My homeschool adventure started when I was a high school Junior. I was the oldest of 4 and we were in a private Christian School where my mom was teaching. We were weary of the all-day school and sports activities taking over our days, and because my dad worked 2nd shift, we basically only saw him on the weekends. After much persuasion, we talked mom and dad into homeschooling us!
I met my husband, Jayson, at Bible college, and we were on the path to serve the Lord in the ministry somewhere. As our children approached school age, we decided to homeschool them. There was not a private school near us, and we had decided early in our marriage that we would provide them with a Christian education whether in a private school or by homeschooling them. Homeschooling offered our ministry family the flexibility to juggle many things in our lives. Most of the time we lived in the country and the kids had many life experiences and opportunities. They worked on projects with us and developed a strong work ethic. We wouldn’t change those opportunities for the world. They often talk of those days!
In 2015, I was presented with the opportunity to teach in a private school where I taught 3rd and 4th grade in a combined class for 5 years. Following this, I began working at Rainbow, first in the warehouse and later as a Curriculum Consultant. After 22 years of homeschooling and teaching, I have loved this opportunity to assist parents with questions or concerns they have about their own homeschool journeys!
We commonly receive calls asking for curriculum that is presented via online or DVD, and while these can be great options for home educators, they do present the issue of how to keep your student engaged during the learning process. Here is some advice that you can apply with your own children!
Have you ever been there? Are you there now? You are doing your best to juggle all that is in your life, but the balls are dropping constantly. This can be a defeating place to be, and at some point, all moms have felt like this, especially the homeschool mom. Here are some thoughts about how to not just survive but to thrive during this time of life.
In this age of being able to have information in a moment’s time, we have lost the art of memorizing. The value has been seriously overlooked, and many learners have suffered as a result. And unfortunately, if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it!
Christmas is the time for making special memories with your kids. Now that our four children are ages 18-23, we look back and realize even more that it was the little things that made the best memories. I love listening to them reminisce and recall favorite traditions and experiences. Here’s just a few!
The more our culture changes it has become quite apparent that as a society we have lost our sense of etiquette/manners. We must change this trend! It starts, of course, at home with our example and with the educating of our own children.
With the holiday season fast approaching, we look forward to a break from our typical busy routines, and to time spent together with family and friends. Hopefully this means MORE cozy mornings and LESS rushed evenings. More time around the table or fireplace – steeped in conversation or playing...
Family traditions at Christmas are important because they create lasting memories, strengthen bonds, and provide a sense of stability and belonging. They bring us together, allowing for shared experiences and deeper connections with our loved ones. When it comes to making memories, there are truly...
Homeschooling during the holidays doesn’t need to be stressful. It can be a joyful time if you adapt your schedule and mindset to focus on making wonderful memories while still learning. Putting in a little thought ahead of time will save you from feeling overwhelmed so you can still have...
It’s that festive time of year again! This has always been my favorite time of year. When I look back at my childhood, my fondest memories were the fun traditions my family made together during the holidays. Children find comfort and bonding in these traditions and it generates a special joy...
Enjoyed by families for generations, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade made its debut in 1924 to celebrate and show off the opening of their World’s Largest Store in New York City. Offering a whopping 1 million square feet of clothing, household goods, and children’s toys, the newly expanded store...
