Best of Life as a Lifeschooler: Self-Sacrifice in Lifeschooling – Dr. Jill Butryn

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Self-Sacrifice in Lifeschooling - Dr. Jill ButrynEnjoy one of my favorite interviews on this rerun of “Self-Sacrifice in Lifeschooling – Dr. Jill Butryn.”

How much self-sacrifice would you be willing to practice? Would you give up a six-figure career in medicine to be “just a mom”? My friend Dr. Jill Butryn did just that. She went from a practicing MD to a present mom. Listen to one of our most popular episodes, this inspiring interview about how the Butryn family made it work and how lifeschooling and “staying out of the way” played a key part in “letting their boys be wiggly boys.”

Passionate about living and loving, Jill Butryn, MD, left a thriving medical practice to rededicate herself to faith, marriage, and family. When her verbally precocious eldest child made it very clear in no uncertain terms that being away from home all day to attend kindergarten was completely unacceptable, Jill and her reluctant husband began homeschooling and never looked back.

Bucking convention by not using a curriculum, Jill has home educated two wiggly and willful boys on a steady diet of Legos, literature, and labor, with a dash of mentoring. Committed to “staying out of the way” and allowing each child to develop at his own pace in his own way, the Butryns stress spiritual and relational development over academic achievement, where all that boy energy is channeled into meaningful activities and work projects instead of pointless busywork.

Jill believes parents ultimate responsibility is to turn out healthy adults who love and serve others, and this can only be achieved by modeling and facilitating personal growth through relationship and experience. It is an imperfect process carried out by imperfect people. Thankfully, there is grace.

Here is what I asked Jill during this episode’s interview:

  • So, you were a family doctor before you had children. Tell us what led to such self-sacrifice: the decision to leave your practice and start homeschooling?
  • What was the most difficult part about leaving your practice and did you ever doubt that decision?
  • To remind our listeners, the definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you?
  • What are some of the gifts that you saw early on in your children and how did you tailor their education around development of those gifts?
  • Tell us about a typical day in your homeschool?
  • Now that you’ve graduated and married off one child and can look back on the entire journey, what would you say you did right, and is there anything you wish you would have done differently? Was the self-sacrifice of giving up your career worth it?
  • I feel like many of us, as adults, are just now learning what our passions truly are and what we were meant to do. I think lifeschooling is such a wonderful way to allow our children to find out who they really are and what gifts God has put into them when they are young. You recently started an online business that provides life coaching in several aspects. I know that came about as a result of some self-discovery of your own, so tell us a little bit about what led you to start that.
  • You can find out more about Dr. Jill and her services by visiting her website, www.jillbutryn.com.

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!


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Lifeschooling and Books – Konur Papageorgiou

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Konur - lifeschooling and booksI always love sitting down and having a good chat with my son, Konur. I feel blessed that we connect so easily on so many topics and this boy is wise beyond his years! On this episode, I wanted to talk with him about his lifeschooling journey in general, and then specifically talk about what books he feels have been most beneficial in his learning.

Part of my goal was to encourage moms of high schoolers to consider all that can be done through a lifeschooling approach, and that even kids who are headed toward college don’t necessarily need to have their high school years look “traditional.” I promised to put a link to this book, College Without High School: A Teenager’s Guide to Skipping High School and Going to College, in these show notes, so there you go! (Disclaimer: I am still reading this one, but so far I think it’s brilliant!)

One of the ironies about this interview is that even though our topic of discussion was books, we forgot to even mention that he and his friend, Emma Grace, are actually in the process of writing a book together! I guess that means we’ll just have to set up another interview when it finally comes out! 😉 Anyway, I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

Here are some of the questions we discussed:

  • What are some of your favorite kinds of books to read? Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?
  • I know you’re a history buff, so tell me what books have been most enlightening on that topic?
  • So, you are heading into a career in IT doing contract work, God-willing. Tell me what books have been most helpful from a business/entrepreneurial standpoint.
  • Lifeschooling is not the same as unschooling, but there are a lot of similarities. The definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents primarily through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” We definitely fall on the “unschooling” side of the spectrum, partially because of our particular family situations. What has been your favorite part of lifeschooling?
  • The most important book of all is, of course, the Bible. Tell us a bit about your Bible studies and how just being in the Word so much daily has helped you in everyday life.

 

Best of Life as a Lifeschooler: Unhurried Homeschooling with Durenda Wilson

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Unhurried Homeschooling - Durenda WilsonWe hope you are enjoying your summer break!  Here’s one of our best episodes to brighten your summer day:  For this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Durenda Wilson, author of The Unhurried Homeschooler, a mercifully short book on homeschooling, and Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart. I just love Durenda’s heart for unhurried homeschooling and her passion for helping moms learn to trust fully in the Lord with their children’s education. I know you will be blessed, too!

Durenda is a homeschooling mom of eight (born 1991-2004), five of whom have graduated. She has been married for 28 years to Darryl and they have 4 grandchildren. Durenda has written The Unhurried Homeschooler-a simple, mercifully short book on homeschooling and Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart. She is the owner/writer/host of her blog and podcast, Durenda Wilson. She is called to a ministry of encouragement and has a very special place in her heart for moms and homeschooling moms because she believes, for many reasons, that motherhood is not only a gift, but often the unseen place where God moves in very powerful ways. This is why she is convinced that Christian moms must have a working knowledge of the Word that will give them the courage to raise their children as faithful followers of Christ above all else.

Here is what I asked Durenda on the show:

  • Tell us first of all how you started homeschooling and how it became unhurried homeschooling?
  • In reading your site, so much of it resonated with me and I felt like I could have written it! In particular, you talk about today’s homeschooling parents as being bombarded with all this information about what is best for their children. You say: “In an effort to do what we think will ultimately benefit our children, we are, in fact, robbing them of the very thing they need to engage in higher learning and become well-adjusted adults. The results are that our kids are having to cope with the complexities of adulthood and losing their one chance to be a kid.” Explain to us more of what you mean by that.
  • What has had the biggest influence in shaping your educational philosophy of unhurried homeschooling? Were there any books that had a particular impact on you?
  • To remind our listeners, the definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” How does your family lifeschool? Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you?
  • Tell us about a typical day in your homeschool and has this changed over the years?
  • What are some of the gifts that you saw early on in your children and how did you tailor their education around the development of those gifts?
  • I think for many homeschoolers who have not yet seen homeschooling through to the end with any of their kids, it is very reassuring to hear veteran success stories, especially from those who have embraced unhurried homeschooling. Tell us a little bit about the children you have graduated and what they are doing now.
  • You wrote a couple books, The Unhurried Homeschooler, a mercifully short book on homeschooling and Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart. I love that… “a mercifully short book…” by the way, because I think most of us homeschoolers struggle getting through an entire book! Tell us a little bit about your books and where to find them. (You may find Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart and The Unhurried Homeschooler on Amazon.)

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!


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HSHSP Ep 162: Lifeschooling with Homeschool High Schoolers, Interview Danielle Papageorgiou

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This week on HSHSP Ep 162: Lifeschooling with Homeschool High Schoolers, Interview Danielle Papageorgiou.

HSHSP Ep 162: Lifeschooling with Homeschool High Schoolers, Interview Danielle Papageorgiou. Help your teens develop their gifts and interests while homeschooling high school. #HomeschoolHighSchool #LifeSchooling

HSHSP Ep 162: Lifeschooling with Homeschool High Schoolers, Interview Danielle Papageorgiou

Vicki is joined by our fellow podcaster, Danielle Papgeorgiou of Life as a Lifeschooler Podcast.

Lifeschooling the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given individualized gifts in the context of your family’s home and lifestyle.

Danielle started her podcast and organization because she was sad when she saw so many homeschoolers trapped in the mindset of *school at home*. While Danielle feels there is a place for curriculum, she firmly believes that busywork and rigid educational formats make education irrelevant for teens. She believes that homeschooling high school needs flexibility and exploration, totally organized around her children’s gifts and needs- she calls this *lifeschooling*.

Danielle Papageoriou of Life as Lifeschooler Podcast

Photo used by permission

This homeschooling mom, podcaster and conference creator believes that she can help her children preserve their natural love of learning by exploring gifts, interests and allowing fun!

What does lifeschooling look like?

She started an online lifeschooling conference a couple of years ago that many people are finding encouragement to break from from the restrictions of textbooks. For homeschooling high school, Danielle does not believe in creating *traditional* transcripts or binding her homeschooling high schoolers to traditional course requirements. Instead, she looks at what her son does each day and then decides where that can fit in a course description.

Danielle’s oldest son is in high school now. While she guides her son’s choices in educational activities, her son makes the actual educational choices. Connor taught himself computer coding and has gained a professional level of experience. He is not interested in college and will not need to aim for that because he has developed his coding skills. He was able to develop his high skill level because of the lifeschooling philosophy and format used by his mom.

As Vicki reminds us, there’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school. Vicki explains that her kids earn credits in the best way that fits each teen’s learning and interest styles.

There's not ONE right way to homeschool. 7SistersHomeschool.com and Homeschool Highschool Podcast remind you that every homeschooler is different with varied gifts and goals. You can find the best way for your individual teen to homeschool high school! #HomeschoolHighSchool

Danielle extends this thought by creatively assigning credits. She reminds families that credits can be assigned afterwards, rather than earned in the *planned out format* that many homeschooling families do.  Lots of prayer is needed in order to be a wise lifeschooling parent (or any other kind of parent for that matter).

Check out Danielle’s podcast, conference website (check out the free video when you sign up for her email), and facebook group.

You might also be interested in the homeschooling high school process that worked well for many of the 7SistersHomeschool.com’s teens. We also concentrate on helping teens develop their gifts and interests but in a more planned-out format.

There’s not ONE right way to homeschool!

Isn’t it lovely that there’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school? Danielle’s lifeschooling works perfectly for her family (and many others’ families) and the planning and discovery format of 7Sisters works well for our teens. The beauty of homeschooling is that we can use exactly the format that is best for our homeschool high schoolers!

If you want to look a bit at 7Sister’s format for homeschooling high school, take a look at our *Authoritative Guide* post series. All free information to help you explore and decide what is best for your family.

The Authoritative Guide to Homeschool High School

The Authoritative Guide to Literature for Homeschool High School

The Authoritative Guide to Electives for Homeschool High School

The Authoritative Guide to Out-of-the-Box Credits for Homeschooling Special Needs Teens

You’ll also enjoy this interview with Misty Bailey on how to not be intimidated by homeschooling high school!

Join Vicki and Danielle for a thought-provoking discussion on lifeschooling for homeschool high school!

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  4. Click SUBSCRIBE.
  5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!)
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PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE

  1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone
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Want some homeschool high school mom community?

Join 7SistersHomeschool.com’s friendly Facebook group.

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HSHSP Ep 162: Lifeschooling with Homeschool High Schoolers, Interview Danielle Papageorgiou

Lifeschooling and The Arts (Part 1) – Lorina Harris

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
lifeschooling and the artsEpisode 23

Lorina Harris is married to her husband, Cornelis, and they have two children that they have homeschooled for 18 years. Originally from Queens New York, Lorina has had the pleasure of being raised seeing great art in the museums and galleries, of NYC. Lorina started and completed her baseline year at the University Of Hartford Art School, but ended up studying and graduating from the Amsterdam School of the Arts with a degree in fine arts, teaching art, and art history at the highest level in the Netherlands. She has had the honor of participating in numerous solo, and group exhibitions, both in Europe and in the United States. Lorina now owns and operates a small art studio in MD where she works, holds Visual Art Parties, teaches art classes and private lessons, in addition to lifeschooling her two amazing children.

Here are some questions I asked Lorina:

You and I met at one of Rhea Perry’s Educating for Success conferences several years ago and clicked because we’re both artists and I know you do school in a more lifeschooling manner.

First of all, I just have to ask… Do you do art with your children? I am horrible about that! But I know you have a business with your art, so I’m wondering if that makes it more of a natural part of your homeschooling?

Tell us more about your family’s homeschooling journey.

Many homeschoolers bring the school model home because we all tend to just do what we know. Is there anything in particular that helped shape your educational philosophy?

Do you think art is an important part of education for our children?

I know that being in Rhea’s inner circle group, your family is really focused on entrepreneurship. Tell us how your children have pursued their gifts and used them to create businesses that bring in an income.

How has homeschooling strengthened your relationships with your children?

How do you fit homeschooling with your family’s unique situation and responsibilities?

Has your family ever been tempted to quit homeschooling and how did you navigate through that time?

If you wold like to learn more about Lorina’s online or in-studio art classes, you can visit her at www.theartsmartlady.com or her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheArtSmartstudio/

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Be sure to subscribe to this podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

Missions, Movies, and Lifeschooling (Part 1) – David Cook

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Missions, Movies, and Lifeschooling - David CookOn this episode of Life as a Lifeschooler, Danielle talks to David Cook, a former MK who was homeschooled and now works on many of the Christian film sets.

David grew up on the mission field in Spain. A homeschool graduate, in 2001 he started working in media, both radio and television in Spain. In 2009 God placed it on his heart to get involved with feature filmmaking. Moving back to the United States, David started working with Advent Film Group to start the learning process and get hands on experience on film sets. Since that point, David has worked on 18 feature films in various capacities, including The Screenwriters, Polycarp, Princess Cut, Beyond the Mask, Badge of Faith, War Room, Like Arrows, and most recently the upcoming films Overcomer and Once Upon a Time in Mongolia.  David also helps with the annual Christian Worldview Film Festival in Franklin, TN, where he enjoys sharing with others what he has learned and encouraging them to follow what God has placed on their hearts to do.

Here are the some of the questions I ask David on this first part of the interview:

Tell us about what your homeschooling situation looked like.

The definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents primarily through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you in light of how your family homeschooled?

How did homeschooling strengthen your relationships with your siblings? I know you now work with your siblings on set quite often. Tell us about that.

How did your parents fit homeschooling with mission work and all the responsibilities that came with that?

Were there any particularly rough patches with homeschooling and how did your family navigate through that time?

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

Mentorship and Lifeschooling – Craig and Deana Thompson

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Mentorship and Lifeschooling - Craig and Deana Thompson

One of the most inspiring and impactful ways to help educate our children is through mentorship. On this episode of Life as a Lifeschooler, I had the opportunity to talk with Craig and Deana Thompson, who have helped each of their children through an intense and amazing mentorship program that Craig designed for them.

Craig and Deana reside in Tennessee. Craig is the owner of an internet company and is the editor of Preaching through Proverbs and is also currently writing a mentoring curriculum and related books. Craig and Deana have successfully graduated two children and are currently homeschooling four. They believe in a global education for their children and have participated in numerous mission trips throughout the world, both before and after having their children.

Here are some of the questions I asked Craig and Deana on this episode:

  • Craig, I met you at Rhea Perry’s Educating for Success conference and we didn’t get to talk much, but I was just so impressed with your daughter, who was actually one of the speakers that year. She gave an amazing presentation about her year of mentorship that you set up for her, and I just remember being blown away by her level of maturity and her ability to engage the audience at her young age.
  • I know she attributed much of her personal growth and maturity to the mentorship program you created. Tell us more about that.
  • What was your purpose in creating this program and who do you think it’s suited for?
  • Did you always homeschool this way? Tell us a bit about your homeschooling/lifeschooling journey.
  • Deana, how did you fit this mentorship program in with the homeschooling that you were already doing?
  • As you know, the definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents primarily through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you and share with us a bit more about how your family lifeschools?
  • What are some of the gifts that you have seen in your children and how did mentorship help with the development of those gifts?

You can purchase Craig’s mentorship program at www.52GodlyMen.com and you can see some of his daughter’s videos on her mentorship experiences at www.52GodlyWomen.com.

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!


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Schoolhouse Rocked! Lifeschooling on the Road with the Hamptons

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Schoolhouse Rocked and Lifescholing on the Road - HamptonsGarritt and Yvette Hampton talk about their unconventional lifestyle homeschooling on the road while filming a documentary called Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution. How do they homeschool in a tiny travel trailer while traveling all over the country? Find out in this episode of “Life as a Lifeschooler.”

Garritt and Yvette Hampton, along with their two daughters, Brooklyn and Lacey, are passionate about God, homeschooling, and spending time together as a family. So much so in fact that last year they sold most of their possessions, purchased an RV and are traveling full-time exploring this beautiful country while filming a feature-length documentary on homeschooling called Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution.

Garritt is a movie industry veteran with credits on some of the biggest movies of the last decade. Yvette’s greatest enjoyment is being a full-time wife and mom. Garritt and Yvette are both from Southern California and are in their seventh year of homeschooling. They have a passion for helping and encouraging those just getting started or considering homeschooling, as well as those who are in the midst of it as they are.

Their strongest desire is that Schoolhouse Rocked will encourage families to homeschool with confidence, equip them to overcome the challenges that cause many to give up, and to finish strong.

Here is what I asked Garritt and Yvette on this episode of the show:

  • Tell us first of all how you started homeschooling? I know this wasn’t the original path that you had chosen, right?
  • How did the movie come about and tell us what your mission is with it?
  • Who are some of the people you’ve been able to interview?
  • Now, I was poking around on your site this afternoon and I came across the name of your production company and the meaning behind it. I love it! The name is “Bronze Oxen.” Tell our listeners why you chose that unusual name.
  • So, how many square feet is your camper and how do you make that work?
  • We’ve talked about this before, but how did you decide what to get rid of? Have you missed anything?
  • Well, to me what you are doing with this documentary and doing it while homeschooling is the classic example of “lifeschooling”. The definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.”
  • I love that you heard God’s call for your family and that you stepped out in faith and followed. You didn’t let homeschooling stand in the way because you recognized the value of this type of learning. This is a Deuteronomy 6:4-9 learning environment. So, can you share with us some of the lifeschooling that has been happening in your family? How have your children grown both spiritually and academically? Have you seen the spark of any interests or talents they have?

That’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

Living Books and Lifeschooling – Michelle Miller Howard

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Living books and lifeschoolingToday we are talking to Michelle Miller Howard, author of TruthQuest History.

For over 20 years, Michelle has been a librarian, home-education consultant, author, columnist, and speaker, specializing in top-quality living books, educational vision, and history instruction.  It began in 1985, when she pioneered, funded, and acquired a library of such rare children’s literature, which has been thriving ever since; her Children’s Preservation Library (in Michigan) now houses over 20,000 valuable volumes, serving patrons in several counties.  A second library, Living Learning Libraries, is underway in Florida, with plans for additional libraries, and thousands more rare books already acquired.

Michelle is considered a national leader/expert on living books libraries and literature, and helps others around the nation found and operate such libraries as well. She has also developed a massive database on specialized youth literature.  She is a regular contributing columnist to various national magazines and educational websites, as well as a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Michelle wrote the multiple award-winning TruthQuest History curriculum, which steers families through American and world history with deep, engaging, spiritually-probing commentary, and which embeds her vast knowledge of topic-specific living book recommendations throughout.

Here is what I asked Michelle on this episode:

  • So, you and I have never met personally, but we’ve interacted online as part of Rhea Perry’s Educating for Success group. I love all the books you recommend and you have so much knowledge in this area! Have you always loved books? Tell us why good books are so foundational to education.
  • What are some of your favorite books and how did you incorporate them into your homeschooling?
  • Tell us more about your homeschooling journey and how did you come to write TruthQuest History?
  • Is there anything in particular that helped shape your educational philosophy?
  • The definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents primarily through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you and share with us a bit more about how your family lifeschooled?
  • How did homeschooling strengthen your relationships with your children?
  • How did you fit homeschooling with your family’s unique situation and responsibilities?
  • Was your family ever tempted to quit homeschooling and how did you navigate through that time?
  • What are some of the gifts that you saw in your children and how did you tailor their education around the development of those gifts?

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!


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Cancer and Lifeschooling – Barbara McCoskey

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Cancer and Lifeschooling - Barbara McCoskeyRecently I had the lovely opportunity to combine our kids’ movie planning meeting along with a podcast recording session with my dear friend and cancer survivor, Barbara McCoskey! What fun lifeschooling as we all worked together on our projects (and the little kids played in the pool as we watched from the window)!

Barbara and I talked about field trips to the end of the driveway (yes…you’ll hear what that was all about) and lessons on T-helper cells, among other things. Barbara’s cancer journey eight years ago gave their family a wonderful opportunity to lifeschool! Listen to hear how.

Barbara McCoskey treasures being married to Todd for over 17 years. They have four children, two before her 2010 cancer diagnosis and two adopted after her cancer treatments ended. She and her family are featured in the documentary, the 5-Day Adoption, a movie demonstrating absolute faith and the power of God in answering prayer, released in 2016. She is also the author of Dear God, Please Heal Mommy’s Cancer: One Family’s Journey through the Eyes of a Child and is currently working on her second book, I Will Not Die, but Live. 

Barbara has a passion to encourage others to embrace God’s calling on their lives and to persevere through life’s challenges and started CreatedToProclaim.com to share that passion. She and her family live in Charlotte, NC, where they have been lifeschooling for over 15 years.

Here is what I ask Barbara on this episode:

  • Tell us about your lifeschooling journey.
  • To remind our listeners, the definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you and share with us a bit more about how your family lifeschool?
  • I sometimes ask my guests if they have ever been tempted to quit homeschooling. It would certainly be understandable for you to struggle during this time when you had cancer. Were you tempted to quit?
  • What are some of the gifts that you have seen early on in your children and how have you tailored their education around the development of those gifts? Were you able to do this through your cancer journey?
  • Tell us a bit about your books and let our listeners know where they can find a copy.

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Hope you’ll join us next time!