Coffee With Carrie: Homeschool Podcast

When homeschooling, what is something that has been around forever, is inexpensive, requires almost no equipment, has numerous benefits—and actually works? Carrie has a simple homeschooling “duo” that just might be the cure-all for almost any homeschool ailment or obstacle. You’ll have to listen to find out what this miracle combination is!

Kick off Season 11 of Coffee With Carrie Homeschool Podcast with this slightly off-the-wall episode and homeschooling metaphor—and get a sneak peek at some exciting projects Carrie has coming soon. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie for a litt...

Carrie is taking a Sabbath break this week!  Last week concluded Season 10.  She is taking a much-needed break as she prepares to kick off season 11 and share some exciting upcoming projects.  Enjoy this week's oldie but goodie.  It is a compilation of "Take a Sabbath Week" and "What Does a Sabbath Week Look Like"- two episodes from Season 1 and Season 5.  

Take a sabbath break!  What?  Take a whole week off of academics and formal lessons to rest, relax, and reset?  You read that right!  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie fo...

Language is an art, which is why it’s called Language Arts. Expressing ourselves, sharing our opinions, and communicating what we know—both verbally and in writing—is an art. Reading for pleasure and for learning is an art, too. Reading comprehension, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, speaking, writing, punctuation, and handwriting are all part of the art of language.  In this week’s episode, Carrie is talking with Clare Bonn, a homeschool mom and the Director of Curriculum Development & Services of Blackbird & Company ELA Curriculum. Clare and Carrie discuss practical ways to create a literature-rich education in your home, how to start...

It’s that time of the year. October is scary season:  the Great October Homeschool Freak Out!  This is the month when your carefully crafted homeschool plan comes back to haunt you.  The October Homeschool Reckoning is when Moms realize: "I didn't plan a homeschool. I accidentally created a homeschool monster." Your thoughtfully pieced together curriculum, classes, activities, schedules, and commitments start chasing you in October.  Turn your Great October Freak-Out into your Great October Reset. Don't throw anything into your curriculum graveyard just yet.  Listen to this week's episode.  Carrie shares five things you might want to reset before g...

Are you art-challenged? Even you can teach art!  Art is so much more than drawing or learning about great artists. Children need opportunities to draw, observe, create, and make things by hand. Creative expression should be an important part of every child’s day and education. In this week’s episode, Carrie is talking with Julie Abels, author of Anyone Can Teach Art and founder of Ridge Light Ranch. Julie and Carrie share how to include art instruction and art appreciation in your home education without an art degree. They also discuss how to add beauty and creativity to your...

It's time to think outside the box!  The number one reason veteran homeschool moms burn out or give up is because they try to do school at home.  The first mistake many new homeschooling moms make is they try to replicate traditional school at home.  Why are you modeling your home education after the very thing you are trying to escape?  Don't do school at home.  Think outside the box.  Let's do "school" differently this year.  This week, Carrie shares how to think outside the curriculum box and how to get out of the classroom mindset.   If you are new to h...

If you have a toddler, preschooler, TK, Kindergartener or 6 year old, you don't want to miss this Coffee With Carrie Homeschool episode.  If your children are past this stage, then make sure you share this episode with friends who are thinking of homeschooling their little ones.  In this week's episode, Carrie explains the seven essentials of preschool and kindergarten and how to create a nurturing, learning environment with and without formal curriculum.  If you have little ones or you are new to homeschooling, you don't want to miss this episode.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up...

To teach or not to teach Shakespeare? That is the question!   If you are thinking, "There’s no way I can teach Shakespeare to my kids!" or "There is no way my kids will enjoy learning about Shakespeare and his plays.  I don't understand him.  How in the world will my little guys get it?" then you need to join Carrie for this week's little coffee break.  Yes!  You can teach Shakespeare. And Yes! Your children will love it!  Have no fear! It's time for some Shakespeare!  It is not only doable but can be quite fun to add a little...

Join Carrie for this little coffee break.  In this episode, Carrie shares fun and simple ways to incorporate math picture books, games, read aloud, and problem-solving activities into your Morning (or Basket) Time.  Carrie shares how to use and rotate SIX of her favorite "Go To" Math Resources during morning basket time.  These super fun, quick, (and inexpensive) ideas are sure to be a hit with you and with your family.  Exploring math and practicing computation as a family can be as easy as pi!  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up and join Carrie for littl...

There’s a beautiful new trend in the homeschooling community: grandparents partnering with parents to homeschool their grandkids!  Do you work full-time or part-time and need extra support homeschooling your child? Are you a single parent who could use an additional hand? Or do you have a parent or mother-in-law who would love to play a more active role in your child’s education?  If so, you’ll love this week’s conversation with Valerie Costanza and Chris Gonzalez. Carrie sits down with this dynamic mother-daughter team who have been homeschooling Valerie’s daughter—and Chris’s granddaughter—Camila, together for the p...

No textbook? No problem!  You can teach history without relying on dry, boring textbooks filled with sound bites, half-truths, political agendas, or revisionist narratives. Did you hate history class growing up? Are your kids bored to death when it’s time for history lessons? If you’re looking for a fresh way to make history come alive in your homeschool, then grab a cup of coffee and take a break with Carrie.  This week features an updated version of the popular “History Alive” episode from Season 1. Carrie shares practical, engaging, and inexpensive ways to teach history to the entire family.  I...

Is gentle homeschooling truly effective, or does it risk leaving children unprepared compared to a rigorous, structured approach?  In this episode, Carrie sits down with Christina Carpenter to explore the Gentle vs Rigorous Home Education debate.  Christina is a homeschool mom of four with over 15 years of experience (and one high school graduate), founder of Authentic Joy in the Journey, and creator of Bloom & Blossom conferences. They explore the definition what is “gentle” and “rigorous” homeschooling, examine what each looks like in daily life, and discuss how a gentle, wonder-filled education can also be rich, deep, and academically strong.  Carrie and...

In this week’s coffee date, Carrie welcomes Ingrid Fincher of Healthy Holy MomLife to discuss how homeschooling moms can create healthy, Christ-centered rhythms that nurture their spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being in every season of motherhood. Together, Carrie and Ingrid discuss practical ways overwhelmed moms can care for their spiritual, emotional, and physical health without adding more pressure to their already full plates. Ingrid shares realistic self-care for busy homeschooling moms, and how daily and weekly rhythms can help mothers cultivate peace, purpose, and sustainability in their homes. Whether you are feeling exhausted, stretched thin, or simply longing fo...

In this week’s Coffee Break, Carrie sits down with one of her closest friends, Georgina Tanefski—better known in our homeschool community as Señora T.  A bilingual speaker with over ten years of teaching & tutoring experience, Señora T has been teaching Conversational Spanish to homeschoolers through fun, engaging, and inexpensive activities. She has successfully taught her own children and grandchild, along with hundreds of homeschool families across Southern California. In this episode, Carrie and Señora T discuss the many benefits of learning a second language and how to do it naturally—without declensions, conjugations, or endless gr...

It's time to declutter and build a habit of organization.  "Instead of seeing items as objects, see them as magnets for your attention" (James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits).  Let's get rid of (or at least re-organize) those "magnets"!  In this week's episode, Carrie shares some of her secrets how to get (and stay organized) by decluttering not only your space but your mind as well.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and sip, sort, and simplify your home and mind with Carrie this week.

Resources Mentioned in This Week's Episode:

Adju...

The habit of prayer does not and should not be complicated.  As homeschool moms and busy women, it is hard creating a consistent and meaningful prayer life.  In this week's coffee break, Carrie is talking with author, speaker, and her long-time homeschooling friend, Stacey Waller Holford, about her new book, The Prayer Card System.   The Prayer Card System is a simple, structured prayer method Stacey has used for more than 45 years.  What started as a way to remember to pray for people has grown into a system that has carried her through motherhood, business, loss, rebuilding, and many unexpected turns...

Exciting News!  Coffee with Carrie is going to Costa Rica and we would love for you and your family to join us!  In partnership with WorldStrides, Mike and I have curated an unforgettable 8- day educational adventure through one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet- Costa Rica!  This is an all inclusive trip full of nature hikes, walking tours, explorations, eating, cooking, and more.  Make sure you listen to this week's little coffee break to get the scoop and all the juicy details.  Your middle schooler will fill their nature journals, your high schooler and/or college kid c...

Books take us places (figuratively and literally)!  In this episode of the Coffee With Carrie Homeschool Podcast, Carrie sits down with her daughter Francesca De Francisco to explore the magic of books and how they spark literary wanderlust—both taking us on journeys around the world without ever leaving home and inspiring us to actually travel to the places we read about.  Together they discuss how stories open doors to new places, cultures, and historical moments and give tons of book recommendations to read aloud with your family.  Whether books transport you vicariously or fuel real-life adventures, this conversation offer...

Be inspired to home educate (or to keep homeschooling) your child!  If you need even more reasons to home educate or you need a confidence that you are teaching your children well, then listen to this week's conversation with Jennifer Pepito.  Jennifer Pepito is the best selling author of Mothering by the Book, Habits for a Sacred Home, and soon-to-be- released book, The Inspired Homeschool.  Jennifer is also the founder of The Peaceful Press, a homeschool curriculum provider and a homeschool mom of seven!  Join Carrie and Jennifer for a little coffee and conversation that will inspire and encourage you...

You CAN teach your child to read without being a reading specialist or having a teaching credential.  For most children, learning to read is a natural and relatively easy process.  Homeschool moms do not need to overcomplicate the process or feel inadequate or underqualified.  In this week's coffee break, Carrie talks with Melanie Jeffery, the host of the top 3% globally ranked podcast, Phonics Rules for Kids, about how to simply (and inexpensively) teach your K-3rd grade child how to read.  This episode is full of practical strategies and research-based advice to help your child become a reader.  Pour yours...

"Help! My child is an awful speller?  Why and what can I do?"  Even good readers can be bad spellers.  There's a scientific reason for this.  If you have a child or teen who reads well, has a great vocabulary, but misspells just about everything, then make sure you listen to this episode.  If your child struggles with spelling and/or has dysgraphia or dyslexia, then you will love the suggestions in this week's episode.  Carrie shares why learning to spell is harder than learning to read as well tips, tricks, and curricula recommendations to help your bad spellers become...

C.S. Lewis once said, "We read to know that we are not alone”.  Let's spend the year reading with the most reluctant convert and one of the world's most beloved authors and theologians.  In this episode, Carrie shares the year-long unit study she did with her family on the life and works of C.S. Lewis.  The first part of the unit study is perfect for the whole family- from 1st graders to high schoolers.  The second part of the literature study is perfect for older students and teens.  Carrie shares conversation starters, writing activities, research topics, projects, and eve...

How many times do you hear in a day “Mom, I need your help"?  How many times do you say to yourself,  “I need him to do more on his own without my help or without me directing every step of the way.”  In this week's episode, Carrie is addressing a question she gets all the time:  “How can I get my kid to be more independent?”  Carrie shares simple strategies to help your children and teens to become critical thinkers, independent learners, and self-motivated individuals.  It's never too early to start and it's never too late to try.  Pour yourself a c...

Anyone and everyone can homeschool their children, but sometimes, not everyone should homeschool.  The day you became a parent, you became your child's most important teacher so, yes, you can teach your child.  However, there may be life circumstances or challenging seasons that can make home education difficult.  And that is ok!  Saying no to homeschooling for one season doesn't mean it will be a hard "No" forever.  For different reasons, sometimes it is best to pause homeschooling for a more traditional approach.  And that is ok too!  If you are contemplating putting your child back into the public or priv...

Are you interested in the idea of nature studies but aren't quite sure what they are or how to get started?  In this week's episode, Carrie encourages you to dip your feet into the relaxing waters of nature studies. There is no better way to explore and appreciate God’s handiwork than by doing nature studies and there is no better time to try out nature studies than during the summertime.  In this coffee break, Carrie shares simple ideas on how to get started with nature studies this summer and practical tips on how to create nature journals and orga...

Don't stress about creating report cards or transcripts!  You may not even need them.  If your state requires them, if your student athlete needs them, if the college admission board requests them,  or if you have no idea if you even want them, then make sure you listen to this week's episode.  Keeping record of your child's learning, recording your child's progress,  and creating a report card or transcript can be a very simple and easy process.  Let Carrie walk you through the process.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, get your notebook, put your feet up, and take a littl...

Carrie is celebrating another year around the sun and another year of motherhood.  As a fun way to celebrate Mother's Day and her Birthday (which happens to fall on the same day this year), Carrie is sitting down with one of her favorite people- her daughter, Francesca!  Carrie and Francesca love to go on coffee dates and talk about life, work, books, cooking, movies, and the family T.  In this week's coffee date, Francesca "interviews" Carrie just about everything from motherhood and homeschooling to her pet peeves and favorites to how she really feels about turning 58 and everything else in...

Carrie and Rachel answer all of your high school questions and calm your fears!  Rachel shares insights from her new book, Their Future Is Shining Bright: A Guide to Homeschooling in High School—and Equipping Your Child for Success and Fulfillment in Adulthood  and Carrie gives advice from her book, Homeschool High School:  A Handbook for Christian Education.  Both Carrie and Rachel have homeschool graduates and over 25+ years of home education experience between the two of them.  In this week's episode, they answer listener questions that were sent in about homeschooling the high school years and how to enjoy these p...

Today, did you exercise?  Did you explore nature?  If you are adventure schooling, you've done both and so much more!  What is "adventure schooling?"  In this week's episode, Carrie is talking with Nichole Holze, aka Lucky Wander and Coleyraeh. Nichole breaks down exactly what adventure schooling means and how to adventure responsibly.  She also shares practical insights on scouting out the perfect adventure destinations tailored to your family's current life stage—whether your kids are toddlers, school-aged, teens, or anywhere in between. This week's conversation will help you learn right alongside your kids as you build your adventure muscles and lea...

Yes, Physical Education (PE) is truly essential!  Movement and exercise play a key role in your child's overall learning and academic success. Free time is foundational for your teen's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Everything is interconnected, and it all matters. In this week's episode, Carrie discusses why you shouldn't save physical activity for "after you finish your schoolwork." She explains how exercise supports better learning, improves retention, and helps break through academic challenges. If you've ever felt guilty about letting your kids spend more time playing outside, moving while doing schoolwork, or participating in sports instead of spending m...

What do unicorns, hamsters, and the comparison trap have in common?  If your interest is piqued and you are wondering what on earth this has to do with homeschooling, then join Carrie for this week's podcast.  Do you feel like you are constantly spinning your wheels but going nowhere and accomplishing nothing?  If so, then take a little break from all of the hustle and bustle, get off the crazy train for a minute or two and pour yourself a much-needed cup of coffee.  This week Carrie uses a few humorous analogies to explain why homeschooling moms always seem to b...

Are you thinking of pulling your child out of the traditional school setting to homeschool?  Are you a homeschool mom thinking of putting your child into a traditional classroom?  If so, make sure you listen to this week's conversation.  This week, Carrie is talking with public school principal turned home educator, Mandy Davis.  Mandy is the founder of Home Built Education and is also a speaker, homeschool advocate, the author of the new book, The Homeschool Bible: Everything You Need to Build a Thriving Home Education.  In this episode, Carrie and Mandy discuss the many reasons why families choose to ho...

He is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!  Next week is the most important and solemn week of the year.  We remember the redemptive work of our savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross and our new life in Christ because of His death and resurrection.   This week, take a break from your usual activities and lessons.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares simple ways to celebrate Holy Week & Easter in meaningful ways.  She gives bible passages and stories to read and simple activities to do each day during Holy Week to help children and teens understand the important events of each d...

As a homeschool mom, do you feel like you live in the kitchen?  Between planning, shopping, prepping, and cooking the meals (and cleaning the mess after each meal), it is hard to find time to finish all the chores and teach the kids!  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with fellow foodie, homesteader, and host of Elevating Motherhood podcast, Lori Beth Auldridge.  Carrie and Lori share secrets to cooking not only breakfast #1 but breakfast #2 as well as delicious, no-nonsense meals.  They share meal prep strategies, favorite recipes, and tips for consistently eating together as a family.  It's a coffee break...

As a mother, especially as a homeschooling mom, reading is one of the most important habits you should form.  Why should you make the time when you have so many other things to do?  Reading broadens your horizons, enhances your concentration, enables you to view the world from other perspectives, enriches your knowledge, refines your thinking, and strengthens your intellectual abilities.  And if those reasons aren't enough, your children learn to value this habit through your example.  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Katie Klein, book-lover, homeschool mom, curriculum creator, and founder of Little House Learning Company, about the...

Does your child have trouble following directions, organizing tasks, or sitting still for more than 5 second?  Is his work messy, does he have poor time management skills, is he always forgetting materials (or can’t find them), or is he easily distracted or overwhelmed?  Does your child have ADHD?  Do you have ADHD?  Are you also a homeschooling mom?  If so, then you don't want to miss this week's episode.  Carrie talks with April Pettyjohn.  Not only is April the host of the podcast Follow The Leader Home Education, but she is also ADHD, and she is homeschooling her highly ac...

Would you like to create a calmer home environment?  In this week's episode, Carrie talks again with Jami Glenn, an Emotional Wellness Coach, the owner of Sacred Ground Coaching, and the host of Emotions With Ease Podcast.  Jami shares simple practices that families can start doing today that will help create relational connections and a calmer family dynamic.  If you crave a less chaotic and more peaceful home environment, then make sure you listen to this week's episode.  Pour yourself a cup of hot chamomile tea, put your feet up, and join Carrie and Jami for a little coffee and...

In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Aby Rinella, a fellow homeschool mom who also has a homeschool graduate.  Aby is the co-host of School House Rocked Podcast, an advocate for homeschool freedom in Idaho, and the founder of the ministry, Called to the Top.  In this week's episode, Carrie and Aby look back on their homeschooling journey and candidly share the lessons they have learned, what they would definitely do again, what they would do differently, and what they would eliminate altogether.  Whether you are new to homeschooling, in the midst of it, or about to graduate your sen...

Is it possible to raise kids, teach them, and run a business?  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Andrea Snee, a mom who is doing it!  Andrea Snee is a home educator and the founder of Happy Trails Press, a publisher of homeschool resources including units, planners, magazine clubs, and book clubs.  Carrie and Andrea discuss how to work from home, work part-time outside the home, and how to discover your own marketable skills that can lead to starting a home-based business.  They share how to be mom, business owner, and home educator as well as the blessings and...

Are you trying to "get it all done" but the laundry, dishes, and lessons just keep piling up? Then join Carrie for a cozy cup of coffee as she shares simple, encouraging ways to make your homeschool days both practical and purposeful. In this episode, discover how everyday tasks like cooking meals, folding laundry, managing a budget, and tackling basic home repairs can naturally become powerful learning opportunities—no extra curriculum required. Carrie gently reminds us that life skills and home economics aren't just "extras"; they're foundational to raising capable, responsible kids who are ready for real life. Filled wi...