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When my kids were younger my home and homeschool felt entirely out of control. Between the constant pushback, repeated directions, "forgotten" chores, and math nobody wanted to do, I was overwhelmed, exhausted, and on the verge of sending everyone to 'real school' on a daily basis. If we could just get through these lessons, then we could do the things I've been looking forward to! is a thought I used to have regularly, especially when our home and homeschool felt like being on a runaway train. Here's what I learned, through significant trial and error: feeling in control is up to me, and getting what I want to have accomplished doesn't have to be so hard! This week on the Happy, Holy Mama Podcast, I'm sharing what I wish I'd understood when my seven children were younger and I was too focused on getting things done than I was enjoying my kids. And the crazy part was that I was trying to get things done so that I could enjoy them! I just had it all backwards, and putting your life into right order is exactly what I'm talking about in this week's episode! If you're tired of feeling like you and your children are on opposing teams, grab your earbuds and join me for: How to Get More Done in Your Homeschool. (Psssst! Don't forget to grab your free Happy Catholic Homeschool Mom Toolkit here!) Become a Happy, Holy Mama here!

I used to use TV as our go-to calm down method when my kids were little.  My parents used to call it the "Electronic Babysitter." It's what I grew up doing to relax and so it's all I knew how to do in my early parenting career. And honestly, in the thick of babies and toddlers, it was a lifeline. But it wasn't actually teaching my children (or me) what they (ahem…we) truly needed to learn: emotional intelligence and regulation.  Recently my almost 8 year-old has been making his birthday list and he discovered a toy called Emotional Support Cheeze-Its. Yep. A squishy toy shaped like a snack food with an adorable face, designed to calm my child down. I TOTALLY get why these things are so popular! But at the heart of the matter, these toys, shows, or any other distraction can't and shouldn't replace you. Their parent. In this week's episode, I'm talking about why quick fixes fall short and what our children truly need from us as parents to build lasting emotional resilience, self-regulation, and strong character.  Grab your earbuds and join me this week's somewhat feisty episode: Emotional Support Cheeze-Its and What Your Kids Really Need. Come work with me in CONNECT here! Get your FREE Happy, Holy Homeschool Toolkit here!

When my seven kids were all under 14 years old I felt completely overwhelmed by their big feelings. It seemed like they were happening constantly and that I was just running to put out one fire after another. Every time I tried to help them handle their big emotions, I would just end up getting frustrated because it seemed like it either wasn't working, or I just couldn't figure out what they needed. I wanted to be patient and understanding, but I also had other kids who needed me and dinner that wouldn't make itself! I was ill-equipped to handle my own big emotions, let alone half a dozen other people's big emotions all day long! The thing that I was missing was emotional intelligence and maturity. And once I grew these skills, everything in my life changed.  Starting with my relationships with my children and their big feelings. What if there was a way to help your children navigate their emotions while actually strengthening your relationship with them? In this week's episode, I'm introducing you to emotion coaching—what it is, what it isn't, and why I believe it's one of the most valuable skills we can learn as Catholic mothers. I'm also sharing a personal story of how my teenage boys knocked my socks off by not needing me to settle a squabble after having done this work with me. I had to pull my jaw off the floor when they said this! As a mom of now five teenagers (including two adults!), one tween, and a second grader, I am here to tell you that this work is 100% worth it for both your current experience, and also for your Future Self who desires to have connected relationships with your older kids one day. If you're tired of the constant emotional battles and want to raise children who can navigate life's challenges with confidence, self-control, and virtue, then grab your earbuds and join me for: Becoming Your Child's Emotional Coach. Join Connect: Being Your Child's Emotional Coach HERE! Get your FREE Homeschool Mindset Toolkit HERE!

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.