The Homeschool How To

Cheryl - Host

I don't claim to know anything about homeschooling, so I set out on a journey to ask the people who do! Join me as I chat with homeschoolers to discuss; "why are people homeschooling," "what are all the ways people are using to homeschool today," and ultimately, "should I homeschool my kids?"

  1. 1d ago

    #180: Why This Former Teacher Had to Unlearn Everything

    What if the best thing you could do for your homeschool is put the worksheet down? In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, Cheryl sits down with Kaitlin Zara, former public school teacher, homeschool mom of two boys, and host of the Homeschool Connections podcast, to talk about what she saw from the inside of a classroom that changed how she teaches her own kids now. In this episode, you'll learn: Why Kaitlin had to unlearn her formal teacher training to homeschool her own kidsHow hands-on experience — like dissecting squid — teaches more than a worksheet ever couldWhat changed in classrooms over the last decade, and why she didn't want that for her own kidsWhy she stopped turning every outing into a unit studyWhy letting your kids see the everyday chaos of family life is part of their educationHow the more you enjoy your own homeschool days, the more your kids enjoy learningWhether you're brand new to homeschooling or years into it, this conversation is a reminder to stop overplanning and let the learning happen naturally. Connect with Kaitlin: Instagram: KaitlinMZara Facebook: KaitlinZara Youtube (podcast) Ready to homeschool but wondering where to start? 📘 Grab my book, So You Wanna Homeschool? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start 🎓 Need a step-by-step plan? Check out Cheryl's mini-course, How to Work and Homeschool  📚 Still wondering, "What do I actually teach?" My guide walks you through exactly what homeschool families focus on by age and subject. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's considering homeschooling. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #180: Why This Former Teacher Had to Unlearn Everything

  2. Jul 18

    #179: You DON'T Need to Have It All Figured Out to Homeschool | Chad Hufford

    What if the biggest thing standing between you and homeschooling isn't your ability...it's your belief that you have to get everything right? In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, Cheryl sits down with Chad Hufford, homeschool graduate, father of six, biochemist, financial advisor, and speaker, to talk about what homeschooling looked like in the 1980s versus today—and why parents don't need to have all the answers before they begin.  Chad shares how his mom openly admitted she was figuring homeschooling out as she went, yet still raised children who became independent thinkers, lifelong learners, and successful adults. Together, Cheryl and Chad discuss why intentional parenting matters more than perfect curriculum, how homeschooling teaches children to think instead of memorize, and why comparing your family to others is one of the fastest ways to lose confidence.  In this episode, you'll learn:  Why you don't have to be a certified teacher to homeschool.  How to stop comparing your homeschool to everyone else's.  The difference between teaching children what to think and how to learn.  Why letting your child explore their interests builds confidence and independence.  How homeschool communities, co-ops, tutors, and hybrid learning can support your family.  The mindset shift that helps parents stop fearing they're "failing" their kids. Whether you're thinking about homeschooling, brand new to homeschooling, or years into your journey, this conversation is packed with encouragement and practical wisdom that will leave you feeling far more confident about the path you're on. Ready to homeschool but wondering where to start? 📘 Grab my book, So You Wanna Homeschool? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start 🎓 Need a step-by-step plan? Check out Cheryl's mini-course, How to Work and Homeschool  📚 Still wondering, "What do I actually teach?" My guide walks you through exactly what homeschool families focus on by age and subject. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's considering homeschooling. Connect with Chad, Financial Planner and SmartVestor Pro:  chad@veritasalaska.com veritasalaska.com Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #179: You DON'T Need to Have It All Figured Out to Homeschool | Chad Hufford

  3. Jul 11

    #178: A Mother’s Wake-Up Call About Bullying And SEL

    When Ali Johnson’s teenage daughter started saying she didn’t want to go to school, Ali initially thought she was dealing with normal middle school conflict. Then everything changed. After a serious accusation from two students, the school required Ali’s daughter to undergo an outside evaluation before returning to class. Even after she was cleared to return, administrators continued pushing the family toward additional outside services and requested permission to communicate directly with those providers. Meanwhile, the bullying that started the entire situation continued. In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, Ali shares the story of the incident that ultimately led her family to leave traditional school and begin homeschooling. We talk about bullying in schools, school mental health policies, social emotional learning (SEL), parental rights, private Christian schools, teen social media, deschooling, homeschooling teenagers, and what parents may not realize their children are experiencing at school. Ali also shares what happened when she finally asked her daughter one life-changing question: “What if you never had to go back to school?” Two years later, Ali describes her daughter as a completely different person. “It’s like she lives in color now.” If your child is struggling with bullying, dreading school, or simply doesn’t seem like themselves anymore—or if you’ve ever wondered whether homeschooling could be an option for your family—this is a conversation you’ll want to hear. Connect with Ali:  YT: @HoosierAli IG: @HoosierAli Resources from Cheryl: 🎓  New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide  📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach?  💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #178: A Mother’s Wake-Up Call About Bullying And SEL

  4. Jul 5

    #177: The Truth About Leaving a Successful Career to Homeschool

    What happens when you've built everything you thought you wanted... and realize it's no longer the life you want? In this episode, I sit down with Ceci Washington, entrepreneur, business mentor, and homeschooling mom, to talk about the decision to walk away from a thriving business, leave behind financial security, and choose a completely different path for her family. We discuss the fears that stop parents from homeschooling, why so many families feel pulled toward a different way of raising their children, the grief that can come with leaving your old life behind, and why grief doesn't always mean you've made the wrong decision. We also talk about socialization, technology, homeschooling regulations, balancing work and family, and what it really looks like to build a life around your children instead of fitting them into your schedule. If you've ever wondered whether homeschooling could work for your family—or whether it's possible to redesign your life around what matters most—this conversation is for you. Cheryl on Ceci's podcast- YouTube Radically Real Podcast www.instagram.com/itsceciwashington www.instagram.com/getradicallyreal https://stan.store/CecileJWash Resources from Cheryl: 🎓  New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide  📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach?  💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #177: The Truth About Leaving a Successful Career to Homeschool

  5. Jun 27

    #176: What If Your "Imperfect" Homeschool Is Actually Enough? | Jennifer Pepito

    Are you constantly wondering... "Am I doing enough?" It's one of the biggest fears homeschool parents carry—and after nearly 30 years homeschooling seven children, Jennifer Pepito has a very different perspective. In this episode, Jennifer shares why perfect homeschool days aren't the goal, why family connection matters more than checking every academic box, and how her oldest daughter—despite what she describes as an "imperfect" homeschool experience—graduated summa cum laude, earned her law degree, and was preparing to take the bar exam. We also discuss: • Why many children don't need to read on the same timeline • How read-alouds, audiobooks, and rich conversations build lifelong learners • The surprising connection between movement, outdoor play, and learning • Homeschooling multiple children with family-style learning • Homeschooling a child with special needs • Why trying to recreate public school at home often creates unnecessary pressure • How to build a homeschool filled with curiosity, connection, and joy instead of comparison If you've ever worried that your homeschool doesn't look "good enough," this conversation might completely change the way you think about learning. Connect with Jennifer: Amazon LINK to book  Website: thepeacefulpress.com Instagram: @jenniferpepito Facebook: @thepeacefulpress Pinterest: @thepeacefulpress Podcast: @restorationhome Resources from Cheryl: 🎓  New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide   📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach?  💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #176: What If Your "Imperfect" Homeschool Is Actually Enough? | Jennifer Pepito

  6. Jun 20

    #175: Former Teachers Reveal: Your Kid Only Gets 7 Minutes of 1-on-1 Time in School

    Two former public school teachers — and twin sisters — pull back the curtain on what really happens in a classroom of 25+ kids, including the one statistic that will change how you think about homeschooling forever. Kathy and Melissa share why they left teaching to homeschool their own children, why neither of them ever finished a curriculum in 30 years in the classroom, and how they turned the science of reading into a play-based system any parent can teach — no degree required. We cover special needs reading struggles, when to pull kids out (and when to put them back in), navigating SEL and gender ideology creeping into public schools, and how much one-on-one time actually moves the needle for your child's confidence and learning. Plus: practical tips for making phonics drills fun instead of painful. If you're second-guessing whether you're "enough" to homeschool your kids, this conversation will put that fear to rest. Find Kathy & Melissa: www.littleshoesacademy.com Our facebook group is https://www.facebook.com/groups/685911939807596 Our instagram is https://www.instagram.com/littleshoesacademy/  Resources from Cheryl: 🎓  New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide   📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach?  💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #175: Former Teachers Reveal: Your Kid Only Gets 7 Minutes of 1-on-1 Time in School

  7. Jun 13

    #174: The World Schooling Dad Who Says American Education Is Getting It Wrong

    Rapkat was born in northwest China, fled to Malaysia at five, landed in Brooklyn, bounced through public, private, and charter school, married at seventeen, attended a coding bootcamp, got a remote software engineering job — and has been homeschooling and world schooling his five kids across Europe and Asia ever since. In this episode we talk about why he thinks getting straight A's is actually not a good sign, what "learning to learn" means and why it matters more than any subject, how he intentionally teaches his kids to let go of possessions every time they move, and why he believes seventy percent of your kid's school day is completely invisible to you as a parent. We also get into AI, the real cost of using it, and what he says most people get completely wrong about it. If you've ever wondered what education looks like when you strip away every assumption — this one will stay with you. Resources from Cheryl: 🎓  New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide   📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach? ($17)  💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #174: The World Schooling Dad Who Says American Education Is Getting It Wrong

  8. Jun 6

    #173: When the Right School Didn't Exist, They Built It. Here's How.

    What happens when two parents with a 70-acre property, a wedding venue, and a 2% chance of having children decide the local school system just isn't good enough for their girls? They build something better from scratch. In this episode, Cheryl sits down with Sarah and Greg Holland of Jericho Valley Co-op in Berkshire County, Massachusetts — a homeschool support organization they built on their own property, with a licensed teacher who walked away from 25 years in the public school system because she believed in what they were building. Sarah and Greg share how they went from never considering homeschooling to launching a thriving co-op that doubled enrollment in less than a year and now has a waitlist. They talk about hiring a teacher, navigating the legal landscape of running a homeschool co-op, mixed-age learning, getting kids outside every day, and why they believe every community has the resources to do something similar if they just look around. If you've ever thought about starting something like this in your own community — or you're just looking for proof that there's a better way — this episode is for you. Topics covered: Why two self-described "school lovers" chose to leave the system behindHow they built a co-op using their existing property and businessFinding and hiring a teacher who left a 25-year public school careerMixed-age classrooms and individualized learning plansNavigating homeschool co-op laws in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New YorkHow running a business from home changes what your kids learnWhy their shy, isolated daughters transformed after just one yearHow to start your own co-op even without a big property or budgetResources mentioned: Jericho Valley Co-op website: jerichovalley.orgJericho Valley Co-op Instagram: @jericho.valleyGet Your Tickets: FARM FOOD FREEDOM Event: https://maxkane.com/events Resources from Cheryl: 🎓  New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide   📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach? ($17)  💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #173: When the Right School Didn't Exist, They Built It. Here's How.
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4.8
out of 5
102 Ratings

About

I don't claim to know anything about homeschooling, so I set out on a journey to ask the people who do! Join me as I chat with homeschoolers to discuss; "why are people homeschooling," "what are all the ways people are using to homeschool today," and ultimately, "should I homeschool my kids?"

Information

  • Creator
    Cheryl - Host
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    189
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Homeschool How To
  • Show Website
    The Homeschool How To

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