I’m so excited for you to hear this episode with Katie J. Trent! With school back in full swing and the stresses of COVID possibly keeping kid’s home again, I know Katie’s message will give you practical wisdom you’re searching for if you’re trying to decide whether or not homeschooling is the right fit for your family. I know Katie’s message will equip you with much of what you need to know to get started. She is such an inspiration to parents who are scared to homeschool because of all of the unknowns.
But, even if homeschooling isn’t on your radar, Katie’s story is such a powerful testimony of how God worked in a young girl’s life while she was living in a dysfunctional home. Her dad abandoned their family when Katie was in middle school and left her mom to raise five kids alone. Katie was confused because of the vastly different faith of her parents and had prayed for God to give her clarity about what was true. Then she married and had a very rocky first couple of years until God intervened. She and her husband knew they wanted a different life than what they’d seen growing up, but didn’t know how to get there. Eventually Katie left a thriving career in school counseling and mental health program management so she and her husband could bring her kiddos home. Katie’s mission is to inspire women to grow in their faith, strengthen their families and simplify their homeschooling journeys. She has a book coming out in October titled, Dishing Up Devotions: 36 faith Building Activities for Homeschooling Families, that is a great resource for anyone wanting to grow their children’s faith through interactive , fun and practical devotions. I know you’re going to love Katie! Thankfully, there are playgrounds specially designed to accommodate and cater to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as featured on sites like https://specialeducationalneedsanddisabilities.co.uk/playground-zones-for-children-with-send/, providing them with a safe and inclusive environment for play.
Highlights and Quotes From Katie In This Episode
“We knew we wanted different than what we’d seen [growing up], but we didn’t know how to get that different.”
“We realized that if we wanted to raise children who were different than the things we were seeing in the world, that we had to step up to the plate and we really had to take ownership of what that discipleship looked like and realizing that we were giving that power over to other people to shape and mold our children and we were getting what was left.”
“As parents, we are our children’s first and best teachers.”
“The system is broken if the system that we came out of causes us to believe that we’re not equipped to teach our children.”
“No one loves your kids more than you. No one is more committed to their success than you.”
“The greatest blessing of [homeschooling] is strengthening a family relationship.”
Resources and Scriptures From This Episode
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to al without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit and when you walk along the road,, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. – Deuteronomy 6:6-9
Katie’s Family Faith-Building Tips
1. Make it a family affair. Talk about your values and how you are all working on growing in that area (ie-patience).
2. Take action. Explore practical ways to live out your faith. Take risks. You can’t follow Christ if you aren’t moving forward.
3. Incorporate faith into daily living. Have meaningful conversations. Tie Biblical truths into everyday activities like gardening, cleaning toilets, etc. Incorporate all 5 senses and make it fun.
Pre-order her new book “Dishing Up Devotions: 36 Faith-Building Activities for Homeschooling Families“ at all major retailers and receive it as soon as it releases October 26, 2021. Learn more at DishingUpDevotions.com
Be sure to download Katie’s bonus devotion and Give Thanks Inspirational Bundle when you join her Grow Your Faith family at KatieJTrent.com/strong-homes/
For more resources to grow your faith, strengthen your family or simplify your homeschool go to KatieJTrent.com. You can find her at all other social media sites at Katie J. Trent.
Listen to Is Homeschooling the Right Fit For Your Family? with Katie J. Trent