This is my 9th (I think) year of homeschool. I have now graduated my older 2 and my youngest is now a junior in high school. We have been a part of a homeschool co-op for most of the time we have homeschooled. When we first got started, we joined a co-op that was about an hour away. They had a lot to offer from extra curricular classes to academic classes. It was a great group of parents and they were very welcoming and helped us a lot as we were just getting started on our journey. However, we only stayed with them a short time due to the drive. Not long after that, a group of friends in my area were all homeschooling. We decided to get together and form our own co-op. It was a group of 6 moms with our kids. I don't remember how many kids we had total, but it was between 15-20. It was quite the group! We tried doing some of the core subjects, but it wasn't always that easy to get the job done with a bunch or rowdy boys, and I might add...stinky lol. One of the places we met was in a house (owned by the church next door and not being used)...to close pre-teen/teen boys up in a small bedroom just to have a quite place to teach a class. Let's just say it was less than pleasant.
Fast forward another year or 2...we found a co-op close by that was just starting to open up their doors to "outsiders". A couple of the moms from our group of 6 were going to try it out and since it was only a 20 minute drive, I decided I would give it a try too. I'm happy to say that I'm still with this co-op. I don't even know how many years its been. We have all made some great friends in this group. Moms, let me tell you...the comfort you have when you know the parents of the kids your kids are hanging out with is amazing! My kids were never (even in public school) allowed to go to a friend's house without us first knowing the parents. Being a part of a co-op, it's like a built-in bonus.
Now, let me bash one of those homeschool myths: Homeschool kids are unsocialized....ummm, really? My kids, as well as many others in our group, can carry on a conversation with people of all ages. I've seen it time and time again. We have all ages at our co-op, from babies all the way up to grandmas. The adults are respected, the kids know how to engage with others, the teenage boys are helpful and know how to open doors and help carry things. All of the kids pitch in on their designated days to help clean up when we are done. They learn responsibility. They grow up to be respectful young adults, willing to lend a helping hand.
Even with a great group, as most homeschool moms can relate, I'm always happy when it comes to the end of our co-op semester and we get a break. But, if I'm being honest, I also miss the time together. Realizing that I only have 3 more semesters with my youngest is a bit bittersweet. I enjoy the time with other moms and love watching the kids grow and learn. Most of my time with this co-op, I have taught the "littles" crafts. I love seeing all of their individuality. This year I'm also teaching a yearbook class with a few of the teen girls. This will be our 2nd time offering a yearbook. I did yearbook in high school and it was one of my favorite classes. So to be able to offer it to my kids has been great! It's always so fun to see it all come together and have memories to last a lifetime.
With that being said, it's time for our holiday break...don't mind me as I spend time with my family and also sneak in a little bit of time for some fun crafts of my own or maybe even working on our homeschool yearbook.
Enjoy this time with your loved ones!
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This is my 9th year homeschooling. I have now graduated 2 and have 1 more to go. Time sure does fly by!
When I was first getting started, it took some time to find the perfect planner. Not only did my kids need to know what was expected, but I also had to keep up with all 3 of them. That's a lot to keep up with! I finally found the perfect planner. It had all the right things, record keeping, ways to outline each topic/student/week. The problem was that I could only purchase this planner in ONE store and for a very limited time. If I didn't grab it when I first saw it, I was likely to miss out all together. Not only that, it was a pretty thick planner. It took up so much space that it wasn't easy to just grab and go. And, as my kids got older, they really. needed their own planners...or just mine to glance at. It really wasn't used much past the first couple of weeks of each semester. So the cost + the BIG spiral = not always worth the purchase.
Then I had another problem...none of the smaller planners that were inexpensive and easy to just grab and go had the pages I wanted. I was so spoiled with the other planner. So I set out to create my own planner. My goal was to sell it as a printed copy online. A few years went buy and it just wasn't happening.
Enter, DIGITAL PLANNERS. What.a.game.changer. I'm happy to announce that I finally have a homeschool planner available! It's currently available in one color option (cool, calm colors), complete with a sample sticker sheet. Yes, you can use stickers in digital planners! So MUCH FUN! You can find out more about it here. It's currently available as a pdf download that can be used in note-taking apps like GoodNotes or Notability. But it will soon be available as a regular pdf download so that you can print the pages you want.
Next up, I'll be creating more sticker sheets for individual purchase. I also have a few other planner ideas that should be available soon. I have had SO much fun creating the planner and stickers. I'm not sure I'll be stopping any time soon.
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
Whether you homeschool or send your kids to public school, this time of year is the time of year that we tend to focus on staying healthy for the upcoming winter months. When my kids were in public school, I didn't let them leave the house before rubbing Thieves Essential Oil on the bottoms of their feet. And guess what? If they did get sick at all, it was very mild and only lasted about a day. I was amazed! Obviously you have to do more than just rub an essential oil on the bottoms of your feet. It also includes having a generally healthy lifestyle, eating healthy, and having a clean home (now I'm not talking about a 100% magazine picture perfect house...but clean, non-the-less).
Here are a few products I suggest to help keep your kids above the wellness line this season:
1. Thieves® Essential Oil Blend
- Benefits: This blend is excellent for supporting the immune system, especially during the school year when kids are exposed to various germs.
- Usage Tips: Diffuse it in the morning before school, apply it to the bottoms of their feet, or add it to a homemade hand sanitizer.
2. KidScents® MightyVites™
- Benefits: These chewable multivitamins are designed specifically for children, offering essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support overall wellness.
- Usage Tips: Include them in your child's morning routine to ensure they’re getting the nutrients they need.
3. KidScents® MightyZyme™
- Benefits: These chewable tablets support healthy digestion, which is important during the school year when diet changes can affect digestion.
- Usage Tips: Give these to your child before meals to help with digestion, especially if they have food sensitivities or are eating at school.
4. GeneYus™ Essential Oil Blend
- Benefits: Part of the KidScents® line, this blend supports focus and concentration, making it perfect for homework time or school projects.
- Usage Tips: Apply it to the back of the neck or diffuse it while kids are studying.
5. TummyGize™ Essential Oil Blend
- Benefits: Helps soothe tummy troubles that can arise during the school day.
- Usage Tips: Apply it to the abdomen to ease occasional discomfort.
6. SniffleEase™ Essential Oil Blend
- Benefits: This blend is great for respiratory support, helping to ease seasonal sniffles.
- Usage Tips: Diffuse it in your child's room at night or apply it to their chest.
7. Thieves® Waterless Hand Sanitizer
- Benefits: A convenient way to keep hands clean and free of germs throughout the day.
- Usage Tips: Pack it in their backpack for easy access after touching shared surfaces.
8. NingXia Red®
- Benefits: A powerful antioxidant drink that supports overall wellness, including energy levels and immune health.
- Usage Tips: Give your kids a small serving daily as part of their morning routine.
If you would like to take a closer look at these products, you can find them here. If you have any questions, please reach out to me. I'm always happy to help!
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
We started homeschooling my kids as they were entering 7th, 5th, and 2nd grades. My husband and I had been thinking about it for years, but the idea of spending all that money held us back. But somewhere along the way we realized that it doesn't have to cost a lot. Being a single-income family, I had to find ways to stretch our dollars and make the most out of it so that we could provide our kids with the right education and tools they needed, and also allow me to stay home with them so that I could help them as needed.
Here is a list of 10 budget-friendly homeschool tips:
- Leverage Free Online Resources: Utilize free educational websites like Khan Academy (this is one I used with my older 2 as they navigated the high school years) and Starfall, which offer a variety of lessons, interactive activities, and even audiobooks for kids.
- Join Homeschooling Groups and Co-ops: Connect with local homeschooling communities to share resources, buy used curriculum, and participate in group activities and field trips. Share teaching responsibilities and resources with other homeschooling families. This can reduce costs and provide your children with more diverse learning experiences.
- Use the Library: Borrow books and educational materials from your local library. Many libraries also offer free access to online resources and educational programs.
- Buy Discounted Supplies: Shop for school supplies during back-to-school sales, use resell websites like eBay, and check dollar stores for basic supplies like paper, pens, and crayons. You can also join mailing lists and get notified when big sales are happening.
- Create a Budget: Plan your homeschooling expenses carefully. Make a detailed list of needed supplies and resources, then look for the best deals to stay within your budget.
- Choose Cost-Effective Curriculum: Consider using unit study curriculums that allow multiple children to study subjects like history and science together. This can save money compared to buying grade-specific materials for each child.
- Engage in Free Extracurricular Activities: Take virtual tours of museums, historical sites, and other attractions. Many places also offer free or discounted admission for local residents. Take Advantage of Community Resources: Utilize community resources such as parks, museums, nature centers, and historical sites for hands-on learning experiences. Many of these places offer free or low-cost educational programs and tours
- Incorporate Life Skills: Teach practical life skills like cooking, budgeting, and gardening as part of your curriculum. These activities often require minimal expense and provide valuable lessons.
- DIY Learning Tools: Create your own educational tools and resources. For example, make flashcards, use household items for science experiments, or design your own worksheets. There are many free templates and guides available online to help you get started.
- Online Used Curriculum Marketplaces: Explore online marketplaces specifically for used homeschool curriculum, such as Homeschool Classifieds or eBay. These platforms often have gently used materials at a fraction of the cost of new ones.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. I combined a few that were similar. Sometimes it helps get those creative juices flowing when you see similar options together. The biggest way to accomplish budget-friendly homeschooling is to become a part of a homeschool community. Many homeschool moms love sharing their resources and swapping curriculum. Joining a local homeschool co-op was one of the best decisions we ever made for our homeschooling journey.
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
I've been married for 23 years. When I was pregnant with our first, we moved across a few states and I haven't worked outside the home since. That was right at 22 years ago this summer. Our oldest was born that November. Being a stay-at-home mom is what I always wanted to be. Before my husband and I were married, we agreed that once we had kids I would stay home with them. It hasn't always been easy. We don't have extra finances for vacations, nights out...or anything really. But it's a decision we have made and would make all over again. I've had people frown upon me for not having a job, for choosing to homeschool, for working hard to homestead even though there isn't much money to be made in it (yet!). My point is...I'm never going to please everyone. The ONLY ones who matter are God and my family.
I'm a firm believer that God designed me to be a wife and mother. To provide a loving home for my family. I was blessed to be able to raise my own children and homeschool them for the past few years. But I'm realizing that it's hard not to buy into the worldly thoughts and views about needing to have a bigger purpose in life.
Once all 3 of my kids started hitting the teenage years (yes, I had 3 teens at once and LOVED it!), I realized that it was time for me to get to know myself again. I knew that once they all left home I would struggle to know my place. I have loved being a mom. It's hard to think of who/what I will be when the last one leaves the home. So I started doing some trainings, coaching, courses, etc to help me on my journey. Ultimately, I want to help other moms. I want them to see the light at the end of the tunnel on those long, hard days with littles and know it's all going to be worth it in the end. I want them to know and understand the importance of taking their kids to church services even though they feel they don't get a thing out of it because they are tending to the kids. I want them to see that even in that situation, they are a great example not only to their kids, but to the congregation. I want moms to know that the "job" they have as a stay-at-home mom is the most important job they could ever have. Most importantly, I want them to see and know their worth in the eyes of God. So I began my coaching journey with all of this in mind. It has had it's ebb and flow. My focus has changed along the way, but every time it's been about helping moms.
And where am I now on this journey? Homesteading, cultivating a holistic lifestyle for my family and sharing our journey with others. I've been learning more and more over the past 10 years about natural health & wellness, herbalism, decluttering the home, gardening, raising livestock, cooking from scratch, and all sorts of homestead related things. So you'd think that with my kids getting older and not needing me as much that I'm all set and ready to go, right?
WRONG
My oldest is 21 years old and I have been blessed to still have him at home as a working member of our family (he's our main gardener!). My daughter is 19 and just got married, so she is officially out of the house and on her own. My youngest is now 16 years old and working on a horse ranch, learning every single thing he can.
Reality really hit me when wedding plans stopped, wedding company all left, my guys were all out working, and I was left home along. Who am I? What am I doing with my life? Am I more than just the one my guys come home to? The one who cooks and cleans, does the laundry, keeps schedules straight, runs errands? Surely there's got to be more than that right? Should I go out and get a job so that I can 1) contribute to our finances and 2) have a worth/value in this world?
STOP right there...read #2 again. That right there is the worldly view creeping into my head. Yes, we have talked about me getting a job outside the home. But all 3 of my guys agree that I am best at home. And I agree! THEY understand my value as a wife and mom. THEY get that if I were to work outside the home there is no one who can replace me. THEY KNOW MY WORTH. So, why don't I?
Now, back to the part about me being a life coach for moms and wanting them to understand their value and wondering where my place is now that my kids are all growing up...Here, right in my home, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, tending to the needs of others. THIS is where I belong. Why? Because it's what I want...it doesn't matter what the world says. And, yes, I can still help contribute to the finances in so many other ways. Like the woman in Proverbs 31, I work with my hands, I sell goods, I am not afraid for I have prepared my household.
My worth is in God, in being here for my family, and in helping other moms on their journey. 💜
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
