make joy normal: cozy homeschooling
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© 2025 make joy normal: cozy homeschooling
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In the context of promoting joy, fun and an environment of love, Bonnie welcomes you! Bonnie is a homeschool mom of seven kids, 32 years in - writer, speaker and cheerleader. Meet her cohosts who bring your questions and theirs to the table: Elizabeth, mom of six, in the thick of glorious family life, and Christina, just starting the homeschool journey with three littles. Join us for some honest discussion about how to make home education cozy. Just like you imagined.
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send us a text via Fan Mail! Author Julie Bogart joins me to discuss her new book and the keys to teaching writing - hint, it's not supposed to be boring! 2:33 - What is the structure of your writing curriculum? 6:05 - At the heart of writing 10:20 - Help! My Kids Hate Writing 15:01 - Teaching composition 18:38 - When to start and skills of writing 27:54 - Playful revision 32:54 - Speech arts 35:07 - Using technology and AI As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ...
send us a text via Fan Mail! I chat with Cheryl and Garreth about this beautiful labour of love that they are creating. A collection of the beautiful stories in audio so that our kids can have access to rich and beautiful literature. Such a great addition to family reading. 1:29 - Welcome and about the project 9:30 - Listening to audiobooks as a family 11:47 - Every book is an adventure 12:40 - Audiobook production 17:19 - What are the age categories? 21:38 - What wa...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Suzanne and I chat abut her beautiful new book: She Loved. Thanks Suzanne for what you offer mothers . 1:58 - Reaching out to others in time of need 4:54 - Welcome and about Suzanne 10:45 - Suzanne's new book She Loved 18:31 - What impact do you hope this book will have? 22:21 - As parents we are always amateurs 25:12 - The vital role of motherhood 35:00 - Remembering our vision and what truly matters @latteandlaundry on Instagram w...
send us a text via Fan Mail! A fascinating conversation on a recent study of homeschooled adults. Co-author Albert Cheng, PhD, is a Cardus senior fellow and associate professor in the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas. Among his many achievements and areas of study, his research interests include character formation, school-choice policy, faith-based schooling, and homeschooling. Our conversation about this study, Diverse Outcomes for a Diverse Populatio...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Zoe's new FREEBIE! Where I randomly record a catch up conversation between Zoe and myself. We discuss many things, including, but not limited to: 2:41 - Illness and natural remedies natural cleaning products Skin care 10:48 - Raw milk and the law 14:02 - The decision to homeschool Leaning in to family Let them by Mel Robbins Dealing with new circumstances 21:20 - States of overwhelm accomplishing household tasks Stacking 34:51 - AI tools for moms The value ...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Christina and I discuss a listener’s experience of loneliness in motherhood. 1:35 - Dealing with loneliness as a mother 3:46 - Deep, interior loneliness vs. physical loneliness 8:15 - Ways to reach out for community 13:55 - Creating a schedule for yourself 16:21 - Seeking spiritual direction 18:53 - Taking care of oneself 23:35 - Filling a need Support the show Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoyno...
send us a text via Fan Mail! A chat with my accomplice Brian D and myself on the how, why, who, where, when and what of getting things done. Big emphasis on the why. 2:30 - Our intrinsic need for community 10:27 - Cultivating ideas and gathering in person 23:53 - Create a running list of ideas 26:47 - Planning the logistics 32:44 - Promoting your event 36:30 - Having a supportive team 39:04 - Incorporating special aspects 42:29 - Relying on providence ...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Elizabeth and I share our family traditions surrounding the Lenten season. 2:23 - Candlelit Stations of the Cross, Easter Vigil 7:47 - Resurrection Rolls 11:25 - Guiding children spiritually, what to "give up" 12:29 - Hosting a seder supper 14:22 - Storybooks for Lent 16:53 - Spiritual reading and progressive Lent 21:35 - The Passion of the Christ movie 24:51 - Hot cross buns 25:53 - Lenten food, go-to Friday meals As a...
send us a text via Fan Mail! ideas for making meal prep more pleasant and efficient Search podcast episodes by topic Support the show Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!
send us a text via Fan Mail! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Subject matter warning: This episode contains discussion on how to talk to our kids about the virtue of chastity and of our sexuality. This would not be an episode to listen to in the presence of young children. 1:34 - Growing in wisdom and maturity as parents 7:51 - Surrounding ourselves with like-minded families 9:10 - Understanding the deepest needs of our children 13:53 - Growi...
send us a text via Fan Mail! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you, Sjeila for this fabulous episode on teaching math. Sjeila is a former teacher and math coach before she became a homeschool mom and shares with us the world of math so that we can approach it without fear. 1:07 - Welcome Sjeila and background 3:56 - Being nervous about math 8:00 - Understanding the language of math 12:35 - Learn from good mathematicians &n...
send us a text via Fan Mail! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for all the fanmail, my dear listeners! I'm so excited to be able to both engage and be challenged by your amazing questions. In this episode I respond to two recent fan mail, listed in the title of this episode. At the end of the episode, I reflect on something that I came across early on that had an impact on my desire to work toward holiness and also the creation of habits. 1:1...
send us a text via Fan Mail! For the last month I've received several questions about breastfeeding topics and even though this has nothing to do with homeschooling it has everything to do with homeschooling - it's how we nurture our children and I'm so grateful for these questions! Christina and I discuss the return of fertility postpartum and if early weaning is necessary to have another baby if our cycle has not returned, how to deal with a nursing toddler and a newborn and what to do if o...
send us a text via Fan Mail! okay high schoolers. A little more info. Support the show Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!
send us a text via Fan Mail! First installment of a segment on high school and getting emerging adults participating in their own educational planning. Today I go over how the system works and the advantage of having agency over your education. 1:49 - Understanding how the system works 6:27 - What university/colleges are looking for 11:11 - Importance of learning how to write 17:09 - Sharpening math skills 18:59 - Additional resources getting to graduation with grace ...
send us a text via Fan Mail! I am responding to a fan mail that I answered in short form, just taking a deeper dive into the factors that played into my own (very not-linear and still incomplete) journey of growth as a mother. Here are some things that I mention during the show: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. securing cooperation without sacrificing kindness (blog post) if not carrot and stick, then WHAT (blog post) on relationship (blog post) Disciplin...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Such a delight to speak to HeWo founders Elie and Viviana! With a growing library of Catholic audio stories, music and prayers, HeWo is a gift that is sure to provide hours of entertainment while at the same time helping kids grow in their Catholic faith. 1:37 - Welcome Elie and Viviana! 3:18 - How the project came to be 5:39 - Faith comes by hearing the Word of God 7:57 - How it works and subscription 20-55 - Multilingual entertainment 25:31 - Vision ...
send us a text via Fan Mail! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Jenna and I chat about food! Advent and Christmas traditions from a food framework. But before we get into the thick of it, Jenna talks about a recent experience with dictation and her son. So it led me to wonder if anyone would like a live master class on dictation. Let me know via email if you are interested. We delve into the family food traditions, some passed down and so...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Elizabeth and I discuss kids who struggle with certain subjects, how to incentivize in nurturing ways; as well as helping them develop their unique strengths and gifts. 5:16 - Helping a child who struggles to focus 9:20 - The importance of our flexibility 14:51 - When a child is resistant to writing 23:06 - Solutions for when a child hates a subject 30:34 - Struggles with perfectionism Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Zoe brings these great questions to the show around gift giving. Keeping spending, stuff, emotions and mom's sanity all within a reasonable limit. Hard to do at Christmastime! Join us for some discussion about how we do things, what worked, what didn't and trying to maintain some semblance of equilibrium. 2:10 - Avoiding burnout at Christmas 6:13 - Advent traditions 9:29 - Santa Claus and gift giving 19:33 - Online shopp...
send us a text via Fan Mail! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Christina joins me to discuss all things toys - curating, storing them, communicating our needs around gift giving and sharing some family favourites. 6:16 - Keep stuff or donate? 10:52 - Giving clear directives for gift giving 16:12 - Rotating toys 19:21 - Best loved toys in our homes 34:10 - When to let go 38:34 - Board games, clean up and creative play Magna-Tiles Classic 32-piece M...
send us a text via Fan Mail! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 1:29 - joy is a choice 4:36 - homeschooling out of love 8:14 - connecting with your child 11:17 - being polite and friendly 14:44 - avoid pouncing on your kids 18:34 - developing relationships Rest, Play, Grow by Deborah MacNamara (Amazon) Nourished: Connection, Food, and Caring for Our Kids by Deborah MacNamara (Amazon) Rest, Play, Grow: Interview with Dr. Deborah MacNamara (podcast) Nourished...
1send us a text via Fan Mail! a lovely chat with my guest co-host Zoe 2:32 - Homeschooling all ages 3:48 - HOW do you do it!??? 6:48 - What it looks like day to day 10:57 - Making curriculum work for the needs of your family 15:42 - When learning to read is a challenge 20:26 - Homeschooling fosters self-motivation 25:03 - Being ok with slower progress 26:44 - How do you keep little ones entertained during school hours? 31:39 - Efficiency in our day and phonics 34:55 - Overcoming learn...
send us a text via Fan Mail! How do we spread joy and profess a life in Christ when we're so messed up? Some thoughts on this ever so human experience. This is the last of a series of episodes on the basics of joy. The other episodes are: What is joy? Back to basics. The story of two moms. Living joyfully when it's hard. 1:55 - Not time for perfect 3:37 - Being an apostle of joy even when I struggle with it myself 4:20 - Scattering joy in our messiness 7:48 - ...
send us a text via Fan Mail! a few thoughts on personal growth and acceptance of God's will through joy and suffering 1:37 - Can we find joy in suffering? 5:25 - Being angry with God and accepting what is 13:54 - Facing tragedy by God's grace 17:53 - Compliance to our circumstances perseverance in homeschooling: remembering what matters (podcast) revelations (blog post) Brilliant Beaver Guidebook - Audio VersionEngage kids aged 6-9 with fun, screen-free activities from the wor...
send us a text via Fan Mail! a story from when I was expecting my first daughter and reflections on the type of mom I want to be you deserve to be lifted up (blog post) simplify your life (podcast) the fundamental elements of kindness part one (blog post) Support the show Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!
send us a text via Fan Mail! So much back ground noise in the episode. I think my husband and son may have been reenacting the battle of the Rohirrim. Apologies on that. Just me on this episode sharing well, why joy? How did it happen that joy became my personal little mission. And why does it matter? 1:40 - Using and sharing our gifts 4:24 - Where my journey began 9:20 - Taking charge of our own lives 12:34 - Unearthing joy 17:06 - Tackling some imped...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Dear friends. I've picked up blogging again as I've missed writing. I'm writing my story as a way of getting back into it. Part the first, HERE. Elizabeth and I discuss the hard seasons (Elizabeth's baby is due any day...) how we can manage them, discern them, work with them. 2:27 - Homeschooling through pregnancy 7:31 - Hiring out schooling when needed 9:42 - Discipline and routine with boys 14:53 - Stepping back and ...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Christina and I address a few issues that crop up regularly in our family life, included, but not limited to, children flopping on the floor when we ask them to do something. 0:49 - Homeschool beginnings 3:28 - The mystery of readiness 6:48 - Comparing ourselves 9:30 - Learning is a lifelong endeavour 13:30 - It's okay to take time off 16:20 - What if your child refuses to cooperate? 25:15 - The value of humour 30:25 - Attachment is not p...
send us a text via Fan Mail! My listener and guest, Kimmy, and I, address the topic of anger, learning to pause, growing in holiness and - aaaah - EXPECTATIONS. 2:08 - Kimmy's questions on managing anger and structuring the day 8:01 - Creating and sustaining a loving environment 12:21 - Planning time for yourself 18:58 - Camp style learning 22:40 - Practices that help us deal with anger and develop self-control 40:53 - How to respond to our kids anger 51:...
send us a text via Fan Mail! My dear friend Zoe joins me to discuss how she mentors moms to take a look at how we can create more ease and joy in the daily task of meal prep and menu planning. Dealing with decision fatigue and how to create an environment that is more streamlined and restful. We talk about Sunday as a day of rest, and what that can look like in our busy family lives. Spend some time with us, chatting about the joys and challenges of keeping all the people fe...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Haley and I discuss co-sleeping and breastfeeding, I chat about my journey into co-sleeping and the benefits I’ve observed. Overall, the conversation highlights the benefits and challenges of co-sleeping and offers insights into creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment for the whole family. We share our personal experiences and offer thoughts on how to navigate these situations. co-sleeping, breastfeeding, attachment parenting, sleep environment, n...
send us a text via Fan Mail! In this conversation, Mariette and I discuss how to motivate children to do tasks they don't enjoy, specifically focusing on math. We explore strategies such as setting parameters, incorporating math into daily activities, and giving children a sense of control and choice. Takeaways Set parameters and give children a sense of control and choice when it comes to tasks they don't enjoy.Incorporate math into daily activities to make it more engaging and relevan...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Sheila, a veteran homeschooling mother from Arizona, shares her experience with burnout and the challenges of homeschooling children with a large age gap. We touch on mothering teens and keeping the connection as they become adults. soundbites: "It's a beautiful thing that you're doing.""Nobody prepares us for what it's going to be like to have adult children and our role in that.""Implementing mentorship for older homeschooling moms could be a wonder...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Takeaways from this episode: Passions can be turned into high school courses, such as chess Course titles can reflect the skills and concepts learned, like "applied mathematics through strategy." A high school course typically requires 120-150 hours of work, so what does that look like for their passions? A topical list of previous episodes is available for easy reference at the end of these show notes and also! A YouTube video featuring a dad's panel...
send us a text via Fan Mail! A listener, Caroline, brings her questions to the show, delving into the high school years for the first time with lots of younger siblings. Homeschooling with JOY Brilliant Beaver Guidebook - Audio VersionEngage kids aged 6-9 with fun, screen-free activities from the world of scoutingSupport the show Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal P...
send us a text via Fan Mail! well, exactly spelling and the brain by Andrew Pudewa Brilliant Beaver Guidebook - Audio VersionEngage kids aged 6-9 with fun, screen-free activities from the world of scoutingSupport the show Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!
send us a text via Fan Mail! 1:42 - Conversion and honouring womanhood 4:53 - Welcome and family life 7:42 - Homebirth and home education 11:03 - Sharing birth experiences 20:27 - Motherhood, birth and feminism 29:30 - Sharing our passion, using our gifts 34:06 - All mothers work 37:40 - Surrendering to motherhood 42:50 - Mindful use of social media On Instagram : @radical.homemaker One Tired Mother | Amber Adrian | Substack Keeping your head above water, live wo...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Homeschool Connections founders Walter Crawford and Maureen Whittmann join me to discuss the online platform and how it is unique for homeschooling elementary through high school. We also discuss the upcoming online conference *click here for early bird pricing available until April 26, 2024* 2:11 - Welcome Walter and Maureen 6:52 - The beginnings of Homeschool Connections 11:20 - Live and recorded classes 20:59 - Enthusiasm and Dante 23:33 - Upcoming online c...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Such a pleasure to have Julie Bogart join me to discuss her upcoming book and the importance of teaching writing and critical thinking skills in our homeschool. 00:41 - Welcome Julie / Beginnings in teaching writing 4:27 - Becoming critical thinkers 8:35 - Differing opinions in families/communities 17:32 - Teaching children how to think, not what to think 25:25 - Separating facts from fiction 36:28 - Assumptions, biases...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Another repurposed episode from the pre-podcast days... 1:15 - Finding time, creating time 2:10 - Slowing down 9:13 - Using a timer 12:06 - Make mealtimes easier 13:03 - A good day starts the night before 13:50 - Working alongside our children 18:23 - Managing during crisis Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley indentured servants (blog post) a day without programs or workbooks, part two: and all the rest (blog post) #makejoynormal #homesc...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Repurposing a YouTube live from a while back.... At the beginning of covid I did some YouTube live, and thought they’d be worthiwhile sharing. Here’s where I make the bold statement that I can out talk covid 19. And I did. 1:20 - Why simplicity matters 6:31 - Start your day with a list 7:44 - Read to your kids 9:09 - Chaos undermines joy 14:35 - Assessing your life 18:40 - Slowing down and finding order the law of diminishing returns (blo...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Welcome to our guest, Patrick Brown, homeschool dad and host of the podcast Crown and Crozier. 2:28 - Welcome Patrick, family life and podcast 13:14 - Raising our kids to be politically, economically awake 17:11 - Educating ourselves as parents 21:30 - Great resources available 32:08 - Voting, freedom and virtue 40:39 - Instilling a love of history 52:09 - Great examples of citizenship Crown and Crozier Podcast Twitter: crownandcrozier US Confere...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Christina and I discuss where to begin if you are new to homeschooling, especially if your child has already been in school. How to establish a routine and create a playful, joyful environment for learning. We also discuss teaching a second language and using curriculum. 2:51 - Facing loneliness in motherhood 7:55 - Where do you start if you want to homeschool? 14:27 - When the social life of school is appealing to the child 22:16 - Approache...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Homeschooling mom and author Samantha Stephenson joins me to discuss the moral formation of our children and how to discuss sensitive topics with our kids. 3:10 - Welcome Samantha! 6:19 - What is bioethics? 18:15 - How to approach difficult questions 23:19 - Using dignified language with our children 29:14 - Answering questions in an age appropriate manner 37:52 - Teaching the dignity of the human person 42:38 - Recommended movies and books 55:11 - What if ou...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Well. If it makes your life simpler, let's try that out. 2:10 - Welcome Ashlee! 3:30 - How did you learn about Marquette? 6:18 - What is ecological breastfeeding? 10:06 - NFP, FAM and how Marquette differs from other methods 18:42 - Would you use Marquette postpartum or while breastfeeding? 20:01 - Is it a challenging method to learn? 22:31 - Isn't NFP the same as contraception? 28:48 - Recommended reading 31:31 - Should you take a course to ...
send us a text via Fan Mail! 2:07 - What do you make of oral reports? 5:04 - Learning speech arts through coop activities 14:26 - Historical fiction and memorization 30:05 - Playing with dress up clothes Homeschooling, simplified: great books to study Canadian history The Poet's Eye by Arthur Alexander Make Joy Normal Podcast by topic #makejoynormal #homeschooling #learning #languagearts #speecharts #coop #formation #history #fun Support the show Contact On Instagra...
send us a text via Fan Mail! This is a live talk I did online when covid happened, and I've decided to produce a few of them here, converted into a podcast episode. 3:01 - Relationships first 5:58 - Develop a plan 7:12 - Simplicity in our homes 14:54 - Taking time off homeschooling 16:22 - Ideas for getting help 20:18 - Investing in yourself 25:12 - Creating your village 28:15 - Living in a functional community Homeschooling simplified series Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley&nb...
send us a text via Fan Mail! Homeschooling, simplified: what matters most: securing cooperation without sacrificing kindness #makejoynormal #homeschooling #education #attachment #kindness #relationship #joy Support the show Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!
send us a text via Fan Mail! Such a lovely interview where one of my sweet listeners, Abbey, brings questions about the bittersweet time when fertility is "pending" - the onset of menopause and the challenge of not knowing. 4:05 - Welcome Abbey! 10:24 - Miscarriage and pregnancy after 40 13:53 - Being open to God's will 18:29 - Suffering and grace, the sense of loss and mourning 21:26 - Accepting changes in the body 24:41 - Offering up our suffering 32:18 - Menopause as being actua...
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