Not Sure How to Homeschool? When in Doubt, Just Read!

One thing that most moms have in common, despite differences in any other areas of life, is a lack of confidence. Too often we doubt our abilities to be adequate parents. Raising children who will one day grow up to be adults is an enormous responsibility. Add to that the prospect of not only raising, but also educating our own kids, and the task seems ten times bigger than before.

As wonderful as it would be if every mother jumped into her homeschooling journey completely prepared, having read every home education book known to man, it just doesn’t work that way. Most of us begin not knowing what we’re supposed to do and how we’re supposed to do it whenever we figure out what it is. Confused? That’s exactly how it feels to be a newbie homeschool mom. 

50 Reasons Homeschooling Is Less Stressful Than School

One of the most common things I hear from strangers upon them hearing the revelation that I homeschool is how I must be crazy because sending my kids to school would be so much easier. 

Here are 50 reasons why I disagree:

#1- My kids get sick less often. This is crucial in a family our size.

#2- Lice outbreaks. Need I say more? 

A Homeschool Day in the Life of a Dozen

Last month I published a post documenting a typical day at our house. Since the older kids had not yet started their new homeschool year, I decided to write another one that included more of what my teenagers do so you’d get a more accurate picture of what homeschooling is actually like at our house. Thankfully, this day was not as crazy as the last time I did this. Phew! Remember that one?? Anyway… 

What About You? Are You One of the Few?

One of the most crucial decisions you will make in this life is what you believe. Not only will this decision impact your loved ones, yourself, and your worldview, but it will also affect your eternity.

Statistics show that Christianity in America is on the decline. Our country has now reached a point where a large portion of its citizens have begun to demonstrate religious and moral apathy. They just don’t care enough about these things to give them much thought. 

Are You Looking for Fresh Ideas for Your Homeschool?

Have you ever felt like there was something missing from your homeschool routine? Maybe your lessons are beginning to seem lackluster and monotonous. Perhaps the lessons are going well, but you’d love to find a unique way to document your children’s learning. Or possibly you’re just looking for a way to shake things up a bit.

If you can identify with any of these sentiments, have you ever tried lapbooking?

I remember the first time I heard the word “lapbooking,” I thought to myself, What in the world is that? The name may sound a little vague, but the concept is very straightforward.

I’m going to give you the steps to creating a very basic lapbook. Yes, basic. Remember that I keep it simple? That motto holds true for this activity, too. 

What If the Problem Was School in the First Place?

If you know me at all, you know that I love new homeschoolers. I am all about encouraging them, guiding them, and giving them the confidence they need in this huge undertaking. Lately, however, I’ve had more than a few conversations with newbies that go something like this:

“You’re homeschooling now? That’s awesome! What made you decide to do it?”

“My son/daughter just wasn’t learning in school. No matter what they did, nothing. I just don’t think school was the right fit.”

“I think you made the right decision. So what have you been doing with them?”

“Oh, we’ve been following a similar schedule to what they had in school.”

“You know you don’t have to do that, right?”

“I know. It’s just that that’s what they’re used to.”

“But…but…” 

What Do Homeschool Students Really Think of Homeschooling?

Browse the internet for just a few seconds, and you’re bound to see articles and posts written by homeschool parents all over the web. Some of these commentaries make homeschooling seem like it’s a breeze. They post pictures all over social media  of their perfect-looking children researching the cure for cancer .

Others are rather pessimistic and give the opposite impression- that homeschooling is a nightmare, and they don’t know why they ever did it in the first place.

Still others fall somewhere in between, highlighting their great and not-so-great moments in their home learning environment.

But did you ever wonder what homeschooled kids really think about their lives? 

Have You Ever Heard of the Kingdom of Thrim?

This past week my children and I have been adventurers in the Kingdom of Thrim. We’ve visited the home of a dollmaker, gotten an aerial view of this magical place, and have even painted dolls of our own, all without leaving the comfort of our home.

The Kingdom of Thrim, by Janis Cox, is a tale about a God-fearing gentleman named Yoj, a renowned dollmaker who is known far and wide for the beautiful dolls he creates. Eventually a man named Serge convinces Yoj to move to a new town called Shadowland, where he will make a great deal of money doing what he loves best- dollmaking. Yoj agrees and leaves his home in the Kingdom of Thrim to pursue what he believes will be a fulfilling life. Soon afterward, however, Yoj realizes his folly in not going to God about this decision first. 

20 Ways to Be Flexible in Your Homeschool

Ask any homeschooler what one of the biggest advantages of homeschooling is, and flexibility is sure to have made the cut. To a new or prospective homeschool parent, this notion may seem fanciful but is probably a bit vague, as well. Since it is always my hope to encourage “newbies,” I’ve compiled a list of…

20 Easy Ways to Use That Flexibility to Your Advantage

4 Great Reasons Not to Worry About Late Readers

Do you have a child who seems to be taking longer than they should to learn to read? I know that this can be a stressful situation, especially with all the hoopla surrounding early childhood education everywhere you look.

What if I were to tell you that it doesn’t matter as much as you’ve been led to believe?

After hearing story upon story about homeschooling parents seeking out tutors for their 6- and 7- year old children because they are not yet reading, and the ensuing panic that often accompanies this, I’ve felt compelled to bring to light the most encouraging reasons I could come up with for the fact that age really doesn’t matter when it comes to “reading readiness.”