Podcast
Vintage Homeschool Moms
Hosted by Felice Gerwitz · EN
Encouragement for the Christian homeschool mom who wants to raise faithful kids — without losing herself along the way. Veteran homeschool mom and Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network founder Felice Gerwitz brings practical help and heart to the everyday work of homeschooling: teaching methods, routines, faith, family life, and staying encouraged when the days feel long — taking the best of the past to bless the next generation. If you’re a Christian homeschooling mom looking for real encouragement and doable ideas, follow the show.
44episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Best Homeschool Scheduling Advice | Replay
Jan 5Tap to summarizeBest Homeschool Scheduling Advice (Replay) The Best homeschool scheduling advice I ever received actually came from my daughter. She said, “Mom if we are going to duplicate the school system then why homeschool?” With that in mind, I looked at the way I scheduled my homeschool year. I made time for those special events that make homeschooling stand out from the conventional school curriculum. Whether it is a field trip, a family trip that is planned or one-to-one mentoring with a talented person. In this episode of Vintage Homeschool Moms, I’ll explain the best homeschool scheduling advice, ever! Thanks to our sponsor – CTC Math! Questions to ask yourself before you begin scheduling! What are your state laws — are you compliant? Are you part of a support group? This network IS part of your support! What are your goals and objectives for the year? What method of homeschooling do you lean toward? If you don’t know listen to this podcast on the topic HERE PUT LINK How long are you planning to homeschool? 4, 5, or 6 hours or more per day? Check out your homeschool laws here if you don’t already know them: https://hslda.org/content/laws/ Are you flexible? Do you like check-off lists? For you? For the kids? These questions will set the groundwork for how you’d like to set up your homeschool year. What I might consider the best homeschool scheduling advice may not align with your homeschool philosophy. However, I hope you can take what you need and make it work for you! With this clearly in mind, here is some of the best advice I can share with you about homeschool schedules and ways to have a stress-free year. Best Homeschool Scheduling Tips: Keep your eyes focused on your family’s needs. What Sally Jo uses for her kids may not work for yours. Look at your goals. What do you hope to accomplish this year? What subjects do you want to cover this year? Is it important to develop your child’s creativity and imagination and encourage them to think? What character qualities do you want to work on? If you want to strengthen family relationships, select reading materials or read aloud the books that will do just that. Read the Little House on the Prarie (younger) or Anne of Green Gables (older). Each child is unique, consider your child’s needs. Never recreate the public/private classroom at home. Don’t forget about you. Do you have help scheduled, whether that is a chore chart so everyone can pitch in, or a park day so you can visit with friends? Never – and that means never answer the phone while you are homeschooling. Set special ringtones for important people – others go to voice mail. This goes for checking Facebook or social media in general. Never and that means never -unless it is absolutely impossible go on an errand during school time. No grocery store shopping, doctor appointments – until after school or on a day off if you take one, etc. Best Homeschool Scheduling Advice — Ever! Tools & Supplies: Three-Inch Binder: Use a three-ring binder. I began a master homeschool binder when I first began homeschooling and it contains ALL the must-haves… First, copies of their schedules, and important information: everything from blanks I could duplicate to things I always had to look up previously. I have the children’s evaluations in this binder from the beginning of our homeschooling in Kindergarten through twelfth grade! I also keep a copy of their evaluations in their grade/year notebook. Master Lists: Subjects, books, reading books, grade level goals, etc. I think through this once, add to it if a particular child needs more information, and then file it in my book. I also have a file in a Word doc on my computer that corresponds. Master lists can include a supply list for school, birthdays, and a calendar of events. File cabinet. Throughout the years I kept files on each of the kids and work. As we ended a year, the binder was emptied, the information for the year was filed under the child’s name (and grade labeled), and the binder was then ready for the next year. School Supplies: Notebooks: Look for sales. We get lined, spiral notebooks for less than 20 cents during back-to-school sales. I buy enough for all year. Use a Sharpie (or a nice label from the computer) to label the subject. Notebook paper: This is one of those things we always ran out of when the children were younger. Wide-ruled notebook paper for the little kids and college ruled for older ones. Pencils: We prefer the #2 pencils and some of the kids liked the mechanical pencils, but there was one brand, in particular, they liked best that we could only purchase at an office supply store. Yes, friends, these were “pre-Amazon” days! Of course, depending on your child’s needs there are crayons, markers, erasers (the ones that fit on the pencil and the bigger ones), colored pencils, pens and Sharpies, and highlighters. Don’t forget the 110 lb paper to make your own dividers. Best Purchases: Large Dry Erase Boards and erasable markers, an electric three-hole punch, a laminator, laminating sheets, a stapler, a heavy-duty stapler (to make those books kids love to make), and a heavy-duty tape dispenser. I loved sticky notes and tabs to create my own dividers with 110 lb paper. Best Homeschool Scheduling Advice: Know Your Kids: Do you know or have you evaluated your children? Our sponsor has these wonderful books for Placement and Evaluation. Organized: Get your books organized. Half the battle if finding the books you need when you need them. School supplies and additional resources. Everything has a place! Freebies: There are lots of sites that say you can get free curriculum, downloads, printables, etc. If you have these – organize them! Scope and Sequence: This states what your kids need to know and as homeschoolers, you can be flexible. Here is a scope and sequence from Abeka as well as Bob Jones that goes from K-12. I’m not endorsing this one way or the other, you have to make your own determination. Flexibility: Build flexibility into your schedule – how can you do this? (Listen to the podcast for tips) Input: Get input from your older children. One year my kids wanted to study oceanography and space. Talk about diverse! Yet those became their favorite subjects. Routine or Schedule? What works for you a routine or schedule? The best homeschool scheduling takes into mind your lifestyle and only you can decide if you want to do things daily with a set schedule or perhaps have a routine that includes daily activities but is more loosely scheduled. Rotate your schedule – doing the same thing all the time can be boring and cause kids to zone out. Maybe you do math every day, but what about history or science? You can do history two times a week and science two times for 6 weeks, and then change it to history three times and science two. 180 Homeschool Days: Get a year’s calendar and circle the days you will school each month. Yes, this can change but it is nice to have it set out before you – so you can plan. 180 days of homeschooling is what my state requires. Check your state information h...
Transcribe →Cup of Joy (New Year Replay)
Dec 29Tap to summarizeCup of Joy ~ Episode 516 with Karen Dwyer Do you feel like joy has been squeezed out by the pressures of homeschooling, family life, or unexpected trials? In this encouraging replay episode of Vintage Homeschool Moms Podcast, Felice Gerwitz welcomes Karen Dwyer for a hope-filled conversation about discovering true joy—even in the midst of deep adversity. Karen, host of the Wrap Yourself in Joy Podcast, shares her powerful testimony of walking with the Lord through devastating loss, including a house fire and the tragic death of her first husband. Instead of being overcome by sorrow, Karen explains how a life rooted in Christ, prayer, and community became the foundation for lasting joy. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why true joy can only be found in a close relationship with Christ How to remain anchored in faith during seasons of grief and hardship Practical ways to defeat everyday “joy busters” How Scripture—especially John 15—points us to complete joy Why filling yourself spiritually is essential (yes, even for homeschool moms!) Introducing Cup of Joy Women’s Small Groups Karen also introduces Cup of Joy, a simple, welcoming small-group study designed especially for busy moms. Each group: Meets for one hour a week over coffee or tea Listens to a 15-minute podcast episode beforehand Uses a free, one-page PDF discussion guide (sent weekly) Focuses on Scripture, prayer, gratitude, and fellowship These studies are gentle, non-threatening, and perfect for homeschool moms who want community without overwhelm. Groups can be hosted at home, in churches, or even late in the evening once kids are asleep. Two available 8-week studies include: Joyful and Battle Ready Esther for This Time: Prayer, Reversals, and Joy About Karen Dwyer Karen Dwyer is a retired college professor, former television cooking show host, author, and passionate encourager of women in faith. Her books Wrap Yourself in Joy and Esther for This Time are newly revised editions rooted deeply in Scripture and practical Christian living. Helpful Links Learn more about Cup of Joy & sign up: wrapyourselfinjoy.com Listen to Karen’s podcast: wrapyourselfinjoypodcast.com Visit Felice and the show notes: vintagehomeschoolmoms.com Explore more resources at Media Angels Final Encouragement:If you’ve been longing for more joy—or wondering how to share your faith in a natural, life-giving way—this episode is for you. Joy doesn’t require perfection, just presence… and sometimes a simple cup of coffee with friends. Listen to Episode 514: “Cup of Joy” today and be encouraged. Visit Karen’s website WrapYourselfInJoy.com Please consider starting a Cup of JOY small group study accompanying this podcast. You would meet with friends for one hour weekly over coffee for eight weeks, and Karen will send you the free commentary and discussion materials each week. For more information and to sign up to start a Cup of JOY Women small group, go to WRAPYourselfinJOY.com. The post Cup of Joy (New Year Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
Transcribe →
Thanksgiving Memory Book
Nov 18, 2024Tap to summarizeThanksgiving Memory Book ~ Episode 416 What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory? Another episode just for kids! Join Felice as she shares her encouragement to notice those little things that are important to appreciate. Thanks to NowProgams for sponsoring this episode. Be sure to go to VintageHomeschoolMoms.com – episode 416 and you will find a copy of the Thanksgiving Memory Book – Thanksgiving Memory Book Thanksgiving is a time to make memories and share joy with others. A fun craft is to take branches and make a Thankful tree. You add leaves to the tree and on each, you can put a word that reminds you of something you are thankful for. Think About This: What are you thankful for? People may ask you that question and you may say, “I don’t know!” I get it, sometimes it seems that the questions you get asked don’t really have good answers. Here is a challenge for you. Do you think you can do this? Start looking around. What do you see? Here are some possibilities. You see people in your family, you see the things that you own, you see the things that are part of your world. Maybe a pet, or something you think is important. It may not be valuable meaning it costs lots of money, but it is valuable to you. So what are those things? Maybe you are thankful for: Your family. Your home. You brothers or sisters. Your friends. Your toys. The food that you eat. Your pets. A favorite vacation. A favorite sport you play. A hobby you have. These are just a few of the things you may be thankful for. We did this quickly, but you can take more time to do this on your own. So, the next time someone asks you what you are thankful for you will be able to answer it quickly. Have you ever had a super fun time doing something and wish you had pictures or written down exactly what you did? How about keeping a memory book? Have you ever kept a journal? A memory book is something like that. I have a free one you can download here: – Thanksgiving Memory Book You can add things like what you are grateful for but you can also list who was at your celebration, what you did, and what you ate. Maybe your family plays games. What is it that made the day special. What are some traditions that your family does every year? Think about this. Do you have your celebration at your house? Do you go somewhere special for Thanksgiving? Do you eat turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy? What is your favorite dessert? One time, friends of mine lived far away from their family and friends, in fact, they had just moved to a new town. So they decided they wanted to have a different type of Thanksgiving and had a picnic. They had turkey sandwiches, and fun sides, and they played games at the park. The kids all said it was one of their favorite Thanksgiving memories. Have you ever heard that what makes something special is what you put into it? You might not think the food at Thanksgiving is very good, maybe you don’t like turkey and gravy. But, either way what you are celebrating makes it special to you. (Remember – what are you putting into the celebration?) I had another friend who used Thanksgiving as a day to help out at a soup kitchen, a place that cooks meals for the poor. She said she felt so thankful for all that God had given her that she wanted to give of her time for others. That is truly being unselfish, isn’t it? Each person can give from what they have and share it with someone else. You can do this in your family as well. Whatever you do to celebrate this happy day, I pray that you make memories that you will always remember. I hope you have a very special thanksgiving with your family and your friends. Even if you have a turkey sandwich at the park this year, make it the best Thanksgiving memory ever! The post Thanksgiving Memory Book appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
Transcribe →Education At Home ~ Sam Sorbo Homeschool Advocate
Nov 11, 202400:58:44Tap to summarizeEducation At Home ~ with Sam Sorbo ~ Episode 542 Have you considered education at home as an option for your family? Join Felice Gerwitz and Sam Sorbo, actress, author, conservative pundit, and home education advocate, for a lively discussion that will dispel many false concepts about home education. Thanks to NowProgams for sponsoring this episode. We are all called to homeschool, but few take up the challenge. There are many valid excuses for this, yet for those who believe, God will provide. Over the years, I’ve been a homeschool advocate. I homeschooled my five children for thirty-two years, yet I’ve never thought everyone should homeschool. I’ve changed my mind. The toxic culture in which we live begs for a new generation of Christian children who can stand up, articulate, and be heard. These are the kids whose faith only strengthens within the home and becomes the shining light of truth and justice. Educating this new generation of children is imperative for our culture to flourish. (End of soapbox rant My special guest today is Sam Sorbo! Mrs. Sam Sorbo is an actress, conservative pundit, radio show host, writer, and passionate child home education advocate. She released a PARENTS’ GUIDE TO HOMESCHOOL: MAKING EDUCATION EASY AND FUN – a soup-to-nuts, all-you-need-to-know-to-get-you-started workbook for parents who want to homeschool their children. Mrs. Sam Sorbo offers personal experience, insights, and encouragement to begin your and your children’s true educational journey. Visit her at Sorbo Studios. Sam’s perspective on homeschooling changed dramatically after placing her children in what was considered the best school at the time. In fact, they moved to be in the school district because of the school was highly recommended. She also became intune to her son’s outside influence within the structure of school and interactions with children of the same age. Sam’s passion is evident, and she is more than an advocate for homeschooling; she is the next champion of home education for new generations of parents. These are parents who care about their children’s academic education, yes, but more so about the future of their children’s minds and hearts. Having the ability and the passion for homeschooling, Sam has dedicated time to mentoring other parents at Sam Sorbo Locals – visit the link her for a sneak peak of the videos available. Education At Home ~ Discussion: Why Sam began homeschooling. The false concept of public/private education. The foundations of education and the impact on children today. The “brainwashing” of our children. Authority of teachers vs. parents. The fundamental right Christian parents abdicate by putting their children into traditional and even Christian schools. The calling of God to home-educate A “Parent’s Guide to Homeschool” and the purpose of this book. Homeschooling shouldn’t be hard. Why is that? Sam’s book helps parents figure out how they want to homeschool. It is a wonderful resource. One concept is to look at what you want in your life and how you want your relationship with your children to look, not only now but in the future. Check out the book on Sam’s website and get an autographed copy. The post Education At Home ~ Sam Sorbo Homeschool Advocate appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
Transcribe →Homeschooling The Next Generation
Nov 4, 202400:48:06Tap to summarizeHomeschooling The Next Generation ~ Episode 541 The homeschool movement is growing, and so is homeschooling the next generation of children. Join Felice Gerwitz and Cathy Duffy (Cathy Duffy Reviews), renowned curriculum reviewer and homeschool advocate. Cathy and Felice discuss the importance of homeschooling more so today than in past years and wonderful and free curriculum resources. Thanks to our sponsor! NowPrograms.com – visit the website for more information. Cathy Duffy is well known today as an authority on all things homeschool curriculum. She has a popular website, CathyDuffyReviews.com, with thousands of reviews of books, curriculum, and online classes. It is exhaustive and comprehensive, with a section that parents can use to keep their own information. Yet, a book that helped give homeschoolers an insight into public education has been forgotten by some, but not me. Years ago, Cathy authored the book, “Government Nannies” as a warning for parents to be aware of the encroachment of government into our children’s lives. This book was groundbreaking because it was written in 1995 and dealt with the US government’s Goals 2000 and outcome-based education. While goals are great for education it is important to keep in mind that parental rights can and were infringed upon. I purchased many of these books and gave them away to friends. It was a classic at the time and actually a precursor to what has happened in education today. It was a reminder to home educators of the importance of homeschooling. In our conversation, Cathy shared why she homeschooled and the reason she wrote “Government Nannies.” This book is long out of print, yet the impact is the same and telling. Her warning that education would encroach upon the lives of parents and circumvent parental control has come to pass. It went unnoticed except for a segment of the homeschool, private, and perhaps charter school crowd. Yet, education online during the pandemic made more parents aware of the problems within traditional classrooms. Parents could see firsthand what their children were being taught. There was an exodus from traditional education at this time as parents began to pull their children out of school. This was alarming to school administrators, yet the curtain had been pulled back and the truth was that education was not only subpar, but parental concerns were not taken into consideration. Points we covered in the interview: How state money requires something in return from parents. The options of school choice the pros and the cons The concerns for home educators in the future once many options are available Cathy has compiled a large list of free homeschool resources on her website here: The post Homeschooling The Next Generation appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
Transcribe →Why Homeschooling Works
Oct 28, 202400:25:52Tap to summarizeWhy homeschooling works is simple: do you realize that the worst day of homeschooling beats the best day of traditional school? In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz shares the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling. Why Homeschooling Works ~ 540 I began homeschooling in the early 90’s, and it was not as popular and well-known then. In fact, the children and I rarely went to do errands before 3:00, or we’d be asked many questions such as, “Oh, do the kids have the day off?” When I said I was homeschooling, some people asked, “What is that?” Thanks to our sponsor! NowPrograms.com – visit the website for more information. Homeschooling Works Vintage Homeschool Moms Episode One ~ Homeschool Lifestyle How to Begin Homeschooling Perfect Homeschool Greatest Homeschool Tips Creation Study Guides Science Fair Review Teaching Science Review Homeschooling Struggle Why does anyone care if a parent decides to homeschool? Consider this… I believe parents are the best teachers for their children based on the simple premise that parents love their children more than strangers in a classroom. As a single woman and teacher, I really liked my class. I cared about the kids, but if you asked me if I loved them, I’d answer, “Probably not!” I wanted my students to excel because, selfishly, it reflected on my ability to teach. There are great teachers who care, but no one cares as much as a mom or dad cares for their kids. Why was there such a block to homeschooling? I believe (this is my opinion) because it would be a loss of state and federal dollars and spending. Believe me, the teachers were not the recipients of these funds! There were horror stories of neighbors calling social services or reporting children as truant when they went outdoors to play after they finished their school work. Not only that, but some states made it extremely difficult to homeschool. While I was blessed that the laws were already in place legislatively when I began, it was still disheartening that there were other battles to fight, such as the ability of homeschooled kids to play sports in public and private schools. Homeschool leagues were started, and then the laws changed once again, which was in our favor. I feel like an old soul recounting a better time in my life, but truthfully, the beginning of my homeschool journey was a bit stressful. I had a learning-challenged child, and it took a long time to teach some of my children to read well and independently. I had different types of learners, all very bright, but some took educating outside of the box. The upside is that I homeschooled for thirty-two years, and all five children benefited. Praise God, homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. Here is an interactive map detailing each state’s laws and regulations. Why Homeschooling Is Important I have advocated for homeschooling, speaking for many years at state and local conferences and writing homeschool books, but I didn’t truly believe that all people had to homeschool. It was and should be a personal decsision made by the adults in the family. Lately, however, I think homeschooling is more important than ever. Instead of fighting for the right to homeschool, we watch as some of the parents who have chosen public or private schools fight for the right to be parents with authority. Parental rights are in jeopardy, and it is just beginning. I believe a society that does not care about our faith, values, morality, or sovereignty is pushing for the hearts and minds of our children. I’ve heard some horror stories within the space of a week. These horror stories included unruly kids in the classroom who went unchecked. Discipline in the classroom works to an extent, and if a student is sent out to the office and nothing is done, it is a detriment not only to the teacher but also to the other kids. It got so bad that my friend told me her husband wanted her to resign. If you are wondering if it was a public or private school, she said it was a private Christian school. She took the job because the website said there was zero tolerance for bad behavior. The other was tremendously worse. It was a mother in a hearing saying that her twelve-year-old was… (listen for details on air.) I know that parental permission is not required in some states. That is horrible and dangerous to families and children, but that is the issue at hand. Some bad actors in some states want control of our children, and often, it is blamed as a failure on the part of the family. The true blame lies in all of us doing nothing and sitting back while our rights are destroyed. Parental rights are at the forefront of the battle for homeschool families, with the idea of vouchers and schools that accept them. I’m happy there are options out there for parents who can’t afford to homeschool and must work, but we did without for many years so that we could continue to homeschool our children. Why Homeschooling Works – Here’s Why If I had to create a list of reasons why homeschooling works, it would look something like this, and you are welcome to add to it. Ability to teach your Faith. Ability to teach your Family Values Family First and Family Time Control over your Homeschool Decisions/ Books/Curriculum Control over your Education Choices / Subjects, etc. Ability to Discipline Adjusting School to Your Child’s Needs and Pace One-to-One Instruction Flexible schedule Happy Family – less stress Cheaper Addition of field trips – greater opportunities Time for practice, lessons, and sports Hands-On Instruction No (or less) peer pressure or conforming/limits or banning social media What would you add? Years ago, in fact, one of the first podcast topics was on the homeschool lifestyle. The topic revolved around the fact that homeschooling was more than what we did, it became a lifestyle that my five graduated and now adult children believe was well worth it. It was okay that they didn’t know the latest movies, the latest songs, or what the “stars” were doing at any given moment. It was okay that they dressed comfortably but were not swayed by what was currently at the peak of fashion. It was okay if we were joining a prayer vigil or combatting a bill that was before our legislature that we disagreed with. It was okay if we celebrated the fall harvest vs. Halloween or celebrated All Saints Day or each child’s patron saint. Our homeschool journey had ups and downs, and that was also okay. We worked out our differences as a family. No one went to bed angry, and “I’m sorry” and “Will you forgive me?” were often verbalized. Our home was a safe place, as my husband often reminded our children, where they could grow up with parents who loved and cared for them and surrounded by family. I could go on for another hour about the merits of homeschooling. I’ve spent the last eleven years first creating this Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network and, in particular, this podcast teaching you the merits of homeschooling—all for free! So friends, if you have a minute, I hope you stop by and share why homeschooling works in your family on this post, and I pray you continue your journey successfully! The post Why Ho...
Transcribe →Fall Learning Starts Now (Replay)
Oct 21, 202400:25:30Tap to summarizeFall Learning Starts Now ~ Episode 504 When does fall learning start? It starts now. Before long, we will turn over the calendar (or swipe right or up) on a digital device and see that the holidays are approaching. We have a fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas…three in a row! What is a busy homeschool mom to do? In this episode, Felice shares how she prepares for the active months with an action plan. Thanks to our ongoing sponsor, CTCMath.com, and their excellent math curriculum for grades K-12 How many of you have planned out your entire year until Christmas? Raise your hand. Okay, so if not, no worries, I will help! First, I recommend you get on our email list and sign up for our latest planners. I have an ongoing series of monthly Organize It Planners for the year. These planners are chock-full of tips you can implement quickly. You will receive a new topic free each month. The upcoming Organize It is for October, with information on preparing your home for the forthcoming holidays. Cooler Months – Ripe for Fall Learning During the cooler months, planning things that take the children outdoors is nice. If you have younger children, you may want to add seasonal activities, such as fall crafts. You can also jumpstart the fall decorations by making paper chains using fall colors. I have some links to podcasts on the topics. One of my favorite topics to study was trees and their types of leaves; if you’re blessed to live in the north, you have the full array of fall leaves coming soon! For those of us in the South, it means taking a trip up north or learning about these things via a book or online. Then there are the fall activities such as parties, fairs, cooking contests, and many other things that we, as homeschoolers, want to take advantage of. Often, harvest parties begin in October … then there is Thanksgiving, and around the corner, Christmas. Christmas quickly takes over the entire month of December. Between baking, shopping, and activities, there doesn’t seem to be much time left at school. So, what is a busy mom to do? Well, the best thing I can advise is to get as much done as possible before the holidays, including school. As homeschoolers, we sometimes fit our household into our homeschool or our homeschool into our family. I’ve received emails from many people who have said when they’ve done an excellent job homeschooling, they’ve done a lousy job managing their homes, and vice versa. Well, you can do both. So, first things first, how much time do you have? Fall Learning Action Plan: The age-old question. Well, let’s start with this: What is your daily routine? What is today’s job, and what is tomorrow’s job? What are your non-negotiable? (Taking care of your family, eating, and sleeping fall into this category!) Distractions? How can we combat these? What is the next upcoming event this week? This month? And for the next three months? Now that you have an overview and overview of how to plan, let’s get going! What do you want to get done this month? With fall on the horizon or whatever the next big thing is, it is essential to use these pockets of time and focus on learning. At the beginning of each school year, you should look at the books or curriculum you plan to use and decide how long it will take you to complete in one school year. It may take six weeks or more to complete if it is a detailed unit you are studying. Another thing to consider is using the days the kids are doing well and doubling up on activities. We did this to keep our Fridays free. In this way, we could use Fridays as a catch-up day, or we could use it for field trips or other activities we had planned. Of course, as the children get older and schoolwork piles up, it may not be as easy to have a free day a week once you can look at your priorities, the things you have to accomplish each day and work around those items. We completed most of our homeschooling before Thanksgiving in late August, September, October, and November. After Thanksgiving, we were lucky to meet for a full two weeks with all the extra activities planned for Christmas. Of course, after Christmas was the New Year, and this was a solid vacation time. In the new year, most of our schoolwork was in January, February, and March. Do you see a pattern here? We focused on the times between holidays and other significant events for our family. For some of you, Easter may not be a big event, but it is in our home, and we typically take a week off, a week before Easter, and a few days afterward. After Easter, all the kids can see his summer on the horizon. Therefore, working hard on days too hot or cold to go outside is essential. My children naturally do better when there are fewer distractions. I’m sure yours do as well! I have links in the other podcasts’ show notes with great ideas for fall activities. Past Episodes on Fall and Activities Kids Can Do: Celebrate Fall Baking October Checklist- To purchase Checklist Planners, go here. Thanksgiving Gifts and Crafts DIY Crafts for Kids Great Gifts Kids Can Make For example, fall is an excellent time for baking. We did a lot of bulk baking that we could freeze, and when the holidays came around, we had ready-made sweet bread that we could give away as gifts, cinnamon rolls, and more. There is a baking link here: Celebrate Fall Baking. If you don’t like to bake, perhaps you like crafts. Before Christmas, we focused on making presents for grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Gifts link here. As the winter months get closer, use this time to spend reading together as a family. Our favorite times were reading the Little House on the Prairie and other books in front of the fireplace with cups of cocoa. These are memories you can create with your family and get some learning in there as well. We often read books that went along with the themes we were studying. I would throw in some hands-on experiential activities to round up your fall learning. If you have read any of my books (LINK HERE), you understand my need to involve the children. As a child and even an adult, I love to learn by doing. Sure, reading it in a book and moving on is more accessible, but what about authentic learning, learning things the children will remember? Encourage your children to set time limits to get things done, especially if you have a child who takes all day to get math done. That usually means there’s nothing else the child wants to do afterward. If we give our children those to get their schoolwork done, more than likely, they will work right along. I also encourage your children to find hobbies or things they want to pursue in our family. Children my three youngest children play sports each day, and they have to spend time practicing. If your child plays a musical instrument and has another hobby, I am sure they also need time to pursue this interest. We want to instill values that allow our children to do what is right, not just when we’re watching them. Give them opportunities to learn independently, especially if they are old enough, then make sure you check their work each day or at least every couple of days. I remember leaving their schoolwork for a week to check, and then sometimes I would be overwhelmed by all I needed to grade and be frustrated when I saw the work was half done. If I keep up with this, it’s helpful. My husband was willing at times when I was overwhelmed. He would take over the grading, and the children disliked it because he was much stricter than I was I hope these ideas help you to accomplish and have time for all the fun activities. Be sure to visit me at mediaangels.com. Come check out our podcast family at our Facebook group, which is a homeschooled podcast family; you can look for that or search for it. If you have any questions, contact me on our FB group. The post Fall Learning Sta...
Transcribe →Inspire Kids – Self Awareness
Oct 14, 202400:20:42Tap to summarizeHow do you inspire your kids to have a clue? In other words, self-awareness. This means seeing themselves as others see them, but more so as God has created them to be—the best versions of themselves. Asking kids to strive and reach for the stars is easier than you think. In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz delves into how we can help our children. Inspire Kids ~ Self Awareness ~ Episode ~ 539 What is self-awareness as it pertains to your children? Have you noticed how some children do not know how to control themselves or act in certain situations? Then, you’ll notice other kids who are good at self-control and adapt easily to different situations. How do you inspire your children to be self-aware? Thanks to CTCMath.com as our sponsor! Six Part Series Inspire Kids to Listen Inspire Kids to Learn Inspire Kids to Cooperate Inspire Kids to Succeed Inspire Kids to Empathize Inspire Kids ~ Self Awareness Self-Awareness the nuts and bolts: What are some of the keys to understanding basic interpersonal interaction? The ability to recognize their emotions. The ability to recognize their reactions to situations. The ability to recognize their behavior, good and inappropriate. The ability to identify weaknesses. The knowledge of good values. The knowledge of beliefs. The knowledge of adult expectations. As children get older, they learn from situations and expectations within their homes. They learn to develop good or bad behavior based on the level of correction within the home. Do your kids get away with meltdowns and whining? Do you give in when a child nags for their way? If you’ve said, “No,” do they listen? Do your children walk away and pretend not to hear you when you ask them to do something? How do you encourage your child to be aware of their actions–or inactions? Typically, it begins with discipline along with a good dose of encouragement. Self-Awareness And Discipline Years ago, as a young homeschool mom, I sat with a group of women who were upset with me as I shared that I felt my children’s behavior and lack of self-awareness reflected my parenting style. I tended toward the description of a “threatening repeating parent.” You know, “Do what I say, or I’ll count to 10. Did you hear me? Yes, you! Now. Okay, I’m counting…” A lively discussion began, which included rebuttals such as excuses for personality traits and different children needing special handling in situations. I was also told that kids are kids and need some latitude to express their independence. I didn’t leave that discussion with the moms victorious, but I planted seeds. Years later, one of the moms admitted she was upset with me and what I said because she realized her unruly children were not exhibiting any self-control but had a me-centered attitude that was catered to by the family. At the time, she refused to take any responsibility for her child’s bad behavior, but she realized that she needed to set some strong guidelines, and her children struggled to adhere to the new guidelines. Eventually, she was successful, and her bright child exceeded academically, socially, and spiritually within the homeschool environment. Guidelines for Self-Awareness: What guidelines are we talking about? Things such as bedtime routines and completion of school work before fun activities or lessons. She found that after stricter guidelines and gentle corrections and encouragement, her children thrived. My kids aren’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, and these ladies in my discussion group watched situations on field trips when I pulled my son or daughter aside and spoke quietly to them about expectations. Sometimes my kids listened, and sometimes they didn’t. One of my sons always “told information” instead of “asking a question” when on field trips. I’d remind him often that if he raised his hand to participate, he should ask a question. This child, my oldest son, could be labeled as “learning challenged,” and I could use that as an excuse, but I didn’t. The Big Picture I would allow my son to see the big picture by asking him how he saw the situation. I led the discussion and asked him if he thought that he gave other children the opportunity to ask their questions. We’d discuss this; sometimes, he’d agree, and other times he didn’t. Kids can and should develop their independence. They should be allowed to make good and bad decisions but must also be shown the consequences. How else do they exhibit self-control and stop before they act without thinking about the outcomes? (See the Story about boys and the sliding glass door shared on air.) Look at the list above and think about how your child exhibits emotion. Is it over the top, or is it controlled? Our expectations for a two—or four-year-old are different from those for a ten-year-old, or an even older teen. I listened to a mom discuss a variety of snacks with her preschooler. The child wanted a particular snack they ran out of, and the mother offered many different substitutes, even offering to make the child a grilled cheese sandwich. Once this sandwich was made, the child refused to eat it and demanded, once again, the snack they didn’t have. The mother offered to go to the store immediately and get the snack. What is a four-year-old going to learn from this situation? We all parent differently, and having one child differs from having multiple. Having an only child definitely gives you the ability to cater to the child for the sake of peace, but what are you teaching? What would I do differently? Probably be angry with the whining, if truth be told! But, one way to handle this is to identify with the child’s feelings. “I understand you are hungry and you really want your cheese puffs, but I do not have any left. Do you know why? (Let the child answer that they were eaten.) Let’s put it on our grocery list and get some next time we shop. Today, you can have crackers and cheese or popcorn. Pick one of those snacks. If you don’t want either, there will be no snacks today.” I would offer snacks the child liked, and if they said no, then no to the snacks. The child understands they have a decision to make and there are consequences. No to the alternatives means no snacks. The child soon learns that they can not manipulate the situation by being upset or using emotional blackmail. They also learn self-awareness and, eventually, self-control. I know this isn’t easy. Having an unruly pre-schooler is not fun! My mom and I had a discussion after I had two children, and I expressed my dismay over the fact that it hurt me more to discipline them than it hurt them. She said, “Welcome to parenthood!” Good behavior is often ignored, and the same goes for bad behavior. We hope it will go away on its own without giving it any attention. Yet, if we ignore bad behavior, we are training our children to fall into sin. The key is to have your child identify the situation and their reactions. It takes way too much talking at times, and none of us have the time for it, but my question to you is, what is the alternative? Kids today are growing up in a narcissistic society where things are me-centered. The selfy mentality and the idea that what I want is more important than what other family members want or need can be toxic to family life. In fact, it can cause disagreements between spouses. There are selfless children. I see this all the time, but often, the attitude associated with this behavior is exhibited in anger or self-righteousness. Angrily pushing past another child to help this child with a chore or getting a drink if they can’t reach the water pitcher. The ability to recognize that doing the right thing while commendable is only rewarding if you do it with the right attitude. Knowing an area of weakness is also important. We have kids who are perfectionists and want things a ...
Transcribe →Inspire Kids to Empathize
Oct 7, 202400:27:39Tap to summarizeHow do we inspire our kids to empathize when, on the surface, they act like they don’t care? Is it a defense mechanism, an indicator, or something more? In this podcast, we explore ideas and tips that work. Inspire Kids to Empathize ~ Episode 537 This is the fifth episode in our Inspire Kids Series! Thanks for listening, and I pray they have been a blessing to you and your family. Sometimes, it is hard to discern what our kids think. In fact, we may be puzzled by their actions because we know they can do so much better. I recently came across a post on Facebook that caused me to pause, not only because of all of the responses but because of the answers given by well-meaning parents. The answer was glaring and evident, but I am a mother of five, now adults, and a grandmother of nine. I have a background in education and love to interact with children because they are amazing. I love kids. I knew the answer (or what I think is the answer), but I read through response after response, giving advice on fixing the problem. CTCMath.com is our sponsor; thank them by visiting their website! The question was couched in this way: A mother found a ketchup bottle on the ground, the top popped up, and the ketchup dripped out in a pool. One of the children had done this, but none admitted guilt. None of the other siblings had picked up the bottle. She asked what the “heart issue” was in a child who had done this in the first place. Think about your answer. Pause this recording if you want more time. The answers were a variation of the following: Punish the children with no more ketchup for a time. Punish the children by taking something away (something fun). Make the kids pay for the ketchup. Find out who did it and punish that child. Make the kids clean up for a period of time. Teaching Kids To Empathize and Realize Guilt There are many issues here. Obviously, the kids ate and cleaned up (good job!), but it was without Mom around, or perhaps Mom was starting to put away food in the other room. We, as parents, can’t police our kids every second, and taking responsibility for cleaning up is great. So good job, Mom! Secondly, maybe someone saw this incident and did nothing about it, but ultimately, the fault is on the child who dropped the ketchup trying to carry too many things at once. I was thinking about this and how I would answer the question (I didn’t post a response, in case you are wondering). While punishments, cleaning up, and all of those things are possible options, they didn’t address what the mom asked. She asked about the heart and wisely knew that punishments solve part of the problem. Maybe. I considered many different character flaws, but two that stuck out were gratitude and empathy. The lack of gratitude is stunning, and the lack of empathy is equally stunning. Gratitude: gratitude for the family’s providing for the needs of all and recognizing this as a gift. Empathy: a sense of feeling compassion for the family members and helping each other when needed, but appreciating that while it may or may not be our fault, we can help because that is what we should do. Empathy means caring about another person, in this case, Mom and Dad, who purchased the ketchup. Thanks to NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences. So, how do you resolve the issue of a child’s lack of empathy? Can you make someone empathize? The issue can be resolved in as varied a way as the responses on that social media post! However, the crux of the issue is understanding family dynamics and how they work. In our homes, we assume everyone is on the same page and has the same level of understanding. This simple example, the ketchup on the ground, illustrates that no, kids just don’t understand all it took to get that bottle on the table in the first place. It also illustrates the lack of understanding of the value of food. Recently, there was a dock workers strike, and everyone predicted sky-high prices, supply chain breakdown, and more. Viewers were told that Christmas presents might not arrive in time. Thankfully, with the media coverage, the strike was partially resolved until January. The date almost coincides with a new administration coming into office. But truthfully, it might take a dock workers strike to allow all of us to see that we should be grateful for what we have, appreciate the little things, and buy American products whenever necessary. Yes, I know some things are only provided through overseas trade, yet you understand what I’m trying to illustrate here. To appreciate necessities, you must not have them. How many people in large cities do not have transportation and rely on mass transit? Possibly, some of you are listening. How many people work at thankless jobs and are not appreciated? The majority. Having the gift of empathy allows a person to see the other person’s point of view. Does it mean we totally agree? No, but it does give us some insight into how to best express our thoughts without the discussion devolving into insults. Use the ketchup example with your children and ask them how they would handle it if they were parents. Typically, children have much harsher ideas of punishment than their parents. But use this as a springboard to explain the underlying cause. Disregard for an item some people in the family use. Lack of caring (empathy) that the ketchup could have been wasted. Lack of taking the initiative or responsibility as a member of the family. In this case, the action is to pick up the bottle, clean it off, and put it away. Then, cleaning up the mess. The best way to teach empathy and gratitude is by example. Did this mother “flip out” when her kids did something wrong, spilled a drink at dinner, or caused another mess? Perhaps the kids didn’t say anything because they didn’t want to be harshly punished. That does not preclude the child from taking responsibility for doing the wrong thing – the child did, and was careless in his disregard for leaving it there, but the question is why? Explain the reason you are upset. As parents, it is important that our children understand justified anger or punishments. When I asked my children, “Do you know why I am angry?” or “Do you know why you are in trouble?” The answer was no! Show your child how to empathize. One way is when another child in the family is hurt. Laughing was never tolerated at my home, and the punishment was harsh, even if it did not always deter the laughter. The child who laughed was often made to do something kind for the other; however, if the child hurt stuck out his tongue, it was rescinded. Long lectures only go so far, most of the time the kids tune you out. That is why I use questioning as a teaching tool. How could this issue be resolved? Can we have a safe zone where messes can be reported without harsh punishments? Would the offending child picking up the mess count for restitution? Ask, “What is restitution? If your home is like mine, you teach by demonstrating those moments that come up constantly—even if you don’t have time to deal with them! One of the best ways I’ve taught my child empathy is through a series of gatherings that we have on occasion (depending on the need), where we do an activity. Random drawing of a sibling’s or parent’s name to pray for them. The person is asked for a prayer need, which can be private. The child prays for this person daily. I learned it is difficult to have animosity toward a person that I pray for daily, even if I don’t want to pray, and yet it softens our hearts. I hope this has helped. Consider using stories like the “ketchup story” with your children to teach deeper lessons. Five Part Series Inspire Kids to Listen Inspire Kids to Learn Inspire Kids to Cooperate Inspire Kids to Succeed Inspire Kids to Empathize (this podcast) Inspire Kids ~ Self Awareness The post Inspire Kids to Empathize appeared first...
Transcribe →Inspire Kids To Succeed
Sep 30, 202400:15:33Tap to summarizeInspire Kids To Succeed ~ Episode 536 Success comes in different ways, yet you can inspire kids to succeed by setting the stage in your home for achievement. In this podcast, the fourth in the series, we delve into practical ways to strive for greatness all within your own home. Thanks to NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences. Today’s focus is inspiring kids to succeed. Have you read articles about kids writing novels, setting records, or doing extraordinary things such as collecting blankets for the disadvantaged? How do the children excel without a parent nagging them to do better? I looked at these situations and recently read an article about successful teens. What stood out was one story about a teen whose laptop fell out of his backpack and broke. He talked about how he decided to start a lemonade stand to earn money to repurchase his laptop. This is stunning. He didn’t run home and ask his parents to buy him a new computer—or maybe he did, and his parents gave him an alternative, earning money for the purchase. The story related that not only was he able to earn the money to replace the laptop, but he also donated extra money to a charity his mother ran. This makes me think of the saying, “Lead by example.” We are often proud of our family, no matter what they accomplish, yet we want our kids to be the best they can be based on their ability. I see many highly talented children who are complacent, uncaring, and bored with life. Why is this? What is the difference between the child who solves problems, or starts cottage industries and the child who would rather do the least they can, even if they are more talented? Over the course of my career, I’ve written or co-authored a total of nineteen books. This does not include the forty-eight-plus planners offered on the Media Angels website. Yet, I have friends who are so much more talented than I am. One wrote one book, and the other suddenly died several years ago without ever writing the book she had planned. I think success stems from deciding to do it and just doing it. In a few minutes, I will list ten points to review with your children, but if you are an adult who has always wanted to write a book or host a podcast, do it! (If it is a homeschool or Christian-based topic, reach out to me, as I am always looking for new podcasters to join our network.) I’d like to challenge you, and you, in turn, challenge your children. Of course, we all want the best for our children, and while we can argue that success is relative—what you consider successful may not be the same as what I consider a success—we can agree that when we read stories of amazing teens, we wonder what motivated them. What influenced these teens to tackle these projects, and what influence did they have from their parents or other role models? So, how do you cultivate successful traits in your teens? Can you help your children set themselves up for long-term success? How can you help your children thrive in an ever-changing world? The basics to this is giving your kids the opportunity to succeed. If you have scheduled your child’s life to the max, it is difficult to give your child time to think. Giving kids time to think is important. Giving your children opportunities is also important. Often, we jump in to fill in the gaps or to make things right. Just as in the case of the laptop that broke, a parent may say, “We have a warranty on itthat computer,” or we will pay to replace it since it was an accident. Yet, overcoming adversity is a key to success. The ability to be flexible and creative all contribute. Building good habits is another way to teach your child responsibility. Having routines, having chores they are expected to complete, and having items your child is responsible for–whether that is laundry or keeping to a schedule. Good habits come out of routines and allow your child to have more time, as well as teach time management. Which brings me to time management. My husband came up with the brilliant idea to put a time allowance next to each subject on my children’s weekly check-off homeschool lists. This came after I complained about how long it took them to complete independent work such as math, writing, or other assignments. Having a time frame gave the children a start and finish. Even if it was not perfectly adhered to, my husband reinforced it each evening by asking when they completed their schoolwork. This helped with time management, and often, my daughter would get up early to complete her math assignment before she came down for breakfast because she wanted to get the hardest subject over with first. This also opened her time for writing in the afternoon, and she was my co-author of the Truth Seekers Mystery Series. Here is a link to the interview I did with my daughter! She completed the last book when she was a freshman in college. Opportunity is another factor in encouraging your child to succeed. My daughter had the opportunity to write and mentorship because her mom (me) was an author. While it ensured a publishing contract, it did not ensure success. Having the opportunity does open doors, but having the drive and the vision is what brings a person to the finish line. Field trips are another way to open up a child’s horizons. In homeschooling, in particular, parents are unapologetically cautious about who or what they expose their impressionable children to, and rightly so! Field trips are an opportunity to give children experiences they might not otherwise have. And it opens the door for mentorship in high school. Understanding the basics of success is helpful. Successful kids, teens, young adults, or adults all share some common traits: ambition, self-awareness, motivation, overcoming setbacks, determination, time management, strength of character, flexibility, responsibility, maturity, and self-fulfillment. You can copy this list, give it to your children, and see how they answer. Ambition: Where do you fit in, or where do you stand out? Do you have a purpose, an idea, or a self-direction? Do you have a goal you want to achieve? Motivation: What is your motivation? What do you want to do, create, or achieve? Are you self-motivated? Setbacks are a challenge. How do you overcome obstacles? How do you improve on or learn from your mistakes? Determination: Never say never. How do you continue on when everyone says to give up or take a less strenuous path? How do you stay focused? Time management: How do you manage your schedule? How do you focus on priorities? How do you fit in your ambitious projects without compromising? Strength of character: How do you stay honest and have understanding without compromising your beliefs? How do you exhibit self-control? Ability to change: How do you adapt when needed? How do you refocus or regroup when needed? Do you have flexibility? Responsibility: How do you continue your must-dos and responsibilities while striving for your passion? How do you complete your chores and household responsibilities? How do you make sure everything is completed timely? Maturity: Do you recognize your emotions? Are you serious or driven? Can you balance your ambitions with being a kid? Self-fulfillment: Do you focus on your goals? How do you accomplish what you have set out to do without worrying about what others think? How do you stay satisfied with any progress without rushing things? How do you measure your success? The bottom line is giving your child an opportunity, encouraging them in their success and failures, and allowing them to make mistakes and correct them on their own. The next podcast in the series is inspiring your child to empathize with the importance of this in the hurting world in which we live. Empathy has a two fold purpose that I will reveal in the next episode. Six Part Series Inspire Kids to Listen Inspire Kids to Learn <a href=...
Transcribe →