Tonight is our local homeschool group’s annual curriculum night– arguably one of the most exciting nights of the year for homeschool moms. Friends, books, snacks, and discussions about history and grammar?? YES PLEASE.

Curriculum night is simple. Everyone brings resources they have at home, then the resources are spread out at the host’s home. We mingle, talk pros and cons, get opinions and experiences, and enjoy the unique opportunity to both flip through books and works AND hear first hand what people liked and disliked about each.

It’s a night that yields a ton of reward for minimal effort. (And all the busy homeschool moms said, AMEN). 

I’ve shared about this tradition many times on Instagram, and every time I do, I get a lot of responses– usually either reasonable jealousy, or requests for more details to host one themselves. Happily, I’m about to help with the latter, and the former can be likewise remedied by taking the step and starting a tradition of your own.

Ten Tips for Hosting A Curriculum Night

In order to avoid overcomplicating what should truly be a simple endeavor, I’m just going to offer ten tips for hosting a successful curriculum night. What’s most important to remember is that you can make it your own!

Also worth noting is that while I have the privilege of having the platform to share this awesome tradition, the idea wasn’t original to me. Actually, it was at a curriculum night hosted by a friend years ago that I met and began to develop relationships with some of my dearest friends now. I share this because there’s a good chance that you may feel like you don’t know enough people to have an event like this.

However, curriculum night is a great opportunity to invite a lot of people you may not know well (maybe through a local moms group or homeschool group on FB). The nature of the night guarantees that there will be plenty to discuss. Add in some tasty finger foods and a fun beverage or two, and you have the beginnings of beautiful friendships.

Now for the practical tips… 

1. Host the event in a space with enough room(s) to be able to spread out curriculum, as well as room to be able to get comfortable flipping through and talking. Think, a home with multiple flat surfaces or available rooms, or a church fellowship hall, or a library room, or even a park shelter.
2. Ask everyone to bring a variety of resources to share. (For resources that are very popular, you might share in a group chat who is bringing what so there are not too many repeats). All-in-one curriculums, reading instruction books, math workbooks, history, and so on. Even if it wasn’t your favorite, it may be a good fit for someone else, or may be helpful for others to rule out options they were considering.
3. Bring more than just curriculum. This is one of the best things about curriculum night, (and maybe making it a misnomer). Homeschool is much more than language arts and science studies. It’s games and beautiful books and handiwork and manipulatives and WHATEVER ELSE families have found helpful! So, be sure to communicate that other resources are welcome too. You’ll be amazed at the ideas you’ve never thought of!
4. If possible, divide the resources by subject/type in separate rooms. This will make it a lot easier for people to find what they’re looking for, and will help discussions to stay on the topic of the room.
5. LABEL. Write names in the books or use post-its to label resources so everything goes home with the right people.
6. Plan for a way to take notes. This is one of those situations where information is totally like drinking from a fire hydrant! Pack a notebook, maybe a recorder, and take pictures on your phone. You may even want to go ahead and create a books wishlist on Amazon, even if you end up finding resources used later.
7. Remember that one person’s genius idea might not be a genius fit for your family. Homeschooling is so much trial and error, and being willing to adjust and try something new as needed. So, you may get immediate direction for math or inspiration for history, but you will NOT be able to implement everything you see and love.
8. AVOID THE COMPARISON TRAP. Unashamedly raising my voice about this one. You’re going to be tempted to let inspiration or admiration get twisted into feeling like you should be doing more, like you’re not measuring up, or any other non-truths we so easily fall into believing. It’s natural. But since you recognize this possibility, you’ll be ready to reject it. Replace negative comparisons with reminders that (1) you are the best person for teaching YOUR kids, (2) having the company of other inspirational homeschooling moms is a huge blessing, and finally, (3) at the end of the day, homeschooling is more than the resources you use– it’s the relationship, the experience, the love of learning.. all of which can’t be bought or even tangibly displayed at curriculum night.
9. Don’t forget the snacks. People are going to get hungry after all that walking and flipping and analyzing. Also, water. Those mamas are going to need hydration with all the talking they’ll be doing.
10. Make sure people know they can attend even if they do not have much to contribute. Curriculum night is an INCREDIBLE opportunity for new(er) homeschool moms to get ideas and learn from others’ experiences. But it could also easily be daunting or overwhelming. Look out for and invite the newbies. 

I hope you find an opportunity to host (or attend) your own curriculum night, and that you have fun with it! 

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• Homeschool Organization Tour & Mega List of Favorite Resources

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The post How To Host A Curriculum Night appeared first on This Pilgrim Life.

The wind was bitingly cold as we lugged our suitcases up the stairs and around the walkway to our rooms. Our chilled fingers fumbled with the key cards in our haste to open the doors and escape into the shelter of our rooms.

I thought of my kids and husband, likely warm near the fire in the living room. Too soon to be missing me. Probably acting wild–crazed from skipped naps and extra sweets.

My thoughts did not linger with them long, though. This time away was a respite and I was more than ready to hole up in the hotel with a handful of old friends. Time and distance had kept us apart, but neither years nor miles could separate our hearts from each other.

True friendship has the power to span both.

The cold weather meant that we weren’t going to be doing much hiking while we were in the mountains. But really, I think we were all so thankful to have a break from being real-life pack mules and chauffeurs and personal assistants to our littles (twenty-five between us), that no one was disappointed with a weekend kept as uneventful as possible.

We did manage to get out to explore the nearby mountain town. In between browsing the shops with no thought of what was breakable or who needed to potty next, we ate ALL.THE.FOODS.

Starting at a coffee shop in the morning for lattes, we also hit up a bakery, a fudge shop, a tea room, and an Italian restaurant. Oh, and we tried to make another coffee run on our way back, but had to settle for the hoards of junk food everyone had the foresight to bring along waiting for us in our rooms.

After the coloring pages were colored and all the 90’s pop songs were sung, we circled up on the two double beds. Pajama clad and tired, we were all still craving, still needing, a time to open our hearts to each other and lay it all out.

One by one, we went around the circle sharing how we could pray for each other. But they weren’t prayer requests like you see smattered all over Facebook– pray for my sick dog, pray for this interview, pray for me to make it to bedtime without a breakdown…

We were sharing from the deep parts of our hearts. The parts which make us feel vulnerable and exposed. The parts which, once shared, leave no more room for false pretenses or attempts to make ourselves seem anything other than what we are– women in need of grace and mercy from our Great God.

That night we heard it all. Tales of marriages struggling and slowly becoming restored. Confessions of anxiety and fear about more moving, more job changes, more doubting. Mothers admitting that the uncharted territory they are entering leaves them feeling small and unsure. Worries about doing it all, not doing enough, or simply trying to figure out the difference. Stories of faith and church and community, and how all those things do not always work out as harmoniously as we’d like.

We cried. Oh, how we cried.

But we were heard. We were known. And we were loved.

Us.

The Kind of Friendship We All Need

This, my friends, is the kind of friendship that every woman needs. To be heard, known, and loved. 

Articles about personality types are all the rage and mom groups abound in recent years. And yet, if you ask (and receive an honest answer), so many of us still struggle deeply with loneliness. It’s as if the social media outlets, playdates, and mom’s meetings just are not enough. 

It’s not a matter of being introverted or extroverted or ENTVP. It’s about the need for community we were all created with. The community that says we are not alone. The community that reminds us that the very one who formed us is a God of community. Not of shallow conversations or likes and comments, but of heart-knowing, burden-bearing, joy-sharing community. 

I have personally struggled with this in my life in recent years. And I still don’t have all the answers. What I do know, though, is that the longing I have for real friendship is valid and can’t be assuaged by telling myself that everyone is just too busy nowadays. That connecting like that was just a thing of the past.

Life is not meant to be lived alone. 

Anyone who has struggled with loneliness knows this to be true. We all need friends, but even in this age of ultra-connectivity, many of us still struggle to find the friendships we need.

God is a faithful teacher, and when we submit to His instruction, we learn more about ourselves and more about Him. One thing I have come to realize is that God is still writing my friendship story. Impatient though I may frequently be, I rest in this.

I was reminded once again this weekend that open-hearted friendship like this is not only possible, but that it forges your hearts together in a way that doesn’t go away easily.

If you want friendship like this, I want to encourage you not to give up! 

Open-hearted friendship calls you to be brave. To risk being exposed. It is there for those who choose to give freely and to find their courage in the fact that their identity is not found in maintaining appearances, but in boldly claiming their weaknesses and wrapping themselves up in robes of beautiful grace.

The moment you take the risk and jump off, though, is the moment you find freedom.

We need more women who live brave, honest and open lives. We need friends who say, “Yes! I know what you are going through, because I’ve been there myself.”

Dear friends. Let’s be the community that we were created to be. Let this be the year of going there. Find those true friends. Be that kind of friend. 

You won’t regret it. 

Do you have friends like this? Where did you meet your closest friends? 

EACH WEEK I LINK UP WITH MOTIVATION MONDAY, MODEST MAMA, MAMA MOMENTS, TITUS 2 TUESDAYS, AND WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY, AND 100 HAPPY DAYS. THE LINKS ABOVE MAY ALSO BE AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I EARN A SMALL COMMISSION AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS SITE!

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Just this morning three of my favorite podcasts published new episodes.  Listening to them was just the push I needed to finally share a post on podcasts.

If you are not listening to podcasts yet, then you, my friend, are missing out.

And I want to help you miss out no more.

This is so me. 

Podcasts are like bright rays of sunshine in my day.

As I have thought about it, I think I have figured out why I love them so much. (And why I think you will too).

In the midst of doing all.the.things during the day, the time I spend listening to podcasts is unique. 

Listening to podcasts can often be one of the only times my mind is stretched to think about new ideas– or even old ideas from a new perspective. I can listen to intelligent discussions on important issues and current events, even if the rest of my day does not afford many opportunities to browse news sites.

In addition to being mentally stimulating (which, to a mother whose main conversations involve snack requests or something bathroom related, is a big deal), podcasts are an excellent source of biblical encouragement, wisdom, homeschool inspiration, and so much more.

The best thing about all of this? I can play them on my bluetooth speaker while going about the everyday, ordinary parts of my day.

Not being able to do that would actually be a deal breaker.

So when do I make time for all these podcasts? That’s a good question. I’m glad you asked.

I regularly listen to podcasts…

• while washing dishes (I no longer have a dishwasher, so this is prime podcast time!)
• in the shower
• while folding laundry
• as I work on a sewing project
• in the car
• while I cook
• as I walk at the park while my kids play

Because I know how much I am benefited by listening to podcasts, I make it a priority to find ways and time to listen. And I have no problem asking my kids to limit questions during a podcast (if I’m washing the dishes or something).

My kids have asked before why I listen to podcasts so often, and it has been a good occasion to talk to them about how I still have so much to learn and how even mama needs to be encouraged and refreshed with biblical truth and lighthearted discussions. It is good for them to see that I am striving to make the most of my time to balance a desire to learn with a need to continue working hard on my other responsibilities.

Just in case you’re wondering, or if the list above seems a little extreme, of course not every quiet moment of my day is filled podcasts. I do savor quiet moments (rare as they are), and my children and I enjoy listening to audiobooks as well.

Ten Podcasts Worth Your Time

These are my favorite podcasts– the ones I listen to almost as soon as a new episode is published. There are a variety of genres here, so even if your interests are not quite the same, I feel confident that you can find at least one new podcast to try.

(in no particular order) 

1. At Home Podcast

Every time a notification shows up on my phone that At Home has a new podcast, it’s like I’ve been given a gift.  I LOVE this podcast. The women who join together to record these shows are both full of wisdom and are fun and engaging to listen to.

This podcast covers topics on marriage, motherhood, homeschooling, and more. Many of them have a Charlotte Mason lifestyle, which is another perk. Today’s episode on cleaning was really helpful, especially since even simple things like getting laundry put away can be overwhelming in this season of life.

Favorite Episodes: 

• Every.single.one
• But really…
• If I had to pick a few…
• Food Culture Part 1 & 2
• The Early Years
• Promoting a Peaceful Marriage

2. Risen Motherhood

This is a newer podcast, but I have enjoyed every episode. The two hosts are young mothers who do an excellent job of applying the truth and hope of the gospel in the ordinary, beautiful, and challenging aspects of motherhood.

Favorite Episodes:

• Friendship and Motherhood
• Serving Others Right Where You’re At
• Intentional Motherhood: It’s the Little Things 

3. Mortification of Spin

MoS is another podcast I get excited about when a new episode is published– which happens to be every Wednesday morning.

There are only a few podcasts I listen to with my husband, and this is one of them. The hosts (Carl Trueman, Todd Pruitt, and Aimee Byrd) have a great chemistry and are equally witty and intelligent. They discuss current issues in the Church, as well as occasional interviews and discussions on social issues.

Favorite Episodes: 

• Life After an Unborn Child (this one hits close to home for me)
• Burnt Out (ministerial burnout)
• Counseling Wives of Addicts

4. Read-Aloud Revival

Chances are good that you have heard of Sarah Mackenzie’s fabulous podcast. Sarah is so delightful and her podcast is FULL of wonderful guests, book suggestions, and tips for “creating a family culture around books”. My eldest child also enjoys this podcast, especially the last segment where kids can record what their favorite books are.

We LOVE reading aloud in our home, and it is only fitting that we would enjoy a podcast about books. Read-aloud revival is a must-listen for any family with kids!

Favorite Episodes:

• so hard to pick with this one too…
• #38: On Dads, Boys, & the Importance of Building a Family Culture Around Books
• #42: Inspiring Parents in Children’s Literature: A Conversation with Greta Eskridge
• #17: On Living a Storyformed Life

5. The Briefing 

Al Mohler (president of Southern Seminary), records daily podcasts discussing current events from a Christian perspective. Mohler is incredibly intelligent, not to mention well-informed, and I always appreciate his perspective and insights into what is going on in the Christian culture, our country, and the world.

I like to play these every morning while I make breakfast since a new one is published every morning, typically by seven a.m.

There are no favorite episodes since each episode is based on events from each week.

6. Upside Down Podcast

More than any other podcast on this list, this podcast pushes and challenges me to think critically and consider more deeply how to live with an “others” mindset. I cannot say I have agreed with everything, but there is nothing wrong with that. We should all be willing to have “honest conversations” and have our eyes opened to perspectives and experiences different than our own.

Favorite Episodes: 

• Hashtag Blessed
• Radical Hospitality 
• The Talk: A Conversation on Race with Tyler Burns

7. A Delectable Education

As a Charlotte Mason homeschooler, A Delectable Education has been incredibly helpful in teaching me more about Charlotte Mason’s methods and how to practically implement them in our home. If you are wondering more about Charlotte Mason or if you have a specific question about an aspect of her principles, this podcast would be a great place to start.

Favorite Episodes:

• #48: Writing: Copywork, Dictation, and Written Narration
• #62: Afternoons
• #1: Why Use the Charlotte Mason Philosophy

8. The Simple Show

Tsh’s podcast might have been the first podcast I listened to regularly. Actually, I think her blog may have been one of the first blogs I ever followed, too. Tsh’s podcast is fun, interesting, and lighthearted.

Favorite Episodes: 

• #21: Neighbor’s Table with Sarah Harmeyer 
• #50: A Christmas Carol & Home
• #30: The More of Less with Joshua Becker

9. At Home with Sally 

Sally Clarkson is so wonderfully inspiring and encouraging. Her heart for mothers and women comes through so clearly in her books and in her podcasts. Listening to At Home with Sally is like a balm to my soul when I am feeling frazzled, drained, or simply in need of some wise words from an older woman.

Favorite Episodes: 

• #28: Seeing Mealtimes as Special Training Ground
• #39: Resting in the Transcendence of God 
• #54: The Secrets of Friendship

10. Sheologians

This one is new to me, but I am slowly working my way through past episodes. This podcast is the marriage of funk and theology with a hilarious, snarky baby.

No favorites yet! But if you want a taste of the hostess’ snark, then listen to Not a Better Love Story Than Twilight. I also really enjoyed a recent episode on magic and miracles called Double, Double Toil and Causing Trouble, (in part, I’m sure, thanks to the Harry Potter background music).

There are so many more podcasts I could mention! But, as time is limited, the ten I listed are the ones I personally prioritize. In the past, I have tried listening to podcasts on crafting, blogging, and cooking. But I have had to narrow down the podcasts I consistently listen to.

A few other podcasts worth mentioning that I am subscribed to (and listen to periodically), are Your Morning Basket (a homeschool podcast), The God-Centered Mom, Ask Pastor John (short Q&A podcast with John Piper), and Cultivating the Lovely.

Do you listen to podcasts? Which are your favorites?

When do you find time to listen?

EACH WEEK I LINK UP WITH MOTIVATION MONDAY, MODEST MAMA, MAMA MOMENTS, TITUS 2 TUESDAYS, AND WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY, AND 100 HAPPY DAYS. THE LINKS ABOVE MAY ALSO BE AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I EARN A SMALL COMMISSION AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS SITE!

The post Ten Podcasts Worth Your (Valuable and Limited) Time appeared first on This Pilgrim Life.