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. 2d ago

    138 - Your Job as a Catholic Parent Comes Down to These 4 Things.

    How much of the outcome is actually up to us as parents? After a mother-daughter pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, Maeve came home thinking about that question—especially as children grow, pull away, and begin making choices of their own. In this episode, Maeve and Mat talk about the changing role of a parent, the temptation to confuse love with control, and some timely wisdom from Blessed Fulton Sheen about what Catholic parents are actually called to do. Along the way, there’s a surprisingly intense story about St. Maximilian Kolbe’s mother, a very specific prayer for basketball parents, and a reminder for anyone who has ever worried, Am I doing enough? Because raising faithful children doesn't mean controlling the outcome. Our job is to faithfully do what God has asked of us—and leave room for grace to do what we cannot. Show Notes:  Published Oct. 4, 2026 National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion — https://championshrine.org/ Tara Bonna’s episode 132  What Are Your Kids Watching? Creating Catholic Media with Tara Bonna of Raising Saints TV 136 You’re the Parent: Dr. Ray Guarendi on Discipline, Faith & Homeschooling Real Moms of Real Saints by Colleen Pressprich — https://www.elevatortoheaven.com/ Catechism of the Catholic Church §§2222–2223 — Blessed Fulton Sheen What Mary Teaches Parents who's Children Have left The Faith. 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. Sep 20

    137 When the Homeschool Year Isn't Coming Together; The Best Way Out Is Through: Just Start Homeschooling

    Does your homeschool ever look like a complete mess from where you’re standing? The kids seem aimless, the routine isn’t quite there, and you start wondering if you’re doing enough—or doing any of it well. Maeve found herself in exactly that place at the beginning of another school year. But a recent day of surfing reminded her that sometimes things look very different once you stop standing on the shore and paddle out. In this episode, Maeve and Mat talk about starting before everything feels organized, trusting the small things you’re doing each day, and recognizing the surprising ways God connects the dots in your children’s education—often long before you can see what He’s doing. If your homeschool feels a little disheveled right now, this one is for you. Show Notes:  Published September 20, 2026 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The First Friday Devotion & Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart (taken from Cathedral of the Sacred Heart's Website) Mary, Our Lady of Grace, brings people to Christ and his Sacred Heart. The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Our Lord Jesus Christ made these twelve promises to those who honor His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French nun, whom he called “the Beloved Disciple of the Sacred Heart” and the Heiress “of all Its treasures”, in the 1670’s. They show us how much he cherishes this devotion. Considering that the blood that redeemed us at Calvary came from His Sacred Heart and that so much love and light still exude from it, these promises were revealed in one of many private revelations that Jesus gave St. Margaret Mary. Our Lord promised the following: 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.I will establish peace in their families.I will bless every home in which an image of My Heart is exposed and honored.I will console them in all their difficulties.I will be their refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.I will shed abundant blessing upon all their undertakings.Sinners shall find in My Heart a fountain and boundless ocean of mercy.Tepid souls shall become fervent.Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection.I will give to priests the power of touching the hardest hearts.Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart never to be blotted out.I promise you, in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all who communicate on the First Friday of the month for nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My displeasure nor without their last Sacraments: “My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.”  Robert Frost — A Servant to Servants Episode 131 — Did Homeschooling Work? Our Daughter''s Honest Exit Interview Episode 133 —Work on Your Marriage Hopewell Rocks, Bay of Fundy Emerson Eggerich's Love and Respect — https://www.loveandrespect.com/product/love-respect-book 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. Sep 13

    136 You’re the Parent: Dr. Ray Guarendi on Discipline, Faith & Homeschooling

    EPISODE SUMMARY  Dr. Ray Guarendi has 45 years  helping parents stop second-guessing themselves—and in this conversation, he brings his trademark humor, straight talk, Catholic faith, and experience as the father of ten homeschooled children. Maeve and Dr. Ray talk about his journey back to the Catholic Church, the heartbreak parents can feel when an adult child walks away from the faith, and why even doing “everything right” can never override a child's free will. They dig into discipline and authority in the homeschool, sibling fighting, why some parents feel they “could never homeschool,” and the surprising psychological advantages homeschooling can offer. They also tackle one of the biggest parenting challenges of our time: smartphones, gaming, pornography, and the level of vigilance required to protect childhood without trying to protect children forever.  And perhaps most importantly, Dr. Ray reminds good parents to stop catastrophizing every mistake. You don't have to parent perfectly. You need faith, common sense, consistency—and enough humor to survive the whole thing. Because as Dr. Ray puts it, “The experts have really taken the fun out of parenting.” SHOW NOTES Published September 13, 2026: Links & Resources Mentioned Dr. Ray Guarendi GRN (Gaudalupe Radio Network) Academy — Dr. Ray’s Seven-Week Parenting Course Dr. Ray Guarendi’s Website & Bookstorehttps://www.drray.com/Living Right with Dr. Ray on EWTNThe Doctor Is In on EWTN RadioBooks by Dr. Ray Thinking Like Jesus: The Psychology of a Faithful DiscipleLiving Calm: Mastering Anger and FrustrationMentioned in the Episode The Logic of Being Catholic by Dr. Ray Guarendi — Lighthouse Catholic MediaThe Logic of Being Catholic — Watch/Listen on FORMEDGrab 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. Sep 6

    135 - Raising Kids Who Try Hard Things: Grit, Growth Mindset & the Entrepreneurial Spirit | Sue Campo

    How do we raise kids who aren't afraid of hard things? Maeve sits down with Catholic homeschool mom, entrepreneur, accountant, and Youth CEO Academy creator Sue Campo to talk about the life skills our children develop when they're given room to create, fail, try again, and take ownership of their ideas. They talk growth mindset, grit, entitlement, entrepreneurship, following through, discovering a child's God-given interests—and why Mom doesn't necessarily need to turn every new passion into another homeschool class. Plus, Sue shares how even selling can become an act of service, why our children need the freedom to experiment, and the beautiful ways St. Padre Pio seems to keep showing up in her family's life. Because homeschooling isn't only about raising educated kids. We're raising capable kids who know how to contribute, persevere, discern—and ultimately become saints. Show Notes:  Published September 6, 2026 Learn more about Sue and Youth CEO Academy at youthceoacademy.com. Youth CEO Academy Book mentioned: Grit by Angela Duckworth What happens when we stop protecting our children from every hard thing—and instead teach them that they can figure things out? In this episode, Maeve talks with Sue Campo, Catholic homeschool mother of three, accountant, entrepreneur, and creator of Youth CEO Academy, about developing an entrepreneurial spirit in our children—even if they never become entrepreneurs. Maeve and Sue discuss: • Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset • Why childhood is the perfect time to do hard things • Teaching children to see failure as feedback • The connection between agency and entitlement • Giving kids freedom to experiment (and make messes!) • How to encourage interests without turning every passion into a homeschool class • Why following through develops grit • Reframing sales as an act of service • Helping children understand and share their story • Discernment and discovering where God may be leading them • Sue's family's special connection to St. Padre Pio 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. Aug 30

    134 - The Lessons We Don’t Put in the Planner

    What counts as a successful homeschool day? Maeve and Mat are still hanging onto their “bonus summer,” even as everyone else seems to be heading back to school. Piper is settling into college, NCAA homeschool paperwork is testing Maeve’s sanity, and an innocent moonwalk has somehow turned into a family hip-hop class. But when Maeve tries to gently ease everyone back into school, nobody can seem to get moving—and one simple comment from one of the kids changes the way she sees the entire day. This week, Maeve and Mat talk about the lessons that never make it onto a transcript: empathy, charity, noticing what our children are carrying, and remembering that homeschooling is about forming a whole human person—not simply producing an academically successful student. Show Notes: In this episode: Why Maeve is declaring an extended “bonus summer”Piper’s transition to collegeA warning for homeschool parents of prospective NCAA athletesWhy homeschooling is about formation, not just academicsMaeve’s tendency to turn every new interest into a classThe moonwalk that resulted in hip-hop lessonsRecognizing what may be underneath a child’s lack of motivationRomans 12:15 and empathy in the domestic churchWhy charity begins at homeHelping children notice and respond to what others are carryingScripture: Romans 12:15 Mentioned in this episode: Dr. Ray Guarendi will be joining us for an upcoming episode. Send Maeve your parenting and family questions for Dr. Ray at info@maevejemison.com. 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

  6. Aug 16

    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

5
out of 5
25 Ratings

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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