Setting the Spark: Heroes and Where to Find Them Pt. 1

In Part 1 of our Hero series, we talk with Maria Nelson about the importance of heroes in the lives of children. From stories of fictional heroes or biographies of great men and women in history, we dive into the (sometimes murky) water of  learning from those who have gone before us. We also discuss character building books and stories as a part of a living education. 

Resources:

Wing Feather Saga

Green Ember Series

Little Britches Series

Understood Betsy

Anne of Green Gables

Chronicles of Narnia

Children's Book of Heroes

Lord of the Rings

The Hobbit

Landmark Biographies

Wind in the Willows

Henry Huggins Series

Your Morning Basket: The Truth About Myth (podcast)

Your Morning Basket: Why Fairy Tales are not Optional (podcast)

Setting the Spark: Homeschooling and Marriage

We love homeschooling and marriage so we were so excited when Paula Cutrona came up with the idea to do an episode on how one affects the other. In this episode we discuss so many important topics like practical ways we can use time management to ensure we have energy to put into marriage after a day full of homeschooling, how we communicate to our children the importance of their parents' marriage, our spouses favorite thing about homeschooling, ways that homeschooling can put strain on a marriage and more! 

Like what you're hearing? Give us a review! It helps others in the community to find us. Also make sure to check us out on instagram at @setting.the.spark.podcast and online at www.settingthespark.com.

Setting the Spark: A Week in the Life of an Unschooler

While every unschooling family’s schedule will look differently, Audrey walks us through what a typical rhythm and schedule looks like for her family. Audrey also shares her views on subjects such as math and spelling, and how she approaches child led learning in their home.

Like what you're hearing? Give us a review! It helps others in the community to find us. Also make sure to check us out on instagram at @setting.the.spark.podcast and online at www.settingthespark.com.

Setting the Spark: Expectations vs. Reality

It's so normal to have expectations about things- especially of how your homeschool day is going to look. We get so excited and have so much fun planning that it can often be discouraging when our reality doesn't meet with those visions. In this episode, your co-hosts discuss how their expectations have been met or challenged during the beginning of their homeschool journey.

Like what you're hearing? Give us a review! It helps others in the community to find us. Also make sure to check us out on instagram at @setting.the.spark.podcast and online at www.settingthespark.com.

Setting the Spark: The Importance of the Outdoors

There has been a recent influx in information lately about how important it is to get your kids outside more often. In today’s episode, Christa Thomas goes into more specifics as to why this outdoor time is so important for kids developmentally, socially and physically. She discusses the benefits from a scientific perspective and gives great ideas on to how outdoor time into your routine.

Resources Mentioned:

Vitamin N and Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louve

Peter Gray- Free to Learn

Balanced and Barefoot by Angela Hanscom

Setting the Spark: Dealing with Burnout

When you're doing something you love it is often easy to overlook the signs that you're pushing yourself too hard and working in a way that is not sustainable. In this episode, mother of three, Molly, talks with us about her personal experience with burnout. We explore the signs of impending burnout and how to identify them in your life, ways to prevent burnout, as well as ways to recover. This is a very important and encouraging episode for all parents!

Like what you're hearing? Give us a review! It helps others in the community to find us. Also make sure to check us out on instagram at @setting.the.spark.podcast and online at www.settingthespark.com.

Setting the Spark: Inspiration for Prospective and Non-Homeschooling Families

Are you a parent who is interested in homeschooling but not ready to fully commit? Do you know someone who feels like traditional schooling is better for their child but still wants to implement certain homeschool principles or philosophies? In this episode, we talk with curricula researcher and philosophy lover Lauren Litton about the inspiration she has taken from homeschooling resources and applied them to her (currently non-homeschooling) family life.

Resources:

Setting the Spark: Homeschooling with Lots of Littles

There are lots of parents out there who want to homeschool but feel intimidated by having so many young children at home. Kara Hill is the mom of 3 with one on the way. She's here to share some tips and insight into how she does schools and runs her home with (soon to be) 4 children under 5.

Like what you're hearing? Give us a review! It helps others in the community to find us. Also make sure to check us out on instagram at @setting.the.spark.podcast and online at www.settingthespark.com.

Resources mentioned:

The Miracle Morning

Smitten Kitchen

Minimalist Baker

This is my Home, This is my School

Setting the Spark: For the Love of Living Books Pt.2

Oh how we love good books around here! Maria Nelson, Charlotte Mason mom of 4, is back this week giving us the low down on some of the best in quality literature for all ages! We had such a great time recording and so much good info we decided to break it into 2 parts! If you haven't had a chance to listen to last weeks episode (part 1) make sure to check it out, too!

Like what you're hearing? Give us a review! It helps others in the community to find us. Also make sure to check us out on instagram at @setting.the.spark.podcast and online at www.settingthespark.com.

Setting the Spark: For the Love of Living Books pt.1

Oh how we love good books around here! Maria Nelson, Charlotte Mason mom of 4, is back this week giving us the low down on some of the best in quality literature for all ages! We had such a great time recording and so much good info we decided to break it into 2 parts! Make sure to head back next week for part 2!

Like what you're hearing? Give us a review! It helps others in the community to find us. Also make sure to check us out on instagram at @setting.the.spark.podcast and online at www.settingthespark.com.