Instagram is not good for our homeschools. It’s not good for our homemaking, either, or our mental and emotional health as women. Instagram works as a comparison machine. An image from someone else’s life pops in front of our eyes and our minds are instant evaluators, analyzers. That’s what our mind does. When presented with…
Sometimes when you homeschool tweens – the turbulent early puberty years – you need to know you’re not the only one wondering what happened to your sweet child. Trust me, you’re not the only one. I remember one totally typical homeschool day when the 9-year-old came up the stairs to find me. As she entered…
“Make your bed.” “Did you brush your teeth?” “You washed your hands? Did you use soap?” “Stop. No whining.” Do you find yourself repeating yourself daily? Do your admonitions seem never to sink in or make a difference? Have you become the frustrated, nagging mom that you never wanted to be? I don’t have any…
At the time, I had a baby and a preschooler and someone who ought to be taught to read. But there were also 9-year-old and 7-year-old boys. I’d tell them to go get dressed, planning on starting school after they came back downstairs. I’d load the dishwasher, wipe the counter, start a load of laundry,…
Once a child hits 11 or so, the average homeschool mom starts to wonder where all his common sense, self-control, and good habits went. Just when she thought she was getting somewhere and things were going alright, he hits 11 and all momentum seems to be going backward, not forward. Although I’m no fan of…
This year I am homeschooling only my youngest 3. My oldest graduated high school with his two-year degree from the community college last year and my second son is currently taking full time dual enrollment classes at the same community college. Ilse is 14, in 8th grade, and in Math-U-See Geometry, Antiquity from Compass Classroom…
The following article is taken from chapter 14 of The Convivial Homeschool: Gospel Encouragement for Keeping Your Sanity While Living and Learning Alongside Your Kids, Mystie’s first full, paperback book – now available here. Rest is the virtue between negligence and anxiety. Sarah Mackenzie, Teaching from Rest I am not a very good napper. Occasionally…
1. I have a responsible, self-directed graduate. My oldest graduated this month. It’s pretty awesome. For the last 18 months or so I have not only not checked on his homework, I haven’t even known what classes he registered for. He’s taken the reins and is doing a great job. He works full time hours…
It happens so often. We’ve been doing school for weeks on end, and we’re tired. We all – mother and children – are desperately looking forward to the upcoming break, whether it’s a midyear break, holiday break, or summer break. The first day of break is glorious. Then, it starts: “Mom, I’m bored!” Teaching our…
There’s no doubt about it: Homeschooling makes a house messy. It seems like having a homeschool room – especially an organized homeschool room – would make the mess go away or at least stay away. But it doesn’t work that way, at least not at my house. I believe doing school in your normal family…