Episodes

Does the thought of homeschooling high school make you feel panicked? Maybe you’re wondering: Will my teen be prepared for college? What about transcripts? What if I’m not qualified enough? Will my teen miss out socially? You are not alone. In this episode of The Homeschool Sanity Show, I’m talking with Rachel Kovac, homeschooling mom of six and author of Their Future is Shining Bright, about the fears parents have about homeschooling high school—and why many of those fears simply aren’t ...

Hey, homeschoolers! Few things are as distressing as having an anxious child. I’m revisiting the topic today. Watch on YouTube Sponsor Summary In this conversation, Melanie Wilson discusses anxiety in homeschoolers and provides a three-part framework for managing anxiety. The first part of the framework is prevention, which includes ensuring regular sleep and wake times, engaging in exercise, and limiting caffeine intake. The second part is recognizing the symptoms of anxiety, such as muscle ...

Hey homeschoolers! Welcome to the The Homeschool Sanity Show, where it’s all about less frustration and more confidence in your homeschool and parenting. I’m your host, Dr. Melanie Wilson—Christian psychologist, homeschool mom, and author of story-based curriculum kids love. And today, we’re talking about one of the biggest sources of frustration for homeschool parents… kids who don’t take initiative. If you feel like: you have to remind your kids of everything they wait to be told what t...

Have you ever wondered if you’ve gotten discipline wrong — been too strict, too lenient, or somehow both in the same day? If so, you’re in good company. In this episode, I’m tackling one of the most common fears I hear from homeschool parents: the fear that your approach to discipline may have already done damage. I want to reassure you right from the start — it is not too late. Watch on YouTube Why We End Up at the Extremes Most of us were never taught how to discipline in a balanced way. Ins...

Hey, homeschoolers! I love hacks. A hack is a simple, creative strategy or shortcut that makes homeschooling easier, more effective, or more enjoyable. In my case, there are 12 hacks that changed everything for me as a homeschool mom. I hope you’ll listen to them all and will find one or more than will change everything for you too. I’m recording this episode in honor of the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network’s birthday celebration. Take a moment to visit the website this week and download free g...

Have you ever said the words, “Everything feels hopeless”? Whether you’re walking through chronic pain, a prodigal child, grief, or unanswered prayers, this conversation is for you. Watch on YouTube Read the Transcript Sponosred by CTCMath.com In this episode, Dr. Melanie Wilson sits down with Kirby Kelly — author, speaker, and podcaster — to talk about her new book, The Fabric of Hope: How God Weaves Redemption into Every Season. Kirby has lived through deep personal loss, chronic migraines, ...

How to Get Back on Track in Your Homeschool When You’ve Fallen Behind A sanity-saving plan for overwhelmed homeschool moms Have you fallen behind in your homeschool plan and now avoid opening your planner because it feels too discouraging? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Homeschool Sanity Show, Dr. Melanie Wilson explains why so many homeschool moms fall behind—even when they start the year with the best intentions—and what to do when your homeschool plan no longer matches real life. ...

How do you teach grammar in high school homeschool? The best way to teach grammar in high school homeschool is through short, practical instruction that connects directly to real writing. High school students are often more developmentally ready to understand grammar than younger students, and they are more motivated to improve because grammar now affects essays, communication, and future academic or career goals. Do you have a high school student who struggles with grammar? Or do you have a so...

The Importance of Music in Child Development Why does music matter in home education? Is it just so we can have junior show off for grandparents at recitals? Is it just a nice elective to fill out the kids’ transcript? Or is it an underappreciated medium for the development of multiple skills? That’s what I’ll discuss with my guest Adrian Edward. Watch on YouTube Read the transcript Sponsor: NOW Programs Visit our sponsor: Now Programs, Neuro Development of Words Podcast Guest: Adrian Edward...

Your child wants to keep every rock, every toy, every piece of packaging. And saying “this is trash” just creates power struggles. Dana K. White (decluttering expert and author of “Winnie’s Pillows”) shares a better way. Watch on YouTube Read the Transcript Learn: • The biggest mistake parents make when decluttering with kids • Two powerful questions that help kids make their own decisions • How the Container Concept works even with strong-willed kids • Why the “five-minute pickup” is your sec...

Read the Transcript Watch on YouTube Jonathan is a homeschool graduate who became the youngest director of admissions in Virginia. He spent 11 years on the inside of traditional higher education. Now, as CEO of Unbound and father of eight homeschooled kids, he’s challenging everything we think we know about preparing young adults for life after high school. WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER: Why the traditional college model is fundamentally broken The crisis Jonathan faced: “I’m making a living asking p...

Hey, homeschoolers! I used to be of the mind that leaders were born, not made. What I mean is, I thought you needed to be a Type A extrovert to be a leader. There didn’t seem to be much point to teaching my introverted kids how to lead. But my opinion has changed as I’ve watched my introverted, Type B child become a leader. I’ve also changed my thinking after interviewing Kerry Beck for the podcast. Her definition of leadership motivates us to teach every child these skills. I’m thrilled to be...

How do you teach your kids to make wise decisions in a world that feels increasingly morally gray? As homeschool parents, many of us worry about striking the right balance. We don’t want to be too controlling on one hand, but we also don’t want to just let our kids “figure it out” on their own. So how do we help them develop godly wisdom without micromanaging every choice? In this episode, I talk with Dean Zuleger—a father of four, grandfather of seven, and someone who has spent decades mentori...

Feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or like you’re the only one struggling? This conversation will remind you that you’re not alone. Annette Vaughn, author of Dear Homeschool Mom, shares early warning signs of burnout, the difference between healthy reflection and unhealthy guilt, and practical ways to refuel your tank before you hit empty. Sponsored by CTCMath.com The best part? Her book features encouragement from 50+ ordinary homeschool moms who’ve been there—written specifically for different s...

Tired? Fearful about your family’s health? Overwhelmed by conflicting health information and not sure who to trust? You’re not alone. And this conversation is going to help. In this episode, Dr. Melanie Wilson talks with Dr. Dusty Hess, founder of Upstream Health and publisher of Upstream Magazine, about how to realign your family’s health back to God’s original design—without fear, without overwhelm, and without needing to become a health expert. YouTube Read the Transcript SPONSORED BY CTCMA...

Do you feel like you’re failing because your kids’ character, or math skills, or writing aren’t where they should be? Did you plan to read more books, finish more lessons, and make more healthy meals than you did? Or do you feel like you’re failing personally in your faith, organization, or health? If so, know that I can relate. I’m Dr. Melanie Wilson and this is The Homeschool Sanity Show where I will share three reasons you think you’re failing and how you can just stop that already. Seriously...

Do you feel like you’re only as good as your last perfect homeschool day? Do you struggle with the exhausting cycle of trying to prove your worth through achievement? In this powerful conversation, Pamela Good shares her journey from childhood survival mode to adult perfectionism—and how she finally broke free. Pamela grew up with three siblings in a home where their mother struggled with paranoid schizophrenia. To cope, she learned to push herself relentlessly in sports, work, and eventually m...

Feeling overwhelmed by homeschool decisions? Struggling with patience? You’re not alone—and there’s a powerful solution hiding in plain sight. Join Dr. Melanie Wilson and author Danika Cooley for an inspiring conversation about how prayer can ground your daily life, reduce overwhelm, and create a peaceful rhythm for your homeschool year. This isn’t about adding another “should” to your list—it’s about discovering simple, repeatable prayer practices that actually work for busy homeschool moms. ...

Sharing this special replay in honor of Durenda Wilson, who is spending this Christmas with her Savior, leaving behind family and friends who will miss her terribly. Hey, homeschoolers! I never thought I would have five boys, but I am so glad I do. I love them to the moon and back and judging by the response my episode on homeschooling boys got, so do you. That’s why I was excited to read Durenda Wilson’s new book on the topic and to hear her thoughts on why it’s so important to think about ho...

It’s the end of the traditional school year here and you may be trying to get caught up before summer. This is The Homeschool Sanity Show–the episode where I’ll give you permission to stop trying. I cover three key steps to abandoning the quest to get caught up: Ask yourself how behind you really are Ask yourself how important it really is to get caught up Start fresh 5 Ways to End the Endless Game of Catching Up Checklist for completing this quarter (a fresh start) Have a happy homeschool...

Listen to the podcast Deal with Disappointment The first reason George and you and I find it hard to be happy through the holidays is disappointment. Maybe your homeschool year hasn’t been going the way you hoped. The kids don’t love their classes or curriculum. You’re already behind schedule. A learning challenge has been indentified. Maybe your finances are stretched even tighter than you thought. You’ve been ill. Or maybe you’ve experienced a loss. A loved one won’t be joining you for the ho...

Hey, homeschoolers! Pushing back against a consumerist culture is an issue all year but is on our minds even more during the holidays. My guest today has experience in teaching kids to combat consumerism with good old-fashioned hard work. I’ll introduce him after this message from our sponsor. Now programs. Watch on YouTube Podcast Sponsor: NOW Programs http://NOWPrograms.com Podcast Guest: Keith Phillips Keith Phillips is a former US Army helicopter pilot who, along with his wife Becky and t...

Hey, homeschoolers! Are you dealing with complaining when it’s time to start school, or time to do chores, or time to do anything your kids don’t like to do? If so, you will want to listen to this episode of the homeschool sanity show. I have six ideas for you that will result in a complaint-free homeschool. Subscribe to the podcast Before we dive in, I would love to have you subscribe to the podcast. You’ll get links to new episodes, but I also provide a weekly sanity saver newsletter and a ...

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should introduce your child to the fantasy genre, you’ll want to listen to today’s episode. And if you feel discouraged about training up young men and women of God, you’ll want to meet my inspiring guest that I’ll introduce in a moment. Watch on YouTube Read the Transcript Sponsor: Fun to Learn Books The sponsor of today’s episode is Fun to Learn Books, the publisher of story-based curriculum like Grammar Galaxy and Training Aliens. Kids love this fantasy-b...