Balancing Homeschooling and Housework

S2, E9 – Balancing Homeschooling and Housework. This week on the podcast, Crystal shares some sanity-saving secrets that have helped her maintain her composure and strike a balance between homeschooling and housework.

Life as a homeschooling mom is a dynamic blend of nurturing young minds and maintaining a harmonious home. It’s a challenging balance that many moms embrace wholeheartedly because it offers the priceless gift of witnessing their children’s growth and development up close. However, it’s also a task that can be overwhelming at times, especially when combined with the demands of housework. But fear not, for over the years, Crystal has discovered some sanity-saving secrets that have helped her maintain her composure and strike a balance between these two essential aspects of life.

Homeschooling and Housework Made Easy

1. Establish a Flexible Routine

2. Prioritize Tasks

3. Involve Your Kids

4. Embrace Technology

5. Set Realistic Expectations

6. Create a Dedicated Homeschooling Space

7. Implement Time-Saving Cleaning Strategies

8. Take Breaks and Self-Care Seriously

9. Join a Homeschooling Support Group or Co-op

10. Seek Professional Help if Needed

Homeschooling and housework together might sound like a handful, but it’s a journey full of growth and heartwarming and hard moments. As a homeschooling parent, you’re in for a front-row seat to witness your children’s intellectual and emotional development, and it’s an amazing blessing!

Please share your tips for balancing housework and homeschooling!

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Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone; tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

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Teaching Subjects You Don’t Know

S2, E8 –  Feeling unqualified to teach your kids? Don’t worry, it’s normal! If you’re struggling with a subject you’re not familiar with, check out these helpful tips for teaching subjects you don’t know.

Have you ever wondered if you are genuinely qualified to teach your children? Especially when faced with teaching subject matter that you don’t know. It’s completely normal to question your abilities, even if you have a degree in education. So, what can you do when what your children are learning is outside your expertise? What if you just don’t know what you’re doing?

There is no possible way to know everything you will ever teach your children prior to actually teaching them. You are not a human encyclopedia. Even the best teachers don’t know everything. We all have experiences that master different skills. Like, you may be a whiz at math yet have a child who struggles in that area but is totally into literature or science. What a wonderful thing to have a family that is multi-passionate. One that pursues knowledge in a multitude of subjects. But what a challenge, too.

On this episode, let’s talk about what to do when that happens and how to teach what you do not know.

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Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone; tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

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Fostering Resilience with Morgan Farr, Part Two

S2, E7 – Fostering Resilience with Morgan Farr, Part Two. Listen in as Crystal chats with military wife and homeschool mom Morgan Farr. Crystal and Morgan talk about the hot topic of socialization. Then Morgan shares how she homeschools children with unique needs as she addresses her own needs as someone with autism.

Part Two

Morgan and Crystal talk about the hot topic of socialization. Morgan explains that traditional school “socialization” is not how the real world operates. She says, “The world is full of dynamic individuals- people of different ages, races, religions, beliefs, backgrounds- and I want my kids to know that that is the norm.” Further, she shares, “I want my kids to grow up knowing that learning is a lifelong endeavor. Saying ‘I don’t know,’ or ‘I’m not sure,’ is totally acceptable. . . I don’t think you can learn to do that well when surrounded by your own age group and your own demographic.”

During part two, Morgan also tells her secret to keeping her sanity as an adult with autism while homeschooling several children, including one with ADHD. She gives tips and advice on adapting to each family member’s unique needs, which nurtures empathy and respect for others, as well as cultivating strong communication skills that they will carry into their interactions with others throughout their lives.

You don’t want to miss this episode!

If you missed Part One, you can listen to it HERE.

Guest Info

Morgan Farr is a Texas-loving, succulent-cultivating book nerd and aspiring author. As an Army spouse, she has learned to lean heavily on Christ while walking this military life. Morgan and her husband have four young children and two fantastic working dogs. As a jack-of-all-trades, Morgan is always learning something new. When she isn’t homeschooling her children, writing for Christian publications, or training her Dutch Shepherd, Morgan can be found listening to Texas country music while lifting weights, reading, or cheering on the Texas Aggies. Morgan is best known for her structure, discipline, and organization. She uses these skills as the Director of Publishing for Planting Roots, the graphic designer for Mission:Milspouse, and in various positions within Protestant Women of the Chapel. You can connect with Morgan on all major social media channels using her handle @morgandfarr.

Resources

Farr Fitness

Penn Vet Working Dog Center

Five and Thrive

Planting Roots

Mission: Milspouse

PWOC

Loop Quiet Ear Plugs – Noise Reducing Ear Plugs – Loop Earplugs

Blue Star Museums

…

Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone; tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

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Fostering Resilience with Morgan Farr, Part One

S2, E6 – Fostering Resilience: Homeschooling, Military Life, and Special Needs Sensitivity- A Conversation with Morgan Farr, Part One. Listen in as Crystal chats with military wife and homeschool mom Morgan Farr. In this two-part series, they discuss homeschooling as it relates to military life, when both mom and child have unique needs, during the recent pandemic, and so much more!

Part One

Morgan shares that she was a public school kid and became a teacher after attending Texas A&M University. She struggled in school a lot more than anyone realized but was able to grit her teeth and pull through high school until she could get her feet under her in college since she was better able to curate her education around my needs at that time. As an adult, Morgan was diagnosed with autism, which she feels would have been helpful to know when she was a child. Many things were lost in the shuffle of being just one of many students in the hallways, sharing that her needs flew under the radar.

Morgan’s husband is a legacy homeschooler. His mother homeschooled three kids from kindergarten through high school. She individually curated their education around their interests and goals. Morgan’s husband and siblings are incredibly well-read across a wide range of subjects due to the culture of learning within their family. When one of them wanted to do Lego robotics, they all did it together. When one of them read the Redwall series, they all read it and discussed it. As a result, her husband’s family have a strong bond.

When it came time to decide about her own children’s education, homeschooling was Morgan’s first choice. As she shares during Part One, homeschooling in a military family has two major benefits: World Experiences and Off-Time. Morgan then dives into explaining how they make homeschooling a family affair!

You don’t want to miss this episode!

Next week, during Part Two, Crystal and Morgan talk about the hot topic of socialization. Then Morgan shares how she homeschools children with unique needs as she addresses her own needs as someone with Autism. Listen to Part Two HERE.

Guest Info

Morgan Farr is a Texas-loving, succulent-cultivating book nerd and aspiring author. As an Army spouse, she has learned to lean heavily on Christ while walking this military life. Morgan and her husband have four young children and two fantastic working dogs. As a jack-of-all-trades, Morgan is always learning something new. When she isn’t homeschooling her children, writing for Christian publications, or training her Dutch Shepherd, Morgan can be found listening to Texas country music while lifting weights, reading, or cheering on the Texas Aggies. Morgan is best known for her structure, discipline, and organization. She uses these skills as the Director of Publishing for Planting Roots, the graphic designer for Mission:Milspouse, and in various positions within Protestant Women of the Chapel. You can connect with Morgan on all major social media channels using her handle @morgandfarr.

Resources

Farr Fitness

Penn Vet Working Dog Center

Five and Thrive

Planting Roots

Mission: Milspouse

PWOC

Loop Quiet Ear Plugs – Noise Reducing Ear Plugs – Loop Earplugs

Blue Star Museums

…

Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone; tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

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Quick Healthy Meals For Busy Days

S2, E5 – On this episode, Crystal discusses the hows and whys of healthy meals that are quick and easy to make for those busy homeschooling days! If you’re interested in learning some tips, and a few recipes, that won’t keep you in the kitchen all night, be sure to tune in! 

One cornerstone of homeschooling is facilitating our children’s learning resources and environment in a way that provides a well-rounded education. And that is what our homeschoolers get!  However, while parents spend many hours planning and implementing enriching curriculums, nutrition, and healthy eating can fall by the wayside.

We homeschool moms understand how busy our days can be, so it’s no surprise that we often turn to fast food options and convenient yet unhealthy snacks when hunger strikes. Fortunately, the good news is that healthy eating doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Listen in to learn more!

Quick and easy meal ideas:

●      Avocado-Egg Toast

●      Sweet Potato and Bean Quesadillas

●      Honey Chicken Stir-Fry

●      Chicken Veggie Packets

●      Zucchini and Sausage Stove Top Casserole

Snacks recipes:

●      Bell Peppers and Guacamole

●      Energy Balls

●      Peanut/Almond Butter, Honey, and Pear Open-faced Sandwich

Sources:

Energy Levels and Diet – Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter

U.S. Kids Get Majority Of Their Calories From Ultra-Processed Junk Foods: NPR

Childhood Nutrition Facts | Healthy Schools | CDC

Healthy Eating for Kids: Nutrients, Eating Habits, and Picky Eaters (healthline.com)

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Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone; tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | RSS

Veteran Pen Pal Project

S2, E4 – Are you looking for a way to teach letter writing to your kids in a way that is meaningful and blesses others? Crystal chats with Camille Deal, who tells us about an amazing program called the Veteran Pen Pal Project that the whole family can become involved in!

The Veteran Pen Pal Project is bringing back snail mail in an effort to advocate for mental health within the military community. What started as a mission to bring relationships to veterans in care facilities has grown to include military spouses and active duty service members! The Veteran Pen Pal Project is also a wonderful and impactful way for military homeschoolers to learn letter writing while making a difference in the military and veteran community.

Tune in to learn more!

Guest Info

Camille Deal is the Armed Forces Insurance military spouse of the year for Hunter Army Airfield for 2023. She married her high-school sweetheart in 2017, the same year he joined the military. She and her Army Ranger husband have two little boys and a German shepherd. Working full-time in marketing, she owns her own apparel company, Moss and Pine. She’s also a professional volunteer with It’s A Military Life, serving as the Program Manager for the Veteran Pen Pal Project – one of three programs under the IML umbrella. Camille says she found her people when she started giving back to others. She got involved with the care team, served as a key caller for her husband’s unit, and began volunteering more often with IML in 2022.

Resources

Website: www.itsamilitarylife.org

Veteran Pen Pal Project: https://www.itsamilitarylife.org/veteran-pen-pal-project

Military spouse/ veteran /service member sign up form to be a pen pal:

https://forms.gle/TEMBAa8sRuB4mhsb8

Civilian sign-up form to be a pen pal: https://forms.gle/7wKDrH8WuzPjuYk28

Sign-up form for people interested in being an ambassador: https://forms.gle/kqBGZd9HbVji8xti8

…

Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone; tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Get questions, comments, or show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | RSS

Homeschool Advocacy: An Interview with Tiffany Boyd

S2, E3 – Crystal chats with guest Tiffany Boyd, homeschool advocate and host of the Free YOUR Children radio show. Listen in as Tiffany shares how parents are the best advocates for their children and why we must continue the fight for our homeschool freedoms.

Tiffany Boyd was a reluctant homeschool mom when her husband suggested they homeschool their children. She admits had many misconceptions of homeschooling, perhaps because she had been a public school teacher or maybe due to her own upbringing in the traditional school system. However, as she looks back upon her homeschooling journey, she realizes that was the right decision for her family.

Now, Tiffany is a passionate advocate for homeschooling rights, both in her home state of Tennessee and worldwide. Through her radio program, Free YOUR Children, along with notable guests such as Ray Notgrass, Alex Newman, Nicki Truesdell, and more, Tiffany educates parents and the public about the dangers of the public school system and why homeschooling is a phenomenal educational choice for your child and family! Free YOUR Children can be heard on WXRQ 1460 am, the WXRQ 1460 website, or the Free YOUR Children Spotify channel.

You don’t want to miss this episode!

Guest Info

Tiffany Boyd holds a B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from MTSU. She is a former tenured public school teacher, homeschool consultant, speaker, education researcher, and founder and administrator of Free Your Children LLC and the Free YOUR Children Radio show. Her show has a worldwide audience reaching upwards of 3.7 million listeners.  The show airs Tuesday nights at 8 pm on WXRQ 1460 am. Previously aired shows are on the WXRQ website or the Free YOUR Children Spotify channel.

Tiffany is a wife of 32 years, mother to 5 children, and grandmother to 2. She is a monthly contributor to The Murfreesboro Pulse. Tiffany has appeared on multiple podcasts and media outlets, including, The Sentinel Report with Alex Newman, The Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast, Deep Roots At Home Podcast, Counter Culture Mom with Tina Griffin, The Rutherford Magazine Show, and more.

Resources

Free YOUR Children’s Facebook

Boro Pulse Author Page

Free YOUR Children radio show

Previously Aired Shows on Spotify

Tiffany’s interview with Crystal Niehoff

Home School Legal Defense Association

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Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone; tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

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Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | RSS

Moving with Kids

Susan Miller Shares Hope and Encouragement

S2, E2 – Crystal chats with guest Susan Miller from Just Moved Ministry about the impact that moving has on the entire family and how moms and kids can make meaningful connections in a new community. Be ready to be inspired and encouraged!

Finding friends and making connections after a PCS/ move can be a challenge, especially for military homeschoolers. Moving affects everyone in the family and can be a rollercoaster of stress and emotions.

Susan Miller, founder of Just Moved Ministry, and author of the book, After the Boxes are Unpacked, is a much sought-after speaker at conferences, women’s events, and military installations addressing the impact of a move and sharing tips on how to transition and adjust for moms and kids. Susan’s upbeat, cheerful attitude will leave you encouraged, inspired, and filled with hope.

Yes, change can be hard but this acronym for the word change, which Susan shares during her conversation with Crystal, will encourage you in whatever season of transition you may find yourself in today.

CHANGE

C- Cling to God
H- He is unchanging
A- Always trust in God
N- Never give up
G- Great is His faithfulness
E- Encourage one another, and let it start in your own home with your spouse and children.

You don’t want to miss this episode!

Guest Bio

Susan Miller is invited to speak throughout the U.S. and internationally at church conferences, women’s events, corporate venues, and military installations. Those whose
lives have been uprooted by a move that resonates with her unique and hope-filled message to look to God in the midst of change and uncertainty.

Although often asked to speak about the impact of a move, her other topics include leading a life of faith, pursuing spiritual growth, and thriving amidst the demands of life, marriage,
and parenting. Women are eager to learn how to successfully face life’s challenges and they appreciate the experience, wisdom, and humor that Susan brings to her speaking and
teaching.

Susan is best known for her book After the Boxes are Unpacked. For more than 25 years, uprooted women around the world have gathered together in churches, neighborhoods, community centers, military installations, and missionary headquarters for a group study based on the book. By the end of the study, these women are grateful for the friends they’ve made and for the deep hope and trust they’ve found in God.

As America’s Moving Coach® and Founder of Just Moved Ministry, Susan has been a popular guest on radio, TV, and streaming programs that have addressed the emotional
challenges and the opportunities for spiritual growth brought on by a major life change— especially a move. Her articles on this subject have appeared in many Christian
publications in print and online. Susan has even hosted her own radio talk show, Just Moved!

Established in 1995, Just Moved Ministry is a non-profit, global organization dedicated to the emotional well-being and spiritual growth of women who are uprooted by a move.
Through Biblical teaching and one-on-one encouragement, Just Moved prepares, inspires, and equips a woman to trust God with her future, put down new roots, and embrace life in a
new community.

Susan lives in Scottsdale, AZ, and treasures her role as a mother of two and grandmother of six.

Resources

Just Moved Ministry
After the Boxes are Unpacked
But Mom, I Don’t Want to Move
Just Moved Ministry Shop

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Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone; tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | RSS

Kick Off Your Homeschool Year Right!

S2, E1 – Kick Off Your Homeschool Year Right! It’s that time of the year when kids and families are preparing to go back to homeschooling!  Whether you are a year-round homeschooler or you take the traditional summer off approach, there comes a time in the year when you will want to celebrate your fresh start. In this episode, Crystal shares some tips to help you start your school year right.

It’s that time of the year when kids and families are preparing to go back to school!  As a homeschooling family, this time of year comes with a myriad of emotions. You’ve reviewed your prior year and you’ve carefully closed chapters, philosophies, and programs that didn’t work for your family in this season. You’ve spent countless hours, and possibly dollars, curating your curriculum for the coming year, you’ve cleaned up your homeschool space, sharpened pencils, ordered curriculum, and now you are preparing to launch into the year with excitement and enthusiasm.

Before you order the balloons and book the marching band (ok, ok, maybe no marching band), but as you’re making plans to kick off another homeschool year, here are some tips to help you start your school year right.

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Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone; tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | RSS