I see you, mama. You're standing at the end of another homeschool year — or maybe at the edge of your very first one — and you're asking the big questions:
“Can I really keep doing this? Should I even try?”
You're tired. Maybe a little defeated. You’ve carried the weight of it all — the lessons, the meals, the toddler tantrums, the endless sibling squabbles, the special needs appointments, and the mess that never ends.
Read MoreI’ve been thinking lately about how often we use the phrase “classical education” in homeschool circles—and how it can mean slightly different things depending on who’s saying it or who’s hearing it.
Sometimes when people say they’re doing classical education, they mean they’re part of Classical Conversations which is a structured program that uses classical tools like memory work, recitation, and public speaking (plus much more!) in a community setting. Classical Conversations is a particular brand of educational curriculum, just like Memoria Press, Classical Academic Press, or The Gentle + Classical Press ;).
Read MoreIn a world where fewer children know where their food comes from—or how it grows—agricultural science has never been more important. Whether you live on a few acres (like we do!) or in a suburban neighborhood, there are countless ways to bring the wonder of agriculture and homesteading into your homeschool. Studying agricultural science isn’t just about planting seeds, and it’s definitely not just for people who farm or homestead. It’s about cultivating responsibility, understanding ecosystems, building life skills, and connecting to our roots.
Read MoreWe can never have too many bookmarks in our house, so I went on a search for the cutest, easiest, and most creative DIY bookmark ideas for kids! Whether you’re looking for simple paper crafts, fun ways to use up craft supplies, or something extra special to encourage young readers, this list has a little bit of everything. I’ve rounded up my favorite ideas from around the web—perfect for a cozy craft day with your little bookworms!
Read MoreYou may have noticed my post about how to assemble a memory statement board but still remained all-together confused or overwhelmed by what a memory statement even IS. Memory statements fill the pages of all Gentle + Classical programs, so I want to make sure you understand WHAT they are and how to implement them in your homeschool!
Memory statements are an idea that seems to have sprung from the more modern ideas of classical education and have been made popular by a popular community-based curriculum program. However, if we dig more deeply, we find that the notion of a “memory statement” is rooted in Charlotte Mason and true (historical) classical education.
Read MoreWhen my kids became fascinated with penguins, I knew it was the perfect time to bring some hands-on fun into our homeschool! From adorable penguin crafts to easy, kid-friendly snacks, I’ve rounded up our favorite activities that bring these charming little birds to life. Whether you're looking for a simple afternoon project or a creative way to reinforce a winter or polar animal unit, these ideas are sure to delight your little learners. Grab some glue, a few snacks, and let’s waddle into some penguin fun!
Read MoreValentine’s is usually a “love/hate” kind of holiday for most. Some people are tired of commercialism while others adore the special focus on love and romance this time of year.
I’ll say that I squarely fall into the middle. I’m not one for “mush” but I absolutely love to take time to make sure that my family knows just how important they are to me. We have very simple, candy-centered traditions around our house.
Even if you don’t love V-day, I find that late Jan-February is typically one of the hardest seasons in homeschooling. And when you layer a year-long pandemic on top? Sheesh. So anything that can bring some light and joy into our lives as we suffer through the long stretch of gloom and cold of this generally abysmal month- well, I’m all for it!
Read MoreFirst things first, I’m not a food blogger. So why am I posting a recipe? I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease 18 years ago, so it’s been 17 years since I’ve had “real” wheat bread. That means that for 17 years, I’ve done without or eaten cardboard that’s bread-ish and crazy-expensive.
In recent months, I’ve become a little obsessed with gluten free sourdough, which we all love fresh out of the oven or toasted and slathered in jam or butter. (My jeans are not appreciating my appreciation though).
Read MoreAs the holiday season approaches, I wanted to share some of our family's favorite gifts that have stood the test of time. These items have provided countless hours of joy and have become staples in our household. I hope these suggestions inspire your gift-giving this year!
Read MoreI was browsing Pinterest the other day, looking for some printable activities to use alongside explore birds with my preschooler. I wanted a fun, bird-themed opportunity to review basic math and counting skills that fit the season. Our yard is freshly filled with birds in the early spring, and there’s really no better time of year to pull our feathered friends into our homeschool time.
Read MoreFull Disclosure: Some links on this website may generate a commission that helps to maintain and market Life, Abundantly. All Amazon links are affiliate links (this does not impact the price you pay). See my full disclosure here.
Full Disclosure: Some links on this website may generate a commission that help to maintain and market Life, Abundantly. All Amazon links are affiliate links (however, they do not impact the price you pay). Click here for full disclosure.
I mentioned the other day that I was working on a talk about joy—or more specifically, joyful early learning. Praise God, I finished it! Now I'm rehearsing it over and over again (lol). As tedious as that can be, the reason I wanted to give this talk is because… well… I need it, or at least parts of it.
Honestly, based on the emails I receive from time to time, I have a feeling some of you might need it too. About 97.5% of the "struggle" emails I receive are emails I absolutely could have written myself at some point, so there is ZERO shade here. BTDT, for real.
Many of the emails I receive that are related to behavioral and attitude struggles in children are also reflected in the emotional dysregulation the parent is displaying in the email. Sometimes, their language makes it clear that they are genuinely on the struggle bus with keeping it together, feeling overwhelmed, and overstimulated. Even more often, they simply admit it themselves. Whether it's an issue with self-control, anger, or diligence, it's usually confessed before they begin expressing their frustration over their child's struggles with… you guessed it… self-control, anger, or diligence.
One of my biggest parenting and education regrets?
It’s not that I wish I had been more rigorous. It’s that I wish I had been more diligent.
Diligence, self-control, and consistency were not virtues that were well developed when I entered motherhood. In fact, because I did not have Christ, I think I barely had any virtue at all. There’s not much that pains my heart more than remembering how unfaithful I often was with my sweet girls.
Praise God that He captured my heart and began a great work in me. Because of that—and because of home education—I began to grow in virtue alongside my daughters. Part of that growth was realizing the wisdom of diligence in home education. There is no growth without consistency.
I’ve now seen both sides of the coin: the struggle that came from delaying academics and leaning too heavily into child-led learning, and the fruit that comes from a diligent, consistent education. They are incomparable.
Lately, I’ve noticed another word making the rounds in homeschooling circles: rigor. I think it’s worth slowing down to ask whether that’s really what we’re looking for.
Education is about formation, not just information.
If your educational experience was anything like mine (public schoolers, raise your hand!), when you picture “education,” you primarily think “information.”
From a traditional schooling perspective, the daily goals look a lot like:
facts to learn
chapters to finish
standards to cover
tests to pass
And if we're honest, these expectations follow many of us into homeschooling. We assume our job is to deliver as much knowledge as possible, as efficiently as possible. Then, we probably need to do a test of some sort so we can SEE that our kids learned and maybe also show others that they're learning too.
Last week, on social media, I shared a post about discernment vs. control for homeschooling parents. It struck a nerve with many parents, so I wanted to share more here, plus the book list I created.
Here’s the gist:
In the early years of parenting, our job is control.
We control:
what they eat
what they watch
where they go
who they spend time with
how and what they learn
I'm afraid my kids think I'm losing it.
I've had a hard time getting through studies, hymns, and readings lately without getting weepy. Whether it's singing Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing or reciting The Lamb by William Blake or even repeating our catechisms about the just wrath of God, I just end up in a big puddle at the end.
It's a hard pill to swallow … to imagine the suffering of my perfect, sinless, loving, compassionate Savior … all because of my sin. That, even knowing what He endured, I still pick up the nails and hammer every day. My stomach turns to think that on a normal Thursday afternoon, my flesh weaves a new crown of thorns to plunge into His scalp. When I am angry, inconvenienced, or honestly just uncomfortable, it is horrifying how often I choose to whip His back with the lashes of my tongue instead of humbling myself at the foot of His Cross.
My sweet Savior, tortured and murdered for my sins. I readily confess it with my lips, I rely on it for the salvation of my soul, and still, in my flesh, I crucify Him again and again.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Full Disclosure: Some links on this website may generate an itty-bitty commission that helps maintain my blog. For my full policy, visit the Contact Me page for all related disclosures and policies.
“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”
Powered by Squarespace
We are officially gearing up for another homeschool year! Honestly, in full transparency, I'm not super excited about it. I think it's because we've had such a busy summer that I don't feel like it's REAL that it's already August. But alas, here we are, whether I like it or not.
I'm being a total slacker on actually getting ready, but I have completed all of my planning, so I thought you might like to see what we have on our plate for the 2026–2027 school year for 4th and 5th grade boys :). I think talking about it will get my heart moving in that direction.
Here's our plan!