It’s time to make 2025 the year of intentional progress! In this episode, I’m joined by Laney Homan, our member success manager, to talk about goal setting that works for busy homeschool moms. Laney and I discuss the difference between planning and goal setting, the power of starting small, and how to craft goals that fit your life’s current season.

We share personal stories—like Laney’s inspiring journey to tackle health and fitness goals (she climbed a literal mountain!)—and I reflect on finding meaningful ways to reclaim my evenings. Whether you're climbing your own mountain or simply figuring out the next right step, this episode is full of practical advice to help you move toward growth in your homeschool and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

• The distinction between planning tasks and setting intentional goals.
• Breaking goals into tiny, achievable steps to build momentum.
• Why it's essential to align goals with your family’s needs and current life season.
• How tools like goal cards and habit tracking can help keep you on course.

Resources and Links:

• Elevate 2025 Program
• Homeschool Better Together Community

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt29

To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

This episode of Homeschool Better Together dives into the concept of choosing a word of the year and how it can add intentionality and focus to your homeschool journey. I’m joined by Dawn Garrett, our community manager, as we share our personal experiences, thoughts, and even some fun quirks about selecting and living out our yearly words.

From the practical to the reflective, we talk about how a word of the year can shape your mindset, guide your decisions, and create a more purposeful year ahead. Whether you’ve been hesitant or are a seasoned word chooser, there’s something here for you, including tips on avoiding perfectionism and embracing the process. We also introduce our upcoming workshop, where we’ll help you choose your word and explore ways to live it fully.

Key Takeaways:

• Words of the year as tools for personal growth and homeschool focus.
• The difference between setting goals and choosing a guiding word.
• How to reflect on, engage with, and incorporate your word into daily life.
• Details about our Align Workshop and how it ties into Elevate Homeschool 2025.

Resource List:

• Homeschool Better Together Community
• Homeschool Better Together Podcast
• Elevate 2025

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt28

To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

This episode of the Homeschool Better Together Podcast features a delightful conversation with Sarah Mackenzie from the Read Aloud Revival. Sarah and I chat about rekindling the joy of reading for ourselves as moms. We explore the power of quitting books that don’t spark joy, the fun of keeping a reading log, and how to find books that truly resonate with you. Plus, we dive into reading challenges—are they motivating or just another checklist? Spoiler: we both have strong opinions!

We also talk about Sarah’s exciting projects with Waxwing Books, including a middle-grade fantasy novel perfect for family read-alouds. If your reading life needs a little inspiration or you're searching for the perfect book list, this episode is packed with ideas and encouragement to get you turning pages again.

Key Takeaways:

• Rekindle your love for reading by giving yourself permission to quit books that don’t excite you.
• A simple reading log can help you reflect on and savor what you’ve read.
• Waxwing Books’ upcoming middle-grade fantasy, Beyond Mulberry Glen, is an excellent family read-aloud.
• Reading challenges can be fun if approached with flexibility—don’t let them feel like a burden.

Key Resources:

• Homeschool Better Together Podcast
• ReadAloudRevival.com
• Read-Aloud Revival Podcast
• Waxwing Books
• "Dear Duck, Please Come" by Sarah Mackenzie
• "Beyond Mulberry Glen" by Millie Florence
• "The Myth Makers, The Remarkable Fellowship of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien" by John Hendricks
• "The Lively Art of Writing" by Lucille Van Paine
• "84 Charing Cross Road" by Helene Hanff
• "West with Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge
• "The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown
• "The Women" by Kristin Hannah
• "4:50 from Paddington: A Miss Marple Mystery" by Agatha Christie
• "The Wishing Game" by Meg Shaffer
• "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundle
• "Only the Beautiful" by Susan Meissner
• "All It Takes is a Goal" by John Acuff

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt27

To join our free homeschool community,