Simple Farmhouse Life

Homeschooling isn’t just about academics. It’s about shaping character, habits, and family culture in the everyday moments. In this conversation with Erin from Gentle + Classical Press, we talk about what the early years can look like without the pressure of early academics, how to raise children who know how to use their free time well, and why consistency matters more than perfection. You’ll hear encouragement for the overwhelmed mom, perspective on kids’ different personalities, and practical ways to build a gentle and classical foundation in your home. If you’re looking for fresh vision and tangible ideas for your homeschool days, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
In this episode, we cover:
Erin’s family life with four children, 15 years of homeschooling, and a business run alongside homesteading
A shift from academic goals to discipleship, character development, and strong family habits
The meaning of a “gentle and classical” approach, blending Charlotte Mason influence with classical education in a soft, approachable way
Preschool years centered on scripture memory, virtues through song, habit training, and life skills, with limited academics before age six
Encouragement for overwhelmed moms: God equips you for the children He gave you, one hard day won’t undo everything, and comparison online is misleading
The role of children’s personalities in shaping both family dynamics and parental growth
Homeschooling with a deeper purpose of individualized learning, supporting specific needs, and cultivating family culture
Lessons learned from the early years, including the importance of consistency in habits and the danger of overemphasizing grades or peer influence
Recognizing readiness for formal learning by watching attention spans, keeping lessons short, and letting children progress in their own time
Homeschooled kids often learn to use free time creatively, developing projects and play rather than becoming bored or dependent on screens
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Listen to Erin’s recent podcast episode about why homeschooling is a foundational choice for her family
Check out Erin’s preschool homeschool offerings
Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series
Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook
CONNECT
Erin Cox of The Gentle + Classical Press | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest
Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship comes with unique challenges and unique rewards. In this episode with Lily of The Flour Barn, we talk about running a thriving micro bakery while managing a blog, YouTube channel, and teaching schedule. From setting boundaries and avoiding burnout to slowing down and auditing systems for smarter growth, Lily shares the rhythms that keep her business sustainable and her home life prioritized. We cover her weekly workflow, stress-reducing systems, lessons from five years of menu refinement, and when to choose freshly milled whole grains vs. white flour. Whether you’re dreaming of starting a business or simply looking for inspiration to work smarter at home, you’ll love this conversation!
In this episode, we cover:
Managing a full plate as an entrepreneurial mother: running a micro bakery with a blog, YouTube, storefront, and teaching classes
Finding rhythms that allow space for being present in your real life without turning every moment into content
The importance of establishing realistic boundaries that make business sustainable over the long haul
Balancing business growth with your true priorities and how opportunity can sometimes become a burden
The payoff of slowing down to do the deep work– audit systems, strategize well, and make your work easier instead of getting stuck in old ways
Weekly rhythm breakdown for a weekend microbakery: grocery runs, baking classes, dough prep, lamination and proofing days– getting it all done as a mom of littles
Small business systems that reduce stress: online pre-orders, projecting sales, and intentionally slow growth
Lessons learned from five years of refining the menu and workflow for maximum profit (without burning out)
Diving into our philosophies on when to use choose the nutrient density of freshly-milled whole grains vs. when to opt for the effectiveness of white flour
Adjusting all-purpose recipes for whole grains without sacrificing texture or flavor
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
RESOURCES
Listen to Lily’s previous appearances on Simple Farmhouse Life
HomeBaked by Kate
Sarah Kieffer's lamination method
Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series
Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook
CONNECT
Lily of Flour Barn Bakery | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Pinterest
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest
Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you could use a refreshing perspective on education in your home, this episode is for you! Whether you are already a homeschooling parent or you are considering it, Julie’s wisdom on delight-directed learning will encourage you to embrace a homeschooling life that truly serves your family and your unique children. We can reject the societal pressures to prioritize academic achievement and instead tune into the innate desires and giftings of each of our children. Join us for this rich discussion full of practical advice and inspiring vision!
In this episode, we cover:
What a typical school day looks like as a family who embraces delight-directed learning
At what point do children start to pursue their own interests?
The role of a parent in a child’s natural drive to learn
Why a laidback approach to supporting your child in the pursuit of their interests is a gift to them
How to navigate kids’ technology use as they independently pursue their interests
Shifting our mindset about what education is required for a successful life
The importance of keeping the long-term goal of education in mind
Recognizing each child’s unique giftings and tailoring their education to their needs
Practical examples of walking with our children as they figure out their passions
Advice for parents who worry that their children don’t have interests to pursue
Approaching friendships and social life as a homeschooling family
This is your permission to create a homeschool schedule that works for your individual family

View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
ABOUT JULIE
Julie is wife to Jason and mama to eleven awesome kids. They live in a small home on a sixteen acre homestead in beautiful Missouri where they homeschool their children using a delight directed method of learning.
As a second generation homeschooler, Julie knows firsthand the benefits of this lifestyle, and is passionate about helping others feel confident in homeschooling their kids. She offers encouragement and resources through her website, The Delightful Homeschool, and her family YouTube channel.
RESOURCES
Check out Julie’s previous appearance on my podcast!
Looking to earn an income from your YouTube channel? Join my YouTube Success Masterclass today!
I can teach you everything you need to know to get started sewing in my Simple Sewing Series!
Explore all of my course offerings including sourdough, sewing, blogging, and YouTube
Grab a copy of my new cookbook Daily Sourdough
CONNECT
Julie Kreke of The Delightful Homeschool | Website | Instagram | YouTube
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest
Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At 34 weeks pregnant, I’m sharing all the latest on our home build, pregnancy with baby #9, and what life is like in this full season. Even though progress on the house feels slow, I’m finding peace in the extra time to make intentional decisions, and we are loving how our unique vision is coming to life. I talk about chimney brick, roofing surprises, and the proportions that make it feel like an old homestead. I also reflect on how textbook this pregnancy has been compared to my others and answer a few listener questions about storm windows and monitoring during labor.
In this episode, we cover:
Slow building progress continues, but the slower pace has allowed for more thoughtful, intentional decisions
Finalized historic design elements like trim profiles, wall materials, and appliance choices— finding excitement in the progress even if it’s gradual
Chimneys are now bricked and the garage is roofed with wide-seamed metal that perfectly fits the historic vibe— a happy surprise with no overthinking!
Main house will feature cedar shake roofing, while the porches and additions have metal to embrace the “old house with add-ons” story
Reflections on how proportions, window placement, and overall structure are beautifully bringing to life the original vision of a “new old house”
Pregnancy update at 34 weeks: similar symptoms and baby position as past pregnancies, feeling confident and ready
Choosing minimal prenatal interventions— tracking iron and glucose at home, keeping midwife visits sparse
Sharing our personal approach to open windows with no screens or storm doors for an indoor-outdoor connection
Thoughts on Doppler use in labor and delivery— balancing caution with practical monitoring when needed
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Check out my last episode with Lana of Girl, Teach me
Listen to Jennifer Pepito’s previous appearances on the podcast:
Episode 233: Bringing Our Homes to Life through Sacred Rhythms
Episode 160: Overcoming Fear in Motherhood
Listen to this recent episode for all the house updates
Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series
Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook
CONNECT
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest
Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Birth doesn’t have to be something to fear. I sat down with Lana from Girl, Teach Me to talk about seeing labor as a God-designed process, not an emergency. We covered choosing the right midwife, why changing your mindset around pain is so powerful, and how to respond to people who think you are choosing home birth to get a “trophy”. Whether it’s your first baby or your fifth, this episode is full of honest, empowering wisdom for walking into birth with peace!
In this episode, we cover:
Lana’s story: how a college nutrition class sparked her love for birth and led to Girl, Teach Me
Birth as normal— not an emergency to fear, but a process designed by God
The faith walk of birth that requires releasing control and trusting God each time, no matter the number
Choosing your birth team wisely and why the right midwife makes all the difference
Power moves and fear tactics— recognizing red flags in medical care
Labor predictions that miss the mark: baby size, dilation, and due dates that don’t actually mean much
A new perspective on pain: working with your body instead of resisting it
Birth prep that actually helps: Bradley Method, Ina May, and positive birth stories
The realities of the first-time birth and why it often takes longer and feels more intense
Things that can go wrong— why skilled midwives know when to transfer, and how most situations are calm and non-emergent
How to prepare for postpartum experiences like afterbirth cramps, recovery, and what actually helps (or doesn’t)
Thoughts on free birth— being prepared either way, but personally valuing the peace of a midwife’s presence
How Lana included her older children in her birth and what it meant to her daughters
Why home birth just makes sense for outcomes, comfort, and family flow
Pushing back on comparison— birth choices aren’t competitions, and excellence isn’t judgment
Lana’s heart behind creating content for new moms through YouTube, blogging, and her course
View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Checkout Lana’s courses and resources here
Use code FARMHOUSE to save 10% on Lana's birth course!
Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series
Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook
CONNECT
Lana of Girl, Teach Me | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest
Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.