At some point, every homeschooler has probably asked, “How do I know if I’m doing enough?” The short answer: “It’s always enough, and conversely, it’s never enough.” Helpful, right? The long answer: According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about one-third of college freshmen take remedial courses. There are no statistics for how that breaks down into public, private, and homeschool graduates, but homeschool students only account for 3-4% of the K-12 student population. Odds are pretty low that those in remedial college courses are all homeschoolers. Continue reading »
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What Curriculum Should I Use For My 4 Year Old?
by Mary Ann Kelley
Recently on TheHomeSchoolMom’s Facebook page someone asked for recommendations for her soon to be 4 year old. It took me back to when I had a 4 year old and a 1 year old and had recently decided to homeschool. I. Was. So. Excited. What curriculum should I use? How should we schedule our days? (I bought Managers of Their Homes and carefully scheduled every moment of our days and then proceeded to never once use the schedule.) I made lesson plans and felt organized and believed that my kids were going to get the best education ever. And honestly, we had great fun with some of the activities. So after all these years (my kids are now 19 and 16), what curriculum would I suggest for a 4 year old? Continue reading »
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Homeschool Moms’ Night Out
by Jeanne Faulconer
Give yourself social time. Give yourself professional development. Give yourself empathetic colleagues. Give yourself Moms’ Night Out! Find one. Make one. But get to one — a Moms’ Night Out! Fill your social cup Homeschooling can be lonely, even when you’re surrounded by children. Sometimes — especially when you’re surrounded by children. Spending occasional time Continue reading »
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Benefit of Homeschooling: Embracing the Wide Range of Normal
by Jeanne Faulconer
When it comes to education, one size does not fit all. One of the benefits of homeschooling is parents’ ability to shape education to fit each, not all. Kids come with a wide range of abilities—academically, developmentally, socially, temperamentally, artistically, physically, and emotionally. Expectations in schools are based on a “standard” student when there is no standard student. Kids mature at different rates, have unique interests, have their own home environments, and have their own genetic traits. Here’s how homeschooling can make the most of that. Continue reading »
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My Top 5 Favorite Homeschooling Books
by Vanessa Wright
It took some time and some actual homeschooling my real children to get our grove and to experience a homeschooling life that was uniquely US. I needed to make our own way—mistakes and all—and not feel pigeon-holed into a certain method or philosophy. Fast forward a few years and I now have nearly a decade under my belt (well, under my yoga pants band—do people wear belts?) and I’ve curated a stack of homeschooling-ish books that I am always recommending and also going back to for encouragement, ideas and connection. These are my top five. Continue reading »
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Tips for Feeding the Homeschool Family
by Jeanne Faulconer
Have you discovered that feeding the kids is the homeschooling challenge nobody warned you about? For homeschooling to work, home has to work, including the food. Especially the food! We’ve put together some tips for keeping your sanity while feeding your homeschooled kids. Continue reading »
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The Homeschool Challenge Nobody Warns You About
by Jeanne Faulconer
When I started homeschooling, I knew my big challenge was going to be helping my kids learn. Having them become academically prepared was my overriding goal. Choosing the right curriculum and the right educational philosophy were paramount. Imagine my surprise when it turned out they were pretty good learners once I refined our approach to homeschooling. My real challenge turned out to be the unexpected one. Continue reading »
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10 Tips for Adjusting to Homeschooling or a New Curriculum
by Living Education Contributor
Has your family recently made a decision to switch gears and begin homeschooling or use a new curriculum? Either way, embarking on a different educational path takes courage and faith, and it may take time to find your rhythm. Here are ten suggestions to ease the way. Continue reading »
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Can You Thrive And Not Just Survive February Homeschooling? Yes!
by Vanessa Wright
Dear February – Why do you sneak up on me and then drag out your days until eternity despite being the shortest month of the year? Why do you keep cramping my homeschooling style? Sorry, February, not this year. Nope. I’m taking February homeschooling by (snow?) storm and I’m going to encourage my friends to do the same. Can we be friends, February? Can we partner together to thrive and not just survive homeschooling in the longest shortest month of the year? Continue reading »
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Ask Jeanne: Tips for Homeschooling a Difficult or Defiant Child
by Jeanne Faulconer
My 7-yr old spends most of her homeschool time in tantrums wanting to short-cut her work. We have tried everything from punishment to taking away free-time activities. I am at my wit’s end and I don’t know what to do to get her to do her school work without a meltdown every few minutes. Do you have any advice that may help? Continue reading »
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Education Hybrids: Is this homeschooling?
by Jeanne Faulconer
In some states, there are various hybrid education models due to families combining some elements of homeschooling with classes and programs offered by public schools, private schools, charter schools, colleges, and online schools. Often called “homeschool hybrids,” these education hybrids may take the form of part-time enrollment at a traditional local public school for a class or two while homeschooling, participation in extracurricular activities and/or sports at a local school while homeschooling, university model schools (usually private) that students attend two or three days a week while learning at home the rest of the time, and more… Continue reading »
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Do You Need Patience to Homeschool?
by Vanessa Wright
We’ve been homeschooling for awhile and we’re asked lots of questions, have endured so many opinions from people we don’t know (and some we do), and have received both resounding support and eye-rolls and sighs. The most common thing we hear is, “You must have so much patience to homeschool. You really need to have patience to homeschool.” Continue reading »
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