GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH THE UNCOMFORTABLE MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS

Join special guest Andrea Thorpe to learn how homeschooling the middle school years can be one of your best seasons yet! During middle school, your children transition from the cute years of elementary school to the independent learning years of high school. Because they are transforming, your parenting and teaching both need to flex as well.  ABOUT OUR GUEST | Andrea Thorpe is the author of three children’s books, a wife, and a mother of three daughters ages 18, 16, and 11. Prior to becoming a homeschooling mom, Andrea worked as a middle school classroom teacher and guidance counselor and was recognized as Teacher of the Year. For the past thirteen years, Andrea has enjoyed teaching her lively trio from the comfort of her family’s New Jersey home. Currently, she teaches classes in her local homeschool community and works as a freelance writer.  LISTENER COUPON CODE ★Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. TIMESTAMPS 03:13 Andrea's introduction. 05:35 How Andrea started her homeschool speaking tour.  06:37 How Andrea uses Google Calendar for planning but removes the distraction to be on her phone too much. 10:29 How can parents safeguard the relationship with their pre-teens and early teens in the face of surging hormones and attitudes? 13:29 Middle schoolers still need you ,but possibly in a different way from before. 19:25 If you have multiple children, don't be tempted to rest on your laurels. Each child is unique. Also the world is constantly changing, for example technology, Covid-19, etc.  21:02 Learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. 22:55 Permissive parenting, setting boundaries, and listening to your children. 28:15 Andrea's example of cleaning up the kitchen. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com. If you'd like to share an aha moment, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, a book you're loving, or a suggested podcast topic/guest, leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.