The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast

34:25

Episode 424 - What We Wish We Could Change About Our...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/09/30

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!This week we’re talking about what we and our listeners wish we could change about our homeschools. We recently asked our listeners what the one thing they would change about their homeschool would be, and we got some really interesting answers. We’re talking about everything from consistency and expectations to having more help with little ones, simplifying high school, and even wishing the years would slow down. We’ll share some of those answers

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37:23

Episode 423 - More Underrated Homeschool Curriculum...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/09/23

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Debbie is back to share more underrated homeschool curriculum recommendations, plus we’ll be answering listener questions, including whether writing and spelling are really important and what to do when you get off to a rough start to the school year.If your school year hasn’t gone quite the way you hoped, you’re looking for something different with your homeschool curriculum, or you just need some encouragement, then this is a conversation you

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33:29

Episode 422 - The Best Underrated Homeschool...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/09/16

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!What are some of the most underrated homeschool curriculum options out there? And what are some of the subjects that we tend to forget about in our homeschools? This week, Debbie Wilson joins us to talk about some of her favorite underrated curriculum picks and the subjects that may not always get the attention they deserve. We talk about practical skills like budgeting and typing, along with other things that can help prepare our kids for life

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29:42

Episode 421 - Starting the School Year Well: Tips,...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/09/09

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we have a great episode from the archives where Ben was joined by his mom, Debbie Wilson, to talk about getting off to a good start this school year.Since we’re officially past Labor Day, wee thought this would be a really helpful episode to revisit. Debbie shares her recommendations, practical advice, and even some of her curriculum choices. And as always, her wisdom and encouragement make this a great conversation! We hope you have a

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31:30

Episode 420 - How Fun Should a Homeschooling Day Be?

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/09/02

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! One of the great things about homeschooling is that we have the freedom to make learning fun. But sometimes there is pressure to make every day feel fun. But is that realistic, and do our kids need to love every subject? And is it okay if some days are just about sitting down, doing the work, and getting it done?Today we’re talking about how fun a normal homeschool day should actually be, and how we can find a healthy balance between making

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33:14

Episode 419 - Teaching Writing: What Do Our Kids...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/08/26

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Writing is one of those things that we spend a lot of time teaching our kids, but sometimes we think we can lose sight of why we're actually doing it. Not every child is going to grow up to be an author. So what does good writing really look like, and how much do our kids actually need in this day and age?The reality is that writing is something we use all throughout normal life. Whether it's sending an email, filling out an application,

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33:21

Episode 418 - How to Choose the Right Homeschool...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/08/19

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!One of the questions we get asked all the time is, “What homeschool curriculum should I use?” And with all of the options out there, it can feel like you have to find that one perfect curriculum that’s going to make homeschooling work. So today we’re joined by Debbie Wilson to talk about some of the things you should actually consider when choosing curriculum. Things like how much time and effort it takes, how your kids learn, and what fits your

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30:07

Episode 417 - Homeschool Co-Ops: Are They Right for...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/08/12

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are glad you’re joining us this week.We are getting closer and closer to the start of a new school year, and over the next few weeks, we’re going to be doing a little series talking about some of the things that homeschool families are thinking about as they get ready to jump back into another year of homeschooling. And today, we’re talking about homeschool co-ops and how to pick the best one for your family. Co-ops are one of those things that

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34:08

Episode 416 - Do My Kids Really Need to Learn...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/08/05

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are so glad you're here!This week we're tackling a question that I think just about every homeschool parent has asked at one time or another: Am I doing enough? If my kids never are taught chemistry or calculus, or they don't become fluent in a foreign language, have I somehow failed them? There can be so much pressure to check every box and keep up with everyone else's expectations. But is that really what homeschooling is about? Today we're

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29:55

Episode 415 - Cutting Through the Noise

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/07/29

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are so glad you decided to join us this week.We're talking about the fact that some of the most valuable education our kids receive doesn't happen while sitting behind a desk. Whether it's playing sports, working a part-time job, cooking, volunteering, learning a trade, or pursuing a hobby, there are so many opportunities for our children to grow in ways that go far beyond academics. We're also excited to be joined by Tatton

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34:44

Episode 414 - Don't Feed the Doubt

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/07/22

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast. This week, we're talking about something that is true for almost every homeschool mom, and that is doubt.Whether it comes from social media, well-meaning friends and family, or even the voice in your own head, it's easy to wonder if you're doing enough or making the right decisions for your kids. The truth is, we all have voices competing for our attention. The real question is: which ones are we choosing to listen to? This week, we're talking about

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24:42

Episode 413 - You Can't Do It All (And That's Okay)

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/07/15

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week is a special Todd epsidode as he tackles a question many parents ask themselves: Is it really possible to do it all? He shares his thoughts on the stress of trying to juggle homeschooling, family life, work, and everything else that fills our days and offers some practical encouragement about focusing on what matters most instead of trying to keep every ball in the air. We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The

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32:26

Episode 412 - Creating a Family Culture That Lasts

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/07/08

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we're talking about something that every family has, whether they realize it or not, and that is a family culture. Every home has its own personality. Some families revolve around sports, others around academics, work, or adventure. The real question isn't whether you have a family culture; it's whether you're intentionally building the one you want. What values are your kids picking up from your home? What traditions are shaping them? And

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32:27

Episode 411 – Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom and...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/07/01

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're celebrating America's 250th birthday! As the Fourth of July approaches, we're talking about what makes our country so special, why we should never take the freedom to homeschool our children for granted, and how we can help our kids appreciate the blessings we enjoy. We also share some of our favorite American historical sites to visit and reflect on why this holiday is about so much more than fireworks and cookouts. We hope this

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34:05

Episode 410 - Keeping Your Marriage Strong in Busy...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/06/24

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're talking about something that can be really easy to overlook in the middle of homeschooling, parenting, work, and everything else life throws at us, which is our marriage. When the days are filled with lesson plans, laundry, meals, activities, and trying to keep the house from completely falling apart, it's easy for your relationship to become more about managing a family than actually enjoying each other. But a healthy marriage

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27:23

Episode 409 1/2 - Taking Back Our Attention This Summer

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/06/17

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today we're talking about taking back the summer from technology. We had to reupload this due to an issue with Apple Podcasts. If you already listened to this episode from another source, then you don't have to listen to this version! There are so many things demanding our attention these days, especially social media and technology. We discuss some practical strategies for cutting back on these distractions so we can focus on what really matters

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27:23

Episode 409 - Taking Back Our Attention This Summer

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/06/17

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today we're talking about taking back the summer from technology. There are so many things demanding our attention these days, especially social media and technology. We discuss some practical strategies for cutting back on these distractions so we can focus on what really matters this summer: making memories with our kids and spending time together as a family. We also talk about Kids Day, a Wilson family tradition, as well as Father's Day and ways

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35:34

Episode 408 - The Message Every Tired Mom Needs to...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/06/10

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're talking about something that almost every mom experiences but doesn't always talk about: exhaustion.There are seasons when parenting feels overwhelming. The days are long, the responsibilities never seem to end, and it can feel like everyone needs something from you all the time. Yet somehow, you have to keep showing up day after day. If that's where you are today, we hope this episode encourages you. We want to remind you that God

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31:54

Episode 407 - School's Out, Now What? - Helping Kids...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/06/03

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're talking about what comes after the school year ends.We start by discussing why summer breaks matter so much, the importance of play, and why our kids don't need every moment scheduled. Then we talk about graduates and young adults, and how to help them take their next steps, how much guidance parents should give, and how to encourage them as they move toward adulthood. We had a great conversation, and we think you'll be encouraged

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30:51

Episode 406 - These Are the Days They’ll Remember

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/05/27

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re talking about something every parent thinks about at some point: what are the things our kids are actually going to remember when they look back on childhood? Will it be the family vacations? Learning to ride a bike? Playing games together? Family traditions? Or maybe just those simple everyday moments that didn’t seem all that important at the time. Especially as we’re wrapping up the school year and heading into summer, we think

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