Growing Through Motherhood — Christian Mom Podcast, Faith-Based Parenting, Grace-Filled Motherhood

EP 19: Can I Really Teach My Child to Read? Simple Phonics for Homeschool Moms

Teaching your child to read can feel overwhelming—especially when the world says kids should already be reading by age five. In this episode, I’m joined by Melanie, former core literacy teacher and host of the globally ranked Phonics Rules for Kids podcast, to talk about what learning to read actually looks like for real kids.
Melanie shares practical, encouraging advice for homeschool moms who want to teach reading with confidence using simple phonics skills—without tears, overwhelm, or constant battles at home.
In this conversation we discuss:
The normal age range for children learning to read
Signs your child is truly ready for reading instruction
The best age to begin phonics lessons
How to make phonics fun and engaging
Whether you really need a phonics curriculum
Strategies that help kids with ADHD stay engaged during lessons
Encouragement for moms battling self-doubt in homeschooling
If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I really teach my child to read?” this episode will leave you feeling equipped, encouraged, and reminded that you absolutely can.
 
Ready to Get your kiddo reading by lesson 5?
Check out Melanie's Curriculum to make your mom life simple to teach reading!
Find the Phonics Rules for Kids Podcast with Melanie Jefferey
Here
with all the tips to get your kiddo reading without tears! 
 
Let's chat! Email me at Kelsieshelaine@gmail.com

EP 18: Debating Public School Next Year? Why More Parents Are Choosing to Homeschool

What if your child isn’t failing school… but school is failing your child?
In this episode, we’re talking about one of the biggest reasons families are turning to homeschooling: their kids were struggling in the traditional school system. Whether it’s falling behind academically, anxiety in the classroom, learning differently, lack of individualized attention, or simply feeling defeated every day at school—many parents are realizing their child doesn’t need more pressure, they need a different environment.
We’re diving into the real benefits of homeschooling for kids who:
Learn at a different pace
Feel overwhelmed in a classroom setting
Struggle with confidence or anxiety
Need more flexibility and one-on-one support
Thrive when learning becomes personal instead of standardized
We’ll also touch on concerns like bullying, school environment, and curriculum—but this conversation is really about helping kids rediscover a love of learning and giving families permission to think outside the traditional school box.
If you’ve been wondering whether homeschooling could help your child thrive, this episode is for you.
#Homeschooling #StrugglingLearner #HomeschoolMom #AlternativeEducation #ParentingPodcast #HomeschoolLife #EducationMattersLet's chat email me at KelsieShelaine@gmail.com  with any questions or comments along the way! What to listen to next! Curriculum Help- An Interview with the Curriculum Queen 

EP 17: What If Jesus Says, "I Never Knew You"?: How to Know you are truly saved

How do you know if you're truly saved? Can a Christian lose their salvation? What did Jesus mean when He said, "I never knew you"?
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Amanda Grantham—a homeschooling mom, pastor's wife, worship leader, and women's ministry leader—to have an honest conversation about salvation, faith, assurance, and spiritual doubt.
Together we discuss:
How to know if you are saved
The meaning of "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23)
The difference between knowing about Jesus and having a relationship with Him
Signs of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life
The fruit of genuine faith
Why so many Christian women struggle with fear, insecurity, and feeling "not enough"
Baptism and salvation
Finding confidence in God's grace instead of striving for perfection
If you've ever questioned your salvation, wrestled with assurance of faith, or wondered whether you're truly following Jesus, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical wisdom for your walk with God.
Resources Mentioned:
The Fruit of the Spirits Not a Coconut
Josh Howerton- What Happens When You Ignore Your Conscience Sermon
Live Free Podcast Are Aliens Demons? Start at 53:15 for this topic
Thanks so much to Amanda for joining me!

EP 16: How to Study Your Bible (Even If You’re a Busy Mom)

Struggling to understand or find excitement in reading your Bible—even if you’re reading it consistently?
In this episode, I share how slowing down your Bible reading (even just one chapter a day) can help you study, understand, and connect with Scripture.
You’ll learn how to:
✨ Ask better questions while reading the Bible
✨ Study Scripture without overwhelm
✨ Follow curiosity and go deeper
✨ Use simple tools to find answers fast
Perfect for the busy mom who wants deeper Bible study without spending hours a day.

EP 15: Slowing Down The Bible Recap: How to Stop Rushing and Start Connecting with God

Have you ever felt like you’re rushing through your Bible reading just to keep up?
Like you’re showing up every day… but not actually slowing down enough to connect with God?
In this episode, I share what happened when I lost my 474-day Bible streak—and why it was the shift I didn’t know I needed.
Instead of trying to keep up with a fast pace, I started slowing down—using a familiar Bible reading plan as a guide, but giving myself permission to move differently.
If you’ve been wanting to slow down while still following along…use your paper Bible…watch the videos…actually have time to explore what you’re learning…and dive into the note sections instead of skipping past them…
this episode is for you.
We’re also talking about how to ask simple but powerful questions like:👉 What is my “God shot” for today?…and actually give yourself the space to answer it.
This is for the busy mom who wants to stay consistent in the Word—without feeling rushed, overwhelmed, or disconnected.
If you’ve been craving deeper connection, not just completion—this is your invitation to slow down.
Lets Connect find me on Facebook

EP 14: Stop Being the Referee: Teaching Kids to Solve Their Own Problems

Are your kids constantly fighting, arguing, and running to you to solve every little problem? Do you feel like a full-time referee in your own home?
In this episode, we’re talking about how to stop carrying the mental load of breaking up every argument—and start raising children who can actually solve their own problems.
As a mom of multiple kids (and someone who grew up as an only child), I know how overwhelming constant sibling conflict can feel. But I’ve learned that if we want to raise emotionally healthy, responsible kids, we have to shift from being the referee to being the trainer.
Inside this episode, I’m sharing practical parenting strategies that are actually working in our home, including:
How to stop constant tattling and get your kids to take responsibility for their actions
Simple ways to teach conflict resolution and problem-solving skills
What to say when your kids come to you arguing
How to set boundaries that reduce fighting and bickering
Why listening before reacting builds trust and honesty in your home
The mindset shift that will help you stay calmer in the chaos
We’ll also talk about the importance of modeling emotional regulation as parents, and how our responses shape the way our kids handle conflict.
If you’re trying to raise kind, respectful, and independent kids—without losing your sanity in the process—this episode will give you simple, actionable tools you can start using today.
📖 Biblical encouragement included:We’re called to raise peacemakers, not just problem reporters. (Matthew 5:9)“Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19)Lets Chat find me on Facebook! 

EP 13: The Proverbs 31 Woman (Without the Pressure): Truth That Changes Everything

If you’ve ever wondered “What does the Proverbs 31 woman actually look like in real life?”—this episode is for you.
In this episode, we walk through Proverbs 31:10–31 verse by verse and break it down in a way that’s simple, practical, and freeing. This isn’t about doing more, being perfect, or trying to measure up to an impossible standard.
Instead, you’ll learn what it truly means to be a Proverbs 31 woman in today’s world—especially in the middle of motherhood, busy schedules, and everyday life.
We talk about:
Proverbs 31 explained in a realistic, relatable way
Biblical womanhood without overwhelm or pressure
How to live with strength, dignity, and wisdom daily
Speaking with kindness and leading your home with intention
Letting go of perfection and growing in what actually matters
If you’ve ever felt behind, discouraged, or unsure how to live this out, this episode will help you shift your perspective and step into a more peaceful, confident way of living.

EP 12: You Dropped the Judgment… Now What? (How to Actually Communicate What You Need)

 
Last week we talked about dropping the judgment… and how that one shift can completely change your relationships.
But what happens when you’re doing that… and things still feel off?
Because here’s the truth:Just because you’ve dropped the judgment doesn’t mean the other person knows that.
Most people are so used to operating in defense mode that they’re already bracing for a fight before the conversation even starts.
So in this episode, we’re talking about what comes next.
I’m walking you through:
Why people may still respond defensively (even when you’re calm)
The importance of communicating that you’re not judging
And the biggest missing piece in most conversations… you don’t actually know what you need
We’ll break down:
The difference between what you want vs. what you actually need
Why unclear expectations lead to frustration and disconnection
And how to make a clear, calm ask—without judgment
Because the truth is, the people in your life often want to show up for you…
…but they’re not mind readers.
If you want less conflict, more connection, and conversations that actually lead somewhere—this episode is your next step.

EP 11: Why Conversations Turn Into an Argument (And How to Fix It)

Have you ever found yourself snapping at your kids… getting defensive with your husband… or replaying something over and over thinking, “I shouldn’t have said that…”?
This episode might change everything for you.
Today we’re talking about dropping the judgment—what it actually means, what it doesn’t mean, and how this one shift can completely transform the way you show up in your home.
Because here’s the truth:When you’re in judgment, the other person will always move into defense… and now you’re in a battle instead of a conversation.
In this episode, I’m sharing:
What’s really happening when you feel triggered
How judgment is quietly affecting your marriage and your kids
The surprising way your childhood might still be showing up in your reactions
Why self-judgment is keeping you stuck in shame loops
And a simple, practical tool you can use today to shift out of it
I’m also walking you through real-life moments from my own home—arguments, parenting struggles, and even something as simple as dinner time—and how learning to drop judgment changed everything.
This isn’t about becoming a doormat.This is about becoming a woman who is clothed with strength and dignity—calm, grounded, and no longer controlled by every trigger.
If you’re ready to stop reacting and start responding, this episode is for you.Lets Connect find me on Facebook! 

EP 10: You’re Not Stuck — You’re Being Built; The Lesson Behind the Lesson in Motherhood

You’re Not Stuck — You’re Being Built
The Lesson Behind the Lesson in Motherhood
Sometimes the lesson isn’t the math problem.
While working through a simple homeschool worksheet with my daughter, I found myself explaining something bigger: sometimes the real lesson isn’t the problem in front of you — it’s who you’re becoming while you work through it.
In this episode, I talk about the hidden character training happening in everyday motherhood. The moments when we want to rush through, escape to the next season, or believe we’re meant for something more. But often, the work in front of us is doing something deeper — building patience, focus, resilience, and stewardship.
Just like in The Karate Kid when Daniel thinks waxing cars has nothing to do with karate, many of the things we do in motherhood can feel repetitive, unseen, and disconnected from the bigger picture.
But they’re not.
They’re forming us.
In this episode we talk about:
Why the lesson is often bigger than the worksheet
What homeschooling reveals about character and growth
How motherhood trains both our kids and us
The spiritual principle of stewarding what God has already given you
Letting our children grow into responsibility (even when our mom hearts want to hold on)
If you’ve ever felt like you’re waiting for the “next thing,” this episode is a reminder that you might not be stuck at all.
You might be being built.
Let's Chat Connect with me on Facebook
Get Energy, Focus, and Calm with Bioactive Precision Peptides Here's your $10 off!