Homeschool Lifestyle

Homeschool Lifestyle ~ Easy Way to Homeschool Episode 450

The very first podcast I ever created for Vintage Homeschool Moms was a podcast on the homeschool lifestyle and I asked the question is homeschooling what you do or who you are and it has had thousands of downloads and is probably one of my favorite all-time shows… so this podcast today is a revisiting of the topic eight years later and a question I’d like you to consider.

First – happy birthday to us! It is the 8^th bday of the UHPN – I want to give a shout out to our homeschool podcast network and the wonderful podcasters! They work hard to give you wonderful content for free – you can thank me and them by subscribing to their podcast channels – giving them a star rating and sharing the episode with a friend. Thanks so much for listening and your support!

I think it is appropriate that we celebrate year 8 of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network with a look at the Homeschool Lifestyle podcast I created years ago – it was and still is a major part of my life to consider that I am a homeschooler. I say it proudly because so much has changed from 1986 the year I began homeschooling to now. Back in the day the only homeschoolers I knew were a little on the strange side, they didn’t get out much but part of the reason was they were doing their schoolwork and many people still thought that homeschooling was not legal since the battle had been won not that long ago.

Homeschooling soon became of us a way of life. My kids were with me 24/7 and sometimes it was a bit frustrating to not have a minute to myself. But soon there were boundaries, rules learned and relearned and some character building and encouragement were taking place in order to forge a greater bond and friendship between each of my kids, I had two at that time.

We learned to do things together as a family. Schoolwork was the center and focus of our day and once that was completed the other items quickly stacked up such as grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking, and more. We worked and played together and once dad got home I was beat!

I realized as I struggled at times that I was trying to compartmentalize things. School here. Cleaning here. Groceries here. Cooking here. The score was kids, home and husband 100, me—zero. But, that was fine. I was young and had boundless energy until I didn’t.

I soon learned that homeschooling was more than a sum total of the time it took to complete academic subjects but that we could roll with the learning outside of the books, activities, and plans. We could incorporate learning no matter what we did. A trip to the grocery store turned into a lesson in math, or character wants vs. needs, and the quality of flexibility or self-control. A ride in the car turned into finding license plates from various states and finding the state on a map. We could count all the cars or trucks of one color – find all the blue trucks or green trucks. And, we would listen to lessons.

We began to incorporate the idea of day trips. On a weekend we’d take a Saturday or a Sunday and visit a local landmark, park, or museum. Of course, these turned into mini-lessons and the children thrived. We rescued a dog – several through the course of our homeschool, housed turtles and fish tanks, as well as learned about nature and the creatures that inhabited our lands. They looked at the world and saw a classroom beyond books. This was an exciting time for our family.

As the children got older their needs became focused. Several of my children were athletically gifted (they got this from their dad, not me!) and this meant trips to tournaments and practices. Again, all life lessons and incorporated into the overarching theme of their homeschool. We realized that looking at the world as a classroom meant that learning took place no matter what we were doing and this gave them a chance to pursue their interests.

One of my sons learned about mechanics, another would forge things out of metal and made a set of metal gloves that fit over his hands. He has these hanging on a plaque in his bedroom at college along with other things he made. My daughter, a natural athlete spent much of her time practicing softball, without being told. She loved the sport and played it in college on a scholarship and currently teaches at a prep school where she is also an assistant softball coach.

All the kids gave presentations, wrote papers, and studied history, science, and the like. Yet, they used their time to create, explore and work toward their goals and objectives.

Homeschoolers are still a little on the strange side and I say that in a positive way. We are not all fashion plates, although we might like fashion and shopping. We are not up on the latest song, viral video, or social post, not to say that we don’t have accounts. We are focused on our homes, our families, and what we can do for each other.

Homeschoolers volunteer – whether it is at a homeschool function, organizing a science or history fair, an inventors convention, or a field trip. We do things for others, when a family needs help we roll up our sleeves, babysit, or make meals. We are active in our church and volunteer there as well.

I think that this generation of homeschoolers who celebrate the homeschool lifestyle are trendsetters in that they lead rather than follow. The kids take initiative; they are creative they are innovative and have ideas that are well beyond their years. They are not afraid because they have not been belittled or bullied. Personally, my kids were pretty fearless in that they knew that if they tried something new and had a less than stellar outcome, we’d say something like – well, at least you tried. Great effort.

What is the typical classroom experience? It is set up for failure. Most kids can’t read, answer questions and remember everything that is important in the subject. Information is memorized, tests are completed and then the information is forgotten. How can you as a homeschool mom look at your family, your legacy and decide to create an atmosphere where learning is achieved not only in the traditional way but in a way that sparks creativity, innovation and ideas.

I interviewed an author a few weeks ago that shared that creativity is considered one of the most important traits in job hiring. Employers want employees that can figure out a solution without asking them every other second for the answer.

I invite you to listen to my first podcast, take the unofficial VHM test that is on the website. It is still as valid today as it was eight years ago – and as we celebrate this eighth year I once again thank you for being part of our listening family, and creating lasting memories in your own family! Subscribe, share and give me a star rating on your favorite podcast app –

A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor: Courageous Movie

From the Kendrick Brothers, creators of the No. 1 box-office movie WAR ROOM and OVERCOMER, comes the remastered re-release of COURAGEOUS Legacy, in theaters September 24. Celebrating 10 years of impact on families and fathers, this updated version of the film includes new scenes and an enhanced look and sound.

Filled with action-packed drama, COURAGEOUS Legacy will once again have viewers laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children. Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That’s courageous.