The Christy-Faith Show

Homeschooling more than one child and bouncing like a human pinball from phonics to fractions to grading essays? In the finale of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith, an education and parenting expert with over 20 years of experience, shows you how to homeschool multiple kids without burning out — with a realistic teaching budget, boundaries that protect your sanity, and simple systems that build capable kids. 🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules See how real homeschool days come together, and build a schedule that works for every kid in your house. 👉 Free Download In this episode, you’ll learn: Your real teaching budget: about 2 to 3 hours a day — total, not per kid How much of your time littles, elementary kids, and teens actually need Why everyone in the family needs a printed schedule with margin built in Multi-level homeschooling: which subjects to teach together and which to keep separate The interruption rule (“blood, fire, or flood”) and how to teach kids to…

Is your teenager shutting the bedroom door, sleeping until ten, and tuning out every reminder — while you quietly wonder if you’re losing them? In Part 3 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith explains what’s really happening in the teen brain and how teen homeschooling can build real independence without losing connection. 🎁 Free Resource: 15 Questions to Ask Before You Join a Homeschool Co-Op Save yourself the time and misery of joining the wrong co-op. Grab my free guide and find the right fit for your family. 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: Why teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep — and why it’s okay to start school at 9 or 10 Attention span by age: what to expect from 12–14 vs. 15–18 year olds Executive function in teens: why knowing and doing run on different hardware Scaffolding that isn’t you: checklists, timers, and outside deadlines What the research says about teen moods, conflict, and family time How much independent work to expect in 7th–8th, 9th–10th,…

Your child did long division perfectly on Monday — so why are they staring at the same problems like they’re written in a foreign language today? In Part 2 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith explains what kids in 3rd through 6th grade are really ready for, how much independence they can handle, and how to raise the bar without losing the relationship. 🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules Wondering how much school is really enough? See what real homeschool days look like with my free sample schedules. 👉 Free Download In this episode, you’ll learn: What’s developing in the brain between ages 8 and 11 — and why abstract math can feel impossible Attention span by age for assigned work (and the video game myth) How much independent work is realistic at ages 8–9 vs. 10–11 Why skills seem to vanish overnight — and why unevenness is not regression The math anxiety loop: how worry freezes working memory The golden rule for frustrating lessons: two explanations, then stop The…

Is your five-year-old refusing to do their letters, or is your seven-year-old melting down over a single phonics page? In Part 1 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith explains why most of what looks like a behavior problem in kids ages 4 to 7 is really brain development — and how to homeschool pre-K to 2nd grade without constant battles. 🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules Wondering how much school is really enough? See what real homeschool days look like with my free sample schedules. 👉 Free Download In this episode, you’ll learn: Why most “behavior problems” in kids ages 4–7 are really brain development Attention span by age — how long young kids can really focus on assigned work Why a 4-year-old can only hold about two pieces of information at once (and how to give instructions that stick) The “yesterday vs. today” problem — and what’s really behind it Why young kids need to move while they learn, plus the “upside-down kid” test Co-regulation: why young kids can’t…

Why do so many Christian marriages struggle even when both spouses truly love each other? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with licensed professional counselor Debra Fileta to talk about her new book, Relationship Skills, and the four seasons every marriage passes through. Healthy marriages aren't found — they're built. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: Why Christian marriages struggle from a lack of skill, not a lack of love The difference between a difficult, dysfunctional, and toxic relationship — and when to get professional help The four seasons of marriage: spring, summer, fall, and winter Why the goal of Christian marriage isn't just longevity — it's transformation How to change old patterns by starting with what you bring to the table The 90-second hack for building emotional intimacy…

What is a homeschool dad actually supposed to do when his wife is the one teaching? Most homeschool content is written for moms, so dads are left guessing — supportive, but unsure where they fit. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Dr. Joe O'Tool, a board-certified functional neurologist and second-generation homeschooler, to answer the question directly: what every homeschool dad needs to know. 🎁 Free Resource: The New Homeschooler's Roadmap Your free step-by-step companion to this whole journey — all 8 steps, all the links, plus episode playlists organized by your biggest worries. Save it to your desktop — it's your command center. 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: What the dad's role in homeschooling actually is when mom is the primary teacher Why the best homeschool dads lead without micromanaging the day-to-day What to say to your wife when she has taught the same concept five times and hit a wall Why a dad's criticism is usually fear talking — and what to do with that fear The…

Can homeschool graduates actually join the military — and is enlisting the only way in? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and retired military spouse with more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, to map every pathway to service. Enlistment, ROTC, service academies, military colleges, the Guard and Reserves — plus the tier rule that quietly decided how homeschoolers were treated for years. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: The five military pathways open to homeschool graduates, not just enlistment Why homeschool graduates are now tier one — and what to do if a recruiter says otherwise What the ASVAB actually measures, and why it isn't only for future service members How the free ASVAB Career Exploration Program works for any…

How do you prepare a homeschooler for college — and do you have to do the traditional four years to get there? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., a homeschool consultant and TEDx speaker with more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, to walk through every college-bound pathway open to homeschool families. Dual enrollment, community college, dual degree programs, and the traditional four-year route — plus the transfer trap that quietly costs families thousands. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: The four college-bound pathways available to homeschool families, laid out side by side When community college during high school is a smart move — and when it isn't How dual enrollment works, and why one semester course can equal a full high school year Why some dual credit…

Can homeschoolers actually play college sports? If your athlete has ever said "I want to play in college," there is a separate process running alongside college admissions that most homeschool families never hear about until it's too late. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., to walk through exactly how NCAA eligibility works when you're the one wearing the guidance counselor hat. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: Whether homeschool students can compete in NCAA athletics just like traditionally schooled students Where to find the NCAA Eligibility Center's homeschool toolkit and why it's the document to follow How the 16 core courses and the 10/7 rule actually work What a Core Course Worksheet (CCW) is and when a parent has to fill one out When the eligibility clock starts…

Your student is heading into ninth grade and suddenly everything feels like it counts. Credits, transcripts, graduation requirements, college, and a hundred decisions you're not sure you're qualified to make. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., to answer the question that keeps homeschool moms up at night: how do you homeschool high school without living in a pressure cooker? This is Part 1 of a four-part high school series. 🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules See how real homeschool families actually structure their days — then take what works and leave the rest. 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: What actually changes when you move from homeschooling middle school into high school Why Natalie calls high school a blank canvas — and why there's no single right way through it The five core subject areas that build a sound high school foundation How many credits a homeschool high schooler needs each year, and what a credit really represents Why every student…

It's 8 AM on the first day of school — pencils sharpened, kids ready — and the website won't load, a password is wrong, and the whole morning unravels before it starts. In Part 2 of How to Set Up Your Homeschool Year, homeschool expert Christy-Faith — author of Homeschool Rising with over 20 years of experience in education — moves from mindset to the nuts and bolts: the 7 systems she sets up every summer so her homeschool runs at a clip instead of starting in overwhelm. 🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules Curious what other homeschool moms' schedules actually look like? Grab free sample schedules by age and stage — Christy-Faith's own included. 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: Why the worst time to teach a new chore system is September — and when to train it instead How a simple printed schedule lowers your kids' stress hormones (clinicians have measured it) Why you don't need a dedicated schoolroom — and the "everything has a home" rule that keeps your house tidy The unglamorous…

You planned the perfect first week — and by day three it was already falling apart. What actually torches the start of a homeschool year has nothing to do with school supplies, curriculum, or the color-coded spreadsheet you built in July. It's your expectations. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith, an education and parenting expert with over 20 years of experience, walks through the seven mindset shifts that make setting up your homeschool year sustainable instead of soul-crushing. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: Why everything is hard at the beginning — even in year 15 — and the three-things rule that keeps week one from burying you Why the first weeks of school are the worst possible time to teach brand-new content How to prep before day one so your kids aren't learning new systems and new material at…

You've researched the curriculum, built the schedule, and made the plan — so why do you still lie awake wondering if you're doing enough? In this rare, behind-the-scenes episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with the mentors of Thrive Homeschool Community to talk about why even devoted homeschool moms keep second-guessing their decisions — and how to finally trust that you're the right one to make the call for your kids. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: The three questions that keep homeschool moms up at night: "Am I doing enough? Am I doing too much? Are these the right things?" Why more information hasn't made homeschooling easier — and how too many "experts" fuel the second-guessing Where real homeschool confidence actually comes from (hint: it's not a perfect curriculum) What the…

Should you still be reading aloud to your kids after they can read on their own? It turns out this is one of the most settled questions in all of education — and the answer has been sitting in a government report since 1985. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith walks through what the research actually says about reading aloud to kids, why it never expires, and why the book on your couch may outrank half of what's on your lesson plan. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: Why reading aloud to kids is called the single most important activity for building a reader What the million word gap study found about read-alouds before kindergarten Why the rare words in books almost never show up in everyday conversation What MRI scans revealed about a child's brain during a read-aloud How animated screens do the imagining…

You've said "sit down, please" about twenty thousand times this week — and it's starting to feel personal. It isn't. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith unpacks what's actually happening in your child's brain, why the wiggling may be how the learning gets in, and the small shifts that make the morning stop being a fight. 🎁 Free Resource: 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure Twenty honest questions that help you spot the school-shaped rules you're still carrying — so you can put them down, one at a time. 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: The attention-span rule of thumb every homeschool mom should know — a few minutes per year of age on a grown-up-chosen task Why a 45-minute lesson is quietly asking your six-year-old to hold on three times longer than they can The three expectations strangling your homeschool mornings — and permission to put all three down What 54 studies and nearly 30,000 kids revealed about movement and learning How to shorten and split lessons without falling…

Homeschooling can feel wonderful and lonely at the very same time — especially when there's no co-op nearby, or the ones around you just don't fit. Here's the good news: real community is absolutely possible without one. In this Throwback Thursday favorite, homeschool expert Christy-Faith busts the socialization myth and shares 8 natural ways to find your people, whether you're an extrovert or a shy park-bench introvert. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations In this episode, you'll learn: Why homeschooling without a co-op does NOT mean your kids are missing out The truth about homeschool socialization — and why school-style socializing was never the gold standard 8 natural ways to build real community: faith groups, volunteering, playgroups, libraries, museums, neighbors, and more How everyday…

If you're raising boys, you already know they don't always learn the way school expects them to — and that can leave you wondering if something is wrong. In this throwback episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with the beloved Durenda Wilson to talk about how boys actually learn and how to raise them into capable, confident men. We're revisiting this conversation in loving memory of Durenda. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: Why boys often learn differently than girls — and what the brain research actually shows How to let go of rigid scope-and-sequence without feeling like you're falling behind Why movement, energy, and hands-on learning matter so much for boys How to raise self-directed sons who take ownership of their own learning The relationship-first approach that keeps boys from…

Is unschooling going too far — or is it exactly right? In this live Q&A from the Summer Homeschool Help Desk series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith pulls no punches on unschooling's real risks, curriculum overload, whether it's too late to start in high school, and what it actually takes to raise a well-educated child at home. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations In this episode, you'll learn: Why Christy-Faith believes pure unschooling carries real risks — and what she calls educational neglect The difference between unschooling, deschooling, and interest-led learning How to use BJU Press without doing every single thing in the curriculum Whether it's too late to start homeschooling in middle or high school (spoiler: it's not) How working moms and single moms can realistically homeschool…

You've been up at midnight Googling curriculum, schedule templates, and whether you're doing enough. That stops here. In this Summer Homeschool Help Desk Live Q&A, homeschool expert Christy-Faith — author of Homeschool Rising and a homeschooling mom of four who also works full time — answers real questions from real moms on curriculum choices, daily structure, living books, reading gaps, toddlers underfoot, and how to stop doing it all yourself. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations In this episode, you'll learn: How working moms make homeschooling work — and why "sourcing" is the real secret How to choose curriculum strategically so you're not teaching every subject yourself Why kids need structure (backed by 70 years of child psychology research) and what it actually looks like How to handle…

You've heard the question — maybe from a relative, a neighbor, or a stranger at a party: aren't you sheltering your kids? In this archived Summer Homeschool Help Desk live Q&A, homeschool expert Christy-Faith answers real questions from real homeschool moms and unpacks the difference between sheltering your kids and "greenhousing" them — protecting them while they grow strong. Because a strong homeschool was never about the perfect curriculum. It's about a secure, confident mom who knows her why. 🎁 Free Resource: The 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder There are 9 homeschool styles — and when you know yours, the curriculum, the schedule, and your whole approach finally click. Take the free quiz and find your fit. 👉 Take the Free Quiz In this episode, you'll learn: The difference between sheltering your kids and "greenhousing" them Why a strong homeschool isn't built on the perfect curriculum How to become a secure, confident homeschool leader who knows her "why" How to handle the pressure to prove your kids are…

Is it ever too late to start homeschooling? What curriculum should you actually trust? In this episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith opens the floor and answers the hardest questions real homeschool moms brought to her live Q&A — from homeschooling a gifted kindergartner to choosing curriculum, deschooling, and whether to school straight through the summer. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: Whether it's ever too late to start homeschooling — even with an eleventh grader How to choose homeschool curriculum you can actually trust (and why Christy won't just hand you a list) What to do when you're homeschooling a gifted child — especially with a new baby in the house How to find your homeschool style so curriculum decisions get easier What deschooling is and why most new homeschoolers need it first How…

Before you spend another $500 on summer camp, ask one question: is boredom actually bad for your kids — or is it exactly what their growing brains need? In this episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith makes the research-backed case that slow, unstructured, "boring" summers are one of the most powerful gifts you can give your kids. She breaks down what the science says, why their "I'm bored" makes us panic, and five simple moves for a slower, richer summer. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: Why boredom is good for kids — and the brain science that proves it What the CDC found about kids, screen time, and rising anxiety and depression How the brain's "default mode network" fuels creativity, memory, and identity Why unstructured play and white space matter more than another summer camp The real reason your kid's "I'm bored" makes YOU…

If you've been putting off building a homeschool transcript because it feels too complicated, too official, or just too much — this episode is for you. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Joan Girkins, founder of Homeschool Records and a veteran homeschool mom of 20+ years, to demystify the entire process and give you a real, confidence-building action plan. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations In this episode, you'll learn: Why keeping homeschool records matters — even if your state doesn't require it Whether a homeschool transcript carries the same weight as a public or private school transcript What "accreditation" actually means and why it's not a barrier for homeschool families When to start building your child's transcript (hint: 9th grade, out of the gate) What colleges…

You're homeschooling a five-year-old, chasing a toddler, and surviving on whatever broken sleep your baby will give you. The advice you were raised on — cry it out, Ferber method, strict schedules — may not be sitting right anymore. So what do you actually do? Natalie Diaz, founder of Twiniversity and Certified IBCLC, brings nearly two decades of one-on-one experience with exhausted moms to answer that question — gently, practically, and without shame. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations In this episode, you'll learn: Why sleep training advice shifted so dramatically — and what the science now says The real reasons your baby isn't sleeping (and how to work through the checklist) Natalie's step-by-step approach for the mom who won't do cry-it-out but desperately needs sleep Why "sleepy gets…

You counted the lessons left. You counted the days left. The math doesn't work — and now that quiet voice is asking if you've ruined your kids. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith has been there. In this episode, she gives you the framework she uses every single year with her own kids so you never panic about unfinished curriculum again. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations 🎁 Free Printable Notecard: "The scope and sequence is not a contract. It's a menu." Download this beautiful, ready-to-print notecard featuring this episode's quote of the week. 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: Why an unfinished curriculum is not a sign of failure — and what it actually means The mindset shift that ends the panic for good (it starts with one question) What curriculum is actually for — and why…

Your child reads beautifully out loud — but ask them what just happened in the story, and you get a blank stare. That's the gap most homeschool moms don't catch until it's too late. In Episode 115, homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with educational therapist Janel Nansenn — founder of Read-A-Rific and a 25-year private practice veteran who has helped over 3,000 students — to break down the reading comprehension gap most families don't catch until fourth grade, when the doors really start closing. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). In this episode, you'll learn: What the Matthew effect is — and why it's the silent reason struggling readers fall further behind every year The critical difference between reading fluency and reading comprehension (and why fluent readers can still have huge gaps) The single skill underneath strong reading…

If your kid hates writing, you're not alone — and the problem usually isn't the kid. It's that we were never shown the actual process. In this episode, Christy-Faith sits down with veteran teacher and BJU Press curriculum specialist Sharon Fisher to walk through the four-stage writing process homeschool moms have been missing — and the one mistake that quietly kills your child's voice every time you sit down to write. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download In this episode, you'll learn: Why writing is a process, not an event — and what that mindset shift changes The four stages of the writing process and why mashing them together backfires Why correcting spelling during drafting is the fastest way to make your kid hate writing The "brain dump" technique that protects your child's creativity The critical difference between revising and…

AI is changing what our kids need to learn — and fast. The skills that will actually matter in the AI economy aren't the ones school has been measuring. Today, kids need the 5 C's — and in this Part 2 conversation, Christy-Faith and Lisa Nehring break down what they are and how to start building them in your home today. 🟢 Free Resource: The New Homeschooler Roadmap Everything you need to start homeschooling — 8 steps, mapped out, ready to follow. In this episode, you'll learn: What skills kids actually need for an AI economy The 5 C's of education — critical thinking, communication, creativity, collaboration, character Why "compare and contrast" isn't critical thinking — and what is The difference between real research and confirmation bias Why communication is a dying art (and the writing skill that doubles as a thinking skill) Why tech gurus don't let their own kids have devices The college cost reality: 25% of U.S. colleges expected to close in 10 years Why homeschool families are already positioned to…

My son Lincoln has wanted to be an attorney since he could pronounce the word. Then AI happened — and everything changed. In this episode, Christy-Faith sits down with Lisa Nehring — 30-year homeschool veteran and founder of True North Homeschool Academy — to talk about what jobs AI will replace, which fields are growing, whether college is still worth it, and why homeschool families already have the structural edge. This is Part 1 of 2. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations In this episode, you'll learn: What the Fourth Industrial Revolution actually is — and why AI is different from every revolution before it Which white collar jobs are most at risk (and how fast the timeline really is) 8 emerging job areas your kids should be building toward right now What jobs AI can't replace — and why…

Childhood depression is rising. Teen anxiety is up. And online searches for kids' mental health have nearly tripled since last fall. Most parents don't need a statistic to feel it. So what can parents actually do at home, today? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith shares the six things she actively does every day to protect her kids' mental health — and the research behind every one of them. 📌 Resource for You: 12-Day Connection Reset Challenge Build real connection back into your family with this instant-download challenge. 🎁 Free Download: Quote of the Week Notecard "I am the most important part of my homeschool. Everything else is just a tool." — Ready-to-print notecard, totally free. In this episode, you'll learn: Why social media and kids' mental health are more connected than most parents realize — and the one data point that changes everything What a major NIH study found about children's sleep and brain structure — and why sleep deprivation doesn't always look like tired The Harvard research on real…

There is a new term making its way through the education world right now — and researchers say it could change how we teach math the way the science of reading changed how we teach kids to read. Christy-Faith and Nathan King of CTC Math unpack the Science of Math movement and what it means for your homeschool. 🟢 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). In this episode, you'll learn: What the Science of Math is and why it's gaining momentum now How it parallels the science of reading — and what that means for your homeschool What explicit instruction is and why the research supports it Why so many kids (and moms) develop math anxiety The difference between mastery-based and spiral math curricula Why homeschool families already have a built-in edge What math automaticity is and why it matters How to evaluate a homeschool math curriculum based on research, not…

Every spring, testing season arrives — and homeschool families face a question that's equal parts legal, philosophical, and personal. When should homeschoolers use standardized testing — and when should they skip it entirely? 🟢 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). In this episode, you'll learn: Why standardized tests were never designed with homeschoolers in mind When homeschool testing actually serves your family — and when to skip it Which standardized test is best for homeschoolers (Iowa, Stanford 10, CAT, MAP Growth, CLT compared) What states require standardized testing for homeschoolers — and alternatives most families don't know exist Whether homeschool kids do better on standardized tests Free standardized testing for homeschool prep resources How to use testing strategically — not reflexively Sponsors: BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum…

Most families Googling the disadvantages of homeschooling are secretly hoping the fears aren’t real. In this episode of The Christy-Faith Show, homeschool expert Christy-Faith takes every fear on the list — socialization, academic gaps, parent qualifications, and the financial question — and follows each one all the way to the research. The answers change everything. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market. In this episode, you’ll learn: What the research actually says about homeschooled kids and academic outcomes The truth about the socialization question every homeschool mom gets asked What Vygotsky’s research says about healthy child development and peer relationships What Brian Ray’s 35+ years of NHERI data shows about homeschool vs. public school outcomes Whether you need a teaching credential to homeschool — and what the data actually shows How to honestly evaluate…

Wondering how to reduce screen time for kids when you homeschool — and whether you're actually winning the battle? Christy-Faith, veteran educator and host of The Christy-Faith Show, says homeschool moms are sitting on the answer — the lifestyle they've already chosen is the strategy everyone else is desperately searching for. 🎁 Free Resource: Free Homeschool Wellness Check For the mom who wants to look at her homeschool honestly and make sure it's in good shape. In this episode, you'll learn: Why being home all day doesn't automatically mean less screen time — and why homeschoolers are sometimes more screen-heavy, not less What the research actually says about screen time recommendations by age — and why the number of hours may be the wrong thing to track The crucial difference between screen time that damages your child's brain and screen time that doesn't Why limiting screen time for teenagers starts with understanding one specific type of content — and it's not Netflix The "ugly detox" — what really…

A homeschool mom gets her son tested for dyslexia — he qualifies — and they refuse to give him the diagnosis because he's homeschooled. They called it "failure to educate." Have you ever been interrogated, profiled, or made to feel like a suspect just because you homeschool? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith — author of Homeschool Rising, with over 20 years in education — shares three powerful strategies for handling hostile service providers, explains the power differential homeschool families face at appointments, and introduces the Christy-Faith List: a free nationwide directory connecting homeschool families with businesses and providers who support them. 🎁 Free Resource: The Christy-Faith List Find homeschool-friendly businesses and providers — doctors, therapists, dentists, and more — all in one free, searchable directory. 👉 christy-faiths-list.com • $20 Gift Card Giveaway — Share the list with 10 families and get $20 at the Christy-Faith shop • Young Entrepreneur Program (ages 12–17) — Free listing for…

Your child is struggling, and you don't know if it's a content gap, a skill gap, or something deeper. Should you change curriculum? Hire a tutor? Get a diagnosis? In this episode, homeschool expert and 20-year education veteran Christy-Faith sits down with Dr. Amy Moore (cognitive psychologist and ADHD mom) and Sandy Zamalis (cognitive skills specialist and former homeschool mom) from LearningRx to give you a clear framework for figuring out what's really going on—and what to do next. If you've ever said, “I don't understand why you don't remember this—I taught this to you last week,” this episode is for you. 🎁 Free Resource: The New Homeschooler Roadmap Everything you need to start homeschooling — 8 steps, mapped out, ready to follow. 👉 christy-faith.com/the-new-homeschooler-roadmap In this episode, you'll learn: How to tell if your child has a content gap, a skill gap, or a true learning disability When to change curriculum vs. when to call in a professional Should you get a diagnosis? The real pros, cons,…

If there's one thing we know about homeschool moms, it's that we are really good at giving of ourselves. But somewhere along the way, we picked up this belief that a beautiful life is something we give, not something we get to have. In this episode, Christy-Faith sits down with licensed professional counselor, author, and homeschool mom of four, Debra Fileta, to unpack why so many of us are running on empty and what it actually looks like to care for our souls, not just our schedules. 🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES Free Homeschooling Resources Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey: Free How to Homeschool Guide Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure Free Sample Homeschool Schedules 👉 https://christy-faith.com/links Thrive Homeschool Community Join Christy-Faith’s online community and create a homeschool that works for YOUR family—plus access the masterclass on socialization! 👉 https://christy-faith.com/thrive The…

If you've made it to Episode 3 of the New Homeschooler Series — you're already ahead. In this final episode, Christy-Faith walks you through the last two steps: building a homeschool schedule that works and getting confident about the socialization question. 🟢 Free Resource: The New Homeschooler's Roadmap Your step-by-step companion to this entire series — all 8 steps, every link, episode playlists. In this episode, you'll learn: The 3+1+Fun Rule — a daily anchor that ends the Friday failure spiral Loop scheduling and day-of-week scheduling — which fits your season Why the socialization question is built on a lie How to find community without burning your family out A closing word for every mom still asking "What if I mess this up?" Sponsors: BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 Browse BJU Press Homeschool Curriculum CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive…

In Episode 2 of the New Homeschooler Series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith walks you through the three steps that must happen BEFORE you spend a dime on curriculum: deschooling, dreaming with your kids, and how to choose homeschool curriculum without wasting money or burning out. 🟢 Free Resource: The New Homeschooler’s Roadmap Your free step-by-step companion to this whole journey — all 8 steps, all the links, plus episode playlists organized by your biggest worries. Save it to your desktop — it’s your command center. In this episode, you’ll learn: What deschooling is (and why it’s NOT the same as unschooling) Why skipping deschooling leads to burnout and curriculum regret How to dream with your kids before you buy anything The difference between all-in-one and subject-by-subject curriculum Key tips for buying curriculum without regrets Christy-Faith’s free Curriculum Recommendations (zero paid placements) Sponsors: BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family’s needs ✔ Biblical worldview…

You've been Googling "how to start homeschooling" for hours. Every article says something different, and somehow you're more confused than when you started. In Episode 101, homeschool expert Christy-Faith — with over 20 years in education — gives you three clear steps so you know exactly where to begin. 📥 FREE DOWNLOAD: New Homeschooler's Roadmap All 8 steps, all the links, episode playlists organized by your biggest fears — in one free guide. Download the Free Roadmap IN THIS EPISODE: How to find your state's homeschool laws in plain English What notification states and letters of intent actually mean How to make your exit plan — whether your child is preschool age or currently enrolled The 9 homeschool styles and why you must know yours before buying curriculum How to find your homeschool style in just 5 minutes RESOURCES MENTIONED: State Homeschool Laws Pages 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder Quiz New Homeschooler's Roadmap The Christy-Faith List Thrive Homeschool Community Homeschool Rising (Book)…

The Christy-Faith Show has reached 100 episodes, and we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than hanging out with her favorite people. In this special milestone episode, she's joined by Marni, Denise, and longtime friend Jessie for a girls' night style conversation. No fancy agenda, just real talk. They share powerful mom transformation stories from inside Thrive, turn the tables so the guests interview Christy-Faith, and answer listener questions about everything from her homeschool schedule to how she nurtures her marriage while running a business. Pull up a chair, grab your coffee (or that load of laundry), and hang out with them. This one's personal and a whole lot of fun. 🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES Free Homeschooling Resources Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey: Free How to Homeschool Guide Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure Free Sample Homeschool Schedules 👉 https://christy-faith.com/links…

If you’ve ever watched your child lose joy in a sport they once loved, this episode will hit close to home. Christy-Faith and guest Jonathan Carone discuss how youth sports has slowly shifted from play to pressure. What used to be backyard games and simple fun has turned into rankings, money, identity, and adult expectations kids were never meant to carry. This episode is not about blaming parents or coaches. It's not anti-sports either (We love sports and competition!). It is about pausing long enough to ask what our kids actually need, and what really lasts after the last game is played. 🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES Free Homeschooling Resources Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey: Free How to Homeschool Guide Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure Free Sample Homeschool Schedules 👉 https://christy-faith.com/links Thrive Homeschool Community Join Christy-Faith’s online community and create a homeschool that…

72% of parents get insufficient sleep at least three nights a week. And when we finally get the kids to bed, most of us do the same thing — stay up scrolling because it's the only time that feels like ours. But what if the things we think are recharging us are actually making us more exhausted? In this episode, Christy-Faith sits down with Dr. Joe O'Toole, a neuroscientist and homeschool success story, to unpack the difference between true rest and just escaping. If you're running on empty no matter how much "rest" you get, this conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about recharging. 🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES Free Homeschooling Resources Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey: Free How to Homeschool Guide Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure Free Sample Homeschool Schedules 👉 https://christy-faith.com/links Thrive Homeschool Community Join Christy-Faith’s online community and create a…

In this final episode of the Behind the Screen series, Christy-Faith shares her deepest why: the real reason behind everything she does. After twenty years in education, she thought homeschooling would be easy. She had the credentials and experience. What she didn't have was support. And it nearly cost her everything. She explores the hidden cost of going it alone and the one belief holding homeschool moms back: that investing in yourself is optional. Learn what the research says about homeschools that thrive versus those that burn out, and why supporting yourself is actually supporting your kids. 🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES Free Homeschooling Resources Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey: Free How to Homeschool Guide Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure Free Sample Homeschool Schedules 👉 https://christy-faith.com/links Thrive Homeschool Community Join Christy-Faith’s online community and create a homeschool…

No one warned you that growth could come with grief. That answering a calling might mean watching parts of your old life slip away—friendships that shift, privacy that disappears, and a simplicity you didn't know to treasure until it was gone. In this raw and reflective episode, Christy-Faith opens up about the hidden cost of stepping into purpose. She shares what it's really like to carry both gratitude and grief at the same time—to love where you are while quietly aching for what you had to leave behind. This isn't an episode about complaining when life looks good on paper. It's about finally naming the tension so many women feel but rarely say out loud: What do I do when following a calling costs me something I didn't expect to lose? 🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES Free Homeschooling Resources Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey: Free How to Homeschool Guide Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure Free Sample…

Ever lie awake at 2 AM wondering if God's even there? Or have questions you're too scared to say out loud—even to yourself? I've been there. Twice. In this episode, I'm sharing the two seasons I almost walked away from my faith completely. One was intellectual—I couldn't make the pieces fit anymore. The other was heartbreak so crushing I thought God was being cruel. I'll tell you what those years actually looked like, what kept me from walking away, and why wrestling with God doesn't mean your faith is broken. Sometimes it means it's finally getting honest. If you're in the dark right now—or you have been—this one's for you. Stay with me. 🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES Free Homeschooling Resources Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey: Free How to Homeschool Guide Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure Free Sample Homeschool Schedules 👉 https://christy-faith.com/links Thrive Homeschool Community Join Christy-Faith’s…

If you’ve ever followed all the parenting rules, read all the books, and still felt your child slipping away, this episode will land deep in your chest. In this raw and honest conversation, Christy-Faith shares the story she’s never fully told—the moment she realized the parenting method she believed was “biblical” was actually building fear, walls, and distance with her child. What followed was a journey of unlearning, healing, and rediscovering what discipline actually means through the lens of Scripture and attachment, not shame. 🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES Free Homeschooling Resources Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey: Free How to Homeschool Guide Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure Free Sample Homeschool Schedules 👉 https://christy-faith.com/links Thrive Homeschool Community Join Christy-Faith’s online community and create a homeschool that works for YOUR family—plus access the masterclass on…

The church you love. The friends who feel like family. The life you’ve built with your whole heart. What happens when walking away from all of it is the only way to protect your family? In this raw and vulnerable episode, Christy-Faith shares the story she’s held close for years—the painful season when her family had to leave their church, their friend group, and their entire social world behind almost overnight. From subtle red flags to full-blown spiritual and relational turmoil, she opens up about the moment everything cracked and the long road that followed. 🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES Free Homeschooling Resources Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey: 👉 https://christy-faith.com/links Thrive Homeschool Community Join Christy-Faith’s online community and create a homeschool that works for YOUR family—plus access the masterclass on socialization! 👉 https://christy-faith.com/thrive Christy-Faith’s List A curated guide to homeschool-friendly service providers, businesses, and…

If you’ve ever looked at another homeschool mom online and thought, “She must have it all together,” this episode will feel like a deep breath. Christy-Faith opens up about the real parts of her life: the mess, the fear, the mistakes, the burnout and why she can’t keep showing up as a two-dimensional version of herself. This is the start of her Behind the Screen series, where she shares what’s true, not just what fits in a 30-second clip. This is Part 1 of a 6 part series. 🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES Free Homeschooling Resources Tools to help you build a homeschool that fits your real life: • Free How to Homeschool Guide • Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder • Free Guide – 20 Questions to Jumpstart Your Deschooling • Free Sample Homeschool Schedules 👉 https://christy-faith.com/links Thrive Homeschool Community Real connection. Real mentorship. Real friends who get it. 👉 https://christy-faith.com/thrive Christy-Faith’s List A curated directory of homeschool-friendly service providers, colleges, and businesses. 👉…

The matching pajamas. The elaborate elf setup. The perfect presents. We pour ourselves out every December trying to create “magic” for our kids—but what if they won’t even remember it? In this freeing and research-backed episode, Christy-Faith uncovers what kids truly remember about their childhood holidays (and what they don’t). Through the science of memory and emotion, she reveals why the pressure for “perfect” holidays actually blocks memories from forming and what to do instead. The Christy-Faith Show | Ep. 91 🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES Free Homeschooling Resources Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey: 👉 https://christy-faith.com/links Thrive Homeschool Community Join Christy-Faith’s online community for mentorship, encouragement, and real friendships that last: 👉 https://christy-faith.com/thrive Christy-Faith’s List A curated directory of homeschool-friendly service providers, businesses, and colleges: 👉 https://christy-faiths-list.com Christy-Faith’s Book: Homeschool…