Homeschool Made Simple

Homeschooling and family life can drain the life out of us. How do we maintain a right attitude and perspective in our families for the long haul? Carol talks with consulting client Mellany Zepelak about how learning to create margin in her life and receive God's love has transformed her family life. They discuss how adding personal downtime, encouraging a positive home environment, and embracing your identity in Christ can radically improve your family dynamics. Don’t miss this hope-filled conversation!RESOURCES+The Blessing Seminar+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!CONNECTHomeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestMentioned in this episode:Join us at our Dallas Texas Seminar on Sept 13!HMS 2025 SeminarsLearn More about CTCMathGet God's Good Design GuideGod's Good Design Guide

Rachel Winchester, a homeschooling mom of three, and her husband Jesse, a realtor, share their insights on nurturing preschool-aged children. They discuss the vital role of home in early development and the importance of intentional family rhythms like nature walks and read-aloud time. The couple emphasizes creating a loving environment that balances structured learning with natural exploration. They also highlight respectful communication and encourage parental involvement to foster curiosity and essential social skills.

In this insightful discussion, veteran homeschool mom Jennifer Stowe, with 27 years of experience and a passion for literature-based education, shares her enlightening journey from reluctant educator to advocate. She emphasizes the importance of embracing nature and reading together to spark curiosity. Jennifer offers practical tips for documentation and crafting immersive learning experiences, from thematic studies to keepsakes that celebrate accomplishments. This dialogue is a treasure trove of encouragement for both new and seasoned homeschooling families.

In the second part of our conversation with Leila Lawler, author and homeschool mom, we get practical! How do build a strong and wise family bond that will last for our children’s lives? We discuss a healthy mindset around Christmas, Sabbath rest, seeing children as blessing and making connecting a priority. Join us!RESOURCES+Leila Lawler Blog+The Summa Domestica by Leila Lawler+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!CONNECTHomeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestMentioned in this episode:Join us at our Dallas Texas Seminar on Sept 13!HMS 2025 SeminarsFree Reading List for ParentsFree Reading List for Parents

Each memory and value we build within our family adds to the bridge our children are building for their adult life. Our guest, author and blogger Leila Lawler, has written a three-volume set on the value of building a home. In this episode, she shares about how her past informed her writings and the concept of collective memory in this 2-part interview with Carole and Rachel. How do we build a culture in our homes that is worth passing onto our children? Join us!RESOURCES+Leila Lawler Blog+The Summa Domestica by Leila Lawler+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!CONNECTHomeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestMentioned in this episode:Simply Food Prep!Get our free nutrition bundle to ease the burden of making meals. Nutrition BundleJoin us at our Dallas Texas Seminar on Sept 13!HMS 2025 Seminars

In this episode from the archives, Carole sits down with the owner of Yellow House Story Shoppe, Chelsea Jacobs, to talk about books that we can use to give our children "Windows and Mirrors" into the world and other cultures. The Windows: seeing through the windows to other cultures and stories The Mirrors: children seeing themselves represented in stories. Join us for a wonderful list of books that your family can read to get a fuller appreciation of life around the globe.For a full list of the books mentioned in this episode, find the show notes here RESOURCES+Get $5 off your order with this link to Yellow House Story Shoppe+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!CONNECTHomeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestMentioned in this episode:Book Lover's Bundle! Use coupon code PODCAST for 15% offBook Lover's BundleJoin us at our Dallas Texas Seminar on Sept 13!HMS 2025 Seminars

In this second episode with Jan Bloom, Carole and Jan remind us that true classics—books that have stood the test of time—are far more than relics of the past. These are the stories filled with innocence, joy, and the richness of family life, the very things our modern world sometimes seems to have lost. Whether it’s Wind in the Willows, Winnie the Pooh, or the hilarious works of P.G. Wodehouse, these books are worthy of our time! This episode is chock full of authors to read. Join us!RESOURCES+Check out Jan’s invaluable resources of books and authors at booksbloom.com+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!CONNECTHomeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestMentioned in this episode:Join us at our Dallas Texas Seminar on Sept 13!HMS 2025 SeminarsFree Book List

This week, we continue our little series on literature because we believe in the power of books to shape us. Carole sat down with Jan Bloom, the author behind “Who Should We Then Read,” to talk about how knowing the stories behind our favorite authors brings even more richness to homeschooling. Jan shared her journey from not growing up around books to becoming a homeschooling family who loved books, building an incredible home library, and helping families everywhere discover the best literature for their children and for themselves. If you want to ignite a love of learning through incredible stories, this episode is for you!RESOURCES+Jan Bloom’s Website: Books Bloom.com+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!CONNECTHomeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestMentioned in this episode:Free Reading List for ParentsFree Reading List for ParentsJoin us at our Dallas Texas Seminar on Sept 13!HMS 2025 Seminars

Carole sits down with founder of the Well-Read Mom ministry, Marcie Stokman, to chat about how her ministry got started and the purpose behind these communities. Their mission says it all! “Well Read Mom accompanies women in the reading of great books and spiritual classics to encourage personal growth, friendship, and meaningful conversations in order to explore the human condition and reorient ourselves to what is good, beautiful, and true.”Join us for this delightful conversation about motherhood and the gems hidden in quality literature for mothers, beyond our work with our children’s education.RESOURCES+Well-Read Moms Membership (Get this years list PLUS next years for the price of one!)+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!CONNECTHomeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestMentioned in this episode:Book Lover's Bundle! Use coupon code PODCAST for 15% offBook Lover's BundleJoin us at our Dallas Texas Seminar on Sept 13!HMS 2025 Seminars

One of the first questions many homeschooling families hear at family events or from public school friends is how will your children be socialized?"In this replay episode, Kristi Woodard, homeschool mom of eight, joins us to share her and her husband, Jason, experiences with raising children who perfectly answer this question of socialization with their community involvement, warmth, and general popularity.You'll hear about:How a wide range of relationships best socializes childrenThe value of connecting with a homeschool community of like-minded familiesWays to engage your children in service opportunitiesWhy socialization is a non-issueRESOURCES+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!CONNECTHomeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestMentioned in this episode:Free Reading List for ParentsFree Reading List for ParentsJoin us at our Dallas Texas Seminar on Sept 13!HMS 2025 Seminars