Homeschool Do-Overs | Getting Mom Wise + Giveaway

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

homeschool do-overs

Would it be great to have homeschool do-overs? What’s a homeschool do-over? It’s when you get the opportunity to learn from others and make pivots in your homeschool. The benefit? Besides the wisdom, you can have a homeschool with no regrets. It’s time to get mom wise!

Homeschooling is a deeply rewarding experience for both parents and children. As homeschool moms, we pour our hearts into providing our kids with the best education possible, but it’s natural to reflect on our journey and think about the things we would do differently if we had the chance to start anew. These “homeschool do-overs” offer valuable insights that can transform our approach, making it more fun, relaxed, and filled with cherished memories.

Catch the 500th Episode here.

[Our Mom Wise Giveaway celebrating Felice’s 500th Podcast is at the bottom of this post, don’t miss it! ]

1. Embracing Flexibility and Adaptability

One of the most significant lessons learned through homeschooling is the importance of flexibility and adaptability. In our quest for academic excellence, we sometimes forget that life is an ever-changing canvas. Our do-over would emphasize embracing change, being adaptable to different learning styles, and acknowledging that not all days will go as planned.

2. Nurturing a Love for Learning

In hindsight, we would focus more on cultivating a genuine love for learning rather than solely chasing grades and academic milestones. We would encourage curiosity, explore diverse interests, and create an environment where learning is an exciting adventure. Whether it’s stargazing in the backyard or embarking on a nature walk to learn about local flora and fauna, these experiences leave lasting impressions.

3. Fostering Creativity and Artistic Expression

A homeschool do-over would definitely include integrating more art and creativity into our daily lessons. Encouraging our children to express themselves through painting, drawing, writing stories, or composing music can ignite their imagination and foster a sense of self-expression. Such activities become cherished memories for both the kids and us.

4. Prioritizing Outdoor Education

Homeschooling allows the freedom to take learning beyond the confines of four walls. We would incorporate regular outdoor education by taking frequent field trips to museums, parks, historical sites, and cultural events. These experiences enrich the learning process, make subjects come alive, and create an unforgettable bond with the world around us.

5. Incorporating Play into Learning

The do-over would also remind us to infuse playfulness into our homeschool routine. Play is a powerful tool for learning, especially for younger children. Whether it’s using educational board games, interactive learning apps, or imaginative play, incorporating play can turn mundane subjects into exciting adventures.

6. Balancing Structure and Freedom

Homeschooling offers the unique advantage of balancing structure and freedom. Our do-over would involve finding the perfect equilibrium that ensures a consistent learning schedule without stifling creativity or overwhelming the kids. Striking this balance would lead to a more relaxed and enjoyable homeschool experience.

7. Building Lifelong Relationships

In our homeschool do-over, we would prioritize building connections with other homeschool families and local communities. Social interactions are crucial for children’s emotional and social development. By organizing meet-ups, co-op classes, or volunteer activities, we create a network of support and shared experiences that contribute to cherished memories.

8. Navigating Challenges with Patience

Homeschooling is not without its challenges, and our do-over would remind us to approach them with patience and understanding. There will be tough days when frustration looms, but with patience and open communication, we can transform these challenges into valuable opportunities for growth and learning.

9. Documenting the Journey

As homeschool moms, we often get so caught up in the daily grind that we forget to document the beautiful moments. In our do-over, we would keep a journal, take pictures, or create scrapbooks to cherish and revisit these memories. Looking back on these keepsakes will be a testament to the wonderful journey we’ve undertaken together.

10. Keeping the Main Thing, the Main Thing

It’s easy as homeschoolers to take our faith for granted, isn’t it? We can fall into the thinking that Sunday is enough. After all, they go to worship. But, if we don’t model a deeper devotional life, spend time studying the Bible, and make our faith the MAIN thing, then neither would they. Learning to embrace who God made us to be, will help them embrace their own God-given identity.

Embracing Homeschool Do-Overs: Crafting a Fun, Relaxed, and Memorable Learning Journey

Homeschool do-overs offer us a chance to refine our approach to education, creating an environment that is fun, relaxed, and full of memories. By embracing flexibility, nurturing a love for learning, incorporating creativity and play, and balancing structure with freedom, we can craft a homeschooling experience that leaves a lasting impact on our children’s lives. Let us embark on this journey with open hearts and minds, knowing that we are not striving for perfection, but rather for a memorable and joyous learning adventure.


Giveaway to Celebrate Felice Gerwitz, Vintage Homeschool Mom’s 500th Podcast!

 

Jesus and Moms / 6 Ways to Show Love to Your Children

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

 

Free podcast for moms encouraging them in their calling of motherhood

 

Jesus and Moms – 6 Ways to Show Love to Your Children

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Show notes: What I’d like to share tonight is a way to embrace the vocation and high calling of motherhood that keeps our eyes on Christ.


First, let’s look at how Jesus taught. This will help us in our daily, minute-by-minute instruction of our children no matter what age they may be. This is also called relationship.

If we look at the life of Christ we see that Jesus was loving. He repeated spiritual truths over and over so that people might understand. He walked among the people healing them, by asking them questions, and by imparting truth through ways they could understand (Mark 4:34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.)

Jesus was someone who attracted others. He had a way of pointing to the Father that satisfied the needs of people. He knew how to satisfy their greatest spiritual needs. Even when they just returned for more bread, he knew they had a greater need.

6 Ways to Show Love to Your Children

Here are ways he did just that, and how as Moms we can be encouraged that if we will follow the master Jesus will meet their needs and our own.

  1. Children need to feel safe, loved, and important.  Do you have a consistent temperament? Do you meet as well as you are able your children’s basic needs for clothing, shelter, and food? Is your discipline consistent or are your children unsure of what to expect? Can your child confide in your? We are especially admonished not to provoke our children to anger or discouragement (Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.Jesus makes us feel safe, loved, and important in his very life (lived sinlessly), death (for our sins), and resurrection (for our justification) that we might have peace with God the Father, Romans chapter 4.
  2. Children must trust their parents Do you keep your word to your children? Do you keep your word to others so your children witness this? Do you do your best to make sure that trustworthy adults influence your children? Remember when we talked about how Jesus patiently repeated things to his followers (and for our benefit) so we’d understand? This built trust. We can trust him because He did exactly what he said he would do. Read Mark 8,9, and 10. He said he would suffer, die, and rise. He did.
  3. Children need to know their worth Do your children understand that their value as a human and made in the image of God? Do your children see how important they are to you by the time and real attention you give to them? Are you full of distraction? God’s Word tells us children are a heritage (Psalm 127) and fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139), and that the Father would hold nothing back in saving them should they stray, and in fact he didn’t hold back his only son. (Matthew 18 and the parable of the lost sheep)
  4. Children need to see their purpose and calling Do your children see that they’ve been created by God and live in the culture and time we live in “for such a time as this”. Do you? Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
  5. Children need chores Constant entertainment is soul-destroying to anyone, especially a child. There is value in work that sparks their creativity and curiosity and helps them see their place in God’s world. Again, Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
  6. Wisdom and role models- Children need your guidance and the guidance of trusted adults, especially as they become young adults themselves to help grow discernment. Who do you know that exhibits wisdom that would be a good influence? Do you exhibit wisdom to your children? Proverbs 13:20 tells us, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

Learn more about Susanna Wesley here.

 

Making Wise Choices with Free Homeschool Materials (and Giveaway)

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Free Homeschool Materials | Making Wise with Free Homeschool Curriculum

Free homeschool materials are so popular right now. I don’t see this trend going away. It’s too easy to google and find all kinds of free resources. But, let’s be wise when it comes to these freebies.

Making Wise Choices with Free Homeschool Materials

When you start your homeschool curriculum search, it doesn’t take long to realize you’ll be spending some money. However, most homeschool families are also single-income families. This can make it appealing to school your children completely on the freebies you find online. I want to challenge you to start with a strong homeschool mission statement or philosophy of education before you start down the freebie-only road. Make sure the free resources align with the overall goal you’ve sent for your homeschool.

Developing a Mission Statement for Your Homeschool

This doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with a simple list of the things that are important to you. Answering these questions can be a good start:

Simple Mission Statement

Answering these basic questions can help you create a simple mission statement that can guide your purchases or choices of free homeschooling curriculum. A simple mission statement might be something like this, “Our homeschooling model is based upon our Christian faith and desire to establish that Faith as the foundation upon which all curriculum choices are made. Academics are a top concern, as it’s important to our family that our children be able to reason and communicate not just their faith, but all things. We will work together as parents to ensure we stay committed to these basic ideals.”

Methods of Homeschooling

Once you’ve developed a basic mission statement, you can begin to look at the different methods of homeschooling. Knowing HOW you plan to education your kids is as important as WHY you’ll educate them at home.

Here are some helpful podcasts that can assist you in determine your method of homeschooling:

Understanding the Value of Free Curriculum

For most homeschooling moms, free curriculum is a supplement to their main curriculum. It might even be something we fall back on when times are tough. Looking at how curriculum is developed and the role of free curriculum can also help you make wise choices.

Give a listen to Is Free Curriculum Really Free? by Felice Gerwitz to get a better understanding of the pro’s and con’s of  free curriculum.

Felice Gerwitz has been a curriculum writer and developer for over 25 years and knows the painstaking hours that go into the development of curriculum. She’s spoken on the importance of using your homeschool mission and method to make your homeschool as successful as can possibly be.

She joins her voice to that of Carol Topp & Cindy West in their episode, 5 Warnings Against Frugal Homeschooling.

Her desire to provide quality, affordable homeschool materials gave birth to MediaAngelsMembership.com where you can homeschool your entire family starting at just $15 per month.

Make a Wise Decision

Knowing that for most of us, we’re homeschooling with eternity in mind. Choosing the very best in homeschooling materials and methods are something we take seriously. Free homeschool material has a place in the education of your children, but I challenge you today to think about how far you go with frugality. If you choose a free homeschool curriculum, look for one, such as Ambleside Online or Easy Peasy which offers a more cohesive approach.

You can make use of homeschool curriculum swaps, resale or homeschool consignment stores, eBay, or Amazon. Check out these resources:

PS. Here are some additional resources you can try to save money on other areas to better afford homeschool materials

To Help You on Your Homeschooling Journey

We’re all moms here (and dads!) and we know what it’s like for money to be tight. To kick of your back to homeschool, Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network is participating with our blogging friends to bring you the following giveaway! …  (be sure and see our privacy and giveaway policy).


Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network partners with Back to Homeschool Giveaways

Another (home) school year is upon us!

Some of you may have already started your year, or some of you might school all year long, or some of you might be making those final curriculum decisions before your new year starts.  Whatever boat you are in, I’m sure you could use a little extra money for homeschool curriculum or resources.  Am I right?
I’ve gotten together with some fellow homeschool bloggers and we are pooling our money together to bless two homeschool families with a gift card to spend on their homeschools.  How does $250 sound in helping you buy curriculum, books, games, puzzles, or whatever educational supplies you might need?  Two people will win a $250 gift card to Timberdoodle!!

We know homeschooling can put financial strain on families – whether it’s from living on one-income or buying curriculum for multiple children – the financial aspect of it can be stressful.  Our hope is that we can bless a couple of homeschool families (although we wish we could bless many more) so they can buy the curriculum and supplies they need.

Enter to Win

To enter for your chance to win, simply use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.  Now I know that is quite a few entries for you, but each of these bloggers generously chipped in their own money to bring you this giveaway, so I hope you will take the time to do all of the entries.  And hey, the more entries you do, the better your odds are of winning!

Giveaway ends Aug. 15, 2018 at 11:59pm ET.  Must be at least 18 years of age.  Must be a resident of U.S. or Canada to enter.  Selected winners will have 48 hours to respond to email notification to claim their prizes or another winner will be drawn.  By entering this giveaway, you agree to be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers.  Please be sure to read the Terms & Conditions upon entering the giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Informer Podcast with Carol Barnier

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Informer Podcast Barnier2On today’s show, join our host Tara Bentley as she talks with Carol Barnier. Barnier is the author of many home education books such as Engaging Today’s Prodigal, The Big WHAT NOW Book of Learning Styles, and she is the brains behind the popular website for families with special learners, SizzleBop.com. Carol is also a featured speaker for the 2015 IAHE Home Educators’ Convention.

This fun, fast paced podcast covers topics such as teaching your ADHD child, encouragement on starting your homeschool, Barnier’s personal testimony, and rabbit trail learning.

Do you need ideas and encouragement for starting your ownhomeschool? Do you want to find ways to make history and learning fun for you and your child? Are you a terrible house keeper? This is the show for you.

Be sure to stay tuned till the end of the podcast!

Carol is giving away two FREE copies of her book The Big What Now Book of Learning Styles: A Fresh and Demystifying Approach.