Search : Monica Swanson Becoming Homeschoolers

"What better contribution to the world than a kid who is raised well and grounded in biblical truth?" ~ Monica Swanson
Watch this full interview on our YouTube Channel.
Yvette Hampton sits down with Monica Swanson, author of *Becoming Homeschoolers*, dive into the joys and challenges of homeschooling in this inspiring episode of the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast. Author of "Becoming Homeschoolers," Monica shares her experience with gap years, sports, and family dynamics while homeschooling her four boys. Whether you're a homeschooling veteran or just considering this journey, you'll find valuable insights and encouragement here!
📚 **Topics Covered**:
- Benefits of taking a gap year
- Combining homeschool with sports success
- Balancing joy and challenges in homeschooling
- Creating a family-focused education environment
- Practical tips for a successful homeschooling journey
Come back tomorrow for the rest of this conversation.
Has the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast been a blessing to you? Support from our listeners allows us provide resources, support, and encouragement to homeschooling families around the world. Would you please consider a year-end gift to support the Schoolhouse Rocked ministry?
Recommended Resources:
Podcast Note-Taking Guide
monicaswanson.com (blog, podcast, courses)
Master "Boy Mom" - Monica Swanson on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast
Books:
Becoming Homeschoolers: Give Your Kids a Great Education, a Strong Family, and a Life They'll Thank You for Later, by Monica Swanson
Boy Mom: What Your Son Needs Most from You, by Monica Swanson
Raising Amazing: Bringing Up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes without Being Asked, by Monica Swanson
Join us for the Brave 2024 Online Homeschool Conference, hosted by our friends at Made2Homeschool, August 1-3. Enjoy three days of amazing speakers, live hangouts, live Q&A sessions and panels, a digital grab bag and virtual exhibit hall, and most importantly, godly homeschooling encouragement and support. EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME!
📚📖 Ready to start homeschooling? 🏠📓
🍿 Stream Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution 🍿 for FREE today and get the 📖 Homeschool Survival Kit 📖 delivered to your inbox immediately!
❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Are you in need of a fresh vision for your homeschool? Join us for 4 days of Homeschool Encouragement at the Homegrown Generation Family Expo. Use the coupon code PODCAST to save 25% on registration today! 
Discussion Questions:
1. **Gap Year Decision-Making**:
- Monica Swanson discussed the advantages of her sons taking a gap year. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of taking a gap year before college or career?
2. **Parental Insecurities in Homeschooling**:
- Yvette Hampton mentioned that seeing other seemingly perfect homeschool families can make parents feel insecure. How can homeschool parents manage these feelings of inadequacy and maintain confidence in their own methods?
3. **Joyful and Challenging Moments**:
- Monica shared both the joys and challenges of homeschooling. What are some of the most rewarding and difficult aspects of homeschooling you've experienced or observed?
4. **Homeschooling and Sports**:
- The episode touched on the difficulty of homeschooling athletes gaining access to higher-level programs. What are some potential solutions for homeschool families who want their children to participate in and excel at sports? Should this be a deciding factor in whether a family chooses to homeschool?
5. **Different Readiness Levels**:
- Monica emphasized that every child is ready for adult life at different stages. How can parents assess and support their child's individual readiness for college or other post-secondary paths?
6. **Community Resources**:
- Monica spoke about varying access to community sports depending on where one lives. How can communities and churches better support homeschool families in providing athletic and extracurricular opportunities? Whose responsibility is it to provide this support?
7. **Biblical View of Education**:
- Both Monica and Yvette prioritize education from a biblical worldview. How important is integrating God's Word into homeschooling for you, and what are some effective ways to do it?
8. **Character and Faith in Education**:
- Monica's book, "Raising Amazing," focuses on building character and faith. In your experience or opinion, what are the key elements in fostering these traits in children?
10. **Support Networks for Homeschoolers**:
- Considering the challenges discussed in the episode, what kind of support networks or resources would you find most beneficial as a homeschooling parent?
Be the most popular mom in your co-op. Get your Schoolhouse Rocked merch here.
SPONSORS:
CTCMath - CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Creative graphics and animation, synchronized with the friendly voice of internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, make learning math easy and effective. Start your free trial today.
BJU Press Homeschool provides complete curriculum for preschool through 12th grade with both traditional textbooks and video courses available. Education from a Christian worldview reshapes how children see the world. BJU Press materials teach Christ's power and lordship through the Big Story of creation.
Apologia – Apologia is a Christ-centered, award-winning homeschool curriculum provider. Our mission is to help homeschooling students and families learn, live, and defend the Christian faith through our print and digital curriculum and online classes.
The Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast is a part of the Biblical Family Network.
 
Connect with us:
@schoolhouse_rocked on Instagram
Schoolhouse Rocked on Facebook
Schoolhouse Rocked on YouTube
@SRHomeschool on Twitter
Schoolhouse Rocked Website (Blog, Newsletter, Support, Store, Movie, and More!)

Watch this full interview on our YouTube Channel.
Yvette Hampton sits down with Monica Swanson, author of *Becoming Homeschoolers*, to discuss the top reasons for homeschooling. Get an in-depth view of how homeschooling can positively impact your family's faith, freedom, and education. Monica shares valuable research findings and personal stories from her own homeschooling experiences. Tune in for tips and encouragement on navigating your homeschooling journey!
Come back tomorrow for the rest of this conversation.
Has the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast been a blessing to you? Support from our listeners allows us provide resources, support, and encouragement to homeschooling families around the world. Would you please consider a year-end gift to support the Schoolhouse Rocked ministry?
Recommended Resources:
Podcast Note-Taking Guide
monicaswanson.com (blog, podcast, courses)
Master "Boy Mom" - Monica Swanson on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast
Books:
Becoming Homeschoolers: Give Your Kids a Great Education, a Strong Family, and a Life They'll Thank You for Later, by Monica Swanson
Boy Mom: What Your Son Needs Most from You, by Monica Swanson
Raising Amazing: Bringing Up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes without Being Asked, by Monica Swanson
Join us for the Brave 2024 Online Homeschool Conference, hosted by our friends at Made2Homeschool, August 1-3. Enjoy three days of amazing speakers, live hangouts, live Q&A sessions and panels, a digital grab bag and virtual exhibit hall, and most importantly, godly homeschooling encouragement and support. EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME!
📚📖 Ready to start homeschooling? 🏠📓
🍿 Stream Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution 🍿 for FREE today and get the 📖 Homeschool Survival Kit 📖 delivered to your inbox immediately!
❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Are you in need of a fresh vision for your homeschool? Join us for 4 days of Homeschool Encouragement at the Homegrown Generation Family Expo. Use the coupon code PODCAST to save 25% on registration today! 
Discussion Questions:
1. **Faith and Family Values:**
How does Monica Swanson prioritize faith and family values in her homeschooling journey, and what impact has that had on her children's development?
2. **Personal Experiences:**
Monica mentions her four sons being best friends as one of the key benefits they've experienced from homeschooling. How important do you think sibling relationships are in a homeschooling environment?
3. **Academic Performance:**
Discuss the research Monica Swanson shares about homeschool students consistently outperforming traditionally schooled students on SAT tests and being sought after by colleges. How significant are these findings in your decision-making process about homeschooling?
4. **Real-World Preparation:**
According to Monica, homeschoolers are often better prepared for the real world. Discuss how homeschooling can provide better real-world experiences compared to traditional schooling.
5. **Teen Sleep Patterns:**
Monica mentions research about teens needing more sleep due to melatonin shifts during adolescence. How can homeschooling accommodate these biological changes better than traditional schooling?
6. **Social Pressures:**
What are the social pressures that Monica believes homeschoolers can avoid, and how do these pressures impact traditional school students?
7. **Middle School Homeschooling:**
Monica emphasizes the benefits of homeschooling during the middle school years. Why might this particular period be especially suited for homeschooling, according to her?
8. **Flexible Learning Environments:**
Discuss Monica’s point about her son not feeling "stuck" because of the flexibility homeschooling provides. How does this flexibility contribute to a child's overall educational experience?
9. **High School Decisions:**
High school can be particularly stressful for students as they prepare for the next phase of life. How does homeschooling help manage this stress, and what strategies does Monica suggest for supporting high schoolers through this challenging time?
Be the most popular mom in your co-op. Get your Schoolhouse Rocked merch here.
SPONSORS:
CTCMath - CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Creative graphics and animation, synchronized with the friendly voice of internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, make learning math easy and effective. Start your free trial today.
BJU Press Homeschool provides complete curriculum for preschool through 12th grade with both traditional textbooks and video courses available. Education from a Christian worldview reshapes how children see the world. BJU Press materials teach Christ's power and lordship through the Big Story of creation.
Apologia – Apologia is a Christ-centered, award-winning homeschool curriculum provider. Our mission is to help homeschooling students and families learn, live, and defend the Christian faith through our print and digital curriculum and online classes.
The Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast is a part of the Biblical Family Network.
 
Connect with us:
@schoolhouse_rocked on Instagram
Schoolhouse Rocked on Facebook
Schoolhouse Rocked on YouTube
@SRHomeschool on Twitter
Schoolhouse Rocked Website (Blog, Newsletter, Support, Store, Movie, and More!)

"What do I want my kids childhood to look like? What do I want the most important things in their life to be as they grow up and leave the home one day?" ~ Monica Swanson
Watch this full interview on our YouTube Channel.
Yvette Hampton sits down with Monica Swanson, author of *Becoming Homeschoolers*. Monica shares her family's transition to homeschooling, the impact it has made on their lives, and her passion for encouraging other families. 🌊🏄‍♂️
Discover Monica’s insights into homeschooling diverse learners, balancing extracurricular activities, and the importance of character development. Whether you're a veteran homeschooler or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable advice!
Come back Wednesday and Thursday for the rest of this conversation.
Has the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast been a blessing to you? Support from our listeners allows us provide resources, support, and encouragement to homeschooling families around the world. Would you please consider a year-end gift to support the Schoolhouse Rocked ministry?
Recommended Resources:
Podcast Note-Taking Guide
monicaswanson.com (blog, podcast, courses)
Master "Boy Mom" - Monica Swanson on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast
Books:
Becoming Homeschoolers: Give Your Kids a Great Education, a Strong Family, and a Life They'll Thank You for Later, by Monica Swanson
Boy Mom: What Your Son Needs Most from You, by Monica Swanson
Raising Amazing: Bringing Up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes without Being Asked, by Monica Swanson
Join us for the Brave 2024 Online Homeschool Conference, hosted by our friends at Made2Homeschool, August 1-3. Enjoy three days of amazing speakers, live hangouts, live Q&A sessions and panels, a digital grab bag and virtual exhibit hall, and most importantly, godly homeschooling encouragement and support. EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME!
📚📖 Ready to start homeschooling? 🏠📓
🍿 Stream Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution 🍿 for FREE today and get the 📖 Homeschool Survival Kit 📖 delivered to your inbox immediately!
❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Are you in need of a fresh vision for your homeschool? Join us for 4 days of Homeschool Encouragement at the Homegrown Generation Family Expo. Use the coupon code PODCAST to save 25% on registration today! 
Discussion Questions:
1. **Introduction to Homeschooling**: Monica Swanson mentioned that they initially didn't put much thought into education decisions. Reflect on how you first approached the idea of homeschooling. What were your initial thoughts and feelings?
2. **Public vs. Private vs. Homeschool**: Monica and her husband tried private Christian schooling before transitioning to homeschooling. What were some of the drawbacks to private schooling that caused her to bring her sons home?
3. **Legal Concerns**: Monica's husband initially questioned the legality of homeschooling. What are the legal requirements for homeschooling in your area, and how did you navigate them? If you have questions about the Legal requirements of homeschooling in your state, visit HSLDA for state-by-state advice.
4. **Homeschooling Environment**: Monica alluded to initially trying to recreate a traditional school environment at home. How did your homeschooling environment start, and how has it evolved? What are the drawbacks of trying to recreate the classroom in your home?
5. **Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars**: Monica’s sons are passionate about surfing, and the family has had to be flexible with their schooling schedule. How do you balance academics with your children’s extracurricular interests?
6. **Homeschool Benefits**: Monica shared that homeschooling has shaped their family profoundly. How has homeschooling impacted your family dynamics and relationships?
7. **Faith Integration**: Monica mentions integrating their faith into daily homeschooling. How do you incorporate God's Word into your homeschooling routine?
8. **Long-term Vision**: Both Monica and Yvette discuss "zooming out" to see the bigger picture of their children's education and future. What are your long-term goals for homeschooling, and how do those goals influence daily decisions?
9. **Dealing with Challenges**: Monica acknowledges the struggles, such as the morning rush and potential doubts about handling homeschooling. What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
10. **Legacy of Homeschooling**: Monica and Yvette emphasize the importance of leaving a legacy through homeschooling. How do you aim to ensure that the values and lessons you're teaching will be passed down through future generations?
Be the most popular mom in your co-op. Get your Schoolhouse Rocked merch here.
SPONSORS:
CTCMath - CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Creative graphics and animation, synchronized with the friendly voice of internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, make learning math easy and effective. Start your free trial today.
BJU Press Homeschool provides complete curriculum for preschool through 12th grade with both traditional textbooks and video courses available. Education from a Christian worldview reshapes how children see the world. BJU Press materials teach Christ's power and lordship through the Big Story of creation.
Apologia – Apologia is a Christ-centered, award-winning homeschool curriculum provider. Our mission is to help homeschooling students and families learn, live, and defend the Christian faith through our print and digital curriculum and online classes.
The Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast is a part of the Biblical Family Network.
 
Connect with us:
@schoolhouse_rocked on Instagram
Schoolhouse Rocked on Facebook
Schoolhouse Rocked on YouTube
@SRHomeschool on Twitter
Schoolhouse Rocked Website (Blog, Newsletter, Support, Store, Movie, and More!)