The Christy-Faith Show

Ep. 118 - How to Build a Professional Homeschool Transcript (With Joan Girkins from Homeschool Records)

If you've been putting off building a homeschool transcript because it feels too complicated, too official, or just too much — this episode is for you. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Joan Girkins, founder of Homeschool Records and a veteran homeschool mom of 20+ years, to demystify the entire process and give you a real, confidence-building action plan. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations [https://christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations] I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations [https://christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations] In this episode, you'll learn: * Why keeping homeschool records matters — even if your state doesn't require it * Whether a homeschool transcript carries the same weight as a public or private school transcript * What "accreditation" actually means and why it's not a barrier for homeschool families * When to start building your child's transcript (hint: 9th grade, out of the gate) * What colleges actually want to see — and how to work backwards from their requirements * Why record-keeping matters even if your child isn't college-bound * How a student resume (activities, awards, achievements) can open doors to military academies, scholarships, and more * How Homeschool Records' guided platform teaches you how to build a transcript as you go * What to do if you've been homeschooling for years with zero paper trail * The exclusive listener coupon code — use CHRISTYFAITH for 20% off + free trial at Homeschool Records Sponsors: BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples [https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/christy] CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial [https://ctcmath.com/how-it-works/home-school?tr_id=CF] Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings [https://summithealthshare.com/cf] Resources mentioned: * Homeschool Records — Joan's guided platform for professional transcripts & student resumes. Free trial + use code CHRISTYFAITH for 20% off: homeschoolrecords.com [https://homeschoolrecords.com/] * Solid Rock Consulting Services — Joan's consulting firm: solidrockconsultingservices.com [https://www.solidrockconsultingservices.com] * The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com [https://christy-faiths-list.com] * Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive [https://christy-faith.com/thrive] About our guest: Joan Girkins is a veteran homeschool mom who homeschooled all four of her children for over 20 years and is now watching her grandchildren be homeschooled. She is the founder of Homeschool Records, a guided online platform that teaches parents how to build professional transcripts, student resumes, and complete academic documentation — step by step, as they go. 👉 homeschoolrecords.com [https://homeschoolrecords.com/] Connect with Christy-Faith: * Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool [https://www.instagram.com/christy_faith_homeschool/] * TikTok: @christy_faith [https://www.tiktok.com/@christy_faith] * Website: christy-faith.com [https://christy-faith.com] * Book: Homeschool Rising [https://christy-faith.com/book-homeschool-rising] 🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us! * (00:00) - Introduction & Why Homeschool Records Matter * (02:07) - Joan's Homeschool Story * (04:30) - Why Record-Keeping Brings Integrity to Your Homeschool * (06:28) - Record-Keeping for Every Homeschool Style (Yes, Even Unschoolers) * (10:00) - Does a Homeschool Transcript Carry the Same Weight as Accredited Transcripts? * (13:22) - Colleges Are Actively Recruiting Homeschoolers * (14:58) - Working Backwards from College Requirements * (18:23) - Why Professional Transcripts Matter (First Impressions) * (20:24) - When to Start Building Your Transcript * (21:11) - The Student Resume: Activities, Awards & Achievements * (27:43) - What to Do If You Have Zero Paper Trail * (30:40) - Families Who Aren't Planning on College * (33:08) - Build It As If They Are College Bound * (35:12) - Documentation Deadlines You Don't Want to Miss * (38:49) - How a Well-Documented Record Opens Doors (Including Military Academies) * (41:10) - Record-Keeping Reminds You of How Far You've Come * (41:50) - How Homeschool Records' Platform Works * (43:50) - Record-Keeping for Unschoolers in High School * (46:54) - Listener Discount Code & Free Trial * (47:43) - Joan's Encouragement for Homeschool Moms

Ep. 117 - When Your Baby Won’t Sleep and Homeschool Still Has to Happen

You're homeschooling a five-year-old, chasing a toddler, and surviving on whatever broken sleep your baby will give you. The advice you were raised on — cry it out, Ferber method, strict schedules — may not be sitting right anymore. So what do you actually do? Natalie Diaz, founder of Twiniversity and Certified IBCLC, brings nearly two decades of one-on-one experience with exhausted moms to answer that question — gently, practically, and without shame. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations [https://christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations] I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations [https://christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations] In this episode, you'll learn: * Why sleep training advice shifted so dramatically — and what the science now says * The real reasons your baby isn't sleeping (and how to work through the checklist) * Natalie's step-by-step approach for the mom who won't do cry-it-out but desperately needs sleep * Why "sleepy gets sleep" is actually true — and how to use it to your advantage * How breastfeeding and sleep are connected in ways most books get dangerously wrong * The 3-hour chunk method for surviving newborn life without losing yourself * What husbands and pediatricians consistently miss about mom exhaustion * How to protect your marriage through the sleepless seasons — before resentment builds Sponsors: BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 Visit bjupresshomeschool.com/christy [https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/christy] CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Visit CTC Math [https://ctcmath.com/how-it-works/home-school?tr_id=CF] LearningRx ✔ Individualized brain training to strengthen focus, memory, and processing speed ✔ Real results for struggling learners of all ages 👉 Visit learningrx.com [https://learningrx.com/] True North Homeschool Academy ✔ Live, online classes taught by expert teachers ✔ Designed specifically for homeschool families 👉 Visit truenorthhomeschool.academy [https://truenorthhomeschool.academy/] Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 Visit summithealthshare.com/cf [https://summithealthshare.com/cf] Resources mentioned: * Twiniversity — global resource hub for twin families: twiniversity.com [https://www.twiniversity.com/] * Tiny New Yorkers — Natalie's personal IBCLC services (covered by many insurance plans): tinynewyorkers.com [https://tinynewyorkers.com/] * What to Do When You're Having Two (book): Amazon link [https://a.co/d/0bC3iEI1] * The Newborn Twin Sleep Guide (book): Amazon link [https://a.co/d/0ftZHByH] * The Twiniversity Podcast: Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/60TDcDJoEtQHwqLzZ8L9rX?si=9734d507f23845e6] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/twiniversity] * The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com [https://christy-faiths-list.com] * Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive [https://christy-faith.com/thrive] About our guest: Natalie Diaz is the founder of Twiniversity, a Certified IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), author, and podcast host with nearly two decades of experience working one-on-one with moms through newborn nights, feeding struggles, and the depletion that doesn't lift. A twin mom herself, she founded Twiniversity in 2009 and built it into a platform reaching over one million people weekly in more than 100 countries. She is the author of What to Do When You're Having Two and The Newborn Twin Sleep Guide, and the host of The Twiniversity Podcast. Her personal IBCLC practice, Tiny New Yorkers, is covered by many insurance plans throughout the United States. 👉 twiniversity.com [https://www.twiniversity.com/] 👉 tinynewyorkers.com [https://tinynewyorkers.com/] Connect with Christy-Faith: * Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool [https://www.instagram.com/christy_faith_homeschool/] * TikTok: @christy_faith [https://www.tiktok.com/@christy_faith] * Website: christy-faith.com [https://christy-faith.com] * Book: Homeschool Rising [https://christy-faith.com/book-homeschool-rising] 🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us! * (00:00) - Welcome and Sleep Shift * (01:09) - Meet Natalie Diaz * (04:27) - Twiniversity Origin Story * (06:12) - Exhaustion and PPD * (16:07) - Why Sleep Training Changed * (19:42) - Twin Sleep Guide Basics * (20:52) - Free Classes and Resources * (24:01) - Is Cry It Out Traumatic * (27:18) - Safe Sleep and Anxiety * (30:28) - Ideal Sleep Conditions * (35:39) - Routine Over Schedule * (38:13) - Breastfeeding Friendly Methods * (40:26) - No One Size Fits All * (41:17) - Track Baby Rhythms * (42:04) - Shifts and Support * (43:55) - Three Hour Chunks * (45:34) - Bedtime Routine Basics * (46:37) - Nap Trapping Strategy * (53:16) - Homeschool Mom Reality * (01:02:03) - Delegation and Love * (01:09:25) - Resources and Wrap Up

Ep. 116 - You’re Not Going to Finish Your Homeschool Curriculum - Here’s What to Do

You counted the lessons left. You counted the days left. The math doesn't work — and now that quiet voice is asking if you've ruined your kids. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith has been there. In this episode, she gives you the framework she uses every single year with her own kids so you never panic about unfinished curriculum again. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations [https://christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations] I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations [https://christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations] 🎁 Free Printable Notecard: "The scope and sequence is not a contract. It's a menu." [https://christy-faith.com/download-thanks-for-listening-gift] Download this beautiful, ready-to-print notecard featuring this episode's quote of the week. 👉 Free Download [https://christy-faith.com/download-thanks-for-listening-gift] In this episode, you'll learn: * Why an unfinished curriculum is not a sign of failure — and what it actually means * The mindset shift that ends the panic for good (it starts with one question) * What curriculum is actually for — and why finishing it was never the point * How to sort every subject into skill-based vs. content-based — and why it changes everything * Exactly what to keep going, what to park until next year, and what to skip entirely * How to build an actual end-of-year plan in under 30 minutes * The "ghost metric" haunting your homeschool — and how to fire it * The quote of the week: why the scope and sequence is a menu, not a contract Sponsors: BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples [https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/christy] CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial [https://ctcmath.com/how-it-works/home-school?tr_id=CF] Azure Standard ✔ Homeschool-family-owned company ✔ Organic, natural, and non-GMO groceries, health, home, and garden products ✔ All vetted to be free of harmful preservatives, food colorings, chemicals, and pesticides ✔ Use code CHRISTYFAITH15 for 15% off your first order 👉 Browse Azure's Grocery, Health & Home Products [https://www2.azurestandard.com/-christy-faith] Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings [https://summithealthshare.com/cf] Resources mentioned: * Free Printable Notecard — "The scope and sequence is not a contract. It's a menu.": Free Download [https://christy-faith.com/download-thanks-for-listening-gift] * The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com [https://christy-faiths-list.com] * Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive [https://christy-faith.com/thrive] Episodes mentioned in this episode: * Episode 64 [https://youtu.be/7ADbG7Fp-cY] — If you're feeling generally overwhelmed, start here * Episode 88 [https://youtu.be/p0PJyfN4H9M] — The liberation episode: all the things homeschool moms don't need to care about * Episode 70 [https://youtu.be/cCKDz0IYT4Y] — If curriculum decisions are weighing on you right now Connect with Christy-Faith: * Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool [https://www.instagram.com/christy_faith_homeschool/] * TikTok: @christy_faith [https://www.tiktok.com/@christy_faith] * Website: christy-faith.com [https://christy-faith.com] * Book: Homeschool Rising [https://christy-faith.com/book-homeschool-rising] 🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us! * (00:00) - Introduction * (00:00) - 3:10 Welcome & What This Episode Is Really About * (00:00) - 5:31 Mindset First: Why Unfinished Pages Hurt So Much * (00:00) - 8:42 Curriculum Is Your Vehicle, Not Your Boss * (00:00) - 11:57 Framework: Skill-Based vs. Content-Based Subjects * (00:00) - 17:00 How to Sort Your Subjects & Do the Surgery * (00:00) - 19:07 Christy's Own End-of-Year Plan (Real Example) * (00:00) - 23:58 The Ghost Metric — and How to Fire It * (00:00) - 25:55 Quote of the Week & Free Notecard Download * (00:00) - 26:38 Related Episodes

Ep. 115 - Why Your Child Says Reading Is Boring (And What to Do About It) // Janel Nansenn

Your child reads beautifully out loud — but ask them what just happened in the story, and you get a blank stare. That's the gap most homeschool moms don't catch until it's too late. In Episode 115, homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with educational therapist Janel Nansenn — founder of Read-A-Rific and a 25-year private practice veteran who has helped over 3,000 students — to break down the reading comprehension gap most families don't catch until fourth grade, when the doors really start closing. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations [https://christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations] I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). In this episode, you'll learn: * What the Matthew effect is — and why it's the silent reason struggling readers fall further behind every year * The critical difference between reading fluency and reading comprehension (and why fluent readers can still have huge gaps) * The single skill underneath strong reading comprehension — concept visualization — and why most curricula skip it entirely * The real reason kids say "reading is boring" (it's not laziness) * The red flags that signal a comprehension problem before it tanks your child's confidence * Comprehension-rich activities every homeschool mom should be doing — even if your child is already a strong reader * How to evaluate whether a reading curriculum actually teaches comprehension or just tests it * Why visualization is the bridge to math word problems, writing, vocabulary, and every other subject Sponsors: BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples [https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/christy] CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial [https://ctcmath.com/how-it-works/home-school?tr_id=CF] LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment [https://learningrx.com/] Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings [https://summithealthshare.com/cf] Resources mentioned: * Free symptoms checklist for weak visualization skills: readarific.com [https://www.readarific.com/] * The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: christy-faiths-list.com [https://christy-faiths-list.com/] * Thrive Homeschool Community: christy-faith.com/thrive [https://christy-faith.com/thrive] About our guest: Janel Nansenn is an educational therapist with a master's degree in speech-language pathology and audiology, and the founder of Read-A-Rific. With nearly 25 years in private practice, she has helped over 3,000 students of all ages become independent, confident learners by addressing the root cause of reading comprehension struggles: weak concept visualization. 👉 readarific.com [https://www.readarific.com/] Connect with Christy-Faith: * Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool [https://www.instagram.com/christy_faith_homeschool/] * TikTok: @christy_faith [https://www.tiktok.com/@christy_faith] * Website: christy-faith.com [https://christy-faith.com/] * Book: Homeschool Rising [https://christy-faith.com/book-homeschool-rising] 🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us! * (00:00) - The Matthew effect — why reading comprehension is the quiet worry * (02:00) - Meet Janelle Nansen, founder of Read-A-Rific * (03:28) - Janelle's story: how she discovered concept visualization * (08:03) - Why she narrowed her practice to reading comprehension * (08:46) - Reading fluency vs. reading comprehension * (15:29) - Why kids think reading is "boring" * (18:52) - The shame spiral: comprehension struggles and self-esteem * (20:44) - Comprehension-rich activities every homeschool mom should do * (23:29) - Red flags: symptoms of weak visualization skills * (26:23) - Why visualization matters across math, writing & vocabulary * (29:35) - How to evaluate a reading comprehension curriculum * (34:26) - Charlotte Mason, narration & the long history of these methods * (46:27) - The takeaway: find the root cause * (47:49) - Where to find Janelle

Ep. 114 - Why Your Kid Hates Writing — Two Master Teachers Divulge Their Secrets

If your kid hates writing, you're not alone — and the problem usually isn't the kid. It's that we were never shown the actual process. In this episode, Christy-Faith sits down with veteran teacher and BJU Press curriculum specialist Sharon Fisher to walk through the four-stage writing process homeschool moms have been missing — and the one mistake that quietly kills your child's voice every time you sit down to write. 🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations [https://christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations] I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download [https://christy-faith.com/download-free-curriculum-recommendations] In this episode, you'll learn: * Why writing is a process, not an event — and what that mindset shift changes * The four stages of the writing process and why mashing them together backfires * Why correcting spelling during drafting is the fastest way to make your kid hate writing * The "brain dump" technique that protects your child's creativity * The critical difference between revising and editing (most moms combine them — don't) * How to teach writing as a skills-based progression, not a content-completion checklist * Why two or three really good writing projects a year beats ten rushed ones * The best writing curriculum for homeschool families and what makes it different Sponsors: BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples [https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/christy] CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial [https://ctcmath.com/how-it-works/home-school?tr_id=CF] LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math ✔ Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment [https://learningrx.com/] Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings [https://summithealthshare.com/cf] Resources mentioned: * BJU Press Homeschool Writing Curriculum: View Samples [https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/christy] * The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers: Browse the directory [https://christy-faiths-list.com] * Thrive Homeschool Community: Join Thrive [https://christy-faith.com/thrive] About our guest: Sharon Fisher is a wife, mother, and grandmother passionate about helping homeschool parents and Christian educators teach with excellence and a biblical worldview. She holds a B.S. and M.A. in Elementary Education and brings years of full-time elementary classroom experience plus her work as a former elementary author for BJU Press. Sharon presents teaching workshops nationally and internationally, and currently serves as Social Media Coordinator, Workshop Speaker, Blog Writer, and Curriculum Specialist. 👉 Visit BJU Press Homeschool [https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/christy] Connect with Christy-Faith: * Instagram: @christy_faith_homeschool [https://www.instagram.com/christy_faith_homeschool/] * TikTok: @christy_faith [https://www.tiktok.com/@christy_faith] * Website: christy-faith.com [https://christy-faith.com] * Book: Homeschool Rising [https://christy-faith.com/book-homeschool-rising] 🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us! * (00:00) - Introduction — Why writing is hard to teach * (02:25) - Meet Sharon Fisher — A master teacher's perspective * (06:50) - Where most parents go wrong with writing * (10:56) - Writing is a process, not an event * (19:22) - The brain dump: don't steal your kid's voice * (23:59) - Stop "smooshing" the stages together * (28:29) - Why drafting matters and what it looks like * (37:03) - Revising vs. editing — the critical difference * (43:30) - Skills-based vs. content-completion teaching * (49:38) - The spiral approach and exposing kids to great writing * (01:01:28) - Final word — Keep joy at the center