Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Honest. Quirky. Real. Practical tips, candid reviews, and stereotype-smashing humor for homeschooling families.

Honest. Quirky. Real. Practical tips, candid reviews, and stereotype-smashing humor for homeschooling families.

6 Secrets to Slaying the Teacher/Mom Balance in Homeschooling

By

How many hats do you feel like you wear as a homeschool parent? Adrienne shares six secrets for discovering a good teacher/mom balance in homeschooling.

Written by Adrienne Bolton of The Mommy Mess.

Finding a comfortable teacher/mom balance in homeschooling has been one of the most significant challenges for me. I’ve spent years trying to juggle the two hats only inevitably to fail because it’s impossible to separate the pair.

Do you struggle with this too?

Teacher/Mom Balance in Homeschooling

Try these six secrets I’ve found for slaying the teacher/mom balance in your homeschool.

1. Be a parent, first and foremost.

Homeschooling is not only your job but a large part of who you are as a parent. When I’m struggling with that teacher/mom balance in homeschooling, I try to remember one rule of thumb: I’m my kids’ mom above all else. I just happened to choose a style of parenting that involves teaching them at home.   [Read more…]

Checking Boxes Without Your Kids Checking Out

By

What do you do when homeschool laws force you to teach boring subjects? Get tips for checking boxes without your kids checking out mentally.

One of the biggest homeschooling pros is the fact that we can teach what we want how we want to teach it.

Usually.

Depending on where you homeschool, your state may dictate some of what you have to include in your homeschool. And, if you have a college-bound teen, admissions requirements may play a role in course planning.

Checking Boxes Without Your Kids Checking Out

So, what happens when you have to teach something that is less-than-appealing to your student? How do you satisfy state regulations or college expectations without boring your kids?

I’ve got some tips for checking boxes without your kid checking out. [Read more…]

8 Creative, Simple Ways to Homeschool with LEGO

By

Are you homeschooling LEGO fans? Get them excited about a LEGO homeschool with these creative ways to use LEGO bricks in your homeschool lessons.

Written by Chelsea Gonzales of Wonder Wherever We Wander.

LEGO bricks are seriously awesome toys. They encourage creative thinking and problem solving, and they keep my 7-year-old entertained for hours on end. Sure, they hurt like crazy when you step on them, but late-night LEGO landmines aside, they’re well worth keeping around.

Do your kids love LEGO too? If so, you’ll love these ideas for incorporating these nifty little toys into your homeschool. After all, the kids are more willing to sit still for a bit when lessons involve one of their favorite playthings. Capitalize on that fact!

8 Creative, Simple Ways to Homeschool with LEGO

Try these eight creative, simple ways to homeschool with LEGO and make school a little more colorful and engaging for everyone. [Read more…]

How to Maintain Scheduling Boundaries : 6 Simple Solutions

By

When you homeschool, it can be difficult to set and maintain scheduling boundaries. Try Sara’s tips to stay focused and avoid derailing your school day.

Written by Sara Dennis of Classically Homeschooling.

Do you know the one skill all homeschooling parents need? The ability to set scheduling boundaries! After all, you need to drive the kids to activities. Your spouse needs you to run an errand. The church is asking for volunteers. Everyone wants a piece of your time.

So how do you maintain scheduling boundaries?

How to Maintain Scheduling Boundaries

Treat Scheduled Time Like an Appointment

Treat your scheduled time (for exercising or homeschooling, for example) like an appointment. You wouldn’t skip a doctor’s appointment just to run a quick errand, would you? Give yourself the same respect you give the doctor and treat your time as an appointment. [Read more…]

5 Quick and Easy Test-Free Ways to Test Your Child

By

Formal assessments can be painfully stressful for students. Try Shawna’s practical, quick, and easy ways to test your homeschool student without formal tests.

Written by Shawna Wingert of Not the Former Things.

I spoke to my best friend last week. As we caught up on life, she told me that her daughter was having a tough time and that she may need to jump off the phone.

When I asked why, her answer surprised me. “She has an important math test tomorrow, and she’s worried she doesn’t know the concepts.”

Her sweet little girl is in first grade.

5 Quick and Easy Test-Free Ways to Test Your Child

My friend handles this type of thing exceptionally well. Although her children are in a very competitive public school district, she consistently reinforces how not worried she is about test scores. She values their hearts above all else and seeks to cultivate their strengths.

She realizes that testing is just part of education these days.

When my oldest son was in school many years ago, we experienced the same thing. In second grade, he once came home worried because he had state testing the next day. His teacher had told the class they needed to eat eggs for breakfast the next day, so they had the protein to fuel their brains for the test period.

He started to sob as he relayed this to me. “I don’t like eggs. I don’t want to eat eggs, but I need to do well on this test.”

(Eggs, y’all.)

The truth is, tests can be stressful, even for the best students. [Read more…]