Homeschool Better Together with Pam Barnhill

Pam Barnhill
Homeschool Better Together with Pam Barnhill

Are you ready for homeschooling to feel joyful again? Do you need support as you learn alongside your kids? Welcome to Homeschool Better Together. Hosted by Pam Barnhill, this podcast shares how to stop questioning if you are doing enough and create a homeschool experience that fits your family. Each Tuesday, we break down the big ideas into manageable chunks to give you the confidence and resources you need to finally step out of the overwhelm and into the wonder. Homeschool stories and practical tips are delivered straight to your earbuds full of inspiration and encouragement. They are perfect to listen to while running errands or folding a load of laundry. No matter what homeschool method you use, you’ll learn how to remove the overwhelm from your homeschool so you can focus on building relationships. To stay connected and learn even more about the Homeschooling Better Together resources, join the free community: https://pambarnhill.com/homeschool-better-together-podcast/

  1. 3 DEC

    Books That Spark Joy: A Chat with Sarah Mackenzie

    This episode of the Homeschool Better Together Podcast features a delightful conversation with Sarah Mackenzie from the Read Aloud Revival. Sarah and I chat about rekindling the joy of reading for ourselves as moms. We explore the power of quitting books that don’t spark joy, the fun of keeping a reading log, and how to find books that truly resonate with you. Plus, we dive into reading challenges—are they motivating or just another checklist? Spoiler: we both have strong opinions! We also talk about Sarah’s exciting projects with Waxwing Books, including a middle-grade fantasy novel perfect for family read-alouds. If your reading life needs a little inspiration or you're searching for the perfect book list, this episode is packed with ideas and encouragement to get you turning pages again. Key Takeaways: Rekindle your love for reading by giving yourself permission to quit books that don’t excite you.A simple reading log can help you reflect on and savor what you’ve read.Waxwing Books’ upcoming middle-grade fantasy, Beyond Mulberry Glen, is an excellent family read-aloud.Reading challenges can be fun if approached with flexibility—don’t let them feel like a burden. Key Resources: Homeschool Better Together PodcastReadAloudRevival.comRead-Aloud Revival PodcastWaxwing Books"Dear Duck, Please Come" by Sarah Mackenzie"Beyond Mulberry Glen" by Millie Florence"The Myth Makers, The Remarkable Fellowship of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien" by John Hendricks"The Lively Art of Writing" by Lucille Van Paine"84 Charing Cross Road" by Helene Hanff"West with Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge"The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown"The Women" by Kristin Hannah"4:50 from Paddington: A Miss Marple Mystery" by Agatha Christie"The Wishing Game" by Meg Shaffer"Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundle"Only the Beautiful" by Susan Meissner"All It Takes is a Goal" by John Acuff For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt27 To join our free homeschool community, a...

    47 min

  2. 19 NOV

    Turning Lunch Into Learning: Tips From a Busy Homeschool Mom

    In this episode of Homeschool Better Together, I’m joined by my friend Sunni Dallas, a mom of seven, who shares how she uses the Wonder World Podcast to enrich her homeschool days—especially when life is busy with babies, toddlers, and teens. Sunni talks about how lunchtime has become the perfect anchor for learning, where we provide the content, and she simply hits play. From history to fables, Wonder World is her go-to resource for a mini morning time with her kids. We also chat about other resources Sunni uses to simplify homeschooling and keep her big family engaged without overloading herself with planning. If you’ve ever struggled to keep up with morning time or need a fresh way to make learning work with multiple ages, Sunni’s approach will give you ideas and inspiration. Key Takeaways: Using Wonder World at lunch for a “mini morning time” when life gets busy.Tips for balancing homeschooling with kids of all ages.Practical resources and routines that keep homeschool simple and fun.How using pre-prepared resources frees up time and keeps kids engaged. Resources and Links: Wonder World PodcastWonder World Kids ClubThe World from A to ZCatholic-based content from Ascension PresentsBrains OnClassical ConversationsThe Boxcar Children For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt26 To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

    30 min

  3. 5 NOV

    Five Reasons You Shouldn’t Teach 'A Christmas Carol' This Year (Or Should You?)

    In this episode of the Homeschool Better Together podcast, I’m joined by Dawn Garrett to chat about our special gift for homeschoolers this year—A Christmas Carol explorations! We’re offering a free resource full of fun activities, discussions, and enrichment to bring some holiday cheer into your homeschool. Dawn and I go over the history behind this yearly gift, why we’re excited about A Christmas Carol as this year's theme, and a few reasons you might not want to skip this one. I share my journey of rediscovering the story’s true meaning and why it’s a perfect classic to enjoy as a family. We also talk about the Camp Christmas upgrade, packed with even more holiday fun, crafts, and planning resources to keep your homeschool cozy and memorable this season. Key Points: A Christmas Carol explorations as a free holiday gift.Why this story offers valuable lessons in a family-friendly way.Optional Camp Christmas upgrade for extra activities, crafts, and planning tools.Fun community challenges and a chance to win prizes. Resources and Links A Free Christmas Carol ExplorationsDr. Anthony Esolen's Video on "A Christmas Carol"Skolay Sisters Podcast (Episode 46, "Don't Be the White Witch")Advent Morning Time PlansChristmas Celebration Morning Time PlansHomeschool Better Together Community "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens"10 Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child" by Anthony Esolen"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson"The Muppet Christmas Carol" (Movie)Tim Curry's Narration of "A Christmas Carol" (Audiobook)Merry Beggars’ "A Christmas Carol" Radio ShowPatrick Stewart performing "A Christmas Carol" (both as a single-person play and audiobook) For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt(25)

    28 min

  4. 22 OCT

    What Seven Years of Boot Camp Taught Us About Homeschooling

    In this episode of the Homeschool Better Together podcast, I sit down with Dawn Garrett, our customer service guru, to reflect on the lessons we’ve learned over seven years of running the Homeschool Consistency Boot Camp. We talk about how consistency—not perfection—can transform your homeschool and why sticking with even a “minimum viable day” can make all the difference. Dawn and I share some of the challenges homeschool moms face and how the Boot Camp provides tools and mindset shifts to help you stay the course. We also chat about the power of accountability and how taking charge—though exhausting—yields big results. If you’ve been feeling stuck or overwhelmed, this episode will inspire you to take small steps toward consistency and show how even imperfect days can lead to long-term success. Key Takeaways: Consistency matters more than curriculum or homeschool method.The "minimum viable day" helps keep you on track, even on tough days.Taking charge can be tiring, but it leads to the best results.Accountability plays a huge role in building consistent habits.There’s never a perfect time to start—just jump in and begin today. Resources and Links: Homeschool Consistency Boot CampMorning Time PlansPut Your Year on AutopilotElevate All Access ProgramFree Homeschool Better Together Community For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt24 To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

    25 min

  5. 15 OCT

    From Overwhelm to Joy: Katie McCune's Consistency Success Story

    In this episode of the Homeschool Better Together podcast, I’m chatting with Katie McCune, a mom from our community, about her journey with the Homeschool Consistency Boot Camp. Katie shares how, before the boot camp, their homeschool days were often filled with morning time and spontaneous field trips, but progress through their core subjects was slow. She talks about how she struggled with perfectionism and how that mindset made it hard to feel satisfied with her homeschool efforts. We discuss how the boot camp helped her implement small, consistent habits that made a huge difference. Katie shares how the accountability and practical tips she learned transformed her homeschool—leading to less resistance from her kids and a much more joyful, organized approach. We also dive into how showing up consistently helped Katie feel more confident and in control, making homeschooling feel more like a rewarding vocation. If you’re on the fence about joining the boot camp, this episode will give you a peek into how it can help you move from feeling overwhelmed to building a homeschool routine you can feel proud of. Key Takeaways: Katie’s struggles with consistency and perfectionism before boot camp.How the Homeschool Consistency Boot Camp helped build effective routines.The impact of consistent habits on reducing resistance from kids.Homeschooling as a vocation: showing up every day with purpose. Resources and Links: Homeschool Better Together CommunityHomeschool Consistency Boot Camp For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt23 To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

    22 min

  6. 8 OCT

    The Secret to Consistency: Honoring Your Homeschool Hours

    In this episode of the Homeschool Better Together podcast, I’m talking about one key mindset shift that can make a world of difference in your homeschool—honoring your school day. It’s easy to let distractions take over or convince ourselves that we can always multitask, but setting aside dedicated time for homeschooling is critical. I’ll share how this simple change has transformed our homeschool and made our days smoother and more consistent. I also dive into why multitasking during school hours might be the very thing holding you back. When we try to do it all, it’s easy to lose focus on what’s most important—being fully present with our kids during school time. I’ll give you some practical tips to make sure you’re honoring that school day, avoiding the temptation to juggle too much, and making the most of your homeschool hours. Key Points: Honoring your school day means prioritizing dedicated homeschool time.Avoid multitasking during school hours to stay focused.Being present with your kids during lessons helps keep the day productive.Choose just two priorities for each day, with homeschooling being one of them. Key Resources: Homeschool Consistency BootcampHomeschool Better Together WebsiteHomeschool Better Together Community For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt22 To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

    16 min

  7. 1 OCT

    Why Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Homeschool

    In this episode of the Homeschool Better Together podcast, I’m giving you a bit of a pep talk. I’ve been there—staring at the clock, realizing the day is slipping away and thinking, “If I can’t follow my perfect plan, I might as well do nothing.” Sound familiar? Well, I discovered that my problem wasn’t laziness—it was perfectionism. And that perfectionism was sabotaging my ability to be consistent with homeschooling. I talk about how embracing imperfection helped me break through the inconsistency in our homeschool. I realized that half-hearted school days and not following the plan exactly were still valuable. The key is to show up and do something, even if it’s not perfect. I also share how creating a “minimum viable day” helped me focus on the most important subjects and stay consistent, even on the craziest days. If you’re feeling stuck because things aren’t going perfectly, I encourage you to give yourself some grace. Consistency over perfection is what will make a huge difference in your homeschool. Key Takeaways: Perfectionism can sabotage your homeschool consistency.Even imperfect school days can be effective.The “minimum viable day” approach helps focus on essential subjects.Consistency, not perfection, builds long-term homeschool success. Links and Resources: Homeschool Consistency Boot CampHomeschool Better Together free communityPam Barnhill's website To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here. For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt21

    14 min

  8. 24 SEPT

    Inside Our Homeschool: 2024-2025 Curriculum Picks

    In this episode of the Homeschool Better Together podcast, I’m sharing an overview of our curriculum choices for the 2024-2025 school year. With both a senior and a 9th grader, our homeschool routine is a bit different, and I’m excited to walk you through our approach. We start each day with a focused morning time that sets the tone for learning, followed by individual subjects tailored to each child’s needs and interests. I’ll also share tips on how we keep our homeschool organized and why staying flexible is key to a successful year. Key Takeaways Overview of our curriculum choices for a senior and 9th grader.The importance of a focused morning time.Tips for staying organized and flexible in homeschool. Resources and Links: Homeschool Better Together Free CommunityPut Your Homeschool Year on Autopilot courseThe World from A to Z with Carl AzuzHallow appWhatever Happened to Penny Candy (Uncle Eric) by Richard J. MayberryThe Amazing Dr. Ransom's Bestiary of Adorable Fallacies by Douglas WilsonThe Silver Chair by C.S. LewisEnder's Game by Orson Scott CardTo Kill A Mockingbird by Harper LeeThe Odyssey by Homer Student Planner Pages (from Homeschool Better Together)Fix It Grammar from IEWConsumer Math with Mr. D MathThe Lively Art of Writing by Lucille Van PeltWorkbook for The Lively Art of Writing (found on the Well-Trained Mind Forum)The Writing Revolution: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades by Judith C. Hochman and Natalie WexlerKhan Academy (Biology course)The Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments (book and lab kit from the Home Scientist)Elemental Science's high school biology PDF (labs scheduling)Japanese tutorMr. D Geometrya...

    27 min
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About

Are you ready for homeschooling to feel joyful again? Do you need support as you learn alongside your kids? Welcome to Homeschool Better Together. Hosted by Pam Barnhill, this podcast shares how to stop questioning if you are doing enough and create a homeschool experience that fits your family. Each Tuesday, we break down the big ideas into manageable chunks to give you the confidence and resources you need to finally step out of the overwhelm and into the wonder. Homeschool stories and practical tips are delivered straight to your earbuds full of inspiration and encouragement. They are perfect to listen to while running errands or folding a load of laundry. No matter what homeschool method you use, you’ll learn how to remove the overwhelm from your homeschool so you can focus on building relationships. To stay connected and learn even more about the Homeschooling Better Together resources, join the free community: https://pambarnhill.com/homeschool-better-together-podcast/

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