Episodes

6d ago

Send us a text We finish our first semester of homeschooling and share what worked, what didn’t, and how we balanced real jobs with real learning. Honest wins, hard pivots, and a few surprises changed our mornings, our kids’ confidence, and our plans for next term. • routine that protects work blocks and quiet hours • pen-and-paper curriculum improving writing speed and focus • testing revealing gaps • tailored pacing for Slate’s math acceleration • life skills growth in cooking, chores, and money habits • travel learning and bravery lessons in Costa Rica • adding formal science and history next semester • using OutSchool to cover busy work seasons • refocusing on one-to-one time with each child Please send us your questions. Also, please go leave us a review and give us five stars!!! Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Dec 8

Send us a text A holiday road trip, a house full of flu, and deadlines stacking up—then the realization that our “get back on track” grind was making everything worse. We decided to slow down, skip a day when fevers hit, say yes to hot chocolate and a matinee, and rebuild our rhythm around what actually makes our family feel good. The shift was simple and powerful: less pressure on perfect routines, more focus on presence, movement, water, sleep, and small, consistent moments that keep us close. We open up about a blind spot that crept in as the kids got more independent: one-on-one time. Our fix is a private calendar packed with tiny 15-minute hangs—nails in a bedroom, a quick board game, a bike ride, a walk. These micro-moments are easy to keep and big on connection, making room for real talks without needing a whole afternoon. We also get honest about December burnout, messy counters, and the myth that chores must come before connection. Spoiler: the mess will wait. If you’re craving a reset, this conversation offers permission and a plan: honor your energy, protect small moments, and use tools that fit your season. Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Dec 1

Send us a text We unpack why we chose homeschool over private school, how we juggle work with learning, and what actually changed in our home life. From winter routines to Outschool wins and cutting December chaos, we share what’s working, what isn’t, and what we’re adding next. • letting go of pressure during holidays and keeping daily reading • handling family reactions and setting screen boundaries with cousins • adapting routines for cold, windy weather and morning focus • accelerating math while protecting foundations and confidence • adding family-style history and science on Fridays • using Outschool for creative, independent classes • private school costs, rigor, and homework vs our priorities • why hybrid programs wouldn’t solve workload or logistics • mental load relief from ditching constant school “optional” tasks • feeling confident after seeing both systems up close Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Nov 24

Send us a text EPISODE RERUN FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK! We walk through the million little reasons we left public school to homeschool three kids while running a business, trading rushed mornings and rigid schedules for slower starts, focused learning, and family time. Nothing against teachers; this is about fit, values, and the lives we want to build. Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Nov 17

Send us a text We share how better sleep, steady routines, and clear expectations made our homeschool days calmer and our evenings useful. Then we dive into kid goal setting, phone etiquette that starts with us, and everyday choices about cleaning products and food that keep balance and sanity intact. • shifting bedtimes to protect 10–12 hours of sleep • using mornings with purpose and avoiding late-night creep • turning big goals into small daily actions • letting kids’ interests drive effort, not parents’ pressure • modeling phone etiquette and delaying smartphones • using a kid watch for safety without the internet • signing a family phone pact at 16 • safer cleaning habits and reading labels • choosing organic staples and explaining tradeoffs • building balance without being rigid Please leave us a review!!! We need some more reviews, guys!!! Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Nov 10

Send us a text We share the life skills that we get to teach now that we homeschool! Wins, stumbles, templates, and the small habits that build real responsibility. • moving to a new city and practicing friend-making on purpose • weekly meal planning with kid choices and a shared grocery list • kids cooking and cleaning entire meals to see consequences • balanced nutrition using a simple protein carb fat chart • kids packing their own bags with personalized checklists • family cleaning day with roles, sequencing and teamwork • assigned laundry days with start-to-finish ownership • handling perfectionism and celebrating real progress • reading milestone using TheReading.com app and simple routines Please leave us a review. Even if you just have a couple seconds to scroll down and put five stars, we would love that!!! Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Nov 3

Send us a text We faced these issues head-on after years in public school with our three kids. Two full-time working parents, zero plans to homeschool, and a growing list of friction points pushed us to try something different. The result surprised us: calmer days, happier learners, and more time for the life skills we thought we’d lost. We unpack the exact moments that tipped the scale: recess cut to minutes and sometimes used as punishment, lunch rushed to the point of waste, and classrooms leaning on candy rewards instead of movement and choice reading. We talk about the mental load of constant school notifications, dress-up days, and sign-ups that turned into a second job. Then there’s technology: one-to-one devices that drift from math to social feeds, creating distractions teachers can’t reasonably police with 20-plus students. And if your kids are thriving in school but you’re nodding along to the pain points, you’ll find simple changes to advocate for: guaranteed recess, protected lunch, less sugar-as-reward, and a tighter focus on creativity and real-world skills. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review telling us one change you’d make to the school day. We’ll feature your ideas in a future episode. Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Oct 27

Send us a text We talk through trading public school for homeschool while traveling Costa Rica, turning delays and detours into life lessons. From family pushback to new friends, movement tech to money talks, we share what’s working and what’s still hard. • why we left public school and what changed • travel setbacks as practice for patience and problem-solving • the Spartan race mixups and what we learned • ziplines, waterfalls, volcano hikes as hands-on learning • low screen, high movement tools that actually help • how we were raised versus how we parent now • family reactions and finding supportive community • practical life skills: chores, cooking, travel navigation • early finance: budgeting, credit, taxes, saving goals • emotional regulation, sleep, water, sunlight, and routines • resilience, discomfort, and building confidence on the road Check out my Life Skills series on Instagram! Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Oct 20

Send us a text We make homeschool work while both of us work full time, even from Costa Rica before a Spartan race. We answer rapid-fire listener questions on hours, schedules, curriculum, reading breakthroughs, travel schooling, routines, and why we quit a co-op. • why a focused two-hour block four days works • how shift work can support homeschool • three-day and weekend-only schooling options • curriculum we use and why it travels well • early reading gains with daily micro-lessons • making writing bearable for creative kids • priming trips with research projects • simple rules that keep school moving • chore charts, laundry days, visual aids • guarding 6–10 a.m. work time • staying flexible while keeping standards • leaving a co-op that wasn’t a clear yes Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Oct 13

Send us a text We share the simple routine that lets two full-time parents homeschool three kids without chaos, and we get honest about the social tradeoffs and timing that make it possible. Expect practical rhythms, age-specific advice, and tools that keep kids learning all day without living on screens. • why the switch worked during a busy work week • curriculum fit and keeping lessons short and focused • the role of age in independence and responsibility • morning checklist, rotating breakfasts, and light chores • outdoor-first routine and stocking the yard for play • replacing tablets with independent play and movement • quiet reading time and building up to longer stretches • Outschool, piano apps, laundry habits, and active games • using weekends and early hours to protect deep work • clear boundaries for interruptions and noise • co-op and art class to widen community • navigating friendship shifts and real tradeoffs Please keep those coming. If you haven’t left us a review, we don’t have that many. If you’re on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom and tap Write a Review—five stars if you can! Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Oct 6

Send us a text We share two months of homeschooling as two full-time working parents, the choices that made it doable, and the mindset shifts that dissolved our fear. From co-ops and Outschool to reading habits and life skills, we explain how short, focused days create more learning and happier kids. • why two hours of focused homeschool beats eight hours of school • large co-ops vs small groups for real socialization • being first in the family to homeschool and winning support • reading strategy: audiobooks, graphic novels, assigned levels • curriculum control and skipping busywork • energy returns: sports, hobbies, and calmer evenings • siblings as friends and everyday joy in learning • practical tools: Outschool, checklists, free resources • progress over benchmarks and no degree required • confidence grows with routine and iteration If you know someone who is like homeschool curious or needs some help with getting started, please send them our podcast If you have a direct question, make sure to do it on the fan mail! Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Sep 29

Send us a text "Two hours a day? Impossible!" That was my first reaction when someone suggested we could homeschool our three children in such a short time. After all, traditional schools keep kids for 7-8 hours daily, so surely homeschooling requires the same commitment, right? Wrong. After unexpectedly becoming homeschoolers while maintaining our full-time careers, we've discovered the surprising math behind educational efficiency. In a classroom of 20-30 students, each child receives only 1-2 minutes of The results have been remarkable. Our six-year-old has transformed from a reluctant pre-reader to an enthusiastic bookworm in just one month, bringing books everywhere we go. Our older children are thriving academically and asking for extra math lessons because they're genuinely engaged with learning. Most surprisingly, they're adamantly against returning to traditional school when we jokingly threaten it during difficult moments. Are you reconsidering what's possible for your family's educational journey? If you've been hesitant about homeschooling because of time concerns, perhaps it's time to recalculate using the real math of effective education. Those two focused hours might be more powerful than you ever imagined. Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Sep 15

Send us a text Curious what homeschooling really looks like through a child's eyes? This special episode features our 10-year-old daughter, the inspiration behind our family's decision to leave public school and embark on this unexpected homeschooling journey. Saylor shares why she begged us to homeschool her for years before we finally took the plunge. Her perspective is uniquely valuable - after completing four years in public school plus pre-K, she understands both worlds. When asked if she'd ever go back to traditional school, her answer is immediate and emphatic: "No, not at all. 100%, definitely not." For a child with ADHD, the freedom to move, change environments, and take breaks when needed has transformed her relationship with learning. "At homeschool, you can go on the couch and read your book, you don't have to sit at a desk," she explains, highlighting how this flexibility helps her concentrate. The episode also addresses our curriculum transition to "The Good and the Beautiful," how we're adapting it for three different learners, and our upcoming travel plans - one of the freedoms homeschooling affords us. Subscribe and follow our journey as we continue documenting the good, the bad, and occasionally ugly reality of balancing homeschooling with full-time careers and family life. Have you considered homeschooling? What questions would you ask a child who's experienced both educational worlds? Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Sep 8

Send us a text Four weeks into an unexpected homeschooling adventure, we've discovered something surprising: time flies! The morning madness of rushing children out the door has been replaced with meaningful connections and personalized learning that actually work for our family. That's not to say everything's perfect. Our first co-op day brought a mixture of excitement and frustration as our kids navigated unfamiliar classes with varying levels of excitement. The transition to our new curriculum, "The Good and Beautiful," has presented its own challenges. And when our daughter with ADHD needs extra time to complete assignments, we adjust our schedule accordingly, because that's the beauty of homeschooling—we can tailor the experience to each child's needs. Critics ask how we manage homeschooling while working full-time, or question whether two hours of instruction is "enough." But they're missing what we've discovered: the efficiency of one-on-one learning, the elimination of administrative time-wasters, and the freedom to build education around real life rather than forcing life to conform to a rigid school schedule. We're choosing a different kind of "hard"—the hard that builds stronger family bonds and creates space for our children to thrive as unique individuals rather than pieces on an educational assembly line. Have you ever considered taking an educational road less traveled? Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Sep 1

Send us a text We're discovering that homeschooling our three kids is surprisingly less stressful than sending them to traditional school, even while balancing our work as full-time accountants. • Comparing the stress of traditional back-to-school chaos with our current homeschool rhythm • Finding time to homeschool while working full-time (4 hours of work, 7 days a week) • Exploring co-op opportunities that offer community with minimal commitment • Discussing our curriculum switch from Me Academy to The Good and the Beautiful • Preferring physical workbooks over computer-based learning for younger children • Using placement tests to find the right academic level for each child • Considering Texas Tech's K-12 program as a potential option for older students • Appreciating the flexibility to adapt our approach as our children grow • Finding peace of mind knowing our children are safe with us during uncertain times Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Aug 25

Send us a text Two weeks into our unexpected homeschool journey, we're tackling the biggest questions we've received: "But what about socialization?" and "Can your kids still play sports?" Our children are actually socializing more intentionally now—through homeschool co-ops, park meetups, classes, and neighborhood connections—without it consuming their entire day. This intentional approach to social interaction leaves room for something we rarely had before: genuine family time and activities aligned with our core values. We're also reexamining our relationship with youth sports. After years of rushing between six weekly practices and three weekend games, we're seeking balance. There are abundant opportunities for homeschooled children to participate in athletics—from homeschool-specific leagues to community programs—but we're learning to prioritize enjoyment over extreme competition. This week, there have been tears and attitude, but overall, the kids still prefer homeschooling over public school. Whether you're a homeschooling family or simply curious about alternative educational paths, join us for an honest conversation about finding the right balance between socialization, athletics, academics, and family time. Share your thoughts or questions with us, and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss our continuing journey! Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Aug 18

Send us a text We survived our first week of homeschooling while working full-time jobs, and despite some bumps along the way, it feels right – like it was meant to be. • Children seem happier and more energetic compared to when they attended public school • Figuring out curriculum has been challenging – Mi Academy has pros and cons • Customizing education to each child's needs is incredibly rewarding • Oldest daughter's ADHD presents differently than teachers described, allowing us to adapt our approach • Setting up a consistent schedule is crucial for success • Finding balance between structured learning and flexibility • Socialization concerns are completely unfounded – the kids have had more meaningful social interactions this week than before • Taking breaks and getting personal time is essential for maintaining patience • The evening guilt of not spending enough time with kids has disappeared • Desks ordered to replace kitchen table schooling after a week of clutter If homeschooling is something on your heart but seems impossible with your work schedule, we're here to tell you it might be more doable than you think. Follow along each week as we document how it's going and share the good, the bad, and the ugly. Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Aug 11

Send us a text We've decided to homeschool our three kids while maintaining our full-time careers as CPAs. How exactly are we planning to pull this off? This episode dives deep into our strategy for working and homeschooling! The surprising truth we discovered? Most homeschool families complete their core curriculum in just two hours daily—far less time than traditional schools require for the same material. Beyond reading, writing, and arithmetic, we're passionate about teaching practical skills traditional education often overlooks. Our curriculum includes cooking real meals, managing household responsibilities, understanding personal finance, and even launching small businesses. These experiences prepare our children for independence while fostering creativity and critical thinking. We're also prioritizing outdoor adventures, family book clubs, and one-on-one time—things we could not do when our kids were in public school. But we're under no illusions—this transition won't be seamless. We're starting with ambitious plans while fully expecting to adjust as we discover what truly works for our family. Whether you're considering homeschooling while working, curious about alternative education models, or simply interested in our family's adventure, join us as we document every triumph, struggle, and unexpected lesson along the way. Have thoughts or questions about our approach? We'd love to hear from you! Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Aug 11

Send us a text What happens when three kids convince their full-time working parents to homeschool them? Our family is about to find out. When our 10-year-old daughter first suggested homeschooling over a year ago, we responded with an emphatic "No way!" As two parents juggling demanding careers, taking on the role of teachers seemed completely unfeasible. But as we listened to our children's experiences in public school, something shifted in our perspective. Their excitement about learning beyond worksheets—about sleeping in rather than rushing through chaotic mornings—convinced us to take this unexpected leap. This podcast documents our family's real-time journey into homeschooling. We're sharing everything honestly: the triumphs, the struggles, and yes, those inevitable moments when math problems cause frustration or when siblings test each other's patience. We're learning to expect the unexpected, navigating this new territory together, and discovering what education can look like when tailored to our children's curiosity and learning styles. If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love if you'd share it with someone else who might connect with our story! Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Aug 11

Send us a text Homeschooling wasn't the original plan. As two full-time working parents with three kids thriving in an excellent public school, homeschooling never crossed our minds. Yet here we are, embarking on this unexpected journey. For us, it wasn't one dramatic event but countless small moments that gradually revealed the system wasn't serving our children. We realized we were fighting to maintain a schedule that made everyone miserable while simultaneously delegating more and more of our parenting responsibilities to a school whose values didn't always align with ours. This podcast chronicles our real-time journey navigating homeschool curriculum, maintaining our CPA firm, preserving our sanity, and rediscovering joy in learning and family time. We'll share our curriculum choices, daily schedules, mistakes, triumphs, and the brutally honest reality of what happens when type-A professionals with zero teaching experience decide to educate their children at home. We don't know exactly where this path leads, but we're committed to transparency about every step along the way. Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!

Aug 10

Send us a text Ever feel like you're just managing your kids instead of actually parenting them? That's exactly where we found ourselves—rushing through mornings and evenings, always telling our children to hurry up while strangers shaped their days. We're Carson and Teran, accountants who run a business together and parents to three amazing kids. After 4 years in public education, we are homeschooling! And this was NOT the plan! Two years ago, we would have sworn homeschooling was only for stay-at-home parents with endless time for educational crafts and gourmet lunches. Now we're learning it can look entirely different—and that's okay. This podcast captures our real-time journey into the unknown. We're equal parts terrified and excited, committed to transparency about both our successes and inevitable failures. Each week, we'll share what's working, what's definitely not working, and how we're managing to balance it all without losing our minds. No experts here—just a family trying something different because what we were doing wasn't working anymore. Subscribe now to join us on this adventure and see where unexpected paths can lead when you're brave enough to follow them. Support the show Follow us on IG Find Our Free PDFs! The reading app we LOVE! The phone we have with NO social media and NO internet browser!