A mentor once told me, “Pay attention to what everyone else is doing, and do the opposite.”

In other words…. Be the weirdo.

Parenting tip -> Share this insight with your kids. I did.

In a culture where kids feel more comfortable following the crowd and blending in (regardless of what consequences it may lead to), my kids are choosing to live a life that is set apart. They are different than most kids their age.

It takes courage to go against the norm, and to stand strong when others roll their eyes or make fun of what they think is strange and unusual….

But my kids know the reward is great. The payoff of being “weird” is worth it.

Join me on the podcast today, as I share 7 ways that my kids are weird in the eyes of the world, and why I’m perfectly okay with it.

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Find this Episode on the Blog | KatieHedrick.com/205

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Helpful Homeschool Things You Should Know About!

• Check out the Step-by-Step Path to (easy!) Homeschooling | TeachMeToHomeschool.com

• FREE Homeschool Curriculum Guide | KatieHedrick.com/CurriculumGuide

• FREE Workshop - Homeschool 101: Making so Easy that ANY Mom can Get Started! | KatieHedrick.com/Homeschool101

• Start Homeschooling in just 2 weeks with the First Steps to Homeschool course! | FirstStepsToHomeschool.com

I never thought I would do this….

But I did. And I’m GLAD I did.

I took the time to read a *gasp* fiction/fantasy novel. It’s actually a big deal.Why?

Because I’m a list making, box checking, type A, “don’t do it if it might be a waste of time” kind of mom.

But when my 16 year old daughter suggested a summer book swap challenge, I knew I should say yes, even though it was going to require me to sit down and chill for HOURS….

The basis for the challenge was simple:

She would choose a book for me to read (her favorite book, “The Goose Girl”) and I would choose a book for her to read (a personal growth book called “The Greatest Miracle in the World”). We had to read the books completely and finish before the end of summer.

We agreed to the terms and in July, I reluctantly sat down to read the first fiction book I’d held in my hands in years…. Maybe even decades…

What happened in the days that followed shocked me.

But like a good book, I won’t give it all away here. You’ll have to hit play on today’s podcast to get the rest of the story….

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Find this Episode on the Blog | KatieHedrick.com/204

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Helpful Homeschool Things You Should Know About!

• Check out the Step-by-Step Path to (easy!) Homeschooling | TeachMeToHomeschool.com

• FREE Homeschool Curriculum Guide | KatieHedrick.com/CurriculumGuide

• FREE Workshop - Homeschool 101: Making so Easy that ANY Mom can Get Started! | KatieHedrick.com/Homeschool101

• Start Homeschooling in just 2 weeks with the First Steps to Homeschool course! | FirstStepsToHomeschool.com

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Books Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Goose Girl | https://amzn.to/3AdXqBe
• The Greatest Miracle in the World | https://amzn.to/46P1J2b
• First Steps to Wealth | https://amzn.to/4fGyS47
• The Witch of Blackbird Pond | https://amzn.to/4duxFeq
• I Kissed Dating Goodbye | https://amzn.to/3AhM7Im

As a parent, I totally understand how it feels to battle the “screen monster” and to worry about the content that’s being placed in front of our kids. Thankfully, Minno offers some wonderful solutions!

Founded by a Dad, Minno is closing in on a decade of providing quality Christian content to kids and families. This streaming service is available as an app and it’s well worth the (small) monthly fee.

Jessica Wolstenholm is the Vice-President of Education and Publishing at Minno, and she’s joining me on the podcast to share how the platform can serve families, both online and off-line.

Jessica is also sharing some key take-aways about why it’s so important that kids see the Christian faith represented in kids’ entertainment, as well as insight about the “2-14 window” and how it can impact a child’s decision for faith.

If you’re looking for GOOD entertainment and shows for your kids, (both animated and live-action) you’ll want to catch this episode and learn more about Minno!

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Find this Episode on the Blog | KatieHedrick.com/203

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Helpful Homeschool Things You Should Know About!

• Check out the Step-by-Step Path to (easy!) Homeschooling | TeachMeToHomeschool.com

• FREE Homeschool Curriculum Guide | KatieHedrick.com/CurriculumGuide

• FREE Workshop - Homeschool 101: Making so Easy that ANY Mom can Get Started! | KatieHedrick.com/Homeschool101

• Start Homeschooling in just 2 weeks with the First Steps to Homeschool course! | FirstStepsToHomeschool.com

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Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Take a closer look at Minno | GoMinno.com
• The Minno Laugh and Grow Bible | https://amzn.to/3SmM4B7

Remember when…

“Screen time” wasn’t even really a thing…

“Online” didn’t seem like such a scary place…

Social media felt more social than lonely…

I’m guessing all of that was back before you were a parent, right?

Raising up kids today can feel like a constant battle between giving them a screen so you can sneak in a shower and instantly feeling the pang of guilt and worry as their eyes lock in on the device you just handed them.

David Tucker joins me on the podcast today and gets right to the point, as he answers all the hard questions I’m throwing his way…

“How much is too much screen time?”

“At what age should we allow our kids to have social media?”

“How can we course correct if our kids are already addicted to screens?”

It’s an eye opening episode to say the least, as David shares some shocking facts, plus encouraging, tangible advice for how we can parent well in today’s digital world.

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Find this Episode on the Blog | KatieHedrick.com/202

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Helpful Homeschool Things You Should Know About!

• Check out the Step-by-Step Path to (easy!) Homeschooling | TeachMeToHomeschool.com

• FREE Homeschool Curriculum Guide | KatieHedrick.com/CurriculumGuide

• FREE Workshop - Homeschool 101: Making so Easy that ANY Mom can Get Started! | KatieHedrick.com/Homeschool101

• Start Homeschooling in just 2 weeks with the First Steps to Homeschool course! | FirstStepsToHomeschool.com

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Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• DigitalParenting.com
• The Digital Parenting Guidebook | https://amzn.to/4bOpYyu

Every stage of homeschool (and motherhood) seems to bring about wonders, challenges and bittersweet moments.

With 6 kids between us, (ages ranging from 10-21 years old) Leigh Nguyen and I have experienced just about every parenting scenario you can imagine!

We teamed up to combine our 15 years of homeschooling experiences and MANY years of motherhood, to pick through the best tips and most meaningful things we’ve learned when it comes to teaching and parenting through all the ages and stages.

Join us for a conversation about how to spark a love of learning in your little ones, how to navigate difficult changes and connect with the heart of your middle schooler, and how to equip your teenager to spread their wings and fly.

You’ll love these practical ideas that you can start implementing right away!

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Find this Episode on the Blog | KatieHedrick.com/201

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Helpful Homeschool Things You Should Know About!

• Check out the Step-by-Step Path to (easy!) Homeschooling | TeachMeToHomeschool.com

• FREE Homeschool Curriculum Guide | KatieHedrick.com/CurriculumGuide

• FREE Workshop - Homeschool 101: Making so Easy that ANY Mom can Get Started! | KatieHedrick.com/Homeschool101

• Start Homeschooling in just 2 weeks with the First Steps to Homeschool course! | FirstStepsToHomeschool.com

What do homesteading, health secrets and homeschool have in common?

They are all “hot topics” right now, as moms are waking up to the damage and diseases caused from processed foods and outside sources.

Julia Lawless, wife to an Oklahoma grass farmer, and 2nd generation homeschooling mom joins me on the podcast today to share some (rather shocking) research and tips about how you can easily take small steps forward into a healthier life.

A few surprises await you inside of today’s episode including…

• How Julia’s family got started with homeschooling (Hint: Her father is very well known in the homeschool world)
• Julia’s “shattering” adventures with Kombucha making
• How you can begin consuming healthy organ meat in a delicious way (and at a discounted price!)

Get a notebook handy and press play! There’s no doubt that you’ll want to jot down some notes as Julia shares about homesteading, health secrets and homeschool!

—> Want to try WholeStix? Head over to WholeStix.com and receive 30% off your order with the code: JOY30

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Find this Episode on the Blog | KatieHedrick.com/200

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Helpful Homeschool Things You Should Know About!

• Check out the Step-by-Step Path to (easy!) Homeschooling | TeachMeToHomeschool.com

• FREE Homeschool Curriculum Guide | KatieHedrick.com/CurriculumGuide

• FREE Workshop - Homeschool 101: Making so Easy that ANY Mom can Get Started! | KatieHedrick.com/Homeschool101

• Start Homeschooling in just 2 weeks with the First Steps to Homeschool course! | FirstStepsToHomeschool.com

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Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• “Language Arts and Literature with Andrew Pudewa” | KatieHedrick.com/195
• IEW Language Arts Curriculum | KatieHedrick.com/IEW
• “Nourishing Traditions” by Sally Fallon | https://amzn.to/3xHePkY
• Weston A. Price Foundation | WestonAPrice.org
• WholeStix Meat Sticks | WholeStix.com (Use code: JOY30 for 30% off your purchase)

Have you ever planned an amazing trip for your family, but ended up feeling frazzled and stressed before it even began?

From the planning to the packing to the part where you actually get on the road, traveling with your family can feel like a lot, but it can ALSO be the source of some amazing core memories. In my experience, every trip with my kids has been #worthit

I’m pulling together all my best tips and travel hacks and sharing them with you on the pod today! Whether you have an upcoming trip planned or not, this episode is one you’ll want to keep in your back pocket to help make life on the road just a little bit smoother!

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Find this Episode on the Blog | KatieHedrick.com/199

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Helpful Homeschool Things You Should Know About!

• Check out the Step-by-Step Path to (easy!) Homeschooling | TeachMeToHomeschool.com

• FREE Homeschool Curriculum Guide | KatieHedrick.com/CurriculumGuide

• FREE Workshop - Homeschool 101: Making so Easy that ANY Mom can Get Started! | KatieHedrick.com/Homeschool101

• Start Homeschooling in just 2 weeks with the First Steps to Homeschool course! | FirstStepsToHomeschool.com