Jessica’s homeschool day in the life (with a 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, and 15-year old)

by on January 23, 2013
in organization · 19 Comments

mom and boys on slide

Written by Jessica Fisher of Life as Mom and Good Cheap Eats

Somedays, I feel like the old lady in the grocery store. You know the one. The one who tells you to enjoy these days because they will soon be gone.

I know, I know. When you’re in the thick of child-rearing, baby-wearing, diaper-changing, nose-wiping, it’s hard to imagine looking back on these moments or days fondly.

I thought that after my first child was born. As I limped around with a healing episiotomy and two milk-filled boulders on my chest, I couldn’t imagine ever wanting to do that again.

An older mom friend said,

“It’s okay. God gives you amnesia. You won’t remember the feelings of all the hard things. You might remember them intellectually. But you’ll look back on this time with different emotions.”

She was right.
[Read more...]

On raising Little Women (or men): What we can learn from Marmee

by on January 21, 2013
in a mom's education · 51 Comments

what we can learn from Marmee Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool, also blogs about motherhood at Steady Mom

“Once upon a time, there were four girls, who had enough to eat and drink and wear, a good many comforts and pleasures, kind friends and parents, who loved them dearly, and yet they were not contented.” – From a story Marmee told her daughters about some “girls” she once knew

Last autumn I decided to return for the first time in two decades to a book I once loved: Little Women. I have fond memories of Meg, Beth, Amy, and the sister I identified most with, Jo.

book buttonAs a teen the hopes and ambitions of these young women captured my imagination. How would life turn out for them? Would they find the men of their dreams? Would Laurie end up with Jo? I had my eye on a certain boy at the time myself (he’s now my husband ;) ) and the girls’ romantic notions fit my own.

Reading the novel as a 36-year-old, however, was a new experience. This time my focus turned toward the awe-inspiring mother, Marmee. After all, I’m in the midst of raising my brood just as she did.

Her four daughters had vastly different opinions in almost every area of life, but they agreed on one thing–their love and near adoration for their mother:
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Weekend links

by on January 20, 2013
in links · 1 Comment

five minutes from my thoughts ~ SteadyMom.com

“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missles and misguided men.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sarah’s homeschool day in the life (with a 12- and 15-year-old)

by on January 18, 2013
in organization · 17 Comments

Written by contributor Sarah Small of SmallWorld at Home

The sky is just starting to lighten. From my regular perch I watch a new day come, wait for the riot of color as the sun pops up over the mountains. The next few hours are mine. This is the “me” time that stay-at-home moms crave: my creative time, productive time, devotion time, exercise time. I write, pray, run, plan, catch-up, check things off—and add things to—my to-do list. I shower quietly, without my ears tuned to the cries of “Mommy!”

You with little ones don’t have this—I know. Your little ones are your alarm clock.

dayinthelife1-300x2102

But one of these days, you’ll have middle and high schoolers who sleep in late—and you won’t.

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Lora’s homeschool day in the life (with a 10 months, 2-, 4-, 5-, 7-, 8-. & 8- year old)

by on January 16, 2013
in organization · 28 Comments

15 minutes of peaceWritten by contributor Lora Lynn Fanning of Vitafamiliae

It seems this “day in the life” assignment always comes around when I’m in the midst of transition or crisis, but I suppose that’s just what homeschooling is: educating our kids in the middle of Life.

Our family moved to a new house last month. My school room looks like this. Not exactly Pinterest-worthy, yet, is it?

messy school room

The good news is, despite moving, the flu, the holidays, and another cold amongst us, we’re still plugging away with school.

dayinthelife1-300x2102Our school day is divided into two chunks. We have a morning session that involves me teaching directly. Once their time with me is finished, my kids are free to play for a bit. After lunch, there is a chunk reserved for independent school work.

I’m essentially working with two levels of students: those who can read and those who can’t.
[Read more...]

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