summer reading

The saving grace of summer reading

Not long after summer arrives, moms wonder how to fill the time and keep kiddos occupied in healthy ways. We may find ourselves held hostage by video games and Netflix, looking back at a lost summer of opportunity. For those looking for better options, most local libraries have summer reading programs as resources for families. Online options like Scholastic Summer Reading make it easy for everyone, rural and urban, to access tools for reading fun.  If we can just get our crew to story time, rows marked “Kids Collections,” or a yard sale where kids left for college, summer reading …

Share

Motherhood Resources

Where do you turn when you need help? First and foremost it’s important to turn to God’s Word for guidance and direction. Proverbs 1:7 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (New International Version – NIV) So many great resources are available today to guide us along the path in our role as a mother. Now that my daughters are grown and have children of their own I am amazed at how many of the resources I still use. This shows me that no matter what stage you are in as a mom …

Share

How to Afford Homeschool Curriculum on a Small Budget

It’s that time of year again, when all of us homeschoolers are thinking about what we will do for the next school year. In the past, this time of year would have been super hectic trying to pick which curriculum for what subjects I was going to use with my oldest. I have been sort of an “eclectic gatherer” with him as money was tight, and I thought I could not afford a “boxed” curriculum. With some special encouragement from a fellow blogger and a resolve to make our finances work, this year we chose to bite the bullet and …

Share

What Worked for Me in 2015

Have you ever heard of the post-Christmas blues? It’s a thing, I’m sure of it. I’ve seen it a lot in friends and family. All the excitement and planning of Christmas culminates in a day of joy and then…..it’s over. I have to admit, I’m pretty sure I haven’t had it once since becoming an adult. Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas. But as an introvert Christmas pushes me over the edge of the socializing cliff, and I can’t wait to detox. That’s what I think December 26th should be called: Christmas Detox Day. Honestly, I get more excited …

Share

5 Key Benefits of Special Needs Homeschooling

  5 Key Benefits of Special Needs Homeschooling Click To Tweet For years the thought of homeschooling my daughter with special needs made me cringe. Educating my typical kids proved hard enough, and just the thought of bringing her home and adding her to the mix was overwhelming. Public school gave me a much needed reprieve from all her negative behaviors and demands. She loved her time with her wonderful teachers and friends, and we both looked forward to the bus coming each morning. Homeschooling was the last thing we both wanted to do. As each school year came and passed and her …

Share

The 3 R’s of Successful Homeschooling

I’m done homeschooling. My season of curriculum choices and co-op duties are done. I’m looking back at the patchwork of schooling formats we used across states, cities, and nations. We’re far enough beyond our homeschool days to look back and know if it worked. I remember days when I begged God to help me help my kids learn well. Even with an education degree, I wasn’t a whiz in all subjects, and my flesh often mixed with my best intentions to be an A+ teacher. Did we learn enough and grow enough? I hoped so. If you’re just starting homeschooling …

Share

The Secret Trick to a Brainy Yet Swanky Homeschool Table

Whether your kids’ classroom space is the kitchen table or in another room, here is your secret trick to a brainy yet swanky homeschool table! Covering your school table with educational prints then protecting it all with clear plastic is sure to expand your school space as well as generate learning enjoyment!   Let’s get started! First, gather these supplies: Clear vinyl table cover. I find mine in the craft section at Walmart. Choose the right size to fit your table.  I also like to buy the thicker vinyl–it costs a bit more but lasts much longer. Clear packaging tape. …

Share
We want our kids to be prepared for back to school...but do they know this ONE important thing?

One Thing Our Kids Need to Know for Back to School

There are many things we want our kids to know before they go back to school. When my oldest first started kindergarten, I made sure he was as prepared as possible. I wanted him to know his alphabet, his numbers, his shapes, his colors, and how to write his name. I also wanted him to know how to behave properly in a school setting: how to stand in line and wait his turn, how to sit quietly (or at least somewhat quietly) for a limited amount of time, how to play with others, etc. I spent so much time focusing …

Share

Spiritually Dressing for School

My good friend was distraught. Her daughter was starting middle school and every morning she threw up on the way to school. This daughter had never shown signs of anxiety before and always did very well in school. She was a “star student.” My friend was at a loss of how to help her daughter. There didn’t seem to be anything medically wrong with her. I asked my friend if she prayed with her daughter before she left for school. She said yes they had tried that, but she was still throwing up. I then suggested she pray the spiritual armor of …

Share

A Day in the Life of a School Teacher

Wowza! Who’s ready to go teach today? Teaching IS one of the hardest yet most rewarding jobs on the planet. I speak from experience. And what people say about teachers being underpaid and overworked…Yes it is TRUE! There is no other job where you get to teach the subject you love, be a like a parent to a bunch of kiddos, be a disciplinarian, be stern yet loving, be going a million miles a minute, be entertaining, be challenging, be inspiring, be a shoulder to cry on, be a club sponsor, and the list could go on and on. I rarely had my …

Share