5 Practical Ways to Your Best Homeschool Day

/
5 Practical Ways to Your Best Homeschool Day

This is a guest post contributed by Lara Chomout. You can learn more about Lara in her bio at the bottom of her post.

I often wish I was “perfect.” As I dream of what this must look like, I imagine the mom I want to be -- the mom who wakes up before the kids, reads her bible, has breakfast ready, dishes put away and a load of laundry going all before the day truly begins. But just as quickly as that dream begins, I roll over in bed, groan, and press the snooze button… over and over again.

Read More

When You Need to Reset Your Mom-Mood

/
When You Need to Reset Your Mom-Mood

This is a guest post contributed by Amber Palmer. You can learn more about Amber in her bio at the bottom of her post.

Five years ago, my husband and I made a decision to pull my daughter from a small private school and homeschool her. When we made this choice, I didn’t realize what a challenge it would be to find a homeschool community or just a few good friends for my daughter to connect with.

Read More

A FREE Skills + Activities Checklist For Your 2-5 Year Old

/
A FREE Skills + Activities Checklist For Your 2-5 Year Old

What are some milestones that I need to look for in my child’s behavior or abilities?

  • How do I know he’s ready for school?

  • How long should she be able to pay attention?

  • How much time should we spend on “school”?

  • My child doesn’t do ________, is that ok?

  • What are some ways that I can engage my child in a meaningful way during our busy days?

These are all questions I’ve asked over the years and questions I hear daily from busy, concerned homeschooling moms who want to make sure they’re doing best for their child.

Read More

How to Protect Your Time, Homeschooler

/
How to Protect Your Time, Homeschooler

This is a guest post contributed by Lara Chomout. You can learn more about Lara in her bio at the bottom of her post.

When homeschooling was simply a dream, I imagined... well… that we would be home. I remember asking the worried questions of socialization and which curriculum would serve us best. From these questions, I learned about the world of “homeschool community” and everything our (wonderful) local group has to offer.


Read More

Learning that Lasts - Simple Practices to Point Kids to Christ

/
Learning that Lasts - Simple Practices to Point Kids to Christ

This is a guest post contributed by Leah Hudson. You can learn more about Leah in her bio at the bottom of her post.

I spend a lot of time thinking about how best to educate my children. Hours and hours are dedicated to simply planning the year ahead. Another immeasurable chunk of time is consumed actually carrying out those plans - reading, writing, discussing, reviewing. It is a lot.

Read More

Three Things To Do While Waiting on Your Homeschooling Community

/
Three Things To Do While Waiting on Your Homeschooling Community

This is a guest post contributed by Amber Palmer. You can learn more about Amber in her bio at the bottom of her post.

Five years ago, my husband and I made a decision to pull my daughter from a small private school and homeschool her. When we made this choice, I didn’t realize what a challenge it would be to find a homeschool community or just a few good friends for my daughter to connect with.

Read More

What is a Memory Statement? (And what do I do with it?)

/
What is a Memory Statement? (And what do I do with it?)

You may have noticed my post about how to assemble a memory statement board but still remained all-together confused or overwhelmed by what a memory statement even IS. Memory statements fill the pages of all Gentle + Classical programs, so I want to make sure you understand WHAT they are and how to implement them in your homeschool!

Memory statements are an idea that seems to have sprung from the more modern ideas of classical education and have been made popular by a popular community-based curriculum program. However, if we dig more deeply, we find that the notion of a “memory statement” is rooted in Charlotte Mason and true (historical) classical education.

Read More

FREE Valentine's Fun Pack and Picture Book List!

/
FREE Valentine's Fun Pack and Picture Book List!

Valentine’s is usually a “love/hate” kind of holiday for most. Some people are tired of commercialism while others adore the special focus on love and romance this time of year.

I’ll say that I squarely fall into the middle. I’m not one for “mush” but I absolutely love to take time to make sure that my family knows just how important they are to me. We have very simple, candy-centered traditions around our house.

Even if you don’t love V-day, I find that late Jan-February is typically one of the hardest seasons in homeschooling. And when you layer a year-long pandemic on top? Sheesh. So anything that can bring some light and joy into our lives as we suffer through the long stretch of gloom and cold of this generally abysmal month- well, I’m all for it!

Read More

Joy When Motherhood Feels Crushing

/
Joy When Motherhood Feels Crushing

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. -1 Thessalonians 5:14‭-‬24 ESV

There it is. In black and white: Rejoice Always. Literally two words for an entire verse. That's how big and powerful and important. Rejoice always.

But how? I was awake the entire night rocking a teething baby. I walked downstairs to what looked like a war zone. No one had done their chores, a 2-year-old was running wild like a banshee, and the house reeked of overdue diapers to be trashed.

Read More