Homeschooling a Large Family: Tips and Insights

How do you homeschool when your family keeps growing? In this episode, Kaitlin Zara sits down with Chantal Howard, founder of Catholic Finishing School and mother of seven, to talk about the joys and challenges of homeschooling a large family. Chantal shares practical wisdom from her own homeschooling journey—raising children from newborn to college age while managing family life, work, and faith. She discusses how to cultivate independence in children, adapt to different learning styles, and maintain peace in a busy household. From anchoring the day with prayer to embracing the flexibility that homeschooling provides, Chantal encourages parents to see family life itself as a powerful school of virtue and formation. If you’ve ever wondered how homeschooling works with a big family—or felt overwhelmed by the idea—this episode offers encouragement, practical tips, and a reminder that God provides the grace needed for the vocation of parenthood. Show Notes Thank You to Our Sponsor This episode is sponsored by Franciscan University of Steubenville. At Franciscan University, students live the truth of the Gospel in a vibrant Catholic community that unites faith and reason in every major. Twenty percent of Franciscan students come from a homeschool background. High school juniors and seniors can also earn college credit online through Franciscan’s dual enrollment program. Learn more at Franciscan.edu About Our Guest Chantal Howard is the founder of Catholic Finishing School, a formation movement devoted to helping young Catholic women and their mothers grow in virtue, beauty, and authentic femininity. A seasoned life and business coach with more than ten years of experience, Chantal integrates her passion for Catholic culture, natural living, entrepreneurship, and family life to inspire women to flourish body, mind, and soul. She is also the author of The School of the Family: A Renaissance of Catholic Formation, which explores how families can become centers of virtue and culture in the modern world. Chantal lives in Sandpoint, Idaho with her husband, Dr. Peter Howard, and their seven children. Resources Mentioned Catholic Finishing School (Special discount link for listeners): https://catholicfinishingschool.com/connections/ Chantal Howard Website: https://www.chantal-howard.com/ Chantal Howard Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach.chantal.howard/ Homeschool Connections Course Catalog: https://caravel.homeschoolconnections.com/catalog In This Episode, We Discuss Starting the Homeschool Day with Faith Why the family rosary anchors their homeschool day Creating a spiritual rhythm in family life Integrating prayer into everyday routines Homeschooling Multiple Ages at Once Managing learning for children from infants to teens Creating “pods” of learning within the home Encouraging independent study Fostering a Love of Learning Why homeschooling isn’t about recreating school at home How curiosity and freedom cultivate motivated learners Encouraging children to pursue their interests Adapting to Different Learning Styles Why no single curriculum works for every child Being flexible with educational approaches Letting go of perfection and trusting the process Homeschooling During Pregnancy and Postpartum Embracing seasons of life Allowing older children to help with family responsibilities Letting “life itself” become a teacher Managing the Chaos of a Large Family Creating “zones” for focused learning Using technology wisely when needed Allowing homeschool schedules to remain flexible Teaching Responsibility at Home Why chores are part of a child’s formation Creating a family team mentality Raising capable and responsible young adults Self-Care for Homeschool Moms Establishing daily routines and rhythms The importance of prayer and spiritual habits Finding small moments of peace in a busy day Encouragement for Parents Homeschooling Large Families Why parents shouldn’t fear the challenge The value of family culture and formation Trusting that God fills the gaps in our efforts