The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we have a great episode from the archives where Ben was joined by his mom, Debbie Wilson, to talk about getting off to a good start this school year. Since we’re officially past Labor Day, wee thought this would be a really helpful episode to revisit. Debbie shares her recommendations, practical advice, and even some of her curriculum choices. And as always, her wisdom and encouragement make this a great conversation! We hope you have a great start of the school year! We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are the math curriculum that our family uses, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile during math. So go check out a free trial over at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries at samaritanministries.org/familyman Have a great week, and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! One of the great things about homeschooling is that we have the freedom to make learning fun. But sometimes there is pressure to make every day feel fun. But is that realistic, and do our kids need to love every subject? And is it okay if some days are just about sitting down, doing the work, and getting it done? Today we’re talking about how fun a normal homeschool day should actually be, and how we can find a healthy balance between making homeschooling enjoyable and getting stuff done. We want Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare at samaritanministries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Writing is one of those things that we spend a lot of time teaching our kids, but sometimes we think we can lose sight of why we're actually doing it. Not every child is going to grow up to be an author. So what does good writing really look like, and how much do our kids actually need in this day and age? The reality is that writing is something we use all throughout normal life. Whether it's sending an email, filling out an application, communicating at work, explaining an idea, or simply being able to clearly put your thoughts into words, being able to write well is a really useful skill. But it can also be one of the most difficult subjects to teach and to get your children to enjoy. So Our goal is to give some tips, encouragement, and ideas to help make writing a more enjoyable subject. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare at www.SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! One of the questions we get asked all the time is, “What homeschool curriculum should I use?” And with all of the options out there, it can feel like you have to find that one perfect curriculum that’s going to make homeschooling work. So today we’re joined by Debbie Wilson to talk about some of the things you should actually consider when choosing curriculum. Things like how much time and effort it takes, how your kids learn, and what fits your family well. Hopefully, this will take some of the pressure off and help you feel a little more confident about finding what works for you. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year! So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare at www.samaritanministries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are glad you’re joining us this week. We are getting closer and closer to the start of a new school year, and over the next few weeks, we’re going to be doing a little series talking about some of the things that homeschool families are thinking about as they get ready to jump back into another year of homeschooling. And today, we’re talking about homeschool co-ops and how to pick the best one for your family. Co-ops are one of those things that can be a really great part of homeschooling for some families, but they can also bring a lot of questions. Should we join one? What are the benefits? What are some of the downsides? How much time are we really going to have to commit? And maybe most importantly, is a co-op actually a good fit for our family? We’ve had our own experiences with co-ops over the years, and today we want to talk through some of the things we’ve learned, some of the things we love about them, and some of the things you probably want to think about before signing your family up for one. We hope you are encouraged by our conversation, and if you know a mom who is on the fence about co-ops or new to homeschooling, maybe share this episode with them! We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries at https://samaritanministries.org/familyman Lastly, don't forget to take advantage of the 60 free days of World Watch News by clicking this link and using code Todd30 at checkout! https://app.worldwatch.news/checkout/new?o=203231&coupon=TODD30 Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are so glad you're here! This week we're tackling a question that I think just about every homeschool parent has asked at one time or another: Am I doing enough? If my kids never are taught chemistry or calculus, or they don't become fluent in a foreign language, have I somehow failed them? There can be so much pressure to check every box and keep up with everyone else's expectations. But is that really what homeschooling is about? Today we're talking about how to handle those doubts, and how to have confidence in the education you're giving your children, and why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is trust the unique path God has called your family to. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries at samaritanministries.org/familyman Lastly, don't forget to take advantage of the 60 free days of World Watch News by clicking this link and using code Todd30 at checkout! https://app.worldwatch.news/checkout/new?o=203231&coupon=TODD30 Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are so glad you decided to join us this week. We're talking about the fact that some of the most valuable education our kids receive doesn't happen while sitting behind a desk. Whether it's playing sports, working a part-time job, cooking, volunteering, learning a trade, or pursuing a hobby, there are so many opportunities for our children to grow in ways that go far beyond academics. We're also excited to be joined by Tatton Strassheim from World Watch News. With so much information coming at us every single day, it can be difficult to know what really matters. We'll be talking about how to cut through all the noise, stay informed without living in fear, and help our kids develop wisdom and discernment as they learn about what's happening around the world. If you would like to sign up for a free 60 days use this link and use code Todd30 at checkout! But before we start, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries." You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare at samaritanministries.org/familyman. Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast. This week, we're talking about something that is true for almost every homeschool mom, and that is doubt. Whether it comes from social media, well-meaning friends and family, or even the voice in your own head, it's easy to wonder if you're doing enough or making the right decisions for your kids. The truth is, we all have voices competing for our attention. The real question is: which ones are we choosing to listen to? This week, we're talking about how to feed hope instead of fear, how to respond when others criticize your homeschooling journey, and how we can encourage not only ourselves but the families around us. We'll also share a listener's email that perfectly captures the struggle so many homeschool parents experience and why choosing confidence over comparison can make all the difference. As always, our goal is to leave you encouraged But before we start, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries and get a free quote over at samaritanministries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week is a special Todd epsidode as he tackles a question many parents ask themselves: Is it really possible to do it all? He shares his thoughts on the stress of trying to juggle homeschooling, family life, work, and everything else that fills our days and offers some practical encouragement about focusing on what matters most instead of trying to keep every ball in the air. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. They're the math curriculum that helps homeschoolers smile—and the one our family uses! You can learn more and support them at TeachingTextbooks.com. Today's show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Their members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another by sharing one another's healthcare needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries." You can learn more about Redeem HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries at SamaritanMinistries.org/FamilyMan. Have a great week, and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we're talking about something that every family has, whether they realize it or not, and that is a family culture. Every home has its own personality. Some families revolve around sports, others around academics, work, or adventure. The real question isn't whether you have a family culture; it's whether you're intentionally building the one you want. What values are your kids picking up from your home? What traditions are shaping them? And what kind of family do you hope they'll remember years from now? Join us as we discuss why family culture matters, how it impacts your children, and some practical ways you can begin intentionally building a home that reflects the values you want to pass on for generations. But don't worry, as always, this is going to be an encouraging conversation! We want Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem Healthshare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries." You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries at www.samaritanministries.org/familyman Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're celebrating America's 250th birthday! As the Fourth of July approaches, we're talking about what makes our country so special, why we should never take the freedom to homeschool our children for granted, and how we can help our kids appreciate the blessings we enjoy. We also share some of our favorite American historical sites to visit and reflect on why this holiday is about so much more than fireworks and cookouts. We hope this episode encourages you to celebrate with gratitude and make some great memories with your family. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem Healthshare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7c0 Have a great week and a Happy 4th of July, and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're talking about something that can be really easy to overlook in the middle of homeschooling, parenting, work, and everything else life throws at us, which is our marriage. When the days are filled with lesson plans, laundry, meals, activities, and trying to keep the house from completely falling apart, it's easy for your relationship to become more about managing a family than actually enjoying each other. But a healthy marriage doesn't happen by accident, and it's one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids. On this episode, we are joined by Debbie Wilson to share some practical ideas that have helped us stay connected to our spouses through the busy seasons, along with a few simple reminders that have made a big difference for us. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and REDEEM HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7c0 Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today we're talking about taking back the summer from technology. We had to reupload this due to an issue with Apple Podcasts. If you already listened to this episode from another source, then you don't have to listen to this version! There are so many things demanding our attention these days, especially social media and technology. We discuss some practical strategies for cutting back on these distractions so we can focus on what really matters this summer: making memories with our kids and spending time together as a family. We also talk about Kids Day, a Wilson family tradition, as well as Father's Day and ways we can encourage and celebrate the dads in our lives. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7c0 Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today we're talking about taking back the summer from technology. There are so many things demanding our attention these days, especially social media and technology. We discuss some practical strategies for cutting back on these distractions so we can focus on what really matters this summer: making memories with our kids and spending time together as a family. We also talk about Kids Day, a Wilson family tradition, as well as Father's Day and ways we can encourage and celebrate the dads in our lives. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7c0 Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're talking about something that almost every mom experiences but doesn't always talk about: exhaustion. There are seasons when parenting feels overwhelming. The days are long, the responsibilities never seem to end, and it can feel like everyone needs something from you all the time. Yet somehow, you have to keep showing up day after day. If that's where you are today, we hope this episode encourages you. We want to remind you that God sees your faithfulness, even on the hard days, and that the work you're doing matters more than you know. We think this conversation is something that every mom needs to hear! We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile. Please support them over at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7c0 Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're talking about what comes after the school year ends. We start by discussing why summer breaks matter so much, the importance of play, and why our kids don't need every moment scheduled. Then we talk about graduates and young adults, and how to help them take their next steps, how much guidance parents should give, and how to encourage them as they move toward adulthood. We had a great conversation, and we think you'll be encouraged. Enjoy! We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums availible, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries." You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7c0 Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re talking about something every parent thinks about at some point: what are the things our kids are actually going to remember when they look back on childhood? Will it be the family vacations? Learning to ride a bike? Playing games together? Family traditions? Or maybe just those simple everyday moments that didn’t seem all that important at the time. Especially as we’re wrapping up the school year and heading into summer, we think this is a great topic to reflect on. We have some encouragement and thoughts to share as we talk about making memories and enjoying the time we have with our kids. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile. Go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redem Healthshare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7Q0 Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re bringing back an episode from a while ago where we talked about how to encourage your child to embrace who God made them to be and to value what truly matters when it comes to success. This is one of our favorite topics, and we think it led to a really meaningful conversation that we hope encourages you today! We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculum around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redem Healthshare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7Q0 Lastly, Todd is currently on his way to the Florida Homeschooling convention, so if you are going to be there, make sure to come up and say hi and get your free homeschool personality sticker! Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we are talking about raising capable kids. As homeschooling parents, it can be easy to get focused only on academics, grades, and checking boxes, but at the end of the day, we want to raise young adults who can work hard, solve problems, serve others, and confidently step into the real world. This week, we are joined by Lisa Nehring from Truth North Academy, It's Not That Hard to Homeschool, and Blue Collar Homeschool, and we talk about encouraging kids in their strengths, preparing them for life after homeschool, and why college isn’t the only path to success. We think this conversation will be a huge encouragement to parents who want to raise confident, capable kids. You can find more from Lisa at truenorthhomeschool.academy We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are the math curriculum our family uses, and it has helped us smile more, and we think it will do the same for your family. Go support them and check out a free trial over at teachingtextbooks.com Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem Healthshare, where members are committed to honoring Christ through a community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bill. Redeem HealthShare helps families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7Q0 Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re taking some time to encourage moms as we celebrate both National Teacher Appreciation Day and Mother’s Day. Homeschool moms don’t get nearly the recognition they deserve, so today is all about recognizing you and everything you do for your kids. From wiping runny noses and teaching your children to read, to dealing with attitudes, discipline, discipleship, and the countless other responsibilities that come with motherhood and homeschooling, the work never really ends, and often goes unnoticed. But we truly believe the impact you are making on your children is deep, meaningful, and lifelong. Our goal today is simply to encourage you and remind you that what you’re doing matters more than you know. We hope you enjoy the episode! Before we start, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are the math curriculum our family uses, and it has helped us smile more, and we think it will do the same for your family. Go support them and check out a free trial over at teachingtextbooks.com. Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare, where members are committed to honoring Christ through a community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills. Redeem HealthShare helps families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7Q0 Have a great week and don't forget to smile!