How to Get Started Homeschooling TODAY!

As difficult as it may be to make the decision to homeschool, knowing how to get started can seem even more impossible. Although homeschooling is more mainstream now than it’s ever been, with approximately 2.5 million homeschooled children in the U.S. alone, finding information about it that is accurate isn’t always a simple thing.

Since I’ve recently had so many people comment that they’re interested in homeschooling but don’t know where to start, I’ve decided to write a basic plan for how to do just that. Right now I have a book in the works that is a more comprehensive guide to this subject (still in the early stages of planning), but since I don’t have all night to write, and you probably don’t have all day to read, I’m going to keep this as bare-bones as possible, giving you only the essentials to at least help you get your homeschool happening. 🙂 

Same Kind of Different As Me for Kids- Review

In a world that often seems as if most people only care for themselves, it can be a bit intimidating to raise children who are able to see the good in their fellow humans. Violence is widespread, people with opposing viewpoints resort to arguments instead of good-natured discussions, and the sheer force of consumerism drives many to do crazy things. (remembering recent Black Fridays…) 

5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Give Unschooling a Try

On this 8-year journey that we call homeschooling, we’ve been all over the “methods spectrum.” We started out strictly (and mindlessly) replicating school at home with disastrous results. After learning from our (my) mistakes, we moved onto unit studies which were so much more pleasant for us. More time passed, and after spending quite a bit of time reading some life-changing books, I decided to take a leap of faith and try out unschooling for awhile. 

Simplify Your Christian Homeschool with Pathways Reading and Language Arts Curriculum

Anyone who is familiar with my main homeschool philosophy knows that, to our family, simplicity is key. Anytime I come across a curriculum that is simple, literature-based, and cross-curricular, you can bet I’m going to be excited about it! 

A Cautionary Tale: The Time I Sent My Kids Back to School

The month of February is notorious for being the most likely time for homeschool moms to suffer from burnout. The novelty of a new school year has worn off, combined with the post-holiday slump and, for lucky people like me- the long, cold winter season. Those factors can cause even the most seasoned homeschoolers to want to pull their hair out.

I’m not going to lie to you- the first few years of homeschooling can be rough. The combination of getting used to being with your kids all day, learning not to try to recreate school, finding your homeschool groove, and dealing with friends and family members who don’t agree with your decision can be a draining and stressful experience. 

No Fear by Tony Perkins- Review

The United States was formed by a population of Christians who were seeking a land where they could worship as they chose. Fast forward a few centuries, and this country has seemingly embraced a worldview completely opposite that which this country was built upon. 

Do Your Kids Hate Flash Cards? Try This Simple Game!

One of the easiest ways to help children memorize important information like math facts, sight words, and even foreign languages is through the use of flash cards. Unfortunately, what seems like it should be a piece of cake can end up being a battle zone because there are some children- like mine- who hate them.

With a passion. 

Curriculum We Loved and Curriculum We Hated This Year

Over the summer, I shared our curriculum choices for our 2016/2017 homeschool year. Since we’re over halfway through our school year, I thought that now would be a good time to give you an update on how those choices fared.

The truth is, there are some resources we’ve loved this year, some that did the trick without too much excitement, and some that we…well…hated. I know that “hate” is a strong word, but anything that is going to make learning feel like a dreaded chore has earned that position, in my book.  

The Stewardship of Home Schooling: Teaching, Inspiring, Motivating, and More- Review and a Giveaway!

As someone who is admittedly obsessed with the topics of homeschooling and education, in general, I have read dozens of books on the subjects.  As fabulous as these resources are, many of them seem to simply repeat what I’ve read in other similar books.

Dr. William Overton has brought a fresh perspective to home education with The Stewardship of Home Schooling: Teaching, Inspiring, Motivating, and More. He takes great care to emphasize the fact that no matter how your kids are being educated- in school, out of school, or both- education is an essential component in the stewardship of parenting. 

Take the Kids to Switzerland with the CASE OF ADVENTURE Switzerland Unit Study

I love unit studies.

 If you’re a regular reader of this blog, then you’re probably tired of hearing about it, but I can’t help it. It’s true. Combine the quaint beauty of Switzerland with a unit study, and you’ve got me hooked. That’s why I was so excited to discover CASE OF ADVENTURE.