My husband, Carl, and I have been married for almost 35 years. After living in St. Louis for seven years, we moved to the small town of Kewanee, Illinois, and have lived here for 27 years. We have been very blessed to have three children. We have also gained a daughter-in-law in 2019. When my kids were babies, I never dreamed I would be homeschooling. It wasn't until my husband joined the Rainbow team in 2001 that I began to understand what home educating was all about.
It has been an indescribable joy for me to witness my children growing intellectually as well as spiritually throughout the homeschooling journey. I feel blessed to have had this time to communicate openly every day and grow close to each of my children. Like any homeschool mother, I have spent hours poring over curriculum to find the ones that best suited each of my children, and talking with other like-minded mothers has been extremely valuable to me.
Although my children are now adults, I continue to find joy in helping other parents with their own homeschooling journeys! I will do my best to share advice from my own homeschooling experiences as well as from working at Rainbow as a curriculum consultant.
The comparison game. I know I’ve played it. It’s a game that leaves you unhappy, unsure, and unclear about where the road you’re on is taking you. It’s not a fun and exciting game or one you can ever win. It doesn’t leave you feeling accomplished or satisfied, but instead it allows you to think that your best just isn’t good enough. Comparing yourself to others is already a dangerous game, but comparing your homeschool or your children’s accomplishments to others is even more precarious!
Homeschooling during middle school can be challenging but also rewarding. Kids mature at different ages, and while some might be ready for more independence in their schoolwork, others may need more time with you. This is a transition time, not only in kids’ studies but also in their physical bodies. Here are 7 things to remember as a parent as you both navigate this season!
Are you thinking about homeschooling but unsure if you can take on the task? Lately, we have had a few customers call desiring special training so they can homeschool their children. Even with a college degree, they still feel inadequate to teach their children. Their thought? Get some kind of brief training before attempting to teach. After all, it’s been years since the parent was in elementary school. How could they possibly know how to teach them when they have been removed from it for so long?
Have you thought about learning a new skill with your family purely for the sake of enjoyment? Homeschooling gives you the flexibility to venture out and explore other areas of interest kids might not have time to do otherwise. Here are a few ideas to explore!
Motherhood can be a thankless job. A homeschooling mom can even feel more unappreciated. It’s been said the hardest things in life bring about the greatest rewards. After homeschooling my three children, I can truly say that even though it was the biggest challenge for me, the biggest rewards and blessings have come from it. If you have felt defeated, tired, and frustrated, hang in there! Remember you are investing in your children’s future and God will continue to give you the wisdom and strength to move forward. Here are some encouraging thoughts to remember.
We all have choices to make in life. Some of our choices have made us very happy and some have made us wish we could go back in time and change them. As parents, we have the opportunity to invest in our children, teaching them wisdom and good judgment. Here are some good reminders to think about as you go through the busyness of raising your precious flock.
It’s a new year! For many of us, this is when we really try to hit the books hard. The holidays are over, and now is the time to get down to business. But some of us might be feeling a bit of burn-out. So we are continuing on each morning (hopefully with a smile on our face) in hopes to make every day as productive as possible. Today, I would like to send some encouragement your way to spur you on as you joyfully finish out the year and prepare to begin a new one.
The value of teaching kids about thankfulness should never be underestimated. It is a quality in a person that creates peace and inner joy. Instead of relying on external things to decide how we measure our joy, it is best to model gratefulness and discover what a difference it makes within our hearts. With Thanksgiving around the corner, it might be fun to devote some time this month to practicing this attribute. Here are some thoughts to get you started!
With fall soon approaching and a new school year beginning, many of you have great expectations for a wonderful year ahead. After the summer break, some of you may feel a little apprehensive about starting a new year while others are excited and ready to begin! Wherever you stand, one united goal for all of us is to be as organized as possible. Looking back, there are a few things that helped me keep my years running smoothly.
When it comes to homeschooling your children, you might have thoughts such as, “Am I doing enough on a day-to-day basis?” or “How do I juggle teaching older and younger children?” These are valid questions most homeschoolers often ask themselves. The good news is your children are still learning a great deal regardless of your doubts. However, what are some practical things you can do to feel less overwhelmed and more confident in the homeschool year? Here are some ideas!
Remember that beautiful homeschool plan you made in August? The carefully chosen curriculum, the schedule that looked completely doable, and the vision of everyone happily getting their work done each day? And then the school year started. In August, we make plans based on what we think our...
You made an important decision to homeschool your children, and with it comes a lot of changes. Walking away from the rhythm and structure of the school day might leave you a little overwhelmed. But take heart, even though there are big changes, the blessings will be plentiful! Many years ago, my...
Reading aloud equips your children with a personal toolbox they’ll use throughout their lives as readers, learners and communicators. In our busy and demanding home school lives, though, making time for this activity can be a challenge. In Part 1, we discussed the Why of reading aloud to all ages....
Snuggle up before bedtime, pull out a picture book, and read to your preschooler. Many families read to their children in the early years. They know that reading aloud plays a significant role in a preschool child’s thinking and language development. Reading aloud to preschoolers increases their...
Lesson plans done. School books organized and tucked neatly on the shelf. Pencils sharpened. Meals planned. Laundry caught up. The conditions are PERFECT for back to (home)school! In my mind, I can see your total look of despair and eye rolling. That’s ok! Looking back on 15 years of homeschooling,...
