Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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
Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
Azure Standard is a family-owned company dedicated to providing you with high quality, affordable organic, natural, and non-GMO groceries, health, and household products. Place your order at azurestandard.com and use the code SIMPLE15 to receive 15% off your purchase. This promotion is only available for the first-time Azure customer order with a minimum of $100 order (orders to drop locations only). One time use per customer.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Listen to Erin’s recent podcast episode about why homeschooling is a foundational choice for her family pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy84MGM2ZGVjL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz/episode/ZmMyODQzMDAtMDg3YS00YWVkLTg5MzYtZjU5ZmZkM2ZmNWI2
Check out Erin’s preschool homeschool offerings shopgentleclassical.com/collections/preschool-2-4-years
Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube bit.ly/farmhouseyoutubemasterclass
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course bit.ly/simplesourdoughcourse
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series bit.ly/simplesewingcourse
Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy bit.ly/farmhouseyoutubecourse
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook homesteadliving.com/daily-sourdough/?utm_source=farmhouseonboone&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=SRD
CONNECT
Erin Cox of The Gentle + Classical Press
Website: shopgentleclassical.com
Facebook: facebook.com/gentleclassical
Instagram: instagram.com/gentle_classical_press
YouTube: youtube.com/erincoxgentleclassical
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone
Blog: farmhouseonboone.com
YouTube: youtube.com/c/FarmhouseonBoone
Instagram: instagram.com/farmhouseonboone
TikTok: tiktok.com/@farmhouseonboone
Facebook: facebook.com/farmhouseonboone
Pinterest: pinterest.com/farmhouseonboone/_created
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.
GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE
Listen to this podcast episode: pod.link/1494284839/episode/ZGE5YWFjMzItN2FjYi0xMWYwLTkzZGQtYTdhMGFlY2U3M2Yz
View full show notes on the blog: simplefarmhouselifepodcast.com/2025/08/19/raising-kids-who-thrive-habits-and-foundations-for-the-early-years-erin-cox-of-the-gentle-classical-press-episode-303
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
Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
Azure Standard is a family-owned company dedicated to providing you with high quality, affordable organic, natural, and non-GMO groceries, health, and household products. Place your order at azurestandard.com and use the code SIMPLE15 to receive 15% off your purchase. This promotion is only available for the first-time Azure customer order with a minimum of $100 order (orders to drop locations only). One time use per customer.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Listen to Erin’s recent podcast episode about why homeschooling is a foundational choice for her family pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy84MGM2ZGVjL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz/episode/ZmMyODQzMDAtMDg3YS00YWVkLTg5MzYtZjU5ZmZkM2ZmNWI2
Check out Erin’s preschool homeschool offerings shopgentleclassical.com/collections/preschool-2-4-years
Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube bit.ly/farmhouseyoutubemasterclass
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course bit.ly/simplesourdoughcourse
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series bit.ly/simplesewingcourse
Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy bit.ly/farmhouseyoutubecourse
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook homesteadliving.com/daily-sourdough/?utm_source=farmhouseonboone&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=SRD
CONNECT
Erin Cox of The Gentle + Classical Press
Website: shopgentleclassical.com
Facebook: facebook.com/gentleclassical
Instagram: instagram.com/gentle_classical_press
YouTube: youtube.com/erincoxgentleclassical
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone
Blog: farmhouseonboone.com
YouTube: youtube.com/c/FarmhouseonBoone
Instagram: instagram.com/farmhouseonboone
TikTok: tiktok.com/@farmhouseonboone
Facebook: facebook.com/farmhouseonboone
Pinterest: pinterest.com/farmhouseonboone/_created
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.
GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE
Listen to this podcast episode: pod.link/1494284839/episode/ZGE5YWFjMzItN2FjYi0xMWYwLTkzZGQtYTdhMGFlY2U3M2Yz
View full show notes on the blog: simplefarmhouselifepodcast.com/2025/08/19/raising-kids-who-thrive-habits-and-foundations-for-the-early-years-erin-cox-of-the-gentle-classical-press-episode-303
