Celebratory Homeschooling: What it is...and How You Can Have it Too!

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Celebratory Homeschooling: What it is...and How You Can Have it Too!

This is a guest post contributed by Leah Hudson. You can learn more about Leah in her bio at the bottom of her post.

In a busy and overfull life, the tiniest of things delight me. I mean miniscule. Well-prepared food, well-placed words, soft smiles on the faces of my loved ones, a nap on a rainy day. These are the delights of my soul. They introduce wonder into my day, usher in the most natural thanksgiving - a smile.

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Traditions and How They Shape Your Family

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Traditions and How They Shape Your Family

This is a guest post contributed by Lara Chomout. You can learn more about Lara in her bio at the bottom of her post.

The fall and winter seasons are times that many hold dear - for many they mark the beginning of holiday traditions. The days are filled with cozy evenings, romping in the pumpkin patches, watching the first snow fall, spending time around tables laughing with friends and family - frequent pauses from “everyday life” we don’t seem to take as often in the seasons that follow. We are doing what we were made to do - spending time together, loving each other, serving each other well.

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FREEBIE: Watercolor ABC Flashcards (Print with Arrows)

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FREEBIE: Watercolor ABC Flashcards (Print with Arrows)

There are truly a plethora of ABC flashcards available on the market these days- I even have four sets in my own shop. Once upon a time, this set was in my own shop as well.

But can we really have too many beautiful options? In the early years of education, flashcards become a staple in our homeschool and in our schooling space…

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I Am Not a Teacher

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I Am Not a Teacher

𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿.⁣
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My youthful ambitions were to be famous and make money.⁣ (Deep, I know.)
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I never wanted kids. I definitely would never be "that mom" who doesn't work, doesn't climb the ladder, doesn't have "huge" accomplishments to show the world.⁣
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I was the least homeschooler-type person in all the world.⁣
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Then the Lord knocked. He placed a baby on my heart then one in my tummy. Then another.⁣
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And during that first set of babies, he placed a book in my hand: 𝘈 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯. I rocked a massive belly and read ideas about motherhood and education that might as well have been from Mars.⁣

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The Purpose of Catechism (Is it just for Catholic families?)

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The Purpose of Catechism (Is it just for Catholic families?)

This is a guest post contributed by Lara Chomout. You can learn more about Lara in her bio at the bottom of her post.

It was Tuesday evening, and I was exhausted and ready to curl up in my own bed with a good book. Naturally, I didn’t want to let our 3-year-old’s bedtime routine linger. I read her a couple of books, not giving into her requests for “just one more,” and started to move on to our prayer.

For some reason, despite my longing to keep it quick, I decided to ask her one of our catechism questions from our preschool curriculum.

I looked at her sweet little face and asked, “Who made you?” I wasn’t fully expecting an answer. I was simply going to answer it for her—as we have done during our school time during the day.

“God made me!” she said with absolute delight.

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Collecting Nature and Encountering Our Creator (GIANT FREEBIE)

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Collecting Nature and Encountering Our Creator (GIANT FREEBIE)

My Instagram feed is filled with gorgeous nature tables, muddy rainboots, and wild and free children. This speaks to my heart in an unimaginable way. While I may often get too busy to truly spend the hours out of doors that I would like... and sometimes the complaints about the heat just wear me down (we live near Satan's armpit), I know deep in my soul that being surrounded and immersed in God's creation is as close as we can get to touching him on this earth. 

When I first began reading Charlotte Mason's own personal work (and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT, start here), I was slightly put off. I almost felt as if she worshipped nature. But I knew I had to be missing something important, so I pressed further in. Through prayer, I realized that Charlotte was passionate about nature because she was passionate about the Creator of nature. She knew that being immersed in Creation was a sneak peak into eternity and into the heart of our Father in Heaven. Our task as mothers is to simply help our children become thoroughly acquainted with Creation, capable of truly SEEING it with clear observation.

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HUGE FREE Gentle + Classical Nature Bundle Sampler!

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HUGE FREE Gentle + Classical Nature Bundle Sampler!

Gentle + Classical Nature finally arrived just a few months ago. It has been a labor of love, and one I’m very excited to get into your hands after completely “revamping” the original release of Nature. Gentle + Classical Nature Volume 1: Inland Waterways and Forests explores all of the organisms and life cycles that take place in our freshwater, inland waterways as well as temperate forests. I won’t go into a huge amount of detail because you can download the FULL Teacher’s Guide 100% for FREE!

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Memorization: When to move on?

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Memorization: When to move on?

My child is learning this memory work really quickly... Should I move faster, add to it, or go to a different level? This question lands in my lap quite often, so I want to explore things a little bit further with you. Always remember, this is my personal perspective, so trust your gut and your prayers, Mama!

My child is learning this memory work really quickly... Should I move faster, add to it, or go to a different level? This question lands in my lap quite often, so I want to explore things a little bit further with you. Always remember, this is my personal perspective, so trust your gut and your prayers, Mama!

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Saint Patrick’s Day Free Printables

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Saint Patrick’s Day Free Printables

St. Patrick left an amazing legacy on the isle of Ireland that hasn’t been quickly forgotten by the Irish in over one thousand years! Each year, we celebrate his gift of Christian mercy, love, and compassion on March 17th.

After researching and learning about Ireland over the past 2 months for this issue of On Mission, I can see why St. Patrick loved it so. Even after escaping from captivity as a slave there, his heart could not be separated from the land or the people. God called him back- to HIS CAPTIVES- to preach the Good News.

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How to Create a Memory Statement Board (The Gentle + Classical Preschool)

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How to Create a Memory Statement Board (The Gentle + Classical Preschool)

During my years as a homeschool mom, I’ve found I’m not alone in always looking for a more efficient way to walk through our days, plan ahead, and keep moving without getting bogged down and distracted. One of the most effective tools I’ve found to stay on track—especially with younger learners—is the addition of a homeschool memory work board or memory statement display in our home.
Over the past year, I’ve received email after email from families using The Gentle + Classical Preschool or Gentle + Classical Nature echoing the same message: they felt lost and unfocused in their school days—until they created a memory work board.

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