We are continuing our conversation from last week and will be answering more of your questions regarding homeschooling in this episode. Whether you are currently homeschooling and want a peek into how others are homeschooling or you are curious about homeschooling or considering it for your family, this episode is for you!To listen to the first Homeschool Q&A Episode: CLICK HEREQuestions we answer in this episode:How to carve out time for household chores while homeschooling?At what age would you start tracing and learning to write letters?What curriculum do you use?Do you finish all your curriculum every year?Balance between having school time and having free-play when the outside is calling?How to stay on track and keep records of work and progress?If not following a curriculum, should I follow state standards?How do you teach a second language?Where do you find your curriculums?Did you ever fear your kids only being as smart as you are?Subjects for kindergarten? Science and Social Studies?Curriculum Links: The Good and the BeautifulA Gentle FeastSabbath MoodF.O.R.M. Health and Wellness (Use code DEVOTED for 15% off)Talkbox.Mom (Use code DEVOTED20 for $20 off your first Talkbox and Book Bundle)Miscellaneous Links:TrelloForcing Preschoolers To Write Too Young Is PointlessTalkbox.Mom YouTube ReviewHSLDALet's connect!Website: This Devoted LifeInstagram: Devoted MotherhoodEmail: [email protected]

A few weeks back, we asked YOU what you wanted to know about homeschooling, so today (and next week's episode), we are going to be answering those questions!We chose not to script these episodes because we want our answers to be like we are sitting down and chatting over a cup of coffee. We wanted to give honest feedback about homeschooling and what we truly think about it.Here is what you can expect in this episode:2:25 - Tips for Homeschooling While Also Caring for a Toddler/Infant?10:10 - Curriculum for the "Why" Behind Letter Sounds and Rules?14:04 - Any Tips for Homeschool Dads Who Are Leading the Homeschool?20:36 - How to Change Mindset From Public Schooling to Homeschooling?24:50 - Is There a Book to Learn About Different Styles of Homeschool and What is Best For Our Family?Correction:Charlotte Mason advocated for formal education to start at the age of 6. She had 20 principles she used to guide her schooling philosophy.Links: Episode on Postpartum DepressionThe Good and the BeautifulA Gentle FeastWhat Kind of Homeschooler Am I? TestCall of the Wild & FreeFor the Children's SakeCharlotte Mason CompanionNot mentioned but also a great book: Modern Miss MasonLet's connect!Website: This Devoted LifeInstagram: Devoted MotherhoodEmail: [email protected]

There are no perfect educational systems, so in this episode we want to be transparent about some of the pros and cons we have experienced within our homeschooling journey. You might be surprised to learn that the cons are not as "negative" as you might imagine. Rather, they are opportunities for growth.As always, we would love to hear from you! Be sure to send us any questions or feedback that you have.Links:Raising Brave Kids - Episode 6100 Gentle Lessons in Sight and SoundYouTube Homeschool PlaylistQuotes:Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne - "Meaning hides in repetition: We do this every day or every week because it matters. We are connected by this thing we do together. We matter to one another. In the tapestry of childhood, what stands out is not the splashy, blow-out trip to Disneyland but the common threads that run throughout and repeat: the family dinners, nature walks, reading together at bedtime (with a hot water bottle at our feet on winter evenings), Saturday morning pancakes."Let's connect!Website: This Devoted LifeInstagram: Devoted MotherhoodEmail: [email protected]

Did we always plan to homeschool? What did James think about homeschooling initially? What are some common myths surrounding homeschooling? How do I talk to my spouse about homeschooling if they are not on board with it yet?These are just a few of the questions we are answering in today's podcast! Stay tuned... we are turning this into a series!Let us know if you have any specific questions regarding homeschooling. We would love to answer them in an upcoming episode!Here is what you can expect in this episode:0:33 - Intro to Homeschooling Series2:01 - Why We Homeschool7:08 - Talking to a Spouse that is Not on Board with Homeschooling15:30 - Is homeschooling the best way?19:28 - What Happened When We Decided to Dual Enroll Our Son in Private School23:00 - Apprehensions Debunked - Socialization26:00 - Apprehensions Debunked - Limited Resources30:45 - Apprehensions Debunked - Is Homeschooling As Good As Public Education?32:50 - Apprehensions Debunked - Social Perception38:30 - Hold Homeschooling Loosely40:45 - What does James now think about homeschooling after 6+ years?Links: Why Colleges Like Homeschooling StudentsReferences:Deuteronomy 6:5-9 - "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."Let's connect!Website: This Devoted LifeInstagram: Devoted MotherhoodEmail: [email protected]

The title seems a bit disjointed, but we promise it makes sense and works together!At a glance:- Join us as we discuss hard moments in parenting and how we can keep a positive mindset by asking ourselves good questions. - We also recently met Jocko Willink and discuss his ideas surrounding mental health.-It's hard to believe we are over half-way through the year! So it's time to do a mid-year check-in on goals that we set 6 months ago.Here is what you can expect in this episode:1:25 - Making Church a Priority3:20 - One of Shanda's "Worst" Parenting Moments7:15 - When You Feel Like You Are Drowning9:30 - Best Question to Ask Yourself When You Feel Like You Are Failing14:35 - Second-Best Question to Ask17:13 - Meeting Jocko and his ideas for supporting people we are struggling mentally27:30 - How are you doing on your New Year's goals?32:00 - NEW Cultivate DevotionalLinks: CULTIVATE: Biblical Lessons from the GardenJocko PodcastThe Way of the Warrior Kid BookReferences:Hebrews 10:25 - " Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."Lamentations 3:22-23 - " It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."Let's connect!Website: This Devoted LifeInstagram: Devoted MotherhoodEmail: [email protected]

If you have been on social media lately, you may have heard of the Joe Rogan Podcast with RFK Jr and their discussion on vaccinations. In this episode, we are having a fireside chat as we share some thoughts on the podcast as well as our personal decisions regarding vaccinations. We have been reading through the life of Solomon the past few weeks, and we share some thoughts on his life and seeking wisdom. We receive so much information in our world, so it is so important to seek wisdom and continue to apply it to our lives.Here is what you can expect in this episode:Was Solomon Really Wise?Asking God for WisdomRogan/RFK Jr Podcast SynopsisDo we vaccinate? Why or why not?Make informed decisions.Links: Joe Rogan PodcastBeing Brave in a World of Fear PodcastFarmhouse on Boone Sandwich BreadReferences:Ecclesiastes 1:2 - "Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity."James 1:5 - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."1 Kings 11:8-9 - "And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice"Ecclesiastes 12:13 - "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."Let's connect!Website: This Devoted LifeInstagram: Devoted MotherhoodEmail: [email protected]

Finding your identity is a hot topic these days! As we were chatting around the campfire the other night, we began to take an introspective look at where we are finding OUR identity. It is our goal in this episode to peel back the layers on where we are finding our identity and how that affects the way we live as Christians. It is easy to become hyper focused on how OTHERS are identifying, but are we missing a good opportunity to take a close look at ourselves and see ourselves the way God sees us?Here is what you can expect in this episode:1:30 - Intro to Topic3:27 - Seemingly Harmless Things We Find Our Identity In12:28 - Where should we find our identity?33:10 - See Ourselves As God Sees Us40:11 - Obstacles to Believing Our Identity in Christ45:30 - Live Fully Into Your IdentityReferences:Ecclesiastes 9:10 - "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might."Mark 12:17 - "Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.""Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."Jeremiah 31:30 - "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."Romans 8:15-17 - "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."Ephesians 1:7 - "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace."Let's connect!Website: This Devoted LifeInstagram: Devoted MotherhoodEmail: [email protected]

We believe communication in marriage is one of the keys to having a healthy marriage, so in this episode we share five conversations to have with your spouse on a regular basis that will help you stay on the same page, encourage one another and build your spiritual walk with the Lord.Here is what you can expect in this episode:1:31 – When your spouse is an unbeliever.3:10 – Spiritual Well-Check6:56 – Financial 14:40 -Future Goals20:50 - Any frustrations?25:45 – Family Check-UpReferences:1 Peter 3:1 – “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,”Let's connect!Website: This Devoted LifeInstagram: Devoted MotherhoodEmail: [email protected]

When polling This Devoted Life Community about the topic of marriage, one of the biggest questions we received was on the topic of intimacy in marriage... specifically when sex drives differ and the frustrations that can arise from that. Out of respect for our marriage, we do not go into any specific details of our own marriage, but we wanted to discuss this topic because it is important for keeping marriages healthy.Here is what you can expect in this episode:2:30 – Intro to Topic with Disclaimers4:46 – Does media affect our views about sex?7:38 – Sex is good and important!9:00 – What does it all boil down to? 10:30 – When Resentment Arises11:28 – Tips for Keeping Sex a Priority16:00 – Communication is key!17:00 – Another Disclaimer18:38 – Keep Your Marriage Fresh19:59 – Frustration and Communication23:30 – Wrap UpLinks:Navigating Turbulence in MarriageReferences:Bible Verses:Proverbs 5:18 - "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth"Proverbs 5:19 - "a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love."Ephesians 5:22-23Let's connect!Website: This Devoted LifeInstagram: Devoted MotherhoodEmail: [email protected]

The number one question we received on the topic of marriage was, "How do you keep your marriage a priority?" Using an airplane ride as a metaphor for marriage, we discuss overcoming turbulence and ways we keep our marriage a priority. Every marriage is unique, but we hope that by sharing our experience, we can encourage you to continue to grow in your marriage and walk with the Lord.Here is what you can expect in this episode:3:00 - Airplanes and Marriage 5:45 - Cruising Altitude7:10 - Experiencing Turbulence 9:58 - Buckle Up11:44 - The Eject Button14:00 - Sharing Personal Things with the Opposite Sex16:28 - Communication21:31 - What do we do to keep marriage a priority?24:35 - Landing the Plane27:07 - What season are you in?References:Revelation 19:7 - "Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;"Let's connect!Website: This Devoted LifeInstagram: Devoted MotherhoodEmail: [email protected]