The Homeschool Sanity Show

Hey, homeschoolers! I don't know anyone who wants to have a crazy Christmas--the kind that leads to exhaustion, sickness, and dread of the new year. Instead, every homeschooler I know wants to have a meaningful, peaceful, and joyful Christmas. Of course, we can't control every part of our Christmas holiday. But I believe there are things we can do to make a saner Christmas more likely. We'll chat about that in just a minute. But first, I'd like to thank our sponsor for this episode, Kiwi Company. Have you ever been stuck on how to bring your lessons to life?  My kids have enjoyed Kiwi's monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun. Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM -- science, technology, engineering, art, and math -- accessible and they are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning. Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits. Kiwi Crate was founded by engineer and mom of three, Sandra Oh Lin. She created these kits out of her deep desire to raise kids with the creative confidence needed to become the next generation of problem-solvers and critical thinkers.  I couldn’t agree more with their mission and am excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer, visit www.kiwico.com/homeschool to get your first month free today (just pay $4.95 for shipping). These kits make amazing gifts! Join me on Facebook on December 5th at 4E/3C/2M/1P for an inside look at one of the crates that my son can't wait to get his hands on. Links Read the blog post Christmas in the White House an online study from Techie Homeschool Mom declutter your home in a weekend The Organized Homeschool Life give them away or arrange to sell them- homeschool used curriculum Do some research of other curriculum you would like to use next year. Reverse Charades links on HomeschoolSanity.com White Elephant Game [READ GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, AND MYRRH GIFT IDEAS] Here are some resources for your devotional time. 12 ways children can give this Christmas. Which of these tips will help you the most? Let me know in the comments. Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor, Kiwi Crate!   We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Kiwi Crate! KiwiCo has monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun!

Hey homeschoolers! Do you ever feel guilty as a homeschooling mom? I know I do. Whether it's feeling like I haven't done the things I should do or feeling like I've done some things I shouldn't, guilt seems to be a constant companion. However, I have been able to get past more of my guilt in recent years than I did at the beginning of my homeschooling journey. If you would like some tips for getting past guilt, listen in. Before we get to this week's topic, though, I'd like to thank our sponsor, Kiwi Company. Have you ever been stuck on how to bring your lessons to life?  My kids have enjoyed Kiwi's monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun. Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM -- science, technology, engineering, art, and math -- accessible and are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning. Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits. Kiwi Crate was founded by engineer and mom of three, Sandra Oh Lin. She created these kits out of her deep desire to raise kids with the creative confidence needed to become the next generation of problem-solvers and critical thinkers.  I couldn’t agree more with their mission and am excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer, visit www.kiwico.com/homeschool to get your first month free today (just pay $4.95 for shipping). These kits make amazing gifts! Teaching Tip of the Week The teaching tip of the week is to study the biblical calendar with your kids. If you haven't listened to the interview I did with Ana Willis on encouraging gratitude in our kids, you'll want to. Ana was discussing how the feast of Tabernacles prepares us for the feast we will enjoy with Jesus one day. That got me thinking about how important the feasts and biblical timeline are to my children's faith. I know next to nothing about the biblical calendar, so I invited Dianna Wiebe of Grapevine Studies to talk with me about them on my Facebook page. Join us live on November 28, 2017 at 4E/3C/2M/1P. To purchase a biblical calendar for your wall from grapevine studies, go to Psychowith6.com/Biblecalendar. For a limited time use code PSYCHO6 to take 20% off your purchases at Grapevine studies. Links HomeschoolScopes.tv When Strivings Cease Hobbies that renew us Read the blog post Have a happy homeschool week! Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor, Kiwi Crate!   We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Kiwi Crate! KiwiCo has monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun! Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM -- science, technology, engineering, art, and math -- accessible and are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning. Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits. Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network is excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer,

Hey homeschoolers! Do you have trouble trusting God with your homeschool? It's a common problem. After all, in this economy, we wonder if our kids will have a good job waiting for them when they've completed their education. But trusting God is essential to having a happy homeschool. We will talk about how we can trust Him more in a moment. But first I would like to thank our sponsor for this podcast, Sony pictures, Sony Animation and Affirm Films. Their sponsorship makes it possible for the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network to provide free audio programs like this one. Be sure to check out the other homeschooling podcasts here at Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network.com. Teaching Tip of the Week The teaching tip of the week is to spend some time tutoring your kids. If your students are young, you're already doing this. But once your students can read and do work independently, we can lose touch with our students' strategies for completing work and their skills. Schedule time occasionally to do your students' work together. You can uncover any efficient strategies your student is using and it will also be a great time to connect on an emotional level. You can praise your students for their knowledge and offer suggestions for alternate ways of approaching work. You can also use this time to check work and go over what's expected of them in the coming week. Now this message from Sony pictures. Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th! Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more. Before we can talk about strategies for trusting God more, we have to talk about what leads us away from trusting God in the first place. Links I was called to homeschool George Mueller Nate Saint Ben Carson answers to prayer on the Guideposts website. pray little prayers Read the blog post

Hey homeschoolers! Today we are going to discuss how to encourage mental toughness in our children. It's an important topic that I will get to in a few minutes. But first I want to thank our sponsor for this episode – Sony pictures -- Sony Pictures Animation and Affirm Films. Their sponsorship makes it possible for the ultimate homeschool Radio network to provide free audio programs like this one. Keep listening to hear more from them in a moment. Teaching Tip of the Week The teaching tip of the week is to use funny typos. This week someone shared a hilarious typo in a book about Beethoven. If you would like to have your child read it to discover the typo, check out the photo below. Humor is a powerful way to teach anything and grammar is no exception. Always be on the lookout for funny spelling, grammar, and writing mistakes that you can use to teach your kids. If you find some good ones I would love to have you share them on the grammar galaxy books Facebook page. Links [LISTEN TO HELP FOR ANXIOUS HOMESCHOOLERS] [HOW TO RENEW YOUR MIND THROUGH TRUTH JOURNALING] [BLACK-AND-WHITE THINKING IN YOUR HOMESCHOOL] YWAM biographies Read the blog post More biographies How do you encourage mental toughness in your kids? Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th! Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

How can we cultivate gratitude in our homeschools? Guest Ana Willis of They Call Me Blessed is joining me this week to share some great ideas. But first, I’d like to thank Sony Pictures – Sony Pictures Animation along with Affirm Films for sponsoring this week’s podcast. You’ll hear more from them in a bit. If you have early elementary students, I think they would enjoy my monthly Grammar Galaxy calendars. The daily missions keep language arts skills strong and are perfect to use during morning time.. You’ll receive seasonal reading assignments, information about children’s authors who were born that month, writing prompts, and online game links for teaching spelling, vocabulary, and grammar – all free! To subscribe, click here. Teaching Tip of the Week The teaching tip of the week is to plan unit studies over the holidays. Doing special studies of Thanksgiving and Christmas has been one of my children’s and my favorite parts of homeschooling. By this time of year, we are needing to shift gears, have fun, and make some memories. The Konos units we have done are fabulous, but there are so many options today.   Here is a list of more free Thanksgiving unit studies Silverdale Press White House Christmas Unit Study {affiliate link} Free Christmas Unit Studies Now this message from Sony pictures. This week’s topic is developing gratitude in our children’s hearts. I asked my friend Ana Willis to join me and give us some tips. Links They Call Me Blessed blog Feast of Tabernacles for Christians Thanksgiving Jar Printables Thanksgiving Bible journaling printables They Call Me Blessed on Facebook Blessed Homeschool Moms and Blessed Bible Journaling on Facebook How to Raise Grateful Kids Read the Blog Post Have a happy homeschool week!

Have you been trying to be a Proverbs 31 Homeschooling mom as I described in previous episodes? If you have, you'll want to listen to this episode in which I'll share what I've learned about the problem of striving and how to find a place in your homeschool where strivings cease. But first, I’d like to thank our sponsor, Sony Pictures --Sony Pictures Animation along with Affirm Films. Their sponsorship helps make it possible for the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network to provide free audios for our listeners. The Teaching Tip of the Week Share with your children what God has been teaching you during your Bible time. There was a time when I realized I was writing and speaking about truths God had revealed to me in His Word with other Christian women, but was not sharing with my own children. No curriculum or even Bible story book is more important than teaching our kids these things. When we teach this way, we show our children that our time in the Word is important to us. We model that faith isn't just a school subject. It's life. Second, we show our children that we struggle. I'm so thankful my children have few and mild struggles in their young lives. But one day the struggle will be real. They need to know how we cope with trials by example. Finally, there is no more powerful way to share our mother's heart with our children than to share what God is teaching us. Our children see our love for God, our love for them, and our desire to follow Christ. If you find it challenging to find time in the Word, pray for wisdom for this. Perhaps you can listen to the Bible as you walk. Your husband may offer to give you time or to read with you. The amount of Scripture we read is not the priority; it's that we are seeking God. Links Read the blog post Sidetracked in the Wilderness and My Weakness for His Strength and So You're Not Wonder Woman How can I pray for you? Comment and let me know. Have a happy homeschool week! Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th! Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

Hey homeschoolers! I’d like to thank our sponsor, Sony Pictures --Sony Pictures Animation along with Affirm Films. I had time to catch up with our new homeschoolers and talk about one of the most important factors for our homeschooling success – our parenting approach. Specifically, what do you tend to revert to when you are tired and stressed? You’ll want to listen to the podcast for our chat! But first, I would love to have you follow my Facebook page, Psychowith6: Homeschool Sanity. I have been seeking to create a community there with discussion questions, photos, videos, and other content that will entertain you, affirm you, and help you stay sane in this wonderful homeschool world. Teaching Tip of the Week The teaching tip of the week is to reevaluate your parenting approach as your child hits a new developmental level. We are often so busy with the day to day that we forget to take a larger view. We may be requiring our tween to hold our hand to cross the street, failing to consider the responsibilities our teen is ready for, or neglecting our child’s physical needs. My teen boys have complained loudly about not having enough to eat, for example. I kept making the same amount of food I’d made when they were younger. Take stock of your child’s needs by having a discussion with your child and spouse. What are some things they love about your family, homeschooling, and their free time? What are some things they think could be improved? If you have a tween daughter, you’ll want to join me on Facebook for my interview with Lee Felix, creator of the Girls Created to Shine ecourse. We’ll talk about girls’ special needs at this stage of their lives and how you can encourage them to seek a personal relationship with Jesus. New Homeschoolers Jeanette shared her response via email: I feel a bit behind on our curriculum. We decided to evacuate during hurricane Irma. The same week our curriculum was supposed to arrive in the mail. I kinda feel like im trying to establish a routine every week. I feel like I'm right in the middle [on parenting approach] but lean more to passive. But one day Ii will be passive and the next I'll be more authoritarian, which is probably my problem. Some behaviors for the passive parent in me is the kids fighting or not cleaning. And the authoritarian parent in me comes out when my children are not listening or naps and bedtime. Links All About Reading HomeschoolScopes.tv Parenting Episode with Reb Bradley How to Have a New Kid by Friday Parenting with Love and Logic Have a happy homeschool week! Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th! Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

Hey, homeschoolers! I’d like to thank our sponsor, Sony Pictures --Sony Pictures Animation along with Affirm Films.  We are thankful to our sponsors for allowing you the listener to enjoy the benefits of free programming. Welcome back for part 2 of how to be a Proverbs 31 homeschool mom. If you missed last week's episode, you'll definitely want to listen to it first. I hope you claimed your printable Bible study that goes along with this episode. There is another printable ready for you this week too. Before we complete our study, though, I want to recommend the book, The Organized Homeschool Life. With ideas for getting organized 15 minutes at a time, the book can help you become the Proverbs 31 homeschool mom you aspire to be. Teaching Tip of the Week The teaching tip of the week is to take regular breaks to get organized and back on track. Every month, plan to take a day to file, plan, and make your school space neat again. You can have your kids watch educational videos, play games, play outside, or even better, have a play date at a friend's house. You can return the favor and give your friend a break day. Set a timer for each task and you'll accomplish so much more. If you make your break day the same day of the month (like the first Friday), it will be more likely to happen for you. The key is to take this time without guilt. You need a day to recollect yourself. It's better to take a regular, planned day than to take one because you're stressed. These spur-of-the-moment days aren't nearly as productive as those that are planned. Put your break day on the calendar now. Again, we are thankful to our sponsor! In their new movie you will…see the birth of Jesus through a whole new set of eyes. In Sony Pictures Animation and AFFIRM Film’s THE STAR, Bo the donkey and his animal friends become unlikely heroes in the first Christmas. Featuring an uplifting soundtrack, THE STAR will give families a fresh and fun look at the Christmas story. The Star - The Story of the first Christmas will be in theatres on November 17th… be sure to visit the movie trailer so you can see if it is a good fit for your family. Links my guest post on The Musings of Mum. work that was marked complete in the student planner wasn't actually done the sacrifice I have made to homeschool them those who don't believe in homeschooling Read the blog post Conclusion To conclude our study, I believe that we are Proverbs 31 homeschooling moms if we believe we are. Begin each day considering what you did the day before that is consistent with your identity as this godly woman. Consider how you will earnestly take on your work as a Proverbs 31 homeschooling mom today. Know that we can do nothing apart from Him. But in His strength, we can be more than we ever imagined. Which of these characteristics of a Proverbs 31 homeschool mom are you already making progress on? Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th! Visit TheStarMovie.

Hey homeschoolers! What does God expect of me as a homeschooling mom? This is a question I've asked myself many times. Like me, you're probably familiar with the woman described in Proverbs 31. So many times I have heard that she is an unrealistic ideal that I shouldn't even try to emulate. But is that really true? That’s the topic I want to discuss with you this week. But first I would love to have you review this podcast on iTunes. If you’re a subscriber and have an iPhone, go to the podcasts app, click Library, click on The Homeschool Sanity Show and scroll down. It’s easy to leave a review that way. Your reviews help other homeschoolers find me. Thanks so much for listening and taking the time to review the podcast. It means a lot to me. Teaching Tip of the Week The teaching tip of the week is to give our girls appropriate role models. We don't want to suggest that our girls can't be strong, intelligent women who can change the world. But neither do we want to suggest that they are designed to be just like men. The provocatively dressed, ninja warrior women in today's films just won't do as role models. I love using biographies of strong Christian women to inspire my daughter. Amy Sullivan has written a series of books called Gutsy Girls: Strong Christian Women Who Impacted the World. Join me on Facebook on Tuesday, October 10 at 4E/3C/2M/1P for an inside look at these beautiful picture books for girls and a chance to win them and the cutest gutsy girls wristband to go with them. Links Claim your free Bible study printable Read the blog post Join me next week for part two! Have a happy homeschool week. Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor! We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th! Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

Hey homeschoolers! What if you could turn your homeschool around with a simple change in thinking? You can! In this episode I will explain what black-and-white thinking is and how to change it to create a more positive, productive homeschool. But first I would love to have to invite you to join me for an interview with Dr. Carl Werner on Facebook Live. I have interviewed Carl on how we can be confident in teaching creation, but if you have questions on how to defend your faith in creation, join me. We will also be giving away some of his amazing materials. You can find us at Facebook.com/Psychowith6. Teaching Tip of the Week The teaching tip of the week is to ask local homeschoolers for advice. I talk with many newer homeschoolers who are not only uncertain about whether they're doing enough, but don't have local homeschooling friends. If your support group has a forum or Facebook group, be brave and admit that you'd like some confirmation that you're doing okay and to meet some other homeschoolers. A veteran homeschooler may be willing to meet you to talk about what you're doing. Most likely, other newer homeschoolers will follow your lead and will say they, too, would like support. In our HomeschoolScopes.tv Facebook group, we have been sharing how we have met our homeschooling friends. Watch the videos for ideas and to become convinced that homeschooling isnt something to do alone. Read the blog post Find the happy in your homeschool week!

Read the blog post Hey homeschoolers! I'm going to be real with you this week. The past month has been very stressful for me. I can definitely give you explanations for that stress that are not my responsibility. When you experience stress, I'm sure you can give me similar explanations. But I would like to focus on the causes of stress that we can manage. Before we dive in, however, I would love to invite you to follow the grammar galaxy books Facebook page. I will be sharing inspirational, funny, and helpful posts to aid you in teaching your child language arts, whether you choose to use Grammar galaxy curriculum or not. You can find the page at Facebook.com/GrammarGalaxyBooks. Leave me a note there to say that you heard about the page on this podcast. I would love to chat with you. Teaching Tip of the Week The teaching tip of the week is to use easy ways of incorporating art into your homeschool. If you're not an art-loving mom and honestly I am not, you can still painlessly incorporate art into your homeschool. I want my children to have an appreciation for art I didn't have. I love learning along with my kids. Masterpiece Society Art Appreciation has been developed with the busy mom in mind – no prep time or other materials necessary, just open it and go! There are photographs of each painting, lessons, kid-friendly video links, art templates, and notebooking pages in one packet. I want to give you the opportunity to see this curriculum during a Facebook Live on Tuesday, September 26th at 4E/3C/2M/1P at Facebook.com/Psychowith6. You'll have a chance to win it, too. Catch the replay in the show notes at HomeschoolSanity.com/stressed. For a limited time, take advantage of discount pricing by going to Psychowith6.com/easyart and use code SANITY. LINKS   [LISTEN TO HOW TO BE A PATIENT HOMESCHOOL MOM] [LISTEN TO HOW TO OVERCOME ANXIETY] Kisses from Katie Which of these six causes of stress has been the biggest problem for you? Comment and let me know.

Hey homeschoolers!   I'd like to thank our network sponsor Raddish, a cooking club and curriculum perfect for homeschooling families. Teach weekly thematic cooking lessons that incorporate math, science, nutrition, geography, and culture. With Raddish, the kitchen is the tastiest place to learn! Use coupon code PODCAST at checkout for $15 off a six or 12 month membership. Visit RaddishKids.com /homeschool to learn more and download a free lesson.    Read the Blog Post I was glad to hear that you found last week's episode on conflict resolution skills helpful. If you haven't listened to part one of this topic, I suggest you listen to it first. We covered the B in the acronym BLT for breathe. Don't worry! That will make sense to you when you listen to the episode. Before we dive into the meaning of the L and the T in the acronym, I want to invite you to become a part of HomeschoolScopes. You've heard me mention our Facebook group at HomeschoolScopes.TV. The members there have dubbed themselves "no drama homeschool mamas." Time after time, this group of women has noted the lack of drama in our group and they are thankful for it. But we now have two more ways for you to interact with our community. The first is a Facebook page. You can find our Facebook page at Facebook.com/homeschoolscopes. You can also find us on Instagram.com at homeschoolscopes. Members of the group will be sharing information and inspiration from their homeschools on these social media platforms. We would love to have you like and follow us.  Teaching Tip of the Week  The teaching tip of the week is to have your education shipped to you. There is something exciting for kids, perhaps even especially so in this digital age, about getting mail. There are a number of kits that can enhance your child's education. Raddish is definitely one of those. Every month a different cooking kit arrives on your doorstep. If you would like to get an inside look at what a Raddish kit looks like and potentially win a kit, join me on Facebook on Tuesday, September 19th at 4E/3C/2M/1P. Links How to Stop the Pain by Dr. James Richards part one of this series the power of story to teach Grammar Galaxy  Click to request your free lesson that teaches conflict resolution skills Conclusion I know I haven't equipped you to resolve every conflict your kids will have, but I hope I have started you on the journey. Keep learning and keep teaching.  Which of these approaches will you teach first? Let me know in the comments.

Read the blog post Hey homeschoolers! I would like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Raddish - a cooking club and curriculum, specially designed FOR KIDS by chefs and educators! Raddish is perfect for homeschooling families! Teach thematic cooking lessons that incorporate math, science, nutrition, geography, and culture. With Raddish, the kitchen is the tastiest place to learn! Use coupon code PODCAST at checkout for $15 off a 6 or 12 month membership. Visit RaddishKids.com/Homeschool to learn more and to download a free lesson.  I spoke on the topic of conflict resolution skills you must teach your child at two Great Homeschool Conventions this year. I was pleasantly surprised by how popular the talk was. I want to share with you much of what I taught in the sessions because I believe this information is so important. Before we get to that, however, I want to invite you to subscribe to my YouTube channel. While I am not currently producing videos specifically for YouTube, I am adding my Facebook live videos to the channel.  Teaching Tip of the Week The teaching tip of the week is to use traditional textbooks if you or your child benefits from using them. Students who have just come home from a traditional classroom or who will be returning to a traditional classroom are great candidates for using textbooks. But that's not all! Some students and teachers just feel more comfortable using traditional textbooks. Many teachers feel they are more thorough and they can reduce teacher prep time. Join me Tuesday September 12th at 4E/3C/2M/1P on Facebook for a review and giveaway of BJU Press's math textbooks. Specifically, I will be giving away sixth-grade math and Algebra 2. I hope to see you there!  Links Florence Littauer's Personality Plus typology try this PDF version of the personality questionnaire

Read the blog post Hey, homeschoolers! This week I'm talking with some of our new homeschoolers about schedules -- another key to homeschooling success. Before we do, I want to thank my sponsor, Apologia. Apologia's materials have been a blessing to me and my children for years. They're more than just science. They're apologetics, planners, and even language arts curriculum providers. Visit them at Apologia.com and join me for a brand new product release and giveaway on Tuesday, September 5th at 4E/3C/2M/1P at Facebook.com/Psychowith6 or catch the replay in the show notes. Only two of our new homeschoolers were able to join me to chat this month. Why? Because life happens, especially at this busy time of year. I did connect with Jolene via email and she had this to say about her assignments of focusing on goals and devotions this month: I haven't started [homeschooling] yet. Public school starts [the day after Labor Day] and I plan to start then... I'm pretty confident  I can do this for the first month or so; it's the consistency that I'm nervous about. That's where my goal comes in.  I am praying for a good start so it'll be easier to develop good habits.   As far as devotions go, I have still not been consistent, but instead of getting down on myself, I have decided that I'm going to "just do it." This means that if I start thinking " I should be reading my Bible more," I [will] just pull my Bible out and start reading right then and there!  I love Jolene's strategy. Listen to the podcast to hear from Courtney and Mai Lyn. Thank you so much to these ladies for taking time out of their busy schedules to chat with me. To follow along with their homework, track your routine this month and begin to make small changes. Don't be discouraged when the routine or schedule isn't perfect. It never will be! Thanks again to this episode's sponsor, Apologia -- not just a Christian homeschool resource provider, but our homeschool friends. Visit them at Apologia.com. Have a happy homeschool week!

Hey homeschoolers! I am teaching two middle schoolers this year. It's hard to believe! These are fun years, but they are also challenging for many homeschoolers -- especially those who will be teaching middle school for the first time. In today's episode I want to talk about six important suggestions to keep in mind when homeschooling middle school students. Read the blog post But first I would love to have you join our supportive homeschooling community called homeschoolscopes.tv. This is a Facebook group for homeschooling mothers who enjoy creating or just watching live videos. The video format allows us to get to know one another and form real friendships. Simply ask to join and if you're a homeschooling mama, you'lll be approved. Teaching Tip of the Week The teaching tip of the week is to organize your digital life. Our mothers and grandmothers never had to organize thousands of digital files, including recipes, photos, paperwork, and curriculum. I did a podcast episode on how to organize your digital curriculum, but there is so much more that goes into organizing your digital life, like staying on top of email and being able to find the information you need when you need it. Although I do have a challenge on this topic in the book The Organized Homeschool Life, Bath Napoli has created a digital organizing course that will help you address all of your organizing needs. You can learn more about the course by going to Psychowith6.com/OrganizedDigital. We need to learn digital organizing skills for ourselves and so we can teach our children.   Links Apologia makes student planners that I enjoy using.  Free Homeschool Planning Forms Trello Mr. D math courses a previous podcast episode The Everything Guide to Study Skills   the Middle School Student's Guide to Ruling the World video game alternatives. excellent, free curriculum for teaching social skills.  homeschooling through hormones. TrueU is an excellent video series from Focus on the Family help our kids discover what their talents are Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers has a list of hands-on activities to do with your middle schooler Which of these suggestions are you most interested in implementing with your middle schooler? Comment and let me know. Have a happy homeschool week!