Brave Writer News: February 2025

Help! My Kid Hates WritingBrave Writer 25th Anniversary
Brave Learning SubstackBrave Writer Practice Pages
Brave Writer 2025 Winter Spring ClassesBrave Writer
Brave Learner Home News Feb 2025Brave Writer Hot Picks Feb 2025

Posted in Linky-links | Comments Off on Brave Writer News: February 2025

Brave Learning: Teens and College, Parental Anger, and more!

Brave Learning

Recently on Brave Learning…

College: How to Entice a Teen 

Help cast the vision for college, even if your kid is reluctant to go [More]

Let’s talk about parental anger [Public]

It’s good to remember how vulnerable our little charges are and how much they do depend on us…for everything. [More]

What I learned as a parent

My kids didn’t like the way I worried about them or saw them as projects. When I dropped that energy, life got better for all of us. [More]

Friday Freewrite: Brushing Teeth [Public]

For a news segment, how might a reporter describe you brushing your teeth? [More]

Brave Learning with Julie Bogart on Substack

Posted in Brave Learning on Substack | Comments Off on Brave Learning: Teens and College, Parental Anger, and more!

[Podcast #276] Freedom from Shame with Parenting Coach Crystal Haitsma

Brave Writer Podcast

How does shame shape the way we parent?

In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we sit down with life coach and homeschooling parent Crystal Haitsma to explore how shame influences our parenting—often without our realizing it.

Crystal shares her insights on the difference between guilt and shame, and how we can shift from frustration to curiosity in our relationships with our kids. We also discuss how prioritizing self-compassion can transform both homeschooling and daily life, helping us build stronger connections with our children.

Crystal Haitsma
Crystal Haitsma

If you’ve ever felt discouraged, overwhelmed, or like you’re “not enough” as a parent, this conversation will bring comfort and clarity. Tune in now to learn how to shift your mindset and create a more peaceful home.

Show Notes

Parenting is often described as one of the most rewarding experiences in life—but it’s also deeply vulnerable. No matter how much we prepare, plan, and pour our hearts into raising our children, moments of frustration, self-doubt, and even shame inevitably creep in. We might wonder: Am I doing this right? Why do my kids resist everything I try to offer them? Why do I feel like I’m failing at something so important?

In our conversation with life coach Crystal Haitsma, we explored how shame plays an often-unseen role in parenting. She describes shame as more than just guilt—it’s the deep-seated belief that we are fundamentally not enough. While guilt says, “I did something wrong,” shame whispers, “I am wrong.” And when we parent from a place of shame, it subtly shapes our interactions with our children in ways we might not even realize.

Recognizing Shame in Parenting

Shame in parenting can take many forms. It might show up as exasperation when our kids don’t listen, as self-criticism when the homeschool plan falls apart, or as frustration when our home never seems tidy. It often disguises itself as anger, disappointment, or the belief that if our children’s behavior isn’t ideal, we must be doing something wrong.

Crystal encourages parents to ask, What meaning am I attaching to this? If our children resist our homeschool lessons, does it mean we’ve failed as educators? If they struggle with friendships, does it mean we didn’t prepare them well enough? When we attach our self-worth to our children’s actions, we set ourselves up for an emotional rollercoaster—one that neither we nor our kids signed up for.

Letting Go of the Need for External Validation

One of the most transformative concepts Crystal shares is letting go of the need for external validation, whether from our kids, other parents, or societal expectations. This creates space for a more peaceful, intuitive way of parenting. Instead of fighting against resistance, we can lean in with curiosity. Instead of controlling every aspect of our children’s education, we can trust their natural ability to learn in their own way and time.

What does this look like in practice? It might mean pausing in the midst of morning chaos and saying, Wow, everyone’s bickering today. This isn’t working. What do we need to shift? Instead of forcing a rigid plan, we can collaborate with our children, giving them a voice in their own education and daily rhythms.

Building Shame Resilience

Shame thrives in secrecy and self-judgment. The antidote? Self-compassion. Crystal recommends daily practices like:

  • journaling,
  • meditation,
  • or simply taking five minutes in the morning to check in with yourself before stepping into the role of “parent.”

By making space for our own growth, we increase our emotional capacity and create a home environment rooted in connection rather than control.

Our kids don’t need perfect parents. They need parents who are willing to grow, who model self-awareness, and who show them what it means to navigate life with resilience and self-compassion. When we step away from shame-based parenting, we free ourselves—and our children—to experience the joy of learning, growing, and being human together.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on [Podcast #276] Freedom from Shame with Parenting Coach Crystal Haitsma

Advice for Newbies – Part Two

Brave Writer Advice for Newbies Part Two

Did you miss Part 1? Here it is.

Plan your days to include the need to reassure yourself you’re doing a good job! That takes more time than we think.

You may need to:

  • Scroll through Instagram for inspiration
  • Read a study about why your child is okay if not reading by five years old
  • Talk on the phone to friends to be sure you aren’t ruining your child

Reassuring yourself that you’re doing a great job or are on the right track IS part of what you need to do as a newbie. It will crowd out other planning and tasks, but that’s okay!

You’ll do the best job of home educating your kids if you feel confident and clear about your choice. Invest in THAT first and your year will go so much smoother!

I believe in you!

Stick around—I’ve got a lot more to share to help you feel successful and peaceful.

This post was originally shared on Instagram.
Watch the accompanying reel for more.

Brave Learner Home

Posted in Homeschool Advice | Comments Off on Advice for Newbies – Part Two

Brave Learning: The Long Haul, Getting Teens to “Do School” and more!

Brave Learning on Substack

Recently on Brave Learning…

The Long Haul of Homeschooling [Public]

This post is for the veteran—the homeschooler who can teach a child to read while stir frying dinner—and also for the parent who is tired—when cracking open a new set of math books isn’t as exciting as it once was. [More]

Getting Teens to “Do School” 

The way your kids care about their interests is the same pathway to caring about academics. Let’s talk about it! [More]

It Gets Better [Public]

I can promise you that things in your life will get better because I know YOU. You are the kind of person that strives toward that end—that’s who you are. [More]

Friday Freewrite: Cold [Public]

You’re out for a wintry walk (and you’re wearing a wooly hat, heavy coat, snow pants, gloves, and boots), when a tree overhears you grumbling about the cold weather. What does the tree have to say in response? [More]

Brave Learning with Julie Bogart on Substack

Posted in Brave Learning on Substack | Comments Off on Brave Learning: The Long Haul, Getting Teens to “Do School” and more!

[Podcast #275] The Delights of Deep Reading

Brave Writer Podcast

Once upon a time, getting lost in a book was second nature. But in today’s fast-paced, screen-filled world, deep reading has become a struggle—not just for kids, but for adults too.

In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore:

  • why long-form reading matters,
  • how digital consumption affects our focus,
  • and practical ways to rebuild the habit of immersive reading.

From creating family reading rituals to understanding how books shape our worldview, we unpack strategies to help kids and parents alike reconnect with the joy of sustained reading.

Tune in and let’s turn the page together!

Show Notes

Do you remember getting lost in a book for hours, completely immersed in another world? For many of us, reading used to be an escape, a way to connect with new ideas and stories. But in today’s digital age, where our attention is constantly pulled in different directions, long-form reading has become more of a challenge—not just for kids, but for adults too.

With the rise of smartphones, social media, and quick-hit content, we find ourselves consuming words all day long—texts, emails, captions, and headlines. But this type of fragmented reading is very different from the sustained, immersive experience of reading a book. Instead of engaging deeply with a story or argument, we skim, react, and move on. This shift has real consequences, affecting our ability to focus, think critically, and fully absorb information.

Why Long-Form Reading Still Matters

Books demand our attention in a way that digital reading does not. When we commit to a novel or a lengthy piece of nonfiction, we allow the author time to build their case, develop their characters, and invite us into a richer, more complex world. This slow, deliberate process strengthens cognitive skills, deepens our ability to engage with ideas, and even fosters empathy.

Reading long-form texts also challenges our brains to retain information over time. Unlike scrolling through headlines or tweets, books require us to remember details from chapter to chapter, strengthening our memory and comprehension. This type of engagement builds patience, allowing us to form more thoughtful opinions rather than reacting instantly to soundbites.

Helping Our Kids Develop the Habit

As parents, we want to cultivate in our children a love for books that withstands the lure of digital distractions. But that doesn’t happen automatically—it takes intentional effort. Here are some strategies to bring back deep reading in your home:

  • Make Reading a Shared Activity: Group reading, whether through read-alouds, buddy reading, or silent reading sessions together, creates an environment where books are part of everyday life. Even teenagers benefit from reading alongside a parent, simply sharing the same space.
  • Create a Reading Ritual: Lighting a candle, making a cup of tea, or setting a cozy reading nook can transform reading into a pleasurable experience rather than just another task.
  • Use the Library as a Resource: Letting kids browse shelves, pick out books that interest them, and bring home a stack is an exciting way to encourage engagement with physical books.
  • Start Small and Build Up: If attention spans are short, begin with short stories, graphic novels, or poetry, and gradually work up to longer texts.
  • Encourage Rereading: Revisiting favorite books isn’t just comforting; it strengthens comprehension and helps children see new layers in stories they already love.

The goal isn’t just to get our kids to read books—it’s to help them experience the depth, joy, and transformation that long-form reading can bring. If we, as parents, model this practice, we’ll not only strengthen our own focus but also invite our children into a lifelong relationship with books.

So, let’s slow down, pick up a book, and rediscover the magic of sustained reading.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on [Podcast #275] The Delights of Deep Reading