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.coffeewithcar...

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 Da...

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 shar...

"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 g...

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 f...

"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 mak...

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...

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 unli...

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...

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 ...

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 m...

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...

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....

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 a...

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. Support the show Attend the Bloom & ...

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 mode...

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 ...

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 practi...

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 m...

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 e...