But, I Can’t Teach Music

I Can’t Teach Music Experience tells me I am not the only one who has uttered these words.  When I embarked on homeschooling I considered many things.  I considered phonics, math, literature, history, and methodology.  I lived in the bright light of hope for my ability to homeschool joyfully and effectively.  My glasses were always rosy colored.  It’s easy to color your view rosy when you simply do not consider the road blocks.  I assumed I would figure it all out on the job.  Then one day, it happened.  My child developed a love for music and desired to sing … Continue reading

Homeschooling on the iPad with Dew Learning

  What is Dew Learning? Dew Learning is first and only K-12 Christian Curriculum for the iPad and accessible through any internet device.  Exciting news for online learners and even more exciting for iPad owners who can take their entire curriculum with them wherever they go. Non-traditional schooling is just that…non-traditional.  Education takes place on the road, while swinging in the backyard, at the dinner table, library or a restaurant.  Now you never have to leave books behind or break your back trying to carry it all.  Dew Learning comes on the most portable device on the market to give you ultimate … Continue reading

Frugal and Free Homeschooling {part 1}

Many have pushed aside the idea of homeschooling due to a lack of finances.  Many make the decision to stop homeschooling because of a difficult financial time.  Hearts that feel the impact of failing make decisions that cause them to retreat and not go forward. You are not a failure.  If you are experiencing a hard time or you feel you can not afford to homeschool, do not feel shame.  Many more struggle behind those happy Facebook status updates and expensive looking science experiments on blogs. A few years ago, I was in a financial situation that I feared would … Continue reading

Can Your Homeschool Blog Earn Money? {Part 2}

In part 1 of, Can Your Homeschool Blog Earn Money?, I covered how to create a blog posts that attract readers.  Creating good content is the first step to creating a quality blog.  I cover this in Blogging Tips and Tricks as well.  Today, I want to cover a few more background areas before discussing opportunities, so hang in there.  When I say profitable with regards to your homeschool, I do not simply mean financially. Let’s start by exploring what makes a good homeschool blog. The competition is fierce.  While you need to be aware of what your competitors are … Continue reading

Genealogy And Homeschooling

With the start of the new school year, curriculum may be on the minds of many homeschooling families. If genealogy is something that you would like to incorporate into your children’s homeschooling there are many ways that you can do it. Genealogy lends itself well to many different study areas including creative pursuits like scrapbooking, English language (writing family history), science, and geography as well as history. Depending upon the ages and interests of your children, you can introduce them to genealogy in any number of ways. For example, you could create a pedigree chart, have each child choose a … Continue reading

Is there shame in quitting homeschooling?

Due to the strong feelings toward homeschooling it is often looked at as some sort of exclusive club. The club that lets you in but will never let you out unless you defect and that my friend is like a good old fashioned Amish shunning. At least this is the feeling I get from moms who email me for encouragement when their homeschooling days come to an end. For some reason or another they can no longer homeschool but they are told by others not to give up, they can do it, or they are harming their children by sending … Continue reading

Homeschooling and the Work-at-Home Mom, Part Two

The other day, I spoke about working from home and homeschooling, and shared my thoughts on the concept of balance. Today I’d like to talk about involving our children in our home businesses. Our goal as parents is to give our children a solid foundation of principles and skills so they can go into the world as caring, responsible people and be able to create a good life for themselves. You can take your home business and use it as a teaching tool for your children, a way to help prepare them in these areas. 1. As you work your … Continue reading

Can You (and Should You) Talk About Serious Social Issues With Your Child?

Yes. In a word, yes. You should talk about serious social issues with your child. My daughter was sick this week and we were watching The Sound of Music. Until a few months ago, I had never watched this movie. I’d played its music ad infinitum in band classes from grade 6 on, but I’d avoided watching it. However, my daughter loves musicals, so The Sound of Music it has been, over and over for the past few months. The Sound of Music is a relatively light movie until just over halfway through. It involves a lot of singing and … Continue reading

Home School Blogger Spotlight: Quirky Momma

When I first began blogging on my personal site a little over a year ago, I came across a blogger who inspired me. It was my pleasure to bump into her on the blogosphere roads through homeschool blogging carnivals, Charlotte Mason carnivals and on online forums concerning education. She is a true professional in her approach to blogging and always gives her best. This blogger has become a blogging buddy; she is Rachel, from Quirky Momma. If you are a blogger you will benefit from her style, her helpfulness, her friendly spirit and creative heart. If you are a blog … Continue reading

Home School Blogger Spotlight: The Book Chook

Based in Australia and authored by Susan Stephenson, The Book Chook, is a delightful blog dedicated to children’s literacy. Susan is a Kindergarten teacher who describes herself as a reading mother hen to her little chicks in the classroom. Hence, the name The Book Chook, as “chook” is what many in Australia call a hen. I love the name of this blog. I find it memorable and quite adorable. The Book Chook is a blog that is easy on the eyes and invites you to sit down and enjoy a book or two. You are introduced to quality children’s literature. … Continue reading