The Homeschool Solutions Show

The morning light was thin, blue, and cold. It was cozy under my blanket though as I sipped my coffee. I had an edifying book in my lap — who am I kidding — I was scrolling Facebook on my phone. One kid was asleep, two were upstairs watching "educational" cartoons, and frankly, I was in no hurry to start my school day. Listen or read more at https://pambarnhill.com/sabotage-your-homeschool/

I have been a somewhat lonely homeschooler for the past several years. It began when we chose to homeschool high school — and most of our homeschooling friends did not. True story: out of the 20-30 families we knew who homeschooled back when our children were in the early elementary grades, I can think of only a handful of them that continued homeschooling through the high school years. I confess that this bothers me.

There's a common adage that says if you lose your why, you lose your way. In other words, if you forget why you're doing what you're doing, you're not going to get very far. You'll be easily sidetracked by distractions, discouragement, and disappointments. If you don't have a firm grasp on your reason for following your chosen path, you can get derailed. This is part of why I believe in purposeful living, which includes purposeful homeschooling. Listen or read more at https://embracingdestinyblog.com/2017/05/our-purposeful-homeschool.html

Being a mom is tough work. Being a homeschool mom is crazy tough work! Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned homeschool mom, these 25 practical tips and words of encouragement will keep you trekking along in your homeschooling journey with your chin up! Listen or read more at http://rulethisroost.com/25-ways-to-rule-your-homeschool/

Did you recently meet a homeschooler for the first time? Did a friend or family member just shock you by announcing they will be homeschooling their children? Are you concerned but don't know just what to say? Look, I get it. When we decided to homeschool I knew exactly one homeschool family. It's different. It's weird. You don't quite understand it. I mean, why would anyone want to do this? It seems so… hard. But what do you say? Listen or read more at https://thehomeschoolresourceroom.com/2017/08/13/what-to-say-and-what-not-to-say-when-you-meet-a-homeschool-mom/

I think my family has entered the golden age of Morning Time. My three kids range in age from 6 to 10. We have no toddlers to disrupt us (though don't be fooled in thinking things are too quiet) and we have no teens who need to rush away to complete a list of requirements to earn credits. It is just us, together, learning to love beauty. Listen or read more at https://pambarnhill.com/morning-time-all-ages/

Somehow over the years I have become the pie cook for our family holiday gatherings. I would like to think it is because I make the best pies. More likely it is because my mom thinks there are always other deserts around if I happen to ruin the pies. If I ruined the cornbread dressing? Well that's another story, isn't it? My secret to perfect pie crust? I buy it from the little doughboy in the freezer section -- two frozen 9" deep dish at a time. What I have come to learn from years of making pies is that scratch is not always better. Listen or read more at https://pambarnhill.com/when-making-it-from-scratch-isnt-good-enough

Repetitio mater memoriae. This Latin motto, which apparently is used within the Latin classroom primarily and not embraced as a defining motto like the others so far, means Repetition is the mother of memory. This is supposed to spur you on to chant those declensions, but I think the truth contained therein should spur us on in much more than language acquisition. Listen or read more at https://www.simplyconvivial.com/2014/education-is-for-life-repetitio-mater-memoriae-or-repetition/

Out of control. Disorganized. Fly by the seat of my pants. Does the start of the school year always feel this way? I don't think it does. I am pretty sure that our past school years have followed the plan a bit more closely. But I can't be sure. What I am sure of is that the kick-off for this 2016 school year was far from a touchdown. It feels more like life intercepted the ball and ran the other way with it and I am watching the ball leave my side of the field without a plan to get it back. Read or listen to the rest at http://www.notbefore7.com/2016/10/19/love-year-youre-with/

As the holidays descend upon us, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the tasks that fill your to-do lists each day. You might question whether it's all worth it in the end, but rest assured that the extra work surrounding this time of year really does pay off, since these traditions have an extremely positive impact on a preschooler's life. Listen or read more at https://pambarnhill.com/blessings-holiday-traditions-preschoolers/