Are You Afraid of Summer?

It’s the end of June. For many people, school is ending. Whatever your pattern, it’s likely that if you’re involved in extracurricular activities or summer vacations at all, your patterns will change during the summer months. While this is lovely and can lead to restful times, exciting times at camps, and happy family days together, the summer can also bring stress. In recent years, I’ve realized that June is another early December. Many years ago, I started to clear out December. It had become a month of intensive family activity, and it didn’t need to be. Yes, Christmas is a … Continue reading →

Learning from Forest School: The Environment is the Learning

When you think about homeschooling for preschool, what comes to mind? A brightly-colored room full of toys? A room stacked with books or workbooks? Baskets of blocks and building supplies? Like all of us, preschoolers respond to their environment. I help run a forest learning program for young children. In that forest learning environment, we have a few books brought by the facilitator, and a few craft materials that accompany her as well. For the most part, however, our learning environment is the forest. The forest environment is a great teacher. It has so many options for open-ended play materials. … Continue reading →

Balancing Multiple Ages

Homeschooling moms of multiple children face a unique challenge. These homeschooling moms need to manage multiple ages and stages of children under one homeschooling roof. Basically, she needs to learn the art of juggling. As a mom of four children ages 14, 12, 6, and 3, I have had my share of juggling routines. You need to avoid your home becoming a source of stress or having your children fall behind in their studies. Here are some tips to managing different ages under one homeschool roof. *Set up a classroom in your home with each child having her own desk … Continue reading →

Cook Book for the Homeschool Mom

Book: Don’t Panic, Quick, Easy, and Delicious Meals for Your Family Authors: Susie Martinez, Vanda Howell, and Bonnie Garcia Published by: Revell Book Description: We’re all busy, but that doesn’t mean we have to eat like we are. You don’t have to settle for feeding your family commercially packaged meals full of sodium and preservatives or fat-laced fast food. Quick and healthy meals from your very own kitchen are easy with delicious recipes like Southwestern Baked Cheese Dip Thai Chicken Wraps Walnut Spinach Salad Homestyle Mac & Cheese Slow Cooker Pork Chops Oven Roasted Orange Chicken Grilled Flat Iron Steak … Continue reading →

My Five Favorite Tips to Avoid Burnout

I did not listen to advice telling me to sleep when the baby sleeps. Instead I cleaned. I did not listen to the advice to take time for myself. Instead I planned more lessons and tried to squeeze in some work. I did not listen to advice telling me to not worry about the little messes. Rome wasn’t cleaned in a day. Instead I drove myself to the brink trying to get my overflowing “to-do” list done in one day. Then one day I found myself burned out. I was unable to move. Things that were once a joy were … Continue reading →

The One and Only Homeschool Planner You Need

Planning is an essential part of homeschooling. As the years go on or the more children you have planning is how you make it through the day. You need to plan for each child along with planning for your day to day life so dinner is on the table and clean laundry in the drawers. Homeschooling is a wonderful adventure but it does not have to be chaotic and overwhelming. The solution comes in the form of a planner that is easy to use and more importantly that you will use. I used to purchase a planner every year for … Continue reading →

Learning to Simplify

Life is more complicated than ever before. Most homes have two incomes and if not are caught in a constant struggle of making ends meet. Kids are involved in sports, music, social activities, art classes and anything else they can be signed up for to ensure they are fit for society. Our homes are filled with computers, laptops, furniture, books, curriculum, magazines, toys, gadgets, and everything new or sentimental we cannot throw away. Our lives are filled with obligations to family, church, friends and finding a way to keep our heads above water. We are all busy and we are … Continue reading →

Homeschool Child Burn Out

We talk quite a bit about homeschooling moms getting burned out. All the talk is valid since I know of no homeschool mom who has not experienced burn out on some level. A homeschool mom wears plenty of hats that often weigh down on her head. Just as moms get burned out so the children. A homeschool child does not lead a life of leisure. The child also experiences stress and constantly navigates between student and son or daughter. The child has to balance his interaction with this teacher and his mom since mom and teacher have some unique differences … Continue reading →

Unprepared for School

The past summer has been very busy for my family. There has been little time for rest and relaxation for this homeschool mom. I recently started a new business, put more effort into publishing my unit studies, and write. Last summer I spent time on my porch reading books and playing with the kids. I had ample time to schedule out the fall. In fact, I looked forward to scheduling the new school year. It was so relaxing to sit on my porch with all my organizational tools and list of books and curriculum in arm’s reach while the kids … Continue reading →

Birthday Party Etiquette

Beyond the reading, writing and arithmetic a homeschool mom also teaches etiquette to her children. Since many homeschooled children socialize in smaller circles they may not get the chance to practice etiquette on a regular basis. Many homeschooled children socialize in large circles yet etiquette training is just as important as they pick up bad habits. Recently my daughter had a birthday party. We are homeschoolers who are busy yet our circle is not the largest. My first grader had been to several birthday parties in the past but this would be the first one for her. She was very … Continue reading →