Teaching your child to read can feel overwhelming—even for experienced homeschool moms.
In this encouraging conversation, Maeve sits down with former literacy teacher and phonics expert Melanie Jeffrey, host of Phonics Rules for Kids, to talk about why many children struggle with reading and how simple, clear phonics instruction can change everything.

You’ll learn:

• The best age to begin phonics instruction
• How to help beginning, emerging, and struggling readers
• Simple 15-minute daily activities that actually work
• What to do when your child is stuck—or when you feel discouraged

If you’ve ever wondered, “What if I can’t teach my child to read?”
This episode will replace fear with confidence and practical hope.

Show Notes:

Published Feb. 15, 2026

🔗 Resources & Links

Full episode page + all Melanie’s resources:
👉 https://maevejemison.com/107

Melanie’s website & phonics curriculum:
👉 https://phonicsrulesforkids.com

Listen to the Phonics Rules for Kids podcast:
👉 https://phonicsrulesforkids.com/podcast

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If this episode encouraged you, would you take 30 seconds to:

• Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review
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Your support helps more Catholic families find hope and confidence in their homeschooling journey.

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Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life!

https://maevejemison.com/


Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is:
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

What does wise parenting look like in a modern world?

In this episode, we talk about staying attentive without hovering, protecting your child’s sense of control, and why waiting for problems to appear is often too late. We share real-life stories, research-backed insights, and practical ways to stay engaged with your kids as they grow — without shaming, spying, or stepping on their independence.

📚 Recommended reading:

• The Self‑Driven Child – for understanding autonomy, stress, and motivation
• The Anxious Generation – essential reading for parents navigating phones and social media
• Another great parenting episode: 43 -How We Talk To Our Kids About Abortion.

This episode is especially helpful for parents of preteens and teens, but this wisdom's worth storing now — before you need it.

🔎 KEYWORDS

• helicopter parenting
• parenting teens
• Catholic parenting
• parenting in the digital age
• kids and anxiety
• phones and kids
• homeschool parenting
• protective parenting
• raising teens today
• self-driven child

Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life!

https://maevejemison.com/


Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is:
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

What does “critical thinking” actually look like in a Catholic homeschool? In this episode, Maeve and Matt unpack why critical thinking breaks down when we stop slowing down, questioning ourselves, and seeking truth with humility—and why Catholic families have a unique advantage when truth is the goal.

Using a real-life conversation sparked by a “Friendly Defender Friday” question (“Do Catholics believe they alone possess the truth?”), they walk through how to help kids research, analyze Church history, and synthesize what they learn—without getting swept up in half-truths, internet hot takes, or AI doing the thinking for them.

You’ll also hear:

• A simple, practical definition of critical thinking (and common blocks to it)
• Why debate and charitable conversation sharpen discernment
• A clear “AI rule” for homeschool parents: don’t let AI learn for them
• How Church history (heresy, councils, and hard questions) can become a training ground for truth-seeking

Anchored in John 16:13, this episode is both a mindset shift and a hands-on guide for raising kids who can think clearly, love truth, and speak it with charity.

Link to Last week's episode: 104 Do Not Despise the Day of Small Things.

Keywords:

Catholic homeschooling

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Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life!

https://maevejemison.com/


Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is:
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1