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Watch on YouTube In this conversation, Melanie Wilson addresses the question of whether chaos is normal in homeschooling. She defines chaos as unexpected and unplanned interruptions and explains that it is common for homeschooling moms to experience chaos, especially when starting their homeschooling journey. She emphasizes that chaos can be frustrating but often leads to unexpected and better outcomes. However, she also acknowledges that there is a type of chaos that is not just a phase and requires specific actions to regain control. Melanie provides advice on establishing routines, implementing structure in child discipline, and prioritizing planned self-care to break free from negative chaos. Sponsor: Harper Collins Kingdom Girls Bible Girls will discover the power of faith in this beautiful Bible that features women of the Bible! Here is the ideal Bible for girls on their journey of faith! This special Bible is specifically crafted to highlight the stories and lessons of the inspiring, famous, and sometimes infamous women of the Bible. With over 400 engaging features, colorful illustrations, and helpful notes, this Bible is perfect for girls ages 8 to 12 as they learn about the strong and faithful women who came before them. From Eve to Ruth, Esther to Mary, this Bible brings the stories of these women to life and shows how their faith and strength can still inspire girls today. Featuring a beautiful design and easy-to-read text, this Bible is a great resource for girls as they grow in their own faith and learn about the women who have impacted the world. Features include: * Her Story – Character sketches of 75 good and not-so-good female role models of the Bible * Action Plans – Prayer, art, outdoor activities, and music are examples of some actions suggested in this fun-filled feature * Take It to Heart – Great verses to memorize * Step Into the Story – Solid advice on how to live a godly life in today’s world * Meet ______ – Meet 50 lesser-known women of the Bible and discover ways to help build character and godliness * A Letter to Myself – A place for a girl to make a commitment about who and what she wants to be, and, even more important, who she wants to follow * Book Introductions – An overview of each book of the Bible * Subject Index – Find features written about specific topics like courage, kindness, or joy * Beautiful illustrations and full color throughout

Hey, homeschoolers! I was a stay-at-home mom when I started homeschooling. I did freelance writing and speaking and premarital counseling at my church. But I wasn't spending even twenty hours a week on work until my last two kids were teens. Because of that, I assumed that it simply wasn't possible to work and homeschool too. My guest Dr. Celia Zamora changed my mind. Dr. Zamora has a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and was a teacher for 15 years before homeschooling her son. She is now a full-time director of a nonprofit who is also passionate about multilingual education and encouraging the Latino community to consider homeschooling. If you've wondered about working while homeschooling, prepare to be inspired by Celia. Watch on YouTube Summary In this conversation, Melanie Wilson interviews Celia Zamora about homeschooling and working at the same time. Celia shares her background as a director of a nonprofit organization and a homeschooling mom. She explains her decision to homeschool and the challenges she faces as a working mom. Celia emphasizes the benefits of homeschooling for working moms, such as developing important life skills and creating a personalized education. She provides tips for success, including outsourcing tasks and prioritizing self-care. Celia also addresses misconceptions and fears of Latino families regarding homeschooling and encourages them to consider the advantages of homeschooling for their children's language and cultural development. Takeaways Homeschooling can be a viable option for working moms, as they have the skills to balance multiple responsibilities and can prioritize what is important to them. Outsourcing tasks and finding support from family and community can help working moms manage their time effectively. Self-care is crucial for working homeschool moms to maintain their sanity and well-being. Latino families may have misconceptions and fears about homeschooling, but it can provide opportunities for language and cultural development for their children. Resources from Dr. Zamora https://www.actfl.org/ (World Language Org on the teaching of languages. Working on a platform for homeschool language educators as well!) https://www.languageconnectsfoundation.org/ (a great foundation with research and initiatives on language learning, benefits of learning languages, etc.) https://www.linkedin.com/in/cchomon-zamora/ (My LinkedIn profile) My email address is cchomon.zamora@gmail.com www.Preply.com a great website to outsource language conversation partners and tutoring

Teach Truth ~ with Dr. Melanie Wilson and Elizabeth Urbanowicz  Are you ready to teach truth? Join as as we explore the topic. Thanks to our sponsor, A Fanthom Presents Film – The Ark and The Darkness – Movie Trailer here: NoahsFlood Hey, homeschoolers! Any time a teacher uses a story to teach children, I am all for it. Stories are not only the most enjoyable way to learn something but the most powerful. When former guest Elizabeth Urbanowicz told me she had created a picture book to help children discern what truth is, I asked her to join me on the podcast again. In a culture obsessed with identifying misinformation, we want to equip our kids to separate truth from falsehood, using a Christian worldview. Elizabeth has such a beautiful spirit. I know you'll appreciate hearing her teaching tips. Watch on YouTube Get your copy of What Is Truth here: https://foundationworldview.com/book/what-is-truth Episode Summary Elizabeth discusses her ministry updates and the release of a children's book on truth. The conversation explores the difficulty of defining truth and the impact of the Fall on our perception of truth. Elizabeth provides insights on teaching children a biblical definition of truth and shares the motivation behind creating a children's picture book. Here are some great resources for your homeschool The Most Underutilized Resource Style Confidence Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy  Have a happy homeschool week!

Hey homeschoolers! Recently, a woman on my Psychowith6 Facebook page, made a comment on the self-care movement. I wasn't aware that self-care was a movement, but she got me thinking. Previously on this podcast in an episode called How to Be Happy and Homeschool, Too, I discussed the importance of what could be called self-care. In fact, I frequently talk about the importance of it during my sessions at Great Homeschool Conventions. I suddenly found myself wondering if I had been teaching wrong things. So I wanted to address the topic in today's episode. Is self-care a snare? I am tempted to tell you the right way to think about this issue. But instead, I am going to give you some considerations for you to take to the Lord. [button link="http://ultimateradioshow.com/selfcare" type="big" color="orange" newwindow="yes"] Listen to the podcast[/button] Sponsor Before we do that I want to think my sponsor for this episode, FabuLingua. Helping your child learn a second language, especially when you don’t speak it, can seem intimidating! The vocabulary lists, the grammar drills… there’s a better way. The magic of children’s stories makes it fun and easy for your child to learn a second language like Spanish. The most important factor in learning a new language is how much ‘input’ of that new language gets absorbed. It doesn't have to be perfectly understood - just comprehensible. That’s where FabuLingua comes in. Their app provides a huge amount of written and spoken ‘comprehensible input’ through beautiful, interactive children’s stories. FabuLingua was created for families who are seeking a convenient, effective tool to support their language learning goals - in a fun and effortless way. FabuLingua kids don’t ask to ‘learn’ with the app - they ask to ‘play’ with it! Their mission is to make it fun and accessible to children, so that learning another language is something they are excited to do! New stories are released each month and you can explore your first story free. Look for FabuLingua on the App Store or Google Play Store. That’s F-A-B-U-L-I-N-G-U-A. FabuLingua - magical stories that teach kids Spanish. Self-Care Resources Read the blog post Thanks again to my sponsor, FabuLingua. Find the link to it and the other resources in the show notes and homeschoolsanity.com/self. Have a happy homeschool week!

Hey, homeschoolers! As parents we often feel ill-equipped to talk to others who are grieving. I've discussed this in a previous episode that I will link to the in show notes. When our teens are grieving, we can feel particularly helpless in knowing what to say or do. I'm thankful that my guest, Sarah Arthur, has practical advice for us. Sarah Arthur is a fun-loving speaker and the author of a dozen books for teens and adults, including Once a Queen and the bestselling Walking with Frodo: A Devotional Journey Through The Lord of the Rings. Among other nerdy adventures, she has served as preliminary fiction judge for Christianity Today’s Book Awards, was a founding board member of the annual C. S. Lewis Festival in northern Michigan, and co-directs the Madeleine L’Engle Writing Retreats. Watch the podcast Introduction: In this episode, the host engages in a fascinating conversation with author Sarah Arthur about her upcoming book, "Once a Queen." The discussion explores the therapeutic aspects of writing and reading fiction, particularly in helping teenagers process grief. Key Points: * The Power of Writing and Storytelling: * Arthur shares personal experiences of using journaling and storytelling to navigate through trauma. * Recommends these methods as effective tools for emotional expression and healing. * Encouraging Teens to Write: * Discusses creative ways for parents to encourage teens to write, including shared journaling experiences and creative writing sprints. * Highlights the importance of providing a creative space for expression. * "Once a Queen" - The Fantasy Novel: * Arthur introduces her upcoming book, "Once a Queen," as a young teen fantasy novel. * Draws influences from classic fairy tales, Chronicles of Narnia, and other literary works. * Themes Explored in the Book: * Explores themes of family relationships, faith, and the fear of losing childlike wonder as one grows up. * Emphasizes the avoidance of explicit content despite being labeled as young adult. * Pre-order Bonuses: * Details exciting pre-order bonuses for "Once a Queen," including digital downloads and a printable journal with creativity prompts. * Directs listeners to Sarah Arthur's website for more information. Conclusion: The episode concludes with gratitude for the insightful conversation and anticipation for t...

In this episode, Melanie Wilson discusses the underused resource of people in homeschooling. She shares personal stories and examples of how family members, church members, homeschool community members, neighbors, and friends can enhance a child's education. Melanie encourages listeners to take advantage of the knowledge, skills, and experiences of the people they know, not only for educational purposes but also to bless and witness to others. She concludes by reflecting on missed opportunities and encourages listeners to involve more people in their homeschooling journey. Watch on YouTube Links Mentioned in the Episode Mr. Poppers Penguins Unit Study Teaching Evangelism with Nancy Wilson How to Give Your Kids Confidence in Creation with Dr. Carl Werner

Hey, homeschoolers! If you've ever considered raising chickens, you'll love this episode. I live in a suburb where chickens aren't allowed, but we had chickens for several years when I was in elementary school. I absolutely loved what my guest, Dalia Monterroso had to say about raising chickens as a homeschool family. Dalia Monterroso is a chicken keeper and a popular teacher on the basics of backyard chicken keeping. She speaks and teaches classes on the joys of chicken keeping. She is the creator of the website and YouTube channel "Welcome to Chickenlandia", podcast "Bawk Tawk", and an online course called "Chickenlandia's Backyard Chickens 101". She also hosted a TEDx talk titled "I Dream of Chickens". Dalia is the author of the book, "Let's All Keep Chickens! The Down-to-Earth Guide to Natural Practices for Healthier Birds and a Happier World", a comprehensive guide for both beginners and experienced chicken keepers. The book has also gained popularity among homeschooling families, who appreciate its educational value as part of their learning curriculum. Dalia lives in Bellingham, Washington with her family, continuing her mission to share the joy and simplicity of chicken keeping to the world.  Watch on YouTube Introduction: In this episode, host Melanie Wilson explores the world of chicken keeping and its unexpected connections to homeschooling. She engages in a fascinating conversation with Dalia Monterroso, founder of Chickenlandia, a resource hub for chicken enthusiasts. Dalia shares insights into the joys of raising chickens and the valuable life lessons they offer. Part 1: The Intersection of Chickens and Homeschooling The discussion kicks off with Dalia explaining the intersection between chicken keeping and homeschooling. She highlights the parallels between caring for chickens and educating children, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and staying true to one's instincts in both endeavors. Part 2: Mindful Chicken Keeping and Life Lessons Dalia introduces the concept of mindful chicken keeping, sharing her six rules that translate into valuable life lessons. Listening to intuition, learning from mistakes, and trusting one's heart are emphasized as crucial skills not only in chicken keeping but in life as well. Part 3: Bridging the Gap with Chickens The conversation takes an interesting turn as Dalia discusses how chickens help individuals connect with nature and each other. She delves into the therapeutic aspects of caring for these animals, promoting a deeper understanding of one's roots and fostering compassion for others. Part 4: Spreading Peace and Joy Through Chickens Dalia shares her vision of chickens as a common denominator across cultures, promoting unity in a world often divided. She emphasizes the simplicity and universality of chicken keeping, encouraging listeners to focus on shared experiences and find joy in the commonality of caring for these feathered friends. Part 5: Resources and Courses by Chickenlandia To wrap up the episode, Dalia directs listeners to Chickenlandia's resources, including her online course,

Hey, homeschoolers! I am happy with the personal finance curriculum I used with my kids. And I'm pleased to say that my kids are much better at managing their money as young adults than I was! But when I heard about Charla McKinley's real-life approach to teaching kids personal finance, I was intrigued. Watch on YouTube Personal Finance Guest: Charla McKinley Charla graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Finance. She went on to become a Certified Public Accountant with over 25 years working in both the corporate and private sectors. While homeschooling her two children, Charla was inspired to write an interactive personal finance curriculum that opens the student's eyes to the high costs of being an adult. After retiring from homeschooling, Charla continues to teach teens living in Raleigh, NC, and across the country using her Beyond Personal Finance curriculum. Charla’s passion is teaching teens that their choices matter. She is a firm believer that in order to prepare teens for the road ahead they must be given the opportunity to practice making good (and not so good) choices using real dollars before they get out into the world and have real regrets. I think you will enjoy our conversation and will want to check out Beyond Personal Finance.  Takeaways from the Podcast Teaching personal finance to teens is important to prepare them for real-life financial decisions. Giving teens real-life financial experiences, such as managing an allowance, can help them learn financial responsibility. Parents should allow their teens to make financial mistakes and learn from them. Beyond Personal Finance provides budgeting suggestions and resources for teaching kids about money management. The website offers self-paced and group options for parents to learn and discuss financial topics.

Hey, homeschoolers! It's a new year and time for a renewed focus on our priorities as homeschooling moms. God has taught me a lot about managing my time this year. One thing I've learned is that I don't have to look for the productivity holy grail. It's normal for me to search for a new tool, a new schedule, and even a new book to read to inspire me. Newness almost always inspires action!   Now on to the productivity tips you can use this year. My guest today is Amy Michaels. Amy is a teacher turned homeschooler and coach, who has been on the podcast before. I really like her planning and prioritizing strategies and I know you will too. We discussed: * how to determine your priorities as a busy homeschool mom * how can we maintain margin in our lives? * how can business moms in particular keep family life in focus? Productivity Tips Resources A Year of Living Productively Listen to my previous podcast with Amy here   Have a happy homeschool week!

Hey, homeschoolers! Soon, we'll be in a new year. It's that time when many of us think of goals like getting organized. You know you're unlikely to organize everything in a year, so what are the most important areas for homeschoolers to focus on? My answer may surprise you. Organize Your Homeschool Life All Year Before we jump in, I want to offer you the digital version of my book, the Organized Homeschool Life for just $7! This year, you can organize more than just the most important areas of your homeschooling life. You'll be given 15-minute missions that will help you in curriculum planning, preparing for seasons and holidays, and special areas like organizing a business or hobby. [button link="http://ultimateradioshow.com/organizemost" type="big" color="orange" newwindow="yes"] Listen to the podcast[/button] The Most Important Areas to Organize This Year - Resources Read the blog post Change Your Life Bible Routines with FLYLady Organized Homeschool LIVE Have a happy homeschool week and a very happy new year! Hope to see you inside the boot camp.

Are you already beginning to experience stress this season? The busyness can get to us. But we can make things better by avoiding the six mistakes I'll discuss in this episode. [box] Want to read this episode as a blog post? READ HERE or SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES or ON STITCHER[/box] Mistake #1: Not Planning A Homeschool Break What we typically do is get busy with other things this time of year. There is more shopping and cooking and even chatting going on. After all, it’s Christmas! Somehow in the midst of all the extra activity, we end up not doing school. But it isn’t a planned break. We just sleep in, do some Christmas shopping, or watch Christmas movies instead of homeschooling. We aren’t doing a Christmas unit study. That’s different. We find ourselves falling into a Christmas break. The result is we feel guilty. We really wanted to get a lot done before Christmas. But we didn’t. And we don’t feel refreshed like we should from a planned break. Instead of falling into a Christmas break this year, decide whether you really are going to do a Christmas unit study. Plan what to do. If you don’t have time to plan, try the Christmas Traditions or Christmas Around the World online unit studies from Techie Homeschool Mom. They’re done for you. If you don’t want to do a Christmas unit study, plan when you are going to take a break and for how long. If you feel behind on your regular studies, decide what you want to accomplish before Christmas. Make a realistic list for yourself and your children. Give your children the option of finishing early if they finish their work early or you finish your family work early. This is the process I used to create the most motivating homeschool planner ever. Continue reading here. Links Homeschool Sanity Facebook Page try the Christmas Traditions or Christmas Around the World online unit studies from Techie Homeschool Mom the most motivating homeschool planner ever 6 Short Workouts You Can Do at Home The Organized Homeschool Life Have a happy homeschool week!

Hey, homeschoolers! I don't know anyone who wants to have a crazy Christmas--the kind that leads to exhaustion, sickness, and dread of the new year. Instead, every homeschooler I know wants to have a meaningful, peaceful, and joyful Christmas. Of course, we can't control every part of our Christmas holiday. But I believe there are things we can do to make a saner Christmas more likely. We'll chat about that in just a minute. But first, I'd like to thank our sponsor for this episode, Kiwi Company. Have you ever been stuck on how to bring your lessons to life?  My kids have enjoyed Kiwi's monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun. Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM -- science, technology, engineering, art, and math -- accessible and they are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning. Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits. Kiwi Crate was founded by engineer and mom of three, Sandra Oh Lin. She created these kits out of her deep desire to raise kids with the creative confidence needed to become the next generation of problem-solvers and critical thinkers.  I couldn’t agree more with their mission and am excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer, visit www.kiwico.com/homeschool to get your first month free today (just pay $4.95 for shipping). These kits make amazing gifts! Join me on Facebook on December 5th at 4E/3C/2M/1P for an inside look at one of the crates that my son can't wait to get his hands on. Links Read the blog post Christmas in the White House an online study from Techie Homeschool Mom declutter your home in a weekend The Organized Homeschool Life give them away or arrange to sell them- homeschool used curriculum Do some research of other curriculum you would like to use next year. Reverse Charades links on HomeschoolSanity.com White Elephant Game [READ GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, AND MYRRH GIFT IDEAS] Here are some resources for your devotional time. 12 ways children can give this Christmas. Which of these tips will help you the most? Let me know in the comments. Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor, Kiwi Crate!   We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Kiwi Crate! KiwiCo has monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun!