Called To Homeschool

Does your child argue, refuse to listen, stomp their feet, or seem determined to turn everything into a battle?

In this episode of Called to Homeschool, I'm answering a listener's question about her strong-willed four-year-old who has started showing more defiant and disrespectful behavior. She's also pregnant, working full time, and exhausted—and struggling to stay consistent with her parenting.

We'll talk about how the labels we give our children can actually influence their behavior, why we sometimes make little behaviors into much bigger problems, and how to teach our kids appropriate behavior without constantly punishing or correcting them.

I'll also share why the attention we give negative behavior matters, how to avoid power struggles, and why taking care of yourself is an important part of being a calm, consistent parent.

If you're feeling frustrated with a child who won't listen, this episode will help you see their behavior differently and give you practical ways to respond with more confidence and less frustration.

If your kids only seem to listen once you start yelling, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down why yelling can accidentally become part of the instruction—and how to change that with Connect → Direct → Expect. I’ll also share how taking care of your own fundamentals can help you respond instead of react, plus all the details about No Yell November and how you can join us!

https://www.coachmegthomas.com/product-page/no-yell-november-challenge

What if you want to homeschool—but you also want the freedom to travel?

In this episode, I’m answering a listener’s question about homeschooling while living part of the year in California and part of the year in the Midwest. We’ll talk about taking school on the road, finding flexible co-ops, sports, friendships and socialization, homeschool laws, and the fear that your kids might eventually want more stability.

Homeschooling doesn’t have to tie you down. Learning doesn’t require a desk—it requires intention. And while you may have a few things to figure out along the way, most things are figureoutable.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can really take your homeschool with you, this episode is for you.

Did my homeschooled daughter ever wish she went to public school? In this episode, my adult daughter, Bella, is back to answer that question and share what it was really like growing up homeschooled in a family with seven kids.

We talk about how being part of a large family shaped her, friendships inside and outside of homeschool, whether she ever felt like she was missing out, and what she would say to a teenager who is trying to decide between staying homeschooled or going to public school.

What do you do when the homeschool routine that worked for years suddenly turns into a daily battle?

In this episode, I’m answering a mom’s question about her 12-year-old son who has lost motivation, pushes back on school, and seems to resist everything she says.

We’ll talk about what’s changing during the teenage years, why your homeschool may need to change too, and how to give your teen more ownership without giving up all expectations.

Most importantly, we’ll talk about how to stop battling over school and start protecting your relationship with your teen.

When you’re homeschooling little kids, how much of the day should actually be spent doing school? How much should they be helping around the house? And if they would happily play outside all day long… should you let them?

In this episode, I’m answering a mom of three little ones, who is wondering if she’s doing enough or allowing too much free play.

If you’re homeschooling little kids and wondering what your days are “supposed” to look like, this episode will help you simplify things and focus on what matters most: habits first, a little structured learning, and lots of time and space to play.

Does your child give up as soon as something feels hard? In this episode, I’m answering a homeschool mom’s question about helping her 6-year-old build perseverance without turning learning into a constant battle. We’ll talk about when to push, when to back off, how to build confidence and independence, and why doing hard things doesn’t have to mean making things harder than they need to be.

How do you homeschool a kindergartener when you also have a preschooler, toddler, and baby who all need you?

In this episode, I’m answering a listener’s question about what a typical homeschool day can look like when you have a house full of little kids.

I’ll share what I would actually focus on at these ages, how I’d keep kindergarten and preschool simple, why I wouldn’t save school for nap time, and how I think about a daily rhythm instead of a strict schedule.

If you’re trying to juggle lessons, naps, babies, toddlers, chores, and everything else that comes with this season, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I’m joined by my 22-year-old daughter to talk about something I think every parent wants: raising kids who grow into capable, independent adults.

My daughter earned her Associate degree at 16 and has since lived all over the world, so I wanted you to hear her perspective on what actually helped her become independent and responsible.

We share 3 things parents can do to help their kids take more ownership of their lives, make decisions, solve problems, and become more confident in their own abilities.

Plus, this is just the beginning! My daughter will be joining me once a month to answer your questions and share what homeschooling and growing up in our family looked like from the kid’s perspective.

Wondering if your homeschooler is “on grade level”?

In this episode, I answer a listener who recently pulled her 10-year-old twins out of public school and is wondering where in the world to start. Do you give placement tests? Look for learning gaps? Choose curriculum based on their age? Or, as she hilariously asks, just “wing it like a hippie”?

We’re talking about how to figure out what your child actually needs without getting caught up in arbitrary grade levels, why I sometimes intentionally choose easier curriculum, and what to do when learning gets frustrating.

I’ll also share my biggest advice for families transitioning out of public school.

You're not going to want to miss this one!

Am I teaching enough? It's one of the most common questions homeschool parents ask—and one that can quickly lead to second-guessing, overwhelm, and comparison. In this episode, I answer a listener's question about whether she's covering enough subjects, how to know what's truly important, and why learning to trust yourself may be one of the greatest gifts you can give your homeschool.

Have you ever wondered what homeschoolers mean when they talk about "living books"?

In this episode, I'll explain what living books are, why Charlotte Mason believed they were so important, and how they've completely changed the way I think about education.

I'll also share some of my favorite historical fiction and nonfiction living books to help you get started and hopefully inspire your own love of history and lifelong learning.

Curious what our homeschool year will look like?

In this episode, I'm giving you a behind-the-scenes look at exactly how we're planning our 2026–2027 homeschool year.

If you're looking for ideas, encouragement, or just want to see what works for our family, you won't want to miss this episode!

Have you ever found yourself second-guessing your homeschool because of someone else's opinion? Maybe a family member questions your decision, your child mentions wanting to go to school, or another homeschool family decides to enroll their kids in public school. Suddenly, you're wondering if you're doing the right thing.

In this episode, I'm sharing how to build real confidence as a homeschool parent, respond to criticism without losing your peace, help your children develop meaningful friendships, and stay rooted in your family's values—even when others question your choice to homeschool.

Is it too late to rebuild your relationship with your teen?

No.

If your teen is pulling away, listening more to friends than family, or making choices that worry you, don't lose hope.

In this week's podcast, we talk about:
❤️ Letting go of guilt.
❤️ The power of apologizing.
❤️ Why connection creates more influence than control.
❤️ Simple ways to rebuild trust and strengthen your relationship.

You can't change the past, but you can change how you show up today.

🎧 Episode #374: Is It Too Late to Rebuild Your Relationship with Your Teen?

Does it ever feel like you and your husband aren't on the same page about homeschooling?

You're not alone.

In this week's episode, we're talking about how to navigate those conversations without becoming defensive or creating more conflict.

We'll cover:
✔️ Why many husbands suggest putting the kids back in school.
✔️ How to share your desires instead of complaining.
✔️ What to do when he wants a subject taught that you don't want to teach.
✔️ How to honestly consider his feedback without taking it personally.

The goal isn't to convince your husband you're right.

The goal is to build a strong marriage while creating the best education for your children.

🎧 Listen to Episode #373: When Your Husband Isn't Supportive of Homeschooling

When should you start homeschooling a toddler?One of the biggest misconceptions about homeschooling is that it starts with curriculum.It doesn't.At 18 months old, your child doesn't need worksheets or a structured school day. They need you.Read together. Go on nature walks. Let them help you cook, clean, and do life alongside you. Build good habits. Foster curiosity. Fill their days with books, meaningful work, and play.Your goal isn't to create an early reader.Your goal is to raise a child who loves learning.Listen to Episode #372: Homeschooling a Toddler? Start Here.

Is your homeschool room overflowing with books, curriculum, and supplies? In this episode, I answer a listener's question about how to declutter your homeschool curriculum without regret. We'll talk about what to keep, what to let go of, and why the goal isn't to collect curriculum—it's to educate your children. If your homeschool space is feeling overwhelming, this episode will help you create a calmer, more functional environment that supports your family.

A mom wrote in asking whether she should send her 4-year-old to preschool during a difficult season of life, even though she wants to homeschool.

As we unpack her question, we discover that the real issue isn't preschool—it's fear.

Fear of making the wrong decision.
Fear of difficult seasons.
Fear of what might happen in the future.

In this episode, I share why fear is terrible at making decisions, how to stop borrowing trouble from the future, and why you don't need to have your entire homeschooling journey figured out today.

If you've ever wondered whether you're capable of homeschooling, felt pressure from family members, or struggled to trust yourself as a parent, this episode is for you.

Remember: the mother who has a why to homeschool can bear almost any how.

Let's talk about a relationship that often gets overlooked during the homeschool years—your marriage.

In this episode, I'm sharing lessons from The Empowered Wife by Laura Doyle and discussing self-care, respect, gratitude, vulnerability, and why you only need one person to start creating positive change in a relationship.

Because homeschooling is temporary. Your marriage is forever.