Our long days homeschooling eventually turn into months, seasons, and ultimately years. Today’s episode is all about the seasons of transition in our homeschools, what we learn about ourselves in them, and the bittersweetness of seeing our children embrace their passions and independence.

REAL MOMS, REAL LIFE HOMESCHOOLING

As part of a new 2023 Sisters Series, Cait welcomes Christy of christy.kindness.mischief. Together they discuss what real life looks like over the course of a decade of homeschooling transitions, including a day to day example of homeschooling high school.

Find out:

• How Christy’s life changed when two of her three teens went to public school
• What about math and science experiments!?
• Favorite homeschool resources
• What a typical day looks like in Christy’s home
• How important it is to think about life after homeschooling
• The bittersweetness of seeing our children embrace their passions and independence.

… and so much more!

THE HOMESCHOOL SISTERS PODCAST WELCOMES CHRISTY OF christy.kindness.mischief.

Christy is a life-long learner living with her husband and three children (ages 17, 15, and 15) in the Southwest.  They’re obsessed with books and big ideas, and spend their time hiking, snowboarding, traveling, and binge-watching TV shows.

AND DON’T MISS OUR YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALL HOMESCHOOL PLANNER!

Grab yours here!

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THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:

THE WALDOCK WAY

The Waldock Way brings you unique resources that help ignite a love of learning in your children. Their products encourage you to follow your children’s lead and learn alongside them every day.

Unit studies from The Waldock Way are designed to support you as you navigate interest-led homeschooling, and always include book lists, hands-on activities, games for learning, and videos to engage every learning style.

As a Homeschool Sister, you receive 15% off all Waldock Way products, using the code sisters15 – it’s a great time to give them a try. I think you’ll love all The Waldock Way has to offer.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE: Bittersweet Transitions In Our Homeschool

WATCH THE EPISODE:

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:

• The Homeschool Sisters
• Cait’s monthly play pack
• Cait’s newsletter
• Cait’s Instagram
• Never Board Learning
• The Waldock Way Unit Studies (use the code sisters15 to save 15%!)
• christy.kindness.mischief on Instagram
• Mr. D Math
• Plant Based Bride on YouTube
• Leave Cait a voicemail!

REAL MOMS, REAL LIFE HOMESCHOOLING

As part of a new 2023 Sisters Series, Cait welcomes longtime podcast listener Rachel Baker. Together they took a real life look at homeschooling from the perspective of a mom of four (ages 15, 13, 12, and 9).  

Find out:

• Rachel’s approach to managing multiple ages
• How she uses Morning Time in her homeschool
• Favorite homeschool resources (including Rachel’s obsession with the library!)
• What a typical day looks like in Rachel’s home
• How Rachel’s husband contributes to daily life

… and so much more!

The Homeschool Sisters Podcast Welcomes Rachel Baker!

My name is Rachel from Waterloo, Illinois and I’m a homeschool momma of four (15, 13, 12, and 9). 

I’ve been homeschooling my kids from day one, although I never foresaw myself being a home educator. I’ve been listening to The Homeschool Sisters Podcast for a few years, and I have to say it’s my favorite homeschool podcast because it’s so real and down-to-earth.  It has brought me lots of laughs and also calmed me down on those school days when I just felt like I didn’t do enough or failed in some way.

Somehow myself and my kids have made it to my oldest now being in high school and still homeschooling!  Preparing and planning for high school has really opened my eyes to what is necessary and what’s not necessary for my kids’ education and helped me relax a lot (because I’m finally breaking out of using 100% boxed curriculum and coming up with at least some of my own ideas).  Anxiety meds have helped with that too! 😉 

 My kids have been homeschooled from the very beginning, I’ve been very involved in local homeschool co-ops (from serving on the Board to teaching classes like art, book club, writing, American Literature, etc), and for fun, I take nature-inspired photographs that I sell in a local farmers’ market. My husband and I sample new cheeses each Sunday night and feature them on Instagram, @cheesedatenights. 

I have a passion for homeschooling and empowering new mommas who also want to partake on the homeschooling journey. 

AND DON’T MISS OUR YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALL HOMESCHOOL PLANNER!

Grab yours here!

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THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:

THE WALDOCK WAY

The Waldock Way brings you unique resources that help ignite a love of learning in your children. Their products encourage you to follow your children’s lead and learn alongside them every day.

Unit studies from The Waldock Way are designed to support you as you navigate interest-led homeschooling, and always include book lists, hands-on activities, games for learning, and videos to engage every learning style.

As a Homeschool Sister, you receive 15% off all Waldock Way products, using the code sisters15 – it’s a great time to give them a try. I think you’ll love all The Waldock Way has to offer.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:

WATCH THE EPISODE:

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:

• The Five Js Free Homeschool Record-Keeping Grade Book and Spreadsheet
• Cait’s monthly play pack
• Cait’s newsletter
• Cait’s Instagram
• Never Board Learning
• The Waldock Way Unit Studies (use the code sisters15 to save 15%!)
• Morning Baskets with Pam Barnhill
• Ann Karako – It’s Not That Hard To Homeschool High School
• @cheesedatenights on Instagram (Rachel and her husband’s weekly date night!)
• Leave Cait a voicemail!

The Reality of Homeschool Parenting

No matter how long you’ve been homeschooling, you have probably asked yourself one or more of the following questions:

• How do I manage the day to day realities of homeschooling without comparing myself to the picture perfect homeschool family on Instagram?
• What if I’m a secular homeschooler? What resources and communities are right for me and my family?
• How do I bring out the best in my kids (and me) knowing that I can’t do all the things I’d like to do in our homeschool?

Learning how to embrace our own circumstances and lean into what we know to be true for our unique families can be a challenge. Today’s episode answers all of the above questions and more!

Intuitive Homeschooling With Camille Kirksey

Camille empowers homeschool parents to be themselves and authentic in their homeschool journey and in their relationships with their kids.

She is a homeschool expert and mindset coach who encourages, empowers, and educates parents (whom she calls ‘homeschool facilitators’) to bring out the best in their children and themselves.

Since 2013, Camille has taught thousands of homeschool facilitators how to successfully educate their children by making the process easier, more authentic, and joyful through her blog, courses, workshops, coaching, and books.

In today’s episode, Camille shares a real life look at how we can embrace our own intuition as homeschooling parents in all ages and stages.

(And be sure to check out our sponsor, The Waldock Way. Use the code sisters15 to save in the shop.)

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And don’t miss our You Don’t Have To Do It All Homeschool Planner!

Grab yours here!

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THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:

THE WALDOCK WAY

The Waldock Way brings you unique resources that help ignite a love of learning in your children. Their products encourage you to follow your children’s lead and learn alongside them every day.

Unit studies from The Waldock Way are designed to support you as you navigate interest-led homeschooling, and always include book lists, hands-on activities, games for learning, and videos to engage every learning style.

As a Homeschool Sister, you receive 15% off all Waldock Way products, using the code sisters15 – it’s a great time to give them a try. I think you’ll love all The Waldock Way has to offer.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:

WATCH THE EPISODE:

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:

• Cait’s monthly play pack
• Cait’s newsletter
• Cait’s Instagram
• Never Board Learning
• The Waldock Way Unit Studies (use the code sisters15 to save 15%!)
• Camille’s book: Coming Home for the heart, mind, and home of homeschool moms
• Camille’s course for new homeschoolers called Empowered Beginnings
• Camille’s individual coaching for experienced homeschoolers
• Coming Soon: Homeschool U Academy
• Leave Cait a voicemail!

How Do Homeschooled Kids Do When They Return To Public School?

Many of us wonder what would happen if our children were to transition out of homeschooling and into a traditional school setting.

• Would my child be behind?
• How would they do socially?
• Could my child keep up in a classroom?

What It’s Like To Make The Transition Back To School After Homeschooling

In this episode, Cait shares her very real, raw experience as two of her three homeschooled children transitioned back into the school system this year.

Learn what led up to the change and how her kids are doing now that they are back in the classroom.

And don’t miss our You Don’t Have To Do It All Homeschool Planner!

Grab yours here!

And be sure to check out our sponsor, The Waldock Way. Use the code sisters15 to save in the shop.

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:

THE WALDOCK WAY

The Waldock Way brings you unique resources that help ignite a love of learning in your children. Their products encourage you to follow your children’s lead and learn alongside them every day.

Unit studies from The Waldock Way are designed to support you as you navigate interest-led homeschooling, and always include book lists, hands-on activities, games for learning, and videos to engage every learning style.

As a Homeschool Sister, you receive 15% off all Waldock Way products, using the code sisters15 – it’s a great time to give them a try. I think you’ll love all The Waldock Way has to offer.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:

WATCH THE EPISODE:

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

• Cait’s monthly play pack
• Cait’s newsletter
• Cait’s Instagram
• Never Board Learning
• The Waldock Way Unit Studies (use the code sisters15 to save 15%!)
• Her Homeschool Manifesto
• Davidson Young Scholars
• LUS course
• Small Poppies: Highly Gifted Children in the Early Years 
• Shawna at Different By Design Learning
• I’m just so glad he didn’t sit on the line
• Celebrate A Book with Mary Hanna Wilson
• Memoir ’44
• Pants are Non-negotiable: A Letter to My 3-Year-Old
• Leave me a voicemail!

Homeschooling an only child is not what you think!

Whether you began with only one child or only have one left learning in your home, the reality of homeschooling an only child is quite different than you might think!

In this episode of The Homeschool Sisters Podcast, Cait is joined by Jessica Waldock to talk about all things only child. What they share may surprise you!

For starters, Cait and Jessica debunk popular myths about homeschooling an only child, including:

• It’s easier to homeschool an only child
• Homeschooling an only child means you only have one child
• Socialization is a huge concern
• It’s lonely
• and more!

If you are homeschooling an only child, you are NOT alone.

And don’t miss our You Don’t Have To Do It All Homeschool Planner!

Grab yours here!

And be sure to check out our sponsor, The Waldock Way. Use the code sisters15 to save in the shop.

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:

THE WALDOCK WAY

The Waldock Way brings you unique resources that help ignite a love of learning in your children. Their products encourage you to follow your children’s lead and learn alongside them every day.

Unit studies from The Waldock Way are designed to support you as you navigate interest-led homeschooling, and always include book lists, hands-on activities, games for learning, and videos to engage every learning style.

As a Homeschool Sister, you receive 15% off all Waldock Way products, using the code sisters15 – it’s a great time to give them a try. I think you’ll love all The Waldock Way has to offer.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:

WATCH THE EPISODE:

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

• Cait’s monthly play pack
• Cait’s newsletter
• Cait’s Instagram
• Never Board Learning
• The Waldock Way Unit Studies (use the code sisters15 to save 15%!)
• Top Myths About Homeschooling An Only That Might Surprise You
• Can You Really Homeschool An Only Child?
• Jessica’s YouTube Channel

New Beginnings And Homeschool Milestones

Our homeschools are made up of seasons upon seasons of change. Some are brought about by our kids, some by our circumstances, some by our own hand.

In this episode, Kara and Cait share the nitty gritty of how life has been the last few months, including some very big changes!

Cait’s two oldest homeschoolers are now attending local public schools, and Kara’s oldest is a freshman in college. Hear all about the reality of these homeschool milestones from a real life, sister’s perspective.

Plus, hear about a new beginning for the podcast!

Don’t miss our You Don’t Have To Do It All Homeschool Planner!

Grab yours here!

And be sure to check out our sponsor, The Waldock Way. Use the code sisters15 to save in the shop.

EPISODE 114 IS SPONSORED BY:

THE WALDOCK WAY

The Waldock Way brings you unique resources that help ignite a love of learning in your children. Their products encourage you to follow your children’s lead and learn alongside them every day.

Unit studies from The Waldock Way are designed to support you as you navigate interest-led homeschooling, and always include book lists, hands-on activities, games for learning, and videos to engage every learning style.

As a Homeschool Sister, you receive 15% off all Waldock Way products, using the code sisters15 – it’s a great time to give them a try. We think you’ll love all The Waldock Way has to offer.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:

WATCH THE EPISODE:

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

• More Than Enough by Kara S. Anderson
• Cait’s monthly play pack
• Cait’s newsletter
• Cait’s Instagram
• Never Board Learning
• Kara’s post about later start times for teens
• Kara’s post on launching a kid
• Kara’s post about transcripts for college
• Kara’s latest post
• Kara’s hygge yarn
• Kara’s temperature blanket (Kara is doing a knit version. She cast on the same number of stitches and is knitting every row.)
• Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
• Taylor Tomlinson Gets Advice From Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin
• Voxer

FOLLOW THE HOMESCHOOL SISTERS FOR MORE HOMESCHOOLING SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT

You can hang out with Cait and Kara on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

When Kids are Resistant [Episode 113]

For many of us, homeschooling doesn’t always look like kids arriving to the table at 7:30 a.m. with huge smiles on their faces, and resistance is actually pretty common.

So in this week’s episode, the sisters are chatting about what to do when your kids are resistant, and some of the most common things that cause resistance.

Cait + Kara have both experienced this in their homes, and so they share openly about their struggles and what has worked to keep everyone going.

Take The Homeschool Sisters Quiz

Are you a Cait or a Kara? Try this sisters quiz:

https://thehomeschoolsisters.com

And be sure to check out our sponsor, The Waldock Way. Use the code sisters15 to save in the shop.

Continue reading →

How much does homeschooling cost (and how to homeschool affordably) [Episode 112]

In this episode, the sisters are breaking down the cost of homeschooling, and how to homeschool affordably.

Both Cait and Kara have experience homeschooling on a budget, so they’re sharing their best tips for making homeschooling work without breaking the bank.

Homeschooling doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, over time, we’ve learned a few ways to make the homeschool budget stretch.

Take The Homeschool Sisters Quiz

Are you a Cait or a Kara? Try this sisters quiz:

https://thehomeschoolsisters.com

And be sure to check out our sponsor, The Waldock Way. Use the code sisters15 to save in the shop.

Continue reading →

What Do You Really Need to Homeschool? [Episode 111]

You don’t need a flag, a chalkboard or any of the super fancy stuff you see on Instagram to homeschool well.

Too often, we think in order to homeschool effectively, we need a school room, a perfect curriculum, and all the things we see online.

An Honest Look At What You Really Need To Homeschool

In this episode, Cait + Kara are breaking down what you actually need to homeschool. It’s probably much less than you think!

Listen in as the sisters share what has served them well in their own homes, and what you need to instill a love of learning in your kids.

Spoiler alert: Probably less time than you think!

Take The Homeschool Sisters Quiz

Are you a Cait or a Kara? Try this sisters quiz:

https://thehomeschoolsisters.com

And be sure to check out our sponsor, The Waldock Way. Use the code sisters15 to save in the shop.

Continue reading →