The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast

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!

Episode 379 - The Lessons That Stick Aren't From a Textbook

Hey everyone, welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast. Todd flies solo this week and he shares an honest look at homeschool basketball season — the joys, the exhaustion, and the commitment to showing up for our kids. He encourages parents not to feel guilty about what they aren’t doing, but to celebrate the memories they are making.

Todd then dives into the idea of “electives” in homeschooling — and why in a homeschool environment, everything can be an elective! From animation to hair styling to basketball, the things your children love can be just as valuable (or more valuable) than the so-called “core” subjects.

As the holidays approach, remember that enjoying the season is school. Holiday crafts, traditions, decorating, and serving together are the real-life lessons your children will carry into adulthood.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com.

Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who 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 moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman

Episode 378 - Homeschooling During a Hard Season of Life - With Rissa Wilson

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast. We are really glad you’re here today, because this week’s episode is going to be a little different. Ben's wife, Rissa, is joining him, and she’s opening up about some of the struggles she’s been walking through over the past few months. She’s going to share honestly about what homeschooling can look like when life feels heavy, and offer encouragement to any mom who’s in a tough season right now.

So if you’ve been feeling worn out or like you’re not doing enough — you’re not alone. This episode is full of grace and hope, and we think it’s going to really encourage you.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com.

Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who 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 moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman

 

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

Episode 377 - Making Math Less Miserable

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!
We’re glad you’re here. This week, we’re talking all about math—what really matters, how we actually use it in everyday life, and how you can help your kids (and maybe yourself) smile a little more while doing it.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com.

Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who 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 moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman

 

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

Episode 376 - Investing in Family: Why Vacations and Breaks Matter

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!
This week on The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast, we’re back from vacation and talking about why family trips are worth every penny. 
Vacations can be expensive and a lot of work — especially with kids — but we believe they’re an incredible investment in your family’s relationships and memories. We also chat a bit about taking breaks during the homeschooling year and share a few thoughts about Halloween.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com.

Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who 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 moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman

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

Episode 375 - The Reward of Investing Time in Your Children - With Renee Miller

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!
Thank you for joining us! This week, our family is on vacation, so we’re bringing you an episode from the archives. In this conversation, we were joined by Renee Miller, founder of Miller Pad and Paper. She’s a veteran homeschool mom of four with a passion for encouraging moms to invest time in their children—because the fruit that homeschooling produces is truly amazing. Please enjoy! 

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com.

Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who 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 moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman

 

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

Episode 374 - Surviving Spelling and English Without Losing Your Mind

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!
We’re so glad you’re joining us. This week, we’re talking about a topic that can trip up just about every homeschool family at some point — spelling and English! Whether your kids are natural readers and writers or still struggling to remember “i before e except after c,” we’re going to talk about what really matters, what doesn’t, and how to keep a smile on your face through it all.

But Before we begin We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com. 

 

Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who 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 moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman

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