Mom Solutions

For the win! Homeschooling from the Inside Out

He came running up to me. “Mom!!!”

The gleam in his eyes elbowed my heart to focus. I had to walk faster than normal to keep up with him as he skipped stairs. He could hardly contain his excitement.

Our talented brickmaster just solved the problem of the century with a handful of Legos.

“How does a 16-year old get a foot pedal for his drum when he doesn’t want to spend his hard earned money?”

Build it with Legos!

Maybe it’s not the problem of the century to your neighbor, but this was a big issue for my son.

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How to Teach Kids about the Mob Mentality

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

It was like stepping into water filled with piranha. Shaking and shivering with disbeleif I stared at my screen.

How on earth did that question unleash the mob?

Looking for materials to share with my little corner of the internet, I asked a group of creators on Facebook if they had any amazing resources on a certain topic.

And then it happened. Someone took a bite at me for asking about that topic and then the mob moved in and attacked me.

I was stunned and it paralyzed me for half the day.

First I deleted the question, because I wanted NOTHING to do with the situation. And then I tried to repair the damage, but posting an apology and a few words about how much I appreciated the group.

The second wave was worse.

By the middle of the day, I went LIVE online to share this.

Teaching Kids about Mob Mentality

Identify an incident.

Unfortunately, they are all around us.

1. Talk about the inciting incident. What exactly happened. Be careful to not bias your kids. Just state the facts.

2. TOGETHER: Identify 3-10 ways to handle the situation. How can it have been handled differently? What can you and your kids do to make a difference.

3. Explain about mob mentality.

4. Explain that you are going to look at how some people reacted to the situation and together you’re going to identify why it was good or bad. The goal is to identify wrong behavior.

5. Brainstorm ways to get away/ avoid mob mentality.

Repeat often.

Ways to find examples:
-Text messages gone bad
-Social media comment threads (be careful)
-News feeds
-Real life.

We need to teach our kids how to think through these crazy situations and give them the skills to identify when the mob mentality steps in and how to stay out and stay safe.

avoid mob mentality — Get your free copy here

Promise of God Coloring Page

Sometimes it’s easier to believe in God’s power on a grand scale- creating the universe, sustaining it through all time, reigning over centuries- than to believe one simple promise.
Ann Spangler- Praying the Names of God

Believe.

God holds you in His righteous right hand.
He will NEVER leave you.
He will take great delight in you.
He will quiet you with His LOVE.

A free reminder.

When our son struggled with great pain this past week and all we could do was give him medicine, pray, and wait… my heart was troubled.

I needed to focus on God’s promises, but all I could hear and see was my son in pain.

So I pressed in to the promise in Zephaniah 3:17

Reading the promise
drawing the promise
coloring the same promise

The quiet, still, repetitive motion as I meditated on God’s ability to QUIET our son cause my heart to fill with peace.

Do you need that too?

I bet you know a gal who does.

I’m sharing my drawing/prayer for free in hope that the Lord will use it to calm your heart as well.

Get you Mother’s Day Kit

More Bible Studies for Kids:

My personal statement of faith:

I believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.

I believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.

I believe “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and that we are saved by faith in Jesus.

Some of my favorite Bible teachers are my husband (Craig Sayler), Pastor Jon Courson, Pastor Chuck Smith, and CH Spurgeon.

Pincer Grasp Activities for Fine Motor Development

Your son is using all of his fingers to rake small items into his palm rather than pinching them together with his thumb and index finger.

Your daughter is choking her crayons rather than carefully holding them between her fingers.

Maybe your kids need some help strengthening their pincher grasp

The development of this fined tuned grasp is influenced by a child’s growing interest in objects and desire to hold them. Kind of curiosity’s way of helping our kids.

We all need great pincher grasps to:

zip zippers
button buttons
tie shoes
thread needles
write beautifully
hold pencils without cramping
beating someone at tidily-winks
putting on make-up
painting nails
and so much more!

8 Hands-on Toys to Help Kids Develop Pincher Muscles

Sewing Buttons!!

Related: Fine Motor Activity from Hands On As We Grow

More Pincher Grasp Activities!

Simple Activities to Improve Pincher Grasp and Help Your child Hold a Pencil

Peel Duct Tape: Place strips of duct tape onto surfaces like the sidewalk, garage walls, or the floor. Your child simply peels the tape!
Squishy Sponge: Give your child a sponge and bucket of water. Have them water plants by squeezing the water out from the sponge!
Tongs and tweezers: Give your child a pair of tongs, and egg carton, and a bin of small things (pom poms, beads, pasta, etc). Have them fish out objects with tweezers and sort them into the egg carton.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RZNG5PW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=abett06-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07RZNG5PW&linkId=c20a374356badff2b7b81f0fe672daf8

Classic Games are the perfect way to sneak in Pincher Grasp Development

Don’t Spill the Beans

Medical schools are noticing a decline in students’ dexterity, possibly from spending time swiping screens rather than developing fine motor skills through woodworking and sewing.
The New York Times

The great news is Pincher Grasp Development is easy to weave into your child’s day. A Little less swiping of screens and a little more of old fashion fun and these intricate hand muscles can get a good work out!

For Older Kids

Crocheting and knitting

Embroidery

Tin Foil Art

Using a sock to improve pencil grip (Brilliant)

Print this free homeschool mom reminder.

This post comes with a free printable reminder list to help keep your heart focused on the heart of homeschooling. I always have the hardest staying focused. This printable simplifies it!

Here is a sneak preview…

Download Your Free Printable

Download the checklist. You’ll get the printable, plus join 9,000+ homeschool moms who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas!
Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal.
Place it on your refrigerator as a helpful reminder.

Teacher Appreciation DAY!

Whether you studied to be a teacher or SUDDENLY woke up a teacher in March, you are a ROCK STAR!!

This is for YOU!

Homeschooling from the Inside Out

I want to wish you a very Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
In this season of craziness I have talked to classroom teachers, administrators, parents and homeschoolers and we all agree: Being a teacher is hard work, and it is so much harder now. I’ve seen parents/teachers go above and beyond during these times that are so unreal and unthinkable. I know how exhausting this is and you definitely deserve all the teacher appreciation love, this week and always!

A SALE? WHAT SALE? WHEN?
To kick off Teacher Appreciation Week, I am excited to announce that TpT is celebrating YOU with a special Teacher Appreciation SALE! Save 20% off all my resources (including bundles!) this Tuesday and Wednesday (May 5th & 6th). Save an additional 5% off by using promo code THANKYOU20. VISIT MY TPT STORE HERE!

Give a shout out to your FAVORITE Teacher friends and family on FB

EVERYTHING is ALL on Sale

Is THIS site on SALE TOO?
YES! I will mirror the TpT sale on this website! website. Use the same code, THANKYOU20, to get 25% off everything I’ve personally created on this website. (click on the product drop down menu in the tab bar)

What about all the masterclasses?
Yep! On sale too, with the same coupon, THANKYOU20, to get 25% off everything! Yes, that includes the homeschool classes, Pinterest, Business, and Selling printables classes!! Visit my academy here.

I have some AMAZING Creator friends who are also joining Teacher Appreciation week to help CELEBRATE YOU!

Gail, with Maestro Heights, has the most creative graphic printables that bring biographies and music to life! My top pick for this week? Morse Code for Kids! Gail’s sets make perfect “Unit study of the Month”

Holly, Will take your kids on a virtual world tour of some incredible sights as they “Unlock” some amazing destinations!

Renee has the first role play set for your little midwife I’ve ever seen! So cute!

Mary Beth has STUNNING cursive practice and scavenger hunts that will tickle your child’s imagination.

Debbie is here to help you teach your kids ALL ABOUT NUTRITION!

Tricia has ready to go Bible Lessons for your children.

Mission Mummy has all sort of goodies for your preschoolers who need better fine motor skills!

Practice Bullying with Kids

When my friend’s husband (Anthony) called and asked for me to bring my son to their house for a few minutes, I happily loaded him into the car and drove over.

There was a heaviness in the room when we walked through the front door and I began to sweat.

“Please, sit down,” Anthony motioned to their sofa.

Within 34 seconds I realized what was going on.

My son had been bullying their son during play time and I was clueless.

I opened my inbox yesterday and read a note from a mom asking for advice. She is friends with a sweet mom and while they are visiting, her son is watching her fiend’s son bully and hurt his younger sibling… And now her son is acting out at home.

“I’ve decided to give the friendship a break for a while.” She wrote. And then she asked me how I would handle the situation.

Suddenly I was back on the sofa listening to Anthony.

So I shared…

One of our sons really struggled with bully behavior.

He was sarcastic, aggressive and had a mean streak when his pride was challenged.

His favorite target?
–> My best friend’s son who was a couple of years younger than him.

Honestly, I had been blind to it, and then my friend and her husband invited me and my son over.

The parents, explained that this type of behavior would not be tolerated. Their son adored my son, but often felt bullied and had begun to take on my son’s habits.

Not gonna be allowed.

“Buddy, we love you. We are giving you a chance to learn and correct your behavior, but if you do not our son will not be aloud to play with you.”

Gulp.

They were so loving, united, clear and determined to help my son while protecting theirs.

Related: What does Bullying Look like?

I was horrified of course, but we only grew closer as friends…

Not all friendships survive this kind of family coaching and correcting.
But that would be my advice.

Get together and explain.

Mom, sometimes it’s our kids who are the bullies.
Other times it’s our kids who are being bullied.

I needed to witness how my friend and her husband addressed the negative behavior head on.

And so did my son.

There are consequences for bad behavior, but we are to extend grace.

***If my friend has simply stopped hanging out with me because of my son, we never would have learned this lesson and her son would simply learn to avoid problems rather than lovingly deal with them.

Plus, we would have missed the sweetness of a friendship that has grown into a lifeline over the past few decades…

How to Address Bullying

Open our eyes. We need to see the world with clarity.
Watch for opportunities to show kids good, bad, wrong, and cruel behavior and then talk about how to properly handle the situation.
Practice. Find a 5 minute pocket of time and play-practice.
Address it head-on. No one wins when we put our heads in the sand and run. If our kids are bullies, invite the parents over and lovingly ask for forgiveness and correct the behavior. If our kids are being bullied… do the same
Protect our kids! We were blessed our friends address bullying head on. But if your kids are in danger, protect them. If necessary, get the authorities involved.

What would you add?

How have you witnessed bullying behavior dealt with that WORKED? We need to learn from each other…

How to Trim the Fat out of Your Homeschool Lessons

Inside: How to trim the excess weight from your homeschool curriculum. {Plus-Free printable cheatsheet}

Exactly 16 days ago I weighed 11 pounds more than I do today.

I happened to see a picture of me and my family and I could not believe how much heavier I had become since settling in the mountains. I took immediate note and changed my ways. As I weighed in yesterday I had broken through a barrier that had been alluding me for a few years. I am well on my way to my target goal. Just 18 more pounds to go.

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So God Made a HOMESCHOOL Mom, Like YOU

God said, “MY kids need to be…

dependable, honest, trustworthy and kind.
content while folding laundry, going on a million errands, or picking up dog poop.
able to pursue their unique talents.

…So God made a homeschool mom.

God said, “You see, Each of MY kids is uniquely and wonderfully made.”

They need to be loved and cherished.
They must learn the value of cleaning up after playing with glitter.
And they need to have the freedom to explore, run, jump, swing, slide, and hike through my creation.

…So God made a homeschool mom.

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You Don’t Need to Apologize for Raising Kids In a Greenhouse

It’s not fair.

When you dedicate your life to raising your kids and personally stay at home to make sure their needs are met, you are like a master gardener inside a greenhouse.

Greenhouses are safe and controlled environments which provide optimum conditions for seeds to grow.

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Inside: a truth, a promise, and a giveaway.

Standing in the sun watching our kids jump on a trampoline, she reached under my chin and pulled out a hair.

“You had a long golden hair growing under your chin.”

I was horrified.

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11 Creative Ways for Moms to Make Money from Home

Sitting in my kitchen staring at my computer thinking, “Can I make money from home?”

Before we go too far… My definition of HUSTLE is “busy movement and activity”. I use the phrase hustle because it’s a popular search term. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to make sure my work online is actually found. Write that tip down. No matter what YOU decide to do, that one is key!

I’ve tried lots of things to earn cash from home, but my favorite way is using what I call magic and monopoly.

I don’t want to turn my garage into a knife forge, or my living room into a craft creation warehouse. Is it too much to ask to simply wave my magic wand, pull an idea out of my head and make a little money?

LOL! I’m guessing you’ve had the same thought.

After years of trying to make measurable cash from my imagination, I finally did it well enough to share with you!

Magic.

An idea can earn income if you can package it in an attractive way and bring enough people to come and take a look at it. Our kids do this all the time when they set up a lemonade stand our front yards. The prettier the stand and the bigger the smiles the larger the sales, right?

It’s not hard to think of a great (or even just good) idea. As a homeschooler and blogger, my brain is always on creative mode. Printable, lessons, planners, and classes come to me in my sleep. I’m guessing you have some ideas too.

The Magic Happens when you learn to package your idea in a way that causes someone to stop scrolling on their screen just long enough to think, “Hey! I need that!” When the number of people who pause to look at your “thing” grows, so does your income. MAGIC.

Monopoly.

After creating about 100 printables for homeschoolers, teachers, and parents I began thinking, “HEY! I like what that seller over there created too. Is there a way that I can share her thing and make a few pennies too?” I call this monopoly money. Making a profit through the easy-peasy process of sharing other peoples creations. The business world calls this affiliate marketing. I call it monopoly- like the game. Because games are fun.

Creative Ways I personally have earned at least $300

Network marketing. Come on. Most of us have “tried it” at one point or another! I’ve been a part of Amway (In the old days) and Advocare in the more recent decade. In the end, network marketing just isn’t my sweet spot, but there are some incredible companies out there!

Blogging. This is where my online journey began and continues to grow today. “How can I turn my passion for writing and sharing stories into dimes, quarters, and dollar bills?” I earn income through ads, reviews, and selling products and classes I create all from my blog. All digital products. (Magic)

How to blog — Get 3 powerful strategies that will make readers love you + grow your traffic

{Time-Sensitve}

If you want to grow your blog’s traffic, you’ll love this free workshop for bloggers: How to Get More Traffic With Fewer Posts.

In one hour, you learn how to get more traffic with fewer posts using the best blogging strategies backed by science. A lot of free blogging workshops aren’t worth your time, but I went through this one myself and can vouch that you’ll get a ton of new practical tips and tricks for converting visitors to fans who keep coming back.

Grab your spot by Sunday, May 5: –>>Sign up Here

Selling printables. “I’m making them for my own kids… “Can I package my printable to sell online?” YEP! (Magic) I began my journey uploading my creations to Teachers Pay Teachers and now sell them on my blog and in an online store too. Join the NEXT Free Make and Sell Printables Bootcamp

Affiliate Marketing. After taking a blogging class, I shared a link to the next series of training and earned $300. “Wait? WHAT!?!” You mean I can share other peoples golden products and classes and earn a small (or big) commission for that sale? YES!! (Monopoly)

Create e-Classes. “If I make classes online will people enroll?” YES!! (Magic)

List of Side Hustles for Homeschool Moms

Don’t let the word hustle throw you off. I get emails all the time from stay at home homeschool moms who are desperate to make a few hundred dollars a month. We homeschool moms who wake before dawn and stay up too late to work are the image of hustle- busy and moving toward our goals.

Download your FREE Printable List Here.

Just want a no-fuss list of ways to make money from home?

But some of us need more than a no-fuss list. Some of us need a little more help and guidance. That’s why I created this guide.

Grab your printable Guide for working from home.

It includes:

A Plan Checklist
Five Ways I’ve Made $300+/each
Work from Home Checklist
8 Goals for the Work from Home Mom
Tips for Working with Kids Around

Use this guide to help you jump start your ideas, get yourself motivated and keep a hold of your family. When you’re done, do something cool with the paper! Psst! That’s another creative idea for your kids:).

My name is Rebekah Sayler, Professional Nerf Bullet Dodger, author of Homeschooling From the Inside Out, owner of A Better Way to Homeschool and homeschooling mom of five rambunctious sons. Yep. It’s as crazy as it sounds!

I am most thankful for the love and support of my husband of almost 30 years, Craig, for being my rock and best friend in this wildlife we created.

When I’m not dodging nerf bullets or stepping over piles of Legos, I create classes, printables, books, and resources to encourage Christian homeschool moms to trust the Lord in their journey. My heart’s passion is to share the truth that it is possible to educate your kids using God’s word as a guide while focusing on the holy trinity of homeschooling: heart, attitude, and character.

Join the Homeschool Sisterhood

Doors closing soon!!!

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Biology Study of Mushrooms that Captivates the Imagination

When teaching biology, don’t open that nifty science book until your kids gasp and whisper, “wow!”

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Homeschool Life! Let’s connect

What if you could find a place online that leave you better and more confident than you were when you clicked through?

A Place full of laughter, typos (because perfection is over-rated), and magic wand worthy hacks to help make your life easier?

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Easy Ways to Homeschool Through the Holidays

The easiest way to coast through homeschooling is to roll with the tide, seasons and calendar.

It’s the same idea as vacationing in the town you live: finding the hidden gems, enjoying the family owned hole in the wall restaurant, resting at a secret garden, parking your car in that one spot that always gets you to the beach faster.

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Inside: The secret to surviving life with your hormonal 12-year old son, 3 must reads if your raising boys and {Free printable: Raising Godly Men}

My son almost died today.

That’s right, I almost killed him.

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First things First

In the beginning, middle and end, God is in control of your homeschool journey!

Homeschooling is filled with wonder and many surprises. You’ll need some goals, materials, books & pencils for sure.

But you’ll also need:

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One Powerful Homeschool Hack that will Save your Sanity

Is your heart crying in your head, “Help! Homeschool…”

Are you, frantically searching for all the tips tricks, hacks, and curriculum for your precious kids? Their education rests on your shoulders, right?

The Secret to Being a Better Homeschooler Isn’t What You Think

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Inside: 9 Secrets of Successful Homeschooling from me to you.

I was a new homeschooler once.

I had a 5th grader, a kindergartener with major medical issues, a toddler and I was pregnant.

Ah, those were the days.

Trying to manage two of different grades of school
Trying to keep the baby safe
Hoping to get dinner on the table at the right time.
Trying to walk without pain from a very difficult pregnancy

Voila!

I was a mess.

A pregnant hot mess.

I was so concerned about the academic part of homeschooling that I almost buried my poor 5th-grader in schoolwork.

I stressed
I worried
I panicked

What if I messed his education up?

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Godly Women and Homeschool

Godly women are amazing.

Just look at that Proverbs 31 woman? She’s up before dawn, goes to bed after dark. She’s cooking, sewing and even buying vineyards.

I bet her To Do List was impressive.

Do you ever look at your list for today and wonder how on earth will you squeeze time in for the Lord on top of all the things you need to get done?

Is it really practical to put God first in your life?

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