You remember the day that your tiny baby boy lay nestled in your arms for the first time. And as he grew, so did your relationship. The two of you are buddies and he adores you.

The {not so funny} thing about little boys is that they grow up. And before we know it, they're the size of grown men and we wonder how we fit into the world now.

It wasn't long ago that I strugled with what my relationship would look like with my boys as they hit the teen years and beyond. And I have heard from many of you who have the same concerns.

Today's episode will place you into my shoes and I'll share a little bit of what I have learned through trial and error in hopes that it settles your anxious heart.

♥ Leigh

GET YOUR TICKET FOR LITTLE BY LITTLE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/conference

DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint

CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome

GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship

SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal

Website - https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com

Newsletter - https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Little by Little Homeschool podcast is part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. Find more information at https://www.christianparenting.org

Listen to these related episodes:

62.Practical Tips and How to Approach the Homeschool High School Years with Teen Boys and Interest-Led Learning

235.Raising Boys In Today's Culture With Durenda Wilson: How A Homeschool Mom Meets The Challenges Through All The Ages

454.How To Choose Curriculum For The Next Homeschool Year

Who doesn't want a happy homeschool mom?

The kids sure do.

Your husband does.

And I can guarantee that you do too!

Let's think of today's episode as a big pot of stew. We'll throw 10 ingredients into it and out pops a happier homeschool mom.

Grab a pen and paper and take a few notes of the areas that you feel God wants you to focus on so that you can be the homeschool mom that has joy in this season of life.

♥ Leigh

GET YOUR TICKET FOR LITTLE BY LITTLE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/conference

DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint

CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome

GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship

SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal

Website - https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com

Newsletter - https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Little by Little Homeschool podcast is part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. Find more information at https://www.christianparenting.org

Listen to these related episodes:

242. Unlearning Diet Culture and Discovering Weight Loss In My 40's: Training For My Old Lady Body

192. Get the Balance You Want in Your Motherhood, Marriage, and Homeschool: Is It Possible to Be Content?

222. Needing Balance In Your Life? Master These 2 Times In Your Day As A Homeschool Mom

Sometimes it seems like homeschoolers have their own secret language of terms. And today we are going to crack open one of those words: deschooling.

Let's tackle the subject of what it actually is. And then focus in on why you, as a homeschool parent, need to do it.

The goal is for you to feel empowered to take education back from what you think it needs to be to what it can be in your home. And I promise that you'll walk away from this episode with a little extra pep in your step!

♥ Leigh

GET YOUR TICKET FOR LITTLE BY LITTLE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/conference

DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint

CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome

GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship

SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal

Website - https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com

Newsletter - https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Little by Little Homeschool podcast is part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. Find more information at https://www.christianparenting.org

Listen to these related episodes:

169. Unschooling: Why This Style of Homeschooling Is On the Rise and the Main Focus of This Type of Education

171. Tired of ”Doing School at Home” and Want to Really Homeschool? Change Your Approach Today!

185. How to Help Your Homeschool Children Discover Their Gifts, Talents, & Abilities and Why This is Important For Their Future

What if I told you there is ONLY one thing you need to begin and to continue homeschooling? Nope. It's not curriculum. And no, it isn't a big budget or fancy manipulatives.

Just one simple thing that will act as your foundation and anchor in all the years of homeschooling ahead. And it doesn't cost a thing.

Sound too good to be true? I promise that it's not. Let's dive into that one thing, so you can homeschool with the right perspective.

♥ Leigh

GET YOUR TICKET FOR LITTLE BY LITTLE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/conference

DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint

CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome

GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship

SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal

Website - https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com

Newsletter - https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Little by Little Homeschool podcast is part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. Find more information at https://www.christianparenting.org

Listen to these related episodes:

Best Of: My Summer Hack To Keep My Homeschool Kids Productive and Helpful

Best Of: Creating A Summer Routine For Your Homeschool Family: 3 Options To Set Up Your Days

445. Homeschooling The Strong-Willed Child Without Ruining Your Relationship

I promise that I'm not adding "one more thing" to your to-do list. But, the summer typically means a bit of a break from academics for homeschool families.

The curriculum is great, but if you child is not prepared for the world when they step out on their own, they'll have a lot of catching up to do, no matter what level of math they achieved, the science experiments you did, or the classic books they've read. Don't get me wrong, those things are fine. But, there is more to life than book knowledge.

There is real life where they'll need to know how to interact, get along with, and function well with others, if for no other reason than for their Christian witness.

I'm hoping you have a little more brain space with your usual routine set aside for the summer to focus on teaching and growing soft skills in your homeschooler of any age. I've got a lot of ideas for you...pick 1 or 2 that seem the most important and see how you can be intentional this summer!

♥ Leigh

GET YOUR TICKET FOR LITTLE BY LITTLE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/conference

DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint

CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome

GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship

SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal

Website - https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com

Newsletter - https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Little by Little Homeschool podcast is part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. Find more information at https://www.christianparenting.org

Listen to these related episodes:

131. Struggling With Meltdowns? Try These 7 Ways to Help Your Young Child Manage Their Emotions

153. The Worst 4 Mistakes You Must Avoid In Your Homeschool: Confessions From A Veteran Homeschooler

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It's about that time, homeschool mom! Summer break!

Did I see a little yipee from you? Or maybe a feeling of dread came over you because summer seems to be a free for all and at the end of it, you don't feel like you have anything good to show for it.

What if, you took some purposeful time this summer and used it wisely to build and edify yourself as a homeschool mom?

I'm breaking down some areas to consider pouring into this summer in hopes that you take back your time and feel pleased at the completion of your break from formal academics.

♥ Leigh

GET YOUR TICKET FOR LITTLE BY LITTLE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/conference

DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint

CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome

GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship

SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal

Website - https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com

Newsletter - https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Little by Little Homeschool podcast is part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. Find more information at https://www.christianparenting.org

Listen to these related episodes:

79. 3 Steps to Getting Your Family to Eat Healthy Meals and Snacks: How to Make These Changes TODAY!

159. Want Your Spiritual Life to Grow as a Homeschool Mom? 2 Important Habits to Consider Adding

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There is such pressure in our society to create an over the top experience for every part of our children's lives. And that can feel overwhelming. The FOMO is real.

But what if your children could have an amazing summer that filled them...and you...up? One that was reminiscent of an 80's and 90's childhood, but with a 21st century twist. Does that appeal to you?

Or maybe you're just intrigued and need some more ideas in your arsenal for the summer.

No matter the reason you clicked on this episode, I want to share the 4 favorite things that my kids and I did each summer that we now look back on with some very fond memories.

Grab that icy cold drink and get ready for your brain to be full of ideas because of this episode!

♥ Leigh

GET YOUR TICKET FOR LITTLE BY LITTLE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/conference

DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint

CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome

GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship

SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal

Website - https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com

Newsletter - https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Little by Little Homeschool podcast is part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. Find more information at https://www.christianparenting.org

Listen to these related episodes:

45. 6 Steps To Create the Best Homeschool Summer Break That Your Family Will Always Remember

Best Of: Creating a Summer Routine For Your Homeschool Family: 3 Great Options to Set Up Your Days

Best Of: Tips to Creating a Screen-Free Summer For Your Homeschool Children

Best Of: My Summer Hack To Keep My Homeschool Kids Productive and Helpful

Do you want to look back on this summer and feel good about how you and your homeschool children spent their time? Now, I'm not saying there isn't room for rest, refreshment, and even a lot of fun. But, what about all the time in between? Maybe it's the days you are just home. Or maybe it's the free time your kids will have in between activities.

No matter if you like a jam-packed summer or prefer one more relaxed, there is something to coming alongside our kids and showing them how to be productive and helpful. This habit will serve them well for many years to come as they look at their time as a great gift and desire to spend it well.

Whether you have a 5 year old, 12 year old, or even a 16 year old, I'm excited about how this episode will inspire your summer!

♥ Leigh

GET YOUR TICKET FOR LITTLE BY LITTLE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/conference

DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint

CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome

GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship

SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal

Website - https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com

Newsletter - https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/

Little by Little Homeschool podcast is part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. Find more information at https://www.christianparenting.org

Listen to these related episodes:

45. 6 Steps To Create the Best Homeschool Summer Break That Your Family Will Always Remember

49. 7 Tips to Stay On Track with Housework During the Summer Break from Homeschool

Best Of: Creating A Summer Routine For Your Homeschool Family: 3 Options To Set Up Your Days