The Christy-Faith Show

Should parents read fairy tales to their kids — even the dark ones? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Andrew Pudewa, founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, to talk about why kids need fairy tales and how these old stories shape a child's moral imagination. As Andrew puts it, paraphrasing G.K. Chesterton: children already know dragons exist — fairy tales teach them that dragons can be slain.

🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why reading aloud to children is the most important thing you can do for strong readers, writers, and speakers
• What the "moral imagination" is and how stories build it
• Why fairy tales may hold more truth than history textbooks
• What makes a story a true fairy tale — and where these stories came from
• Are fairy tales too scary for kids? How to use your judgment based on age and personality
• Why kids need stories about death, loss, and other hard things
• How fairy tales teach courage, wisdom, self-control, and justice
• How screens crowd out imagination — and why kids should hear the story before they see the movie

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off

LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) — the writing program Christy-Faith's family and co-op use
• Fairy Tales and the Moral Imagination — Andrew Pudewa's talk on why fairy tales matter
• The Tale of Snow White and the Widow Queen by Jonathan Pageau — Andrew's favorite fairy tale book
• Tending the Heart of Virtue by Vigen Guroian — how classic stories awaken a child's moral imagination
• The Mysteries of Life in Children's Literature by Mitchell Kalpakgian — books that inspire a love of life
• Theo of Golden by Allen Levi — the novel Christy-Faith and Andrew both love
• The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald — one of Christy-Faith's favorites, free to read online
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: https://christy-faiths-list.com
• Thrive Homeschool Community: https://christy-faith.com/thrive

About our guest:

Andrew Pudewa is the founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing. Presenting around the world, he addresses issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, and spelling with clarity, insight, practical experience, and humor. His seminars for parents, students, and teachers have helped transform many a reluctant writer and have equipped educators with powerful tools to dramatically improve students' skills.
👉 https://iew.com

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:54) - How a Church Banner Sparked His Fairy Tale Research
• (06:46) - What Is the Moral Imagination?
• (08:58) - Why Stories Teach More Than History Textbooks
• (13:13) - What Makes a Story a Fairy Tale?
• (16:52) - "Dragons Can Be Slain": Why Fairy Tales Have a Dark Side
• (18:32) - Are Fairy Tales Too Scary for Kids?
• (24:50) - Why Kids Need Stories About Death and Loss
• (27:37) - Are We Protecting Our Kids Too Much?
• (29:29) - What Good Literature Gives Kids
• (34:37) - Why We Crave Stories Where Good Wins
• (38:31) - How Kids Step Inside the Story
• (41:17) - Fairy Tales and the Four Cardinal Virtues
• (45:37) - How Fairy Tales Spark Awe and Wonder
• (48:40) - How Screens Steal Imagination
• (50:06) - Why Imagination Matters for Faith
• (55:57) - Andrew's Favorite Fairy Tales
• (58:15) - Disney vs. the Original Fairy Tales
• (01:00:40) - Final Thoughts

Homeschooling more than one child and bouncing like a human pinball from phonics to fractions to grading essays? In the finale of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith, an education and parenting expert with over 20 years of experience, shows you how to homeschool multiple kids without burning out — with a realistic teaching budget, boundaries that protect your sanity, and simple systems that build capable kids.

🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules
See how real homeschool days come together, and build a schedule that works for every kid in your house.
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Your real teaching budget: about 2 to 3 hours a day — total, not per kid
• How much of your time littles, elementary kids, and teens actually need
• Why everyone in the family needs a printed schedule with margin built in
• Multi-level homeschooling: which subjects to teach together and which to keep separate
• The interruption rule (“blood, fire, or flood”) and how to teach kids to wait
• Three boundaries that protect your homeschool: your phone, your personal space, and your core school hours
• Why chores are part of school — and how to anchor them to meals
• Building capable kids with “I do, we do, you do” and the parental involvement index

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family’s needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off

LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Smooth Homeschool Days Part 1 (Ep. 137) — The early years: pre-K to 2nd grade
• Smooth Homeschool Days Part 2 (Ep. 138) — The elementary years: 3rd to 6th grade
• Smooth Homeschool Days Part 3 (Ep. 139) — The teen years: building independence without losing connection
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly businesses and providers
• Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith’s membership community for homeschool moms

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Welcome to Smooth Homeschool Days Part 4
• (00:56) - When Your House Feels Like a Circus
• (01:54) - A Multi-Level Homeschool Isn’t Three Separate Schools
• (02:21) - How This 4-Part Series Works
• (03:18) - The One Number That Changes Everything
• (04:00) - Your Real Teaching Budget: 2 to 3 Hours a Day
• (04:28) - Younger Kids Need More of Your Time
• (06:01) - How Much Time Your Teen Really Needs From You
• (06:39) - Why Everyone Needs a Printed Schedule
• (07:36) - Teach Together Whenever You Can
• (08:17) - What the Research Says About Mixed-Age Learning
• (08:42) - Which Subjects to Keep Separate
• (09:32) - What a Multi-Level Homeschool Day Looks Like
• (14:08) - Interruptions: The Homeschool Day Killer
• (14:42) - The Interruption Rule: Blood, Fire, or Flood
• (15:11) - Teaching Kids How to Wait
• (17:21) - A Boundary With Yourself: Your Phone
• (17:57) - Boundaries Around Your Personal Space
• (19:00) - Boundaries With the Outside World
• (21:00) - Running a House That Has School in It
• (21:47) - Anchor Chores to Meals
• (22:59) - The Planning Fallacy: Why You Need Margin
• (23:31) - Time-Based vs. Lesson-Based Homeschooling
• (24:13) - Chores Are Part of School
• (25:13) - The Independence Trap
• (28:10) - Capability, Not Independence
• (30:00) - Gradual Release: I Do, We Do, You Do
• (30:28) - What Kids Can Do on Their Own, by Age
• (31:31) - The Parental Involvement Index
• (33:48) - The Whole Series in Four Sentences
• (34:47) - Final Thoughts: What Smooth Homeschool Days Really Are

Is your teenager shutting the bedroom door, sleeping until ten, and tuning out every reminder — while you quietly wonder if you’re losing them? In Part 3 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith explains what’s really happening in the teen brain and how teen homeschooling can build real independence without losing connection.

🎁 Free Resource: 15 Questions to Ask Before You Join a Homeschool Co-Op
Save yourself the time and misery of joining the wrong co-op. Grab my free guide and find the right fit for your family.
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep — and why it’s okay to start school at 9 or 10
• Attention span by age: what to expect from 12–14 vs. 15–18 year olds
• Executive function in teens: why knowing and doing run on different hardware
• Scaffolding that isn’t you: checklists, timers, and outside deadlines
• What the research says about teen moods, conflict, and family time
• How much independent work to expect in 7th–8th, 9th–10th, and 11th–12th grade
• The ladder of ownership: handing over the school day one rung at a time
• What to do when your teen says “I want to go to real school” — and how to repair a strained relationship

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans and Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Smooth Homeschool Days Part 1 (Ep. 137) — The early years: pre-K to 2nd grade
• Smooth Homeschool Days Part 2 (Ep. 138) — The elementary years: 3rd to 6th grade
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly businesses and providers
• Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith’s membership community for homeschool moms
• ⭐ New to homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Welcome to Smooth Homeschool Days Part 3
• (01:01) - When Your Teen Starts Pulling Away
• (02:15) - Your Teen Still Needs Healthy Attachment
• (03:37) - How This 4-Part Series Works
• (04:07) - From Manager to Consultant: Ages 12 to 17
• (04:28) - Why Teens Need More Sleep
• (06:06) - Attention Span by Age: 12–14 vs. 15–18
• (07:01) - The Teen Brain Under Construction
• (07:40) - Knowing vs. Doing: Why Teens Procrastinate
• (08:23) - Scaffolding That Isn’t You
• (12:18) - The Emotional Baseline of a Teenager
• (12:45) - What the Research Says About Teen Moods
• (13:28) - Bedtime Talks: When Teens Want to Process
• (14:05) - How Conflict Changes in the Teen Years
• (14:44) - Why Teens Need More Autonomy
• (15:45) - 7th and 8th Grade: What to Expect
• (16:53) - 9th and 10th Grade: Plan Backwards
• (18:01) - 11th and 12th Grade: Preparing for the Transition
• (18:36) - Letting Teens Learn from Mistakes
• (19:03) - The Ladder of Ownership
• (19:59) - Hand Over Decisions, Not Just Responsibility
• (23:47) - “I Want to Go to Real School”
• (25:01) - The 24-Hour Rule
• (27:00) - Action Step: Stop Being the Schedule Police
• (28:36) - Small Signs of Repair
• (28:59) - Final Thoughts: Warm, Firm, and Respectful

Your child did long division perfectly on Monday — so why are they staring at the same problems like they’re written in a foreign language today? In Part 2 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith explains what kids in 3rd through 6th grade are really ready for, how much independence they can handle, and how to raise the bar without losing the relationship.

🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules
Wondering how much school is really enough? See what real homeschool days look like with my free sample schedules.
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What’s developing in the brain between ages 8 and 11 — and why abstract math can feel impossible
• Attention span by age for assigned work (and the video game myth)
• How much independent work is realistic at ages 8–9 vs. 10–11
• Why skills seem to vanish overnight — and why unevenness is not regression
• The math anxiety loop: how worry freezes working memory
• The golden rule for frustrating lessons: two explanations, then stop
• The 3 academic hinges of the elementary years and grade-by-grade expectations
• The correction-to-connection ratio and how to batch your corrections

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family’s needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off

LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans and Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Smooth Homeschool Days Part 1 (Ep. 137) — The early years: pre-K to 2nd grade
• Homeschool Rising — Christy-Faith’s book, including the chapter on deschooling
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly businesses and providers
• Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith’s membership community for homeschool moms
• ⭐ New to homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series is the best place to begin.

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Welcome to Smooth Homeschool Days Part 2
• (01:01) - The Math Meltdown Every Mom Knows
• (01:47) - How This 4-Part Series Works
• (03:08) - What’s Developing in Kids Ages 8 to 11
• (03:51) - Concrete Thinking: Why Worksheets Feel Harder
• (05:12) - Attention Span by Age for Assigned Work
• (06:48) - Working Memory: Why Writing It Down Helps
• (11:23) - The Great Myth of Independent Work
• (12:34) - How Much Independent Work Is Realistic by Age
• (13:58) - Why Skills Vanish Overnight
• (16:27) - The Emotional Life of Elementary Kids
• (18:21) - Shame, Comparison, and “Are You Mad at Me?”
• (21:05) - The Math Anxiety Loop
• (25:26) - The Golden Rule: Two Explanations, Then Stop
• (27:11) - The 3 Academic Hinges
• (29:16) - Grade-by-Grade Expectations: 3rd to 6th
• (32:33) - The Correction-to-Connection Ratio
• (33:27) - Routine and Batching Your Corrections
• (35:59) - Dignity Around Mistakes
• (36:25) - Final Thoughts: Protect the Relationship

Is your five-year-old refusing to do their letters, or is your seven-year-old melting down over a single phonics page? In Part 1 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith explains why most of what looks like a behavior problem in kids ages 4 to 7 is really brain development — and how to homeschool pre-K to 2nd grade without constant battles.

🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules
Wondering how much school is really enough? See what real homeschool days look like with my free sample schedules.
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why most “behavior problems” in kids ages 4–7 are really brain development
• Attention span by age — how long young kids can really focus on assigned work
• Why a 4-year-old can only hold about two pieces of information at once (and how to give instructions that stick)
• The “yesterday vs. today” problem — and what’s really behind it
• Why young kids need to move while they learn, plus the “upside-down kid” test
• Co-regulation: why young kids can’t calm themselves down yet
• Refusal vs. meltdown — a 60-second protocol and the 3 types of meltdowns
• How long to homeschool each day from pre-K to 2nd grade

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family’s needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off

LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans and Savings

Resources mentioned:

• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly businesses and providers
• Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith’s membership community for homeschool moms
• Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University — Research on executive function, including attention, working memory, and self-control
• Wiley Blevins — Early literacy expert and author of A Fresh Look at Phonics
• ⭐ New to homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series is the best place to begin.

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Welcome to the Smooth Homeschool Days Series
• (01:30) - When “Bad Behavior” Is Really Biology
• (03:52) - The 3 Brain Pillars Under Construction
• (04:25) - Attention Span by Age for Assigned Work
• (06:47) - Working Memory: Give One Step at a Time
• (09:47) - Inhibitory Control and the Yesterday vs. Today Problem
• (14:24) - Why Young Kids Need to Move While They Learn
• (19:34) - Co-Regulation: Why Kids Can’t Calm Down Alone
• (23:08) - The 3 Biggest Predictors of Self-Regulation
• (26:13) - Refusal vs. Meltdown: Know the Difference
• (28:02) - The 60-Second Protocol for Refusals
• (32:09) - The 3 Types of Meltdowns
• (36:19) - From Behavior Cop to Behavior Detective
• (41:58) - How Much School Pre-K to 2nd Grade Really Needs
• (44:03) - Mastery Over Exposure
• (44:37) - Final Thought: Grace for Your Kids and Yourself

Why do so many Christian marriages struggle even when both spouses truly love each other? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with licensed professional counselor Debra Fileta to talk about her new book, Relationship Skills, and the four seasons every marriage passes through. Healthy marriages aren't found — they're built.

🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Christian marriages struggle from a lack of skill, not a lack of love
• The difference between a difficult, dysfunctional, and toxic relationship — and when to get professional help
• The four seasons of marriage: spring, summer, fall, and winter
• Why the goal of Christian marriage isn't just longevity — it's transformation
• How to change old patterns by starting with what you bring to the table
• The 90-second hack for building emotional intimacy in marriage
• How to apologize to your spouse in 3 steps: own it, validate, and share your plan for change
• Why marriage repair after conflict can make you stronger — and why there's hope even in winter

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off

LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Relationship Skills by Debra Fileta — Debra's newest book on the four seasons of relationships
• People Skills by Debra Fileta — a great relationship-skills book for homeschool families
• Relationship Skills Quiz — free quiz to find which skills your relationship needs in this season
• Talk To Me: The Debra Fileta Podcast
• Debra Fileta Counselors Network — faith-forward, clinically trained counselors
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers
• Thrive Homeschool Community

About our guest:

Debra Fileta is a Licensed Professional Counselor, national speaker, and founder of the Debra Fileta Counselors Network. She is the bestselling author of ten books, including RESET, Soul Care, and her newest book, Relationship Skills. Debra is the host of the popular podcast and nationally syndicated radio show Talk To Me, where she facilitates on-air, authentic counseling-style sessions with notable pastors and leaders.
👉 https://debrafileta.com
👉 @DebraFileta on Instagram

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:07) - Why the Church Is Ready to Talk About Mental Health
• (03:00) - Healthy Marriages Aren't Found, They're Built
• (05:13) - Difficult vs. Toxic Relationships: An Important Disclaimer
• (08:34) - Is He a Narcissist? When to Get Professional Help
• (11:03) - The Four Seasons of Marriage
• (15:44) - What Does God Want for Our Marriages?
• (23:38) - Spring: Planting New Seeds in Your Marriage
• (26:55) - Why Change Starts With You
• (29:03) - Summer: The Emotional Intimacy Gap
• (31:08) - The 90-Second Connection Hack
• (37:08) - Fall: Vulnerability and What Not to Hide From Your Spouse
• (42:03) - Rupture and Repair After Conflict
• (43:18) - How to Apologize to Your Spouse in 3 Steps
• (47:50) - Why Repair Is God's Heart for Relationships
• (54:05) - Winter: There Is Hope for a Cold Marriage
• (59:17) - Resources From Debra Fileta

What is a homeschool dad actually supposed to do when his wife is the one teaching? Most homeschool content is written for moms, so dads are left guessing — supportive, but unsure where they fit. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Dr. Joe O'Tool, a board-certified functional neurologist and second-generation homeschooler, to answer the question directly: what every homeschool dad needs to know.

🎁 Free Resource: The New Homeschooler's Roadmap
Your free step-by-step companion to this whole journey — all 8 steps, all the links, plus episode playlists organized by your biggest worries. Save it to your desktop — it's your command center.
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What the dad's role in homeschooling actually is when mom is the primary teacher
• Why the best homeschool dads lead without micromanaging the day-to-day
• What to say to your wife when she has taught the same concept five times and hit a wall
• Why a dad's criticism is usually fear talking — and what to do with that fear
• The one action step Dr. Joe gives every nervous homeschool dad
• Why deschooling matters just as much for dads as it does for moms
• The skill that predicts academic success better than intelligence does
• How to explain your family's homeschooling to coworkers and friends without apologizing

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• The Stinks — Dr. Joe O'Tool's children's book about getting outside and getting the stink off
• Lifestream Clinic — Dr. Joe's functional neurology practice in Ankeny, Iowa
• Homeschool Iowa — the state organization Dr. Joe serves on the board of
• Homeschool Rising — Christy-Faith's book, including the chapter on deschooling
• Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein — the book Dr. Joe references on struggle and long-term learning
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: https://christy-faiths-list.com
• Thrive Homeschool Community

About our guest:

Dr. Joe O'Tool is a board-certified functional neurologist practicing in Ankeny, Iowa, where he works daily with children facing learning, behavior, and development concerns, and with patients experiencing concussion, vertigo, brain fog, and dizziness. He is a second-generation homeschooler who grew up in a family of nine children, and he and his wife, Angie, homeschool their own kids today. He serves on the board of Homeschool Iowa and is the author of the children's book The Stinks. His personal motto is: "Step Up. Change Lives. Inspire Hope."
👉 https://www.lifestreamclinic.com/
👉 Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:03) - Meet Dr. Joe O’Tool
• (04:21) - Why His Parents Homeschooled Before It Was Legal
• (07:42) - What Homeschooling Did for the Sibling Relationships
• (09:20) - The Dad’s Role When Mom Is the Teacher
• (10:54) - There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Homeschool Rhythm
• (14:55) - Speaking to the Dad Who’s Afraid They’re Behind
• (18:39) - What His High School Actually Looked Like
• (22:52) - Trade-Offs, Gap Years, and Missing Out
• (30:05) - When Mom Is at Her Wits’ End
• (33:33) - Dad as Vision Caster, Not Micromanager
• (36:14) - When Dad Is Looking Over Her Shoulder
• (41:37) - The One Action Step for Every Homeschool Dad
• (44:21) - The Skill That Predicts Success Better Than Grades
• (45:34) - Stop Teaching Kids to Find the Right Answer
• (52:44) - For the Dad Who Feels on the Outside
• (53:48) - Know Your Wife, Not the Curriculum
• (58:52) - For the Dad Who Feels Like the Only One
• (01:04:04) - The Stinks and What’s Next for Dr. Joe

Can homeschool graduates actually join the military — and is enlisting the only way in? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and retired military spouse with more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, to map every pathway to service. Enlistment, ROTC, service academies, military colleges, the Guard and Reserves — plus the tier rule that quietly decided how homeschoolers were treated for years.

🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The five military pathways open to homeschool graduates, not just enlistment
• Why homeschool graduates are now tier one — and what to do if a recruiter says otherwise
• What the ASVAB actually measures, and why it isn't only for future service members
• How the free ASVAB Career Exploration Program works for any student in 10th grade and up
• The option that keeps your student's test scores out of a recruiter's hands
• How ROTC scholarships work, and the service obligation that can come with them
• What a service academy application really demands, and why you start before ninth grade
• Why applying early decision can quietly disqualify a service academy candidate

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off

LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50

True North Homeschool Academy
✔ Cognia-accredited live online and self-paced courses for grades 6–12
✔ Dual degree track or tech & trades diploma
✔ Small classes, college-ready rigor, faith-friendly environment
👉 Explore Courses & Get Started

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• March to Success — free ASVAB prep from the U.S. Army: https://www.march2success.com/
• Natalie Mack's website: https://natalie-mack.com
• High School Decisions Bootcamp — use code CHRISTY for a listener discount: https://natalie-mack.com/high-school-decisions-bootcamp/
• Natalie's homeschool courses and masterclasses: https://natalie-mack.com/masterclass/
• 101 Tips for Homeschoolers — Natalie's book: Get the book on Amazon
• The Impact of Homeschooling — Natalie's TEDx talk: Watch the TEDx talk
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: https://christy-faiths-list.com
• Thrive Homeschool Community: https://christy-faith.com/thrive

⭐ This is Part 4, the final episode of a 4-part series with Natalie Mack on homeschooling high school.
Part 1 — How to Homeschool High School With Confidence
Part 2 — Can Homeschoolers Play College Sports? NCAA Eligibility Explained
Part 3 — How to Prepare Your Homeschooler for College
Part 4 — Homeschool to Military (this episode)

About our guest:

Natalie Mack, M.Ed. is the founder of Homeschool Natalie Mack, and a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of 101 Tips for Homeschoolers. With more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, she helps families confidently navigate high school, transcripts, college admissions, military service, and other postsecondary pathways. Natalie is passionate about equipping parents with practical guidance so they can make informed decisions.
👉 https://natalie-mack.com
👉 Instagram: @homeschoolnataliemack
👉 TikTok: @homeschoolnataliemack
👉 Facebook: Homeschool Natalie Mack
👉 YouTube: @homeschoolnataliemack

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:14) - The Series So Far
• (02:25) - Meet Natalie Mack
• (04:45) - A Military Family
• (10:36) - Not a Fallback Option
• (11:28) - The Five Pathways
• (12:32) - Service Academies
• (13:41) - Military Colleges
• (14:56) - Guard and Reserves
• (21:06) - Can Homeschoolers Enlist?
• (23:21) - Tier One Explained
• (25:59) - Documentation and Transcripts
• (28:50) - What Is the ASVAB?
• (31:16) - The Free Career Test
• (34:11) - Keeping Scores Private
• (41:00) - ROTC Scholarships
• (43:33) - Service Academy Prep
• (47:17) - Don't Bet on One School
• (51:57) - Asking Better Questions
• (54:21) - Where to Find Natalie

How do you prepare a homeschooler for college — and do you have to do the traditional four years to get there? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., a homeschool consultant and TEDx speaker with more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, to walk through every college-bound pathway open to homeschool families. Dual enrollment, community college, dual degree programs, and the traditional four-year route — plus the transfer trap that quietly costs families thousands.

🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The four college-bound pathways available to homeschool families, laid out side by side
• When community college during high school is a smart move — and when it isn't
• How dual enrollment works, and why one semester course can equal a full high school year
• Why some dual credit classes never transfer, and the residency requirement behind it
• The exact question to ask a college registrar before your teen enrolls in anything
• What dual degree programs are, and which students they actually fit
• How the college application process differs for homeschool students (and how much it doesn't)
• Why colleges actively recruit homeschool students for the skills they bring

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Natalie Mack's website — home of her free downloadable extracurricular activity resume for tracking leadership, service, and volunteer work: https://natalie-mack.com
• High School Decisions Bootcamp — use code CHRISTY for a listener discount: https://natalie-mack.com/high-school-decisions-bootcamp/
• Natalie's homeschool courses and masterclasses: https://natalie-mack.com/masterclass/
• 101 Tips for Homeschoolers — Natalie's book: Get the book on Amazon
• The Impact of Homeschooling — Natalie's TEDx talk: Watch the TEDx talk
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: https://christy-faiths-list.com
• Thrive Homeschool Community: https://christy-faith.com/thrive

⭐ This is Part 3 of a 4-part series with Natalie Mack on homeschooling high school.
Part 1 — How to Homeschool High School With Confidence
Part 2 — Can Homeschoolers Play College Sports? NCAA Eligibility Explained
Part 3 — How to Prepare Your Homeschooler for College (this episode)
Part 4 — From homeschool to military service: enlistment, ROTC, and service academies

About our guest:

Natalie Mack, M.Ed. is the founder of Homeschool Natalie Mack, and a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of 101 Tips for Homeschoolers. With more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, she helps families confidently navigate high school, transcripts, college admissions, military service, and other postsecondary pathways. Natalie is passionate about equipping parents with practical guidance so they can make informed decisions.
👉 https://natalie-mack.com
👉 Instagram: @homeschoolnataliemack
👉 TikTok: @homeschoolnataliemack
👉 Facebook: Homeschool Natalie Mack
👉 YouTube: @homeschoolnataliemack

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Introduction and Where We Are in the Series
• (01:14) - Meet Natalie Mack
• (03:06) - Demystifying Homeschooling High School
• (04:39) - You're Not Neglecting Them — You're Supporting Them
• (05:14) - Should Homeschoolers Use Community College?
• (06:19) - Lower Stakes, Lower Cost, Real College Experience
• (07:32) - When Community College Isn't the Right Fit
• (08:30) - How Dual Enrollment Actually Works
• (09:04) - One Semester Course Equals One Full High School Year
• (13:10) - The College-Bound Pathways, Laid Out
• (14:22) - What Dual Degree Programs Are
• (15:20) - Why Families Are Rethinking the Four-Year Price Tag
• (19:38) - The Dual Credit Transfer Trap
• (20:42) - Residency Requirements and Why Colleges Protect Their Brand
• (21:46) - How to Find Out What Actually Transfers
• (23:00) - Getting Buy-In From Your Student
• (24:34) - When Pushback Is Really Overwhelm
• (30:16) - Building Confidence and a Love of Learning
• (31:34) - Should Your Teen Sit In on the Consultation?
• (34:28) - The Shift From Teacher to Facilitator
• (36:49) - Why the Mental Health Piece Matters in High School
• (43:38) - The Traditional Four-Year Application Process
• (45:15) - Transcripts, Activity Resumes, and the Common App
• (46:14) - Wearing Two Hats: Mom and Guidance Counselor
• (48:48) - Why Colleges Actively Recruit Homeschool Students
• (51:21) - Skills, Character, and What Employers Want Now
• (52:29) - Don't Apologize for Homeschooling
• (53:35) - Where to Find Natalie Mack

Can homeschoolers actually play college sports? If your athlete has ever said "I want to play in college," there is a separate process running alongside college admissions that most homeschool families never hear about until it's too late. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., to walk through exactly how NCAA eligibility works when you're the one wearing the guidance counselor hat.

🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Whether homeschool students can compete in NCAA athletics just like traditionally schooled students
• Where to find the NCAA Eligibility Center's homeschool toolkit and why it's the document to follow
• How the 16 core courses and the 10/7 rule actually work
• What a Core Course Worksheet (CCW) is and when a parent has to fill one out
• When the eligibility clock starts and why 9th grade is already late to begin planning
• How dual enrollment, co-op classes, and online courses count toward eligibility
• The real difference between Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3 requirements
• The most common mistakes that quietly create eligibility problems for homeschool athletes

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off

LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Natalie Mack's website — free high school planning checklist for grades 9–12, the high school decisions workshop, and her homeschool courses
• High School Decisions Bootcamp — use code CHRISTY for a listener discount
• Natalie's homeschool courses — cross-cultural American literature and model diplomacy global affairs simulation
• 101 Tips for Homeschoolers — Natalie's book
• The Impact of Homeschooling — Natalie's TEDx talk
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: https://christy-faiths-list.com
• Thrive Homeschool Community: https://christy-faith.com/thrive

⭐ This is Part 2 of a 4-part series with Natalie Mack on homeschooling high school.
Part 1 — How to Homeschool High School With Confidence
Part 3 — the college-bound path, including community college and dual enrollment
Part 4 — from homeschool to military service: enlistment, ROTC, and service academies

About our guest:

Natalie Mack, M.Ed., is the founder of Homeschool Natalie Mack, and a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of 101 Tips for Homeschoolers. With more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, she helps families confidently navigate high school, transcripts, college admissions, military service, and other postsecondary pathways. Natalie is passionate about equipping parents with practical guidance so they can make informed decisions.
👉 https://natalie-mack.com

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Introduction and why this series got split into four episodes
• (02:30) - Natalie's daughter and the road to Division 1 soccer
• (06:16) - Can homeschoolers compete in NCAA athletics?
• (09:20) - The NCAA Eligibility Center and the homeschool toolkit
• (10:55) - The 16 core courses and the 10/7 rule
• (12:28) - Core Course Worksheets for parent-taught classes
• (16:46) - When the clock starts: planning before 9th grade
• (19:24) - What athletic scholarship money really looks like
• (20:59) - Division 1 vs. Division 2 vs. Division 3
• (22:33) - What the NCAA counts as a homeschool course
• (24:54) - The mistakes that create eligibility problems
• (28:37) - "Why not just send them to brick-and-mortar?"
• (33:28) - Dual enrollment, co-ops, and outside instructors
• (38:52) - What to do while your student is still in middle school
• (41:06) - The broken leg question every family should ask
• (43:26) - When a kid's identity gets wrapped up in performance
• (50:46) - Why one thing should never be everything
• (53:24) - What's coming next in the series and how to find Natalie

Your student is heading into ninth grade and suddenly everything feels like it counts. Credits, transcripts, graduation requirements, college, and a hundred decisions you're not sure you're qualified to make. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., to answer the question that keeps homeschool moms up at night: how do you homeschool high school without living in a pressure cooker?

This is Part 1 of a four-part high school series.

🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules
See how real homeschool families actually structure their days — then take what works and leave the rest.
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What actually changes when you move from homeschooling middle school into high school
• Why Natalie calls high school a blank canvas — and why there's no single right way through it
• The five core subject areas that build a sound high school foundation
• How many credits a homeschool high schooler needs each year, and what a credit really represents
• Why every student needs a homeschool transcript — even the ones who say they're not going to college
• When to start the transcript and why it stays a draft document for years
• How to set your own graduation requirements and where state law comes into it
• The biggest mistake homeschool parents make in high school planning — and how fear drives it
• The truth about the all-AP myth, straight from a College Board parent advisory council member
• How to choose between dual enrollment, AP, CLEP, and online classes using four fit filters
• The dual credit mistake that costs families real money when credits don't transfer

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Natalie Mack's website — free high school planning checklist for grades 9–12, the high school decisions workshop, and her homeschool courses: https://natalie-mack.com
• High School Decisions Bootcamp — use code CHRISTY for a listener discount: High School Decisions Bootcamp
• Natalie's homeschool courses — cross-cultural American literature and model diplomacy global affairs simulation: Natalie's Courses
• 101 Tips for Homeschoolers — Natalie's book: 101 Tips for Homeschoolers
• The Impact of Homeschooling — Natalie's TEDx talk: Watch the TEDx talk
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: https://christy-faiths-list.com
• Thrive Homeschool Community: https://christy-faith.com/thrive

About our guest:

Natalie Mack, M.Ed., is the founder of Homeschool Natalie Mack, and a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of 101 Tips for Homeschoolers. With more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, she helps families confidently navigate high school, transcripts, college admissions, military service, and other postsecondary pathways. Natalie is passionate about equipping parents with practical guidance so they can make informed decisions.
👉 https://natalie-mack.com

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Meet Natalie Mack
• (02:15) - What's Coming in This 4-Part Series
• (05:30) - Natalie's Five Kids and Their Different Paths
• (09:20) - What Actually Changes in High School
• (10:30) - High School Is a Blank Canvas
• (16:33) - Why 14-Year-Olds Shouldn't Have to Decide Forever
• (18:25) - Homeschooling Is the Flex
• (21:00) - Trust the Process and Calm It Down
• (26:00) - Credits, Transcripts, and the Five Core Subjects
• (28:00) - How Many Credits Per Year
• (29:30) - Why Every Student Needs a Transcript
• (31:20) - Graduation Requirements and the Diploma
• (36:55) - The Biggest Mistake: Planning From Fear
• (40:15) - Dual Enrollment, AP, CLEP, or Online
• (43:00) - The Dual Credit Transfer Trap
• (45:25) - How Early Should Families Start Planning?
• (49:05) - Where to Find Natalie Mack

It's 8 AM on the first day of school — pencils sharpened, kids ready — and the website won't load, a password is wrong, and the whole morning unravels before it starts. In Part 2 of How to Set Up Your Homeschool Year, homeschool expert Christy-Faith — author of Homeschool Rising with over 20 years of experience in education — moves from mindset to the nuts and bolts: the 7 systems she sets up every summer so her homeschool runs at a clip instead of starting in overwhelm.

🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules
Curious what other homeschool moms' schedules actually look like? Grab free sample schedules by age and stage — Christy-Faith's own included.
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why the worst time to teach a new chore system is September — and when to train it instead
• How a simple printed schedule lowers your kids' stress hormones (clinicians have measured it)
• Why you don't need a dedicated schoolroom — and the "everything has a home" rule that keeps your house tidy
• The unglamorous tech-and-passwords setup that saves your first day of school
• How to teach kids exactly what to do when mom gets pulled away mid-lesson
• The prep work Christy-Faith does every summer before she opens a single curriculum
• How to layer subjects in slowly so the year starts calm instead of like a tidal wave

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Get 50% Off (Homeschool Discount)
👉 Start Your Free Trial

LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment

True North Homeschool Academy
✔ Cognia-accredited live online and self-paced courses for grades 6–12
✔ Dual degree track or tech & trades diploma
✔ Small classes, college-ready rigor, faith-friendly environment
👉 Explore Courses & Get Started

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Free Sample Homeschool Schedules — by age and stage: https://christy-faith.com/download-free-sample-homeschool-schedules
• How to Set Up Your Homeschool Year (Part 1) — start here first: Listen to Part 1
• Homeschool Rising — Christy-Faith's book (deschooling chapter): Homeschool Rising
• The Christy-Faith List — find homeschool-friendly providers: https://christy-faiths-list.com
• Thrive Homeschool Community: https://christy-faith.com/thrive

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Welcome to Part 2 — Building Your Year by Hand
• (01:31) - What This Show Is About
• (02:41) - System 1: Retrain Chores in the Summer
• (05:01) - System 2: The Printed Schedule (A Security Blanket for Kids)
• (11:46) - System 3: Give Everything a Home (You Don't Need a Schoolroom)
• (15:59) - System 4: Set Up Tech & Passwords Before Day One
• (20:38) - System 5: Teach the Plan for When Mom's in the Weeds
• (23:52) - System 6: Do Your Own Homework First
• (27:10) - System 7: Layer Your Subjects in Slowly
• (31:44) - The 7 Systems, Recapped

You planned the perfect first week — and by day three it was already falling apart. What actually torches the start of a homeschool year has nothing to do with school supplies, curriculum, or the color-coded spreadsheet you built in July. It's your expectations. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith, an education and parenting expert with over 20 years of experience, walks through the seven mindset shifts that make setting up your homeschool year sustainable instead of soul-crushing.

🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why everything is hard at the beginning — even in year 15 — and the three-things rule that keeps week one from burying you
• Why the first weeks of school are the worst possible time to teach brand-new content
• How to prep before day one so your kids aren't learning new systems and new material at the same time
• Why your July and August plan is supposed to fall apart — and the documented brain glitch behind it
• How much margin to build into every single slot in your homeschool schedule
• Why there's no "teacher hat" to put on, and what changes when you teach as yourself
• Why you were always the variable, not the curriculum box
• Why that bone-deep week-one exhaustion is proof your brain is doing hard, honest work

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off

LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
✔ Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Free Sample Homeschool Schedules — Christy-Faith's real schedules for every age and stage, PK through 12th: Get the Schedules
• Free Curriculum Recommendations — The vetted list, by subject, with zero paid placements: Free Download
• New to Homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series is the best place to begin
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: https://christy-faiths-list.com
• Thrive Homeschool Community: Learn More

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - The Day That Fell Apart
• (02:07) - Why I Threw the First Draft in the Trash
• (03:41) - Expectations vs. Systems — What Part 1 Covers
• (05:20) - Mindset 1: Everything Is Hard at the Beginning
• (06:11) - The Three-Things Rule
• (07:36) - Mindset 2: The Worst Possible Time to Teach New Content
• (09:20) - Start Prepping Before Day One
• (12:51) - Mindset 3: Your July Plan Is Supposed to Fall Apart
• (13:35) - The Planning Fallacy
• (14:55) - Why Every Schedule Needs Margin
• (15:46) - Mindset 4: There Are No Hats
• (17:00) - Mindset 5: You Were Always the Variable, Not the Box
• (19:40) - Mindset 6: Go Easy on Your Kids Too
• (24:04) - Mindset 7: Why Week One Levels You
• (25:47) - Your Expectations Weigh More Than Your Curriculum
• (27:01) - The Recap — and What’s Coming in Part 2

You've researched the curriculum, built the schedule, and made the plan — so why do you still lie awake wondering if you're doing enough? In this rare, behind-the-scenes episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with the mentors of Thrive Homeschool Community to talk about why even devoted homeschool moms keep second-guessing their decisions — and how to finally trust that you're the right one to make the call for your kids.

🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The three questions that keep homeschool moms up at night: "Am I doing enough? Am I doing too much? Are these the right things?"
• Why more information hasn't made homeschooling easier — and how too many "experts" fuel the second-guessing
• Where real homeschool confidence actually comes from (hint: it's not a perfect curriculum)
• What the Accelerator group is and how it walks new members through Christy-Faith's core frameworks
• Why "Finding Your Why" becomes the North Star for every curriculum and scheduling decision
• How office hours, DMs, and mentor support give you an objective second set of eyes — not more forum noise
• Why competence breeds confidence — and why every family's homeschool plan should look different
• What makes a values-aligned support community different from a free Facebook group

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial · Get 50% Off for Homeschool Families

LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith's training and support community for homeschool moms: https://christy-faith.com/thrive
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: https://christy-faiths-list.com

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Introduction: A Rare Look Inside Thrive
• (01:35) - Meet the Thrive Mentors
• (06:06) - Why Every Homeschool Mom Needs a Guide
• (09:51) - Too Much Information, Too Many “Experts”
• (13:24) - “Yes, I Can Do This”: Where Confidence Comes From
• (16:58) - Inside the Accelerator Group
• (36:21) - A Guided Community vs. a Facebook Group
• (38:42) - The Fears That Keep Moms Up at Night
• (46:15) - Finding Your Why: Your Homeschool North Star
• (48:43) - Why Every Homeschool Plan Looks Different
• (01:00:04) - Homeschool as a Lifestyle, Not a Classroom
• (01:02:35) - Learning to Trust Your Own Decisions
• (01:08:30) - Why Thrive Is a Paid Community
• (01:16:05) - Investing in Yourself as a Homeschool Mom

Should you still be reading aloud to your kids after they can read on their own? It turns out this is one of the most settled questions in all of education — and the answer has been sitting in a government report since 1985. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith walks through what the research actually says about reading aloud to kids, why it never expires, and why the book on your couch may outrank half of what's on your lesson plan.

🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why reading aloud to kids is called the single most important activity for building a reader
• What the million word gap study found about read-alouds before kindergarten
• Why the rare words in books almost never show up in everyday conversation
• What MRI scans revealed about a child's brain during a read-aloud
• How animated screens do the imagining that a book leaves to your child
• Why reading aloud to older kids does NOT make them lazy readers
• The difference between constrained and unconstrained reading skills
• What kids themselves say they want most from being read to

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial — or purchase with the homeschool discount

LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
✔ Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Free Quote of the Week Notecard — the Emilie Buchwald quote from this episode, ready to print
• My Curriculum Recommendations — the free list, by subject
• All of Christy-Faith's free homeschool resources
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers
• Thrive Homeschool Community
• Homeschool Rising — Christy-Faith's book

Related episodes:

• Ep. 107 — How to Reduce Screen Time for Kids
• Ep. 61 — Are Schools Killing a Love of Learning?
• Ep. 92 — Behind the Screen (Part 1/6) — the start of Christy-Faith's vulnerability series

⭐ New to Homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series is the best place to begin.

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Should You Be Reading Aloud to Your Kids?
• (01:53) - Welcome + Why This Episode
• (02:50) - When Reading Aloud Feels Like a Chore
• (04:03) - How Story Time Became “Literacy”
• (06:55) - Am I Doing Enough?
• (07:35) - The Million Word Gap
• (08:47) - Why Book Words Beat Everyday Words
• (12:37) - Inside Your Child's Brain During a Read-Aloud
• (13:57) - What Screens Do Instead
• (14:54) - “My Kid Can Read Now — Can I Stop?”
• (16:22) - Constrained vs. Unconstrained Skills
• (17:14) - Lifting Big Kids to a Higher Ledge
• (18:01) - Beowulf and the Seventh-Grade Reading Circle
• (19:49) - Why Kids Love Being Read To
• (22:39) - What Kids Say They Want Most
• (23:52) - Family Read-Alouds
• (24:35) - Start Tonight — Even Five Minutes
• (27:15) - Reading Is Worth It
• (28:05) - The Quote and the Free Notecard

You've said "sit down, please" about twenty thousand times this week — and it's starting to feel personal. It isn't. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith unpacks what's actually happening in your child's brain, why the wiggling may be how the learning gets in, and the small shifts that make the morning stop being a fight.

🎁 Free Resource: 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure
Twenty honest questions that help you spot the school-shaped rules you're still carrying — so you can put them down, one at a time.
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The attention-span rule of thumb every homeschool mom should know — a few minutes per year of age on a grown-up-chosen task
• Why a 45-minute lesson is quietly asking your six-year-old to hold on three times longer than they can
• The three expectations strangling your homeschool mornings — and permission to put all three down
• What 54 studies and nearly 30,000 kids revealed about movement and learning
• How to shorten and split lessons without falling behind
• Why doing the hard subjects first changes the whole back half of your day
• How to rescue your read-alouds — a still body was never the point
• Loop scheduling and trimming your list so a lighter day actually gets finished
• How to build the focus muscle one minute at a time
• How to tell the difference between a kid being a kid and something worth investigating

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ My favorite online math program — a real teacher walks them through every lesson
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial
👉 Get 50% Off for Homeschool Families

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure — Spot the school-shaped rules you're still carrying
• Sample Homeschool Schedules — Real, doable rhythms you can borrow, including loop schedules
• Quote of the Week Notecard — A free printable of this episode's quote
• Homeschool Rising — Christy-Faith's book, including the chapter on deschooling
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: https://christy-faiths-list.com
• Thrive Homeschool Community: Get on the waitlist
• All of Christy-Faith's free resources

Related episodes:

• Ep. 82 — How Long Should a Homeschool Day Really Be?
• Ep. 64 — Overwhelmed by Homeschooling? How to Make It Manageable

⭐ New to Homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series is the best place to begin.

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - The "Sit Down, Please" Morning
• (04:16) - Expectation One: What Focus Actually Looks Like
• (05:40) - Expectation Two: Redefining What "Done" Means
• (06:35) - Expectation Three: The Wiggling Isn’t Disrespect
• (07:50) - Shorten and Split the Lesson
• (09:00) - What Deschooling Actually Means
• (14:10) - Let Them Move on Purpose: 54 Studies, 30,000 Kids
• (15:30) - Do the Hard Things First
• (16:45) - Rescuing Your Read-Alouds
• (20:51) - Trim Your List and Loop Your Subjects
• (22:06) - Build the Focus Muscle Slowly
• (23:00) - Check the Inputs Before You Worry
• (27:30) - Is My Kid Normal, or Is Something Deeper Going On?
• (31:55) - Where We Started, Where We Landed

Homeschooling can feel wonderful and lonely at the very same time — especially when there's no co-op nearby, or the ones around you just don't fit. Here's the good news: real community is absolutely possible without one. In this Throwback Thursday favorite, homeschool expert Christy-Faith busts the socialization myth and shares 8 natural ways to find your people, whether you're an extrovert or a shy park-bench introvert.

🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 https://christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why homeschooling without a co-op does NOT mean your kids are missing out
• The truth about homeschool socialization — and why school-style socializing was never the gold standard
• 8 natural ways to build real community: faith groups, volunteering, playgroups, libraries, museums, neighbors, and more
• How everyday errands and conversations grow your child's emotional intelligence and confidence
• Simple scripts to break the ice with new homeschool families — even if you're shy
• Why the depth of your friendships matters far more than the number
• 3 doable action steps to start finding your people this week

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial • Get 50% Off for Homeschool Families

LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real, long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment (use code HOME50)

True North Homeschool Academy
✔ Cognia-accredited live online and self-paced courses for grades 6–12
✔ Dual degree track or tech & trades diploma
✔ Small classes, college-ready rigor, faith-friendly environment
👉 Explore Courses & Get Started

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Homeschool Rising — Christy-Faith's book; see Chapter 7 for the healthy-socialization checklist
• How to Find the Best Homeschool Co-Op (And When to Walk Away)
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: https://christy-faiths-list.com
• Thrive Homeschool Community: https://christy-faith.com/thrive

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (00:22) - Homeschooling Without a Co-Op Can Feel Lonely (You're Not Alone)
• (01:17) - The Pressure to Justify Your Homeschool
• (03:20) - The Socialization Myth, Busted
• (04:17) - Depth Over Numbers: Real-World Socialization
• (10:10) - Faith Communities & Starting a Small Group
• (11:16) - Volunteering & Playgroups
• (12:52) - Breaking the Ice at the Park
• (13:50) - Libraries & Community Hubs
• (16:18) - Museums, Science Centers & Your Neighbors
• (17:57) - Clubs, Sports & Built-In Activities
• (23:49) - Finding Your People Takes Time
• (25:31) - 3 Action Steps to Take This Week
• (27:01) - You Can Thrive Without a Co-Op

If you're raising boys, you already know they don't always learn the way school expects them to — and that can leave you wondering if something is wrong. In this throwback episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with the beloved Durenda Wilson to talk about how boys actually learn and how to raise them into capable, confident men. We're revisiting this conversation in loving memory of Durenda.

🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 Free Download

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why boys often learn differently than girls — and what the brain research actually shows
• How to let go of rigid scope-and-sequence without feeling like you're falling behind
• Why movement, energy, and hands-on learning matter so much for boys
• How to raise self-directed sons who take ownership of their own learning
• The relationship-first approach that keeps boys from burning out on school
• How to protect connection while still teaching resilience and hard things
• Why sibling conflict is actually training ground for real life
• How to homeschool with the long game in mind — raising capable, confident men

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial | 👉 Get 50% Off

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• Durenda Wilson — her books and podcast: https://durendawilson.com
• The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: https://christy-faiths-list.com
• Thrive Homeschool Community: https://christy-faith.com/thrive

About our guest:

Durenda Wilson was a homeschooling author, speaker, and podcaster with more than 30 years of home education experience. A mom of eight — seven graduated — and grandmother of ten, she was a trusted voice at homeschooling conventions and the host of The Durenda Wilson Podcast. Her books include The Four Hour School Day, The Unhurried Homeschooler, and Unhurried Grace for a Mom's Heart. Durenda passed away recently, and this throwback is shared in loving memory of her.
👉 https://durendawilson.com

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Introduction & Remembering Durenda Wilson
• (01:34) - Meet Durenda Wilson & Her Heart for Boys
• (03:48) - Why Boys Need a Different Approach
• (06:36) - How Boys Actually Learn
• (13:25) - Ditching Rigid Scope & Sequence
• (16:32) - Raising Self-Directed, Resilient Sons
• (21:13) - Raising Boys Who Become Capable Men
• (24:15) - Relationship Over Busywork
• (34:27) - Homeschooling with Long-Term Vision
• (40:11) - Modeling a Balanced Life
• (48:34) - Sibling Relationships as Training Ground
• (54:14) - Final Encouragement

Is unschooling going too far — or is it exactly right? In this live Q&A from the Summer Homeschool Help Desk series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith pulls no punches on unschooling's real risks, curriculum overload, whether it's too late to start in high school, and what it actually takes to raise a well-educated child at home.

🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 https://christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Christy-Faith believes pure unschooling carries real risks — and what she calls educational neglect
• The difference between unschooling, deschooling, and interest-led learning
• How to use BJU Press without doing every single thing in the curriculum
• Whether it's too late to start homeschooling in middle or high school (spoiler: it's not)
• How working moms and single moms can realistically homeschool
• What to do when your child can't spell and it's affecting their confidence
• How to source curriculum so it doesn't require you sitting next to your kid every second
• Real questions from real homeschool moms in the Summer Homeschool Help Desk

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial | Get 50% Off

LearningRx
✔ Backed by 35 years of research
✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia
✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math
👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• How to Homeschool Guide — free 23-page ebook for anyone considering or just starting homeschool
• 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder — free quiz to discover your homeschool style in under 5 minutes
• Free Curriculum Recommendations — Christy-Faith's curated list by subject, no paid placements
• Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith's membership community for homeschool moms
• The Christy-Faith List — free directory of homeschool-friendly businesses and providers

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Welcome to the Summer Homeschool Help Desk
• (02:00) - Christy's Free Resources for Homeschool Moms
• (06:45) - Spelling Struggles and Older Students
• (11:35) - Curriculum Overload: How Much Is Too Much?
• (18:00) - Is It Too Late to Pull My Kids Out of School?
• (19:45) - Homeschooling While Working or in School Yourself
• (28:45) - Christy's Hot Take on Unschooling
• (36:15) - Single Moms, Working Moms, and Thrive
• (38:40) - You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone

You've been up at midnight Googling curriculum, schedule templates, and whether you're doing enough. That stops here. In this Summer Homeschool Help Desk Live Q&A, homeschool expert Christy-Faith — author of Homeschool Rising and a homeschooling mom of four who also works full time — answers real questions from real moms on curriculum choices, daily structure, living books, reading gaps, toddlers underfoot, and how to stop doing it all yourself.

🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations
I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
👉 https://christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How working moms make homeschooling work — and why "sourcing" is the real secret
• How to choose curriculum strategically so you're not teaching every subject yourself
• Why kids need structure (backed by 70 years of child psychology research) and what it actually looks like
• How to handle naysayers and skeptics who question your homeschool decision
• How to teach history in a way kids love — spines, living books, and picture books explained
• What to do if your child is behind in reading or has a suspected learning disability
• How to manage homeschooling when you have toddlers in the house
• Why the Christy-Faith List is the homeschool resource you didn't know you needed

Sponsors:

BJU Press Homeschool
✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs
✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in
✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level
👉 View Samples

CTC Math
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program
✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace
✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you!
👉 Free Trial | Purchase (50% off)

Summit Healthshare
✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance
✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips
✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans
👉 View Health Plans & Savings

Resources mentioned:

• 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder — Free quiz to discover your homeschool style or pedagogy
• How to Homeschool Guide — Free 26-page ebook: 6 steps to get started and launch
• Free Sample Homeschool Schedules — Preschool through high school
• Free Curriculum Comparison Chart
• Free Curriculum Recommendations Download — Christy-Faith's fail-proof subject-by-subject list
• The Christy-Faith List — Free directory of homeschool-friendly businesses, doctors, and providers
• Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith's membership community for homeschool moms

Connect with Christy-Faith:

• Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool
• TikTok: @christy_faith
• Website: https://christy-faith.com
• Book: Homeschool Rising

🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!

• (00:00) - Introduction & Summer Help Desk Series
• (01:45) - Meet Christy-Faith & Free Resources Overview
• (04:00) - Free Resources: Style Finder, How to Homeschool Guide & More
• (06:00) - Working Moms & Homeschooling: How to Make It Work
• (08:10) - How to Teach History with Living Books & Spines
• (09:00) - New Homeschoolers: Where to Start
• (11:30) - Why Kids Need Structure (What the Research Says)
• (15:20) - The Christy-Faith List: Find Providers Who Get You
• (15:30) - Curriculum Recommendations Download
• (18:00) - Handling Naysayers & Building Your Support Tribe
• (19:30) - Daily Schedules, Habit Stacking & Chores
• (22:00) - When Other Homeschool Moms Judge Your Choices
• (24:00) - Teaching History Across Age Gaps
• (27:00) - Spines, Living Books & How to Use Both
• (28:00) - Reading Disabilities, Dyslexia & When to Seek Help
• (32:00) - Homeschooling with Toddlers in the House
• (35:20) - Multisensory Curriculum & Final Questions
• (36:20) - Closing Encouragement