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Trigger warning.  Difficult topic.  Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

We welcome once again Prof. John Paul Meenan to discuss the transcendentals (Truth, Goodness, Unity and Beauty) and how they manifest themselves in our lives. We discuss discernment in the moral life, how God draws us to deeper conversion and a few helpful resources.  Catholic Heritage Curricula - Ever Ancient, Ever New 3:58 - Defining and understanding the transcendentals 12:46 - God's Law and the natural law 22:33 - Beauty and the science of Beauty 32:00 - On the moral life and conversion 42:37 - The role of Unity 46:15 - Simple ways to deepen our understanding  51:02 - The transcendentals as the pathway to GodThe Way of Beauty by David ClaytonArt and Scholasticism by Jacques Maritain Ever Ancient, Ever New: Art History, Appreciation, Theory, and PracticeDiscernment: how do we know if we're making the right decisions - an interview with John Paul Meenan (podcast)eyes to see (blog post) #makejoynormal #homeschooling #discernement #truth #goodness #beauty #integrity #dignity  Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

We fall short.... so many times...but how do we handle the guilt from our shortcomings?  Elizabeth and I discuss possible sources of guilt, the importance of healing from our wounds and share some helpful resources. 00:36 - Holy Week and Easter family traditions 2:26 - How do we handle guilt from snapping at our kids? 5:57 - Importance of asking ourselves "why" 12:34 - Becoming aware of our negative thought patterns 18:06 - Learning to be okay with messing up 23:56 - Refreshing our attachment / kids with compromised attachmentCatholic All Year with Kendra TierneyA Continual Feast by Evelyn Vitz Adam Young Counseling - What Every Child Needs From Their Parents 111. Wounds: "You Can't Heal a Wound by Saying It's Not There"Latte and Laundry: A home for Catholic women, moms, and hearts112. Loving Through Our Wounds - Motherhood - with Dr. Bob SchuchtsLatte and Laundry: A home for Catholic women, moms, and heartsCatholicPsych Institute The 5 Love Languages of Children by Dr. Gary ChapmanThe Temperament God Gave Your Kids by Art Bennett examination of conscience #makejoynormal #homeschooling #discipline #patience #guilt #parenting #forgiveness #prayer #attachment  Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Elizabeth and I take on this question, and then I get two other mothers near and dear to me to weigh in on this topic.  Zoe and Rachel share their thoughts on how they make (made) it work with a lotta young ones.  1:54 - Acknowledging the needs of our eldest  6:46 - Opportunities to connect  9:02 - Caring for children with learning disabilities  13:32 - Stepping back and assessing things 19:36 - Crowdsourcing interview with Zoe23:27 - Crowdsourcing interview with Rachelour airbnb (link)homeschooling children with special needs: an interview with Maureen Wittman (podcast)from city to farm: a homeschool family's journey (podcast)tea with girls (blog post)#makejoynormal #homeschooling #familylife #relationships #planning #readaloud #gratitude Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Wow, we talk around this idea, culturally what seems to be happening, Zoe's personal experience and reflect on the value of life in the home.  And Zoe, lover of beauty and life in the home, has created this lovely Etsy shop for us ❤️.   Studio Disegno00:29 - Welcome Zoe and what lead you to making the transition 2:54 - Appreciation for life in the home11:34 - Climbing the ladder / A call from the heart16:18 - Why are you wasting your education? Answering all the questions 27:30 - Experiencing doubt after leaving career 30:19 - What is the most challenging part of being a stay at home mom? 43:37 - What would you say to a woman considering changing paths?Sequencing: The groundbreaking book on having it all but not all at once by Arlene Rossen CardozaWhat Mothers Do by Naomi Stadlen missing babies (blog post)#makejoynormal #homeschooling #motherhood #career #vocation #community #encouragement #success #hope #commitment  Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Our dear listener Shawn shares the joys of having and raising her only child.  We discuss the unique needs of boys, their energy and need for movement, learning to be okay with silence and working side by side.  The importance of community and that you don't need to do it all by yourself. 1:25 - Welcome Shawn and the blessings of having an only child5:28 - What are some of the challenges?  8:39 - How it plays out for education, physical and social needs 14:31 - Are negative comments a struggle? 18:40 - Do you need respite from being the playmate? 21:39 - How have you developed delayed gratification? 25:36 - Juggling the hours we spend schooling 28:08 - Getting help from outside resources The only child: an interview with Sarah and Jena (podcast)the power of pipping (blog post)#makejoynormal #homeschooling #onlychild #raisingboys #creativity #planning #community #play #adventure #parenting #joy Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Firstly!  Congratulations to the Jaloway family, my lovely co-host Christina had her little son Luke...please keep the family in your prayers!And secondly, my sweet daughter Lydia (16) has created a timeline for families to use.  She agreed to interview to tell my listeners about it.  The Good Teens Do Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

When you see that your child is ready, how do you capitalize on that? Elizabeth joins me to discuss how to transition from dictation to more concrete writing lessons, working on the foundation, how to teach paragraph writing and how co-ops and IEW can help along the way.    Catholic Heritage Curricula - Ever Ancient, Ever New3:16 - When should you start teaching writing? 8:48 - Give them as much help as necessary 11:40 - Building foundation and waiting for readiness    19:37 - Teaching with the Institute for Excellence in Writing Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) and IEW on Youtubeencouraging children to write and other matters (podcast) #makejoynormal #homeschooling #writing #dictation #paragraph #coop #readiness #model #process  Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Today I welcome Gina and Laurie to discuss breastfeeding, natural child spacing and motherhood. We share our experiences in ecological breastfeeding and NFP. 1:15 - Welcome Gina and Laurie2:43 - What is ecological breastfeeding and how does it work? 12:35 - NFP, fertility and benefits of charting23:31 - Signs that you are transitioning from ecological breastfeeding to NFP26:47 - What if you have irregular cycles? 31:10 - What if someone has a serious reason to avoid pregnancy? 35:21 - How has ecological breastfeeding improved your life? 38:44 - Resources for momsCatholic Nursing Mothers League and Facebook group Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing by Sheila Kippley The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding by Sheila Kippley Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood by Sheila Kippley #makejoynormal #homeschooling #breastfeeding #motherhood #nursing #pregnancy #joy #respect #fertility #marriage  Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Christina and I chat about the difficulties and temptations we face in parenting - to lash out, to make a sarcastic remark or to yell at our kids. Acknowledging that we are in a spiritual battle and our need for God's grace is the foundation for responding as Christ calls us to.   1:58 - Snapping, temperaments and forgiveness  7:04 - Prayer and self-awareness  14:19 - The problem with arguing 17:38 - We are in a spiritual battle 23:42 - Accepting our circumstances 27:48 - The labyrinth as a symbol for our spiritual life30:18 - Things that help when we are struggling  Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz): Day 61 : The Name of Jesusgrowing things (blog post)#makejoynormal #homeschooling #discipline #forgiveness #kindness #parenting #prayer #spirituality #faith  Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

A dear listener, Leslie, brings her questions to this episode. Am I doing enough?  Am I doing it right?  Does curriculum need to be Catholic-specific?  2:02 - Should I feel guilt or fear about using secular curriculum? 5:15 - Helpful books to have on hand 8:50 - How to use various resources while maintaining the Catholic lens 10:34 - The benefits of using a wide range of materials 18:55 - Helping our children wrestle with big questions22:42 - The skill of critical thinking and debate in homeschoolingModern Catholic Dictionary by Fr. Hardon A Catechism of Church History by Fr. Robert J. Fox why does education matter? (blog post)#makejoynormal #homeschooling #curriculum #catechism #education #connection #tenderness #wonder #logic #criticalthinking  Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Two lovely moms meet with me today to chat about what it's like raising and homeschooling an only child.  These delightful ladies have so much insight and so much to offer.  So worth a listen, even if you don't have an only...take a peek inside their world, the challenges and blessings that come with a one child family from two deeply thoughtful moms. Catholic Heritage Curricula - Ever Ancient, Ever New4:33 - Welcome Sarah and Jena 6:43 - The blessings of an only child 11:23 - Challenges and sadness over not having siblings  20:44 - How does it play out in terms of educating? 30:35 - How do you address socialization? 32:35 - Dealing with judgement from others 36:53 - Needing respite as a mom of an only child43:05 - Creating opportunities for delayed gratification46:43 - Montossori technique for waiting 49:42 - Sarah and Jena's services2023 Catholic Day Planner: A 54-Week Planner for Canadian Catholics Rooms Need Love | Professional Organizing for Moms #makejoynormal #homeschooling #parenting #onlychild #community #education #routine #joy   Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Elizabeth and I talk  preteens.  How to respond charitably when facing defiance and giving them space to vent. How planning something different and fun can help the day improve. Finally, we chat about entertaining a young toddler.3:55 - How do you motivate a preteen who is only motivated by fun? 10:33 - Responding to defiance and having practiced responses 14:02 - Allowing your child to being heard 17:55 - Preteens, boys and sassiness 20:09 - Inexpensive snacks and dealing with picky eaters 24:52 - How to keep the baby happy#makejoynormal #homeschooling #familylife #parenting #motivation  #fun #perspective #connection #preteens  Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

00:50 - owning less stuff 2:29 - investing in the relationship 8:56 - practicing kindness and tenderness#makejoynormal #homeschooling #familylife #parenting #connection #guidance #kindness Try Riversidefm, Our recording platform.  I use it because it’s easy. I use it because good tech support matters.https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=bonnieBuzzsprout makes podcasting simple.  I value support in this ministry; the folks at buzzsprout respond quickly and cheerfully.https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1000177 Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

I share some thoughts on family life :  helping our relationships flourish, understanding our family's history and tradition,  how kindness changes everything and how to reduce unnecessary busyness. 1:07 - Truth in family life: what does that mean?  9:20 - Finding joy and dignity in relationships 22:21 - Chaos undermines kindness  25:14 - Tools for discerning commitments The Adventures of the REAL Winnie-the-Pooh - The New York Public Library Civilisation: A Personal View by Kenneth Clark (video series) be invested in the relationship, not the emotions (blog post) #makejoynormal #homeschooling #familylife #parenting #literature #growth #connection #guidance #kindness #history Try Riversidefm, Our recording platform.  I use it because it’s easy. I use it because good tech support matters.https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=bonnieBuzzsprout makes podcasting simple.  I value support in this ministry; the folks at buzzsprout respond quickly and cheerfully.https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1000177 Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Elizabeth and I chat about kids in the transition years .  Wait, they're all transition years...but some, of course, are more dramatic than others, and emerging teens and adults leave parents treading new waters.  1:39 - Navigating bedtime as kids get older 8:20 - Including them in the decision making 14:21 - Our role as parents 20:15 -  When your child becomes an adult Dr. Russell Barkley on parenting babies, toddlers, teens and beyond#makejoynormal #homeschooling #teenagers #parenting #attachment #formationTry Riversidefm, Our recording platform.  I use it because it’s easy. I use it because good tech support matters.https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=bonnieBuzzsprout makes podcasting simple.  I value support in this ministry; the folks at buzzsprout respond quickly and cheerfully.https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1000177 Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Allison shares so beautifully about the struggles faced in motherhood and in the postpartum period.   Her journey in healing physically, emotionally, spiritually and the transformation that comes one day at a time by God's grace. 2:48 - Welcome Allison! 5:23 - Realizing that something needs to change 10:15 - A beginning for getting help  15:41 - Did people around you notice that you weren't well? 20:03 - The need for community and support 25:11 - Where is a good place to start for physical/spiritual health?34:35 - What pulls you out of dark moments now?  44:07 - How do you maintain a desire for growth and what keeps you moving forward?Catholic Heritage Curricula - Ever Ancient, Ever NewBaby and Beyond by Allison Auth | Sofia Institute Press@babyandbeyondbook on Instagramthe joy of nourishment should never be sacrificed - Fallon Lee (podcast)Freely Rooted podcast pursuing health and holiness in the domestic church: an interview with Mariette, the natural Catholic mom (podcast) MommaStrong workouts #makejoynormal #homeschooling #motherhood #wellness #community #prayer #grace #journey #vulnerability #healing  Try Riversidefm, Our recording platform.  I use it because it’s easy. I use it because good tech support matters.https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=bonnieBuzzsprout makes podcasting simple.  I value support in this ministry; the folks at buzzsprout respond quickly and cheerfully.https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1000177 Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

It's a great question - How do we approach the topic of differences in discipline with a young child who notices these things and is asking?   We also discuss how small families can approach their homeschooling communities despite large families being the norm.2:00 - How do you explain parenting differences to a child?  8:45 - When others are disapproving of your methods of discipline 13:32 - Choosing our words carefully and with great empathy  16:13 - Small families, homeschooling communities and infertilityNeufeld Institute | Gordon Neufeld PhD attachment parenting and the sermon on the mount (blog post) #makejoynormal #homeschooling #discipline #attachment #revolutionofmercy #tenderness #community #family #charity Try Riversidefm, Our recording platform.  I use it because it’s easy. I use it because good tech support matters.https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=bonnieBuzzsprout makes podcasting simple.  I value support in this ministry; the folks at buzzsprout respond quickly and cheerfully.https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1000177 Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Such a pleasure to welcome Lucero and Michelle who bring their questions about homeschooling into the teen years. We discuss challenges, counterwill and burnout. The importance of open communication and how community and fun are at the heart of a healthy wholesome homeschooling experience for the entire family.  1:11 - Welcome Lucero and Michelle 6:23 - Importance of community and fun  10:49 - How do you manage everything?17:51 - Negotiating with our teenagers 21:28 -  What are the absolute basics we need in their schooling? 36:15 - Burnout and crisis years 42:05 - Provide opportunities for fun 52:39 - The cycle of family learning58:14 - Developing your own homeschool high school transcript 1:03:22 - Motivating our children when they're struggling 1:18:34 - Not caring about what other people think Catholic Heritage Curricula  World Book EncyclopediaHomeschooling with Joy Workshop, Part 1/4Homeschooling with Joy Workshop, Part 2/4Homeschooling with Joy Workshop, Part 3/4Homeschooling with Joy Workshop, Part 4/4Mother of Divine Grace Curriculum Variation of "The Hat Game"  High school transcript template - bonnielandry.ca  #makejoynormal #homeschooling #highschool #dictation #reading #math #planning #routine #community #fun #history #science #socialization #support #cooperation #socraticeducation Try Riversidefm, Our recording platform.  I use it because it’s easy. I use it because good tech support matters.https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=bonnieBuzzsprout makes podcasting simple.  I value support in this ministry; the folks at buzzsprout respond quickly and cheerfully.https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1000177 Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

Well we start with dictation but move into some great conversation about "to push or not to push, to plan or not to plan" and Elizabeth brings her honesty to the table about the hard moments and the great moments. Catholic Heritage Curricula - Ever Ancient, Ever New4:26 - When dictation is not working 11:32 - Learning skills along the way for teaching our children  16:02 - Dealing with a child's anger and frustration 24:20 - New year planning and finding order again31:01 - Being clear with our kids about chores 36:58 - Responding in a matter-of-fact way Intermediate Language Lessons by Emma Serl Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons Done by noon: efficient homeschooling (podcast)what will you do all day: developing routine with little ones (podcast)sit down work at different ages (blog post) #makejoynormal #homeschooling #planning #order #dictation #language #teaching #kindness #fun  Try Riversidefm, Our recording platform.  I use it because it’s easy. I use it because good tech support matters.https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=bonnieBuzzsprout makes podcasting simple.  I value support in this ministry; the folks at buzzsprout respond quickly and cheerfully.https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1000177 Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal On Facebook at Homeschoolers: make JOY normal By email at questionsmakejoynormal@gmail.com or by voicemail Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!