Homeschooling an only child or the youngest with older siblings? Ginny and Mary Ellen share tips to keep your ‘caboose’ happy, engaged, and thriving. Tune in for encouragement and practical ideas!

Show Notes:

Got a homeschool ‘caboose baby’—the only child left at home? Here are six creative ways to keep them happy, engaged, and thriving.

Tip #1 – Search for Co-ops

• Even if you’ve checked before, look again—new groups often form.
• Some only meet weekly, but it’s still a chance to connect.

Tip #2 – Offer Classes Yourself

• Share your skills with other homeschooling families—teach French, math, or science right from your dining room.
• Low-cost or free classes attract families, and your child gains schoolmates.

Tip #3 – Explore Local Programs

• Many libraries, museums, zoos, and 4-H clubs run homeschool days.
• Programs may not be Catholic, but they’re great for meeting wonderful families.

Tip #4 – Invite a Buddy

• Bring a homeschooled friend along for field trips or activities.
• Offering transportation makes it easier—and gives your child a partner in learning.

Tip #5 – Build Sports into the Day

• Practice basketball, soccer, or skating during daytime hours.
• Many rinks and facilities offer off-peak sessions and lessons.
• Sports fill free time productively and provide team connections after school.

Tip #6 – Encourage Work Opportunities

• Younger kids can help neighbors with pets, yard work, or babysitting.
• Middle schoolers can be mother’s helpers or take on light chores.
• Building reliability and a strong work ethic early often opens doors later.

Whether through co-ops, sports, or neighborhood jobs, there are countless ways to make sure your “caboose” thrives in homeschooling life.

Homeschooling Resources

Seton Home Study School

Seton Testing Services

Jesus Christ calls us to spread the Good News. Fostering religious vocations is one of the most effective ways to answer that call. Sensitive to the issue, Catherine contacted us on Facebook and asked us to discuss ways we can foster these vocations.

It’s a timely topic, and today, Mary Ellen and Ginny are delighted to discuss ways to foster vocation in our homeschool families.

Show Notes:

Hey, you are already fostering vocations because you homeschool.

• Homeschooled men are four times more likely to enter the seminary when compared to Catholic school graduates.*
• In 2023, 11% of newly ordained priests had been homeschooled.
• 14% of newly professed members of religious orders had been homeschooled.

*Based on a study by The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate – known as CARA – at Georgetown University

Other Ways to Foster Homegrown Vocations

• Have more kids if you are blessed to do so!

In 2013, most ordinations came from families with four or more children.

• Use Catholic materials in your homeschool.

A solid catechism program is essential, and it can be enhanced by adding biographies of the saints, many of whom were priests or religious. Learning about the significant role Catholics, especially Catholic religious, have played in history and science can be inspiring to young minds.

• Show your children the beauty of the Catholic Church.

Expand your horizons - Visit your diocesan cathedral. When traveling, look for beautiful churches, shrines, convents, and monasteries to inspire your children.

• Consider retreats and spiritual direction for high school students.

An older student who shows interest in the priesthood or religious life may greatly benefit from one-on-one attention. See what is available in your area.

Check out this interview we did with Fr. Phillip Schumaker. It’s definitely worth a listen.

Father Schumaker- Encouraging Faithfulness and Vocations in your Students 3/8/24

Father Andrew Clark’s Video: Homeschooling and Vocations

Homeschooling Resources

Seton Home Study School

Seton Testing Services

Do you remember when you took your wedding vows and promised to accept children from God and raise them in the faith? You repeated that vow each time one of your children was baptized. But what does this vow require of us homeschoolers? Today, Ginny and Mary Ellen discuss keeping that promise and training our children to be responsible and respectful adults by living according to Church teaching.

Show Notes:

Why it's Important:

Raising virtuous children is part of our homeschooling vocation. Along with reading, 'riting, 'rithmetic, and religion, we parents must teach our children another R -- responsibility, and yet still another R -- respect for authority,

Responsibility – We do not raise children, we are raising adults

Two books to model on:

• Bringing up Bebe, American author Pamela Druckerman talks about French children emptying the dishwasher at 3.
• Farmer Boy, Laura Ingalls Wilder recounts how her husband Almanzo was training a yoke of oxen at nine years old.

Yesterday – Higher Expectations

In rural areas, 75 years ago, Little boys:

• Hauled wood and water
• Cared for animals starting when they were maybe 5 or 6.
• Worked in the fields.

Girls didn't get off easy either:

• They kept the fires going,
• weeded gardens, and
• helped with laundry before washing machines

Today - Living Up to Low Expectations

Holy Mother Church teaches that

• Sloth – laziness – is one of the seven deadly sins.
• Diligence – applying oneself to hard work –is one of the opposing seven heavenly virtues.
• We are required by our vows to forbid laziness and encourage hard work.

Give Your Children Real Work to Do

• Toddlers can stow their diapers and dirty clothes and pick up their toys.
• As kids get older, they can learn to vacuum, mop, do dishes, and even handle their laundry.
• By 15 or so, they should be capable of running the household if you get called away.

The Next R: Respect - The 4th Commandment

Train your children in the ways that God demands

It makes family life more pleasant and prepares them to take their places in the adult world.

Start right from their first words – Please and thank you, Do you mind? Would it be too much trouble?

Mealtime manners- No negative comments about the food, ask to be excused, clear your place

Proper greetings – Look up from the screen and ALWAYS recognize a person who has entered the room.

Do not interrupt for anything less than a medical emergency. If they must, they have to excuse themselves.

Do not allow your children to speak disrespectfully to an adult. Ever! Including, actually especially, you!

Books Mentioned in the episode.

Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman

Free Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children by Lenore Skenazy

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Homeschooling Resources

Seton Home Study School

Seton Testing Services