Since my sons have always been homeschooled and are now teens, I often have families that are considering homeschooling their kids, as well as families several years behind us in the journey, reach out to me for some reassurance that homeschooling works. Which is to say…what, exactly? Because like the homeschool socialization question, or the …
As my kids get older and near the end of their homeschooling journey, I hear more and more often that I need to make sure they’re prepared for the future. I bet if you have older kids, you hear that a lot, too. But can we break this down for a second? Because much like …
Prepared for the future: the one skill you’ll actually need Read More »
To prepare for a recent talk I gave about marriage to a group of moms, I did a lot of reading on the differences between how males and females think. The crazy thing is that since I live in a house of all males, this actually helped me to understand boy brain and why my …
When you are stuck with your homeschool planning and aren’t sure what direction to go, it’s a great idea to ask your kids for their input. Because who better to get homeschooling advice from than your kids? At our house, we give a homeschool planning survey at the beginning of every year, usually while we …
Are you trying to teach kids to cook? Great! But you should really read this first. As soon as my sons were tall enough to reach the kitchen counter (while standing on a chair), we had them in the kitchen helping us cook. So one would think they are experts, right? I mean, I do …
As a homeschooler, it’s common to wonder if a designated homeschool space is your key to all things awesome about homeschooling. But is a designated homeschool space necessary? Let me share with you what I’ve learned about the almighty homeschool room since we started homeschooling many years ago. First, be honest: why do you want …
When you announce you’ve chosen to homeschool, there is a question that follows about .03 seconds later: what about socialization? Ah. Good ol’ homeschool socialization. Some people ask what about socialization because they’re genuinely curious, and you can have a great conversation with them about homeschool socialization. But there are other people who simply insinuate …
What about socialization? The answer we’d LIKE to give… Read More »
It’s not uncommon to have some anxiety about homeschooling high school. The high school years tend to bring out every single worry and concern that we successfully kept hidden while doing elementary art projects and morning basket story times. And it doesn’t help at all when a family member or friend says, “Wait. You’re going …
Anxiety About Homeschooling High School? Don’t Say This. Read More »
It’s a commonly asked question once you reach the years of homeschooling high school: where did the homeschooling high school community go? Reaching the last leg of the homeschooling journey (read: high school years) really feels like a huge leap off one platform to another; one platform being everything I’ve taught you, the other platform …
Where did the homeschooling high school community go? Read More »
You are an amazing teacher. You are kind and good and hardworking and full of knowledge and many other things that a good teacher should be. But, having said that, there is something we need to get straight. You are not always the best teacher for your kid. Hopefully at some point you will realize …
Homeschool Moms: You are Not Always the Best Teacher for Your Kid Read More »
Homeschool co-ops. They’re a thing. Should you join one? Are you in one? Is it working? If things go awry, how do you know if it’s time to (gasp) quit your homeschool co-op? Many years ago, I inquired via email about joining my very first homeschooling co-op. The leader of the co-op responded with, “Great! …
Years ago as a brand new homeschooling mom, I would hear people gush about the fact that homeschooled children are so darn independent. I looked into the future and assumed our days would eventually play out with us going about our own thing, exploring our own fabulous interests and doing everything we felt we needed …
Want Independent Homeschoolers? Teach Them These Two Things Read More »
Some time ago, I wondered aloud on social media about grade levels in homeschooling. I asked how many people in my circle of peeps were homeschooling a child 7th grade or older. Innocent enough question, I thought. And it was for the most part. It brought about good discussion on the issues that come up …
Grade Levels: Stop Freaking Out When Someone Asks Read More »
Uh-oh. That thing where dad is against homeschooling, but you’re completely in love with the idea. How do you deal with this? This is actually one of the more common questions I get at The Hmmmschooling Mom Facebook page and it’s generally along the lines I really want to homeschool our kids, but my husband is …
Upon reaching the decade mark in our homeschooling journey, I took some time to reflect on the many things I’ve been called over the years. The irony is that for every thing I’ve been called, I’ve also been called some thing that is completely the opposite. Confused? You shouldn’t be. Because I’m willing to bet …
10 Things I’ve Been Called in 10 Years of Homeschooling Read More »
You bought that shiny curriculum because your research on it (and the knowledge of how your kids think) told you it would be perfect. You bought that curriculum because your kids said it sounded good. Because you thought it sounded good. Because your friend uses it and it works for her kids. Because it was on …
When to Change Homeschool Curriculum, and When to Push Through Read More »
Homeschooling older kids can sometimes seem tricky—it’s easy for parents to feel increasingly unsure of where they fit in the scheme of things. However, I think we tend to make things trickier than they need to be. Here are 6 things homeschooled teens need from their parents—in case you’re feeling a little lost. (And yes, …
6 Things Homeschooled Teens Need From Their Parents Read More »
Have you ever made chocolate balloon bowls? I mean, what could be better than a bowl made out of chocolate? That’s what went through my mind when someone told me you can supposedly dip a balloon in chocolate, let it harden, pop the balloon, and be left with an amazing bowl of yum to fill …
While there are challenges when homeschooling teens, there are also many ways that homeschooling becomes easier and more enjoyable as your kids grow and mature. Here are five ways that life is more awesome when you are homeschooling teens. 1. Independence Call it what you will—independent learning, self-directed studies, or mom finally gets a bit …
Lately I’ve heard chatter in the mom world from gals who feel as though they can’t find their tribe. Their people. The gals they feel comfortable hanging with. Their friends. Their support. Which is a total bummer. It’s just not right to go through life without a group of mamas who have your back. So …
