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2 hours ago
2 hours ago
44 min
Does your homeschool ever feel rushed, overloaded, or focused more on getting through the curriculum than enjoying your children?
Slow schooling offers another way.
In this episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, host Kaitlin Zara welcomes educator, homeschool mom, and author Leslie Martino for an encouraging conversation about restoring balance, connection, and wonder to homeschool life.
Leslie explains that slow schooling is not about laziness, avoiding academics, or following one particular homeschool philosophy. Instead, it is an intentional approach that values depth over breadth, connection over control, and meaningful learning over simply checking boxes.
Together, Kaitlin and Leslie explore how families can use curriculum without becoming controlled by it, preserve play throughout the middle and high school years, assess progress in more meaningful ways, and create space for curiosity, boredom, creativity, and stronger family relationships.
This Episode Is Sponsored by Ascension Press
Pillars of Faith from Ascension Press is a brand-new K–8 Catholic curriculum deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture and Tradition and designed to evangelize the whole family.
Learn more about Pillars of Faith for your homeschool:
https://ascensionpress.com/pillarshomeschool
Resources
The Joy of Slow: Restoring Balance and Wonder to Homeschool Learning by Leslie Martino
Visit Leslie’s website
Follow Leslie on Instagram
@lesliemmartino
In This Episode
- What slow schooling is, and what it is not
- Why slow schooling can work with traditional, classical, Charlotte Mason, interest-led, or unschooling approaches
- How to choose quality over quantity in your homeschool
- Why doing fewer things better can lead to deeper learning
- How to use curriculum as a tool rather than allowing it to control your family
- Why slow schooling does not mean ignoring academics or learning gaps
- How to balance child-led learning with core subjects and necessary structure
- What a day of slow schooling can look like
- Why joy can be a meaningful measure of homeschool success
- How slow schooling can work during the middle school and high school years
- Why adolescents and teenagers still need play
- Ways to assess growth beyond tests and standard benchmarks
- How families can make thoughtful decisions about technology and screen time
- Why boredom is a good thing
- Practical ways to help children discover what to do with unstructured time
One Big Takeaway
Slow schooling is not primarily about moving at a certain pace. It is about making choices that reflect what your family truly values.
Instead of asking whether you completed every lesson or checked every box, consider asking: Did we experience joy? Did we connect? Did we learn something deeply?
Leslie encourages parents to see curriculum as a helpful tool—not a master—and to resist making decisions out of panic, comparison, or fear.
One practical place to begin is to ask: What is one area of control I can exchange for greater connection with my child?
About Leslie Martino
Leslie M. Martino is the author of The Joy of Slow: Restoring Balance and Wonder to Homeschool Learning: https://amzn.to/4x0LJ9w
She has more than twenty years of teaching experience as an elementary school teacher, home educator, and adjunct lecturer for graduate courses focused on the teacher’s role in supporting children’s individual work preferences.
Leslie homeschools her four children and works as an educational consultant, writing curricula, training teachers, and coaching parents to approach learning in an interest-based and connection-rich way. She is also a speaker on education and motherhood and a contributing writer for Wild + Free and other publications within the homeschooling community.
She lives in sunny Florida with her husband and children.
About Your Host
Kaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. See her homeschool blog posts here:
6 days ago
6 days ago
15 min
Kaitlin Unscripted Episode 10: No scripts, no interviews—just homeschool real talk.
Should your family join a homeschool co-op? Or would a hybrid school be a better fit?
In this episode of Kaitlin Unscripted, Kaitlin Zara explores one of the biggest questions homeschool families face as they build a learning environment that works for their unique season of life. While co-ops and hybrid schools may seem similar on the surface, they offer very different levels of structure, parental involvement, academic support, and flexibility.
Rather than telling you which option is "best," Kaitlin walks you through the key differences between the two models and shares the questions every homeschool parent should ask before making a decision. She also offers a behind-the-scenes look at her own family's experience with a hybrid program and why it's been such a blessing during this season.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- The key differences between homeschool co-ops and hybrid schools
- How to determine which model best fits your family's goals
- Why parent involvement looks very different in each option
- When a co-op may be the better choice
- When a hybrid school can provide valuable academic support
- How to make your decision without guilt or comparison
- Why your homeschool doesn't have to look like anyone else's
- Why the best choice is the one that serves your family right now
Helpful Resources
The Homeschool Dictionary
New to homeschooling? Learn the meaning behind common homeschool terms—including co-ops, hybrid schools, unit studies, Charlotte Mason, dual enrollment, and more.
https://homeschoolconnections.com/the-homeschool-dictionary/
More Episodes on Homeschool Co-ops & Hybrid Programs (including the one mentioned in today's episode):
https://homeschoolconnections.com/podcasts_category/homeschool-coops-programs/
This episode is sponsored by Homeschool Connections.
Homeschool Connections partners with Catholic homeschooling families by offering live online courses taught by outstanding instructors. Whether you're looking to outsource a challenging subject, enrich your curriculum, or simply lighten your teaching load, Homeschool Connections offers flexible options that complement virtually every homeschool style.
Learn more at:
https://homeschoolconnections.com
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with another homeschooling family!
Aug 17, 2026
Aug 17, 2026
43 min
What happens when your child says, “I’m just not good at math” or “I can’t do this”?
Those simple statements can reveal something important about the way children view their abilities and how they respond when learning gets difficult.
In this episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, host Kaitlin Zara welcomes developmental and educational psychologist Dr. Kristi Moore for a fascinating and practical conversation about growth mindset: the belief that our abilities can grow and develop through learning, practice, perseverance, and even mistakes.
Dr. Moore explains the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset and shares how seemingly innocent messages, including repeatedly telling a child how “smart” he or she is, can unintentionally make children afraid of challenges or failure.
Drawing from psychological research, her experience as a professor, and life as a Catholic homeschooling mother of six, Dr. Moore gives parents practical strategies they can begin using right away.
And Kaitlin gets a surprise along the way when Dr. Moore challenges one of her long-held beliefs about “learning styles”!
This Episode Is Sponsored by Ascension Press
Pillars of Faith from Ascension Press is a brand-new K–8 Catholic curriculum deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture and Tradition and designed to evangelize the whole family.
Learn more about Pillars of Faith for your homeschool:
https://ascensionpress.com/pillarshomeschool
Resources
Using Praise to Build a Growth Mindset by Dr. Kristi Moore
https://homeschoolconnections.com/using-praise-to-build-a-growth-mindset/
Other homeschool articles by Dr. Moore
https://homeschoolconnections.com/author/?n=230089
Explore Dr. Moore’s High School Courses with Homeschool Connections
https://tinyurl.com/mutbc57r
Meet Dr. Kristi Moore
https://homeschoolconnections.com/instructors/kristi-moore/
In This Episode
- What a growth mindset is and why it matters
- The difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset
- Why children who have always been told they are “smart” can sometimes struggle when learning becomes difficult
- What parents should praise instead of natural ability
- Why challenge, effort, progress, and mistakes are important parts of learning
- Practical phrases parents can use when a child is frustrated
- How to tell the difference between a motivation problem and a genuine learning gap
- Why homeschooling gives us a unique opportunity to go back and fill those gaps
- The surprising research behind the popular concept of “learning styles”
- How to balance a child’s natural interests with subjects they simply need to learn
- Why motivation is not one-size-fits-all
- How parents can model a growth mindset through their own mistakes and challenges
- How to talk with older children and teens when they are struggling
- Why giving teens ownership in solving academic problems can build motivation and important life skills
One Big Takeaway
Instead of focusing on whether your child is naturally “good” at something, focus on progress.
Challenges don't mean a child lacks ability. They provide opportunities to develop new skills, discover what may be missing, learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward.
As Dr. Moore reminds us, the goal isn't perfection. We want children to learn that setbacks are okay: get back up, keep going, and keep making progress.
About Dr. Kristi Moore
Dr. Kristi Moore is a Catholic wife and homeschooling mother of six children. She holds a PhD in developmental and educational psychology and serves as a professor of psychology at Angelo State University.
Her areas of specialization include child and adolescent development, with research interests focused on motivation and self-regulation. Dr. Moore also teaches psychology courses through Homeschool Connections and seeks to encourage parents in their vocation by sharing insights from psychological research as well as her own experiences as a homeschool mom.
About Your Host
Kaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. See her homeschool blog posts here:
https://homeschoolconnections.com/author/?n=245991
Aug 13, 2026
Aug 13, 2026
17 min
Kaitlin Unscripted Episode 9: No scripts, no interviews—just homeschool real talk.
Should you join a homeschool co-op?
It's one of the first questions many homeschooling parents hear, but the answer isn't the same for every family.
In t his episode, Kaitlin Zara walks through the purpose of homeschool co-ops, the different forms they can take, and the thoughtful questions every family should consider before making the decision. Rather than following what everyone else is doing, Kaitlin encourages parents to evaluate their children's needs, their own family rhythms, and the season they're currently in.
Whether you're considering a highly academic co-op, a casual play group, or deciding to homeschool independently, this episode will help you approach the decision with confidence and peace.
Helpful Links:
Articles on co-ops: https://homeschoolconnections.com/category/homeschool-coops/
Incorporating online classes into your co-op: https://homeschoolconnections.com/hsc-coop/
In This Episode
- What a homeschool co-op is, and the many different ways co-ops operate
- Understanding your reasons for considering a co-op
- Why fear and comparison shouldn't drive your homeschool decisions
- How to determine whether your child thrives in group learning environments
- When outsourcing certain subjects can strengthen your homeschool
- The value of consistent friendships for both children and parents
- How to know if your family's schedule already feels too full
- Why homeschooling independently can be just as successful
- The importance of reevaluating your homeschool each season
- Remembering that community comes in many forms—not just co-ops
Key Takeaways
- Every homeschool family is different.
- Co-ops are tools—not requirements.
- Your children's needs matter more than outside expectations.
- Flexibility is one of homeschooling's greatest strengths.
- You can always change course if your family's needs change.
- Community can be found in many places, not only through homeschool co-ops.
Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Homeschool Connections.
Looking for support without sacrificing the flexibility you love about homeschooling?
Homeschool Connections offers live online Catholic courses taught by experienced instructors in subjects ranging from theology and literature to science, math, foreign languages, writing, and more. Whether you're looking to outsource one class or build an entire academic schedule, Homeschool Connections makes it easy to customize an education that fits your family's needs.
Connect with Homeschool Connections
Website:
https://homeschoolconnections.com
Blog:
https://homeschoolconnections.com/blog/
Podcast:
https://homeschoolconnections.com/podcasts/
Aug 6, 2026
Jul 30, 2026
Jul 30, 2026
8 min
Kaitlin Unscripted Episode 5: No scripts, no interviews—just homeschool real talk.
One of the questions Kaitlin Zara hears more than any other is: "Will you homeschool through high school?"
In Part One of this two-part series, Kaitlin tackles the myths and misconceptions surrounding homeschooling teenagers and explains why her answer is an enthusiastic yes! From academic excellence and dual enrollment opportunities to internships, entrepreneurship, life skills, and better mental health, she shares the first five reasons she believes homeschooling gives high school students a tremendous advantage.
If you're wondering whether homeschooling through high school is the right choice for your family—or you're looking for a thoughtful response to skeptical friends and relatives—this episode offers encouragement, practical insights, and a fresh perspective on what homeschooling teens really looks like.
Be sure to join us next week for Part Two, where Kaitlin shares five more reasons why homeschooling through high school can prepare students not just for college, but for life.
This episode is sponsored by Homeschool Connections. Discover expert-led online courses, live classes, and flexible learning opportunities designed to support Catholic homeschool families at every stage, from kindergarten through high school.
Show Notes
In this episode:
- Why "Will you homeschool for high school?" is Kaitlin's most frequently asked question
- Common myths about homeschooling teenagers—and why they're outdated
- How homeschooling provides greater academic flexibility and opportunities
- The benefits of dual enrollment and earning college credits during high school
- Why internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer work are valuable parts of a homeschool education
- Teaching practical life skills that prepare teens for adulthood
- How a flexible homeschool schedule can support better mental health
- Encouraging entrepreneurship and creative pursuits during the high school years
- A preview of next week's Part 2, featuring five additional reasons to homeschool through high school
Jul 23, 2026
Jul 23, 2026
11 min
Kaitlin Unscripted Episode ##: No scripts, no interviews—just homeschool real talk.
No scripts, no interviews—just homeschool real talk.
Charlotte Mason. Classical education. Unschooling. Montessori. Traditional. Eclectic. If you’re new to homeschooling, it can feel like you need to choose the “right” educational philosophy before you even begin.
But do you?
In this episode of Kaitlin Unscripted, host Kaitlin Zara shares an opinion she wishes someone had shared with her when she first began homeschooling: You may not need to choose a homeschool philosophy at all—at least not right away.
Drawing on her own experience as a homeschool mom, Kaitlin explains why it can be helpful to first get to know your children as students. How do they respond to structure? What sparks their curiosity? How do they handle frustration? Do they thrive with books, hands-on learning, independent projects, or a mix of everything?
Kaitlin also explores why one homeschool philosophy may not fit every child in your family—or even every season of the year. From more structured learning in the fall to interest-led projects in the winter and a relaxed, almost-unschooling approach in the spring, she shares how her own homeschool naturally changes over time.
Whether you’re brand-new to homeschooling, rethinking your current approach, or feeling awkward because you can’t quite put a label on what you do, this episode offers encouragement to release the pressure, learn what works for your children, and embrace the freedom to build a homeschool that fits your family.
This episode is presented by Homeschool Connections. Whether you're looking for expert-taught online courses, encouragement for your homeschool journey, or resources to help your student thrive from middle school through high school, Homeschool Connections is here to support your family every step of the way. Learn more at https://homeschoolconnections.com/.
Show Notes
In this episode, Kaitlin discusses:
- Why new homeschool parents often feel pressured to choose an educational philosophy
- Why Kaitlin questioned whether she needed a homeschool philosophy before she even began
- The importance of getting to know your child as a student—not just as your child
- How learning styles, personalities, frustration tolerance, and natural rhythms can shape your homeschool choices
- Why one homeschool philosophy may not work for every child in the same family
- How your approach to homeschooling can change with different seasons of the year
- Why Kaitlin’s own family moves from more traditional schooling to slow schooling and even a relaxed, unschooling-style approach
- The freedom to mix and match methods without worrying about labels
- A quick overview of popular homeschool philosophies and approaches
- Why there is no single “right” way to homeschool
Homeschool Philosophies Mentioned in This Episode:
- Traditional homeschooling
- Classical education
- Charlotte Mason
- Montessori
- Unschooling
- Unit studies
- Eclectic homeschooling
- Waldorf education
- Online and virtual learning
Key Takeaway:
You don’t have to choose the perfect homeschool philosophy before you begin. Take time to learn who your children are as students, pay attention to what helps them thrive, and give yourself permission to adapt as they grow and your family’s needs change.
Your homeschool may not fit neatly into a single label—and that’s okay. One of the greatest gifts of homeschooling is the freedom to build an education around the real children in front of you.
Jul 16, 2026
Jul 16, 2026
20 min
No scripts, no interviews—just homeschool real talk.
Have you ever created the perfect homeschool schedule—only to watch it fall apart by 9:30 a.m.?
In this episode of Kaitlin Unscripted, Kaitlin Zara shares practical advice for structuring your homeschool day without trying to recreate a traditional classroom at home. Instead of rigid schedules that leave you feeling behind, Kaitlin encourages families to build their days around rhythms, anchors, and their family’s natural flow.
Whether you’re homeschooling energetic elementary students, independent high schoolers, or a mix of ages, Kaitlin offers real-life ideas for creating a day that has enough structure to keep everyone moving forward—and enough flexibility to leave room for life.
This episode is sponsored by Franciscan University of Steubenville. Learn more about Franciscan’s opportunities for homeschool students, including dual enrollment courses through the Advantage Program, at franciscan.edu/advantage. To learn more about Homeschool Connections’ dual enrollment courses with FUS, visit HERE.
Read Kaitlin’s companion article at: https://homeschoolconnections.com/how-to-schedule-homeschool-day-2/
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why rhythms and anchors may work better than a strict schedule
• How to identify your family’s natural flow
• A simple morning, midday, and afternoon rhythm for elementary students
• How to help high schoolers build independence and manage their own time
• Tips for homeschooling multiple ages without losing your mind
• How loop scheduling can help you fit everything in
• Why it’s okay to have a hard stop to your homeschool day
• The importance of protecting time for fun, friendship, and connection
The goal isn’t to pack every subject into every day or follow the clock perfectly. It’s to create a homeschool rhythm that works for your real family and your real life.
Anchor your days—but don’t box them in. And always leave room for joy.
Grab your coffee, press play, and join Kaitlin for another honest, practical conversation about the real life of a homeschooling mom!
Jul 9, 2026
Jul 9, 2026
15 min
No scripts, no interviews—just homeschool real talk.
What do you do when your high schooler shuts down at the sight of a difficult assignment? Whether it's an essay, a math lesson, or a project that feels overwhelming, many homeschool parents have watched capable students freeze when the work gets hard.
In this episode of Kaitlin Unscripted, host Kaitlin Zara shares practical strategies for helping teens develop perseverance, resilience, and the confidence to tackle academic challenges. Drawing on her experience as both a former classroom teacher and homeschool mom, Kaitlin explains why some students resist difficult work, how to identify what's really causing the struggle, and simple ways to help them move forward one step at a time.
From breaking large assignments into manageable pieces to celebrating effort over perfection, Kaitlin offers encouraging advice that helps parents build not only stronger students but stronger, more resilient young adults. And she reminds moms that sometimes they're the ones who need encouragement to keep rising to the challenge, too.
To read the accompanying blog article: https://homeschoolconnections.com/homeschool-tips-help-kids-rise-to-challenges
This episode is presented by Homeschool Connections. Whether you're looking for expert-taught online courses, encouragement for your homeschool journey, or resources to help your student thrive from middle school through high school, Homeschool Connections is here to support your family every step of the way. Learn more at https://homeschoolconnections.com/.
Show Notes
In this episode, Kaitlin discusses:
- Why some high school students shut down when assignments feel overwhelming
- Three common reasons teens struggle to begin difficult work
- How breaking large assignments into smaller, achievable steps builds confidence
- Why "hard" is actually a good thing when it comes to learning and growth
- Practical ways to cultivate perseverance through everyday "micro challenges"
- The importance of praising effort and persistence—not just results
- How parents can model resilience and problem-solving for their children
- Why emotional regulation is an important part of homeschooling
- What to do when frustration leads to tears, resistance, or a homeschool meltdown
- Encouragement for moms who sometimes feel like they're struggling right alongside their teens
Key Takeaway:
Helping your high schooler rise to challenges isn't about removing every obstacle—it's about equipping them with the confidence, habits, and resilience to keep moving forward. By breaking difficult tasks into manageable steps, celebrating effort, and modeling perseverance yourself, you're preparing your teen not just for academic success, but for the challenges of adult life.
Jul 2, 2026
Jul 2, 2026
15 min
No scripts, no interviews—just homeschool real talk.
One of the most common—and most emotional—questions homeschool moms ask is: What if my husband isn't on board with homeschooling? In this episode of Kaitlin Unscripted, host Kaitlin Zara offers practical encouragement for navigating this difficult conversation with grace, patience, and understanding.
Drawing on her experience as a homeschool mom, Kaitlin explores why spouses may hesitate to homeschool, how to uncover the real concerns behind their objections, and how to move forward together without turning the conversation into a debate. From fears about academics and socialization to financial concerns and feeling left out of the decision, Kaitlin reminds listeners that building trust often happens one conversation at a time.
If you're feeling discouraged because your spouse isn't as enthusiastic about homeschooling as you are, this episode offers practical strategies, a compassionate perspective, and hope that productive conversations can lead to greater understanding.
This episode is sponsored by Franciscan University of Steubenville. Discover how the Franciscan Advantage Program helps homeschool students earn affordable college credit in a faithful Catholic environment by visiting https://franciscan.edu/advantage/. To learn more about Homeschool Connections’ dual enrollment courses with FUS, visit HERE.
Show Notes
Mentioned in this Episode:
📊 National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI)
Homeschool research, statistics, and outcomes:
https://nheri.org/
📖 Kaitlin's companion article:
What If My Spouse Isn't On Board with Homeschooling?
https://homeschoolconnections.com/husband-isnt-on-board-with-homeschooling
❤️ For more encouragement:
My Husband Doesn't Want Me to Homeschool by Maureen Wittmann
https://homeschoolconnections.com/my-husband-doesnt-want-me-to-homeschool/
In this episode, Kaitlin discusses:
- Why it's common for one spouse to be hesitant about homeschooling
- Understanding your spouse's fears and concerns before trying to persuade them
- Common objections to homeschooling, including academics, socialization, finances, and feeling left out of the decision
- Why listening is often more effective than trying to "win" the conversation
- Practical ways to involve your spouse in your homeschool journey
- How research and homeschool success statistics can help answer legitimate concerns
- Why celebrating your children's progress helps build confidence in homeschooling
- Knowing the difference between "no" and "not yet"
- Creative compromises, including co-ops, hybrid programs, and trial periods
- How patience, prayer, and ongoing conversations can strengthen your family's homeschool vision
Key Takeaway:
If your spouse isn't on board with homeschooling, don't lose hope. Many concerns come from fear, unfamiliarity, or a desire to do what's best for your children. By listening well, addressing concerns with compassion, sharing the journey, and giving the conversation time to grow, you can work toward a homeschool vision that strengthens both your family and your marriage.
Thank you, Franciscan University of Steubenville, for your sponsorship and all you do for the Catholic homeschool community!