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What Matters Now? A Mom’s Reflections on Raising a Son

What Matters Now? A Mom's Reflections on Raising a Son

I’ve heard that when people approach the end of life, their priorities become very clear. They realize that many things that seemed significant in the past aren’t that important after all. They spend the time they have left with loved ones, and they reflect on the lasting legacy they’ll be leaving behind.

My oldest son is now a high school junior and, in some ways, I find myself thinking along the same lines. Thankfully he’s just moving on to the next stage of life, but to me it feels like the end of an era. 

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How to Plan the Best Summer Break for Your Homeschool Family: Part 2

How to Plan the Best Summer Break for your Homeschool Family Part 2

If you haven’t yet read Part 1 of this series, do that first or the rest of this won’t make as much sense: How to Plan the Best Summer Break for Your Homeschool Family: Part 1

In Part 1 we covered the first two steps in planning a great summer break for your family. As a reminder those steps are:

  • Step #1: Set Your Summer Goals
  • Step #2: Take Inventory & Do Research

Hopefully, those two initial brainstorming steps were accomplished in the time it took your kids to binge watch a season of Bluey. 

Now that you’ve got your goals and you’ve researched the “tools” you’ve got at your disposal, keep reading to find out what to do next!

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How to Plan the Best Summer Break for Your Homeschool Family: Part 1

How to Plan the Best Summer Break for Your Homeschool Family Part 1

What’s the best way to approach summer break if you’re a homeschooling family? 

Like the rest of homeschooling, there’s no one right method. Some families “do school” year round. Other families unschool – their relaxed school year is indistinguishable from their summer break. And some (like my own family) create a light structure, but take a break from some or all of their usual school work. 

No matter how you do it, the keys to success are…

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Kids Are Always Learning (Even on a Holiday)

Kids Are Always Learning (Even on a Holiday)

(There may be affiliate links in this post – click here to learn more. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in over a decade of homeschooling, it’s that learning can happen anytime, anywhere, and in many different ways. 

We definitely don’t need to be in a classroom. And it doesn’t even have to be a school day! 

In past posts, I’ve shown how kids are always learning – on weekends, on vacations, and even when they’re bored, sick, or having a bad day. This past New Year’s break I was reminded, yet again, that kids are always learning… even on a holiday!

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How to Homeschool Kindergarten: Curriculum Ideas & Lessons Learned

How to Homeschool Kindergarten: Curriculum Ideas and Lessons Learned

One of my new favorite t-shirts says, “Hold on. Let me overthink this.” It’s perfect for me.

"Let me overthink this" pink t-shirt

I’ve always been a Type-A, planner-loving, I-prefer-my-ducks-in-a-row momma. I tend to over-analyze and over-complicate most things – especially when it comes to our homeschool. 

Thankfully, over a decade of homeschooling has mellowed me out a little bit. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful spontaneous teachable moments can be. I’ve witnessed my kids retain more from playing made-up games than from carefully crafted lesson plans. I’ve realized that it’s less about finding the “right” curriculum and more about nurturing relationships and encouraging a love of learning.

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Our Homeschool Summer Break – Year 9

Our Homeschool Summer Break - Year 9

It’s that time of year again. 

Swimsuits. Pool parties. Watermelon. Ice cream trucks. And, best of all…

… the next chapter in Our Homeschool Summer Break blog series!

Okay, maybe a blog post isn’t better than ice cream (or any of those other things). But it sure beats swatting away mosquitoes while mowing the lawn!

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How to Homeschool Preschool – Part 2

How to Homeschool Preschool - Part 2

If you’re just tuning in to this How to Homeschool Preschool series, first check out Part 1 here. 

In Part 1, I shared how important playing is in your at-home preschool. In fact, some would say preschool should be all play since kids can learn so much so easily while they’re playing. 

But just because they’re playing and having a fun time learning doesn’t mean we allow them to act like crazy hooligans. A balanced homeschool needs to focus on character building, too. 

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