The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast

Episode 411 – Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom and Homeschooling

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're celebrating America's 250th birthday!
As the Fourth of July approaches, we're talking about what makes our country so special, why we should never take the freedom to homeschool our children for granted, and how we can help our kids appreciate the blessings we enjoy. We also share some of our favorite American historical sites to visit and reflect on why this holiday is about so much more than fireworks and cookouts.

We hope this episode encourages you to celebrate with gratitude and make some great memories with your family.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. 

Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem Healthshare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7c0

 

Have a great week and a Happy 4th of July, and don't forget to smile! 

Episode 410 - Keeping Your Marriage Strong in Busy Seasons - With Debbie Wilson

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're talking about something that can be really easy to overlook in the middle of homeschooling, parenting, work, and everything else life throws at us, which is our marriage.

When the days are filled with lesson plans, laundry, meals, activities, and trying to keep the house from completely falling apart, it's easy for your relationship to become more about managing a family than actually enjoying each other. But a healthy marriage doesn't happen by accident, and it's one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids.

On this episode, we are joined by Debbie Wilson to share some practical ideas that have helped us stay connected to our spouses through the busy seasons, along with a few simple reminders that have made a big difference for us.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. 

Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and REDEEM HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7c0

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

Episode 409 1/2 - Taking Back Our Attention This Summer

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today we're talking about taking back the summer from technology. We had to reupload this due to an issue with Apple Podcasts. If you already listened to this episode from another source, then you don't have to listen to this version! 

There are so many things demanding our attention these days, especially social media and technology. We discuss some practical strategies for cutting back on these distractions so we can focus on what really matters this summer: making memories with our kids and spending time together as a family.

We also talk about Kids Day, a Wilson family tradition, as well as Father's Day and ways we can encourage and celebrate the dads in our lives.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. 

Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7c0

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

Episode 409 - Taking Back Our Attention This Summer

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today we're talking about taking back the summer from technology.

There are so many things demanding our attention these days, especially social media and technology. We discuss some practical strategies for cutting back on these distractions so we can focus on what really matters this summer: making memories with our kids and spending time together as a family.

We also talk about Kids Day, a Wilson family tradition, as well as Father's Day and ways we can encourage and celebrate the dads in our lives.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. 

Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7c0

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

Episode 408 - The Message Every Tired Mom Needs to Hear - With Rissa Wilson

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're talking about something that almost every mom experiences but doesn't always talk about: exhaustion.

There are seasons when parenting feels overwhelming. The days are long, the responsibilities never seem to end, and it can feel like everyone needs something from you all the time. Yet somehow, you have to keep showing up day after day.

If that's where you are today, we hope this episode encourages you. We want to remind you that God sees your faithfulness, even on the hard days, and that the work you're doing matters more than you know. We think this conversation is something that every mom needs to hear!

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile. Please support them over at teachingtextbooks.com. 

Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7c0

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

Episode 407 - School's Out, Now What? - Helping Kids of Every Age Take the Next Step

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're talking about what comes after the school year ends.

We start by discussing why summer breaks matter so much, the importance of play, and why our kids don't need every moment scheduled. Then we talk about graduates and young adults, and how to help them take their next steps, how much guidance parents should give, and how to encourage them as they move toward adulthood.

We had a great conversation, and we think you'll be encouraged. Enjoy!

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums availible, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. 

Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries." You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7c0

 

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

Episode 406 - These Are the Days They’ll Remember

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re talking about something every parent thinks about at some point: what are the things our kids are actually going to remember when they look back on childhood?

Will it be the family vacations? Learning to ride a bike? Playing games together? Family traditions? Or maybe just those simple everyday moments that didn’t seem all that important at the time.

Especially as we’re wrapping up the school year and heading into summer, we think this is a great topic to reflect on. We have some encouragement and thoughts to share as we talk about making memories and enjoying the time we have with our kids.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculums around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile. Go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. 

Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redem Healthshare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7Q0

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

Episode 405 - Encouraging Your Child to Be Who God Made Them to Be

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re bringing back an episode from a while ago where we talked about how to encourage your child to embrace who God made them to be and to value what truly matters when it comes to success. This is one of our favorite topics, and we think it led to a really meaningful conversation that we hope encourages you today!

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculum around, and we believe they help more homeschoolers smile, and you should use their math curriculum for this school year. So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com. 

Today’s show was also underwritten by
Samaritan Ministries and Redem Healthshare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, "We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7Q0

Lastly, Todd is currently on his way to the Florida Homeschooling convention, so if you are going to be there, make sure to come up and say hi and get your free homeschool personality sticker! 

 

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

Episode 404 - Raising Capable Kids for the Real World - With Lisa Nehring

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we are talking about raising capable kids. As homeschooling parents, it can be easy to get focused only on academics, grades, and checking boxes, but at the end of the day, we want to raise young adults who can work hard, solve problems, serve others, and confidently step into the real world.

This week, we are joined by Lisa Nehring from Truth North Academy, It's Not That Hard to Homeschool, and Blue Collar Homeschool, and we talk about encouraging kids in their strengths, preparing them for life after homeschool, and why college isn’t the only path to success. We think this conversation will be a huge encouragement to parents who want to raise confident, capable kids. You can find more from Lisa at truenorthhomeschool.academy

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are the math curriculum our family uses, and it has helped us smile more, and we think it will do the same for your family. Go support them and check out a free trial over at teachingtextbooks.com 

Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem Healthshare, where members are committed to honoring Christ through a community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bill. Redeem HealthShare helps families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7Q0 

 

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

Episode 403 - Homeschool Moms Are Changing Lives

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re taking some time to encourage moms as we celebrate both National Teacher Appreciation Day and Mother’s Day.

Homeschool moms don’t get nearly the recognition they deserve, so today is all about recognizing you and everything you do for your kids. From wiping runny noses and teaching your children to read, to dealing with attitudes, discipline, discipleship, and the countless other responsibilities that come with motherhood and homeschooling, the work never really ends, and often goes unnoticed. But we truly believe the impact you are making on your children is deep, meaningful, and lifelong.

Our goal today is simply to encourage you and remind you that what you’re doing matters more than you know. We hope you enjoy the episode!

Before we start, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are the math curriculum our family uses, and it has helped us smile more, and we think it will do the same for your family. Go support them and check out a free trial over at teachingtextbooks.com.

Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare, where members are committed to honoring Christ through a community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills. Redeem HealthShare helps families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7Q0

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