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In this episode, Kathy talks about the approaching school year and offers tips and suggestions for making the transition a smooth one for preschoolers.  Start by setting goals for you and your family. Kathy’s favorite way of doing this is to gather magazines, pencils, paper and glue and invite children to make goal posters and include topics they would like to learn about.  Keep it FLEXIBLE: Consider your season of life when planning. Moves, new babies, and health issues have all caused Kathy to adjust her school goals over the years. Flexibility and the willingness to pivot wil ..read more

This month in our curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully, we are focusing on the character trait of forgiveness. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines forgiveness as “to pardon, to overlook an offense and treat the offender as not guilty.” We thought this was a very matter-of-fact definition for such a complex emotional process. Listen to Episode 31 of the Play Skillfully where Kathy and Lesli have a frank talk about what teaching children about forgiveness can look like in your home.  1. Examine your own family history with forgiveness. We don’t want to parent on auto-pilot! Did your fami ..read more

This is a rebroadcast of a favorite episode from 2020. Tips for building patience in yourself: 1. Relationships over results. Also consider the fragility of the people you are dealing with. Be gentle. You honestly never know what other people are dealing with at home, or what broken system they are trying to work within. The way we respond to others is on display to our children.  2. Educate yourself in the developmental stages of your kids, so that your expectations are reasonable.  3. Check yourself first:  Are we frustrated with them because we were unprepared, disorganize ..read more

This week Kathy catches up with podcast favorite, Keri Vasek. Join in to hear Kathy and Keri talk honestly about life with four children. In this episode, Keri shares how she found A Year of Playing Skillfully and how she has implemented it over the years with her growing family.  You don’t want to miss this conversation. Get ready to laugh and be inspired ..read more

This episode is actually the recording from a Webinar Lesli and Kathy hosted this week. We hope you enjoy! We discuss routines and schedules, organizing supplies, Invitations to play, and much more!  ..read more

On this week’s podcast, Lesli speaks with Carol Reynolds, otherwise known as Professor Carol about introducing young children to classical music.  Carol speaks regularly to homeschooling families with the Classical Consortium.  She has developed a wonderful new songbook for families called Hurrah and Hallelujah. We talk about how to introduce music in your home, what to do if you are not musical yourself, and much much more!   ..read more

This past week was Kathy’s birthday, so we thought it would be fun to play you a podcast that was recorded during her 50thbirthday party two years ago. Original show notes are below.  As I approached 50 (my birthday is September 10th), I started thinking about the legacy I was leaving behind. As a young college student, I was discipled by several amazing women… Susan Felker, Betsy Stark, Donna George, and Debbie Mabry. These women poured into me in a variety of ways. Some met with me over yogurt, others invited me into their homes. I watched these women be wives and mothers from the fron ..read more

Join Lesli Richards and essential oils expert and Author Dawn Camp as they talk about her new book It All Began in a Garden. Dawn shares some practical advice on the use of essential oils with young children based on her extensive research and caring for her own family of eight.  Dawn Camp is an Atlanta-based writer, photographer, wife, homeschooling mom, small business owner and regular contributor for (in)courage. She is the author of The Beauty of Grace, The Gift of Friendship, The Heart of Marriage, and With Love, Mom.  Her love of essential oils inspired her upcoming book It All ..read more

This week Kathy had the privilege to speak with Dr. Kathy Koch, founder of Celebrate Kids and discuss several hot topics for parents today. They talked about Kathy’s books 8 Great Smarts and Start with the Heart. Dr. Kathy shared some amazing wisdom about getting to the hearts of your little ones as well as your teens.  You can learn more about Dr. Kathy Koch at celebratekids.com. Check out her books and the opportunities to listen to her at one of many conferences including, Ignite the Family.  ..read more