27. Mary Prather, Homegrown Learners, and SQUILT

11/17/23 • 67 min

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Mary Prather from Atlanta, Georgia. Mary is a homeschool mother of two who have both graduated and are currently working on their respective degrees in university. When her children were young, Mary was a public school music teacher and advocated for parents sending their kids to school. But things changed when her daughter was in second grade. Mary’s homeschool friend helped her get started and the Prather’s have never looked back. At first, Mary’s parents were quite concerned, but after only a year they saw the benefits of homeschooling and the progress of their grandchildren. Throughout our conversation, Mary shares countless tips and resources for homeschool families. Among these resources are Mary’s own materials from her business called Squilt, which stands for “super quiet uninterrupted listening time.” Squilt evolved from Mary’s husband encouraging Mary to start a blog which led to many people requesting her lessons on music appreciation for their families. Mary continues to nurture her blog, Homegrown Learners, and enjoys working with her husband in Squilt.

Connect with Mary
https://www.squiltmusic.com/
https://www.homegrownlearners.com/

Books and Curriculum
For the Children's Sake
The Well-Trained Mind
Saxon Math
Foundations in Personal Finance

Websites
www.sonlight.com
https://classicalconversations.com/
https://ihomeschoolnetwork.com/
https://pambarnhill.com/
https://ourjourneywestward.com/ and https://ourjourneywestward.com/product-category/no-sweat-nature-study/
https://chalkpastel.com/

This Golden Hour
Free eBook Course
thisgoldenhour.org

Connect with Mary
https://www.squiltmusic.com/
https://www.homegrownlearners.com/

Books and Curriculum
For the Children's Sake
The Well-Trained Mind
Saxon Math
Foundations in Personal Finance

This Golden Hour
Free eBook Course
thisgoldenhour.org

Previous Episode

26. Candace Scott and tinyhousewife.com

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Candace Scott from Alberta, Canada. Candace is a homeschool mother of three, an author, and a blogger. She experienced a small period of homeschooling as a child with her siblings but confesses that she did not love it then. Candace had a pivotal encounter with an impressive homeschooled young lady of 13 at a church activity that piqued her interest and led to her homeschooling her own kids. The first year of homeschooling was a time of relearning home life and the lifestyle they wanted as a family. After watching lots of YouTube and trying different curricula, Candace learned that it was not the best practice to replicate what was done in the school, and that it was okay to discard curricula that they didn’t like. Listeners will benefit from Candace’s honesty and vulnerability as she shares some of the struggles and challenges with homeschooling. Candace advises new homeschool families to search YouTube and good homeschooling blogs for ideas and to simply jump in and find a good homeschool community.

Connect with Candace
https://tinyhousewife.com/

Author - Ted Dekker
https://teddekker.com

This Golden Hour
Free eBook Course
thisgoldenhour.org

Next Episode

28. Patty Marler and HSLDA Canada

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Patty Marler from Alberta. Patty was a homeschool mom of four, and all her children experienced their entire education without the public system. Initially, Patty wanted to homeschool to teach her children to read, but over time homeschooling became the way her family wanted to live life. Patty strongly believes that parents are best equipped to help their children learn, teach them how to think, and grow the mind. She shares much wisdom and many tips about how to view curriculum, creating an environment of learning, and preparing our children for their futures. After all her children graduated, Patty decided to work for HSLDA, the Homeschool Legal Defense Association in Canada, to which she already had had a membership for years previous. She brought to HSLDA her extensive experience as president of AHEA, Alberta Home Education Association, talking with government officials, like ministers of education. Patty and those who work with HSLDA continue to advocate for homeschooling families and for parents to maintain their rights as the parents of their children. Perhaps most homeschool families in the United States and Canada do not realize how many freedoms they presently enjoy to educate their children how they choose due to the work and advocacy of HSLDA. For their ongoing efforts to secure these liberties I express my personal gratitude.

Connect with Patty
https://hslda.ca/

Websites
https://hslda.org/
https://homeschool.today/
https://www.aheaonline.com/
https://cche.ca/introducing-dr-joseph-woodard/

This Golden Hour
Free eBook Course
thisgoldenhour.org

This Golden Hour - 27. Mary Prather, Homegrown Learners, and SQUILT

Transcript

Mary Prather00:00:00.125

I just always tell people, you know, your child best and you are their best advocate. So don't let anybody tell you that somebody else can teach them better. You just have to have that confidence in yourself. If you want to do it and you see it through and you're consistent, I think your results are going to be what you want.

Tim Eaton00:00:24.300

Hi, I'm Timmy Eaton, homeschool father of six and doctor of educa