It was the best of years, it was the worst of years. No really, this year has had some major ups and downs. It was a year that – on paper – can feel very unsuccessful in some ways. In other ways, however, it was one of the best years we’ve had. I finally got Read More
Homeschool Planning for Middle Schoolers
It’s the most wonderful time of the yearrrrrr! After the February Funk comes March Madness – that time when we start to shake off the slump of winter and start thinking about next year. Curriculum researching, window shopping, and planning. It can be the best time of the year – or the most stressful. Especially Read More
Maintaining A Relaxed Homeschool While Using Curriculum
There is a myth in the homeschooling world, one that is pervasive and divisive, and I have been wanting to write and address this for some time. I recently came up against this issue personally, and decided that now is as good a time as ever to broach this subject. I’m a part of quite Read More
The Big Curriculum Switch: Making Big Changes in Our Homeschool
One of the most difficult things for a homeschool parent (especially as a blogger) to do is to admit that what she thought was the One Curriculum To Rule Them All, the one resource that would alter the course of her homeschool forever – – was not the right choice. As some of you may Read More
Homeschooling Middle School: The Myth of Independence
I can recall when my kids were younger, when I was wishing and daydreaming about when they would FINALLY be old enough to work independently. When they wouldn’t need me all.the.time for everything. I really thought that a day would come when they would just happily scamper off with their school books and do it Read More
The Anxious Mom’s Guide: Knowing When It’s Time to Quit Homeschooling
As we wrap up this school year, and excitedly look towards the next, for some of us there is also an element of worry and wondering. Is it time to quit homeschooling? Have we come as far as we can? Are my children getting everything they need out of our homeschool life. I’d say this Read More
Education Is A Life: Self-Education for the Homeschool Parent
Among the most recognizable of all of Charlotte Mason’s words, “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life” are probably at the top of the list. As a home educator that is inspired and driven by Mason’s philosophy and methods, I keep this at the front of my mind at all times when I’m Read More
Dear New Homeschool Mom: Things I Wished Someone Had Told Me
I need to preface this blog post by saying very clearly that I am not a seasoned veteran of homeschooling. We’re in our 5th school year as a homeschooling family, and some days that feels like such a long time. Other days, it feels like we’re still getting started. There are a few things that 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
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