Discussing Race With Your Emotionally Intense Kids

Discussing Race With Your Emotionally Intense Kids

My kids, like many gifted kids, are pretty interested in current events and tend to somehow absorb the news, despite some of my attempts to filter it for them. My kids, like many gifted and twice-exceptional kids, also happen to be pretty emotionally intense. It can...
Happy Cheetah | The Perfect Program for Struggling Readers

Happy Cheetah | The Perfect Program for Struggling Readers

Isaac is my youngest, and most mysterious, child. He’s obviously brilliant and always keeps us on our toes, but I never quite know what’s coming next from him. He’s been blazing his own path, much like his siblings, and while there is plenty I can...
Games to Help Improve Your Kid’s Emotional Intelligence

Games to Help Improve Your Kid’s Emotional Intelligence

We all want our kids to develop a strong emotional intelligence. Let’s give them a hand by using play to strengthen their skills. Since we know that emotions can be overwhelming for kids, it’s our job to give them the tools they need to cope with the ups...
Using Time4Learning to Homeschool When You Think You Can’t

Using Time4Learning to Homeschool When You Think You Can’t

When it was first announced that schools would be closed for the remainder of the school year, my inbox became flooded. Suddenly parents who’d never homeschooled, who’d never considered homeschooling, who never thought they could homeschool, were...
RLL #70: More Than Enough with Kara Anderson

RLL #70: More Than Enough with Kara Anderson

  Ever feel overwhelmed or scared that you just might not be doing enough in your homeschool? Not seeing those Instagram families in your own home?  Feeling a little drained by those wonderful but intense learners? In today’s podcast, Colleen speaks...
There Are No Quick Fixes

There Are No Quick Fixes

We waited months for that first counseling appointment. Very long, emotional, hopeful months. We knew our son was going to benefit from therapy, knew he needed it, knew we needed it. School issues, social difficulties, peace at home, the overwhelming fear and guilt...
RLL #68: Self-Directed Education with Peter Gray, PhD

RLL #68: Self-Directed Education with Peter Gray, PhD

  Today, Colleen speaks with Peter Gray, PhD and author of “Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life.” Peter and Colleen discuss his journey to understanding how...
RLL #67: Ideas for Nurturing Our Kids’ Strengths

RLL #67: Ideas for Nurturing Our Kids’ Strengths

Research shows that when we encourage our learners to pursue their interests and utilize their strengths in their learning, we can also see gains in areas that they aren’t as strong in.  Colleen dives a little deeper into understanding what strength based...
Pandemic Schooling Is Torturing Gifted Kids

Pandemic Schooling Is Torturing Gifted Kids

“It’s like they don’t care about us.” My normally even-tempered, people-pleasing middle schooler was in tears. He had his laptop in front of him, logged into all the various websites and hangouts he needed to be a part of that day in order to...
RLL #64 What to Do When School Doesn’t Work

RLL #64 What to Do When School Doesn’t Work

    School choice is extremely personal.  It really comes down to what you are most comfortable with, what you can afford and what kinds of sacrifices you are willing to make with regards to this decision for educating your differently-wired kiddos. In...
Low-Waste Homeschooling

Low-Waste Homeschooling

It’s very easy to go all-in and overbuy when it comes to homeschool supplies (ask me how I know). But with all of the talk of climate issues, minimalism movements, and generally trying to take better care of our planet, I’ve begun to look into lowering our own...
RLL #63: Creating a Business with Kids with Sara Tullos

RLL #63: Creating a Business with Kids with Sara Tullos

  Subscription boxes are a wonderful way to add learning opportunities for your curious kids. Typically arriving monthly, they add extended play (and learning!) about once a month on topics like cooking, crafts, even inventions!  But what do you do when your...
RLL #61: Let’s Talk About Anxiety

RLL #61: Let’s Talk About Anxiety

    While this podcast episode was recorded before all the COVID-19 stuff hit, and things were relatively normal, I felt it important to share it with you. In this episode I talk about five simple things you can do with your anxious kiddos to help them right...
Helping Your Child Manage Anxiety During COVID-19

Helping Your Child Manage Anxiety During COVID-19

I was drifting off to sleep in my Fort Worth hotel room just last week after the convention I was speaking at was closed down in the middle of everything because the city had issued an order banning all gatherings of more than 100 people. I heard my teen clear his...
Beat Boredom at Home | Free Bingo Card

Beat Boredom at Home | Free Bingo Card

Stuck at home with kiddos who are used to being stimulated all. day. long. and at a loss for what to do? The activities on this super fun (and free) downloadable Bingo card are just what you need to keep your quirky kid engaged in learning and fun — without an...
How to Help Your Kids Thrive When They’re Stuck Inside

How to Help Your Kids Thrive When They’re Stuck Inside

Maybe you’re dealing with a prolonged illness, a weather mishap that canceled your plans, job transitions, car troubles, recovery of some type, or a good old-fashioned school break, but sometimes, somehow, you find yourself stuck at home for long periods of...
RLL #60: Raising Differently-Wired Kids with Debbie Reber

RLL #60: Raising Differently-Wired Kids with Debbie Reber

  Differently-wired kiddos require a major shift in parenting philosophies and practices, and today’s guest is no stranger to shaking things up. Debbie Reber, founder of the Tilt Parenting podcast and author of Differently-Wired: Rasing an Exceptional Child...
Afterschooling with Time4Learning

Afterschooling with Time4Learning

It’s no secret that we’ve found great success homeschooling our gifted and differently-wired kiddos. After more than a decade spent working in the public school system, and seeing the benefits in our own family, I’m more convinved than ever that...
Taming the Worry Dragon at GHC

Taming the Worry Dragon at GHC

Year after year that I attend Great Homeschool Conventions, I meet families struggling to help their child cope with anxiety, worry, and perfectionism. Anxiety is an issue plaguing many of today’s young people, and gifted and twice-exceptional children are...