The Coop Group: How We Created a Casual Co-op
Community is essential for homeschoolers! That is why we created our very own casual co-op, our Coop Group. We share how it came about and all the ways we continue to invest in our homeschool friends.
Community, Co-Ops, and “Micro-Schools”
Finding community is usually one of the top pieces of advice I give to new homeschoolers. Community looks different for every family based on our own social needs and desire for support. Maybe you prefer to be the leader and organizer of a community, or may you prefer to just be a part of one.
Should I Let My Kid Quit?
It’s so hard to know when quitting is the right decision or when it is a detriment to our child’s development. How do we know when we should let our child quit? We discuss research, helpful questions to ask and consider, and some practical tools to figuring out this hard parenting question with your child.
Why Teach History Through Games
Ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives are what makes history fascinating! It’s important to find ways for your children to connect with history so that they too can enjoy the triumphs of others - and games are one way.
Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten?
This topic is one that stresses out many parents, but it is important to recognizing kindergarten readiness and when to push. Let’s define kindergarten and then look at what is developmentally feasible.
Never Say Never: Things You Said You’d Never Do As A Parent
I said I would never assign a grade level to my child, but never say never.
10 Tips for Road Trips: Planning
Road trips can be the ultimate immersive learning experience - but it takes proper planning to make it the epic trip of your dreams. This planning how-to will really start your engine!
Homeschooling Birthday Parties: Making the Plan
Planning birthday parties is a fun, child-led opportunity for teaching your children event planning. Here’s a simple checklist and some easy tips to walk your child through this fun process.
First Week of School: Interview Your Kids on Film
Interview your kids your first week of school. This will build a treasure chest of your child’s first hand thoughts on experiences, favorites, fears, and dreams that you will cherish for a lifetime.
Summer Recharge: 5 Ways to Renew Your Homeschool Spirit
It’s summer, so let’s recharge our homeschool inspiration! With a these few ideas, your summer will not fly by and will feel intentional and renewing for your homeschool spirit.
Interacting With Homeschool Haters
We all encounter haters in our lives. Some haters are people easy to dismiss and others are important people in our lives who disagree loudly with us. Either way, when it comes to homeschooling, it is important to know how to interact with the haters.
No Content Left Behind: Managing Expectations for Grade Level Standards
As homeschoolers, do we need state standards? Will necessary content be left behind if we do not follow the standards? We discuss educational gaps and more here and on our podcast, episode 40.
The Pumpkin Patch: It’s a Gourd Time
Pumpkin patches are memory-making experiences for the whole family! There are so many activities and learning opportunities for your homeschool day. This free pumpkin patch activity book download will enrich your child’s day as well!
The About Me Book: A Favorite Back to School Tradition
I want my kids to have a play-back of memories and emotions from their childhood. The play back is a glimpse into who they were as children. It’s a non-tech snapshot of a moment in time - it might be the only one, since many kids do not keep diaries anymore. So, I make sure my kids have an About Me book to complete every year during the first week of school.
Let Them Play: 10 Ways to Homeschool Preschool
As educationally conscious parents, what can we do to facilitate this amazing learning process called “Play”? There are so many ways to offer an enriching, wonder-filled preschool life for your child and your whole family. Let’s dive in with 10 educational ways to play with your preschooler.
How to Homeschool
So you’ve decided to homeschool, now what? Once you are officially set, you can start the much more fun process of setting up and planning your homeschool adventure.
Homeschooling Privately Under the State
Homeschooling is currently an option available to every child in all 50 states, although, the regulations and requirements vary in each. Let’s walk through the process!
Mission Possible: Writing Your Homeschool Mission Statement
So, as a homeschooler, new or seasoned, if you don’t have a mission statement in homeschooling, it’s time to write one. I know, it sounds super self-helpy, but your mission statement fuels your homeschool life - it not only helps keep you on track, but it is a major power behind what you plan and do in your homeschooling.
Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
I gave this advice to my nephew when he graduated last year from high school and would be leaving soon for UCLA. “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. You are good at so many things, so be great at being uncomfortable.”