Coffee With Carrie: Homeschool Podcast

If you have ever asked "Are my kids doing enough?" or "What does a great homeschool day look like?" then  don't miss this week's coffee break!  In this week's episode, Carrie gives a preview of her upcoming, new book, A Home Education Handbook: Nine Questions to Ask for Simple & Balanced Home-Based Learning, which answers these questions and more.  She also shares how to pre-order the book to get some really great pre-order swag as well as all of the Book Launch events you can join.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and take a little coff...

If you homeschool, will there be holes in your child's education?  Because this is such a common question and fear, Carrie not only revisits this question in this week's episode but she digs deep into it in our new upcoming book.   Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie for this little coffee break.

If you would like more help making sure your child is not "behind," book a coffee date (one-on-one coaching session) with Carrie.  Go to www.coffeewithcarrie.org to set up a date.

Carrie's new book, A Hom...

In this week's episode, Carrie gives you permission to put off taking down those decorations a few days more, to start lessons a little later in January, and to keep celebrating Christmas a little longer.  Don't just sing the Christmas carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," go ahead and celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas. In this week's coffee break, Carrie shares a ton of fun activities you can do with the entire family to celebrate The Twelfth Night, the Feast of Epiphany, or King's Day, and all the days leading up to them.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, pu...

This December, put all of your books away except for your watercolors and nature journals.  Christmas is the perfect time of the year to be outdoors and to do some winter nature studies.  There is nothing like fresh air and God’s creation to help us slow down and re-center our focus on the reason for the season, the birth of our Lord and Savior.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares a ton of simple, no-prep, nature studies you can do with the entire family.  She even shares some nature trivia and tons of picture books to read too.  Pour yo...

"Joy to the world, the Lord has come!"  Christmas carols (or hymns for the Advent season) are full of biblical truths, Bible verses, and the gospel.  Why not use the sounds of the season for your family devotions or your "lessons" in the month of December?  In this week's episode, Carrie shares how you can do some Christmas schooling using only three things:  your favorite carols, a Bible, and the book, Then Sings My Soul (Special Edition) by Robert Morgan.   Carrie gives you simple, step-by-step directions as well as historical background, Bible passages to read, and even some trivia about...

Kick up your family read aloud time this December and countdown to Christmas as you celebrate Jesus' birth this Advent season.  Even though it is only November, you will want to listen to this episode before Thanksgiving and Black Friday Sales.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares her favorite Advent Calendar and holiday tradition.  Not only is this episode full of 25 beautiful and fun Christmas picture books to read aloud with your family but Carrie also shares some of her favorite family-friendly Advent devotionals and holiday read aloud chapter books.  If you stick around to the very end, you migh...

"I hate Math!  I'm not good at Math!"  Have you or your child ever uttered these words?  If you have a math phobia or your child struggles with math, then make sure you listen to this week's episode.  In this week's coffee break, Carrie talks about creating a strong mathematical foundation to ensure math success in high school and about how to build YOUR confidence (and your child's confidence) in the area of math.  Carrie also shares simple yet practical ideas to make middle school math meaningful and fun.  Pour yourself a cup of espresso, put your feet up, and jo...

You will want your spouse to listen to this week's episode with you!  In this week's conversation, Carrie talks with founder of The Homeschool Collab, podcast host and homeschool dad, Daniel Moss.  Daniel shares his journey to becoming a home educator, life-long learner, and dad of three homeschool graduates.  Carrie and Daniel also discuss different ways dads can be an integral part of the homeschooling experience.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, get your spouse, crank up the volume and join Carrie and Daniel for a little coffee and conversation about a father's journey from diapers to diplomas.

Jo...

Is grading, tracking, or recording your child's progress stressing you out? If so, then join Carrie for a lively chat with the creator of the Schoolfolio App.  In this week's episode, Carrie and Jennifer explore fresh ways to track homeschool progress with and without grades and tests. Discover creative, stress-free methods to capture your child’s growth, from photos of projects to logs of field trips and engaging conversations. Jennifer shares how Schoolfolio’s intuitive tools—like unlimited student profiles, work sample uploads, reading logs, and one-click PDF exports—make documenting learning and creating a portfolio a breeze. Whether you’re a...

Bad homeschool days happen to everyone. Whether you’re in your first week of homeschooling or your fifteenth year, you’re going to hit a day where everything feels off.  In this week's little coffee break, Carrie is tackling a topic that hits home for every homeschool parent: those days when nothing goes right. You know the ones—where you feel like you’re living in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.   In this week's episode, Carrie shares five simple tricks to turn around those bad homeschool days, whether you’re a newbie or a veteran.  Po...

What in the world is Strewing?  Well, it is something that will rock your homeschooling world and mindset!  Actually, you might already be a Master at Strewing and don't even know it.  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with fellow strew master, Jessica Waldock.  Jessica and Carrie share how to use strewing as an easy way to ignite your children’s passions, whet their appetites, and spark their curiosity.   They also give ideas on how to help your children discover new interests or dive deeper into topics they already find fascinating by strewing in simple (and inexpensive) ways.   Is your cur...

Schools out!  Natural learning is in!  What if all the rushing and pushing to finish is the very thing that is keeping kids (and parents) from real learning?   "School work" doesn't need to consume your entire day.  All you really need is 90 minutes or less for a world-class education!    This week Carrie talks with Kelly Edwards, creator and host of the 90 Minute School Day.  Carrie and Kelly discuss the importance of deschooling, changing our educational mindset, and planning a natural daily rhythm in order to create a school day full of learning. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your fe...

How do you put the FUN back into learning the FUNdamentals?  One game at a time!  Engaging, hands-on learning can be made simple through games.  Games can be a cornerstone of real academic growth and the foundation of your home education.  Many parents consider games to be “extra” and to be used just for fun and family bonding. But many moms do not view games as educational.   In this week's episode, Jessica Waldock joins Carrie again.  Jessica is homeschool mom, unit curriculum developer, founder of The Waldock Way website, and game master!  Both Carrie and Jessica love learning through games.  They...

This week’s episode is full of simple, easy, and inexpensive ways to help your child enjoy writing and ways to get their creative juices flowing.  Carrie also shares how to use everyday objects around the house, old photos and interesting pictures, fables, fairytales, poetry, puns, picture books, and so much more to spark writing ideas and get past writer's block.  You will be able to implement most, if not all of the strategies shared as soon as you finish listening to the podcast.  Who should listen to this week’s Coffee With Carrie Podcast?

If your child h...

Let's talk about that messy handwriting!  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with the inventor and founder of Legiliners, Polly Benson.  Carrie and Polly share stories of handwriting successes (and failures) as they answer many of your questions:  When should handwriting lessons begin?   Should cursive or manuscript be taught?  If both, which one should students start with?  What are some manifestations of handwriting issues?  What are some interventions and simple methods to teach handwriting? And so much more!  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, get your favorite pen and notebook, and join Polly and Carrie for a little coffee and conv...

This week's episode is a a gallimaufry of ideas, impressions, and views all related to home education.  There's really no rhyme or reason to the topics being discussed.  If you are new to CWC Homeschool Podcast or if you need some fresh, new insights, you will find this episode very helpful.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie for a little coffee and conversation about a mix mash of homeschooling thoughts.

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Purchase Homeschool High School: A Handbook for Chr...

The words we speak matter.  Our words profoundly shape our children’s development, confidence, and spiritual formation.  There are words we say to our kids that we shouldn’t and there are words we don’t say that we should.  Knowing this is a lot of pressure.  In this week's episode, Carrie sits down with Amy Hughes, the author of the new book, Words Like Honey. Carrie and Amy share how to avoid  speech that creates unintentional harm, how to use our words to model kindness, and how to nurture our child’s faith through what we say.  If you go to bed e...

Change your mindset about when, where, and how learning takes place.  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Heidi Christianson about creating learning zones (and you will be surprised at the ten she shares).  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up and join Carrie and Heidi for a little coffee and conversation about when and how learning happens.

Purchase Heidi's new book, The Learning Zone: Connecting Your Student's Heart, Mind, and Purpose (2025) @amazon.

Connect with Heidi on Instagram @RealizingGeniusParadigm

For more information on Leadership Education Mentoring Institute (LEMI), visit https://ww...

Actually, you don't even need a basket to start a morning time routine and to use this family-style approach to learning.  It doesn't even have to happen in the morning time!  In this week's episode, Carrie answers the most FAQ about starting a morning time basket and about how to simplify your already existent morning time routine.  Whether you are new to this idea of Morning Basket or you have been using Morning Time for years, you will love the simple explanations and practical suggestions given in this episode.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up and...

Have you seen Carrie's "Cook & Chat" reels on TikTok and Instagram?  If so,  you know how much Carrie loves to cook.  Do you have a child who loves to cook or bake?  One of the best ways to learn about cultures and countries around the world is through cooking.  Through the culinary arts, students learn geography, history, and math. The kitchen becomes your science lab.  As you explore foods from around the world, students learn life skills, listen to great music, and read exciting stories.  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Chef Rowena Scherer, founder and CEO of Eat 2 E...

This week, Carrie is taking a little sabbath break to recoup from conventions and traveling and to spend some time planning a wedding.  This week's episode is an oldie but goodie!  As you plan and prep for a new school year, read one or some of these homeschool books as a way to be encouraged and inspired.   In this week's flashback, Carrie shares her favorite homeschooling books based on different coffee orders that her audience submitted to her.  It is a quirky and fun episode full of book recommendations, coffee trivia, and homeschooling advice.  Since Carrie homeschooled her kids for a...

The Coop (Jessica Carpinelli and Mandi McArthur) are back on the Coffee With Carrie Homeschool Podcast.  This time Carrie, Jessica, Mandi are sharing activities you can do to celebrate the First Day (and 1st Week) of "School."  Carrie and The Coop also share some fun, non-traditional ways to celebrate NOT going Back to School.  Transitioning from summer break to school mode can be a bit challenging.  Transitioning from traditional school to homeschooling can be a little scary.  This week's episode is full of practical and simple ways to transition into a new school year and meaningful and fun ways to ce...

Being a homeschool mom does not require a teaching credential, a masters in education, or an expertise in algebra.  Moms can homeschool without these things.  However, there is one thing you cannot homeschool without. It is a sense of humor.  In order to joyfully home educate, moms need to be able to laugh at themselves.  Moms need to laugh like Sarah did in Genesis 21:6.  "Sarah said, 'God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.' ”  Homeschooling moms need to laugh like the Proverbs woman in 31:25.  Moms can relate to Sarah in many different...

If you have constant battles over handwriting, composition, and/or math lessons, then check out this week's episode.  This week, Carrie explains Dyslexia's cousins:  Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia.  Students with Dysgraphia have extreme difficulties with written expression, fine motor coordination, and language processing.  People with dyscalculia have very poor number sense and may struggle with basic math skills like counting, adding, subtracting, telling time, or understanding number patterns, even with practice.  Carrie also shares teaching strategies and recommends resources and curricula for both. If your child struggles with writing or math, make sure you join Carrie for this week's little coffe...

Why on earth do classical educators include Latin instruction in their homeschooling?  Even if you aren't a classical homeschooler, you may want to resurrect this "dead" language and teach it to your child.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares the advantages of learning Latin and then she shares simple and fun ways to teach it.  She also shares some of her favorite Latin resources, curriculum, and games.  Seize the Day!  Take a listen and then decide.  Pour yourself a cup of espresso, put your feet up, and join Carrie for this most unexpected coffee break about learning Latin.

Live...

Don't just survive while homeschooling.  It is time to thrive instead!  What is the secret to thriving instead of just surviving?  It isn't teaching with a particular methodology or using a specific curriculum.  The secret to thriving is living and learning in community!  In this week's episode, Carrie sits down again with Christina Carpenter, speaker, blogger, coach, homeschool mom, and organizer of Bloom & Blossom Conferences.  In this conversation, Carrie and Christina talk candidly about the importance of cultivating friendships and being in community.  Christina also spills the T about the upcoming Bloom & Blossom: West Coast Conference in San Diego, CA Octo...

Do want or need a summer break but dread the fall out when formal school or lessons begin?  Are your kids whining this summer that they are bored?  Have no fear! Create a summer rhythm that will carry you through the summer and into the school year.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares some simple and fun things you can do during the summer break to make "school time" easier in the fall and that will tame the "boredom in the summer months.  Pour yourself a cup of iced coffee, kick your flip flops off, and join Carrie for a li...

Homeschooling is full of different transitions.  If not managed correctly, these different transitions times can be quite stressful.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares ideas for making the five most common homeschool transition times smoother and more enjoyable:  

Pour yourself a cup of coffee, transition from work mode to rest mode, and join Carrie for a little coffee break.

S...

What does the Bible and creation teach us about Sabbath living? We all need true rest but how do we achieve it?  Where can we find examples to follow?  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Erin Lynum, master naturalist and author of the new book, The Nature of Rest, to answer some of these questions.  Carrie and Erin discuss how to return to God’s original pattern of rest and work, how to experience daily rest, how to practice Sabbath in a way that fits your lifestyle and how to live every day in God’s restful presence.  Join Car...

It is Homeschool Convention Season!  This week Carrie is updating a previous Coffee With Carrie Homeschool Podcast episode that will help you navigate the homeschool curriculum exhibit hall and will help you get the most out of your homeschool convention experience.  In the first half of this episode, Carrie shares her "Plan of Attack" and advice for surviving the Convention Exhibit Hall. In the second half of this episode, she shares recommendations for Bible, reading, writing, language arts, math, science, and history curriculum and resources that worked well with her own family and curriculum that seasoned homeschool moms have ei...

Yes, there are four important "Coffee Dates" every believer, wife, mother, and home educator should make as a priority.  These one-on-one dates will help you build your relationship with God, your spouse, your children, and your friends.  This is one coffee date you don't want to miss.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie for a little coffee and conversation about which coffee dates you should make as a priority.

Support the show

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Purchase Homeschool High School: A Handbook for Christian Education

Duration: 00:27:39

Should you include foreign language instruction in your homeschooling?  If so, which one?  What if you don't fluently speak a second language?  Can you competently teach your child French, Spanish, Mandarin, or German if you only speak English?  The answer to all of these questions is YES!  The sooner you start, the better the outcome but don't worry, it's never too late to introduce a new language and a new culture into your home education.  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Shannon Kelly, the founder of Cultured Kid.  The Cultured Kid is  globally loved, play-based language program used by thous...

Are you thinking about homeschooling but have tons of questions?  Are you bombarded with questions about your homeschooling decision but not sure how to answer them?  Then make sure you listen to this week's  coffee break!  In this week's episode, Carrie and her guests, Mandi McArthur and Jessica Carpinelli answer the most common questions about home education.  Mandi McArthur and Jessica Carpinelli are the co-authors of the new book, Hesitant to Homeschool:  Answers to 20 Common Questions.  They a two homeschool mamas who also run a co-op and host a podcast.  If you have questions about homeschooling, then pour yourself a cup of...

This spring, ramble down a few rabbit trails and jump into a few rabbit holes with your kids.  In this little coffee break, Carrie shares the importance and simplicity of following the interests God has placed in your child's heart.  After 20+ years of homeschooling, Carrie finally learned to respect the rabbit holes and to appreciate rambling down a few rabbit trails.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares how to embrace those rabbit holes through the use of unit studies. She explains why following your child's lead can be beneficial, shares examples of a few rabbit trails her family ventured dow...

Are you in a homeschooling learning rut?  Do you need to jump start your lessons and reignite your child's love of learning?  If so, then try inserting a few Theme Days into your homeschooling.  What are Theme Days?  They are a fun, fast, and easy way to get your students excited about learning while focusing on one particular theme or topic for a day.  In this week's episode, Carrie explains what Theme Days are and gives tons of examples, starting with a Star Wars/ Space Theme Day you can do this May 4th.  Pour yourself a cup of Blue Milk...

Can you work full time or part time and homeschool?  Can you homeschool and work from home or run your own business?  The answer is YES and you can even earn some extra income while homeschooling.  It is possible if you change your mind set and get a little creative!  In this week's episode, Carrie helps working moms think outside the box so they can earn an income and homeschool too.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie for this little coffee break. 

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You have heard the mind-boggling statistics about technology and social media use. The numbers don’t lie; our obsession with smartphones and social media is slowly eroding the very essence of our homes and families. You see it. You feel it. You know it.  So what do we do about it? Opt out!  I know! It's easier said than done.  This week Carrie talks with Erin Lochner, NY Best Seller Author and founder of "The Opt Out Movement," about how to create genuine connections with family while making technology take a backseat. Erin gives simple ways to reclaim your home...

Easter and Passover are just around the corner.  Do you celebrate Passover as part of your Easter traditions?  Celebrating biblical feasts as believers can enrich our understanding of Jesus and God's plan for salvation and they are steeped in rich traditions. As with all biblical festivals, Passover foreshadows the coming of Jesus, our Deliverer and our Savior.  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Michelle Akrami, founder of The Unhurried Farm, about setting time aside to remember God's promises and His faithfulness as well as simple ways to celebrate Passover this Easter season and other biblical feasts such as Sha...

Charlotte Mason for the Rest of Us has a double meaning. It’s for those of you who, for whatever reason, aren’t fully disciplined (you may have failed your own CM habit training), don’t want to be a CM purist, or who have kids who can't sit still for print studies, who make bodily noises while reading living books, and/or who hate tea and poetry.  If this sounds like you, don't feel guilty!  Implementing Miss Mason’s philosophy in your home the way you choose to gives you rest.  This week, Carrie talks with Amy Hughes, the author...

It's time to talk to your kids about porn. It's a hard conversation but an important one to have.  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Greta Eskridge about her new book, It’s Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children and Teens Develop Sexual Integrity.  It's never too early and it's never too late to talk to your kids about sexual integrity, the dangers of pornography, and how to navigate our "pornified culture."  Greta shares conversation starters to use with teens and tips for gently introducing this conversation with your little o...

This week's episode is a LIVE celebration!  Coffee With Carrie Homeschool Podcast turns FIVE.  In March of 2020, Carrie dropped her first ever podcast episode.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares how the podcast came to be, some of her favorite episodes, and her plans for Season 9.  Since this episode was recorded LIVE on Instagram, Carrie also answered viewer questions and gave away some really cool homeschooling gifts.  Even a few past guests popped in to say "Hi" and to talk all things homeschooling.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie and her friends for ce...

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." ~Shakespeare 

Bring history to life!  Use movies, documentaries, TV mini-series, animated films, and even YouTube videos to teach history.  Would you like to turn Family Movie Night into your weekly history lesson (or as a way to earn high school history credit)?  Then use movies, documentaries, and TV series as an immersive way to teach and learn history.  One of the best ways to learn about history is through the eyes of those who experienced it.  Yes, even your teen can get high school credit...

Are big meltdowns running the show?  Parenting is full of big emotions and big behaviors—yours and your kids'. If this describes your daily day, then take a little coffee break with Carrie.  This week, Carrie talks with Jami Glenn, an Emotional Wellness Coach and founder of Sacred Ground Coaching, to help moms handle big emotions and challenging behaviors with confidence and ease.  Jami shares practical tools to guide kids through their toughest moments while staying calm and confident.  Some of the topics Carrie and Jami cover in this week's episode are sibling conflicts, anxious behaviors, anger outbur...

Is there a place for Artificial Intelligence in your home education? In this week's episode, Carrie explores a few of the pitfalls as well as a ton of creative ways to include AI in your child's education. AI can enhance creativity and critical thinking. Whether you're a seasoned homeschooler or just starting, Carrie shares how AI can streamline teaching, support student growth, spark creativity, teach concepts, reinforce skills, organize schedules and so much more.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, come with an open mind, and join Carrie for a much-needed coffee break.  

Su...

In this week's little coffee break, Carrie talks with two of her homeschooling friends about the advantages of having pets and raising animals and how to simply incorporate these experiences into your home education. There are some great podcasts specifically for homesteading homeschoolers. This episode is for the city-slicker types like Carrie and for families who don’t have acres of land or space for a farm. This episode is on how to meet the needs of your child, who is an animal-lover, while doing it on a budget and in an urban-type environment.  Pour yourself a cup of cow...

There are 10 Essentials needed for a joyful homeschooling journey, and you might be surprised to find out they aren't a perfect curriculum, a must-read book, or the best methodology to use. The 10 Essentials to homeschooling are far more foundational than that.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares Part 2, the last 5 essentials.  If you are new to homeschooling, this list will help you get started and if you have been homeschooling for years, this list will remind you of what is truly important.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie for a little coffee and...

There are 10 Essentials needed for a joyful homeschooling journey, and you might be surprised to find out they aren't a perfect curriculum, a must-read book, or the best methodology to use. The 10 Essentials to homeschooling are far more foundational than that.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares Part 1, the first 5 essentials.  If you are new to homeschooling, this list will help you get started and if you have been homeschooling for years, this list will remind you of what is truly important.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie for a little coffee and...

Do you have an out-of-the-box child?  Are you in need of help and hope in your own journey with an outside-the-box child?  God has created each of us as unique individuals.  Our kids are beautifully different.  How do you faithfully parent and educate a child who is His unique creation?  In this week's episode, Carrie has a heart-warming conversation with Nathan Clarkson, co-author of the new book, Uniquely You: Exploring Your Child's Extraordinarily Distinctive Design, and one of Carrie's favorite books, Different, The Story of an Outside-the-Box Kid and the Mom Who Loved Him.  Nathan discusses his new book and sh...

If you homeschool and you have a serious and competitive athlete, then you don't want to miss this week's Coffee With Carrie Podcast.  Sadly, many talented homeschool athletes give up homeschooling during the high school years thinking public or private school is the only door to collegiate sports and scholarships.  This simply isn't true!  Homeschool athletes are scouted and recruited at the college level every year.   So if you have a child or a teen who excels in a particular sport and you think he or she may want to pursue this in high school, in college, and maybe even...

Is your New Year's Resolution to read aloud more as a family?  If so, then make sure you listen to this week's episode.  Carrie talks with The Good Book Mom, Korrie Johnson.  At The Good Book Mom website and membership, Korrie offers book reviews from A biblical Christian perspective. In this little coffee break, Carrie and Korrie share their favorite read aloud classics (and new classics) for the whole family to enjoy.  After this episode, you will have a list of wholesome books to read with your family in 2025.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, get your notebook, put your...

If you homeschool, will there be holes in your child's education?  In this week's episode, Carrie answers this question as well as addresses a few other common concerns:  Is my child behind?  What does my child need to know at his grade level?  Will my teen know enough to succeed in college?   Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie for this little coffee break.

If you would like more help making sure your child is not "behind," book a coffee date (one-on-one coaching session) with Carrie.  Go to www.coffeewithcarrie.org to set...

Happy New Year!  It is time to reevaluate, reprioritize, and reorganize!  In this week's episode, Carrie shares simple ways to organize (or re-organize) your learning space.  Whether you have a designated school room, or you do school all over the place, you will find the tips and suggestions in this week's episode helpful, useful, and encouraging. Put your feet up, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and take a little coffee break with Carrie.  Carve out some time to listen and to simplify your home and homeschooling  in 2025. 

Join Carrie in Southern CA (Pasadena area) January 7th!  Simplif...

In 2025, don't overcomplicate your homeschooling!  In this week's episode, Carrie shares how to remove the chaos until the calm returns.  These five tips will not only help you simplify your homeschooling in 2025 but will help you save money and make homeschooling more enjoyable.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, get a notebook, and join Carrie for little coffee break.  Start 2025 off right!

Join Carrie in person January 7th in SOCAL! 
Simplify Your Homeschooling in 2025
In this all day Seminar, Carrie shares these five tips in FIVE Live Workshops.
Reser...

"O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shinning.  It is the night of our dear Savior's birth...A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices.  For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."
Are you weary this holiday season?  Like Elizabeth, are you playing the waiting game?  We have many reasons to rejoice and to be hopeful, even while waiting. Take a break from your Christmas preparations and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and listen to this week's episode.  It is full of encouragement for weary moms.  It will help you turn your weariness into worshi...

Is there room for Jesus in your inn?  "Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7).  

If this verse describes your heart and home this holiday season, take a little coffee break with Carrie.  If your December is so jam-packed with homeschool lessons and "must dos" that there isn't any room for Jesus, then listen to this week's episode; Carrie updated one of her favorite Christmas episodes. Carrie shares practical tips, organizational ideas, and holiday hac...

It's that time of the year again!  Tis the season for celebrations, baking, and traditions.  While December brings much Christmas cheer, it can also bring much stress and good old fashion guilt trips.  Homeschooling moms usually feel overwhelmed this time of the year as less and less school work gets accomplished.  If this describes you, or you are looking for a less stressful way to do school this holiday season, join Carrie for this week's podcast.  In this week's coffee break, Carrie gives homeschooling mamas permission to take a Sabbath break and explains how to take the entire month of De...

"A grandparent is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and little bit best friend." ~ Unknown.
Homeschooling should be done in community.   This includes not only fellow homeschooling moms but family, friends, mentors, teachers, and coaches.  Don't forget to include the grandparents too!  They are truly a gift to your homeschooling.  In this week's Coffee With Carrie episode, Carrie shares the many blessings of inviting grandparents, near and far, to participate in your homeschooling adventure.  She also gives ideas on how to include grandparents in the learning and in the fun whether they live around the corner or 18...

This episode is just in time for Thanksgiving!  It's a smorgasbord of tips.  Carrie shares hacks that will help busy homeschool moms save time (and money) this holiday season and throughout the school year.  In this week's episode, Carrie talks about her new Thanksgiving Mini Unit, explains how to use your prep work and traditions AS your lessons, shares ways to save and organize your time, gives tons of delicious recipes to try, fun activities to keep the kids busy, and more. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and take a little coffee break with Car...

Millie Florence, a homeschool graduate, is coming out with another book:  Beyond Mulberry Glen.  Her latest book will be released January 2025 by Sarah Mackenzie's Publishing House, Waxwing Books.  In Carrie's first conversation with Millie, “Another Approach To Writing,” they talked about Millie's love of writing and how she published several books before she graduated high school. That episode is full of advice for aspiring writers (and reluctant writers) and for moms who are looking for different ways to approach writing in their home education.  Make sure you listen to it after you listen to this episode!

In this con...

What is Sabbath Schooling? In this episode, Carrie shares how incorporating the principle of Sabbath saved her sanity (and probably her health too!). This week's podcast will  encourage you and give you  practical ways to rest in the Lord and how to focus on what is truly important by applying the Sabbath Principle to your schedule, monthly calendar, and yearly planning.  Carrie shares how to take a Sabbath break each day, how to take a Sabbath day each week, and even how to take a Sabbath break every seven weeks or so. 

Pour yourself a cup of coff...

"Don't rain on my parade!"  "Arise and seize the day!"  "Put on a happy face!"  "One more day!"  If you broke out in song while reading these quotes, then you are probably a musical theatre geek like Carrie.  In this week's episode, Carrie talks about one of her favorite "hobbies:"  Musical Theatre!  Not only did Carrie's children participate in musical theatre from K-12th grade (and beyond), but Carrie's musical theatre experience is also extensive from producing children's theatre productions, running the front of house, being backstage manager & prop master, and even writing curriculum to be used with different musical...

Before Andrew Pudewa was the "IEW Guy," his most important job was being a homeschool dad.  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Andrew Pudewa of Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) about being a homeschool dad.  He shares  the three best things he did as a homeschool dad and answers the most FAQ dads ask about home education.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, get your husband, and join Carrie and Andrew for some coffee and conversation about the role of a homeschool dad.

Andrew's Podcast:  The Art of Language
Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW...

What is Notebooking?  Notebooking is a great way to create a record of learning in a creative and meaningful way.  Like narration, it is a natural form of assessment for all ages.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares simple and inexpensive ways to create seven different kinds of notebooks:  Learning Journals, History & Timeline Notebooks, Creative Writing Journals & Reading Response Notebooks, Nature Journals & Lab Notebooks, Art Study Notebooks, Travel Journals, and End of the Year Portfolios.  Notebooking is fun and easy!  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, get your notebook, put your feet up and take a little coffee break with C...

Join Carrie for this week's episode as she shares six simple ways to learn about US government with the entire family or with your teen for high school civics credit. This episode is full of resources, recommendations, and fun activities to do as a mini unit leading up to the election, as a way to dig deep into the Constitution for a semester, or as a year-long civics course.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, fly your American flag, put your feet up, and join Carrie for a little patriotic coffee break.  

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If you have a toddler, preschooler, or a 5 year old, you don't want to miss this Coffee With Carrie Homeschool episode.  If your children are past this stage, 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, and join...

“The world is the true classroom. The most rewarding and important type of learning is through experience, seeing something with our own eyes.” ~ Jack Hanna.  In this week's coffee break, Carrie talks with Christina Franco of Rooted HomeLife about incorporating travel and field trips into our home education.  In this week's episode, Carrie and Christina talk about the advantages of using real-life and the outside world as our main "curriculum" and how to incorporate more experiential learning into our homeschooling on a tight budget (or with a tight schedule).  This episode is also full of tons of recomme...

What is your favorite flavor of homeschooling?  In this week's episode, Carrie simply explains the five major homeschooling styles and helps you discern which method you gravitate towards the most: Traditional, Classical, Charlotte Mason, Unschooling, & Eclectic.  If you feel Carrie is missing a few such as the Unit Study approach, online learning, and/or Montessori, make sure you listen to this week's coffee break.  Carrie shares how most homeschooling styles can basically be clumped into five distinct flavors.  Don't worry!  You might have a favorite flavor of homeschooling, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some of the other flavo...

This week's coffee date with Carrie is 100% pure encouragement from God's Word!  Got challenges?  Homeschooling not going as planned?  Is life getting messier each day?  Are the excuses and feelings of guilt piling up?  Feeling overwhelmed, unworthy, or under qualified?  If so, then it sounds like you need God to butt in to your life!  Give yourself a break. Extend grace to yourself.  Put the pity party favors away and then join Carrie for a much needed coffee break and time in God's Word.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares  how to have a "But God..." attitude this school year.  Pou...

It's almost September!  Let's kick off Season 8 of Coffee With Carrie and a new school year with a Day of Dedication!  Before you buy one box of curriculum, before you sign up for any classes, and before you crack open one book, should spend time on your knees dedicating your hearts, your homes, and your homeschooling to the Lord.  Spend the day in prayer dedicating your new school year to the Lord.  A Day of Dedication is a day to spend on your knees seeking God’s face, his guidance and his plans for your school year.  In this week's...

Do you want to replace the word home "school" with home "education"?  Do you want your home education to be more "interest-based" and "child-centered"?  Are you a Type A planner who wants to walk more in freedom? Then you need to listen to this week's conversation with Rachael Alsbury!  In this week's episode, Rachael explains exactly what "unschooling" is (and isn't) and how to create a more "child-directed" learning environment in your home.  Carrie and Rachael give practical tips on how to plan your school year with and without formal curriculum.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, bring the kids...

In a culture that prizes productivity, efficiency, and success, it’s easy to feel as though you're constantly falling short.  Moms can easily lose sight of joy.   If this sounds like you, then take a little coffee break.  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Leslie Martino, author of the new book, The Joy of Slow, about practical ways to slow down in order to recapture the delight of childhood and learning.  Carrie and Leslie talk about how to use daily rhythms, self-directed learning, and natural forms of assessment to embrace a slower approach to life and learning.  Pour yoursel...

Sometimes moms get caught up in the idea of how they think things are suppose to look like when homeschooling, instead of accepting the way things are actually going in their homeschooling.   Home education can be both perfect and perfectly imperfect all at the same time!  Perfectly imperfect is a great way to describe Carrie's walk with the Lord, her family, and even her homeschooling style.  In this week's episode, Carrie encourages moms to "keep on keeping on" even when there are messy days, challenging seasons, and even months of second guessing.  Carrie shares why it is ok for our...

Creation Science Co-Op: A Year Long Science Study

Are you looking for a different way to learn science this year or a way to learn science with friends?  If science studies have you stuck in a rut, then make sure you listen to this week’s episode.  This week, Carrie shares how you can explore the days of creation as a family or with a group of friends and how to use Genesis 1 as your entire science curriculum for the year.  If you are a Sunday school teacher, a VBS director, or a homeschool co-op scien...

Don't miss this conversation with Christina Carpenter, founder of Bloom and Blossom Home Education Conference on reading aloud and telling stories for creating connections, building relationships, and sharing the gospel. Listening to Christina will inspire you to read aloud and connect with your family through conversations and story time.  Did you know stories are scientifically proven to help build relationships?  A good story can be a powerful connection and communication tool.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie and Christina for a little coffee and conversation about power of reading aloud and telling sto...

What are homeschooling essentials?  You might be surprised at the list!  Join Carrie  as she shares one of her favorite essentials:  Family Read Aloud Time.  Carrie shares encouragement and practical tips on how to consistently incorporate read aloud time into your day and how to use read aloud time to learn as a family.  Feed your child’s soul one page at a time and travel the world one book at a time.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie for this little coffee break.

An extended discussion on how to organize...

In this week's episode, Carrie talks about the homeschool struggle no one tells you about when you start homeschooling:  Your Job as the Cafeteria Lady!  As a homeschool mom, you really do spend a lot of time in the kitchen.  Cooking and KP duty is something every homeschool mom deals with on a daily basis.  And with the cost of food and gas these days, we really need to be organized, creative, and frugal.  This week, Carrie shares her secret to being a successful and stress-free "Cafeteria Lady."  She gives tips on how to plan, delegate, & organize, so you don't...

Less really is more!  Do you want to stop doing "school at home"?  Do you want to make your home education more of a lifestyle?  Create a creative and stress-free approach to homeschooling by using the  "Moore Formula." In this week's coffee break, Carrie talks with homeschool pioneer, Carolyn Forte, homeschooling mom and expert and along with her husband, Marty, the founder of Excellence in Education and creator of the Game Curriculum.  Carrie and Carolyn talk about "The Moore Formula."  Applying the Moore Formula to your home education can change your mindset, help you fulfill your goals, and could quite...

Would you like to skip the teenage years?  
What should you expect your teen to do while homeschooling high school?
What is your teen actually capable of and willing to do during his high school years?
What does your teen want to do post-high school graduation?
Should your teen attend college?
Is there a healthy balance between achieving academics and pursuing passions?
Is homeschooling through high school an advantage or a disadvantage?
In this week's podcast, Carrie honestly explores these questions and more.  If you are homeschooling a high schooler or your te...

It's summertime!  Whether you take an extended summer sabbath or you school year round, you don't want to miss this special summertime coffee break.  In this week's episode Carrie shares how to keep (or create) a summer rhythm that will bring peace, joy, and contentment to your less structured time together this summer. If you do these six simple things during the summer, you will have a smooth transition back into formal school time come next fall.  Pour yourself a cup of iced coffee (or sweet tea), put your feet up (it's summer time), and take a little coffee bre...

Parenting a strong-willed child comes with many blessings and challenges. When you are that child’s teacher too, then you kick it up a notch (or two)!

As a mom to a strong-willed child (and as a strong-willed child all grown up), Carrie has “been there, done that” on many occasions and for many years.  In this week’s episode, Carrie shares lessons she learned from her mom as her mom tried to discipline and disciple her as well as five strategies that helped Carrie homeschool her strong-willed kiddo.  It is advice you can apply this week and tips y...

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  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 little coffee break with Ca...

During the last month of the school year, it's time to celebrate not cram!  It's the time of the year to celebrate your child’s achievements this past year and to acknowledge all of the ways God has been faithful to you and to your family during the school year.  Even if you school year round or you don’t do grade levels, it is important to acknowledge milestones and to celebrate accomplishments.  Don't spend the last month of the school year stressing over all the things not completed; spend the last month of the school year celebrating everything your ch...

It's time for some straight talk!   There are several hard topics Carrie wished veteran homeschool moms would have talked more about when she was in the midst of her homeschooling journey.  In this week's episode, Carrie talks candidly with Leigh Nguyen, host of the Little by Little Homeschool Podcast and homeschool mom, about four hard topics every homeschool mom faces at least once in her homeschooling journey.     Have you ever thought, "I'm not enjoying this!  What is wrong with me?"  Leigh and Carrie tackle this question as well as burn out, money issues, and so much more.   Pour yourself a cup of...

We are in the homestretch!  Summer break is just around the corner.  Just breathe... You've got this!  Even if you school year round, you will appreciate the advice Carrie shares in this episode.  Trying to get to the school year finish line can be a stressful time for homeschooling moms.  In this week's episode, Carrie asks three simple questions that will help moms end the school year strong and with confidence. She also gives suggestions, helpful tips, and much-needed encouragement to ease your fears, relieve your guilt, and hopefully eliminate the stress that usually comes when wrapping up a schoo...

Start homeschooling this week!  If you are thinking about homeschooling, this episode will get you started!  Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states.  Don't be overwhelmed by the process.  You really only need to do 7 simple things.  If you are an experienced home educator, this is the perfect episode to share with friends.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and take a little coffee break with Carrie.  Then check out her website, www.coffeewithcarrie.org for more resources including her FREE 3 Hour Homeschooling 101: Beginner Digital Course.  

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Do you want to become a master teacher and rock this home educator role?  You don't need be a trained teacher or have a Masters in Education.  You can simply apply the teaching methods of The Master Teacher:  Jesus.  In this episode, Carrie looks at Jesus’ teaching methods and shares how you can  use them in our own home education.  Jesus taught the most important lessons in the simplest of ways.  He successfully applied the principle "Less is more" on daily basis.  Come sit at the feet of Jesus and learn how to become more like The Master Teacher.  Pour yourse...

Are you a slave to your teacher's guide?   Are you in a "curriculum cult"?  If you are overwhelmed with curriculum choices, or if your bank account is overloaded with curriculum expenses, then take a little coffee break.  You can successfully homeschool with only 3 things!  What are those 3 things?  Take a listen to this week's episode.  Carrie talks with Erin McGhee, a veteran homeschool mom and host of Show Me Homeschool Podcast, about how to homeschool outside the curriculum box.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Erin and Carrie for a little coffee and convers...

Any day is a good homeschooling day if you start in God's Word.  God's Word will not come back void!  Even five minutes a day reading and reflecting on God's Word will bless you and your family.  Keep Bible time or family devotion time simple.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares some of her favorite family-friendly Bible study resources and devotional books and how to make family devotions a time rich in worship and prayer.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and take a little coffee break with Carrie.  

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As a mother and home educator, you are standing on holy ground.  Motherhood and homeschooling is a calling.  They come with many blessings and challenges.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares how to dig deep into God's Word and how to study the Bible using the 3 Question Method.  All that is needed is a Bible, a notebook, and a pen and highlighter.  As Carrie expounds on the truths in Exodus 1 and how moms can apply these principles to their lives and homeschooling, she also explains how to use the 3 Question Method to study God's Word.   Carrie even used this simple...

Praying with your kids can be a time of connection and fun.  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Steph Thurling & Sarah Holmstrom, the authors of Raising Prayerful Kids:  Fun and Easy Activities for Building Lifelong Habits of Prayer about how to  make prayer fit naturally into your daily routines. Carrie, Steph, and Sarah share relatable stories of their successes and failures along with fun activities and games to help parents turn everyday moments into moments filled with prayer.  They even discuss how moms can develop a more meaningful prayer life too.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your...

This week Carrie continues her discussion on how to balance life and homeschooling.  In this week's episode, Carrie focuses on balancing  health, work, and homeschooling.  Carrie sits down with Evgeniia Arasim, a holistic health coach and creator of the Nourished Motherhood Program.  Evgeniia shares a holistic approach to wellbeing, motherhood, and homeschooling.  Both Evgeniia and Carrie also understand the stress that comes with being a homeschooling mom and being a small business owner.  In this conversation, Evgeniia and Carrie discuss the importance of creating a balanced, healthy lifestyle and how to get started. Pour yourself a cup of warm water...

How do you homeschool and get all of the chores and errands done too?  It is definetely balancing act!  In this week's episode, Carrie shares eight simple tips for balancing homemaking with homeschooling.  It is doable!  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up and join Carrie for little coffee date.

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Carrie has a special treat for you this week!  She is talking with Leah Boden, also known as Modern Miss Mason.  Leah is the author of Modern Miss Mason:  Discover How Charlotte Mason’s Revolutionary Ideas on Home Education Can Change How You & Your Children Learn & Grow Together and the host of Modern Miss Mason Podcast.  In this week's episode, Leah shares the five big ideas of using a Charlotte Mason approach.  If you are interested in spreading a feast of beautiful things before your children or would like to use a more gentle approach to homeschooling, then don't miss th...

In this week's podcast, Carrie shares how to do simple and engaging art history lessons in five minutes. What are art studies?  Since we are created in God's image, we have a natural desire to create too.  Learning about different artists and their artwork is just another way to bring beauty into your home and into your children's lives. (And they are super fun and easy to do too).   Carrie even shares how to incorporate writing and read alouds into your art studies too.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie for a spec...

What is one of the hardest things about motherhood and homeschooling?  It is extending (and receiving) undeserved grace.  God calls us to give to others the kind of grace He so graciously gives us.  In this week's episode, Carrie is full of candid confessions and transparent talk about being a homeschooling mom.   She shares several ways to apply 2 Timothy 1:9 to your hearts and homes and how to fill your homeschooling with grace.   Pour yourself a cup of coffee, give yourself some grace, and take a much-needed coffee break with Carrie.  

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The midyear slump is real!  Every year for almost twenty years of homeschooling, Carrie hit what she called the “February Wall.” If you have been homeschooling for at least a year, you know that "wall" and you know how hard it is to scale it this time of the year.  There's no need to scale the February Wall.  It will only add more bruises and fatigue.  Instead, look for the door in the February Wall; the Lord always provides one.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares seven simple and practical tips to help you get past the midyear slump and to co...

It is officially February!  Since we are in the season of love and showing others how much we love them, Carrie is feeling a bit nostalgic these days as her adult kids are living their lives and doing what they love.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares two special traditions she had with her children.  One tradition she did every February and one tradition she did once a year for each child's birthday.  You will love the sweet and simple ideas shared in this short and sweet episode.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join...

Do you have a calm, cool, and collected homeschool friend?  Do you know her secret?  She probably has cultivated seven simple habits into her homeschooling routine.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares the 7 habits that all highly effective homeschool moms possess and how you can cultivate these habits into your homeschooling too.  You might be surprised by a few of them. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, (this is actually one of the 7 habits), and join Carrie for a little coffee break.

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Just breathe… You can homeschool the high school years (and enjoy it too)!  Carrie's new book, Homeschooling High School:  A Handbook for Christian Education, will be released on March 1st, 2024!  In this week's episode, Carrie shares what is in the book, gives a sneak peek inside one of the chapters, and explains how you can be a part of the Book Launch Team.  Carrie's kids homeschooled through high school, successfully graduated, went on to college (and grad school), and are now pursuing their dreams and living out their God-given purposes.  Carrie's new book is full of practical information, real-life example...

Have you ever seen the movie, City Slickers, with Billy Crystal?  This week, Carrie shares her advice for homeschooling in 2024.  It is borrowed from Curly, the crusty old cowboy in the movie:  Focus on your ONE Thing.  In this week's episode, Carrie helps you figure out what is your one thing and then she shares how to simply set realistic homeschooling goals for the new year.  This is the perfect time of the year to evaluate and assess last year.   Use the new year and the month of January as a time to reflect and readjust.  January is a great t...