“God oftentimes uses distractions to challenge us in what we’re prioritizing.” – Katie Waalkes

Katie Waalkes joins Yvette Hampton to share her experience as a highly distracted homeschool mom. She discovers her own ADHD tendencies through her child’s therapy sessions and encourages other moms who can relate to their natural tendencies or external circumstances. Katie emphasizes the importance of character over curriculum, and how homeschooling provides an opportunity to prepare children for life, not just academics. She discusses the challenges of distractions and offers strategies such as anchoring the day, breaking it into chunks, and using sensory engagement during learning. Katie also shares practical tips for organizing tasks and protecting focused homeschooling hours. Yvette and Katie pray for the podcast to encourage and honor the Lord, as Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast aims to equip parents and homeschoolers with biblical truth. Join Yvette and Katie as they dive into the topic of the highly distracted homeschool mom and offer guidance and encouragement along the way.

Come back tomorrow for the rest of this important conversation.

Watch this full conversation on our YouTube channel.

Katie Waalkes is a wife of 14 years, mother to 6 kids, most of whom have special needs with a mixture of medical diagnosis & special learning needs.

She is passionate about encouraging parents in their biblical parenting and helping homeschool moms in their journey. Katie has a unique perspective on homeschooling as both she and her husband grew up homeschooled. As a second-generation homeschooler, she has been both the student and teacher and has much to offer on the topic. She hopes to be able to help you start making the most of the little moments in life as the mundane moments are often the most impactful.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does Katie define distracted homeschooling? Can you relate to her experiences as a highly distracted homeschool mom?
2. How does Katie emphasize the importance of character over curriculum? In what ways can we prioritize character-building in our homeschooling journey?
3. What are some teaching moments and opportunities that parents often miss out on when their children are separated from them for long periods? How can we be more intentional in seizing those opportunities?
4. What are some strategies that Katie shares for overcoming distractions and staying focused in homeschooling? How do you anchor your day and help your children develop refocusing skills?
5. How does Katie view distractions in the journey of parenting? How can distractions actually benefit our children’s growth and our own journey towards Jesus?
6. What are some challenges that Katie identifies in her homeschooling journey, such as changing curriculums and inconsistent expectations? How can we address these challenges and ensure a more consistent homeschooling experience?
7. Katie’s children have special needs. How does she adapt her homeschooling approach to cater to each child’s individual needs and abilities? How can we accommodate our children’s unique learning styles and challenges?
8. How does Katie view multitasking? Why is it important to block off specific hours for homeschooling and protect those hours from external distractions and appointments?
9. Katie suggests creating a minimalist environment and using noise-canceling headphones to reduce distractions. How can we create a homeschooling environment that promotes focus and minimizes distractions?
10. In what ways can we seek a heart change and rely on God’s guidance to overcome the challenges of distracted homeschooling? How can prayer and seeking the Lord’s wisdom help us in our homeschooling journey?

Recommended Resources: 

https://lifeinthemundane.com

https://www.youtube.com/lifeinthemundane

M.O.M. Master Organizer of Mayhem: Simple Solutions to Organize Chaos and Bring More Joy into Your Home, by Kristi Clover

Organizing the Mayhem, with Kristi Clover on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast

Homeschool Planning: Step by Step with Pam Barnhill on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast

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