This year I'm doing monthly Then and Now Reflections on the podcast - looking back over my 15 year homeschooling career and sharing what I've learned along the way AND what I'd do differently if I could go back. Welcome! . This episode is sponsored by Sonlight K-12 Curriculum and Dyslexia ConnectTake Jamie's quiz, What's Your Homeschool Mom Personality? In Episode 126, you'll hear me and my daughter Trishna (20-yrs-old, homeschool graduate, special needs) discuss: I introduce the special guest who's new to the podcast, my daughter Trishna!What I feel I would change about our homeschool routine if I could go back to this point in our family's journeyWe go down the rabbit trail of remembering Trishna's favorite TV shows from this timeWho used to do all the cooking, compared to who does it these daysActivities that were NOT Trishna's favorite from our daily routineThe bedtime routine that the kids loved and I found exhausting (& soon stopped!)My advice when it comes to using screen time for moms of littles To read the original article I wrote in 2013 and/or check out links & photos mentioned in this episode, head here. Listen in for a dose of homeschooling inspiration!

How often do you wish you could have a homeschool do-over? Well, now you can, through revisiting Jamie's mistakes instead of having to make your own! . This episode is sponsored by Ivy Kids and TJEd's Young Statesmen/Stateswomen Society!Take Jamie's quiz, What's Your Homeschool Mom Personality? This year I'm doing monthly Then and Now Reflections on the podcast - looking back over my 15 year homeschooling career and sharing what I've learned along the way. In Episode 125, you'll hear me and my son Jonathan (19-yrs-old, homeschool graduate) discuss: The details of our homeschool routine back with a 6, 7, and 8-year-old, having just moved to a house in the countrysideOur experiment having "Yes" Day on MondaysHow having greater access to nature influenced the flow of our daysWhen homeschool moms manage to find time to eatHow bloggers with three young kids have to make sure the photos in a post are "fair"What made this one of my favorite years of homeschooling Come listen in and be encouraged! To read the original article I wrote in 2012 and/or check out links mentioned in this episode, head here.

How often do you wish you could have a homeschool do-over? Well, now you can, and in the best way possible - without having to make mistakes of your own! This episode is sponsored by FORM Fitness!Take my quiz, What's Your Homeschool Mom Personality? This year I'm doing monthly Then and Now Reflections on the podcast - looking back over my 15 year homeschooling career and sharing what I've learned along the way. In Episode 124, listen in with me and my son Jonathan (currently 19) as we chat about the past, specifically re: 2011 in our homeschool (when he was six-years-old)! What we remember fondly, what we'd rather not remember (LOL), and what we might do differently if we could have a do-over. To read the original post I wrote in 2011 and/or check out links mentioned in this episode (including that circle time video, which is a doozy!), head here. In this episode, you'll hear: I welcome Jonathan back to the podcast after he's been away touring with the Jonas Brothersmy initial homeschooling philosophy of focusing on relationships rather than academics as top priority, and what I think about that now looking backour daily homeschool rhythm from 2011 including morning routines, books, a few structured activities, "sections" time, and what Jonathan remembers fondly (or not!)we reminisce about highlights of their 2011 days: walks, circle time, and the libraryhow we used screens, quiet time, and outings to make it through the dayswhat Jonathan thinks now about how our homeschool style has influenced him as a young adult Listen in and be encouraged!

Note: If you'd prefer to read instead of listen to this episode, head here. This episode is sponsored by My Fun Science and Oak Meadow! Fifteen years ago as a new, insecure homeschooler, one thing comforted me like no other: Clinging to the words of a few veteran homeschool mothers who I followed online. Now I want to be that voice for you!! Listen in to discover what I have planned...I'm excited about it! Take my quiz, What's Your Homeschool Mom Personality?

This December Jamie is taking a break from podcasting, so we are revisiting top episodes from the podcast's history - enjoy your winter break! This episode was written by Kari Patterson, and if you'd prefer to read instead of listen, head here.  Check out Kari's personal site, podcast, and book - Sacred Mundane! * Today's episode is sponsored by Dyslexia Connect and Sonlight's K-12 Curriculum. * What's Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie's quiz and get your free personality report at simplehomeschool.net/quiz/    "I can feel my body tense up as I say the words with forced enthusiasm: “Ok, time for school!” They say what I know they’ll say: "Do we have to?!" And if I’m honest, that’s exactly what I’m saying in my own mind: "Do we have to?!"

This December Jamie is taking a break from podcasting, so we are revisiting a top episode from the podcast's history - Merry Christmas to you and yours! ***** If you'd prefer to read this post instead, head here. And for more current snapshots of how this hack has worked in our family, check out my day in the life posts over the years.  Today's episode is sponsored by Ivy Kids and the Young Stateswomen/Statesmen Society from Thomas Jefferson Education! What's Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie's quiz and get your free personality report at simplehomeschool.net/quiz So I don’t know if you have noticed, but kids can be LOUD. Confession: I don’t particularly care for loud. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and I knew I had to make life at home at least a little quieter if I was going to survive it, as well as add homeschooling to the mix. My own conundrum led to an idea. One that’s gone on to save my sanity and allowed me to continue homeschooling for 15 years - listen in and be encouraged!

This episode was written by Kari Patterson, and if you'd prefer to read instead of listen, head here. Check out Kari's personal site, podcast, and book - Sacred Mundane! Today's episode is sponsored by Buddy Books and Write the World's College Essay Course! ***** What's Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie's quiz and get your free personality report at simplehomeschool.net/quiz/    This year I ditched most of what we’d done before, and decided to take a Homeschool Experiment Year. That is, a year to try new things, refuse to stress, return to JOY, and recover our lost love of learning. Listen in to find out what happened next!

This episode was written by Erin Vincent of Nourishing My Scholar, and if you'd prefer to read instead of listen, head here.  Today's episode is sponsored by My Fun Science and Generous Students Curriculum! * What's Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie's quiz and get your free personality report at simplehomeschool.net/quiz Hyping myself up to make a phone call is not out of the norm for this introvert. I’d much rather be trampled by wild rhinos. Bravery is acting even when fear is present. Acknowledging the fear and moving past it into action is what bravery is all about. And oh was I fearful to homeschool... Listen in for an uplifting reminder of just how brave you are!

Welcome back to a new episode of the podcast - I'm flying solo on this one, since Jonathan is currently on tour as Lighting Director for the Jonas Brothers! If anyone is going to one of their concerts this fall or winter, please head over to the lighting booth if you can and tell him, "Your mom sent me over to remind you that she's proud of you and she loves you." * This episode is sponsored by Night Zookeeper and FORM Fitness! In Episode 118 I chat about: The wonder of seeing Jonathan in action on the Jonas Brothers TourThe Weirdness of Not Having to Get Up Early for the Homeschool DayOur Love for CNN10 back when it was with Carl Azuz - thrilled to find out Carl just began his own news show: The World from A to Z!The stereotype that homeschoolers can't survive in the "real world" as my son travels to a different city each night!My 25th Anniversary Dance with SteveNavigating Seasons of Change and the Unknown Take my quiz, What's Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Would you like to submit a homeschooling question for Jamie to answer in an upcoming episode? If so, email it to jamie@simplehomeschool.net with "Podcast Question" as the subject line. To download an auto-generated transcript of this episode, click here.

Welcome back to a new episode of the podcast - the last one featuring Jonathan for a while, as my buddy has gone on tour as Lighting Director for the Jonas Brothers! If anyone is going to one of their concerts this fall or winter, please head over to the lighting booth and tell him, "Your mom sent me over to say that she's proud of you and she loves you." * This episode is sponsored by Ivy Kids and Florida Virtual School! In Episode 117 we discuss: Spontaneously choosing a topic to discuss together and my love for random auto-generatorsOur experience with Thomas Jefferson Education (AKA TJEd)The 7 Keys of Great Teaching and how we imperfectly tried to add them to our homeschoolOur mutual love of Gilmore Girls Would you like to submit a homeschooling question for Jamie to answer in an upcoming episode? If so, email it to jamie@simplehomeschool.net with "Podcast Question" as the subject line. To download an auto-generated transcript of this episode, click here.

It's hard to believe it, but after 15 official years, Jamie has reached the end of her homeschooling journey! Join me and my 18-year-old son Jonathan as we chat about how surreal this moment is and what we did to commemorate it as a family. * This episode is sponsored by Learn Math Fast and Dyslexia Connect! In Episode 116 we discuss: Jamie's Homeschool Retirement Party and all it included (pop quiz, toast, poetry reading, prayer time)Jonathan reads the letter he wrote to me when he graduated in 2022Jamie reads aloud the poem she wrote and read at her homeschool retirement (have tissues nearby!)Find pics/video of my retirement party pinned on my Instagram profile Would you like to submit a homeschooling question for Jamie to answer in an upcoming episode? If so, email it to jamie@simplehomeschool.net with "Podcast Question" as the subject line. To download an auto-generated transcript of this episode, click here.

This summer Jamie is on sabbatical for a few weeks this summer, so we are revisiting a couple of the top episodes from the podcast's history! This one originally published in Feb 2022. Today's episode is sponsored by All About Learning and Oak Meadow! ***** If you'd prefer to read this post instead, head here.  What's Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie's quiz and get your free personality report at simplehomeschool.net/quiz Homeschooling isn’t all fun and games, as anyone who has been attempting it for longer than one day (or hour?!) realizes. On homeschooling sites we often hear about the benefits of this lifestyle. But what about the challenges? Listen in and be encouraged!

This summer Jamie is on sabbatical for a few weeks, so we are revisiting a couple of the top episodes from the podcast's history! This one originally published in August 2021. Today's episode is sponsored by Ratio 21 and Sonlight! ***** This episode was written by Kari Patterson, and if you'd prefer to read instead of listen, head here.  Check out Kari's personal site, podcast, and book - Sacred Mundane!   What's Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie's quiz and get your free personality report at simplehomeschool.net/quiz/    Dinner’s made, but it’s chicken and rice again. Laundry’s done, because I no longer fold. Kids finished school because I told them to skip the math problems (again). Eventually I remind myself of Chesterton’s wisdom and the power of intentional mediocrity. Truth: We can’t be awesome everywhere.

This episode was written by Lusi Austin, and if you'd prefer to read instead of listen, head here. Check out Lusi's personal site, That Homeschool Life here. Today's episode is sponsored by the Young Statesmen/Stateswomen Society and Write the World Summer Writing Workshops!   What's Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie's quiz and get your free personality report at simplehomeschool.net/quiz I’ve finished homeschooling three of my five kiddos. Something that caught me off guard when we’d finished was parental-guilt about the things I just didn’t get around to doing. I still have two younger children that I’m homeschooling. In a way, I get to learn a few lessons that will benefit these two (like remembering how quickly the time actually goes!). I’d love to share my reflections with you.

Welcome back to a new episode of the Simple Homeschool podcast, continuing this year's series with my 18-year-old son Jonathan! * This episode is sponsored by My Fun Science and The Animation Course! Jonathan was homeschooled from K-12th grade/graduation and today we are answering a common question: How did you navigate technology and screentime in your homeschool? In Episode 112 we discuss: Using Screen Time intentionally so that you can maximize its education potentialStumbling upon pornography even with excessive parental controls in placeWhether or not Jonathan hates us for not letting him have social media earlierWhat he would do differently when it comes to his own kids one day Would you like to submit a homeschooling question for Jamie and Jonathan to answer in an upcoming episode? If so, email it to jamie@simplehomeschool.net with "Podcast Question" as the subject line. To download an auto-generated transcript of this episode, click here.

Welcome back to a new episode of the Simple Homeschool podcast, continuing this year's series with my 18-year-old son Jonathan! * This episode is sponsored by FORM Fitness and Night Zookeeper! Jonathan was homeschooled from K-12th grade/graduation and today we are answering a question that came in from Danielle: What you did for math with your kids at various ages? In Episode 111, you’ll hear us discuss: How much we love Family Ties (doesn't have to do with math, but still fun ;)How long we waited to require formal math and what we did instead in the early yearsThe disconnect a lot of young kids feel when it comes to math that isn't relevant in their daily livesThe practical tools & curricula we used for math in various phases of homeschooling   Would you like to submit a homeschooling question for Jamie and Jonathan to answer in an upcoming episode? If so, email it to jamie@simplehomeschool.net with "Podcast Question" as the subject line. Find the rest of the show notes and links to the resources and transcript for this episode by clicking here.

Welcome to a new episode of the Simple Homeschool podcast, continuing this year's series with my 18-year-old son Jonathan! * This episode is sponsored by Outschool and Ivy Kids! Jonathan was homeschooled from K-12th grade, and in this episode we are answering a question we get a LOT: What do you do when your homeschooled child doesn't want to do an assignment, chore, etc? In Episode 110, you’ll hear us discuss: How to handle pushback depending on the age of your child (littles, tweens, teens)Thoughts on separating academics from household dutiesWhy you should go to Thailand and not Bogota (listen in for more context, LOL, it's a helpful analogy!)How Jamie forced Jonathan to take the SAT twice (and what he thinks about that now looking back #meanmom) Would you like to submit a homeschooling question for Jamie and Jonathan to answer in an upcoming episode? If so, email it to jamie@simplehomeschool.net with "Podcast Question" as the subject line. Find the rest of the show notes and links/transcript for this episode by clicking here.

PLEASE NOTE: In this episode Jonathan and I chat about some sensitive topics, including our experience with school safety, that I don't recommend for little ears. Welcome to the Simple Homeschool podcast with Jamie C. Martin and my 18-year-old son, Jonathan! * This episode is sponsored by Modify Homeschool App  and Dyslexia Connect! Jonathan was homeschooled from K-12th grade, and in this episode we talk about some of the most popular reasons families choose to homeschool, including our own family's story and experience. In Episode 109, you’ll hear us discuss:  Our personal story of what got our family into homeschoolingHomeschooling for freedom and flexibilityHomeschooling for emotional or physical safetyOur experience living in Newtown, CT in Dec 2012 and its aftermathThe worst reason to homeschool...or is it? Would you like to submit a homeschooling question for Jamie and Jonathan to answer in an upcoming episode? If so, email it to jamie@simplehomeschool.net with "Podcast Question" as the subject line. Find the rest of the show notes and links/transcript for this episode by clicking here.

Welcome to the Simple Homeschool podcast with Jamie C. Martin and my 18-year-old son, Jonathan! * This episode is sponsored by Story Masters and Jamie's four books! Jonathan was homeschooled from K-12th grade, and in this episode we answer a question sent in from Gillian: "Do you feel like homeschooling gave you extra opportunities that you wouldn't have had in traditional school?" In Episode 108, you’ll hear us discuss:  Trips we took during the school yearConferences we attended in a variety of fieldsVolunteering that led to paid employmentAmazing opportunities that have come Jonathan's way since graduation Would you like to submit a homeschooling question for Jamie and Jonathan to answer in an upcoming episode? If so, email it to jamie@simplehomeschool.net with "Podcast Question" as the subject line. Find the rest of the show notes and links/transcript for this episode by clicking here.

Warning: Be prepared for lots of #truthbombs in this episode! Welcome to the Simple Homeschool podcast with Jamie C. Martin and my 18-year-old son, Jonathan! * This episode is sponsored by Oak Meadow and All About Learning! Jonathan was homeschooled from K-12th grade so he has a unique perspective, and today we are articulating some of the qualities that we believe make a good homeschool mom/parent! We created this episode to coincide with the release of our new quiz: "Are you a good or bad homeschool mom?" Have you taken it yet? Head here --> simplehomeschool.net/quiz In Episode 107, you’ll hear us answer these questions:  What qualities make a good homeschool mom?Should homeschool moms invest in themselves and their own interests?Are you more like a guide or a drill sergeant?Are you teaching the child you have or the child you wished you had? Would you like to submit a homeschooling question for Jamie and Jonathan to answer in an upcoming episode? If so, email it to jamie@simplehomeschool.net with "Podcast Question" as the subject line. Find the rest of the show notes and links/transcript for this episode by clicking here.