The Stay-at-Homeschooling Mom Podcast

Seton Home Study School
The Stay-at-Homeschooling Mom Podcast

Join Mary Ellen Barrett and Ginny Seuffert, two leading speakers and writers on the topic of Catholic education, as they discuss ways in which Catholic parents can find success in their homeschooling journey.

  1. DEC 11

    How to Combine Subjects for Different Grades

    Brittany contacted us.  She has two younger children in primary grades, a toddler and a newborn, and wants to give them a thorough academic education.  She's willing to do the major subjects separately but wondered if she could combine other subjects, like science and history.  Combining students in different grades is a question we frequently get, and we discuss it in today's podcast. Show Notes: Put your kids in community soccer, baseball, or softball.  Use your town's dance academy or gymnastics program, or give them piano lessons.  Place them together or separately, do whichever is easier and works for you. Science and Social Studies can be combined, certainly in primary grades K-3.  They are minor subjects and often don't involve any testing or challenging assignments.  Combining is clearly easier when students are no more than one or two years apart in age.  In my experience, it is also easier when the boy is the older child.  Little girls often can concentrate better than boys – but you know your children. Religion is a content subject that deserves special consideration. On one hand, it is easy to combine grades.  After all, every grade has the same seven sacraments and Ten Commandments, but consider the rules of your parish since certain grades deal with sacramental preparation.  Reading: In the primary grades, students are learning sounds, sight words, and reading. It is not uncommon for siblings, close in age, to work together and grasp concepts more or less simultaneously.  But you may need to be flexible. Be observant and accommodate developmental skills progressing at different rates. Reading can be a very flexible subject, and you don't necessarily have to move the student up a level.  If the older child has mastered a particular grade level and can do much more, go to a public library and get extra books.  Seton has a recommended reading list on their website, linked below. English is one subject that I generally advise against combining unless the older student is going down a grade.  Some of the concepts are pretty abstract. For example, objective, nominative, and possessive nouns and pronouns require higher-level thinking skills.   Math is a very straightforward subject – either a student grasps a concept and learns his facts, or he does not.  If you have a little math whiz, combine classes with an older sibling. You cannot enrich math, and it makes no sense to hold a child back. Summary: Use how they perform in primary grades to decide whether or not to continue, but take it year by year. Material becomes more detailed and advanced, and homeschool programs often have increased testing and reports. A 3rd grader may be able to read and comprehend 5th-grade science but be unable to take grade-level tests. I hope this helps you, Brittany.   Send us a message and tell us what you want to hear about. Homeschooling Resources   Seton's First Grade Supplemental Reading List Seton's Second Grade Supplemental Reading List President's Council on Sports and Nutrition Love 2 Learn Book Lists Khan Academy Art History Khan Academy Music Lessons Seton Home Study School Seton Testing Services Note: We share these links for informational purposes only, and they do not constitute an endorsement of the site or its content.

    34 min

  2. DEC 5

    Let's Talk About Living with Teens

    Jennifer contacted us and asked for any tips we have about raising teens. It's a tough time to be raising adolescents, and there is little support for a Catholic lifestyle. In addition, the Internet and video games dominate the lives of many of them.   We thought we were doing a great job homeschooling them, but they roll their eyes like their public school counterparts.  What is a Catholic parent to do?  We tackle that in today's podcast. Show Notes: Teens have lots of energy.  If you do not channel it into wholesome, enriching activities, they will find less wholesome activities to occupy themselves. Here are our tips to raise good kids while retaining your sanity. Every Teen Should Have:    1. Regular household responsibilities - You choose the chores.    2. A Job - Start with babysitting, snow shoveling, lawn mowing, whatever.      3. An after-school activity - sports, dance, theatre, or church group. Something wholesome. Don't Argue – You Will Never Win.    1. Explain your rules simply." Sitting around playing video games with your friends does nothing to make you a better person." You do not have to defend that point of view.      2. If a kid makes a rude demand - It does you no good to argue. Tell the kid to leave the room, gather her thoughts, and come back and speak in a civil tone. And then turn your back! Use Good Judgment with Electronics    1. Give your teens flip phones – no internet.  Consider smartphones when they begin to drive.    2. Unlimited Internet access is not a good idea. Have your kids hand over phones at a particular time to a family "charging station."      3. Unlimited Access to laptops and Chromebooks is also not a good idea.     4. Limit video games and encourage board games. Remember - You Are Guiding Them into Adulthood.  They need increasing Independence.     1. Strict curfews make less sense than "Come to me with a plan…"    2. Tell them if they do something dumb to call you – encourage honesty.  Let them know you are on their side.    3. Allow friends of the opposite sex to come to family gatherings or other public events – strict "no dating until you are ready to get married" rules lead to lying.    4. Teens need to acknowledge their actions have consequences for which they're responsible.   Thanks to Jennifer for the idea.  Send us a message and tell us what you want to hear about. Homeschooling Resources Seton Home Study School Seton Testing Services

    40 min

  3. NOV 13

    Set Yourself Up for Homeschooling Success

    So often, homeschool days can devolve into tantrums, tears, and recriminations, and that’s just mom.  Meltdowns and bad days happen, and we have to make our peace with that, but there are ways that you can set yourself up for success. To help you, Mary Ellen and Ginny introduce seven rules to set you up, reduce the bad days, and help your children enjoy their studies more.  Show Notes: A big part of having a successful homeschool is having an environment that encourages learning. This does not mean a Pinterest-worthy school room; what you need is a well-lit, comfortable place to sit, a place to write, and a place to read. Bookcases, a spot for nature finds, some arts and crafts materials, and a place to play outside would help. Mary Ellen and Ginny have put it all together in these seven rules: 1. Make sure you (mom) do the prep work. Make the copies, set out the pencils, get the books together, and set up the clipboards. Even if you have to start later, it is better to be prepared. 2. Cultivate a rhythm to your days. Days are smoother when everyone knows what is expected of them and when. 3. Head off the frustration. If you see the child at the end of their rope, it is time to take a break. It is easier to prevent behavior than responding to it - because that can take all day. 4. Plan a few fun, out-of-the-house days/afternoons a semester. Get some fresh air and explore some new places. Visit something historic or uplifting. Schedule a regular park day with friends.   5. Take care of your physical self. Sleep, eat well, shower, and take a few minutes every day to do something that helps you feel good. Read a book, putter around the house, listen to a podcast, or do some gardening.  6. It’s important to remember why you are homeschooling. The academics are very important but you are also building a culture. You are creating an atmosphere where children learn to learn, be independent, and love God and their families.  7. Keep Calm and Carry On. You can work yourself into a nervous breakdown and still not cover everything. You want to raise a student who, as they carry on beyond your homeschool, can fill in the inevitable gaps independently.  Send us a message and tell us what you want to hear about. Homeschooling Resources Seton Home Study School Seton Testing Services

    25 min

  4. OCT 30

    The Scoop on Learning Styles

    Angela’s child is an auditory learner, and she wanted some tips to help him.  Her request made us think about how most students have a dominant learning style. And how we can fashion our homeschooling to help them succeed.  Today, we learn about the four major learning styles, how to work with our kids’ styles, and the importance of preparing them not to grow too dependent on their dominant style. Okay, let’s define four major learning styles. Visual Learners learn more through images, diagrams, charts, graphs, and pictures. These students doodle, annotate, and make visual notes to retain information better. Consumable workbooks are better for underlining, margin arrows, and highlighting. Verbal Learners (sometimes called Reading and Writing) absorb information best when they use words, whether reading or writing them. Written words are more helpful than images or spoken words. They’re best at writing essays, articles, and books. Auditory Learners absorb information better when lessons are spoken and might not need notes. They ask questions often or repeat what they have just heard aloud to remember it better. They benefit from reading out loud but can get distracted by the noise around them.  Kinesthetic Learners prefer to learn through movement, by doing. They can’t sit still for long and need more frequent breaks than others. They benefit from activities that reinforce the information just covered in class.  Why We Need a Multisensory Approach Your child’s future professor or boss will not care what type of learner they are. Your kid will not be assigned an essay or a work report and asked to substitute an oral presentation or a diorama. Get them ready: use as many sensory approaches as possible for the best learning. And always remember that repetition is the key to learning. Thanks to Angela for sending us this idea! Send us a message and tell us what you want to hear about. Homeschooling Resources Seton Home Study School Seton Testing Services

    27 min

  5. OCT 16

    Homeschooling the Huge Family - Seven Steps to Staying Sane

    Kimberly asked Ginny and Mary Ellen how to juggle homeschooling when you have a huge family. You'll love every minute of their humorous reflections and insightful advice.  You may have a married kid or two with grandchildren dropping by while you're planning weddings and still homeschooling high school, middle school, and elementary school.  Oh, and you're trying to keep the house clean enough so the Board of Health doesn't put your kids into foster care.  Don't miss it. Show Notes: Let's talk about how moms of big homeschooling families can stay sane. 1. Have a School Schedule Start schooling at the same time every day.  An earlier start is better.  If you have children too young to work independently, start with them.   2. For the Young Ones - Do the Essential Subjects with Them But EVERY child has something they can do on their own: copy spelling words, finish a math page, etc.  Be specific:  "Those two pages have to be finished before you eat lunch, so don't dawdle." 3. For Students Who Mostly Work by Themselves - Have a Daily Appointment Make sure they are staying on track.  Set goals.  "This chapter has to be read before tomorrow so you can start on the assignment.  If you can't finish it during the school day, work on it after supper." 4. Don't worry about unessential subjects Music in our family was piano lessons, voice lessons, or dance lessons.  Anything I did not have to do!  They were not cheated; two of my kids pursued fine arts after high school.  Art lessons mainly were appreciation – Seton books and the Art Institute of Chicago.  You can tour famous museums online, too.  PE was town sports – that was enough. 5. Skip unnecessary busy work If Junior is a good speller, give him a pretest on Monday.  If he only gets one or two words wrong, have him write them ten times each and give him another oral test on Tuesday. If there are twenty English problems identifying proper and common nouns, assign the first ten.  If Janie gets them all right, move on to the next subject.  Do the same thing with math fact problems.  Repetition is the key to learning, but if you have it, you have it! 6. Schedule tidy time. Having polished floors and sparkling windows can be challenging, but a tidy house makes all the difference to your peace of mind.  Assign chores that include washing dishes and cleaning counters.  Jackets are hung up, and laundry is folded and put away.  Half an hour after school and another after dinner often does the trick if everyone chips in. 7. EVERYONE Chips In If kids have moved back after college or are attending college while living at home, that's great.  But a free ride does not include free maid service. They must take care of their laundry and clean up after themselves; they have to contribute their labor to the household:  mowing the lawn, mopping floors, cooking dinner, whatever.   You Won't Regret It:  Young adults living at home should not be a burden – they should be just the opposite – fully contributing household members. Thanks to Kimberly for sending us this idea. Homeschooling Resources Seton Home Study School Seton Testing Services

    29 min

  6. OCT 2

    AFTER HIGH SCHOOL – NOW WHAT?

    We have discussed institutions of higher learning in another podcast, but today, we will discuss graduating high school students who may have had enough of school—at least for now. A son is not sure if he wants to go to college. A daughter thinks she wants to be a dentist, a hairdresser, or a chef but is unsure what these entail. Today, let's talk about how to help those kids. Show Notes: Some kids are great students and have plans and professional aspirations.  BUT College is now the default for many families, but should they reconsider? Cost is prohibitive. Campus life is less than wholesome. Is Junior or Sis ready to leave home? Do your grad’s aspirations require college? What should they do?  Some possibilities Get a Job - You cannot go wrong with taking a year off to think about your future and earn some money. ·      Build "employment skills." Show up on time, Learn to take orders from a superior, navigate a workplace, and stay off your phone. ·      Test Drive a job in a field your student is considering: Front desk at a hair salon or dental office, carpenter's helper, restaurant host.  ·      Learn Money Skills - Build a bank account, buy and insure a car. Go into the Military Great benefits - Job training and after discharge: Free education - Low-cost mortgages Learn teamwork - Hard work - Physical fitness - Discipline Travel on the government's dime. Take Time to Build a Spiritual Life Frequent Mass and Confession - Get regular spiritual direction - Go on retreat Volunteer in your Community Church: altar server, lector, choir, teach CCD – Scouts – Help an elderly neighbor  Homeschooling Resources Seton Home Study School Seton Testing Services

    33 min

  7. SEP 18

    The Homeschooler's Guide to College Choices

    This time of year, many homeschooling parents are dealing with high school seniors who are wondering what they will do with their lives. Join Ginny and Mary Ellen in a lively conversation about post-high school educational options—their pros and cons—for young Catholic adults. Your hosts' insight and practical advice are always flavored with their inimitable humor.  Show Notes: Many homeschooling parents have high school seniors wondering what they will do with their lives. Join Ginny and Mary Ellen in a lively conversation about a wide variety of post-high school educational options—their pros and cons—for young Catholic adults. Neumann Guide schools –Colleges recognized for their commitment to a faithful Catholic education. Pros - Easy access to the sacraments and other spiritual benefits. Many have expanded their academic offerings. They can be counted on NOT to teach your kids anything opposed to the faith - Wholesome living conditions - no coed dorms. Cons - Private schools – not taxpayer-funded $$$, Distance from home and family, they might not offer certain fields of study. Catholic Trade Schools –An early but growing trend in the Catholic sphere. Pros - Many of the same benefits as Neumann Guide Schools – wholesome environment – opportunities for spiritual growth. Less costly and takes less time (associate degree), Kids with a trade will have few problems finding a job. Cons - It's a new concept with no proven track record. There is uncertainty about which credits will transfer if kids pursue higher education. Community Colleges Pros - Kids can live at home – a BIG plus. While not spiritually uplifting, the lack of residential campus life can be an improvement over four-year schools.  Many students go to class and work, which is WAY more cost-effective. Credits will typically transfer to a four-year state school. Cons - Any spiritual growth must come from local churches and families. State Colleges and Universities Pros - It is much cheaper than private institutions, especially for in-state students, and offers a wide range of majors.  Credits transfer; many have well-regarded schools for particular subjects, such as fine arts, bioengineering, and premed. Often, they are connected to local institutions for internships, etc. Cons - Campus life is often at odds with Catholic teaching, which requires students to be firmly grounded in the faith BEFORE enrolling. Look for Opus Dei study centers and Neumann Centers. Most professors are left-wing and prejudiced against traditional values, although that can vary among departments. Private Colleges and Universities Pros - Many have strong name recognition and greatly benefit graduates seeking jobs. Strong alumni networks for job opportunities. Prestigious programs that make it easier to enter into prestigious graduate programs. Cons - $$$$ Do not allow students to become so obsessed with going to a big-name school that they forget they will graduate with possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt. Even smaller, less-known colleges are expensive, and they may not accept some transfer credits. Campus life is not always wholesome. Look for Opus Dei study centers or Neumann Centers. Homeschooling Resources Newman Guide Recognized Colleges Seton Home Study School Seton Testing Services

    38 min

  8. SEP 4

    Ten Rules to Raise a Reader

    Every homeschool parent fervently hopes to raise a child who loves to read. Once they find themselves loving a book, a series, or a subject and choose to immerse themselves in the pages of a book, we have won half the battle.  So, how do we encourage children to read? How do we make it so much a part of life that there is no option but to be a reader? Today, Mary Ellen and Ginny explain ten ways to raise a reader. Show Notes: 1. Be a reader. Let your child see you enjoying a book, magazine, or newspaper.  2. Fill your house with books. Go to the library, pick up books at sales, thrift stores, and garage sales, trade books with other moms, and put books on the Christmas lists. 3. Read aloud every day. Read aloud to the newborn, the toddler, and the primary and secondary ages. It cannot be overestimated how important it is, even for toddlers.  4. It must be a live experience; audiobooks are not the same. 5. It’s okay to be interrupted. Answer the questions, make funny noises, notice the pictures, and point to things. 6. Give emerging readers time; don’t rush it. Often, a child who has been struggling suddenly gets it. Be patient.  7. Reading at this age should inspire imagination, encourage curiosity, and be fun. 8. If you suspect a learning issue such as dyslexia, don’t panic. There are programs available to help you*. Many families deal with these issues; don’t let them quench a child’s desire to read. 9. When a child is reading independently, check in often and provide a wide selection. Don’t neglect comics and series of books. Create a culture of reading. 10. Don’t forget non-fiction! A book about video games is still a book. If your child loves dinosaurs, sharks, or the rainforest, get some books about it. Listener question:  This is an interesting one from Michael Lewis I was wondering if you would consider making the title a bit more generic to account for the fact that plenty of dads out there are considering dropping the 9 to 5 and full-time homeschooling.  The name of the podcast reflects our experience as homeschooling mothers, but we support and admire all the dads who have taken on the majority of homeschooling responsibility. Homeschooling is a whole family proposition, and whichever parent takes on the bulk of the teaching, leaving the other to take on the bulk of earning a living, knows that both are living lives of heroic virtue.   Homeschooling Resources Seton Home Study School Seton Special Services Seton Testing Services

    35 min
See All (79)

5
out of 5
77 Ratings

About

Join Mary Ellen Barrett and Ginny Seuffert, two leading speakers and writers on the topic of Catholic education, as they discuss ways in which Catholic parents can find success in their homeschooling journey.

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada