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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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Suddenly Homeschooling: Resources for When Schools Close

Image of sofa with pillows and a lamp on a table with text Suddenly Homeschooling: Resources for when schools close down - TheHomeSchoolMom.com

Because of social distancing, school systems across the country are closing for weeks or months, and parents everywhere are asking about how to homeschool or help their children learn at home. Short-term homeschooling is not new—it has existed alongside long-term homeschooling for many years, and parents may be reassured to know that this option has worked well for families for lots of different reasons. If you have kids at home unexpectedly, or if you’re advising a family member or friend with kids who are out of school, here are a few things to keep in mind. Continue reading »

Image of old military photo and text Genealogy Unit Study: Use Your Family History to Connect with History & Geography - TheHomeSchoolMom.com

Make Learning Personal: Use Your Family History to Connect with History & Geography

If you’re looking for a unique way to inspire your children’s curiosity and interest in history, consider introducing them to genealogy. You can use your own family tree to make history more relevant and meaningful to children, strengthen their sense of identity, and help them to see where they fit in time and place in this world. Using your family tree to learn about the life and times of grandparents is a great example of “social history,” which studies the experiences of ordinary people. Notice the word experiences — if you portray history in terms of experiences rather than facts, it can help personalize the study of history. This helps children to make sense of the world around them. Continue reading »

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Homeschool or School From Home?

All over the world, people are calling the school closing situation “homeschooling.” We even called it “Suddenly Homeschooling” here at TheHomeSchoolMom, but the reality is that this isn’t homeschooling. It’s schooling from home. That’s right. Just like (I hope) most of you are working from home right now. Why not just keep calling it homeschooling? Continue reading »

Image of young girl looking at a camera screen with text The Perfect Field Trip During Social Distancing - Seriously! TheHomeSchoolMom

Cemetery Field Trips for Social Distancing? Yes!

Are you looking for something to do outside with the kids during this period of social distancing? Taking them to a cemetery to document graves respects social distancing while providing kids with an opportunity to participate in a “treasure” hunt, use photography skills, enjoy nature, and learn about history. Continue reading »

Image of sofa with pillows and a lamp on a table with text Suddenly Homeschooling: Resources for when schools close down - TheHomeSchoolMom.com

Suddenly Homeschooling: Resources for When Schools Close

Because of social distancing, school systems across the country are closing for weeks or months, and parents everywhere are asking about how to homeschool or help their children learn at home. Short-term homeschooling is not new—it has existed alongside long-term homeschooling for many years, and parents may be reassured to know that this option has worked well for families for lots of different reasons. If you have kids at home unexpectedly, or if you’re advising a family member or friend with kids who are out of school, here are a few things to keep in mind. 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

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

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

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 »

3 Simple Steps to Successful (and Fun) Homeschool Parent/Teacher Conferences

If you attended traditional schools growing up, then your teachers usually held parent-teacher conferences and had teacher “in-service” days. That meant no school for the students and a day for teachers to review, plan, and prep lesson plans. They meet with parents to discuss students’ work and progress and answer questions. Well, what about us homeschooling parents? We’re parents and teachers. How does this work? Continue reading »

Overhead view of a tablet and headphones on a white wood plank surface with text 36 educational podcasts for homeschoolers with teens thehomeschoolmom

36 Educational Podcasts for Homeschoolers with Teens

Do you use educational podcasts for homeschooling? If not, you should! Podcasts are a great way for homeschoolers to explore a variety of topics and current events. Podcasts can be easily integrated into nearly all subject areas. Depending on the podcast platform you’re using, you can search for topics, people, events, etc. We’ve recently had some great conversations about the Loch Ness Monster, Amelia Earhart, and King Arthur. Continue reading »

Faded background of a report card with text Homeschooling High School - 9th grade plan

Our 9th Grade Plan for a Non-Traditional Learner

Since it can be helpful to read about what other homeschoolers are doing for high school, I’ve detailed out our plan for our first year of homeschooling high school with a non-traditional learner. I’m not an expert by any means—my teen is my guinea pig and I definitely needed some guidelines on how I could build an experience for him and not just school. My kid thrives on experiences. The more the better. Continue reading »

group of teens lying on the grass with books and other items with text Homeschooling a Non-Traditional Learner for High School

Homeschooling a Non-Traditional Learner for High School

My oldest child started high school at home this year.  He’s a very non-traditional learner, which can present a challenge when mom is the opposite. I never intended to homeschool and I really couldn’t imagine homeschooling high school. But here we are, and here’s how we are preparing a high school plan that works for us. Continue reading »

5 Simple Steps to Get Back to Your Homeschooling Routine

Even if you are the kind of person who plans out the entire year,  life still happens and vacation-mode-mama (or dad) brain can derail your best efforts. How do we set ourselves up for a smooth transition back into our homeschool rhythm and routine after a holiday or vacation break? Check out these 5 simple steps to get back into your homeschooling routine without losing your mind, losing your cool, or losing all your chocolate stash at once. Continue reading »

Woman leaning over elementary age girl helping with school work and text Can you start homeschooling mid-year?

Can You Start Homeschooling in the Middle of the Year?

You may have never thought you would consider homeschooling, or maybe you were thinking about starting in the fall, but circumstances are forcing you to consider bringing your child home mid-year. Perhaps it is bullying, a negative school environment, an illness, school anxiety, a stressful family situation, or some other unexpected circumstance causing you to consider pulling your child out before the end of the school year. Regardless of the motivation, your first question is likely, “Can I start homeschooling mid-year?” Continue reading »

Young girls opening a package with text fun & educational gifts for homeschoolers

100+ Educational Gifts for Kids That Bring Fun to Learning

Gift-giving doesn’t have to be stressful! With our list of over 100 educational gift ideas for kids, you can cross off your gift list with educational gifts that are fun and promote learning and creativity. It might seem challenging to find fun and educational gifts that are not all technology-related. Now, I don’t have anything against technology, we use it every single day in our lives and homeschool. That said, I do try to find items and gifts that get them moving, creating or building and exploring. Continue reading »

When Homeschooling Gets Tough, the Tough Make Biscuits

Maybe you’re frazzled. Maybe it’s been a long morning, long month or a long year. Maybe you feel like you just need a biscuit. So, you honor that feeling. You grab the ingredients for your favorite biscuits. You carefully measure the ingredients and add them to the last clean mixing bowl. You stir slowly and simply focus on the art of making biscuits. Maybe you smile to yourself because instead of thinking that making biscuits on Monday in the middle of the day is a bad idea, you made them because YOU want them. And that is enough. Because maybe you’re in the middle of a really hard season of life right now. Continue reading »

TheHomeSchoolMom: 5 Non-Homeschooling Books that make homeschool life easier

5 Non-Homeschooling Books that Make Homeschool Life Easier

I previously wrote about my favorite homeschool-related books, which I encourage you to check out if you haven’t already. I gather so much goodness and inspiration from these titles and their authors. Homeschooling is a marathon, not a sprint, and reading encouraging words is something I rely on year after year. As an avid reader and book junkie, I’ve also curated a list of five non-homeschooling books that are making a difference in our current homeschooling journey and our day-to-day lives. Homeschooling is about more than teaching subjects and cultivating a love of learning in our kids. I’ve selected a book from each of the following areas: Parenting, Home Decorating, Health and Wellness, Cooking/Meal Planning, Self-help/Spiritual Guidance. Continue reading »

Background image of Scrabble board game pieces with text 15 Educational Games for Homeschoolers thehomeschoolmom.com

15 Educational Games for Homeschoolers

Games have been a staple in our home(school) ever since my oldest received Candy Land at age three. While our stash of games has changed over the years, our love of playing games continues to flourish. I’ve compiled a list of classic, educational, and online games/apps that we’re enjoying with a house full of teens and tweens.  Continue reading »

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