Episodes
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week our discussion is about whether or not it is possible for every day of homeschooling to be a good day, and some of the things that can help make it better, or worse! It was a fun topic, and we think you will be encouraged!  Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping homeschoolers smile more every day. So, be...
Published 11/20/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are back with a great new episode! Our topic this week is what decisions can we let our children make, and what decisions do we make for them? We break it down from young kids all the way up through graduation! It was a great conversation, and we hope you enjoy it!  Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math curriculums around, helping...
Published 11/13/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Unfortunately, while we were recording by internet stopped working again, so we are going to re-play an episode from a couple of years ago where we discuss ways to help fight the feeling of your children being behind. This is something that almost every homeschooler will struggle with at some point, so we think this is a great topic and will help you smile!  Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The...
Published 11/06/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are back with a brand new episode! Our topic this week is the moments that make us laugh during homeschooling. This is something we haven't ever really talked about before, but these are some of the best moments you'll experience in your homeschooling journey. Hopefully this episode will help you smile and laugh more in the coming homeschooling week!  Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The...
Published 10/30/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We’re back from a wonderful vacation! We made it home safely, but we’re still in recovery mode, so today we’re sharing another special episode from the archives. A couple of years ago, my parents, Todd and Debbie, hosted an episode on their own where they answered some fantastic listener questions. These questions are still so relatable, and I think you'll find the answers encouraging and uplifting. We hope you enjoy this episode! Before we dive...
Published 10/23/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Our family is currently on vacation, but we have a fantastic episode from our archives that we think you'll enjoy. In this episode, we were joined by Charlene Notgrass from Notgrass History and Be Happy Homeschooling. Her passion is encouraging homeschooling moms, and she brings so much wisdom and realness to the conversation. We hope this episode helps you smile! Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for...
Published 10/16/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we have a great episode for you. We asked our community what they are most discouraged by in their homeschooling. The responses that so many homeschooling moms had to share were real and relatable. We share some of their answers and try to provide some encouragement that discouraged homeschooling moms need to hear! We really enjoyed recording this episode, and hope you enjoy listening to it!    Before we jump in, we want to give a big...
Published 10/09/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We’ve got an exciting episode for you today. We’re diving into how to handle all the different voices out there telling you what you should be doing in your homeschooling journey. There’s always pressure to do more, but we have some advice to help you focus on what makes sense for you and your kids. Before we jump in, we want to give a big thank you to Teaching Textbooks for supporting The Smiling Homeschooler. They offer one of the best math...
Published 10/02/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week our topic is practical tips to encourage and support your child's dreams. This can be tough for many parents, but it will have a profound impact on your child! So we hope this episode is encouraging and helpful. If you would like to sign up for four free months of World Watch News, use code TODD4 at checkout or click this link.  Before we start we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They...
Published 09/25/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are discussing deciding when it is time to make a change in your homeschooling, whether it be the curriculum you are using, your schedule, or something else entirely. Every homeschooling mom will experience these questions at some point, so we hope this conversation is encouraging and helpful. Also, when we recorded this it was voter registration day. So if you live in the United States, so don't forget to make sure that your kids who...
Published 09/18/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are joined by homeschooling mom, Amy Dearie,  to discuss the value and encouragement a homeschool co-op can provide.  Before we start 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...
Published 09/11/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are joined by Todd's wife Debbie! She shares how the first day of school went for her, what her plans are for this year, encouragement for how to handle things not going as planned, and what curriculum she is using this year! As always she has so much encouragement and wisdom to share, and we know it will help you smile!  Before we start we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are...
Published 09/04/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week are joined by Ian Boultman from Brinkman Adventures. They create incredible audio dramas that your kids will love and learn from at the same time. He has a passion for stories and families; we think you will enjoy what they have created.  Before we start 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...
Published 08/28/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are talking about one of the most important topics in all of homeschooling, which is the lies that every homeschooling mom believes!  Before we start 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...
Published 08/21/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are back with a brand new episode! We are getting close to starting the school year, so this week we talk about ways to inject fun into the school day! Our goal is to help you have to an amazing school year, and we hope this episode is encouraging!  Before we start 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...
Published 08/14/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We promise this will be the last week for a while, but Todd is currently on his way to Arkansas, so we are replaying an episode about the different homeschool personality types. We thought this would be a great topic to revisit since the school year is just a few weeks away! If you want to take the homeschooler personality test, visit our website, thesmilinghomeschooler.com. It's free and fast!  Before we start we want to thank Teaching Textbooks...
Published 08/07/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are talking about how to avoid a bad homeschooling experience. It breaks our hearts when we talk to a mom, graduate, or child who didn't like their homeschooling experience. Since we are getting closer to the school year, we thought we would discuss the most common causes of a bad homeschooling experience and how to avoid them!  Before we start we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler....
Published 07/31/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are playing an episode from a couple of years ago where we discuss how to encourage your child who is thinking about the future and loving them for who they are, not what they do. It was a great episode and we hope you enjoy it!  Before we start 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,...
Published 07/24/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today we are discussing our listeners' highlights from the summer so far. This includes trips to Disney World, the fair, pool days, and relaxing! There are so many ways to make memories with our kids, and those memories help make us who we are! This was a super fun episode to record, and we hope you have as much fun listening to it!  Before we begin we want to Thank Teaching Textbooks for helping to make the Smiling Homeschooler possible. We work...
Published 07/17/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week Todd is flying solo! He talks about how it is up to you when and how you homeschool, the County Fair,  and his favorite summer foods. It was a fun episode, so enjoy!  Before we begin we want to Thank Teaching Textbooks for helping to make the Smiling Homeschooler possible. We work with them, because we believe their curriculum is one of the best and helps more homeschoolers smile. Go support them, and check out a free trial over at...
Published 07/10/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! My name is Ben wilson, and during the summer months, we are going to be talking about some topics that aren't focused entirely on homeschooling! So this week we are joined by a homeschooling dad, and founder of Verse Chocolate, Scott Walker. He has a passion for healthy Chocolate and has created an amazing product that we think every homeschooling mom will enjoy. He also shares the process of how chocolate is made, and we think it is super...
Published 07/03/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! My name is Ben wilson, and it is now officially summer and our goal is to help you and your family enjoy these short summer months! So on this episode, we give our suggestions for some safe summer movies and fun activities you can do as a family!  Before we begin we want to Thank Teaching Textbooks for helping to make the Smiling Homeschooler possible. We work with them, because we believe their curriculum is one of the best and helps more...
Published 06/26/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are talking about the joy of making memories as a family during the summer, and celebrating Kid's Day! Summer provides so many opportunities to spend time as a family and make memories that will last a lifetime! This was a fun episode to record, and we hope you enjoy it!  Before we begin we want to Thank Teaching Textbooks for helping to make the Smiling Homeschooler possible. We work with them, because we believe their curriculum is...
Published 06/19/24
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we have two very special guests, homeschooling pioneers, David and Sherly Quine from Cornerstone Curriculum. They have a passion for family and homeschooling. They have decades of experience and encouragement to share with you! This is an amazing episode and we know you will finish it feeling encouraged.   Before we begin we want to Thank Teaching Textbooks for helping to make the Smiling Homeschooler possible. We work with them, because...
Published 06/12/24