3 Ways “Teachable Moments” Can Harm Your Homeschool

I’m one of those “all or nothing” kinda gals. When I decide to do something, I give it everything I have, no matter what. When I decide not to do something, I don’t even give it a second thought.

This trait has overwhelmingly taken over in my parenting, as well.

Back when my kids were still in school, I trusted that my children’s teachers would give them a good education because that’s what they were trained to do. Because of that, I went about the rest of our lives not really worrying much about whether or not my kids were learning as we were out and about.

After all, that was the teacher’s job, right? 

10 Ways to Cope with Frustration When Your Homeschooler Doesn’t “Get It”

Homeschooling sure can be frustrating.

No, I haven’t changed my mind about teaching my kids at home. I would never change this lifestyle for anything. Anything.

I’m not going to lie to you, though. Homeschooling isn’t all rainbows and unicorns. Ask any homeschool mom. Like anything in life, there are aspects of it that can be stressful. The root cause may be different depending on who you ask, but, trust me, there’s always something. 

Our 2017/2018 Relaxed Homeschool Curriculum for 10th and 12th Grade

Don’t you just love back-to-homeschool time? Everywhere you turn, excited moms are sharing their plans for the new school year. It is such an awesome experience to see how different homeschooling can look from house to house, and how, despite the differences, they’re all equally impressive.

Today I though I’d share what I have in store for my 15 and 17 year old. I will admit that these choices aren’t set in stone- but then again, nothing in homeschool should be, right? Another thing I’ll also point out is that, although I have them “labeled” as 10th and 12th grade students, I don’t actually use a single resource that is grade level specific.

Not one. To me, grade levels are just an arbitrary holdover from traditional school. In fact, we only use them so that:

• our kids know which Sunday School class to attend, and
• because our school district assigns them grade levels in their records, anyway.

So, with that being said, let’s get started! 

Our 2017/2018 (Very) Relaxed Homeschool Curriculum for 1st and 2nd Grade

I love homeschooling. Well, specifically, I love relaxed homeschooling.

After the disastrous beginning to our homeschool journey that ended with my children being enrolled in school again, if there’s one thing I’ve learned on this adventure, it’s that simplicity is a necessary component in this slightly chaotic household.

My approach to homeschooling 1st and 2nd grade may come dangerously close to unschooling, but that’s okay. It works for us.  

Inspire Your Kids to Write with Basic Invite Stationery

To those who know anything about me, I have made it no secret that I try to incorporate writing into my children’s lives in as natural a manner as possible. I’ll admit that sometimes it isn’t easy. After all, they’re kids, and sometimes anything that looks like “work” to them is going to make them protest just a bit. 

Our 2017/2018 Relaxed Homeschool Curriculum for 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th Grade

I’ll be homeschooling nine kids this year. That may sound like a lot, but it’s actually one less than last year since my oldest daughter became my first homeschool graduate.

Sniff.

As stressful as people think that may sound, it truly isn’t as chaotic as people think. Busy? Sure. I’d be worried about any homeschool that wasn’t busy. But believe it or not, homeschooling is actually pleasurable for me. 

Teach Your Active Preschoolers About God in a Way That Impacts Them!

As a Christian mom, it is my responsibility to raise my children to know what the Bible says and what it doesn’t. 

I often have conversations with fellow believers who describe their family devotion time as peaceful, loving, and holding everyone’s attention perfectly- even the family dog. 😛

I’ve got news for you. That’s not my family. My littles are a force to be reckoned with. Yes, they need to learn obedience. Yes, they need to learn reverence. But I can’t help but ardently believe that God gave these children energy for a reason, and by George, I think we need to use that energy for His glory and not squash it out of them. 

5 Steps to a Super Simple (and Frugal) Homeschool Lesson Planner

As a mom of 11, saying that organization is important to me is a bit of an understatement. I truly can’t function without it. And as crucial as organization is to me, there’s just one more thing I need…simplicity.

Let’s face it. There are hundreds of beautiful lesson planners available to us homeschool moms. Video upon video abounds with crafty mothers showing how they’ve dolled up their homeschool planners with glitter and washi tape. I’ll admit, I do get inspired. I get all ready to invest in a fancy planner, rubber cement, and some crafting scissors…. and then I splash some water on my face to bring myself back down to earth. 

Worldschooling- Who Says That Homeschooling Only Happens at Home?

I guess some homeschool stereotypes can be true. Take our family as an example.

• Super-size family? Check.
• Christians? Check.
• Homebodies? Sigh. Okay. Check.

Homeschool Your Active Preschooler with Learn and Grow Preschool Curriculum

I am absolutely convinced that preschoolers learn best through play. The thought of making a child as young as 3 or 4 years old sit and do worksheets literally makes me cringe.