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25 Things That Make a Homeschool Mom Happy

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I sometimes say that it doesn’t take much to impress me. I think we homeschool moms can be pleased by the simple things in life sometimes. I thought it would be fun to compile a list of the little things that can make a homeschool mom happy – with a couple of big ones thrown in for good measure.

25 Things That Make a Homeschool Mom Happy

1. A library with Wi-Fi. A couple of weeks ago, I took Megan to a social event at a local library. I was wondering what I was going to do for two hours since there aren’t too many places to hang out in that particular part of town. I really had some things I needed to work on online, so I took my laptop hoping they had Wi-Fi, but knowing that there were things I could work on off-line if they didn’t.

I can’t even tell you how happy it made me to discover they had Wi-Fi or how much work I got done in a quiet library alone for two hours.

2. A café with or without Wi-Fi.

3. Those ah-ha moments. I can’t imagine there’s a homeschool mom around who doesn’t relish those moments when a kid fully grasps a new concept for the first time.

4. Independent learners. This one makes me so happy! We’ve been at this homeschooling thing for over 11 years now. My youngest two are both in middle school and I’m finally seeing the fruit of all those years invested in building the foundation to move them to independent learning.

Moms of littles, hang in there! The day will come when they don’t need you for everything.

5. Homeschool conventions. They’re mom socialization…with books.

6. Enjoying the read-aloud as much or more than the kids. I would read The Adventures of Robin Hood even if something happened and the kids didn’t have to finish it.

7. A clean house.

8. Folded laundry. Those two seconds when the laundry is caught up are simply heavenly.

9. A day at home alone.

10. An evening out friends.

11. Take out.

12. Flowers to brighten the schoolroom (which may or may not also be the dining room or some other main living area of the house).

13. A beautiful spring day.

14. Chick-Fil-A tea. (That might just be me.)

15. The smell of new books.

16. Freshly-sharpened pencils (or a brand-new box of crayons – or just new office products, in general).

17. When the hands-on project or science lab turns out just like you expected.

18. The UPS truck.

19. The first day of school.

20. The last day of school.

21. A snow day.

22. A field trip that someone else planned and organized.

23. Little checks by all the boxes on the lesson plans.

24. When the dog eats the lesson plans. (Okay, maybe I’m just imagining that one.)

25. Spending all day with your favorite people in the whole world (with the possible exception of your husband because, you know, you’ve got to pay the bills somehow).

What are some of the little things that make you happy?

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Kris Bales is a newly-retired homeschool mom and the quirky, Christ-following, painfully honest founder (and former owner) of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. She has a pretty serious addiction to sweet tea and Words with Friends. Kris and her husband of over 30 years are parents to three amazing homeschool grads. They share their home with three dogs, two cats, a ball python, a bearded dragon, and seven birds.

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23 Comments

  1. Great list! I love those ‘a-ha’ moments – there’s just something amazing about seeing your kid’s eyes light up when they ‘get it’.

    I’d add quiet mornings to my list. I’m not usually a super-early riser but those times when I manage to get up first I relish those few minutes of peace and quiet (my kid is a full-throttle talker the minute she’s awake!).

  2. To go along with folded laundry, I’d have to say folded laundry that’s put away where it belongs. I also love those rare, brief moments of utter silence when all I can hear is the dryer going and the crickets chirping. Paradise!

  3. Love the “aha” moments. Nature walks and bike rides with the kids are happy moments for us. Oh and spontaneous talks about really important stuff. I count those a real privilege.

    1. Agreed! Spontaneous moments when you realize your child learned something a while back, AND remembered it, AND applied it, AND asked probing questions/ or wanted to discuss it. My oldest, who is 5, told me the other day “Mom, I want to quit lying, but I just can’t!” It was an amazing confession and realization on his part, and very random!

  4. My daughter’s favorite little moment is when the bird poops on her math lesson. Math is her least favorite subject. The bird is now her favorite pet 😉

  5. Loved the simplicity of this list…really, the simple pleasures are the best. Thank you for writing so clearly, concisely, appropriately and practically. I love reading here. Truly one of my favorite blogs…..you have a great handle on the teens and I’m in the middle of that!! Two there and two to come.

  6. I love this list! What makes me happy is when he shares something he’s learned with others. He gets excited and can’t wait to tell his grandparents, uncles and friends some cool fact/person/story/experiment/etc. I know he not only got it but also loved learning it.

  7. Your list made me giggle…I said a yes to almost all!

    Adding a good cuppa on a stressful day, my iPad and reruns of Stargate

    Watching the successes and failures of my older kids, knowing i did put good things inside and seeing the fruit!

    Hugs Cathy

  8. I’d add coming back home on the odd and rare occasions I go out without the family, to five children who throw themselves at me telling me I’m not allowed to go out EVER again without them! Oh, and then proceed to talk nonstop filling me in on all their news (that might have occurred in the hour or so I’ve been gone). When they have finally finished their renditions, I am able to finish walking through the door! I always marvel at how key both their father and I am in their lives and I thank God for the privilege of being at home all day with these amazing little human beings.

  9. #4 is just what I needed to hear right now! I guess I have too high expectations about my kids becoming independent learners right away. Oops. I guess it’s a process, like everything else won’t happen overnight. So thank you for the encouragement!
    For me, this first year has been hard. But when I hear my kids tell their cousin (who is the same age and in school) about ancient Greece and how cool all that was, I know then they are learning for life. 🙂

  10. I loved this list, Kris! I’d have to say that living just 3 blocks from the beach makes me happy. To be more specific, beach-schooling makes me happy 🙂 We usually head to the beach for math and reading for our two youngest at least 3-5 times a week. It is truly my happy place 🙂

  11. When my husband takes ALL the kids out on errands I am in heaven with the house to myself! And erasers? A new box of those is like gold! As for the best re-charge? Morning workouts! I function so much better when I take the time to schedule in time for just me.

  12. My only complaint is the use of the word “mom” instead of “parent”. We Dads feel alienated when the world assumes that it’s only the Moms who are staying home.

    1. It is certainly not my intent to alienate homeschool dads. I’ve met plenty of homeschool dads at curriculum fairs, so I typically don’t assume moms are the only at-home parents. However, I’m already taking a leap when I speak as though I’m speaking for all homeschool moms. It’s very likely that I haven’t a clue what makes homeschool dads happy. 🙂

      1. Thanks for this.
        I’m certain the exact same things make homeschooling Moms happy also make homeschooling Dads happy ie. independent self-led learning, genuine progress, watching imagination erupt before your eyes, watching 2D and 3D creations become more and more complex.

        And we have the same fears and doubts too. Some days we drown in them, other days we march forward with confidence.

        I’ve been saying “don’t forget about us Dads” since the first meeting we ever had with a doctor when we were expecting our first baby. I feel very invisible sometimes despite playing a very keen and hands on role in parenting.

        Keep up the good work and make sure you slip as many Dad/parent references as possible 😉

    2. More and more dads are staying home nowadays! And more and more dads are homeschooling their children. However, since I’m a homeschool mom, I’m not certain what would make homeschool dads happy. (To be honest, I can only guess at what makes homeschool moms happy, but I do my best.) 🙂

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