Blogs about homeschooling

When Bedtime Reading Makes You Bonkers

bedtime reading, make it a habit

Let's talk about bedtime.

We all know what we are supposed to do at bedtime. Bedtime is when we snuggle up with our children and read a stack of fantastic books. It is peaceful and calm, and your heart is overflowing with joy…

... except when it isn't.

I don't know about you, but bedtime is often a chaotic blur around these parts.

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How to Recover From Homeschool Disillusionment

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Choosing to homeschool can be a disappointing decision. Once the honeymoon period wears off, you get a clear view of the responsibility resting on your shoulders. I could try to comfort you with empty platitudes such as "Homeschooling is not for every family" or "You have to be called to homeschool." But I don't believe those sentiments, and they aren't encouraging at all. Instead, I’m sharing three surefire ways to help you bounce back quickly from homeschool disappointment.

You absolutely cannot re-create public school at home. When your child trades a desk at public school for an arm chair at home, he has only changed the geography of where he learns. You’re not homeschooling yet.

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Why We Homeschool Only Four Days a Week

in front of a gray chalkboard background sits a black mesh pencil holder filled with a wooden ruler, scissors, etc.

When I first started homeschooling, a few friends and I started a homeschool group that revolved around frequent field trips. As my children matured and school required more time, I found that our frequent excursions with our homeschool group were keeping us from completing our curriculum each week.

In an effort to be a more conscientious homeschool mom, I began opting out of the events in order to stay home and do school. In a few short months, my children and I fell into a rut and began to hate homeschooling.

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Couch Days: The Remedy for Homeschool Stress

an open book sits on a gray couch draped with a pink blanket

Couch Days: The Remedy for Homeschool Stress

I have a confession: Sometimes my children are crazy. I love them dearly; my life wouldn’t be worth living without them, but every once in awhile— probably when the moon is full— they lose their minds. The chaos that ensues may involve but is not limited to whining about schoolwork, putting off chores, and yelling at and/or hitting each other.

While I'm being transparent, I should probably confess that sometimes I am a little crazy, too.

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10 Quick-witted Comebacks About Homeschool Socialization

I admit it, verbal sparring is my knee-jerk reaction when I’m asked about homeschool socialization. Even as a seasoned homeschool mom, this topic still puts my emotions into overdrive.

To prevent knee-jerk sarcasm or snarky one-liners, I have prepared 10 quick-witted comebacks. Maybe you can use one or two when you get the dreaded socialization question.

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4 Questions to Ask About Your Homeschool Plan

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So you have started your new homeschool year. You may be a month or two in, and it’s time to think about how the year is going. Is your homeschool plan working? Some of you may be thinking, “The thought never crossed my mind; everything is great!

Or you might be in the camp of, “I am drowning! It feels as though nothing is going is right! Either way (or somewhere in between), it is good to reflect on what is, or is not working.

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Homeschool Read Aloud Secret: The Power of a Captive Audience

kids in vividly colored t-shirts lie prone, looking at a book

When I first started homeschooling, I had these read aloud fantasies. I pictured us snuggled up under blankets with a stack of delicious books at our side. I imagined reading for hours on end, my children enraptured by the story and clinging to my every word. As I read, a silence would envelop our home and all would be calm.

In reality, our read alouds are anything but calm, and my children are anything but quiet.

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5 Secrets to Following Through This Homeschool Year

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Some homeschoolers, though, maintain their enthusiasm throughout the entire school year. They wake up with energy, eager to homeschool their kids another day. They start a new curriculum or subject and actually see it through to completion, year after year.

If you want the same results, incorporate these secrets of homeschool follow through into your routine.

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How to Overcome a Bad Day of Homeschool

get over a bad day of homeschooling

I am one of those people who love the first day of school. I have new school supplies laid out ahead of time, the kids are always excited, and I live for the newness of back to school season. But last year our first day of school came and went. And let me say it was less than perfect. The next day was even worse, and by the end of the week I was ready to ship them all off on the big yellow school bus.

But homeschool moms don’t really have that option, do we? Our choice is simple —we have to man up and overcome it! I did, and you can too! Here is how to overcome a bad homeschool day (or week).

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5 Secrets of My Low-Stress Homeschool Planning

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What planner are you using this year? Have you found a new math curriculum? What’s your schedule looking like for fall?

The buzz in the homeschool world is hyped around planning, planners, and all things organizing. I get it. We’re homeschool moms. We plan things. That’s what we love to do!

It gives us a sense of control in our often chaotic lives. Add it helps us to manage our days full of history lessons, co-op meetings, and dance lessons.

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