The best of Simple Homeschool 2014: A year in review

Written by Jamie Martin of Simple Homeschool and Steady Mom

As we prepare to close out another year, I visited the archives of Simple Homeschool and chose one of the most popular posts from each month of 2014 to share today.

So many thanks to the contributors and guest posters who have helped me fill this virtual space with so much quality content over the past twelve months–enjoy the inspiration!

January

A Little House virtual field trip

“I’ve always wanted to walk where Laura walked, see where she lived, and be inspired as a family along the way. Well, this summer it’s happening!

Of course, you won’t all fit in the minivan, but why not put together a virtual field trip so you can take your kids to Laura’s homes from your dining room or coffee table?

Ready? Let’s go!”

~ Jamie

February

10 new “must-read” nonfiction picture books

 “I love stumbling across a new-to-me book on a library’s shelf and flipping through to discover that it has the makings of a classic after all–it inspires, it teaches, it tells a deeper story. And in the past year there have been many such books released.

Here are ten nonfiction titles, along with excerpts from the reviews they’ve been given, that you and yours might enjoy checking out.”

~ Jamie

March

5 things kids really want to know about homeschooling

“One day, upon learning that my children are homeschooled,  a group of elementary school kids instantly bombarded them with questions concerning their education: What do you have to do? How long does it take to finish? Do you get recess? What do you eat at your homeschool? Who is your teacher?

I found it all very amusing, especially my son’s brief responses — everything, until we are done, yes, anything, Mom. I thought I’d take this moment to elaborate for him.”

~ Amida

April

10 ways you’re making your homeschooling day harder than it needs to be

“What we need to deal with in our home today is, well, what we need to deal with in our home today. Let’s not make our lives harder by imagining all of the “what-if’s” that may or may not happen later. How does that even begin to serve us or those we love?”

~ Jamie

May

Homeschooling advice from graduates who have been there

“And as a mom, this brings me to tears. This is exactly what I wanted for them.

I had my eyes on this day when they would look back, understand, and be glad that we homeschooled in an unconventional, interest-led way. Along with the tears, I’m putting down my coffee cup and spiking the football!”

~ Jena

June

Raising happier homeschooling siblings

“And so, I try to be there, knowing they are forced to share more than other kids; knowing that it’s a pro and con of homeschooling that we are together so much. 

But I also know that someday not so far away, we will probably remember mostly the pros. We will remember these days shared, and it will all seem like it was a pretty good idea.”

~ Kara

July

How I taught my kids to clean … so I could stop cleaning

“Not only are my babes learning necessary life skills and contributing to the family, but I am freeing time for other tasks that also bless the family–ones that I had set aside during the years of caring for young children.”

~ Jamie

August

4 truths about homeschooling

“You are your kid’s parent. Feel free to try all the homeschooling advice that sounds reasonable, but don’t sweat it if it doesn’t work for your family.”

~ Kris

September

The one word to remove from your vocabulary this school year

“We have to let go of these burdensome stereotypes, friends. You can be a fabulous homeschool parent and be yourself. And your children can be fabulous individuals who grow up being themselves, too.”

~ Jamie

October

Self-care for the highly sensitive parent

“When it comes to personality, knowledge is power. I’m sharing my HSP cheat sheet in the hopes it will help my fellow sensitive types — and their kids — stay peaceful, happy, and sane during homeschool days.”

~ Anne

November

When something breaks your homeschool heart

“Homeschool heartbreak is a tricky beast.

It doesn’t always look the same. It can come from unsupportive family, friends who don’t understand your path, a spouse who isn’t in your corner or even fellow homeschoolers.

And it can be incredibly hard to get back up and keep fighting, when you feel like something that matters so much to you has been used against you.”

~ Kara

December

PE ideas for homeschoolers who don’t live on five acres

“We are city-dwellers. We don’t have acres for them to run. No country lanes to bike for miles. No massive forest trees to climb freely. No logs or rocks to hop across traversing creeks. Those are field trips that need to be organized in advanced. My conundrum: how do I keep the spirit of free play but boost their physical activity?”

~ Rozanne

“The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.”
~ G. K. Chesterton