Preparing for the Holidays – Simplifying the Season and Managing the Chaos – Sheri Renno, Part 2

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?

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift?

Get Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution on DVD with any donation to the Schoolhouse Rocked ministry.

 

Recommended Resources:

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson

Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember, by Barbara Rainey

A Little House Christmas Treasury: Festive Holiday Stories: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids, by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, by Karina Yan Glaser

The Holly and the Ivy, by Sarah M. Eden, Esther Hatch, Dana LeCheminant, and Anneka R. Walker

The Legend of the Candy Cane, by Lori Walburg

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, by Susan Wojciechowski

Charlotte Mason Inspired: Step-by-Step Christmas Hymn Study

Christmas Carols & Hymns Unit ~ Free Christmas unit study focusing on 15 Christmas carols and hymns

Podcast Recommendations:

Think Outside the Classroom – Kelly Crawford on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast

The Four Emotions of Christmas – Bob Lepine on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast

Preparing Hearts for the Holidays – Bob Lepine on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast

Thinking Dad Podcast

📚📖 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. Simplification Strategies: Sheri Renno mentions simplifying life during the holidays by narrowing down her to-do list. What are some specific ways listeners can simplify their own holiday routines to reduce stress and create more meaningful family experiences?

2. Balancing School and Holiday Activities: How does Sheri balance homeschooling with holiday preparations and activities? What techniques can other homeschooling parents adopt to ensure their children continue learning while enjoying the festive season?

3. Prioritization: Sheri talks about prioritizing activities such as baking cookies and decorating the Christmas tree. What traditions or activities do you feel are essential to your family's holiday season, and why?

4. Biblical Focus: Reading scripture is an important part of Sheri's holiday traditions. How can families incorporate family Bible study and quiet time activities into their holiday routines to keep the focus on the spiritual significance of the season?

5. Christmas Schooling: Sheri introduces the concept of "Christmas schooling," where typical academic subjects are blended with holiday activities. How could this approach be beneficial for our children, and what kinds of holiday-themed educational activities can be integrated?

6. Service Projects: Sheri mentions doing service projects as a family during the holiday season. What are some service project ideas that can involve the whole family and help teach children the value of giving and serving others?

7. Chore Routines: Sheri emphasizes the importance of regular chore routines to maintain household order. How can implementing a chore system help reduce holiday stress, and what tips does Sheri provide for organizing chores effectively?

8. Children’s Contributions: Sheri involves her children in holiday preparations, such as wrapping gifts and shopping. How can engaging children in these activities enhance their sense of responsibility and participation during the holidays?

9. Managing Expectations: Sheri talks about lowering expectations and being okay with imperfections. How can adjusting expectations help families enjoy the holidays more, and what are some practical tips for managing expectations?

10. Holiday Reading: Sheri shares her family’s tradition of reading Christmas books together. How can reading holiday-themed literature enhance the holiday experience for families, and what are some of your favorite books to read during the season?

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 member of the Biblical Family Network. Our mission is to support and encourage the family by providing the very best podcasts on family, discipleship, marriage, parenting, worldview, culture, and education, all from a Biblical perspective. Visit the website for more great shows, like the Thinking Dad, Culture Proof, Homeschool Insights, and Made2Homeschool.

 

---