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TheHomeSchoolMom

Homeschooling help and encouragement from experienced homeschoolers - find out how homeschooling works and how to start, get tips & ideas for when things need adjusting, read curriculum reviews before buying, learn how online schools work, gain confidence about homeschooling high school, and more.

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Vanessa Wright

Vanessa Wright

Vanessa Wright Vanessa is a homeschooling mama to three inquisitive, creative and often loud kids ages 15, 13, and 13. She is married to Jason and they live in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. Vanessa is a self-professed eco-beauty junkie, avid reader, yogi-wannabe, tea drinker and a chocolate snob. You can find her on Instagram at @vanessanwright and on Facebook at Wright at Homeschool where she’s keeping the REAL in homeschool reality.

5 Best Things about Homeschooling Teens

My 5 Favorite Things about Homeschooling Teens

by Vanessa Wright

Homeschooling teens, for me, has been challenging and refreshing and fun (most days).  It can be easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day craziness of sibling bickering, mood swings, wondering where all the groceries went, driving to and from four different places, and finding time to fill up my own cup. So, what are my five favorite things about homeschooling teens right now?  I'm sharing them all here and I hope they inspire you too. Continue reading »

My Favorite Language Arts Resources

My Favorite Homeschool Language Arts Resources

by Vanessa Wright

How do you make language arts fun and engaging? There are lots of ways you can do this, and it depends on your child's age, your goals, and your time, and perhaps your state's requirements. I'm sharing some of our favorite language arts resources below that can work for a wide variety of ages and stages. Continue reading »

What My Teens Loved About Our Elementary Homeschool Years

What My Teens Say They Loved About Our Elementary Homeschool Years

by Vanessa Wright

When I sit down to plan homeschool this summer, it will be for three high schoolers. Were all of our homeschool days these last ten years filled with Instagram-worthy shares and fantastic projects and the best curricula and memorizing things? No, not even a little. If I'm being honest, most days were pretty ho-hum and some seasons we were literally just getting by with meals, Lego building, and lots of television. So, what do my three kids remember about their early years of homeschooling? I recently chatted with them and was pleasantly surprised to get some good feedback and not too many grumbles. Continue reading »

Our Interest-Led Middle School Homeschool

Our Interest-Led Middle School Homeschool

by Vanessa Wright

Our twins, now 13, are in eighth grade. When we started the academic year, I sat down with each twin (a boy and a girl) to discuss what they wanted to learn about this homeschool year and to share what I had planned for them as well. Homeschooling middle school is a fluid, flexible few years. I have an older son, now in high school, and he was my test subject and helped me loosen up my rigid thoughts and fears that middle school had to JUST be a launching pad to high school. We're interest-led with a dollop of what I call my "non-negotiables." Continue reading »

6 Topics to Round Out Your Homeschool Schedule

6 Topics to Round Out Your Homeschool Schedule

by Vanessa Wright

As home educators, we have the flexibility to craft learning experiences for our kids that don't have to follow the traditional school path to a tee. But, what about other skills and topics beyond math, language arts, and science? I remember taking Home Economics in school (back in the 1980s), shop class, study habit classes, health classes, etc. When we choose to homeschool our kids, we need to cover these topics as well. I've put together a list below of classes and subjects to consider, especially with your teens. Continue reading »

Homeschooling and the Art of Letting Go - TheHomeSchoolMom

Homeschooling and the Art of Letting Go

by Vanessa Wright

After planning the perfect homeschool schedule, imagine my surprise when my three precious (and energetic) children didn't always stay on task or got sick, or plans changed, etc. After trial and error and tears (mine and my kids), I realized that just because we chose to homeschool, didn't mean I had to do it all and do it all perfectly. I learned that I had to practice homeschooling and the art of letting go. Continue reading »

homeschooling a non-traditional learner - 10th grade plan

Our 10th Grade Plan for a Non-Traditional Learner

by Vanessa Wright

Our 10th grade non-traditional learner stated that he wanted to tackle more challenging content, more in-person classes with homework and projects, and wanted to be in charge of his schedule. I got to work researching local classes, online classes, curricula, and more. We had long conversations, lots of texting back and forth, and finally came up with a plan that worked for him, for me and his dad, and for our budget and schedule. Continue reading »

girl dressed as superhero with text 9 helpful resources for homeschooling differently wired kids

My Top 9 Resources for Homeschooling Differently Wired Kids

by Vanessa Wright

The concept of kids being differently wired sparked my interest and had me nodding my head as I researched the idea. I knew one of my kids fit this description and I had been at a loss, even after evaluations, recommendations, and hours of researching. Each differently wired child is different in their own special way. These are the materials that I've found helpful for homeschooling and parenting differently wired kids. Continue reading »

blackboard with formulas written in chalk and text overlay Survival tips for getting started homeschooling your middle schooler - thehomeschoolmom.com

My Top 4 Tips for Getting Started Homeschooling Your Middle Schooler

by Vanessa Wright

Homeschooling middle school can be a great thing because all the peer pressure, negativity, drama, etc. that comes along with these years can be lessened by choosing to home educate. I’m sharing my top four tips to help make your transition into homeschooling middle school manageable—whether you’re brand new to homeschooling or you’ve been homeschooling from the beginning. Continue reading »

planning supplies with text 5 steps to simple homeschool planning for non-planners

5 Steps to Simple Homeschool Planning for Non-Planners

by Vanessa Wright

I really wish I liked homeschool planning. I've tried. Trust me. We are nearly a decade into this homeschooling journey and I've taken multiple planning courses, have purchased five different types of homeschool planners, spent countless hours planning and planning and buying and buying and organizing all the things. By the time I get around to actually homeschooling, I'm tired. Continue reading »

Image of paint on paint brushes with text What our Interest-Led Homeschool Looks Like with Teens - TheHomeSchoolMom

What Our Interest-Led Homeschool Looks Like with Teens

by Vanessa Wright

Early on in our homeschooling journey, we tried many methods and styles of homeschooling. As my kids got older, I had to step back and evaluate what type of learning environment I wanted to create in our home. I had one vision, and it included all of us still sitting around doing as much together as possible because it was easier for me and because I thought that I had to do that in order to be ticking off the boxes for homeschooling the right way. However, my kids had other ideas. And, because it's their education, I really needed to listen. This felt good and scary. Continue reading »

Image of yarn balls with text How to Find a Hobby that Energizes and Refreshes You - TheHomeSchoolMom

Dear Homeschool Parent: You Need a Hobby!

by Vanessa Wright

Dear Homeschool Parent, I say this in the nicest possible way with my sweetest voice: YOU NEED A HOBBY! You need an interest outside of homeschooling. You need time away from planning and teaching and making crafts and blowing up things in your kitchen. You need to rest your voice from all the reading. You need something that is not pre-algebra equations. You need to plan a field trip for yourself and not another one to the zoo. Stay with me... Continue reading »

Image of hand holding a remote with text 20 YouTube Channels for Homeschooling - TheHomeSchoolMom.com

20 YouTube Channels for Homeschooling

by Vanessa Wright

I don't know about you, but we love to use YouTube videos to complement various subjects and interests in our homeschool. I've polled my kids and some of my trusted homeschooling friends to put together a list of 20 YouTube channels to add fun and learning to your homeschool. There's something for everyone: art, baking, music, science, engineering, and random facts (our favorite). Continue reading »

Teenage girl inside studying with text A Day in the Life Homeschooling Teens - Homebound Edition - TheHomeSchoolMom

A Day in the Life Homeschooling 3 Teens: Homebound Edition

by Vanessa Wright

Recently, I shared a day in the life of our homeschool with three teens. It was a particularly busy day, but a pretty typical one for our family. You see, even though we homeschool, we're rarely at home. Recently, life has changed due to statewide "stay home" orders. We are in our home. All the time. Our life is vastly different. This is a day in the life of our homeschool while we are homebound for comparison. Continue reading »

Overhead view of table at a cafe with people holding phones and coffee cups and text The 5 Friends Every Homeschool Parent Needs

The 5 Friends Every Homeschooling Parent Needs

by Vanessa Wright

Cultivating friendships during your homeschool journey is crucial. Yes, even for introverts! Connecting with others, sharing stories, asking for advice, giving advice, laughing, crying, and supporting one another makes your days so much sweeter. Here are the 5 types of friends that every homeschool parent should have.
Continue reading »

Image of coffee cup and phone on picnic table and hand writing in journal with text 8 things that are working in our homeschool right now - TheHomeSchoolMom.com

8 Things That Are Working in Our Homeschool Right Now

by Vanessa Wright

During certain times of the year, I can be a "Debbie Downer" when it comes to homeschooling. Everything looks and feels difficult. Or wrong. Or annoying. Changing my perspective and focusing on the positives and the positively awesome helps me feel anchored. Here are a few of the things that I'm focusing on right now. Do any of them resonate for you? Continue reading »

Overhead view of a blackboard backgroundwith pencils, ipad, and ruler on top with text Where to turn when you have questions about homeschooling: How a homeschool consultant helped me - TheHomeSchoolMom

Where To Turn When You Have Questions About Homeschooling

by Vanessa Wright

I don’t know everything about homeschooling. I don’t always know what to do with my gaggle of kids. I don’t always know if I’m pushing too hard or not enough or if we should just throw in the towel. I need expert guidance for this homeschooling journey, especially during the high school years. I needed someone who’d been down this path with a teen similar to mine and could listen and offer suggestions. Continue reading »

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