The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast

Episode 389 - When Life Gets in the Way of Finishing the Curriculum

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler! Today’s topic is something that resonates with just about every homeschooling family: the pressure to finish the curriculum while still saying yes to all the amazing opportunities around us.

We recently asked our followers over on Facebook what feels hardest right now, and another one of the most common responses was feeling torn between making steady progress through textbooks, lesson plans, and checklists — and making time for sports, church events, friendships, and real-life learning. It can leave parents feeling behind, stressed, and wondering if they’re measuring success by completed pages instead of true learning. We had an encouraging converstation and we hope you enjoy!

Before we get started, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. They’re an amazing math curriculum, and we encourage you to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com.

We’d also like to thank Samaritan Ministries — a community of Christians who help one another with medical bills. They make it possible for families to take steps of faith, whether that’s a career change, a ministry opportunity, or bringing mom home. You can learn more and support the show here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL4d0

Have a great day and don't forget to smile!

Episode 388 - Balancing It All: Homeschool, Work, Church, and Family Time

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler!

Today’s topic is something that resonates with just about every homeschooling family: busyness and balance. We recently asked our followers over on Facebook what feels the hardest to manage right now, and another common answer was trying to juggle school, work, church, activities, social events, and still find meaningful family time in the middle of it all. It can leave parents feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, and wondering if they’re focusing on the right things So this week, our goal is to bring some encouragement as we talk about busyness versus importance, when it’s okay to say yes — and when it’s okay to say no — and how to guard your family time in a world that never seems to slow down.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. They’re an amazing math curriculum, and we encourage you to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com.

We’d also like to thank Samaritan Ministries — a community of Christians who help one another with medical bills. They make it possible for families to take steps of faith, whether that’s a career change, a ministry opportunity, or bringing mom home. You can learn more and support the show here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL4d0

Have a great week and don't forget to smile! 

Episode 387 - Is All This Arguing and Bickering Normal?

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler! Today’s topic is something that resonates with just about every homeschooling family: arguing and bickering. We recently asked our followers over on Facebook what the hardest part of homeschooling is right now, and the overwhelming answer was children arguing, bickering, and fighting. It makes getting school done difficult and often leaves moms feeling drained and without much joy by the end of the day. So this week, our goal is to bring some encouragement and perspective around this topic. B

efore we get started, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. They’re an amazing math curriculum, and we encourage you to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com.

We’d also like to thank Samaritan Ministries — a community of Christians who help one another with medical bills. They make it possible for families to take steps of faith, whether that’s a career change, a ministry opportunity, or bringing mom home. You can learn more and support the show through this link https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL4d0

Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Episode 386 - Resetting Your Homeschool Mindset for the New Year

Hey everybody, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler! We are kicking off our very first new show of the year. This is that time of year when everything just feels fresh again. Your brain gets a little reset, the stress of the holidays is gone, and it’s a great chance to rethink the things that didn’t work so well last semester. Maybe it’s time to change a routine, toss some of the stuff that doesn’t bring joy, or simplify a little. Co-ops are starting back up, routines are getting back in place, and before you know it, spring and summer will be here—whether you’re ready or not!

We will also be answering a listener's question and reading some of our listeners' highlights of 2025 and what they are looking forward to in 2026! It should be a fun and encouraging episode. 

Before we get started, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. They’re an amazing math curriculum, and we encourage you to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com.

We’d also like to thank Samaritan Ministries—a community of Christians who help one another with medical bills. They make it possible for families to take steps of faith, whether that’s a career change, a ministry opportunity, or bringing mom home. You can learn more and support us through the link https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL4d0

 

Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Episode 385 - You Don’t Have to Do It All: Letting Go of Homeschooling Pressure

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we’re taking a short break to celebrate the New Year. But don’t worry—we’ve got a fantastic episode from our archives for you!

Today we’re talking about the pressure so many homeschooling moms feel to teach it all… to hit every subject… and to start earlier and earlier with their kids. Our hope is to take some of that pressure off and remind you that it’s okay to let a few things slide.

Before we get started, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. They’re an amazing math curriculum, and we encourage you to check them out at teachingtextbooks.com.

We’d also like to thank Samaritan Ministries—a community of Christians who help one another with medical bills. They make it possible for families to take steps of faith, whether that’s a career change, ministry opportunity, or bringing mom home. You can learn more and support us through this link https://hubs.ly/Q03VZKNS0.

Episode 384 - The Moments Our Kids Will Remember

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler. We’re really glad you’re here with us today!

We’re talking about memories. Not just big moments or picture-perfect days, but the kinds of memories our kids will carry with them when they’re grown—the feeling of being safe, known, and loved; the traditions we repeat year after year; and the time we choose to simply be together. We also want to talk honestly about how our minds often let the hard parts fade, while connection and relationship seem to last.
If you’ve ever worried that you’re not doing enough, or that the difficult seasons might overshadow everything else, this conversation is meant to be encouraging. Because choosing relationship, presence, and togetherness—especially in the ordinary moments—has a way of paying off in the long run.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making the Smiling Homeschooler possible. They are an amazing math curriculum, and we would encourage you to check them out over at teachingtextbooks.com

Lastly, Thank you to Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping 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 and support us by clicking the link https://hubs.ly/Q03VZKNS0

Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Episode 383 - When Friendship Is Hard (For Moms and Kids)

Hey everybody, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler podcast. Today we’re spending some time talking about friendships—for moms and for kids. This conversation was prompted by a message we got from a mom whose son is really struggling to find meaningful connection, even though they’re involved in church, homeschooling, and community. So we want to talk honestly about why friendships can be harder than we expect, the fears that drive us as parents, and what we can—and can’t—control when it comes to helping us and our kids build real relationships.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making the Smiling Homeschooler possible. They are an amazing math curriculum and we would encourage you to check them out over at teachingtextbooks.com

Lastly, thank you to Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians that pay one another’s
medical bills…helping 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 and support us by clicking this link https://hubs.ly/Q03VZKNS0

 

Have a great week and don't forget to smile! 

Episode 382 - Simple Ways to Encourage a Mom This Christmas

Hey everybody, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler podcast. Christmas is coming fast, and today we’re spending some time talking about something super practical—what to actually get your husband for Christmas. Not the gimmicky stuff, but the quality gifts dads really appreciate, the things that last and feel meaningful.

We’re also talking about gifts you can give other homeschooling moms, and not the things you buy from a store. Christmas can be overwhelming for a lot of homeschool moms, so we’re sharing some simple, thoughtful ways you can encourage another mom right now. Nothing big or perfect—just real reminders that she’s doing a good job and she’s not alone.

 

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making the smiling homeschooler possible. They are an amazing math curriculum and we would encourage you to check them out over at teachingtextbooks.com

Thank you to Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping 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 and support us by clicking the link

https://hubs.ly/Q03VZKNS0

 

 

Episode 381 - Breaking Free From the Lies of Fear

Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast. This week we’re focusing on something every homeschooling mom faces but isn’t always willing to talk about: fear. The fear of not measuring up, the fear of failing our kids, the fear that we aren’t enough for our children, and so many more. We walk through the most common fears parents carry, how those fears shape our decisions, and how to replace the lies with the truth, hope, and confidence that God provides. It’s a great conversation, and we hope you enjoy it!

We want to thank teaching textbooks for making the smiling homeschooler possible. They are an amazing math curriclulm and we would encourage you to check them out over at teachingtextbooks.com

Also, thank you to Samaritan Ministries,  a community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping 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 and support us by clicking this link https://hubs.ly/Q03VZKNS0

 

Have a great week and don't forget to smile! 

Episode 380 - Guarding Their Hearts: What Should Our Kids Watch? - With Sam Wilson

Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re diving into a topic every homeschooling family wrestles with: deciding what content, movies, and shows we allow into our homes. We talk through how we make those decisions, what standards guide us, and share a few recommendations that have worked well for our families.

We are also joined by a very special guest — Todd's son,  Sam Wilson, lead animator for Season 3 of The Wingfeather Saga. He gives us an inside look at the new season and why this series stands out as a great option for families.
It’s an encouraging and practical conversation about media, discernment, and enjoying thanksgiving together as a family

We also want to thank teaching textbooks for making the smiling homeschooler possible. They are an amazing math curriculum and we would encourage you to check them out over at teachingtextbooks.com

Lastly,  we want to thank Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians that pay one another’s
medical bills…helping 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 at https://hubs.ly/Q03CR00H0

 

Have a great week and don't forget to smile!