After 20+ years of homeschooling–I’ve tried a lot of curriculums! Homeschoolers have so many great curriculum choices available…Which is awesome, BUT–it can be totally overwhelming! Don’t let the multitude of homeschool curriculums scare you into analysis paralysis! Here’s the thing–there is no one perfect curriculum! We all have different needs and preferences. However, I do…
How to Homeschool
Avoiding Homeschool Pitfalls
After 18 years, I’ve noticed homeschool success boils down to this: Consistency & Margin. When either of these pieces are missing from my life–I feel the ramifications: frustration, overwhelm, resentment, guilt, fatigue (just to name a few)! But we can avoid all those common homeschool pitfalls! Homeschooling can be a blessing and lifestyle that brings…
The Best Curriculum for Kindergarten
Kindergarten…so full of possibilities! For many it’s the beginning of their “official,” journey into the world of homeschooling! If that’s you–welcome!! Along with all the excitement of starting something so monumental, comes a lot of pressure! You are homeschooling because you feel it’s the best choice for your child and your family…You want to…
It’s Okay–Give Your Homeschool Permission to These 5 Things
Whew…We just made it through our first few weeks of the new homeschool year. Even after 16 years–the transition from summer to school still exhausts me. So in case you’re feeling a little overwhelmed (and wondering what you’ve gotten yourself into), I want to send you a hug and let you know that it’s okay…The…
6 Things No One Tells You About Homeschooling…
I’m getting ready to officially start my 17th year of homeschooling! I can hardly believe it. I have a senior, a 3rd grader, and twins in kindergarten…The senior is my first child to officially graduate from our homeschool (my oldest two kids graduated from public high school). Homeschooling has truly become our lifestyle…But I still remember…
4 Books that Will Make You Rethink Homeschooling, Unschooling, & How You Parent
As a former public school teacher, gold-star sticker student, and general rule-follower…I never really considered unschooling. I don’t like the word. And quite frankly–I thought it sounded like a bunch of crazy talk. Who are these wild moms? I can only be so countercultural! Homeschooling is my max-limit—thank-you-very-much. To me unschooling sounded too much like…
How to Start Homeschooling: The Ultimate Guide
I have been homeschooling 16 years…It’s not something I ever imagined doing–but now I can’t imagine my life without it. If you’re at the beginning of the journey, I just want to come along beside you and give you a huge hug. You can do this! (Currently, some of you find yourselves schooling-at-home temporarily because…
When Your Homeschool Moments Aren’t Instagram Worthy
Most of the moments in our homeschool days don’t feel very “Instagram,” worthy…I wish they could all be cute with pinecones, flowers, and watercolors…(And pants—pants are good.) But no—many of our moments don’t make for great photo ops…The daily grind isn’t always very romantic: math, phonics, worksheets. Not to mention dirty dishes and piles of…
Choosing Homeschool Curriculum: Where Do I Start?
Homeschooling has been such a huge blessing in my life and family–I’d do it again in a heartbeat! I started researching homeschooling when my oldest son was about 3 years old–I really wrestled with the decision! (Here’s my post about why I homeschool and still love it). And after that initial decision to homeschool, I…
Essential End of Homeschool Year Checklist and 5 Day Challenge!
Whew…We just wrapped up another year (our 15th year of homeschooling)! And the truth is–I’m so tempted to shove all our homeschool books in a cabinet, jump in the pool, and not think two bits about school until August! But this year, I’m vowing to actually end with some semblance of grace and be intentional…
4 Easy Steps for Organizing Your Digital Homeschool Files
Once upon a time I taught 2nd grade in a public school–before the age of Pinterest. In fact, we barely used email. I certainly never looked for teaching ideas on the internet–I barely even knew what the internet was…So what the heck did teachers do back in 1999?! Well, we coveted our beautiful, black file cabinets!…
Secrets to Developing Independent Learners
Independent learners. Hmm…That sounds like a lovely “pie in the sky” idea, especially when you’re sitting with your first-grader and reading every. single. word. for them. Will this child ever be able to do work without me…even if I’m not sitting here keeping him on task? And if you have older kids–you wonder: When will…
3 Books That Will Change the Way You Homeschool
I’ve been at this homeschool gig for a while now…(wrapping up my 15th year—unbelievable)! And in many ways it feels like I’ve got it down. I’ve grown into a pretty relaxed, eclectic homeschool mom. But sometimes when you’ve been doing something for awhile—you just don’t appreciate how much you still need encouragement. How the weariness…
What Grade Level is My Child In?
I always try to prepare my children for social situations–just doing our part to break the awkward turtle homeschool stereotypes! (“Okay, Little Loves…We are about to enter the library–let’s not run and yell and tear every book off the shelves! That would be awesome!“). I guarantee my 4-year-old twins will be asked, “How old are…
5 Reasons Homeschool Moms Need Teacher Workdays
Years ago I taught 2nd grade in a public school. And while I loved teaching my students–I sure did love my teacher work days! These are days carved out on the calendar for teachers to get work done–without students! Sometimes they’re called Professional Days or Inservice Days–but regardless of what you call these special work…
