Stress-Free Weddings II: The Team

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October 16, 2023 by Laura Leave a Comment

Stress-Free Weddings II: The Team

In “Stress-Free Weddings II: The Team,” episode #196, Meredith Curtis talks to families with a wedding on the horizon who long for a peaceful, joy-filled celebration. In part II, Meredith helps you gather and utilize a team of friends and family members to get rid of chaos and enjoy smooth sailing through the photo shoots, parties, rehearsal, and wedding day. From the practical to the relational, you will receive wisdom from an experienced Mother of the Bride.

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show Notes

You just found out! Celebrate, invest emotionally, make a plan with the couple

Take a Deep Breath!

In Stress-Free Weddings I: The Task, I share all the things that are part of planning a wedding. I encouraged the wedding planner (usually mom) to relax, celebrate, and pray first. Often a quiet dinner with the couple where they are free to dream big (later you can pare down) is a great start to the wedding festivities.

Another review – Things to remember

You are throwing a party for your family & friends to celebrate
You can be simple (low cost) or extravagant
A Wedding Planner with a Timetable is essential – I made copies of certain pages for certain people
God is the God of Miracles!
Pastor/Premarital Counseling
Bride & Groom Choose Support Team (wedding party)
Mom, you choose your support team because usually the wedding coordinator is you!

Who Can Be Part of Your Team

Parents of the Bride & Groom
Wedding Party Members
Siblings, Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Other Family Members
Friends from Church
People Who Just Love a Wedding
Paid People – Photographer, Caterer, Florist, etc.

How Can You Utilize Your Team

To have a small or big part of the special day or preparations beforehand

Match skills to tasks
My friend Pattie had 1 task – to get the bride down the aisle on time
Communicate with others in charge of things (e.g. Rehearsal/Rehearsal dinner blunder)

Here are some things they might do

Pass out corsages & boutenierres
Carry an “Emergency Kit”
Keep Everyone Hydrated
Set up Tables for Reception
Decorate Tables for Reception
Build a Dance Floor
Cook and Bring Food for Reception
Make Wedding Veil
Make Silk Flower Arrangments
Make Decorations
Keep Punch Bowl Filled
Decorate Church (we had wedding party do this after rehearsal – everyone had a task and it went super quick!)
Set Up Photo Booth
Take Extra Photos during Ceremony & Reception (Wanda)
Designate a Photographer at each Pre-Wedding Event
Attend Guest Book
Play Piano or do a Solo

Ways to Communicate with Team

Keep a list – printed or in phone
Keep Everything CLEAR & CONCISE (people tune you out if you go into too much detail)
Repsonsbility Cards for Wedding Party
Talk with Anyone who is Offering to Pay for Part of the Wedding (have a backup plan)
Group Text (send reminders but don’t be annoying)
Lots of Smiles & Thank You’s
Thank You Cards

Be careful

Only use volunteers who are

Faithful
On time
Responsible
Kind

Things to NOT Delegate

Paying Vendors & Pastor
Helping Bride Get Ready
Welcoming/Greeting Guests

Wedding Planner Notebook

I created a wedding planner for my daughters and several close friends. Some opted to use the print version and other wanted the eBook to print only the pages that applied to them.

Everything you need is here!

Purchase Ultimate Christian Wedding Planner eBook at PowerlineProd.com: https://www.powerlineprod.com/shop/ultimate-christian-wedding-planner/

Purchase Ultimate Christian Wedding Planner in print at Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Christian-Wedding-Planner-Meredith/dp/179515425X

You pick and choose what you want to include and not include. You choose where the money is spent. You choose how and when and where the big day will take place. A wedding planner keeps you organized.

With checklists and schedules, you will be able to keep you head in all the planning. Family trees, memory pages, comparison pages, budget sheets, vendor payment tracking charts, table arrangement planners, sample invitations, sample schedules, and sample itineraries. But, there’s more!

The Ultimate Christian Wedding Planner has prayers, studies, and meditations to help prepare to be a godly wife. Discover where wedding traditions and symbols come from. Learn all about wedding protocol and who is responsible for what. And lots of Christian encouragment!

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Resources

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Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: banquet, bride, Christian, Christianity, event, Event Planning, family, Finish Well, groom, history, homeschool, homeschooling, Laura Nolette, Meredith Curtis, mother-of-the-bride, Parent, party, planning, wedding, weddings

Get Ready for a Fantastic Back-to-Homeschool

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

August 1, 2023 by Gina Steffy Leave a Comment

Get Ready for a Fantastic Back-to-Homeschool in August with the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network Planner!

Hey there, fellow homeschooling families! As summer comes to a close, it’s that exciting time of the year again – back-to-homeschool season! While it may feel bittersweet bidding farewell to vacation mode, the thought of embarking on a brand new homeschooling journey is undeniably thrilling.

To ensure a smooth and successful start to the academic year, a well-organized homeschooling plan is key. And what better way to achieve that than with the August Organize It! Planner from the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network? This planner is an absolute game-changer, designed to help you conquer your homeschool planning like a pro!

With its fantastic features and thoughtful layout, the August Organize It! Planner is your ultimate ally in creating a structured and efficient homeschool routine. The planner offers dedicated sections for lesson planning, goal setting, and tracking, ensuring that you stay on top of your homeschooling game all year round. Say goodbye to last-minute scrambles to find the right materials – with this planner, everything will be right at your fingertips.

One of the highlights of this planner is its user-friendly design, making it easy for both seasoned homeschoolers and newcomers to navigate. From weekly spreads to monthly calendars, you’ll find plenty of space to jot down your thoughts, ideas, and schedules. Meal planning is a breeze with designated areas for organizing your family’s nutrition, saving you time and energy during busy days.

The August focus of this planner perfectly aligns with the start of the academic year, allowing you to seamlessly integrate it into your homeschooling routine. Whether you’re planning your first year of homeschooling or a seasoned pro looking to revamp your approach, the August Organize It! Planner caters to your needs.

When we embrace the back-to-homeschool season with a well-thought-out plan, we set the foundation for a successful and enjoyable academic year. The Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network Planner empowers you to navigate the beautiful chaos of homeschooling with confidence and grace.

So, as you gear up for an exciting back-to-homeschool in August, make sure to get your hands on the August Organize It! Planner from the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. Prepare to welcome a year of growth, learning, and unforgettable moments. Here’s to a fabulous homeschooling adventure – let’s make this year the best one yet!

The directions on how to download the monthly checklist are sent out in each weekly ezine. The planner access information is always located at the bottom of each email. Make sure that you are signed up so that you don’t miss it.

If you are not signed up, you can sign up HERE as a subscriber.

Filed Under: Blog, Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Tagged With: back to homeschool, planner, planning

Staycation Planning

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

June 12, 2023 by Gina Steffy Leave a Comment

Staycation Planning Episode 349

If you are not sure how to plan a staycation, stay tuned – this episode is just for you! We will learn how to plan your staycation and enjoy the time with family and friends.

Be sure to take the time off.
Indulge – reading, events, food.
Make a plan for the day, week-end, or week.
Research

Begin by brainstorming. What are some of the things in your area that you could do with the kids and maybe even with just your husband? In our area, these things revolve around water sports. There is boating, Skiing, Jet skiing, parasailing, fishing, SCUBA diving, and more. We have a shell museum, actually two – we have a hands-on museum for kids and a small zoo nearby.

There are sporting events such as baseball. We have two indoor ice-skating rings and an island nearby. There are also many outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, outdoor concerts at the local mall, and more. There are art events, theatre, and music festivals. Once you have a list of ideas, narrow it down to the top ten.

Which of these top ten ideas is feasible? Now it is time to make a plan.

Five Things To Think About In Staycation Planning

Budget

What is the amount of money you will spend on these events?
If you do not have a set budget, think about the max you are willing to spend each day.

Activity or Event or Both

List your event – be sure to figure in the time.
Is this free or is there a cost?
How long will it take to get there?
Will you pack breakfast/ lunch or eat out?

Planning – Schedule

What is your time frame?
Can you take the time off of work?
Do you plan to go out to eat? If so, where?
What will you do during the day – the more planned out the better your vacation will go even if the schedule deviates.

Eating:

Try something new.
Enjoy an appetizer/ or dessert or both
Go to restaurants that are family-owned and not chains.
Think of conversations you can have with your family.
Take your time – there is no hurry! You are on vacation.

Rules:

Relax! Make a decision you will enjoy yourself (think about how much money you are saving!)
Enjoy each other.
No drama – set boundaries for fighting, etc.
Make time to see the little things you would normally overlook.
No work. This is a vacation, so be sure to leave your work behind temporarily.
No electronics during the outing.
OR – your kids can enjoy unlimited electronics if you decide this is their vacation!
Relaxed dress – unless you are going somewhere that requires fancy clothing.
Enjoy the events – look at the little things and enjoy!
Praise God each day, and what are you thankful for?

Don’t Miss These Episodes from Vintage Homeschool Moms

Homeschool Lifestyle
Last Minute DIY Tips
Money-Saving Field Trips
All About Teaching
Raising Spiritually Strong Kids
Six Homeschooling Insider Tips
Best Staycations for Kids
Avoid Curriculum Pitfalls
Top 10 Parenting Secrets
45 Family Date Night Ideas

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Filed Under: Vintage Homeschool Moms Tagged With: organizing, planning, staycation, Vintage Homeschool moms

Special Replay | Best Homeschool Planning Tips

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

January 23, 2023 by Gina Steffy Leave a Comment

Special Replay | Best Homeschool Planning Tips Episode #214

The best homeschool planning tips are the ones we often forget. With this simple outline, your year will begin with a great start! Often, we get laser-focused on school and forget we have a life. We are so excited we have our books – our schedule laid out, and then when the afternoon rolls around, we are FREAKED OUT: we don’t have anything planned for dinner. In this episode, I cover three simple guidelines.

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Show Notes: The Best Homeschool Planning Tips

The best advice I can give you about planning your school year is don’t forget about the REST of your life.

God
Spouse
School
Meals
Laundry
Meals
Doctors
Field Trips

Do take time to plan your entire year – yes, your year

Do you have seasonal themes especially if you school younger children – older children love this too.
Do plan breaks and save days for field trips as they come up
Do plan time for family chores
Do plan time for meal prep – mega cooking and FREEZE or can
Utilize cooking in your schedule –

3. Think through things once and forget it!

Just like the crock pot recipe commercials would say the set it and forget it – the same thing with your planning.

School Schedule. Times!
1. Break fail – after lunch very hard to get back to work
  1. Finish math – or writing projects
  2. Science experiments
  3. Read
2. Year End Notebook
  1. Keep work samples for each subject ALL YEAR LONG
  2. Put in pocket sheets and clear vinyl slip sheets to keep things like pictures, math samples, writing, history, and science papers. Art projects etc.

Tests and Progress

Go out bag. Put in all the things you will need. Pick it up and go. If you have older kids, put a laminated card on the outside, and someone can double-check the bag to ensure nothing was out or replaced. (Tell forgetting diaper bag – had the baby!)
1. One for field trips
2. One for the park
3. One for church
Chore chart
Meals
Laundry Day

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Filed Under: Vintage Homeschool Moms Tagged With: homeschooling, planning

Planning Homeschool High School: Special Replay

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

June 7, 2022 by Vicki Tillman Leave a Comment

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Planning Homeschool High School, a special replay.

Planning Homeschool High School

Homeschooling high school can feel intimidating before you get started! Vicki remembers when her oldest was in middle school, she was so nervous about homeschool high school that she gathered a group of homeschool moms together to have weekly prayer and resource sharing. The confidence they gained from the process gave them the courage to move forward (and some of them ultimately began co-oping together).

One thing Vicki and the rest of the 7Sisters discovered is that they feel SO much better when they get some solid planning accomplished. Join Sabrina and Vicki for a quick, lively discussion about planning homeschool high school.

Here’s the first and most important thing to know:

There’s not ONE right way to plan your homeschool high school year (or all 4 years of high school).

But if we follow this simple journalism-style framework, it will help! WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, and HOW!

The “Who” of planning homeschool high school

While this may seem obvious. You are homeschooling your teens, that’s who! But, as you know, in homeschooling, the entire family is involved or affected. As Sabrina says, “There a multi-dimentionality to homeschooling high school”.

Ask yourself:

Who all will be homeschooling this year?
What is each family member’s educational experience?
Next: What are their strengths and weaknesses?
And: What are their learning styles?
Then: What are their interests?
Plus: What are the parents’ strengths and weaknesses?
Also: What are their teaching styles?
Finally: What are their interests?

The “What” of planning homeschool high school

This is the bulk of your planning! Give yourself time to pray and sort this out. Make sure to include your teens in the process.

Remember:

There’s not ONE right way to teach the subjects in high school. The joy of homeschooling is teaching in the order and with the curriculum that best suits your family and your teens. Here’s a helpful post with no-fail steps to choosing curriculum.

(You will also love this encouraging episode of Homeschool Sanity about choosing curriculum.)

What do you want to teach this year?

There’s not one specific order that you much use to teach History and Language Arts/Literature.
- Here are suggestions for an order of Literature topics for high school.
Also, there is flexibility in the order of Sciences (although many people teach Biology before Chemistry, often 10th and 11th grades).
On the other hand, there is only a little flexibility in the order of Maths (Algebra 1 comes before Algebra 2, unless you use an integrated math).

What curriculum do you like to use?

What works for your teens learning styles? Are their curricula that you can’t stand (Vicki has a difficult time with books that have no photos…she needs entertainment! SO even though her teens might be ok with a bland-looking text, Vicki goes for those that include pictures.)

What courses will you need this year for the transcript?

These will get priority in your planning.

How much academics can your teens handle. Non-college-bound teens don’t need to do overkills on numbers of courses or levels of rigor. College-bound teens (especially if they are aiming for competitive colleges) will need more courses and more rigor. Be sure to leave unnecessary stuff out but don’t over stress you and teens.

The “When” of planning homeschool high school

There’s totally not ONE right way to handle the homeschool academic schedule. What works best for your family this year?

Block scheduling?
Year round?
30 week year?
4 day week?

Choose the best schedule to fit your family’s needs. Homeschooling is a lifestyle choice! Ask yourself these questions:

Is mom working full time or part time? If so when? Working at home or out of home?
Or is a family member on shift work? Does the house need to be quiet so dad can sleep on some days?
Are you morning people or night owls?
What extracurriculars will your homeschool high schoolers be involved in? (How much car schooling will you need to do?)

Sit down with a calendar. Write in the musts. Fit the curriculum around it. (Really…but just make sure it gets done, of course.) Include your teens in the process!

Get some GREAT tips for scheduling in this interview with Melanie Wilson of Homeschool Sanity Podcast!

The “Where” of planning homeschool high school

The location-style of your family’s homeschooling is important in your planning. Remember: There’s not ONE right location for homeschooling high school. Ask yourself these questions:

Do you have a dedicated school room? Do you have a dedicated homeschool space? (Vicki and Sabrina both found out that no matter what they planned for *education location*, the entire house was the school room. Their houses are full of bookshelves mixed with other stuff, couches laden with school books, sprawling teens and guitars. That was right for their families!)
You MUST remember this: There is NO such thing as a Pinterest-perfect homeschool house!
Where are you connecting with other homeschoolers for group learning (online, none, local)?
Also, where are your teens doing internships (if any)?
And, where will mom *sit with* on courses that need one-on-one time?
Think about: where will a tutor work, if needed?
Who needs privacy and space?

The “How” of planning homeschool high school

The *How* refers to record keeping: How are you tracking your homeschool high school credits?

There’s not ONE right way to keep records, of course! Here are some ideas:

Sabrina uses plastic file box for ongoing projects and ungraded papers. She moves completed papers and projects to a master portfolio.
Vicki uses yearly portfolios to keep important papers, tests, log sheets for credits, certificates, etc.

Important records we recommend keeping include:

Syllabi for each core course. Download this freebie how-to post on creating a syllabus. Also search *syllabus* for LOTS of how-to’s on syllabi (even some specific-course related syllabi.)
Course descriptions (useful if your teen might transfer or if their college choice isn’t familiar with homeschoolers…or you just want the ego boost of knowing how cool your teens course were). Here’s a how-to post on creating course descriptions.
Log sheets for credits. Check out this post on how to earn logged credits.
How will you log hours? Will you use a spiral notebook and record days and hours, write on a calendar, devise your own log sheets?
Who is logging the hours (mom or teens)?

The “Why” of planning homeschool high school

If you don’t know WHY your are homeschooling high school, you shouldn’t be planning! Clarify your WHY! Here some of our WHYs:

God is leading in this direction and we have weighed the costs and are ready for the sacrifices. (At least as far as we can know at the time. The rest is trust in God.) Carefully and prayerfully examine your WHY so that you will have confidence in God’s direction.

WHY shouldn’t be: I want to have perfect kids. As our friends the Fletchers, of Homeschooling In Real Life, say: God is in charge of the outcome, not us!

We have found that homeschool high school years are the best years yet! Go and be empowered after you enjoy this discussion with Sabrina and Vicki.

Your teens will enjoy 7SistersHomeschool.com’s curriculum. We share the curriculum that we’ve designed and homeschool high schoolers have vetted for years. It is NO-busywork, adaptable to varying interest levels and abilities. We aim for teens to LIKE what they study in homeschool high school!

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Filed Under: Homeschool Highschool Tagged With: planning, The Homeschool Highschool Podcast

Plan Your Year

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

July 8, 2021 by Sharon Rice Leave a Comment

Plan Your Year– Episode 96

Join FPEA Chairman Suzanne Nunn and Sharon Rice for this episode where we discuss tips and thoughts on planning your homeschool year.

Top priorities

⁃ Create a plan to plan

⁃ Implementing change

⁃ Creating routines

Choosing the constants

⁃ Weekly things (play dates; family dinners/game nights; meal planning/prep)

⁃ Sports

⁃ Drama

⁃ Church activities

⁃ Family time

Highlights

⁃ Highlight the seasons (early, middle, high)

⁃ Book lights (reading lists)

⁃ Oh the places we’ll go! (Field trips)

Love to learn

⁃ Experiences

⁃ The environment

⁃ Excitement

⁃ Educate (curriculum)

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Filed Under: FPEA-Connects, Uncategorized Tagged With: plan, planner, planning

Easy DIY 5-Year Homeschool High School Flexible Plan

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

June 1, 2020 by Laura Leave a Comment

Easy DIY 5-Year Homeschool High School Flexible Plan

In “Easy DIY 5-Year Homeschool High School Flexible Plan” episode #114, Meredith Curtis shares easy ways to plan ahead and take advantage of educational opportunities for your teens to get every high school credit possible and make sure the core classes are completed by graduation. Meredith explains that education is a gift and helps you define what gift you want to give your teen, when you should start planning, and how to make and keep the plan flexible. Breathe easier through the high school years with a plan that is purposeful, proactive, and easy to tweak.

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show Notes

You can homeschool high school! Really! You can do it!

I decided to make a 5-year plan instead of a 4-year plan for high school from 8^th-12^th grade.

some courses you can use on their transcripts from 8^th grade so I thought it would be good to include that in our plan
gives us more time and flexibility to get everything done we want to accomplish

What Do You Want to Give Your Children?

Education is a gift.

Gift of a Christ-centered, well-rounded education that will bear good fruit in their lives for years to come.

Think of things you want to teach your teen in high school that will bless them in years to come.

Make a list of your dreams for your son or daughter.

What gift of education do you want to give them?

My list for each child includes things that are the same and things that are unique for each child.

Read Communist Manifesto in high school so that they can understand the socialist agenda in American universities and colleges
Study worldviews so that they can recognize the different worldviews that are predominate in our culture
Memorize God’s Word, applying it to all of lifeRead classic books that have changed the world
Use Bible study tools
Make and live on a budget
Understand physics, chemistry, and oceanography
Grow in their gifting of: (fill in the blank)

Don’t just shove a bunch of classes at them. Choose courses that will benefit them for life and lay a solid educational foundation if they will be going on to college.

What Does Your Teen Want to Learn?

Now it’s your teen’s turn.

What do they want to learn in high school?

Some of them may have a career goal in mind.

Others may have a dream of playing sports at a particular college.

When Should You Start Planning?

Summer before 7^th or 8^th grade

Build confidence by:

Reading a few books on homeschooling the high school student

Talk to other moms who have (or are!) successfully homeschooling teenagers. Other homeschooling moms can lead you by the hand and help you through the questions and decisions.

Make It Flexible

I sit down and make a five-year flexible plan for each child. This way you can take advantage of opportunities as they arise.

Realize that your plan will change over the years, but it is good to have a rough idea of what you want to accomplish.

What is Your Goal?

I keep a folder for each child’s homeschool plan on my computer with a high school plan file. Each year, I adapt the plan as opportunities arise for them to take various classes.

Pretend that the following is your high school plan for you high school child.

Eighth Grade: Old Testament Survey/World History I/Algebra I/Western Literature (3.5)

Ninth Grade: Church History/World History II/Geometry/Biology/Oral & Written Communication/British Literature/Spanish I/P.E./Drama (0.25) + Piano (0.25) = 0.5 Fine Arts Credit/Growing in Christ (0.5) + Courtship & Dating (0.5) = 1.0 Character (8.5 credits)

Tenth Grade: New Testament Survey/USA History/Algebra II/Chemistry/Essays & Research/American Literature/Spanish II/P.E./Sewing (0.5 Homemaking)/Godly Womanhood (0.5 Character) (8 credits)

Eleventh Grade: Worldview & Apologetics/Government & Current Events & Politics/Pre-Calculus/Shakespeare/Fiction Writing/Drawing & Watercolor (0.5) + Drum Lessons (0.5) = 1.0 Fine Arts Credit/The Christian Family (0.5) + Starts own Business (you make it a course) (0.5) = 1.0 Life Skills (6 credits)

Twelfth Grade: The Great Commission/Economics & Business & Personal Finances/Calculus/Great Books/College Prep Writing/Runs own business as course 1.0 Life Skills/Leading worship as a course 1.0 Fine Arts (6 credits)

Total credits (32 credits)

Juggle Things Around Every Year

When Opportunities arise, I take advantage of them–make changes in my high school plan so I can make sure that my teen takes the important/required courses.

So, pretend there is an opportunity to take chemistry with a pharmacist, I will switch chemistry and physics around. Or maybe the pastor is teaching a worldview course in my teen’s freshman year. I sign her up, but change my plan, moving worldview to ninth grade and church history to eleventh grade.

Some classes, of course, need to be take consecutively (like Math!), but most classes do not!

It helps to have the basic plan, because I realize that all the classes have to fit in somewhere.

Another Idea:

Do an intensive class in a month during a break from normal school
Do semester classes like colleges do

With math and literature, I don’t recommend shortening the time frame because your child can only do so many hours of math a day before he is burned out! But, this can be a great way to get something “out of the way” quickly.

Your flexible 5-Year Plan is a servant, not a master. In my life it has been a great blessing and helped to guide us through the high school years. I hope it will be a blessing to you!

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Resources

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

Finish Well Radio Show, Podcast #107, 7 Steps to Create Your Own High School Classes with Living Books with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Finish Well Radio, Podcast #074, How to Get Into College with Meredith Curtis

Podcast #050 The Real Kingdom and the Counterfeit

Finish Well Radio, Podcast #035, Happy Birthday America!

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Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: Christian, curriculum, Education, family, Finish Well, High School, homeschooling, Laura Nolette, Meredith Curtis, Parent, plan, planning, teen

6 Random Tips for the Organizationally Challenged

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

January 16, 2020 by Danielle Papageorgiou Leave a Comment

The Organizing Challenge

I don’t know whether some kind of momentum builds from taking down the Christmas tree and decorations, or if we’re eager to start a new year on the right foot, or if we just start getting antsy being cooped up inside, or a combination of all three catalysts, but January seems to be the time of the year when we all start thinking about organizing, scheduling, and just generally getting our lives in order!

If you’re like me, you’ve been binge cleaning (whether or not you see much in the way of tangible evidence) and looking around your house for ways you can stash the clutter a little better…a desk here, an Ikea cube unit there, a shelf or two over here.

In my little tribe on Facebook, many moms share a similar struggle to me: getting organized and following through on plans. I can’t say I have all the answers or have conquered this struggle yet, but I have learned to manage my “disability” over the years and have discovered some tricks and ideas that have worked for me. So I want to share those with you!

Ask God First
Install (and use!) the ToDoist App
Find a Homeschooling Planner That Fits Your Style
Get Rid of the Broken Shoelaces
Handle Mail and e-mail Immediately
Keep a Gift Bin

Ask God First

One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 16:9: “A man plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps.” It’s a reminder that, while planning is good, it’s really God who directs each day. So, doesn’t it make sense to just go ahead and consult Him first?

I usually try to pray through my to-do list every day while I’m still in bed. I also pay attention to what God puts on my heart first thing in the morning. Often, even before I’m fully awake, I will hear the Lord speak to me about things I need to do that day.

Install and Use the ToDoist App

Once upon a time, I tried a daily to-do list. I would write it out in the morning, get to about half the items that day, then keep it for the next day and add more. It ended up a big, long, never-ending scribbly mess! Then I tried transferring to a new paper each day. Do you know what it’s like to write out every single item that I didn’t complete on a new sheet? Depressing, that’s what! I didn’t need to slowly and painfully write out my failures each day.

But, the alternative was not good. With no list, I forgot about so many important things I needed to do! (It’s not cool when you forget to pay bills, for example.) Then I finally found the ToDoist app on my phone – there is a desktop version that syncs with the phone app too so we can stay organized everywhere! I love it because I can move things around from day to day instead of looking at scribbles and feeling frustrated by all I didn’t get to. Somehow the neatness of it is helpful to me…and the ease of moving things. Try it and see if it works for you!

Find a Homeschooling Planner that Fits Your Style

In case it’s not horribly obvious, I am a Type B person. I hate planners and planning in general, and I’ve never found one that I was in love with. So, naturally, I just created my own! The Lifeschooling Vision Planner is designed for extremely flexible people like me…but it’s also adaptable to those who require a little more structure. I love it! During the month of January, it’s included in a full kit of lifeschooling resources for an amazing introductory price!

Another great planner is the Beyond Blessed Planner by Ana Willis. This planner has it all! If you want to organize your entire life on paper, this one is for you. Includes sections for homeschool mission, annual goals, monthly goals, monthly spending tracker, meal planner, pantry inventory, food journal, water intake, and so much more! It truly is all-encompassing. And the best part is it’s filled with Scripture from cover to cover.

If you just need a basic, down-to-earth daily planner for the budget-conscious, check out the Best Homeschool Life Planner by Christine Zell. It will give you just enough guidance to not become yet another burden to keep up with. It includes an attendance record, monthly and weekly page spreads that include reading and field trip logs, and customizable bullet pages.

Whatever your style and personality, do some research and find what works for you. If it doesn’t work, don’t force it! Move on until you find the right fit. It’s important to find something to help direct you through each homeschool day.

Get Rid of the Broken Shoelaces

I am the classic, “But I might be able to use that someday” girl! Over the years, I have learned that it is burdensome to hang onto everything because it’s a reminder of all the projects and ideas that I can never find time to get to. If you’ve owned it for a few years, it’s time to get real with yourself. You probably won’t ever use it. Plus, maybe you can pass it on and bless someone who can!

My friend Barbara is great at this! My youngest son even picked up on it and talks about how Mrs. M. is always getting rid of stuff! Once when she came over to help us organize and purge, I “reasoned” with her that I could use some of these things and that I didn’t want to waste them and end up needing them someday. “Well,” she said, “I love to bless others with things I’m not currently using. I just always pray that God will bring that type of item back to me later if I end up needing it, and so often He has done that.” Her response really helped change my thinking in this area! Sometimes hanging on to things is a lack of trust for God to provide in His timing.

Handle Mail and e-mail Immediately

Okay, confession time. I don’t do this…at least, not with my e-mail. But I think it might be time! I currently have over 50,000 e-mails sitting in my inbox. (Ridiculous!!) I was very inspired the other day when my mother-in-law told me that the high executive she used to work for at a large national bank (I believe he was #3) left at the end of each day with an empty inbox. How freeing! He went through e-mails right away, handled them, and then deleted them. Sounds like a New Year’s goal for me!

I am much better with my paper mail, however. It comes in and I immediately put it all where it belongs. I’ve stopped trying to read every catalog and sales ad. If I don’t have time and it doesn’t pertain to my life right now, it goes right in the garbage. Gone are my early married days of piles of mail all over the house!

Keep a Gift Bin

I stole this idea from my mom who always kept a stash of children’s birthday gifts at the top of her closet when we were young. If we got invited to a birthday, we just “shopped” that bin and never had to worry about rushing at the last minute.

I do this now and it’s very helpful to me since I am so disorganized by nature! Not only does it save me at the last minute when I realize Sunday morning after breakfast that there’s a church baby shower, but it also saves me money since I can pick up items on sale at any time. (Or even re-gift unwanted birthday or Christmas gifts…shhhhhhh!)

Start Somewhere – Even if it’s Not Perfect

Even if you feel you have so far to go with scheduling and organizing your life, I think the important thing is just to start somewhere and find a rhythm. Once you get one little area consistent, you can move on to bigger goals.

I often think of the verse, “Despise not the day of small things.” Sometimes we have to just start somewhere, even if it’s not perfect. I’ve spent years trying to get my act together, so if you struggle as I do, I feel your pain! 😆 Celebrate the little successes and don’t beat yourself up for being imperfect.

Remember, God made you who you are for a reason. Just because organizing isn’t your strength doesn’t mean you can’t still be a successful homemaker and homeschooling mom. God sees your efforts and He does not reward us based on performance. He sees your heart and He meets you where you are and fills in the gaps. Aren’t you glad? I sure am!

About the Author: Danielle Papageorgiou has been homeschooling, or “lifeschooling,” for 18 years (she counts birth as day 1!) and runs a blog, LifeAsALifeschooler.com. She has a passion for helping other homeschoolers learn how to homeschool in a way that does not compete with family life, but actually enhances it…homeschooling done in a spirit of freedom, not legalism. She believes that each family is unique and God has placed in each child special gifts and desires that He wants to use. The verse that guides the Papageorgious in their pursuit of lifeschooling is Matthew 6:33, “But seek FIRST the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and ALL these things will be added to you.” (Emphasis mine). Danielle has been married to her amazing husband, Jon, for 20 years and they have three talented and fun children, Konur (18), Elleina (15), and Korban (8).

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: homeschool planning, organization, planning

Special Replay: Facing the Fall

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

September 27, 2019 by Joy Rhodes Leave a Comment

Since Ashley and I were talking summer, we thought we would also talk about the thing that comes right after summer… THE FALL. It seems that as soon as July 4th passes, my brain immediately turns to the fall and making plans.

Over the years I have learned a few things that help me as I face the next school year. We talked about that today on the show.

1. Pray – Get alone and reflect on last year… what worked, what didn’t. What was challenging for the children? For you?
2. Prioritize – Set priorities for your family this year. What will you focus on? What will your kids focus on? Anything unusual happening in your year such as; building a house, having a baby, moving to New Zealand?
3. Plan and prepare – Know how you work and plan according to that. Gather materials, create spaces and work on a routine your family can follow.
4. Pass on the rest!!! Say it with me…. NO, NO, NO. So many people grab at homeschool moms because it is assumed that homeschool moms have tons of free time on their hands. You must so know to the extra noise… making meals, babysitting, leading bible studies, etc… There is a time for all of that, but it isn’t now.

Fall will be here before we know it. I hope you are looking to this new school year with your blessings, I sure am!

Find a way to #sayyes today.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!!

Thank you to The Homegrown Preschooler for sponsoring this Podcast! Check out the blog post Kathy mentioned, Farmhouse Schoolhouse, to read more about A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at

The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

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Filed Under: The Real Kathy Lee Tagged With: homeschool, lesson planning, planning, the real kathy lee

HSHSP Ep 171: Planning Homeschool High School

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

July 30, 2019 by Vicki Tillman Leave a Comment

This week on HSHSP Ep 171: Planning Homeschool High School.

HSHSP Ep 171: Planning Homeschool High School

Here’s the first and most important thing to know:

There’s not ONE right way to plan your homeschool high school year (or all 4 years of high school).

But if we follow this simple journalism-style framework, it will help! WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, and HOW!

The Who of planning homeschool high school

While this may seem obvious. You’re homeschooling your teens, that’s who! But, as you know, in homeschooling, the entire family is involved or affected. As Sabrina says, “There a multi-dimentionality to homeschooling high school”. Ask yourself

Who all will be homeschooling this year?
What is each family member’s educational experience?
What are their strengths and weaknesses?
What are their learning styles?
What are their interests?
What are the parents’ strengths and weaknesses?
What are their teaching styles?
What are their interests?

The What of planning homeschool high school

This is the bulk of your planning! Give yourself time to pray and sort this out. Make sure to include your teens in the process. Remember:
There’s not ONE right way to teach the subjects in high school. The joy of homeschooling is teaching in the order and with the curriculum that best suits your family and your teens. Here’s a helpful post with no-fail steps to choosing curriculum.

You’ll also love this encouraging episode of Homeschool Sanity about choosing curriculum.

What do you want to teach this year? There’s not one specific order that you much use to teach History and Language Arts/Literature. There is flexibility in the order of Sciences (although many people teach Biology before Chemistry, often 10th and 11th grades). There is only a little flexibility in the order of Maths (Algebra 1 comes before Algebra 2, unless you use an integrated math).

Here are suggestions for the order of research paper writing during high school.

Here are suggestions for an order of Literature topics for high school.

What curriculum do you like to use? What works for your teens learning styles? Are their curricula that you can’t stand (Vicki has a difficult time with books that have no photos…she needs entertainment! SO even though her teens might be ok with a bland-looking text, Vicki goes for those that include pictures.)

What courses will you need this year for the transcript? These will get priority in your planning.

The When of planning homeschool high school

There’s totally not ONE right way to handle the homeschool academic schedule. What works best for your family this year?

Block scheduling?
Year round?
30 week year?
4 day week?

Choose the best schedule to fit your family’s needs. Homeschooling is a lifestyle choice! Ask yourself these questions:

Is mom working full time or part time? If so when? Working at home or out of home?
Is a family member on shift work? Does the house need to be quiet so dad can sleep on some days?
Are you morning people or night owls?
What extracurriculars will your homeschool high schoolers be involved in? (How much car schooling will you need to do?)

Sit down with a calendar. Write in the musts. Fit the curriculum around it. (Really…but just make sure it gets done, of course.) Include your teens in the process!

Get some GREAT tips for scheduling in this interview with Melanie Wilson of Homeschool Sanity Podcast!

The Where of planning homeschool high school

The location-style of your family’s homeschooling is important in your planning. Remember: There’s not ONE right location for homeschooling high school. Ask yourself these questions:

Do you have a dedicated school room? Do you have a dedicated homeschool space? (Vicki and Sabrina both found out that no matter what they planned for *education location*, the entire house was the school room. Their houses are full of bookshelves mixed with other stuff, couches laden with school books, sprawling teens and guitars. That was right for their families!)
You MUST remember this: There is NO such thing as a Pinterest-perfect homeschool house!
Where are you connecting with other homeschoolers for group learning (online, none, local)?
Where are your teens doing internships (if any)?
Where will mom *sit with* on courses that need one-on-one time?
Where will a tutor work, if needed?
Who needs privacy and space?

The How of planning homeschool high school

The *How* refers to record keeping: How are you tracking your homeschool high school credits?

There’s not ONE right way to keep records, of course! Here are some ideas:

Sabrina uses plastic file box for ongoing projects and ungraded papers. She moves completed papers and projects to a master portfolio.
Vicki uses yearly portfolios to keep important papers, tests, log sheets for credits, certificates, etc.

Important records we recommend keeping include:

Syllabi for each core course. Download this freebie how-to post on creating a syllabus. Also search *syllabus* for LOTS of how-to’s on syllabi (even some specific-course related syllabi.)
Course descriptions (useful if your teen might transfer or if their college choice isn’t familiar with homeschoolers…or you just want the ego boost of knowing how cool your teens course were). Here’s a how-to post on creating course descriptions.
Log sheets for credits. Check out this post on how to earn logged credits.
How will you log hours? Will you use a spiral notebook and record days and hours, write on a calendar, devise your own log sheets?
Who is logging the hours (mom or teens)?

The Why of planning homeschool high school

If you don’t know WHY your are homeschooling high school, you shouldn’t be planning! Clarify your WHY! Here some of our WHYs:

WHY shouldn’t be: I want to have perfect kids. As our friends the Fletchers, of Homeschooling In Real Life, say: God is in charge of the outcome, not us!

We have found that homeschool high school years are the best years yet! Go and be empowered after you enjoy this discussion with Sabrina and Vicki.

Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Overcomer Movie

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HSHSP Ep 171: Planning Homeschool High School

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Filed Under: Homeschool Highschool Tagged With: planning, The Homeschool Highschool Podcast

Stress-Free Weddings II: The Team

Show Notes

Take a Deep Breath!

Who Can Be Part of Your Team

How Can You Utilize Your Team

Ways to Communicate with Team

Be careful

Things to NOT Delegate

Wedding Planner Notebook

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The directions on how to download the monthly checklist are sent out in each weekly ezine. The planner access information is always located at the bottom of each email. Make sure that you are signed up so that you don’t miss it.

Staycation Planning Episode 349

Five Things To Think About In Staycation Planning

Don’t Miss These Episodes from Vintage Homeschool Moms

Special Replay | Best Homeschool Planning Tips Episode #214

Grab your Printables |

Homeschool Calendars & Goal Setting Bundles

Show Notes: The Best Homeschool Planning Tips

Planning Homeschool High School

Here’s the first and most important thing to know:

The “Who” of planning homeschool high school

Ask yourself:

The “What” of planning homeschool high school

Remember:

What do you want to teach this year?

What curriculum do you like to use?

What courses will you need this year for the transcript?

The “When” of planning homeschool high school

Choose the best schedule to fit your family’s needs. Homeschooling is a lifestyle choice! Ask yourself these questions:

The “Where” of planning homeschool high school

The “How” of planning homeschool high school

Important records we recommend keeping include:

The “Why” of planning homeschool high school

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Plan Your Year– Episode 96

Easy DIY 5-Year Homeschool High School Flexible Plan

Show Notes

What Do You Want to Give Your Children?

What Does Your Teen Want to Learn?

When Should You Start Planning?

Talk to other moms who have (or are!) successfully homeschooling teenagers. Other homeschooling moms can lead you by the hand and help you through the questions and decisions.

What is Your Goal?

Pretend that the following is your high school plan for you high school child.

Juggle Things Around Every Year

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Resources

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

The Organizing Challenge

Ask God First

Install and Use the ToDoist App

Find a Homeschooling Planner that Fits Your Style

Get Rid of the Broken Shoelaces

Handle Mail and e-mail Immediately

Keep a Gift Bin

Start Somewhere – Even if it’s Not Perfect

Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at

The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

HSHSP Ep 171: Planning Homeschool High School

Here’s the first and most important thing to know:

The *Who* of planning homeschool high school

The *What* of planning homeschool high school

The *When* of planning homeschool high school

The *Where* of planning homeschool high school

The *How* of planning homeschool high school

Important records we recommend keeping include:

The *Why* of planning homeschool high school

Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Overcomer Movie

HSHSP Ep 171: Planning Homeschool High School

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