Successful Homeschooling: What if… What if by the time you finish teaching your kids… They are kind. They are confident. They look people in the eye when spoken to. They befriend the new kids. What if: They put down their phone when others are in the room. They are strong and hard working. They know how to cook, chop wood and change the oil on a car. They are compassionate and caring. They LOVE to read and devour the written word. They never text and drive What if: They hunt down information when their interests are piqued. They can balance their checkbook and manage a budget. They can break down a project into a workable timeline. They can manage a calendar. They can create powerpoint presentations and present their ideas to a group. Related: Download your free “WHAT IF” printable What if: They know how to receive instruction. They can add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. They can measure accurately using various tools. They can take a disappointment in stride. They lose with dignity and win with humility. Follow me on YouTube What if: They pass on compliments (…”my dad taught me that”) They can manage their own small business, like lawn care. They put things back where they found them. They acknowledge that a great team is worth its weight in gold. They master the art of harmony– working together blending talents and abilities for the greater good. … Read More »
How Parenting Books Make You a Better Mom Inside: 7 Steps- Use the Parenting Books you already own to make you a better mom. Last week I decided that all those parenting books on my bookshelves are only good for one thing: starting a bonfire. A big one. I was pulling my hair out. photo by Tamara Bellis My youngest two sons had been at each other’s throats all day. They fought about breakfast dishes. Almost went to war over why their stretchy gecko toy thingy shouldn’t be touched ‘under any circumstances’. And they dared go toe-to-toe with their loving, kind, and unraveling mom. … Read More »
Dad’s Role in Homeschooling: The Powerful Man Behind the Scenes Inside: Six homeschool lessons to glean from your kid’s dad. Even if he never picks up a red pen to help you grade a math test. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. But when the going gets tough in homeschool, moms across the globe search for answers. We corner teachers to glean classroom management skills. We laugh and cry with our girlfriends about our kids as we sip too much coffee. We pick the brains of other homeschoolers we happen to bump into at the grocery store. We Google in desperation. “Which curriculum is best for a dyslexic science-minded girl who refuses to wear matching socks on Tuesdays?” But ask the man in our lives his opinion about how to teach his children or how to manage our lives, No way Jose…. Read More »
71 Easy Adorable And Inexpensive Mothers Day Crafts Inside: A treasure for you to tuck away for your kids’ teenage years. She gave you heartburn while you were pregnant. photo by Inna Lesyk He ran you ragged for hours on end when he was three. … Read More »
Secret to Successful Homeschooling: Simplicity 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? … Read More »
4 Tips to Homeschooling Multiple Grades Simultaneously Inside: 4 Tips to help you homeschool Multiple ages and grades without losing your sanity. When I entered the water bumper boats with my boys I had no idea that I had a big target on my back. My husband decided to sit this ride out and let me take all five of our sons onto those little boats with water guns mounted on the front. What the heck was I thinking? … Read More »
The Beauty of Leaving Kids Hanging in a Story Inside: The Secret to Hooking Kids into the Habit of Reading- Teaching Kids to Read “I hate that book!” I couldn’t believe my then 3rd grader was turning his nose to a book I loved. Especially since he hadn’t even cracked the cover. “That’s OK,” I said. “But, you may not move from your seat and I will simply read it aloud to myself because I love it…” I began to read and read. Just when I could tell he had fallen in love with the story, and just at the height of excitement I shut the book. … Read More »
Childhood Should be Filled with Joy, Imagination, and WONDER Inside: 6 Questions every parent, teacher, and homeschooler should ask themselves about their kids. It’s 1976. I am super excited to go to my Kindergarten class today! Mrs. House is the best teacher ever. My friend Shelley and I sit next to each other in circle time as the class sings songs and talk about what is a good nutritious breakfast. Mrs. House isn’t too happy that I had a cup of coffee again today! I’m sure she will talk to mom again later! When mom picks me up from the bus stop, I start talking. … Read More »
Relaxed Homeschool? Yes, It’s possible! Inside: Homeschooling can be rip-your-hair-out hard. These Tips will help you hold on to your sanity and all of your hair. I almost hit my goals with homeschooling.I know, “Almost doesn’t count except in horseshoes, hand grenades”, and homeschooling.Grandma always said, “you cannot hit a goal unless you have a target.”I aim for being a loving wife, a cool mom and a relaxed homeschooler. That is my target. Relaxed homeschooling.Yep. I try to hit that one every day, week, month and year of homeschooling.Sometimes, I even hit my goal!It has taken me years to realize that relaxed homeschooling is not lazy homeschooling.…Read More »
46 Easy Freezer Meals to the Rescue: Life Hack Inside: Never panic about dinner again. 46 Easy Freezer Meals to the Rescue. I remember barely making it home. photo by Ricardo Alfaro When we lived up in the mountain a few years back, I would have to drive “down the hill” to go grocery shopping. At first, it was very romantic packing up the kids for more than half a day, driving down the mountain far enough into the atmosphere that you left wearing a jacket and arrived needing a bathing suit. Yeah, it got old quickly…. Read More »
But What if “I HATE” Poetry? How can I Teach it? Inside: 7 Steps to Accidentally Teach Your Kids Poetry. I promise it won’t hurt. Recently, I was talking with our local librarian and I chuckled. OK, I laughed at her. photo by kazu end I know it’s not nice, but she had set a fishing book out for all to see. FISHING. Her eyes twinkled as she told my youngest son about one of the funny snippets between the covers. Nope. He didn’t believe her either, but we checked it out anyway. … Read More »
Homeschooling Magic: Lessons From A Stranger’s Purse Inside: 8 Steps to help you create a plan for house management, meals, routines, fun, and homeschool. The first time we flew across the country with our then 3-year old, we thought we were ready. The flight was only supposed to be a few hours long- how bad could it be? We made sure our son slept well the night before, we ran him ragged before the flight, we packed some of his favorite toys and snacks, and we boarded the flight with a smile. We were sure we were ready. I was sure I was ready. Ha. … Read More »
Kindergarten: The First time I Got in Trouble in School Inside: Warmth for your taste buds and your soul. When I was in kindergarten, my teacher got mad at my mom. When Mrs. House asked me what I enjoyed for my healthy breakfast, I cheerfully replied, “Cereal and a cup of coffee!” Yep. Mom got a call that day. Of course, that is also the day the Mrs. House learned that my mom wouldn’t tolerate anyone telling her how to parent. Go, mom! Do you have a gold membership to the “I drink Coffee” club? I began drinking coffee before my first birthday, so I am a platinum member. … Read More »
Homeschooling with Babies and Toddlers: Quiet TIme Inside: Homeschooling with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers-Let me introduce you to my greatest secret for Survival Crib-time, Play-pen time, and Room time. Without a safe place to play, and a routine, my boys literally climb the walls… Parenting has changed so much since my oldest son was born, we need to clear up some basic vocabulary, so there is no confusion. Parenting Vocabulary: Room time: a block of time ranging from 5-60 minutes built into your child’s schedule where they play alone in a safe and secure environment. Alone: child is in a safe, and confined play space just out of sight of parent. Out of sight: baby/child cannot see mom, but mom is fully aware of what child is up to. Parent: the one in control of child’s routine. Child: little person being trained for future success as a functioning adult. Parent guided: parent decides what child will do. Period. Choice: the opportunity to enjoy the activity or go without fun time. Neglect: never a part of healthy child rearing and training. Controversial: Talking about parenting techniques that put the parent in control. 1. Prepare Place toys in bins, preferably in an area that you as the parent can easily control. Choose which toys are for crib-time/room-time. Safe Place From as early as the time when a baby can sit safely, begin setting baby in a playpen/crib with a safe age appropriate toy, or bin of toys. Timer Set timer for 5-15 minutes. Turn on music. Say “It’s play time”. Leave, But Be Attentive Leave the area, but stay alert. I have some children who are more prone to danger than others. ReEnter When timer “dings” quietly re-enter and say something like “play times over, time to clean up”. I always sang the cleanup song. Help child clean up their space. Mama, please remember, “If they can empty a basket/bin, then they can be trained to fill it!” Take the time to teach your children to clean up after themselves. Routine Schedule a play time in the morning, before snack time or outside time; one for just before nap time in the afternoon, or just before dinner prep time. Practice Makes Perfect Over time, slowly increase the amount of time, until the child can self-entertain for 45-60 minutes. Why build in quiet play time? Maintains parental control over baby’s environment Provides safe play area Keeps baby/toddler right where you need them to stay Provides an area of focus Encourages self-entertainment Stimulates concentration Unlocks creativity Creates peace and stability in the child’s day Vary locations: Remember: the goal of playtime is to train contentment while simultaneously creating a safe environment for learning. I recommend varying the location of playpen time at least once a week. This helps the child be more flexible. I have one child who craves routine far more than his other brothers, this varying of location helped him a great deal! Safe Environments: I added age appropriate toys and activities to the play area Crib Playpen High Chair Baby gate to keep child safely in the room I chose. Pet corrals (like the one picture above. This one worked beautifully for outdoor play! Car Seats. That’s right. I used a car seat in my home to help little ones sit for a short period of time. Rewards of Scheduled Independent Play: All five of my boys enjoyed this quiet and controlled play environments. I can’t tell you all the benefits I have seen over the years, but here are a few of the best ones: Kids learn to focus Kids have time to really explore a toy, story or idea I could use these pockets of time to focus on older kids and their harder subjects. Kids developed and created incredible “inventions” This pocket of time transitioned to quiet reading time (or Lego Time) as the boys got older. Encourages self-control Still a highlight of each boy’s day I wish I could help you understand how big of an asset it has been for me to have this pocket of time trained into my boys’ days. Here are some things they have created or completed during quiet time: Cowboys in action. He made glasses. He followed the directions and built his robot. Notice… I have him on my kitchen counter. I am right there preparing a meal. The other boys were in their quiet zones, but this little guy was required to play quietly with the stickers I gave him:. He knitted his own beanie on a knitting loom. )All five of my boys were taught to knit on a loom.) This is his OWN Lego Creation! He made a huge Turkey. (The picture doesn’t do it justice) He solved his rubik’s cube. Notice, most of these pictures show older kids: ages 3 and up. That is on purpose for two reasons: 1. My baby pictures are not digital and I am lazy:). 2. We train our babies so that they can reap the rewards later. Babies and toddlers that learn to sit still, play quietly and concentrate grow up to be incredible artists, builders, musicians, thinkers, readers, writers, gardeners, etc. Last word: Have patience. Any child can be trained to accept and love quiet time, but it takes thought and patience on your part. When I first learned about this possibility I already had a wild 5 year old and an infant. It took time to retrain the 5 year old, but I was patient and always made it a positive activity. Last, Last word: Are my kids perfect? (she gets up from laughing on the floor…) No way! There were days that the kids “chose” to complain or whine through their quiet time. I still pressed on. 98% of the time, they settled down and focused within a few minutes. (music helped set the mood) There were days that they refused to help clean up cheerfully. (They still were required to clean up.) There were many, many days that they threw fits because they did not want quiet time to end. (Never give in to fits. I always said, “If you want to play a few more minutes you need to ask cheerfully and nicely… Let’s try that again.” Then I would leave the room and say, “ready to try that again?” Then I would re-enter and give them a chance to ask correctly. The goal was training:) There were days they did not want to play with what I chose for them. But I was pretty firm. Some days I gave them a choice. I always gave them a bin/basket of books I chose. If they were done playing, they could read. They were not allowed to simply pull out other toys. **as they got older, they would clean everything up and ask if they could “please switch bins”. I never lost sight of the fact that “I was training them in the way they should go”. It is my job as mama to teach my boys how to play, how to speak, how to listen, how to concentrate, how to respond, how to clean-up, how to sit still, etc. Your Turn: Do you train/schedule parent controlled quiet time in your day?