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

In an enlightening exchange, Mary Ellen and Ginny discuss the remarkable but often overlooked value of a Liberal Arts education. 

 

Michael Yost of Thomas More College joins our hosts today, revealing why a Liberal Arts education may be the wisest, most valuable choice your student could ever make. This conversation could change everything if college is in your family's future.

 

The Remarkable and Increasing Value of a Liberal Arts Education

Michael Yost is the Senior Admissions Officer at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. He is a 2018 graduate of the college where he met his lovely bride. They are the proud parents of three beautiful children. 

Tapping into Mr. Yost's expertise as Senior Admissions Officer, our hosts discuss:


How affordable is Thomas More College?
Work-study opportunities.
Why is the Rome Semester integral to their education?
The Admission Department's view of "Mom diplomas."
The value of extracurriculars on the college application.

 

Full disclosure by Mary Ellen:

I have a daughter who graduated from Thomas More College, so I am partial to the college; it's dear to me. 

 

What makes Thomas More College a unique experience compared to other colleges?


The focus is on a college education rather than training. 
Students learn to be fully rational, knowledgeable creatures capable of understanding themselves, their Maker, and the world around them.
They are trained to be talented communicators, able to process information rapidly and clearly. 
Skilled in communication abilities needed in a world driven by data and information.

 

The Thomas More College Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts. 


Our Program consists exclusively of the great works of the Western canon, deliberately organized in our single, integrated program of studies. 
By carefully guiding in-class conversations, our exceptional faculty start students down the path of Wisdom in a mode more characteristic of discovery than instruction. 
These aspects set the College apart from most other institutions of higher learning, yet the College is truly unique in its emphasis on the necessity of experience. 
Each student sees first hand the impact of culture in our mandatory semester in Rome, begins the study of philosophy by studying the natural world in our Natural History course, and learns the value of craftsmanship in our Guild program.

 

The Rome Program – Integral to the Thomas More Education

In their Rome semester, Thomas More College sophomores 


Traverse catacombs and cloisters, piazzas, and palazzos.
Explore the heart of the Christian West.
Experience the history of Christendom written in the stones and on the ceilings, in the streets and the cemeteries, and in the skyline dominated not by skyscrapers but by the dome of St. Peter's.

 

Statistics: After four years at Thomas More College, each student has


Written at least 64 papers.
Participated in 1,792 seminar hours
Translated over 1,000 lines of Homer, Cicero, and other Classical authors.
Read 10,000 pages of the Great Books.
Traveled over 8,400 miles to and from Rome, Italy.
Visited over 100 baroque churches, Roman architectural sites, Renaissance piazzas, and catacombs.
See it all here. 

 

Thomas More Resources

FAQs

Meet Michael Yost

The Rome Program: An Integral Part of the TMC Experience

 

Homeschool Resources

Seton Home Study School

Seton Testing Services  

Let's All Keep Chickens!

Dalia Monterroso is the passionate author of "Let's All Keep Chickens! The Down-to-Earth Guide to Natural Practices for Healthier Birds and a Happier World," and her enthusiasm for this homeschool-friendly topic is contagious.

 

She is a popular teacher on the basics of backyard chicken keeping. In today’s show, Dalia talks with Ginny and Mary Ellen about her book, which is gaining popularity among homeschooling families who appreciate its educational value as part of their learning curriculum. 

 

Program Notes:

Dalia is the creator of the website and YouTube channel "Welcome to Chickenlandia," podcast "Bawk Tawk," and an online course called "Chickenlandia's Backyard Chickens 101". She also hosted a TEDx talk titled "I Dream of Chickens." 

She is also the author of "Let's All Keep Chickens! The Down-to-Earth Guide to Natural Practices for Healthier Birds and a Happier World," a comprehensive guide for beginners and experienced chicken keepers.

 

Getting started

1. Is it legal to own chickens where you live?

2. What is the expense and the daily care? 

3. Is there a good number of chickens to start with? 

4. What's your best advice for frugally getting started?

5. What are the recommended breeds?

 

Chickenlandia for Homeschoolers

1. Why does chicken keeping resonate with homeschooling families? 

2. What unexpected life skills can kids gain from interacting with chickens? 

3. How do you integrate chicken keeping into your curriculum? 

4. How does chicken keeping help us connect better with ourselves and each other?

 

Resources

"Let's All Keep Chickens! The Down-to-Earth Guide to Natural Practices for Healthier Birds and a Happier World

Dalia's website and YouTube channel "Welcome to Chickenlandia."

Her online course is called "Chickenlandia's Backyard Chickens 101."

Dalia's TEDx talk titled "I Dream of Chickens." 

 

Homeschool Resources

Seton Home Study School

Seton Testing Services

Is your homeschooling experiencing the “End of the Winter Blues?” Are you frustrated that you and the kids have been cooped up way too long? Ginny and Mary Ellen have the tonic for that.

Their formula is simple, and their solutions are straightforward. Their insight, ideas, and effective routines will help you manage everything.

 

How to Homeschool and Not Lose Your Mind (PART II)

This is part two of our topic. If you missed one, listen to the episode posted last week.

Last week, we covered discipline, early rising, prayer, and focusing on what is right for your family. So, let’s jump back in.

Household – three things must be done daily.

1 – Laundry: washed, dried, folded, and put away.

2 – Meals: menu plan, grocery plan, and a well-stocked pantry.

3 – School: math, reading, and religion.

Keys to Success


Simplify your home and life as much as possible.
Eliminate clutter.
Minimize time out of the house.

Before you join a co-op or pod school -

Discern carefully! They sound attractive, but:


Will it be worth it?
They require everyone to be up and dressed for outside the house.
Drive time there, entertaining the non-co-op kids, and a drive home.

Don’t buy the socialization nonsense. 


Let them be friends with their siblings, cousins, neighbors, and teammates.
Socialization occurs outside of academic situations all the time.

Basic Rules of Life – Children


Pray with them.
Instill discipline.
Give them meaningful work.

Basic Rules of Life – Older Boys


Maintain a schedule.
Should have physical work.
Occupy their time as much as possible.
Teens should get paying jobs, gaining valuable skills that their peers lack.
Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.

Spend time outside every day.


Even 15 minutes makes a difference.
Kids need vigorous exercise and lots of fresh air.
Better concentration in class, and standardized test scores went way up.

Homeschool strategy in a nutshell


Pick a program and stick with it.
Simplify your curriculum.
Don’t follow trends (stay off the internet).
Minimize the outings.
Do school every day.

Strengthening your marriage is very important. 


Schedule a home date regularly.
Welcome him when he arrives.
Praise him often and speak well of him.
Listen to his concerns and involve him in your decisions.

 

Homeschool Resources

Seton Home Study School

Seton Testing Services

Sometimes, homeschooling can feel like the most overwhelming, frustrating, impossible thing to do, especially at the end of winter. You and the kids have been stuck in the house, and the work seems never-ending. It just feels gloomy. We've all been there. 

 

But it's a new day, and Ginny and Mary Ellen are here with ideas and a plan that includes humor, smiles, and simple, effective methods to succeed with your family's homeschooling. Welcome to Episode One of Season Two – It's great to be back with you!

 

How to Homeschool and Not Lose Your Mind (PART I)

There are no magic bullets.

Methods or systems will only work if you are disciplined. 


Focus on your children's needs, 
Make a plan for the day, and stick with it. 
Schedules work—even when they don't. 

Do what works for your family, not what works for another family. 


Copying other mom's systems can lead you astray and waste precious time.
The internet can be a tool, but it also makes you crazy. 
OTOH, if a homeschooler has it all together, become her best friend. See what she does.

Get up early as best and often as you can. 


This is your prayer time, personal grooming, caffeine, and prep for the day.
Start your morning the night before. 
Lay out clothes for the day the night before. 
Straighten the house before going to bed.

Pray


Center your homeschool on God and petition Our Lady. 
Use visual reminders (statues, pictures, holy cards).
Frequent confession. Put it on the schedule.
Start each day with prayer. 
Say the Angelus at lunchtime.

Consult your husband. 


Find out his priorities for his household/homeschool. 
Bring your problems to him. 
Make him the principal of your homeschool. 
If a kid is difficult, this is a "dad has to make him" job. 

Dad:

1. Warn Junior before you leave for work (If your mother tells me….) 

2. Call at lunch (Do you remember what I told you this morning?) 

3. First thing dad says when he gets home (Junior, what kind of a report does mom have for me?)

 

Homeschool Resources

Seton Home Study School

Seton Testing Services

Are you considering homeschooling your child with special needs? Are you already in the trenches and feeling like you aren’t doing well? This show could be a lifesaver.

Mary Ellen has been there, and Ginny has a wealth of knowledge to bring to the subject. Let’s tackle the five things you need to know about homeschooling a child with special needs.

 

Five Things You Should Know About Homeschooling a Child with Special Needs

*** Stay tuned to the end of the show to hear our big announcement. ***

 

First, the Big Things You Should Know…

about homeschooling your child with special needs. 

What do we mean by special needs? 

When we speak about children who have educational issues outside the norm, we mean children who have been diagnosed with a neurological or physical condition that impairs learning or makes learning particularly challenging in some way.

How to get a diagnosis – and how not to.

The how-NOT-to is on social media. If you ask a question, people may respond based on their own experience – BUT they don’t know the facts of your case.

Let’s say you tell little Johnny to put his navy-blue shirt on, and he comes out with his maroon one. He seems to do this all the time. 

● He could have attention deficit disorder. 

● He could have a hearing loss. 

● He could have an auditory processing disorder.

● He could be colorblind. 

● Or it could be nothing to be concerned about at all.

See a professional if you are worried. If $ is a problem, you can often get an evaluation from your local public school district.

 

Five Essential Things You Should Know

1. You Can Do This

There is a myriad of resources to help you navigate your student’s challenges. You don’t need a degree in special ed; you are an expert in your child. 

2. Sometimes, Doing Less is More

With a challenged child, sometimes doing less is more. It may take a challenged child longer to graduate than the typical 12 years. That’s fine. If you need to go an extra year or even two, there are no worries about that. 

3. Life Skills can be as Critical as Academic Skills

There are certain special needs children for whom life skills are just as critical as academic skills. They may not be able to do algebra, but they need to know how to count up change in the grocery store, navigate a bus route, or cook for themselves. 

4. Routines and Rhythms

Creating a daily routine or rhythm can be extremely helpful. If your child learns what to expect and when there is a lot less anxiety, that makes learning much easier. 

5. Asking for Help is Not a Failure

Sometimes, you need the services of an expert, be that a speech therapist or a reading specialist. You are still directing the education of your child, and you are still the manager.

 

Special Announcement. 

When we started this podcast over a year ago, we were filled with ideas and enthusiasm, and the past year has been a great blessing. Still, we are starting to get a wee bit burnt out, so to keep the episodes you enjoy coming along, we will make some changes. 

First, we are taking a hiatus for a few months to regain our bearings. 

Beginning January 1st, we will be on break until March 1st. This breather will give us time to catch up on some neglected projects and write new material for upcoming podcast episodes.

Next, we are changing from a weekly format to an every-other-week format. 

This format change is for a couple of reasons.

1. We don’t want you to look at your inbox, see it full of us, and be exasperated. It’s hard to listen every week, and if you feel behind, you might not be inclined to stick with us. 

2. The other reason is that we feel much more energized when we have that little break. 

 

We hope you will start tuning in again in March when we come out of the gate with all kinds of new material. In the meantime, there are about 60 episodes you can listen to in our archive if you miss the sound of our New York accents.

 

Sometimes, situations we might have avoided if given a choice are the greatest blessings. Today's guest has written an inspiring book about a little boy who brings joy to all who know him.

Today's podcast will touch your heart, bring a smile, and open a gift of unexpected proportions. Life-changing inspirations can come wrapped in unexpected ways. 

 

Super J and the Power of Love

                    

Jennifer Nelson is a wife, homeschooling mom of seven children, and the founder of an international prayer ministry for women with pregnancy complications, infertility, and miscarriages. Her joyful spirit is infectious, and her deep faith informs everything she does, and she does a lot! We found her to be such an inspiration, and we know many of you will as well.

The book we're discussing today, Super J and the Power of Love, is her first published work - the first of many, we hope.

Super J is a little guy with Down syndrome. Meeting the real Super J some years ago inspired Jennifer to write the book.

● I love the way you dealt with aborting Downs kids – in a very child-appropriate way,

● Super J's superpower is his heart – his ability to love without conditions.

● The book does not encourage tolerating those who may be different – but celebrating them!

Homeschool Influenced

● Our author, Jennifer, was homeschooled, as was the book's Illustrator, Sam Estrada. 

● Jennifer homeschools her children and shares how homeschooling formed her worldview.

● Our hosts share how differently-abled kids are well accepted in homeschool support groups.

Super J and the Power of Love

This book is a perfect gift for parents who may have just gotten a prenatal diagnosis and not just for Down Syndrome.  

To purchase the book - www.deogratiasco.com 

To learn more about Sam Estrada, the remarkable Illustrator - www.prostrada.com

To learn more about Jennifer's ministry - www.travelingrelicsofstgianna.com

Instagram 

@sisterhoodofthetravelingrelics

@superJthebook

Homeschool Resources

Seton Home Study School

Seton Testing Services