The learning challenges I’ve faced with one of my children, his language issues and anxiety and possible dyslexia, is something I write about often here on my blog. We have struggled, and fought, and overcome – and we are still awaiting further testing to see if there’s anything else going on with him. I have Read More
Language Arts Homeschool Curriculum for the Big Kids
I love teaching language arts. Reading, writing, phonics, grammar, spelling – you name it and I LOVE to teach it. But let’s be real here – homeschool curriculum can be REALLY expensive and when you’re addicted to buying language arts curriculum, it can really add up. I was compensated for my time in exchange Read More
Cultural Literacy: Should Secular Homeschoolers Teach Bible Stories?
Cultural literacy is something I try to keep in mind as I go about this job of teaching my children. I want them to be aware of current trends, and great books and movies of their generation (and the classics of mine, too!). I want them to feel comfortable walking into a group of peers Read More
Secular Homeschooling: The Struggles Are Real
You guys know me and you know that I’m pretty loud and proud about being a secular homeschooling mama. My family is committed to using modern, secular materials in our lessons and we’ve been able to stick pretty close to our ideals in the (almost) 5 years we’ve been doing this thing. Here’s the thing Read More
Online Homeschool Planning with Homeschool Planet
If you know me in real life, if you’ve spent any amount of time scrolling through my Instagram feed, or elsewhere online – you will PROBABLY know that I am just a tad bit obsessed with planners. All sorts of planners – paper planners, bullet journals, hourly planners, I love them all! I use planners Read More
Growth Mindset and the Power of Knowing When You Just Can’t.
If you’ve been reading blogs, listening to podcasts, basically being alive and even remotely connected to the world – – then you have probably heard of ‘growth mindset‘. But just in case you might not know what that term is all about, it’s basically this: with a growth mindset, you believe that with hard work, Read More
Ultimate Guide to Secular Homeschool Curriculum
Alright, secular homeschoolers – this one is for YOU. I have spent quite a long time compiling this list – the ultimate guide to secular homeschool curriculum. If you are anything like me, at some point you have felt overwhelmed and frustrated in the search for homeschool curriculum that is TRULY secular. I can’t even Read More
Homeschool Mom Guilt – The One Dreaded Question
My heart dropped down into my stomach. My hands got clammy and my mouth started to feel dry. I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears. I started to feel that all-too-familiar feeling swelling up – the homeschool mom guilt. Someone was about to ask the dreaded question… “So, tell me kids…what have you been Read More
Homeschooling Your Anxious Child
It was just a few weeks after pulling my two children from public school when my son stopped what he was doing, looked right at me, and said: “Mom. You know what the best thing about homeschooling is? I don’t feel sick in my stomach every day now.” So matter-of-fact, so calm, he was just Read More
Brave Writer Lifestyle: A Tale of Two Children
“Mom! I have to go write a story! Can I go on the computer please, I really need to get this out right NOW!”, my very excited 8 year old jumped off the sofa in a sudden burst of energy and inspiration. I sat there, in that moment, beside my 11 year old son as Read More