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.
Cultivating connections and friendships while homeschooling is an often discussed topic. In fact, most homeschooling parents I hear from are looking to help their pre-teens and teens plug into other groups and communities. As our children get older, they naturally want (and need) solid and healthy peer groups. But how do we do this? Continue reading »
Is there anything you wished you would have known about homeschooling before you started? Maybe a few helpful or comforting real-life tips? Whether you're at the beginning of your journey or have been homeschooling for years, this list is sure to make you smile and feel a sense of relief. Continue reading »
Homeschooling your kids and taking good care of yourself are not mutually exclusive. Learn why you might not be taking care of yourself the way you need to and what you can do about it. Continue reading »
At this stage, I'm quite happy with how we've approached homeschooling, given our family's various needs at one time or another. That said, I've had time to reflect on several things I would have done differently. As I reflect back, here are 5 things I would change. Continue reading »
One thing that worried me about my non-traditional learner was creating a transcript that showcased his specialized education but would also be appropriate if he decided to attend a post-secondary educational institution. Here are ways we turned resources and experiences into credits. Continue reading »
Moving is stressful. Even if you have months to plan and pack, it's still a huge change. Add in homeschooling to the mix and it could become quite overwhelming. And while I cannot promise a completely blissful moving while homeschooling experience, I can offer up some helpful tips that worked for our family. Continue reading »
I'm sharing four things we haven't done consistently in our homeschool. Why? Because I've wanted to write about this now that my kids are older and I've had ample time for reflection. Please note that we've homeschooled in Virginia and North Carolina. The laws are very homeschool-friendly and we do not have tons of boxes to check or rules to follow. If you're new to homeschooling, be certain to check out our helpful homeschooling guide for parents. Continue reading »
It dawned on me that all the beautiful energy I had poured into my kids' education had reignited a fire within me that I could no longer ignore. I stepped back and asked myself, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" This led my own interest-led journey, and this is what I learned that can help you pursue your interests while homeschooling. Continue reading »
Homeschooling high school can be challenging. And it would be a disservice to you, the reader, if I pretended that it was all sunshine, rainbows, and parent-teen bonding 24/7. But just because something is challenging, doesn't mean we should just give up on it, right? Let's dive in and chat about three challenging things when it comes to homeschooling high school and some tips on how to address them. Continue reading »
Looking to start homeschooling and you have teens? I've put together five helpful tips to help you get started. You and your teen can partner to create a unique home education adventure. Continue reading »
As I came into my own as a homeschooling parent, I realized that academics—while important—were not the main focus of our days.
Instead, these five important areas have become our core values. Continue reading »
One of my favorite things about homeschooling is the freedom it allows my kids to explore their passions and interests. Here is a list of resources for you to check out if you have a teen and that likes technology, learning new skills, and exploring their interests. Continue reading »
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 »
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 »
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 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 »
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 »
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 »
What do we, as homeschooling parents, want this holiday season so that we can stay fresh, sane, and grateful? I've put together a list that I hope will inspire you and make you smile too. Continue reading »
There are thousands of reasons to be grateful for homeschooling. I was so inspired when I polled my Instagram community and they shared all the reasons they love and appreciate the ability to homeschool. These are my top 8. What are yours? Continue reading »
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