Today’s podcast episode is a little bit different than my regular deal because I invited my hubby to join me. I had so many good ideas for today’s podcast and couldn’t decide so we ended up doing it Q&A style and tackling a few different topics in one episode.

This post is your resource for links and additional information about each question we covered: budget, large family, high school, summer school, is homeschooling better than public school, how to tailor your child’s education, how to teach to the family, dealing with multiple ages and stages (homeschooling with babies and toddlers), my favourite homeschool books for both kids and parents, and more!

Funny, serious, and definitely quirky, this episode will at the very least provide some entertainment

1. Cindy’s question: Homeschooling a wide variety of ages

What homeschooling 5 kids really looks like

2. TJ’s question: favourite read alouds or reading series for kids

Read alouds:

–The One and Only Ivan

I also like to read a lot of poetry as well as picture books that are shorter stories and not so daunting. My kids love these as do I.

Favorite series/books for my kids to read:

–The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls

Homeschooling though Highschool

5 Things You Need to Know about Homeschooling Teens

Homeschooling through the Summer

Why we homeschool (ahem, kind of) through the summer

Juggling little ones while homeschooling

Homeschooling with a Baby

Is homeschooling better than public school?

Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

Why Homeschooling is worth it (podcast episode)

Tailoring your child’s education

The Learning Style Quiz

The Homeschool Style Quiz

The Curriculum Quiz

My top homeschool resource books

The Brave Learner

If you have something you want to hear about in this podcast, post it below!

The post #46 Homeschooling Q&A appeared first on Homeschool On.

Planning speaking engagements and presentations, writing curriculum and books, blog posts, live videos, responding to comments and emails, creating courses… this is my life. This is what I do into the wee hours of the morning, this is what I do when my kids are sleeping or playing outside. This is what I do instead of hanging out with friends or watching a show in the evening: I work. Thankfully I am passionate about my work and most days, I love it with all my heart. But it doesn’t change the fact that I am more than just my work. I am also the world to my 5 kids, I am the world to my husband, I am involved in ministry and I have friendships that I value and a house that is always calling my name. To say I am busy is quite simply an understatement.

But somewhere in the midst of the chaos I also have to find time to homeschool. And somewhere in the midst of all of this chaos I am re-evaluating everything. Like the midlife crisis of a middle aged man I am asking myself “why” for everything. I am digging deep within to make sure that the direction I am headed is where I want to be. I am over halfway there, time is short, what am I doing?

Today’s podcast episode is about balancing work and homeschool. I don’t talk about managing your home and cooking good meals, I just talk about priorities, limitations and choosing between your head and your heart. Some people have the luxury of doing both, moms who work do not. We have to be vicious in our decision making, cut-throat. We can’t hold onto something because we want to or because we feel obligated. Every decision has to be checked and balanced with our goals, priorities and limitations. Sometimes we need to say yes, a lot of times we need to say no.

I snapped a few pictures of my homeschool planner from the last few days to show you my heart on paper. We will still use curriculum, I am not sure what yet, but I want them to be tools in my belt, not something we have to do.

Big picture and tools in my belt

We want to incorporate all those amazing Charlotte Mason principles and create a feast of education, but we can’t do it all so I created a loop in a kind of artistic way to show how we can alternate some of those extra things that we don’t need to do every day. On the bottom I show what we could do more often/on our school days.

I feel compelled to find the beauty of art and journaling even for myself

It is now the next day and I honestly can’t remember what links I mentioned other than speaking. If you want to hear me speak, you can see the US conventions I am in here or come and listen to me at AHEA in Alberta!

I am not joking when I say I take my inspiration from you! If you have something in particular you haven’t seen on my podcast that you want to hear my thoughts on, please please please post them below. If you want to chime in on today’s podcast episode, ask a question, tell me something my 2am brain missed or anything else, post a comment!

Otherwise, until next time my friends!

The post #45 Balancing Work and Homeschool appeared first on Homeschool On.

If you follow me on Instagram you have probably heard the melody of change. Something new is on the horizon and I am in the middle of processing what it is and what it looks like.

I feel a calling, a stirring deep within, to step out of the shallows of homeschooling into deeper waters. Let the tide pull me out where my feet leave the ground and I lose my footing and am lost in the waves, the rhyme and rhythm of the flow of our days.

Lately I feel like God is asking me to evaluate what education means to me, my vision for homeschooling and to consider something new. To break away from the pressures of bookwork and to consider a deeper, more enchanted education. It doesn’t feel like a command of obedience, it feels like a whispered invitation, a dare even: “Rebecca, can you homeschool without curriculum? Without the tests and the blanks and the “proof” that you find your security in? Can you let go of your security blanket and find TRUE homeschool freedom?”

I don’t know… can I?

This new melody is thrumming in my veins, a drum beat grounding me, propelling me to search for something new. I am not certain yet what the full song will be, but I am on an adventure into something different.

Today’s podcast episode is my musings, my ponderings on a subject that is still an infant thought in my mind. Let’s consider that education could be more than just filling in the blanks and perhaps there is another way.

I have been so inspired and at the same time thrown for a loop that I have been losing myself in art. The deadlines are piling up and yet all is ignored while I paint and sketch and doodle and write and plan and work out the message of my head vs. the message of my heart.

If you want to see my hand painted journal and travellers notebook, I made an Instagram story and pinned it to my highlights. To view it simply go to my Instagram feed and look at the little circles under my bio. Find the one that says homeschool planning.

Book I am reading: The Brave Learner (life changing)

Join the conversation! Post your comments below!

The post #44 Can You Homeschool Without Curriculum? appeared first on Homeschool On.

Homeschooling is one of the most challenging journeys I have ever embarked upon. I have been tested and stretched and pulled and tried beyond what I thought I could handle. I have learned that many of my perceived limits only exist in my mind. I have grown as a person.

In the midst of the chaos, overwhelm and monotony of the every day it is easy to miss the moments. The treasures that are a glimmer of color and sparkle in the trenches: my 5 year olds giggle, the adorable little girl sound of my 6 year old’s voice, snuggling with my 9 year old while he finally sounds out a word and grins in triumph.

I am no different than any other homeschool mom out there, I have my hard days. But the good days make it all worth it. They remind me why I am doing this and keep me going. Today’s episode starts off with an interview with my 6 year old. She shares some of her thoughts on homeschooling, what it means, a typical day, even her thoughts on socialization. I finish off with my thoughts on why we are doing this and some of the homeschool benefits I have seen along the way.

Skip guide (don’t have time to listen, skip to these time codes to listen!)

#1 7:30- The Moments (I’m selfish and don’t want to miss anything)

Brave Writer course (started today but you can still join)

Join the conversation and comment below or save the post for later!

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The post #43 Why Homeschooling is Worth It appeared first on Homeschool On.

Whining, fussing, crying, and general bad attitudes can be like a pin to the bubble of your homeschool day. No matter how much enthusiasm and planning you bring to the table, if your kids aren’t on board it can pop even the best of plans in no time! Today’s episode is your lifejacket in the midst of the swells of disinterest. Come and join me to learn some practical strategies and tips to help you find a way to make school more engaging and fun and productive again.

Homeschooling the Uncooperative Child (TONS of practical ideas to help)

Course description: Total Time Makeover is a one-month self-paced online course for kids of all ages. It will discuss the importance of time management, identifying time wasters, various time management skills and strategies, creating realistic goals and vision casting, as well as day-to-day planning. Children will learn how to make their own planners using a simple notebook you can snag at the dollar store or a local office supply store. They will learn how to create reward systems and set their own consequences for their actions (ie. natural consequence of not being able to play with friends if they don’t get their school work done) to help them take ownership of their time and their school to help them be more successful and independent.

Lessons are delivered via a daily video with a printable PDF worksheet for them to brainstorm and take notes while they watch (available in the online course platform). There will also be challenges and motivation emailed daily. This course is designed to help youth be more aware and efficient with their time and equip them with the strategies and skills they need to be self-motivated and purposeful.

The post #42 When they Don’t Want to do School appeared first on Homeschool On.

This is the season that homeschool burnout settles in. It seeps through the cracks of our impatience, the mundane of our half-finished books, the grating of the kids whining yet again. Things are not as exciting, the passion seems to have tapered off, and we are left trying to pick up the pieces and salvage the day. But here’s the thing, I want so much more than just homeschool survival. My goal is greatness, passion, joy, excitement, and wonder. My goal is an environment and an atmosphere that we ALL want to be a part of.

Julie’s new book, The Brave Learner, is the perfect pick-me-up to a mid-year slump. The very first chapter caught me completely off guard. You can tell a good book when it makes you want to read it. You can tell if a book is great when you can’t put it down. But every once in a while, a book that is extraordinary rises to the surface. It is the book that you continually put down, you have to stop and DO. It inspires change, it propels you to action. THIS, my friend, is the gift of The Brave Learner. It is not just philosophies and ideas, it is practical tips and strategies and things to try! It can help you transform your day!

When I first asked Julie to be a guest on my podcast, I knew I wanted to help get the word out about her amazing new book. But I didn’t come with a planned agenda. I wanted to hear her why, her heart behind the book, and what some of the principles might look like in action. More or less, I kind of just wanted to share my morning coffee with Julie and show my listeners what an incredible source of inspiration she is. This podcast episode is such a treat for me, the privilege of sitting down and chatting about homeschooling with this amazing lady is so worth the time it takes to listen. I hope it inspires you as much as she inspires me.

Learn more about Brave Writer

Want more help with Brave Writer and learning how it works? Come on over to my Facebook Group: Keep Calm and Brave Writer On!

Post your questions, comments, and special requests below!

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The post #41: More than Homeschool Survival appeared first on Homeschool On.

Have you ever felt angry? Frustrated? Impatient? Irritated? DONE with homeschooling? Parenting is hard enough on its own but with the mounting pressures and responsibilities of homeschooling, it can be a volcano waiting to erupt. Some days are harder than others, some are easier. Sometimes you have a good strong streak and all of a sudden your temper flares up when you least expected it. It can throw you off track, it catches you off guard. Other times you feel stuck in a pattern or cycle of anger that you can’t seem to get out of. Today’s podcast episode is your lifeboat!

Today we are talking about some of the common anger triggers that homeschool parents face and some practical strategies to help you deal with them before they erupt and derail your day! Kind of like a fire drill, I’m going to teach you how to stop, drop and roll on the flames of your anger! Because it doesn’t have to control your day or be your reality anymore!

I don’t think I mentioned any links in today’s podcast episode, but I did promise to have some of the common anger triggers and strategies listed for anyone who was looking, so here they are!

The point here is to catch yourself before you get to that point of anger and yelling. I know this isn’t easy, I know that stuff comes up and that we are a work in progress. You will make mistakes, I make mistakes every day. But show your kids that they are worth fighting for. Show them that you are working on yourself just as you ask them to work on themselves. Have grace for your kids and show them your struggles so that they will have grace for you.

Find support, lean in to your friends, talk about it more, and take a deep breath. You maybe can’t do this alone, but you absolutely can with a little bit (or a lot) of Jesus and a friend at your side.

Comment below and help another homeschooler out! Share your best advice and strategies for dealing with frustration and anger in your homeschool!

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The post #40 Dealing with Homeschool Anger appeared first on Homeschool On.

How do I know it’s enough? Should I add more? What if I miss something? What are kids learning at this age? The questions swirl in our minds and instead of walking forward in confidence that we know our children best, we are frozen with insecurity. Homeschool doubt is a real thing and today’s podcast episode is hopefully one small step to convincing you that It isn’t about quantity, it is about quality.

In today’s episode we talk about identifying if it is enough. We talk about letting go of outside pressures and expectations and finding the freedom to make our homeschool everything we want it to be. We talk about our model of education, the school system, and I wonder if it is the best model for us to follow. We talk about how school once was taught and the examples we have of people who made a difference in the world using this model.

My kids are in the background and this is real life!

Links:

Homeschool day course (starting February 4th)

Are you plagued with homeschool doubt or insecurity? What have you found to help? How do you determine what success is? Is it about quantity for you or quality? What is your goal with this whole homeschool thing? Join the conversation and comment below!

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The post #39 Dealing with Homeschool Doubt appeared first on Homeschool On.

I have seen the posts: What homeschoolers wish their friends knew, 5 things homeschoolers want you to know, etc. etc. But I have never seen one from a mom to her homeschooled child and that needs to change. I mean, I don’t really care what my friends or acquaintances think but I DO care (a LOT) about what my kids think. This post is a bit different than the traditional approach, it is less of a “I wish you knew that I am always here for you no matter what…” and more of a “I wish you knew that learning is not a punishment…” kind of post. This podcast episode has a bit of sarcasm built in and to be honest, I’m not sure I’ll ever have my kids listen to it. But I know that you as a homeschool mom will be able to relate to at least some of these points and maybe it can open some communication between you and your child.

No problem! Homeschoolers are busy, I get it! I have put together a rough outline of the podcast to help you get the gist of it or see if it is worth the time to listen to. But to hear the whole story behind each point, you need to listen. This one was SUPER fun to record. It has the serious, it has the heart wrenching moments, it has the funny moments, such a beautiful picture of the ups and downs of homeschooling!

10 Things I Wish my Homeschooled Kids Knew:

1. Mommy is trying really hard: I make mistakes and I need you

This is just a preview, if you want to hear the whole hilarious episode you need to either listen here on the podcast or come on over and subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher so you get all the latest episodes (links are underneath the player above).

I hope you have an amazing day and keep calm and homeschool on!

Language Lessons for a Living Education vs. The Good and the Beautiful Comparison

Comment below and join the conversation!

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The post #38 10 Things Homeschoolers Wish Their Kids Knew appeared first on Homeschool On.

Some days I come to sit at my computer with no agenda. In the past when I didn’t know what to talk about I would walk past my podcast mic. Each week I watched the dust settle and each week the emails trickled in, “Where was I?” This year I am attempting to go for consistency, but sometimes I don’t have a burning message on my heart to share. Some weeks I just want to invite you into my home and my addled homeschool mom brain and have a cup of tea with you. And that, my friends, is the heart behind today’s podcast episode.

Today we are talking about balance, or the lack thereof. I share a real life glimpse at my own expectations vs. reality. The peaks and the valleys, the ups and the downs, this journey is imperfect and it isn’t easy. Sometimes you just need to vent to another homeschool mom who gets it. And that is kind of what today is, a vent.

Real life homeschooling is a mess–at least in this house! Some days I can’t find the books we need, some days we don’t start until nearly lunch, some days I forget to make dinner (or plan on not making dinner, let’s be real). Some days I thrive, but there are other days that I feel like I barely survive. Let’s talk about it!

I LOVE hearing your comments on this podcast. Can you relate? What does homeschooling look like for you right now? What are some of your unrealistic expectations and what can we do about it? Post your thoughts below and join the conversation (or start one!). Plus, if there is something you want to hear on this podcast, PLEASE tell me! I am not a visionary, I am a runner. I can catch a vision and run, like a hound with a scent, I can make it happen and bring it to fruition. That is really the story of my blog, my books, everything that I do. But some days I am so tired of creating things that my brain just feels empty and used. So if you have a thought, something burning on your heart, tell me about it! I want to make this podcast relevant to you!

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The post #37 Real Life Homeschool Chat appeared first on Homeschool On.