Elizabeth and I take a listener's question and share some of our favourite Christmas storybooks and movies along the way.00:53 - Enjoying a slow Advent  5:37 - Favourite Christmas storybooks9:33 - How much homework is too much for a 14 year old? 14:14 - Figuring out what our family needs 16:14 - Creating a family vision18:48 - Quizzes and tests in homeschool learning 25:15 - Top three Christmas moviesStar of Wonder - Advent Pilgrimage of Peaceenjoying your kids even more, family philosophy (blog post) #makejoynormal #homeschooling #highschool #family #vision #readaloud #advent #christmas Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

My husband and I chat about things that we did over the years to mark Advent and Christmas!1:45 - Midnight mass  7:54 - Learning about the Sacramentals 15:18 - Blessing of the Christmas tree 16:49 - Advent family procession 19:37 - Jesse Tree tradition 22:46 - Christmas eve celebration meal 25:30 - Feast of St. Nicholas puppet show 28:33 - Creating a family cultureA Handbook of Catholic Sacramentals by Ann Ball#makejoynormal #homeschooling #advent #christmas #tradition #family #culture #music #prayer #sacramentals #faith Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Such a lovely conversation with my dear listener Rebecca! She shares some great ideas for gathering people and growing community.    00:33 - Prayer request 1:11 - Welcome Rebecca, family and vocation 3:13 - Preconception, pregnancy and fertility health 8:04 - Professional development for homeschoolers16:11 - Format for homeschool gathering 18:45 - Growing a community 23:31 -  How to reach out to other families and keep communication open 27:51 - Parenting issues are the most significant 32:37 - Supporting and loving our children 37:20 - Holiness and learning from our mistakes Dr. Rebecca Genuis - Infertility, PCOS, preconception  Revolution of Mercy by Bonnie Landry Hold On to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld #makejoynormal #homeschooling #pregnancy #health #infertility #family #community #parenting #attachment #relationship #growth Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Jenna Beaugh joins me to discuss family life and culture around the table. We discuss how to encourage our children in a love of cooking, setting the atmosphere around the table and how to increase joy in our homeschooling. 1:01 - Welcome Jenna, family and faith journey 6:30 - How did you start homeschooling? 9:40 - Importance of food and family culture 14:54 - What led you into culinary school? 17:04 - Encouraging a love of cooking, love of table22:33 - Liturgical living, Advent and Christmas 29:01 - Book and future plans 31:33 - Final thoughts on how to instill a love of family time through food Jenna Beaugh on Instagram @eatliverunwebsite  eatliverun.com The Catechism in a Year Podcast with Fr. Mike SchmitzSALT FAT ACID HEAT Nourished: Connection, Food and Caring for Our Kids (And Everyone Else We Love) by Deborah MacNamara PhDNourished: an interview with Deborah MacNamara on her new book (podcast)convoluted Christmas with joy (blog post) #makejoynormal #homeschooling #family #culture #faith #food #cooking #motherhood #blogging #teenagers #advent #christmas #tradition #attachment #joy #nutrition Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Christina brings a great topic of discussion - can kids be trusted or will they take advantage of our goodness towards them?  We discuss productivity, discipline, authority and how to handle kids with controlling or manipulative behaviours.  4:50 - Learning to trust our children 6:46 - Education as a place of building relationship 10:09 - What should we do when we get pushback?  17:18 -  Learning to empathize with our children 21:39 - What if a child is manipulating you?26:58 - Leadership and authority in parenting 30:29 - Respect goes both ways  36:51 - Approach to conflict and relationships Author Julie Bogart on Instagram @juliebravewriter Hold On to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld Revolution of Mercy by Bonnie Landry authority (blog post)#makejoynormal #homeschooling #trust #discipline #education #tenderness #attachment #parenting #respect #authority #rest #enjoyment Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Trevor Rothaus, creator of Catholic Stories for Children  joins me to discuss a fun and engaging way to teach the Catholic faith to children! 00:29 - Welcome Trevor & faith journey 4:15 - What is Catholic Stories for Children? 6:23 - Video production and animation 9:35 - How can people support you? 14:12 - Mass Guide and Feast Day Calendar 19:14 - Printable prayers and Ignatian Spiritual Exercises for kids 24:00 - Growing in virtue 28:28 - What do you have in store for the future? 32:57 - Where to start and encouragement Catholic Stories for Children and on Instagram @catholicstoriesforchildrenforever learning (blog post) #makejoynormal #homeschooling #prayer #catechesis #faith #formation #virtue #habit #learning #faith Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Wow, what a profound episode with Dr. Deborah MacNamara who joins me to discuss her new book Nourished: Connection, Food and Caring for Our Kids.  We discuss relationship as the foundation to our health, how food and attachment are interconnected and how to create a family culture where food draws us together, is joyful and life-giving.     1:14 - Valuing the family meal, Bonnie's experience 6:40 - Food will either serve attachment or soothe emotional distress 11:50 - Receptivity and operating from the perspective of a role13:48  What if we are met by resistance from our children? 18:55 - Food culture in Italy: food draws people together, celebration, togetherness 22:55 - The work of love and attachment was always meant to be invisible 26:23 - Without connection children become more anxious, agitated, resistant 28:58 - Attachment does not mean the kids run all over you 34:11 - Not making an issue of food 36:17 - How do you hold on to a teenager? 38:24 - Food problems can become relationship problems  49:25 -  Experiencing food, play, and invitation 59:16 - Becoming your kid's best betDr. Deborah MacNamara's website and Instagram @drdeborahmacnamaraNourished: Connection, Food and Caring for Our Kids (And Everyone Else We Love) by Deborah MacNamara PhDRest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (or Anyone Else Who Acts Like One) by Deborah MacNamara Rest, Play, Grow: Interview with Dr. Deborah MacNamara (podcast) respect (blog post)#makejoynormal #homeschooling #family #culture #relationships #attachment #nourishment #connection #discipline #receptivity #invitation #warmth #generosity #patience #togetherness #gathering #enjoyment #responsibility #play Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Albert and I chat with Fr. Paul Houlis about pilgrimage, holiness, joy and blessings.  Catholic Heritage Curricula - Ever Ancient, Ever New2:11 - Welcome Fr. Paul and opening prayer 11:24 - Pilgrimages and greatest impact of being in the Holy Land 21:03 - What was your most profound experience? 25:46 - Feeling deeply, longing, and desire  39:42 - About Fr. Paul's podcast : A Holy Mess Podcast 43:22 - What's your favourite thing about being Catholic? 44:42  - Securing joy,  gratitude and holinessA Holy Mess Podcast why I am catholic, chapter the first (blog post)#makejoynormal #homeschooling #travel #pilgrimage #prayer #holyland #sacraments Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

It catches you by surprise. One day, they're all babies and little kids and you're having so much fun with all the schooling and suddenly, someone is 14 or 15!   It all seems to get a lot more serious and we find ourselves in a completely new landscape.  Thanks to Ashely for her willingness to share her questions and concerns on this podcast, as we explore that new landscape. 00:29 - Welcome Ashley! 2:03 - Developing a high school transcript 5:21 - Having a conversation with your teen about their future 7:48 - Write everything down that they do 11:02 - Discerning what's best for your family 19:20 - Developing a course and grading 28:25 - Coaching our children 34:52 - Family life and time management 38:35 - New school year, where to start? https://www.bonnielandry.ca/pdfsgetting to graduation with grace (Youtube) Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

thanks to our sponsor, Catholic Heritage Curricula2:11 - Welcome and gearing up for a new school year 5:13 - How do you direct a 14 month old without rewards or consequences? 11:13 - How do we get our kids to do things that they don't want to do? 17:22 - Connect and direct19:44 - Restricting computer time and video games24:12 - Prevention and managing the environment for safety 30:28 - Supportive parenting for creative and sneaky kids Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Thank you Kelly!  For more awesome tips on simplifying mom life, find Kelly herehttps://www.simplehomemom.com/1:09 - Welcome Kelly! 2:37 - Strategy #1: Use Go-back Baskets 5:43 - Strategy #2: Use loop planning for low stress chores 11:41 - Strategy #3: Use blitz tidying as needed 17:57 - Strategy #4: Commit to simple daily planning 20:27 - Strategy #5: Use chore habits for less effort chores 22:21 - Strategy #6: Commit to a weekly planning session 24:40 - Strategy #7: Create a plan B chore routine 28:53 - How do you stay on-top of the basics? Meals, dishes? 37:52 - How do you keep laundry flowing smoothly?Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

I have three lovely ladies, Teresa, Leah and Margaret bring their incredible and insightful questions to the podcast.  Honestly, I think this is one of the best episodes we've done...these gals are so insightful with wanting to understand such fundamental aspects of home education and family life.  Thank you, ladies, you are fabulous!7:50 - How do you define joy? 22:01 - Reactive response vs. tender response 27:11 - Why the focus on joy?41:30 - Growing spiritually with our kids44:42 - Offering correction in a loving and dignified way 50:19 - Where did you come across the philosophy of gentle parenting? 59:55 - Combating angst and building resilience Homeschooling with JOY workshop videosSearching for and Maintaining PeaceLet Beauty SpeakBishop Barron seven deadly sinsSheila Kippley Hold Onto Your KidsEpisode on resilience Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Sorry sweeties, no show notes this time!!Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

A listener submits a question, and well...I just launch. Catholic Heritage Curricula - Ever Ancient, Ever New 2:32 - What curriculum do you recommend for a preschooler? 5:10 - How natural learning began in our home 11:41 - What I noticed over time 14:44 - Curricula stressors and math example 19:13 - Be the master of the curriculum 19:53 - Creating a loving learning environmentBonnie Landry Youtube page  The Three R's by Ruth Beechick Homeschooling Simplified book seriesgearing, part three, avoiding the things that kill joy (blog post) #makejoynormal #homeschooling #preschool #curriculum #education #kindergarten #unschooling #discipline #math #natural #learningSupport the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

1:42 - Welcome Oceana and about TWU7:55 - What is the process for the homeschool student? 12:55 - Support, financial aid and campus living 19:00 - Athletic programs at TWU20:03 - Catholic formation and transfer process 23:25 - Travel study opportunities  25:25 - When can you start your application? 30:29 - Website and social media31:40 - Details for application process and living on campusTrinity Western University @hellotwu on instagram homeschooling high school: a typical course of study, what does that even mean? (blog post) #makejoynormal #homeschooling #academics #formation #wellness #mentorship #community #connection #ministry #travelstudy #career Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

The final component of "Revolution of Mercy" audio book version.  00:47 - Chapter 7 - Be merciful and just 3:48 - Caring for our children's dignity 5:10 -  Forgiveness does not condone behaviour 11:19 - Chapter 8 - The Theology of the Body and dignity in relationships  14:32 - The perfection of charity 17:31 - How we ought to respond to our children  27:08 - Chapter 9 - Why not how 29:03 - Walking with our children  31:49 - Acknowledging emotions and dealing with disappointment  46:16 - What we are as familiesRevolution of Mercy: how kindness changes everything Discipline Without Distress by Judy ArnallMan & Woman He Created Them (Theology of the Body) by Pope John Paul IIBreastfeeding & Catholic Motherhood by Sheila Kippley it ain't a perfect world (blog post)#makejoynormal #homeschooling #mercy #kindness #discipline #family #dignity #prayer #tenderness #virtueSupport the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

00:44 - Carrot and Stick discipline 3:45 - Chapter 5 - Filling our children's tanks 3:57 - Disinterested service 5:29 - Gentle discipleship 7:45 - Controlling our reactions 10:36 - Striving for perfection 13:30 - Chapter 6 - Our tanks need filling too 15:49 - Seeking God in the Sacraments 20:11 - Prayer and fasting Discipline Without Distress by Judy Arnall Interior Freedom by Fr. Jacques PhilippeSeven Deadly Sins; Seven Lively Virtues by Fr. Robert Barron (YouTube) fasting is good (blog post)#makejoynormal #homeschooling #prayer #sacraments #discipline #gentleness #charity #attachment #connectionSupport the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

I continue to read my book "Revolution of Mercy" with commentary along the way. Catholic Heritage Curricula - Ever Ancient, Ever New2:31 - Chapter 3 - Agitation, discord and grace 5:07 - Living in a state of contradiction7:28 - Ideals and expectations  8:46 - Living in the moment 9:43 - Strong reactions and supernatural grace 13:20 - Chapter 4 - Relationships and transaction 14:28 - Rewards and consequences system 17:31 - God's love is not transactional Hold On to Your Kids attachment parenting and the sermon on the mount (blog post) #makejoynormal #homeschooling #grace #discipline #relationships #family #growth #prayer #faith #tenderness #attachment Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

I read my book "Revolution of Mercy" with commentary along the way.00:50 - Understanding the temperament God gave you 2:34 -Forming a receptive heart4:35 - Walking beside our children in discipleship9:24 - Chapter 2 - What is a family and why is it so hard? 12:27 - An intimate community of life and love14:11 - Heroic virtue and holiness17:33 - Our children are more responsive to tenderness 22:37 - Why did God make me? Revolution of Mercy: how kindness changes everythingThe Temperament God Gave You by Art and Laraine BennettFamiliaris Consortio, Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II motherhood: an apprenticeship in self-denial (blog post) #makejoynormal #homeschooling #relationships #discipline #trust #conversion #revolutionofmercy #kindness #dignity #virtue #holiness #attachment #tenderness #family Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

I read my book "Revolution of Mercy" with commentary along the way. 2:11 - Chapter One - Receptivity3:05 - Love is an act of the will 3:32 - Remembering is the hard part 6:02 - Managing children's behaviour or securing cooperation 7:19 - Rewards and consequences 8:38 - Emotional distance compromises guiding influence 9:16 - Covenant implies a relationship of trust 10:15 - Conversion is a life long process Revolution of Mercy: how kindness changes everything  dead and almost dead (blog post) #makejoynormal #homeschooling #relationships #discipline #trust #conversion #revolutionofmercy #kindness #dignity Support the showContact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!