Homeschooling For Catholic Parents

Maeve and Mat Jemison

You’re wondering if homeschooling is for you. But your inner critic is telling you you’re not enough. How can I teach my kid when we can’t get through homework without tears and yelling?  How would the daily routine look? What curriculum will you use? Your house is already a wreck. You don’t want to feel isolated, like you’re on an island where everyone wears long dresses and raises goats. Plus, aren’t homeschoolers weird? I am so excited you're here! This podcast will give you peace of mind as you raise successful adults who understand their Catholic faith and how to defend it. I’ll help you find the routine that works for you, you’ll still have community, if that’s what you want, and even a clean, organized home is possible (sometimes).  I’m Maeve Jemison, and I host this pod with my handsome husband, Mat. We’re Catholics who prioritize worship and apologetics through our homeschool journey with our five kids.   I’ve made many mistakes along the way. As a young adult, I left the Catholic church because I didn't understand what was going on. I was a government school graduate and high school teacher so I thought homeschooling meant replicating government school at home. (I was wayyyy off!) When I finally learned the depths and truths of Catholicism, I was adamant that I would teach my little cradle Catholics about the history and beauty of the religion that Jesus started. No way would my kids be as oblivious as I was. Our homeschooling became a delightful adventure, with the Lord guiding us in tailoring our children’s education. I knew I had found my calling!  If you’re ready to thrive as the domestic church through worship, apologetics and homeschooling, then this podcast is for you! Thanks for stopping by because home is where the truth is!

  1. 4d ago

    132 What Are Your Kids Watching? Creating Catholic Media with Tara Bonna of Raising Saints TV

    What happens when a Catholic mom goes looking for wholesome, faith-filled screen time for her little ones—and can't find quite what she's looking for? She makes it herself. This week, Maeve sits down with Tara Bonna, better known as Mrs. Faith, creator of Raising Saints TV. And it's especially fitting that this episode airs on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—the same feast day Tara chose to launch Raising Saints TV last year. Tara shares how motherhood helped lead her back to the Catholic faith, and why discovering the truth of the Eucharist changed everything. They also talk honestly about screen-time guilt, raising children in a culture that doesn't always share our values, listening when God asks you to do something that feels impossible, and finding the encouragement to keep going when the work gets hard. And because this is Homeschooling for Catholic Parents, the conversation naturally includes a CatholicMatch love story, babies napping in the car, Our Lady of Champion, saint relics, Mary Magdalene—and a Catholic cookbook that apparently requires you to be a French chef. A joyful conversation about motherhood, media, the saints, and what can happen when a Catholic mom says yes to an idea God won't let her forget. Our Lady assumed into Heaven, pray for us! Show Notes: Raising Saints TV: https://www.youtube.com/@raisingsaintstv Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here. Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life! https://maevejemison.com/ Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is: https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

  2. Aug 9

    131 - Did Homeschooling Work? Our Daughter’s Honest Exit Interview

    After years of homeschooling, how do you know if it actually worked? Our oldest daughter, Piper, is heading off to college—so we decided it was time for an exit interview. Piper joins Maeve in the studio for an honest (and sometimes hilarious) look back at her homeschool years: what she loved, what she definitely did NOT love, what made her feel most loved by her parents, the rules she appreciates now, and what she thinks we could have done better. But the conversation goes deeper as Piper shares how homeschooling prepared her to take ownership of her education, develop a strong moral compass, and understand and defend her Catholic faith. And because no exit interview should be completely comfortable, Maeve puts 18 years of Catholic formation to the test by pulling out the old apologetics cards and quizzing Piper on the spot. If you're still in the trenches wondering whether all those read-alouds, field trips, phone battles, catechism lessons, and ordinary days at home are actually making a difference, this one's for you. Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here. Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life! https://maevejemison.com/ Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is: https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

  3. Aug 2

    130 - Why Families Need Adventure, Not Entertainment | The Secret to Raising Close Siblings

    What if one of the greatest gifts you could give your children isn't another vacation... but another challenge? In this episode, we share what I thought was one of my biggest homeschooling failures—a Daytona Beach field trip that involved hypodermic needle warnings, a homeless man wearing tarp pants, and a drug deal. Yet somehow, that disastrous day became one of the experiences our kids still talk. That led us into a fascinating concept from Dopamine Nation called "club goods" and why psychologists have discovered that people value—and bond over—the things they work for together. We discuss why:  Challenge creates identity.  Families need a mission, not just entertainment.  Shared stories unite siblings more than shared comforts.  Simple family adventures can strengthen your relationships for years to come. If you've been longing for more unity in your home, this episode may completely change how you plan your family's time together. Show NotesIn this episode: Related Episodes Episode 115: From Resurrection Joy to Closet Tears (Maeve's Daytona Beach surfboard rescue story) Episode 125: The Faith Has To Be Theirs (Rotary Club, purpose, and putting more into a club than you get out) Episode 127: How to Write a Family Mission Statement (A Catholic Homeschool Guide) Because, If You Don't Build Your Family's Culture, Someone Else Will (Building an intentional family culture)  Our Colorado trip and baby Nora's baptism  Why God may have answered Maeve's prayer with... laryngitis  The infamous "Skid Row" homeschool field trip  Lessons from Dopamine Nation and the concept of Club Goods  Why contribution creates stronger communities  "Comfort creates pleasant experiences. Challenge creates identity."  How to create a family culture that builds teamwork  Practical family challenge ideas—from hiking and service projects to family goals  Why your children need adventures more than entertainment Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here. Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life! https://maevejemison.com/ Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is: https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

  4. Jul 27

    129 - The Little Way of Motherhood | Tina Mayeux on Carmelite Wisdom for Catholic Moms

    What can busy Catholic mothers learn from Carmelite nuns? More than you might think. We continue our second in the Holy Spirit-led series on Carmelite Spirituality as Maeve sits down with Catholic writer Tina Mayeux to explore how the wisdom of St. Teresa of Ávila, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and the Carmelite tradition can transform ordinary family life. Tina shares her remarkable vocation story—from discerning religious life with the Missionaries of Charity and the Discalced Carmelites to embracing her true calling as a wife and mother—and explains how contemplative prayer, simplicity, humility, and the "Little Way" can bring greater peace into even the busiest Catholic homes. Whether you're juggling homeschooling, toddlers, teenagers, or simply longing for a deeper spiritual life, this conversation offers practical encouragement for living your vocation with greater joy and intentionality. Show Notes, Published July 27, 2026In this episode  Tina's journey through religious discernment to marriage and motherhood  What "Discalced" actually means  What contemplative prayer is (and isn't)  Why busy moms are called to prayer too  Lessons from St. Teresa of Ávila  The Little Way of St. Thérèse in everyday motherhood  Why motherhood is a "hidden life"  Living the liturgical year without making it overwhelming  Building a family rule of life  The importance of Catholic friendships  Finding silence in a noisy world  Encouragement for aspiring Catholic writers Books Mentioned Story of a Soul — St. Thérèse of Lisieux The Interior Castle — St. Teresa of Ávila The Way of Perfection — St. Teresa of Ávila Learn More  Tina's Substack: The Way of the Wildflowers CatholicMom.com  Tina's upcoming book The Little Way of MotherhoodGrab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here. Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life! https://maevejemison.com/ Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is: https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

  5. Jul 19

    128 - The Interior Life Every Catholic Parent Needs First with Perry Smith

    Wait...you mean my kids bicker incessantly because my interior life is lacking? Well...not exactly. 😅 But in this fascinating conversation, philosopher and educator Perry Smith explains why the virtues (and vices) we cultivate as parents quietly shape the atmosphere of our homes. Long before our children can define the "interior life," they're absorbing it. Together we explore what Catholics mean by the interior life, why virtue is simply a good habit, practical ways to introduce meditation into family life, how to choose saints over celebrities as our children's heroes, and why the liturgical calendar provides the rhythms every Catholic family longs for. If you've ever wondered how to raise children who become lifelong friends of God, Perry offers timeless wisdom that begins with an unexpected place: Mom and Dad. Show Notes:  Published July 19, 2026 In this episode we discuss: • Why Perry wrote Spiritual Parenting—even though he isn't a parent • What Catholics really mean by "the interior life" • Why children imitate the virtues (and vices) of their parents • The simple definition of virtue that every child can understand • How to begin family meditation—even if you've never tried it before • Practical ways to cultivate peace in your home • Saints vs. celebrities: choosing better heroes for our children • Technology, leisure, and creating healthy family habits • Building daily, weekly, and yearly rhythms around the liturgical calendar • Perry's favorite saints and the spiritual writers who shaped his life Resources Mentioned Spiritual Parenting by Perry SmithInstitute for Catholic Family FormationDivine IntimacySt. Teresa of ÁvilaSt. Alphonsus LiguoriSt. Thomas AquinasLaudate AppiMissal AppGrab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here. Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life! https://maevejemison.com/ Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is: https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

  6. Jul 12

    127 - How to Write a Family Mission Statement (A Catholic Homeschool Guide) Because, If You Don't Build Your Family's Culture, Someone Else Will

    Every family is building a culture—whether intentionally or not. In this episode, Maeve and Mat share the surprising story of how an unexpected weekend in downtown St. Pete became a powerful reminder that every worldview is trying to shape what we love and value. That experience led them back to an important question: What culture are we intentionally creating in our own home? They'll walk you through a simple five-step process for creating a family mission statement that helps guide your homeschool, strengthen your family culture, and keep your priorities rooted in Christ. You'll also hear practical questions to ask your children, examples of mission statements, and encouragement to build a home that points your family toward its ultimate goal: sainthood. Whether you're just beginning your homeschool journey or have been homeschooling for years, this episode will help you define what matters most—and build your family around it. Show Notes, Published July 12, 2026 In this episode, we discuss:  Why every family has a culture—even if it's never been written down  The surprising lesson we learned from an unexpected weekend getaway  Why intentional family culture matters more than ever  Stephen Covey's wisdom on family mission statements  The five simple steps to writing your own family mission statement  Questions to help identify your family's core values  Examples of Catholic family mission statements  How to use your mission statement to guide calendar decisions, activities, and priorities  Why your children will remember your family's culture long after they forget their worksheets  The connection between intentional family life and raising future saints Links: 📝 Read the companion article: How to Write a Catholic Family Mission Statement https://maevejemison.com/127 📒 Catholic Homeschool Planner https://catholichomeschoolplanner.com 🎤 See Maeve speak live at the TBHC Homeschool Convention (July 18, 2026) Use code MAEVE26 for a discount. 📧 Join our newsletter:  https://maevejemison.com 🎙 Subscribe to Homeschooling for Catholics wherever you listen to podcasts. Resources Mentioned Stephen Covey — The 7 Habits of Highly Effective FamiliesStephen Covey — The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Dr. Kent Keith — The Anyway Poem Mother Teresa's adapted "Anyway" quote  The four Cardinal Virtues:  Prudence  Justice  Fortitude  Temperance Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here. Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life! https://maevejemison.com/ Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is: https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

  7. Jul 5

    126 - STOP Spending All Day Homeschooling! How to Raise Life-Long Learners in 2 Hours a Day. **Greatest Hits Replay**

    🇺🇸 Happy 250th America! (And Happy Birthday Mat!) The Jemisons have been at the beach celebrating for the week so please enjoy this Greatest Hits replay that originally aired on February 23, 2025.  Do you want to raise self-starters who are eager for knowledge and actively seek out ideal sources to satisfy their curiosity? Let's think of home education as the petri dish for that! In contrast to the traditional education system which places your child on the conveyor belt to college, where students are inundated with irrelevant facts and become accustomed to being spoon-fed information, home education fosters a love for discovery and nurtures intrinsic motivation.  This episode offers tips on how to cultivate life-long learners in a fraction of the time that traditional schools have access to your children. So, let’s throw those disruptive school bells out the window and focus on providing children with a deeply enriching life at home. Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here. Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life! https://maevejemison.com/ Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is: https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

5
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About

You’re wondering if homeschooling is for you. But your inner critic is telling you you’re not enough. How can I teach my kid when we can’t get through homework without tears and yelling?  How would the daily routine look? What curriculum will you use? Your house is already a wreck. You don’t want to feel isolated, like you’re on an island where everyone wears long dresses and raises goats. Plus, aren’t homeschoolers weird? I am so excited you're here! This podcast will give you peace of mind as you raise successful adults who understand their Catholic faith and how to defend it. I’ll help you find the routine that works for you, you’ll still have community, if that’s what you want, and even a clean, organized home is possible (sometimes).  I’m Maeve Jemison, and I host this pod with my handsome husband, Mat. We’re Catholics who prioritize worship and apologetics through our homeschool journey with our five kids.   I’ve made many mistakes along the way. As a young adult, I left the Catholic church because I didn't understand what was going on. I was a government school graduate and high school teacher so I thought homeschooling meant replicating government school at home. (I was wayyyy off!) When I finally learned the depths and truths of Catholicism, I was adamant that I would teach my little cradle Catholics about the history and beauty of the religion that Jesus started. No way would my kids be as oblivious as I was. Our homeschooling became a delightful adventure, with the Lord guiding us in tailoring our children’s education. I knew I had found my calling!  If you’re ready to thrive as the domestic church through worship, apologetics and homeschooling, then this podcast is for you! Thanks for stopping by because home is where the truth is!

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