Join host Kaitlin Zara and beloved homeschool leader Julie Bogart (author of Help! My Kid Hates Writing) for a fun, deep, and freeing conversation about how to teach writing the right way at home. They dive into:

• The dangers of losing kids’ writing voice in the age of AI

• How to truly motivate reluctant writers without worksheets

• Why spelling and grammar don’t need to be taught the way you were taught

• Tips for homeschooling high schoolers without killing creativity

• Why creative and academic writing are not opposites—and how to make the essay process feel natural

Whether you're a parent of a budding comic book author, a teen blogger, or a child who flat-out refuses to write, this episode is packed with practical tools, encouraging stories, and a whole lot of homeschool joy.

Thank you to this episode's sponsor, Benedictine College, located in the small, picturesque town of Atchison, Kansas. Benedictine College is Newman Guide recommended, as well as a top college according to the US News and the Wall Street Journal. It is Homeschool Friendly, with a very family-oriented atmosphere, small class sizes, and outstanding ministry & student life programming. Go to https://www.benedictine.edu/ to learn more!

SHOW NOTES:

Purchase Help! My Kid Hates Writing at https://amzn.to/3KiMgjV

Meet Julie Bogart and learn more about Brave Writer at https://bravewriter.com/about/about-julie

Read Why Learn Creative Writing in High School? at https://homeschoolconnections.com/why-learn-creative-writing-in-high-school/

You'll also find Homeschool Connections Podcast on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hsc_online/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homeschoolingsaints/

Make sure to check out our Catholic Homeschool Blog for more homeschooling tips, support, and practical help!

Visit our Podcast page at Catholic Homeschool Podcast.

For additional help with joyful writing instruction, see Aquinas Writing Advantage (AWA) at https://awa.homeschoolconnections.com/ (AWA is a Homeschool Connections program).

Are you feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed by homeschooling, and struggling to find peace in your daily vocation?

In this encouraging episode, host Kaitlin Zara welcomes Sterling Jaquith, Catholic speaker, author, and founder of Catholic Mom Calm. Sterling shares her powerful story as a convert to Catholicism, mother of six, and creator of a ministry that helps Catholic moms ditch overwhelm and live with peace, purpose, and joy—right in the middle of their busy vocation.

With warmth, humor, and spiritual insight, Sterling offers practical mindset tools and faith-filled encouragement to help you embrace the beauty (and chaos) of Catholic motherhood with confidence and calm. In this episode:

• What Catholic moms really need to hear about burnout and balance
• How mindset work can transform your homeschool and your family life
• Why peace doesn’t come from controlling your schedule
• Ways to reconnect with your purpose and identity in Christ
• How to begin again—even if you feel like you’re failing

“We are made for greatness, not perfection.” ~Sterling Jaquith

You can learn more about Catholic Mom Calm at https://catholicmomcalm.com/. Make sure to check it out today!

Thank you to this episode's sponsor, Benedictine College, located in the small, picturesque town of Atchison, Kansas. Benedictine College is Newman Guide recommended, as well as a top college according to the US News and the Wall Street Journal. It is Homeschool Friendly, with a very family-oriented atmosphere, small class sizes, and outstanding ministry & student life programming. Go to https://www.benedictine.edu/ to learn more!

You can also find Sterling online at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholicmomcalm/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@catholicmomcalm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catholicmomcalm

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnnjLbRM5Bab0wqVsomQvEg

You'll also find Homeschool Connections Podcast on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hsc_online/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homeschoolingsaints/

Make sure to check out our Catholic Homeschool Blog for more homeschooling tips, support, and practical help!

Visit our Podcast page at Catholic Homeschool Podcast.

What if your imperfections as a parent could actually lead your children closer to God?

In this heartfelt and hope-filled episode, host Kaitlin Zara sits down with Catholic psychologist and homeschooling father of seven, Dr. Greg Bottaro, founder of the CatholicPsych Institute. Together, they dive deep into what it means to parent with intention, rooted in faith and attachment, in a chaotic and secular world.

Dr. Bottaro shares practical wisdom and spiritual insight on:

• Building deep emotional trust with your children.
• Balancing sacrifice and self-care in homeschooling
• Reframing failure as a path to grace
• Embracing the messy, beautiful truth: "Thank God we have a Savior."

If you're feeling stretched thin or worried you're falling short, this conversation will offer peace, encouragement, and a fresh perspective on parenting as a path to sainthood.

You can learn more about Dr. Bottaro and CatholicPsych Institute at https://catholicpsych.com/

Thank you to this episode's sponsor, Benedictine College, located in the small, picturesque town of Atchison, Kansas. Benedictine College is Newman Guide recommended, as well as a top college according to the US News and the Wall Street Journal. It is Homeschool Friendly, with a very family-oriented atmosphere, small class sizes, and outstanding ministry & student life programming. Go to https://www.benedictine.edu/ to learn more!

Dr. Greg Bottaro is a Catholic psychologist, founder of the CatholicPsych Institute, and creator of the CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism (CPMAP). Before he was married, he was a Franciscan Friar for 4 years under the mentorship of Fr. Benedict Groeschel. He's now married with 7 kids under 11.

You'll also find Homeschool Connections Podcast on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hsc_online/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homeschoolingsaints/

Make sure to check out our Catholic Homeschool Blog for more homeschooling tips, support, and practical help!

Visit our Podcast page at Catholic Homeschool Podcast.