Updated for 2024: It’s that time again for my ADD self to organize my brain/days in a paper planner. I’ve tried digital — I use digital at work but not by choice, and it’s just not what comes naturally to me. I always end up reaching for paper. My first […]
Vicki Bentley
71 posts
In an ideal world, I’d have a big drawer where I could lay my silicone baking mats — Silpat, for example — out flat (like my friend Laura does — she has an AMAZING kitchen!). I am happy with my kitchen and the drawers aren’t going to get any bigger, […]
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 […]
Laugh and learn with Jim Bentley as he shares the wisdom, humor, and grace God has revealed to him through nearly 50 years of marriage to his high school sweetheart. From the infamous Graceland road trip … to a cross-country move gone hilariously wrong … to the unforgettable Olan […]
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 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 […]
[Originally written to support parents during the 2020 pandemic, this guidance remains valuable for anyone now exploring alternatives to conventional schooling.] 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 […]
Note: While this article is geared primarily for preschool, most of the suggestions are also applicable through the early primary grades. SEE RESOURCES listed at the bottom of the page. A young mom writes: I’m new at homeschooling—I have 2-year-old twins. I want to teach them and get them […]
Q: What about socialization, and how can I be sure I’m doing a good job at it? Are there any tools to help me? A: It may help to first define terms: Socialization is the lifelong process through which people learn (dare I say internalize?) the values and norms of […]
Do you have an older elementary or early middle school student still struggling with reading comprehension, or maybe even with decoding skills? While many of us think of a child learning to read at about age five, the truth is that the reading readiness age varies widely, as children mature […]