Homeschooling Olders alongside Littles

The key is knowing that they want to do what the ‘big kids’ and parents are doing. Allow them to begin practicing (through play) the your future plans for how you want them to approach lessons beyond tracing their name with a colored crayon. Children … Read more

Balancing Learning and Joy

Rest easy.  You absolutely cannot academically ruin an elementary level student. These little guys are made to bounce in all ways.  Their resiliency and absorption ranks right up there with Elasta-Girl. The most typical mistake we over-excited, eager, fun-loving parents do is to do too … Read more

A Main Stream Education Option: HomeSchool

Home School being main stream seems counter intuitive and even counter cultural but it is true.  There are more homeschoolers across the nation than private schoolers! There are so many choices in curriculum, co ops, programs, on line classes, dual enrollment, etc that beginning this … Read more

Immediate VS Lasting Education

Every homeschool parent is positive she is going to miss something along the way, and she is correct.  The teacher across the school hall is also missing something as is the college professor.  No one person can cover it all, but one person can know … Read more

Eager and Early Learners

…Eager and Early Learners I can remember my husband buying a book on our honeymoon entitled, “Teach Your Baby to Read.”  We had already planned to homeschool our children, when they came, but this was not what I had in mind.  A year later our … Read more

Considering Teaching a High Schooler ?!

The thought of teaching a high school aged teenager at home can be daunting if sprung upon you unawares.  If it has naturally occurred year by year as a committed (as in we are all a bit crazy who do this— crazy cool and crazy … Read more

When it Goes Wrong

We have all felt moments When it Goes Right.  Deep in our hearts things click- satisfaction, calm, rest, joy, peace all come together in a satisfying sigh of right-ness.  It is attainable.  It is what keeps us seeking the ideal by bettering ourselves and our … Read more

The One Thing

There is not time each day for more than One Thing.  I know, we homeschooling mamas thrive on our super powers of accomplishing above and beyond.  That is not what I am talking about.  The One Thing is your most important objective for the day.  … Read more

Advanced Learners

“This year we are doing first grade, but the public school would have him starting Kindergarten.  He is just too advanced to hold back.” Don’t hold him back academically, but I would encourage you to keep him in the proper grade for his ‘future self’.  … Read more

Curriculum is a Tool, Not a Goal

As we excitedly plan out our learning and lessons for next year it strikes me how the butterfly-joy welling up from within is based on the journey rather than thoughts of the completion of another year.  It feels like running into a dear friend who … Read more

Harmony- She is Illusive

Finding harmony based upon routine is one of a homeschoolers core daily struggles.  Even for those of us who are determined to maintain a fluid day, there must be some order.  When do the children wake, what lessons are the big slimy toads and need … Read more

Considering Homeschooling- education vs. being educated

Homeschool is about creating a culture of education, daily devotion to curiosity, and practice of diligence toward discipline.  It is more about character and less about the completion of, or in some situations, the ‘experience’ of, material.  Homeschoolers use books to grow our children in … Read more

High School Readiness & Gaps

In answer to the common question, “How will I know I am covering “enough” with my soon-to-be 8th grader to prepare him for high school level courses?” You never will.  Makes me grin each time I type this as I can envision the ‘thanks for … Read more