldn't. I know how discouraging that feels. When my children were younger, I wanted to be a calm, loving mom, but in the middle of a hard day, that felt so far out of reach. In this week's episode, I'm talking about why anger can seem to come out of nowhere and where you can begin to find room for a different response.  We'll look at the hope that's available to you right in the middle of ordinary family life, without waiting for your kids—or your homeschool day—to be perfect. If you're tired of reacting in ways you regret and longing for more peace and connection with your children, grab your earbuds and join me for: Homeschool Emergencies and the River of Anger. Get my brand new, Free Happy, Holy Homeschool TOOLKIT here! Work with me here!

Parenting teenagers can sometimes feel like learning an entirely new language. The child who once told you everything might suddenly seem harder to read. Conversations can turn into misunderstandings, emotions can run high, and sometimes you're left wondering what your teen is actually thinking, and what they need from you in this season…or do they even need me anymore? Recently, I had a conversation with a group of middle school girls that gave me a beautiful glimpse into what our teens and tweens wish their parents understood about them.  And as a mom of several (ahem, five) teenagers myself, it got me thinking about what I've learned through nearly twenty years of parenting, working with teens, and doing my own work to become a calmer, more connected mom. In this episode, I'm sharing what your teens really want you to know. I'm giving you a lot here, but ultimately I've boiled it down to three big ones, so listen all the way to the end.  Because, understanding their hearts a little better can change the way you see them, hear them, and communicate with them through some of the hardest moments in your relationship. Which will make those hard moments calmer, more respectful, and more impactful in the long run. If you're a homeschool mama who wants to stay close to your kids as they grow, while giving them the space they need to become who God created them to be, please grab your earbuds and join me for: Three Things Your Teen Desperately Wants You To Know (But Doesn't Know How to Say to You). Grab my brand new FREE Happy, Holy Homeschool Toolkit HERE! Learn self-regulation for you in Happy, Holy Mama RIGHT NOW!

Interruptions.  Repeating yourself for the hundredth time. Kids who don't listen the first time. Plans that get derailed. People who just keep needing things from you. Sometimes it's not one big thing that causes us to lose our peace, it's the constant accumulation of little annoyances all. day. long. In this episode, I'm talking about what's really happening when those everyday moments push you over the edge, and why creating more peace in your home doesn't begin with getting everyone else to stop being so frustrating. Because your children are going to interrupt. You're going to have to repeat yourself. Your husband will sometimes do things you don't like. People will continue to be human. The question is: Who do you want to be in the middle of all of it? We're talking about training our children, training ourselves, letting go of resentment and keeping score, and learning to become the woman God is calling you to be—not someday when everyone finally gets their act together, but right here in the actual life He has given you. If you've ever thought, "I would be so much calmer if everyone would just stop…" grab your earbuds and join me for: HOw to Handle Interruptions Without Losing Your Mind. Join Reclaim here!

I made a pretty bold claim last week: connection is the key to making homeschooling easier. Not the perfect plan. Not the perfect planner. Not the perfect schedule. Not the perfect curriculum, school room, or book list. And maybe you know that, intellectually, but do you believe it down into your bones? Do you believe it enough to actually practice it? Especially in the tough moments like when kids interrupt you for the 100th time, they say they don't like homeschooling, or you wake up feeling crummy and already on edge? If not, I'm guessing it's for one of two reasons, (though my guess is it's both): You don't think connection will work for your unique circumstances. You don't know how to use the steps to connect.   Either way, it's truly never too late to learn! And it's never too late to turn a bad homeschool day around. Which is why in today's episode I'm breaking down exactly how to use connection in five real life scenarios that come up frequently in coaching, and I'm even tackling your "yeah, but…" objections to why connection won't work in each of the five examples. Too much to do, and not enough time? Gotta move onto the next thing in our day? It won't matter anyway, they'll never change? If you've ever thought, That sounds lovely, Emily, but you don't understand what's happening in MY house… this episode is especially for you. 😘 Grab your earbuds and join me for: Five Ways to Use Connection to Stop Overreacting and Fall in Love with Your Homeschool! Join Reclaim: The Stop Yelling (or any kind of Overreacting), Start Connecting Challenge!

Have you ever looked at everything your homeschool requires and thought, there's just not enough of me to go around! The lessons. The laundry. The activities. The relationships. The needs that seem to come from every direction—sometimes when you're already running on empty. I know that feeling all too well. But I've also discovered that homeschooling doesn't have to feel like you're white-knuckling your way through an endless list of things that need to get done. There is one skill that has completely changed the way I homeschool, parent, manage my time, and show up for the people God has given me. And it's especially powerful during the weeks when life feels harder than usual. In this episode, I'm sharing what I noticed during a particularly challenging week in our home, why it reminded me so much of my early years of motherhood, and the shift that allowed me to experience it completely differently this time. If homeschooling has started to feel heavy, your patience is wearing thin, or you find yourself focusing more on getting everything done than actually enjoying the people you're doing it all for, grab your earbuds and join me for: The Secret Ninja Skill to Make Homeschooling 100x Easier. Join the Reclaim: Stop Yelling and Start Connecting Challenge in Happy, Holy Mama here!

What if you could get to the end of this homeschool year, look back, and genuinely think, We did this one well? Not because everything went according to plan. Not because your kids always cooperated, you stayed perfectly on schedule, or you never had a hard day.  But because you know you showed up for the year God gave you in the way you truly wanted to. In this episode, I'm talking about what it really takes to have a regret-free homeschool year, and it may have far less to do with curriculum, schedules, or getting your kids to behave than you think. Whether you're heading into the year excited, already feeling tired, or wondering how you're going to make it through another year of homeschooling, I want to help you approach this year differently…with more confidence, connection, freedom, and joy with one simple, but profound shift that will change the way you experience your homeschool this year. Ready for everything to change…for the better? Grab your earbuds to join me for: How to Have a Regret-Free Homeschool Year. And then come work with me in Happy, Holy Mama!

As I drop my two biggest boys off at college this week, I'm reflecting on the transition of letting go and trusting the work we've done at home, while also preparing to begin the new school year with our next five children still at home. This season has me thinking deeply about how we start our homeschool year in general, and how it's prepared our oldest children to feel confident in their decision to go to college.  Because honestly, it's so easy to fall into the "all or nothing" trap, rushing to get everything done and letting burnout creep in before we've even really begun..and missing out on the most important bits that they'll take with them when they leave: the relationships. In this episode, I'm telling you straightforwardly how to start the year with confidence and peace. I'm sharing the tools I use to stay consistent—not by doing more, but by doing things differently. We'll cover: Relationship over Product: Why the process of becoming matters more than academic output. Building Margin: How to schedule breaks and evaluations so you can catch burnout before it starts. Replenishing Mom Currency: Practical ways to reconnect when you're feeling frustrated or disconnected. Teaching Life Skills: Why slowing down to practice routines (yes, even getting up in the morning!) is actually the best investment for your school year. Most importantly, we talk about how to anchor our day in prayer and the surrender of "Thy will be done."  Grab your earbuds and join me for: How to Be Consistent and Prevent Burnout at the Beginning of the Homeschool Year. Join the Happy, Holy Mama this month and participate in this week's masterclass: Teaching Your Child Emotional Regulation!

Have you ever wondered if God might be calling your family to homeschool, or wondering if you should continue homeschooling… but fear keeps talking louder than confidence? Maybe you're worried you aren't qualified.  Maybe you're wondering if your kids will "keep up."  Or maybe you just have that quiet yearning in your heart for something more that won't seem to go away. In this week's episode, I'm joined by Happy Holy Mama member Gina Boguslawski—a former public school science teacher turned homeschooling mom of four. Together, we talk honestly about what it looked like for her to discern this unexpected call, the mindset shifts she had to make, and why homeschooling is so much more than trying to recreate school at home. We also dive into: • Why your "gut knowing" as a mother matters more than you think • The fears that keep so many moms stuck (and what to do with them) • Why certified teachers don't necessarily have an easier time homeschooling • How connection, peace, and emotional regulation create an environment where children truly learn • The encouragement Jesus offers when discouragement starts to creep in Whether you're considering homeschooling for the first time or you've been doing it for years and simply need fresh encouragement, I think this conversation will remind you that God doesn't call the qualified—He faithfully equips the women He calls. Grab your earbuds and join us for this encouraging conversation. I can't wait for you to meet Gina in: Looking Under the Rock with Public School Teacher Turned Catholic Homeschooler Gina Boguslawski Take advantage of the Annual Membership Sale right now! Sale closes August 16, 2026

There's something so sweet about summer. The rhythms are slower, relationships feel easier, and your home may finally feel peaceful after all the intentional work you've been doing. Which is exactly why so many homeschool moms find themselves dreading the start of a new school year. But what if that dread isn't actually about homeschooling? In this episode, I'm sharing the mindset shift that came up again and again during coaching this week, one that can completely change the way you step into a new homeschool year.  We'll talk about why our thoughts shape the atmosphere of our homes, how scarcity sneaks into our thinking, and how to approach homeschooling from a place of gratitude, purpose, and joy instead of resistance. If you've caught yourself wishing summer could last forever because you don't want to "ruin it with school," this episode is for you.  Grab your earbuds to remember why you chose this beautiful calling in the first place, and why the life you're building with your family really is worth getting excited about in: Go From Dreading the Start of School to I'm Living the Dream! For a limited time the Annual Membership to Happy, Holy Mama is on sale for just $297 (normally $349)!! Lock in your lower membership price HERE and have an entire year of support built in your for entire homeschool year! Don't let mom brain kick in, grab yours now, the sale ends August 16, 2026

If you're dreading the transition from summer break back to school, then you aren't alone. This week, I'm diving into how to get ready to start school in a way that feels calmer and smoother than springing the fall semester on your kids. Discover how to treat the end of summer with the same intentionality as the end of a school year, as well as: The Power of Transitions: Why your child's brain needs clear "closing" and "opening" signals to shift gears effectively. Communication vs. Coercion: How to swap fear for confidence by training your children to navigate changes with clear expectations. Building Sustainable Rhythms: Practical tips to help your kids process environmental shifts, reducing daily friction and heartache. Learning how to master these simple transition habits can help you cultivate the calm, consistent learning environment—and the happier, holier homeschool—you've been longing for! Grab your earbuds to join me for: Ending the Summer Intentionally, Transitions, and Starting the School Year Strong. Get the details for the Happy, Holy Mama Membership HERE! The Annual Membership goes on sale on August 3 - 16th, 2026!

Do you ever feel like you've lost your footing in your homeschool?  Maybe you find yourself questioning your curriculum, battling daily resistance from your kids, or feeling like you simply don't know what's best for your family. In this week's episode of the Happy Holy Mama podcast, I'm pulling back the curtain on why homeschool moms so often slip out of their role as the "expert" on their own children, and how that shift leads to burnout, self-doubt, and a "toilet bowl" of negative thinking. We're diving into why your children don't need more books or resources; they need a mother who is confident, present, and rooted in God's will.  You'll learn how to stop reacting to the chaos, start asking better questions, and step into your true role as the calm, capable leader your children need. If you're ready to stop second-guessing your decisions and start building a homeschool year that is truly "happier and holier," grab your earbuds and join me today for: Becoming the Homeschool Expert Your Children Need. Come Plan Your Year with the Lord with us! Get the details here.

Planning your homeschool year can easily become another task you feel like you have to carry all on your own. But what if the very first step isn't choosing curriculum or making a schedule? What if it's simply sitting with the Lord. In this week's short episode, I'm sharing why the posture of receptivity changes everything when it comes to planning your homeschool and your family life. Before we make our plans, we have to make room for God's. I'll also share a personal "love letter" that came from time spent with Jesus in Adoration, which I believe is a message of encouragement for every Catholic homeschool mom who has ever felt the weight of trying to get it all right, and that it's all riding on your shoulders. If you've been carrying fears about your children's future, doubting yourself, or feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility of homeschooling, I pray these words remind you that you were never meant to carry this alone. Grab your earbuds and accept an invitation to pray more than you plan, trust more than you strive, and let the Lord build what He is calling your family to become in: A Love Letter to the Mother Planning Her Homeschool Year. Plan Your Year with the Lord Here!

Planning Season is officially here! I'm talking to clients, mom friends, and random people all over the world via social media and everyone is doing the same thing: Trying to figure out their homeschool for this year. What language arts curriculum is best?  When should we do school? What should we use for religion? What will keep my kids the most motivated and engaged? And these are fine questions to ask, but they're not the best questions. They won't yield the best results. Especially if you are trying to make those decisions reliant on your own limited understanding.  That's why I'm talking about some of the biggest homeschool planning mistakes I've seen parents waste so much time doing, and want to give you some insight on how to it better, more efficiently, and more effectively. Because I want you to enjoy your homeschool life. There's no reason not to! Enjoying it can absolutely start with the best plans…and the best plans are made with the Lord. Grab your earbuds to hear more in: Homeschool Planning Mistakes that Waste Your Time and Energy. Plan Your Year With the Lord HERE.

Have you ever felt that quiet nudge from God to change something in your life, but convinced yourself it wasn't the right time?  Maybe you've been waiting for a new year, a different season, or for life to finally calm down before taking the first step. In this special conversation, I'm joined by my friend and fellow Catholic coach, Denise Jelinek, to talk about what it really means to pursue the goals God places on your heart.  Together, we unpack why lasting change isn't about willpower or perfection, but listening to God and inviting the Holy Spirit into the places where you've been striving on your own. Whether you're struggling with yelling, emotional eating, disorganization, discouragement, or simply sensing that God is calling you to something more, we hope this episode will encourage you to stop waiting and begin with one small, grace-filled step (and we'll share what our favorite first steps are!). Grab your earbuds and join us if you've been longing for more peace, more freedom, and more confidence in following God's call in: Goal Setting with the Holy Spirit and Denise Jelinek. Get your free Homeschool Blueprint here! Work with Emily in the Happy, Holy Mama Membership here! Listen to Denise Jelinek's podcast, Weightloss with the Holy Spirit here: https://weightlosswiththeholyspirit.com/ Free Catholic Weight Loss workshop (July 7th): https://weightlosswiththeholyspirit.com/catholic-way-workshop/