Blog

There are challenges with homeschooling teens. A resistant 16-year-old can certainly have an attitude, at times, that makes you want to throw in the towel!  It's hard to be a Christian parent homeschooling a resistant teen who doesn't want to homeschool anymore.  It may seem like an uphill battle, but there are ways to find the right path for your family. The biggest factor in success of homeschooling is when the child WANTS to homeschool, you...

My kids think I'm crazy, but I've always celebrated family Valentine's Day with pink, red, and heart-shaped food. I'm not usually a very crafty person...

My assistant Robin is such a genius! Look at these ADORABLE homemade felt ornaments she created for her Christmas tree! Wouldn't they be awesome as a gift from a child, or to decorate your home with a classic Christmas feel?  Just download this pattern, cut out the colored felt, and stitch. Easy-peasy, cute-and-fun gifts!   "We have lots of little ones joining our family! Having some older siblings with adult children, I now have several great nieces and...

How do I get it ALL done? That is a big question. It all depends on what your "ALL" means to you? Is your "All" too big? What are your priorities?

4 Key Ideas for Entertaining the Littles While Homeschooling the Bigs Here are four fresh idea for parents with little ones at home. These ideas may be new to you, or ideas you have used before and need to dust-off and use again. I know it can be difficult when you are homeschooling with little ones, or have a large family. It's important to find ways to keep your sanity and make the family run smoothly....

Great Ideas for Summer Fun Need ideas for filling the time with your kids this summer?  Summer fun comes down to 4 easy categories I've listed below; sure to entertain young and old alike! Start with a Celebration Orange You Glad it's Summer? {GIFT IDEA!} Summer in a Bucket {GIFT IDEA} DIY Buffet using a Blow-Up Raft as a Cooler Make your own Mini Pie Bar Plan for Fun Games Back Yard Spelling Game 15 Outdoor...

Convention Season in Real Life Homeschool Conventions are great fun for the whole family! Most conventions will have some fun activities for families. At the Washington convention, they had a huge chess demonstration, so of course my son came to play. He played blindfolded chess with a national chess master – his former employer at Chess4Life.  In case you needed to know, blindfold chess is when the player can’t see the board, and the moves are...

How Do You Say Curriculum? Curricula or Curriculum I pride myself on writing the way that I talk, to make my books approachable and easy to understand. I figure the less you work to read my books, the more information you will learn. I know parents have different learning styles, and like to learn in different ways, so I try to provide books, videos, and social-interaction services that will fit everyone's learning style. But to do...

As a homeschool family, you have the freedom to use the fall months for special activities related to the season!  I have put together a list of some of my favorite fun fall ideas for kids and their entire families!  I hope you enjoy them! Fun Fall Ideas for Kids and Families Thankfulness Jar - Start a new tradition with your family this year, or carry on an old tradition in a new way! Glitter Acorns -...

Christmas Baking - Sweet Bread Gift Recipes I love giving sweet bread treats to our neighbors and friends, and bringing them as hostess gifts. These can be made in advance and frozen.  They travel well, too!  You can find wrapping suggestions from Martha Stewart Crafts and from Wilton available on Amazon.Pistachio Bread1 package yellow cake mix1 package pistachio pudding mix (3 oz.)4 eggs1/2 cup oil1 cup sour cream1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)1/8 cup water.Cinnamon-sugar mix: 3...

If you don't know, NCAA means National Collegiate Athletic Association.  If you don't know what it is, you probably aren't worried about it at all.  But if you DO know what it means, then as a homeschool parent you may feel stressed or insecure.  Let me help! Let me unlock the mysteries of the college application process (NCAA and otherwise) in this free class! Click to register: College Applications Simply Explained First, it's important to remember...

I remember when I was homeschooling high school.  Sometimes I'd get hung up on ONE small issue that would drive me completely BATTY!  I remember wishing for ANYONE to give me one clear, concise, yes-or-no answer.  One issue I seemed to stress about was driver education.  Wendy asked a question I asked myself years ago! Hi Lee,I'm putting together my first transcript and I've seen differing credits (.25/.50)/grades for Drivers Education on samples.  I have to...

ECollegeFinder rounded up the tamest school in each state to make this map. See which school is tamest party school in your state! Do you think it's true? Would you prefer a party school for your child? They almost say “Tamest Party Schools in Each State” as if it were a bad thing, but I'm guessing that most homeschool parents hope their children go to college for the education, and not just the parties! In Washington...

It would be lovely if every child wanted to specialize in something reasonable.  Something that made money, provided income, or was valuable for family harmony.  Sadly, most teenagers are still children, at least some of the time, and they may want to specialize in the most unusual things!  Instead of worrying, try to translate their interests into something reasonable.  In other words, if they DID specialize in that one seemingly - bizarre thing, what would that...

Read books by John Taylor Gatto, and be encouraged in your decision and ability to homeschool. A cornerstones of the modern homeschool movement, his e...