
On Substack: Natural Stages, Valenteatime, Educating Teens, and more!

Recently on Brave Learning…
The Natural Stages of Development for Home Educators [Public]
Even as a home educator, you go through your own developmental stages. Let’s talk about them because it may help you feel more comfortable with your journey. [More]
Poetry Valenteatime [Public]
If you want to shift the energy in your home from recalcitrance and curmudgeonliness (I’m picturing grumpy faces, in other words), the surefire breathe-life-into-kids mechanism is…. Poetry Teatime! [More]
A Truth About Educating Teens
If we start from the premise that we can’t get a teen to care, we are much closer to creating a healthy learning environment. [More]
Friday Freewrite: As a Toddler [Public]
Pick a book character who’s a teen or an adult. Now describe what they might have been like as a toddler. [More]
[Podcast #274] The Value of One-on-One Time

Homeschooling can feel overwhelming, especially when managing multiple children. One of the most powerful ways to revitalize learning and relationships is through one-on-one time.
In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore how small, intentional moments with each child can:
- strengthen connection,
- build trust,
- and even make academics more enjoyable.
From playing games to taking a walk, we discuss simple ways to incorporate this practice—without feeling like it’s just another thing to schedule. If your homeschool routine is feeling stagnant, this episode might be the refresh you need.
Tune in now to hear how one-on-one time can transform your homeschool and family life!
Show Notes
In the whirlwind of homeschooling, parenting, and managing daily life, it’s easy to fall into the rhythm of group activities and structured learning. But one of the most powerful tools we have as parents and educators is often overlooked: one-on-one time with our children.
Carving out individual moments with each child isn’t just a bonus—it’s essential. This intentional connection fosters trust, strengthens relationships, and enhances the learning experience in ways that structured lessons never could.
Why One-on-One Time Matters
A household is dynamic, especially when juggling multiple children, responsibilities, and a packed schedule. The thought of carving out individual time with each child might feel overwhelming, but the benefits make it worth prioritizing.
When a child gets our undivided attention, they feel valued—not as a student, a sibling, or part of the family unit, but as an individual. They experience being seen, heard and understood. This personal connection builds goodwill, making them more receptive to learning and family collaboration.
One-on-one time also allows us to shift from the role of a parent-instructor to that of a companion. Instead of directing, correcting, or instructing, we get to simply be with our child—at eye level, sharing an experience and allowing curiosity and conversation to flow naturally.
What Counts as One-on-One Time?
It doesn’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming. While big outings are wonderful, one-on-one time can be as simple as:
- Playing a board game
- Cooking a meal together
- Taking a short walk
- Sharing a bedtime conversation
- Listening to music or a podcast together
- Working on a creative project side-by-side
The key is engagement—being fully present, not checking off a task or sneaking in a lesson. This time isn’t about directing but about participating alongside your child.
The Ripple Effect in Homeschooling
One of the surprising benefits of one-on-one time is how it impacts the overall homeschool dynamic. When children feel connected and prioritized outside of structured learning, they become more cooperative during academic time. That one walk, that game of cards, that inside joke—these things build the trust that makes it easier to approach challenges together.
In a household where individual attention is spread thin, keeping a simple rotation can help. Whether it’s a weekly outing, a standing ritual (like weekend art nights or post-dinner walks), or even quick check-ins throughout the day, it all adds up.
A Small Shift, A Big Impact
One-on-one time is not an extravagant luxury—it’s a necessity that fuels the whole homeschool experience. It transforms our children’s relationship with learning and deepens the bond that makes our homeschool and our family life thrive.
So, if homeschooling feels like a grind, if connections feel distant, or if engagement is low, the solution might not be another curriculum tweak—it might just be more connection. Start small. Look for natural openings. Say yes to their invitations. And watch how these moments transform not just your homeschool but your relationship.
Resources
- Check out Julie’s new author website: juliebogartwriter.com!
- Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters: Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic
- Preorder Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing: How to Turn Struggling Students into Brave Writers
- Try out our Brave Writer Practice Pages
- Brave Writer Book Shop: https://bravewriter.com/book-shop/list/podcast-recommendations
- Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
- Read all Brave Writer class descriptions
- Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
- Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
- Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Connect with Julie
- Instagram: @juliebravewriter
- Threads: @juliebravewriter
- Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter
Connect with Melissa
- Website: melissawiley.com
- Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
- Instagram: @melissawileybooks
Produced by NOVA
Help! My Kid Hates Writing

This is the first book I’ve written that my mother hasn’t read.
It’s odd, really, since in a very real way she’s on every page. As I was finishing the final draft, my sweet mother was declining in health. As we got ready to launch the book in January, she died on New Year’s Day. We pushed pause on all launch efforts. I haven’t been in a very book-launchy kind of mood.
The other day, mid-webinar, my eyes flooded with tears as I retold the story of how my mother, a well regarded author, taught me about revising my writing without causing me even a hint of shame or distress. The administrator of the charter school on the zoom call started to cry. We sat there for several moments, dabbing our eyes with Kleenex, trying to pull ourselves back together. I appreciated her not being disappointed in my lapse of professionalism.
Truth is…
There’s something so touching about imagining a kind interaction between instructor/parent and student/child over writing. It’s so rare these days.
My book about writing is a love letter to my mom—it’s the fruit of growing up with someone who saw me as the writer I am. She found hundreds of ways to encourage me, to give me helpful suggestions that felt like insight, not like criticism. I asked her to read everything I wrote.
And because my mom saw me for who I am, she never made me feel like I was failing at writing. She called forth my best words and celebrated my ideas. She collaborated with me and let me know that what I had to say mattered. It feels really weird that I never got her thoughts on this book—this one that is about all the wonderful writing advice I learned through her.
When I look back now, I can see that the seeds of my beliefs about writing started when I was not even old enough to handwrite. Incredible.
It’s these ideas that we’ve now tested in Brave Writer with hundreds of thousands of children, and have expanded over the last decades, that I describe in my new book: Help! My Kid Hates Writing.
I would love you to preorder it.
I believe it will help you—even if you already use Brave Writer materials. I’d love you to share it with friends, too. Parents of kids who go to traditional schools will find real help here—the kind they don’t get from traditional education.
May it be a joyful guide to better writing and more love between you and your children.
The Homegrown Variety

Something that can make homeschoolers feel bad is comparing home education to traditional school.
The chronic feeling of overwhelm, guilt, and pressure to perform often comes from the “ghost of public school past.”
Why do we let public school expectations dictate how we feel about our homeschools? We literally opted out of that method and system!
We create an emotionally draining environment when we continually measure our experience of education against the one we chose not to use.
It’s like measuring your homegrown strawberries against the perfectly sized flawless-looking berries in a supermarket display.
You literally grew your own strawberries for specific reasons that are meaningful to you. The way they grow strawberries for supermarkets is a completely different method and a process that you have chosen not to do in your own backyard because you prefer the homegrown variety! BRAVO!!
REPEAT AFTER ME: It’s emotionally draining to hold my homeschool to a school standard.
Keep growing wild strawberries…please!
Love you.
[Podcast #273] Announcing Julie’s New Book!

Writing is often framed as an external obligation in schools, but we believe it’s much more than that.
Writing is an act of self-expression—a way to explore:
- ideas,
- emotions,
- and creativity.
In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we discuss how parents can help children reclaim the joy of writing, emphasizing its value as a personal journey rather than just a task to complete. We also touch on the role of AI, the importance of fostering self-expression, and how writing connects us to the world and each other.
Listen to the full episode for insights on how to nurture confident, passionate writers in your family.
Also, learn about preorder bonuses for Julie’s upcoming NEW book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing, on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
Show Notes
Reclaiming the joy of writing
One of the key ideas we aim to champion is that writing begins with the writer. When children (or adults) discover that their words matter—that writing is a means of exploring their ideas, emotions, and creativity—something shifts. The resistance we see in reluctant writers often stems from this disconnection. They’ve been taught that writing is about rules, not about them. Our goal is to help families reframe writing as a joyful act of discovery.
The role of parents in fostering self-expression
Parents have a unique opportunity to cultivate an environment where writing is seen as a tool for personal expression. This can start small. Invite your child to freewrite for ten minutes, with no agenda beyond getting their thoughts onto the page. Encourage them to share their writing if they wish but avoid critiquing it. Instead, celebrate the ideas they bring to life.
In our Brave Writer programs, we’ve seen the transformative power of this approach. Children often go from avoiding writing altogether to eagerly crafting stories, reflections, and essays. When they realize their thoughts and words have value, their confidence and enthusiasm soar.
Why writing matters now more than ever
In an age dominated by technology and shortcuts like AI-generated text, it’s tempting to let tools do the writing for us. But why would we? Writing is more than just producing words; it’s a way of understanding ourselves and the world. By writing, we develop our critical thinking, articulate our values, and preserve the unique stories that make us who we are.
We encourage parents to emphasize this point with their children. Writing is not a race to a polished essay. It’s a journey into the mind and heart, one that rewards curiosity and effort. It’s this sense of discovery and ownership that makes writing worth doing.
Carrying the torch forward
Ultimately, our mission is to ignite a passion for writing that will stay with families for generations. Writing connects us to each other and to our shared humanity. Whether it’s through a Substack essay, a poem in a eulogy, or a handwritten letter, our words carry meaning and power.
As we celebrate 25 years of Brave Writer, we remain deeply committed to this vision. Writing isn’t just about meeting standards or completing assignments. It’s about finding your voice and learning to trust it. That’s what we hope to inspire in every family we serve.
Resources
- Austin Kleon on why he saves New Year’s resolutions for February
- Anne Helen Petersen, “The Social Media Sea Change”
- Find Wintering by Katherine May in the Brave Writer Book Shop
- Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters: Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic
- Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing: How to Turn Struggling Students into Brave Writers
- Try out our Brave Writer Practice Pages
- Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
- Read all Brave Writer class descriptions
- Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
- Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
- Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Connect with Julie
- Instagram: @juliebravewriter
- Threads: @juliebravewriter
- Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter
Connect with Melissa
- Website: melissawiley.com
- Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
- Instagram: @melissawileybooks
Produced by NOVA