Homeschooling For Catholic Parents
Homeschooling For Catholic Parents
Maeve and Mat Jemison
You’re wondering if homeschooling is for you. But your inner critic is telling you you’re not enough. How can I teach my kid when we can’t get through homework without tears and yelling?  How would the daily routine look? What curriculum will you use? Your house is already a wreck. You don’t want to feel isolated, like you’re on an island where everyone wears long dresses and raises goats. Plus, aren’t homeschoolers weird?I am so excited you're here! This podcast will give you peace of mind as you raise successful adults who understand their Catholic faith and how to defend it. I’ll help you find the routine that works for you, you’ll still have community, if that’s what you want, and even a clean, organized home is possible (sometimes). I’m Maeve Jemison, and I host this pod with my handsome husband, Mat. We’re Catholics who prioritize worship and apologetics through our homeschool journey with our five kids.  I’ve made many mistakes along the way. As a young adult, I left the Catholic church because I didn't understand what was going on. I was a government school graduate and high school teacher so I thought homeschooling meant replicating government school at home. (I was wayyyy off!)When I finally learned the depths and truths of Catholicism, I was adamant that I would teach my little cradle Catholics about the history and beauty of the religion that Jesus started. No way would my kids be as oblivious as I was. Our homeschooling became a delightful adventure, with the Lord guiding us in tailoring our children’s education. I knew I had found my calling! If you’re ready to thrive as the domestic church through worship, apologetics and homeschooling, then this podcast is for you!Thanks for stopping by because home is where the truth is!
126 - STOP Spending All Day Homeschooling! How to Raise Life-Long Learners in 2 Hours a Day. **Greatest Hits Replay**
🇺🇸 Happy 250th America! (And Happy Birthday Mat!) The Jemisons have been at the beach celebrating for the week so please enjoy this Greatest Hits replay that originally aired on February 23, 2025. Do you want to raise self-starters who are eager for knowledge and actively seek out ideal sources to satisfy their curiosity? Let's think of home education as the petri dish for that! In contrast to the traditional education system which places your child on the conveyor belt to college, wher...
Jul 5
22 min
125 - The Faith Has to Become Theirs
What keeps children Catholic long after they leave home? After interviewing youth minister Rick Grinstead, Maeve couldn't stop thinking about one powerful statement: "They didn't leave the faith in college. They left a faith that was never theirs." In this episode, Maeve and Mat explore what it really takes to help children move beyond simply attending Mass to developing a personal relationship with Christ. Along the way they share: a surprising Catholic trivia challenge, wha...
Jun 28
23 min
124 - Alex Newman on Faith, Fathers, and the Future of Education
What is the ultimate goal of homeschooling? In this Father's Day episode, Maeve sits down with journalist, author, and homeschool father Alex Newman to discuss faith, discipleship, education, and the responsibility parents have in shaping the next generation. Alex shares his own journey from a nominal Catholic upbringing to becoming one of America's most outspoken advocates for Christian education. Together, Maeve and Alex explore the historical roots of government schooling, the importance o...
Jun 21
40 min
123 - Helping Your Teen Encounter Jesus for Themselves, with Rick Grinstead
What if one of the biggest mistakes we make with teenagers is trying to teach before we've truly connected? In this encouraging conversation, Maeve sits down with youth ministry veteran Rick Grinstead to discuss what today's teens are really looking for—and how parents can help them develop a faith that is genuinely their own. Drawing from more than thirty years in ministry and his experience as a father of eight, Rick explains why invitation often works better than enforcement, why belonging...
Jun 14
46 min
122 - Raising Thinkers, Not Subjects: A Conversation with Author and Homeschool Dad, Scott Clifton
Former public school teacher and veteran homeschool educator Scott Clifton joins us to discuss why he and his wife chose homeschooling long before it was popular, what he witnessed inside the public school system, and why Christian parents should feel confident homeschooling through high school. In this conversation, Scott shares stories of students who flourished after leaving traditional schools, explains how homeschool parents can raise independent thinkers instead of passive learners, and...
Jun 7
38 min
121 - What We Learned at the Biggest Homeschool Convention in America (And the Catholic Story We Didn't Expect)
Fresh back from the FPEA Homeschool Convention, Maeve and Mat share some of their favorite moments from a weekend full of encouragement, unexpected conversations, and memorable encounters. From celebrating a homeschool graduation to connecting with Catholic families from across the country, this year's convention revealed a growing hunger for faith, community, and truth. Along the way, a chance conversation led Maeve to discover a Marian apparition (or bi-location, if you really want to be "C...
May 31
23 min
*Replay* 97 How to Get Kids to Listen:  A Catholic Homeschool Guide to Habits, Character & Cooperation
Many new or discerning homeschool parents share the same fear: “What if we butt heads all day?” In this episode, Maeve and Matt unpack real listener concerns and offer practical, Catholic-rooted solutions for cooperation, motivation, and peaceful homeschooling. They revisit the timeless wisdom of Charlotte Mason, explore what “first-time obedience” looks like (and why counting to three doesn’t work), and talk honestly about discipline—from biblical authority to gentle consequences to understa...
May 24
22 min
119 - Homeschooling High School Without Fear | Catholic College, Transcripts & Confidence with Jenni Cassidy and Helen Harrold
Homeschooling high school can feel intimidating — transcripts, SATs, AP classes, college admissions… suddenly the stakes feel higher and many homeschool moms begin to doubt themselves. In this deeply encouraging episode, Maeve sits down with Dumb Ox Learning founders Jenni Cassidy and Helen Harrold, two Catholic homeschool mothers who, between them, have homeschooled 14 children across the U.S. and Europe and successfully guided them into college, scholarships, and faithful adulthood. Togethe...
May 17
36 min
118 Catholic Truth, Civil War Reenactments & the Road to Emmaus | Homeschooling for Catholic Parents
In this episode of Homeschooling for Catholic Parents, Maeve and Mat share the exciting countdown to the launch of the new Catholic Homeschool Planner on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima Feast Day — along with hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from the planner photo shoot, homeschooling life, and camping adventures in rural Florida. The conversation takes a deeper turn as they reflect on truth, integrity, and what it means to raise children who can stand firm in their faith and convictions. ...
May 10
34 min
117 - You Don’t Have to Homeschool Alone: Finding (or Building) Your Community- with Kim Hannon of TBHC Homeschool Convention
Homeschooling can feel isolating—but it was never meant to be done alone. In today’s episode, Maeve sits down with Kim Hannon, one of the founders of TBHC Group and the Tampa Bay Homeschool Conference, to talk about what it really looks like to build meaningful community as a homeschool family. From her early days as a “recovering public school teacher” to leading a thriving homeschool network serving hundreds of families, Kim shares how God grew something small into something powerful. If ...
May 3
38 min
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