🌟 Real coaching for real parents — feel supported and confident all season long.

Click here to check out The Christmas Countdown.

Do you ever find yourself setting boundaries out of frustration instead of love?

In this episode, Jackie shares how to shift your mindset and set boundaries from a place of love—so you can create more peace and connection in your home. You'll learn how approaching boundaries with calm and clarity can help you strengthen relationships, reduce tension, and guide your kids with confidence.

👉 Learn more about how life coaching can help you set loving, effective boundaries. Read the Life Coaching for Parents article and sign up for a free consultation.

© 2018–2025 HomeSchool ThinkTank, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

✨ Simplify your holidays, steady your mindset, and stay on track — join The Christmas Countdown today!

Are schools helping children succeed—or subtly shaping them to conform?

In this episode, we unpack Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto. Discover the seven hidden lessons that schools teach—lessons that condition children to obey, comply, and depend on authority.

Whether you're homeschooling or simply questioning the traditional system, this episode will help you think differently about education—and empower you to reclaim your child's learning journey.

🎧 Listen now to explore what's really being taught in school—and how to break free from the hidden curriculum.

👉 Get the book and watch a rare video of Gatto himself.

The HomeSchool ThinkTank Parenting Podcast
© 2018–2025 HomeSchool ThinkTank, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

🎄 Stay calm, consistent, and confident through the holidays — join The Christmas Countdown for Homeschool Parents today!

👉 Learn more here.

In this episode, Jackie breaks down four fun (and relatable) types of homeschool families. You'll discover where your family fits right now, how your style might change over time, and why there's no one "right" way to homeschool.

Whether you're new to homeschooling or have been at it for years, this episode will help you reflect, laugh a little, and feel more confident in your unique homeschooling journey.

👉 Click here to see the article that goes with this podcast episode.

© 2018–2025 HomeSchool ThinkTank, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The holidays don't always look like a perfect Christmas snow globe, a cozy commercial, or your favorite influencer's Instagram feed.

In reality, they're 50/50 — part joy, part chaos. Some moments feel magical… and others leave you wondering how to keep it all together.

That's exactly why I created The Christmas Countdown — eight weeks of real coaching for real parents who want to stay grounded, present, and connected through the season.

🎄 Early Bird Sessions start TODAY — and it's only $47.
Join now and start creating a calmer, more joyful holiday season for your family.

👉 Learn more at HomeSchoolThinkTank.com/Christmas/

Do you ever feel like you've just found your homeschool rhythm… and then bam! the holidays hit, and everything gets harder to manage?
I get it — I've been there, too.

That's exactly why I created The Homeschool Christmas Countdown — a small group coaching program designed to help homeschooling parents stay consistent, feel supported, and handle the holiday madness with more calm and confidence.

👉 Listen to this episode to learn how it works, then head to HomeSchoolThinkTank.com/Christmas to enroll.
Early Bird Sessions start this week — join now and get a head start on the holiday season!

© 2018–2025 HomeSchool ThinkTank, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Have you ever wondered if you're doing enough to help your child learn to read?

In this conversation, I sit down with Margaret Craig, an award-winning Reading Recovery teacher and author of The Young Reader. With decades of experience teaching literacy in public and private schools, Margaret shares simple, effective strategies that parents can use to help their children become confident readers.

• How to teach reading at home—even if you're not a teacher
• The best reading strategies for early learners and struggling readers
• How to avoid common mistakes parents make when teaching reading
• Why Reading Recovery techniques can help any child, regardless of age
• Practical reading tips you can start using today

This episode is packed with actionable insights to support your child's reading development, so be sure to listen through to the end.

Check the show notes for helpful reading resources and to watch the video version of this interview.

https://homeschoolthinktank.com/teaching-reading/

Whether you're homeschooling, supplementing your child's education, or simply want to make reading a joyful experience, this episode is for you.

HomeSchool ThinkTank, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Established, 2018.

Have you ever noticed how often people use the words learning, education, teaching, and schooling as if they mean the same thing?

In this episode, Jackie shares why they're actually very different—and how understanding those differences can completely change the way you approach homeschooling.

You'll discover what learning really means, why it matters, and how recognizing the difference between learning and schooling can help your child thrive.

Prefer to watch instead of listen? 👀
This episode is also available as a video. Click the link below to watch and explore the article that goes with this episode.

👉 Click here to access the video at HomeSchoolThinkTank.com

© 2018–2025 HomeSchool ThinkTank, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Looking for creative ways to make spelling lessons more fun? In this episode, you'll discover practical, engaging activities that help kids learn to spell with confidence.

Whether your child is just starting or needs extra practice, these hands-on ideas make spelling easier—and a lot more enjoyable.

From games and movement-based learning to writing and wordplay, you'll find simple strategies you can start using today.

You'll also find a companion article with links to recommended homeschool spelling curriculum, online programs, and spelling games—plus a video version of this episode at the link below.

https://homeschoolthinktank.com/homeschool-spelling-curriculum/

© 2018–2025 HomeSchool ThinkTank, LLC. All Rights Reserved.