[Podcast #300] The 300th Episode (our best homeschool advice!)

Brave Writer Podcast

Homeschooling isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection, curiosity, and adapting to your family’s needs.

In this Brave Writer podcast episode (our 300th!), we revisit three core principles that have guided our approach through the years:

  1. honoring spontaneous self-expression by jotting down our children’s words,
  2. remembering there are no educational emergencies (kids learn at their own pace),
  3. and staying flexible by changing the topic or the context when resistance pops up.

When we let go of pressure and focus on our children’s interests, we create an environment where learning truly thrives.

Show Notes

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over years of supporting homeschooling families, it’s this: the secret to a thriving homeschool isn’t about having the perfect curriculum or checking every box. It’s about connection, curiosity, and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of family life and learning. With each season, we return again and again to a set of core principles that make home education both joyful and sustainable.

Jot It Down: The Power of Capturing Spontaneous Self-Expression

One of the most transformative practices we’ve seen in home education is what we call “jot it down.” At its heart, this practice is about catching your child in the act of spontaneous self-expression—those magical moments when a child shares an observation, tells a story, or explains an idea bubbling up from their world.

Rather than treating these outbursts as distractions or fleeting moments, we honor them by writing them down, word for word, as close as we can recall. We might use a notebook, a slip of paper, or even a whiteboard on the fridge. When we capture our children’s words, we’re telling them, “Your ideas matter. Your words are worth remembering.” This simple act validates their voice and allows them to see themselves as writers, long before they master penmanship or spelling. Over time, these little jottings become cherished keepsakes and a powerful tool for building confidence and literacy.

There Are No Educational Emergencies

Homeschooling can feel urgent. The pressure to keep up with school standards, meet testing requirements, or compare our children’s progress with others can create anxiety. But we stand by the principle that there are no educational emergencies. Children learn at different rates in different subjects, and our job isn’t to keep pace with anyone else’s timeline. Instead, we meet our kids exactly where they are—whether they’re racing ahead in one area or taking their time in another.

If a child struggles, it’s not a crisis; it’s information. It’s an invitation to adapt, to slow down, or to seek extra help if needed. Testing and evaluations can be helpful for insight, but they’re not a referendum on your child or your abilities as a home educator. When we lower the pressure, we make room for genuine growth, mastery, and the joy of learning.

Change the Topic, Change the Context

When we hit resistance—a child refusing to write, dreading math worksheets, or tuning out during history—it’s time to change something. Sometimes the answer is to change the context: make math a game, act out grammar concepts, or take learning outside. Other times, we change the topic: instead of writing about a history lesson, maybe your child writes about dinosaurs or video games. The skill—whether it’s writing, reading, or critical thinking—matters more than the specific subject. By honoring our children’s interests and experimenting with new approaches, we keep learning alive and meaningful.

The Homeschool Journey Is Ours to Create

At the end of the day, homeschooling is about creating a life of learning together. When we listen, adapt, and celebrate our children’s unique paths, we set the stage for not just academic achievement, but family connection and lifelong curiosity. Let’s give ourselves permission to slow down, change course, and delight in the little victories. That’s where the magic happens.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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Having a Bad Day?

Brave Writer

Are you having a bad day? What do you like to hear the most when things are going poorly?

There’s an old saying: “What we resist persists.”

When you’re having a bad day, isn’t the last thing you want to hear is that you should be grateful for what a great life you have and that sometimes you have responsibilities and just need to do them?

I know I always feel so much better when someone simply starts by accepting my own self reporting. “I believe you” is a powerful three word phrase.

I Believe You

Try it today when your child tells you they don’t like the turkey sandwich that they’ve always loved. Try it when one of your children says they hate taking baths even though yesterday they loved taking baths. Try it when they tell you math is too hard or writing hurts their hand.

Say: “I believe you.”

Some might ask, but what does it mean to say “I believe you” to a kid you know is lying? Doesn’t that encourage your child to make up stories rather than tell the truth? Good question! Watch my follow up video response where I explain more what I mean by using the phrase “I believe you” as a tool to create connection and build trust.

So leave some space to see what comes next. You might be surprised where it leads.

This post is originally from Instagram and @juliebravewriter is my account there so come follow along for more conversations like this one!

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Brave Learning: The Importance of Conversations

Brave Writer Conversation Starters

Recently on Brave Learning…

We’ve been talking all about Big, Juicy Conversations on Substack! If you missed any posts, here they are:

Brave Writer Conversation Starters PDF

For more support, download Brave Writer’s free Big Juicy Conversation Starters PDF. It may help you offer more interesting, provocative questions that the child wants to answer.

Subscribe to Brave Learning on Substack where we chat, discuss, problem-solve, and create together. Here’s what you can expect: weekly themed content, freewriting prompts, and a podcast for kiddos called Monday Morning Meeting (first 6 are free)! 

Brave Learning with Julie Bogart on Substack

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[Podcast #299] Would You Let a Chatbot Homeschool Your Child?

Brave Writer Podcast

Do you ever wonder what’s at stake when we hand over our children’s education to automation and AI?

In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore how the rise of influencer-driven resources and tech-powered learning tools is reshaping homeschooling—and what we risk losing when we outsource the most human parts of education.

We discuss:

  • why real learning thrives on meaningful connection,
  • hands-on experiences,
  • and the expertise of educators and parents who care deeply about kids, not just content.

As homeschooling changes, let’s remember to center our children’s education on relationships, shared adventures, and the joy of learning together.

Show Notes

Recently, the homeschooling landscape has been transforming at a dizzying pace. Gone are the days when the core of home education was built on the vision, commitment, and daily involvement of parents. Instead, we see a new wave of influencer-driven, affiliate-marketed resources—and now, the encroachment of AI-powered learning tools promising to teach our children for us.

The Shift from Community to Commodity

Not so long ago, homeschooling meant seeking out the wisdom of real educators and passionate parents. We read thoughtful blog reviews, weighed the merits of various curricula, and engaged in robust debates about educational philosophy. The focus was always on our children’s unique personalities and the adventure of learning together.

Today, much of that has been eclipsed by a rapid, influencer-fueled affiliate culture. Homeschooling resources are promoted in quick, soundbite formats, and the lines between thoughtful review and advertising have blurred. Social media is awash with sponsored content and programs designed to sell—not necessarily to educate.

This commodification of home education has left some parents feeling lost. We see families looking for shortcuts—solutions that require less direct involvement. The rise of AI tutors and automated programs seems to answer that call, promising personalized, tireless instruction without demanding much from the parent. But is that really what we want for our children?

What We Lose When We Hand Off the Human Element

The true heart of homeschooling is relational, not transactional. The greatest educational gains don’t come from outsourcing to an algorithm, but from the day-to-day adventure of learning together as a family. It’s the shared jokes, spontaneous science lessons at the kitchen sink, reading aloud on the couch, or the comfort of a parent’s encouragement after a tough day. These are the memories and connections that shape not just a child’s education, but their sense of self and belonging.

AI can be a useful tool—it can drill math facts, organize schedules, or help find resources quickly. But it cannot replicate the irreplaceable magic of human connection: a parent noticing the spark in a child’s eye, adapting a lesson on the fly, or celebrating small wins with a hug. We believe that education is a life, not just a checklist of subjects completed.

The Value of Expert Voices and Shared Wisdom

When we support resources created by experienced educators and passionate parents, we invest in the richness of our children’s learning experience. These small businesses may not have the marketing muscle of tech giants, but their offerings are shaped by real-world experience and a genuine love of learning. Let’s continue to champion companies whose expertise and values align with our own.

A Call to Meaningful Connection

As homeschooling continues to evolve, let’s not lose sight of what drew many of us to it in the first place: the joy of learning together, the freedom to explore, and the deep bonds we build with our children. AI and automation will never replace the life-giving, relationship-driven heart of home education.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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9 Ways You Get in Your Own Way

Brave Writer

A little reminder to be present.

Ways You Get in Your Own Way:

  1. Enforcing a program you don’t like
  2. Yelling
  3. Overbooking a day’s activities
  4. Forgetting to plan a meal and snacks
  5. Not following through
  6. Losing your sense of humor
  7. Relying on your kids to be in a good mood
  8. Not trusting your curiosity and intuition
  9. Thinking about tomorrow more than today

Which one is your achilles heel?

This post is originally from Instagram and @juliebravewriter is my account there so come follow along for more conversations like this one!

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