Homeschooling

75 posts

Mid-Year Motivation

Got the mid-winter blahs? You are not alone! Maybe you’re having trouble getting back on track after the holidays — you may need to re-visit your daily routine. Many moms find that having a household routine and their daily learning goals or lesson plans in writing gives them accountability, as […]

10 Last-Minute Christmas Ideas for Families

Many families gear down to a more relaxed school routine during the week (or weeks!) before Christmas. Our family deliberately took off four weeks in December so we could enjoy the activities and traditions of the season—we just considered it a Christmas unit study, with a home economics, practical arts, […]

When Your Child Won’t Cooperate

I’ll be honest. There are days I just don’t feel like doing the dishes. I may balk at getting started. I may dread taking the time. But eventually common sense (or the idea of having to do two days’ worth tomorrow!) wins, and I talk myself into doing the responsible […]

Testing Basics

Testing Basics

At this time of year, many parents are thinking about how to assess their children’s progress. The first step is to determine your own state’s testing requirements, if there are any. The law may require that you periodically demonstrate academic progress. Some statutes mandate standardized testing, while others may allow for […]

Homeschooling a Gifted Learner

In an earlier article, Finding the Gift in Your Child, I mentioned that when we were first considering home education, I was unsure about my own ability to meet my children’s needs. Not only did we have a daughter born with special medical and developmental needs, but I had two […]

I Hated Homeschooling

Homeschooling isn’t always fun and games and giggles; sometimes it is just downright difficult—especially if the student isn’t particularly thrilled to be homeschooling. It is not our job as parents to make our children happy. It’s our job to raise them as God has called us to, even if it […]

Aaaand…We’re OFF!

“Aaand … we’re off! … like a dirty shirt!” This is how every road trip begins for our family. Well, sometimes if my husband hesitates too long after the first part, the kids (or now the grandkids) try to “fake him out” with maybe “like a dirty undershirt!” or “like […]

sticky notes

Help! I’m Organizationally Challenged!

As I’ve spoken with many of you on the phone or via email and shared with you in person at your state conventions, a recurring theme has been: Help! I’m committed to homeschooling, but I’m feeling overwhelmed just by everyday life! For those of you who were “born organized,” you […]

What Does It Cost to Homeschool?

(or: How do I Budget for This?) If you are considering home education, the chances are high that you are either a single-income family or at least a not-so-much-disposable-income family, and if you’re like many of us, your budget is pretty tight. Although some sources say that the average homeschool […]

hands and pencil

Suddenly Homeschooling: The Basics

Well, you thought life would be back to “normal” by now, but it’s not looking promising. Perhaps you suddenly find yourself considering homeschooling because your local school is not currently an option for your family this fall. Let me share a few basics that I hope will encourage and equip […]