You should say you’re sorry

by on January 9, 2013
in a mom's education · 11 Comments

Written by contributor Jena of Yarns of the Heart

A note from Jamie: This week only you can purchase both of my books, Steady Days & Mindset for Moms, as part of a motherhood ebook bundle–5 titles for just $7.40! Head here for more details.

I‘ve been reading through my journals lately. A little over fourteen years ago, here’s what my four-year-old Missa (the one in the red shirt) said to me over dinner:

“You should say you’re sorry for yelling at me about the ice cream.”

I kissed her and said I was sorry.

“If you want to make me cry, just yell at me.”

A little later she said, thoughtfully, “Just because you yell at me doesn’t mean you don’t love me, right? You’re teaching me things I need to learn, right?”
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Jamie’s homeschool day in the life (with a 7-, 8-, & 9-year-old)

by on January 8, 2013
in organization · 25 Comments

Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool, also blogs about motherhood at Steady Mom

When my kids were younger, I needed a detailed schedule to infuse our home with a little peace. Life was CHAOTIC with a newly-adopted four-year-old on top of a three- and two-year-old, and many days my head swam dizzy with the busy-ness of it all.

It was good crazy, but crazy it was. As it seemed my kids didn’t have much of an attention span (because they didn’t, ha!), no activity lasted longer than 15 minutes. So for a while, I scheduled accordingly.

Now that season feels incredibly far away–five whole years have passed! And I’ve finally discovered both the beauty and the flexibility of using long chunks of time to put our days together.

All times in this post are merely a guideline–we flex as much or as little as needed. Plenty of days we call the whole thing off. As my friend Renee Tougas from FIMBY puts it so well, this is our “usually, not always” rhythm:

The Mama’s Day

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We care what you think: The Simple Living Media survey

by on January 7, 2013
in links ·

Over the past few years, Simple Living Media has grown from one blog to six. In other words, a lot has happened! Personally, I have been so blessed and fortunate to partner with Tsh and the other editors–what started out as a working relationship has become a foundation of friendship in my life.

Getting to write for all of you on top of that? I am a lucky woman, indeed.

But we also don’t just want to go on autopilot in our work here on the blogs. We’d like to evolve in a way that is the most beneficial to you as readers–because you are why we do what we do.
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Weekend links

by on January 6, 2013
in links · 1 Comment

Did you enjoy the first week of our homeschool day in the life series? If you missed any, you can catch up with Amida’s and Kris’s days–and we’ll be bringing you more posts this week!

The winner of yesterday’s Great Homeschool Conventions giveaway is Lori–congratulations! There’s still time to register for the conventions in OH and SC this spring–I’d love to see you in Ohio when I speak!

Weekend giveaway: Great Homeschool Conventions

by on January 5, 2013
in giveaways ·

This giveaway has ended–thanks for entering!

Welcome to this weekend’s giveaway–hosted by Great Homeschool Conventions!

Great Homeschool Conventions will hold its 2013 regional conventions in South Carolina (March) and Ohio (April). Each convention features a huge Homeschool Curriculum exhibit hall.

This year’s featured speakers include Tim Hawkins, Gianna Jessen, Andrew Pudewa, Todd Wilson, Steve Demme, Crystal Paine, Dr. Jay Wile, Dr. Carol Reynolds…and yours truly!!
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Kris’s homeschool day in the life (with an 11-, 13-, & 17-year-old)

by on January 4, 2013
in organization · 17 Comments

This post written by contributing writer Kris Bales of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

I used to think we were really atypical homeschoolers as far as our schedule is concerned, but over the last few years more and more late-starting homeschooling families have spoken up and let me know that we’re not alone. Late-risers unite! {grin}

My children are 17, 13, and 11. Studies have shown that teens need more sleep than elementary-aged kids or adults and I love that homeschooling allows my teens to adopt a schedule that lets them focus on schoolwork when they’re at their mental peak for the day – which is not before noon.
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