Little by Little Homeschool - Christian Homeschooling and Motherhood

You started your homeschool journey with a Pollyanna view of it. Because why not? All those social media accounts and YouTube videos show beautiful scenes of peace...and cooperation. And here you are with a child (or children) who have no desire to cooperate with you and are refusing to do their homeschool work. You love your children dearly and know how amazing homeschool will be for their childh...

You just read the word year round homeschooling and probably got a little weak in the knees. It's okay. That's a very typical response. But what if I told you that you already homeschool year round and an adjustment in thought and your calendar can be the solution to all those bad days? It's true! I know that the day in and day out of a homeschool mom is all encompassing and sitting do...

This is definitely not my usual homeschool mom content, but I feel like today is the day to share this part of my story. Maybe you can relate. Or maybe it will help you relate to a loved one. I didn't subscribe to the "mommy wine culture," but I was using alcohol as a way to privately lessen the stress and frustration of motherhood. It was a part of my life here and there...until it wa...

Without a plan, the day as a homeschool mom can really take a crazy turn. And then, you're looking back on the day as your climb into bed and wonder what in the world happened. It's inevitable that things will come up throughout the day...and the night as a mom. But, it's so much easier to tackle the unexpected and the usual ups and downs with children, when you have two specific ancho...

You've decided that homeschooling is what your family will do. It's the best educational option for your children. But the day in and day out becomes so mundane and you wonder if what you're doing really matters. And does it matter how you homeschool your children? I'm posing 3 decisions that you make each and every day as a homeschool mom. Most likely, you haven't even thought...

Being a mom is the greatest part of your life. You didn't realize how much you could love and care for a child until you had one of your own. Homeschooling promises all kinds of amazing time with your children. But then, the reality of day in and day out hits. And all of the teaching and instruction is not fun. You actually find yourself constantly frustrated, annoyed, and even angry at your c...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the amount of worksheets that comes with your curriculum? Or maybe your child is giving you grief and making progress difficult? When you were in school, worksheets were how your teacher knew whether you had mastered the material. But, you're looking at homeschool and wondering if it's really that necessary. Self-doubt creeps in and makes you wonder if it rea...

Your family had a great holiday break from homeschooling, but it's inevitable that the day comes to get back into the swing of things again. Whether the first half of the homeschool year was smooth or rough, I have found that a few simple practices have always helped me start back strong in a new year. These are steps that will help you with children of any age as well as get your mind re-focu...

Along with the homeschooling, there are activities to drive everyone to, appointments to keep, meals to cook, and then there is all the housework that needs to be done. And now your head is definitely spinning. It's a lot that you have to do and keep up with every single day. And it can definitely feel overwhelming and frustrating.  But I'm here to encourage you today! The tips I'm goi...

You've made it to the other side of most of the holiday season. And now that you are looking at the beginning of a brand new year, the overwhelming thoughts of where to start creep in. It's all about perspective and the attitude about approaching 2024. If the new year is seen as the opportunity for a fresh start, you'll be on your way to making your home and homeschool the best yet. To...

Today is Christmas Day! What an amazing homeschool mom you are for all that you did for your family these past few weeks. I just wanted to pop in really quick and wish you a very Merry Christmas. May my words bring you peace and joy this day.  ♥ Leigh   JOIN CLARIFY YOUR HOMESCHOOL TODAY   https://www.clarifyyourhomeschool.com   Website -   https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com Newsletter -   h...

The week between Christmas and New Year's can go one of two ways for homeschool moms. Either the high of the holiday season will continue. Or...you'll crash and burn. But I think it would be a better use of time to find the middle road. There is a time to relax and refresh, but I'd love to see you walk into 2024 feeling really good about how the year ended. And for you to be prepared t...

A few weeks ago, you had so many plans and a lot of time to accomplish everything on your Christmas bucket list. But now, you're looking at the calendar and there is only one week left. Is that making you panic? So much of Christmas falls on the shoulders of the homeschool mom. And while that is fun and exciting, it can also be overwhelming. What if there was a way to reset as you walk into th...

Homeschooling is one of those topics that seems to be fair game for open critique and criticism. Here you are, minding your own business and doing what you feel is best for your family and along comes someone with their opinions. It can hurt and sting a bit when a family member or a friend makes a comment about the fact that you are homeschooling. And depending upon your personality and the relati...

As if your day wasn't full enough with homeschooling, housework, and the raising of children...now you've added in all the Christmas festivities and a long to-do list. How can you get everything done in these few weeks before Christmas day? Is it even possible to get it all done as a homeschool mom? Well, yes and no.  Following the tips shared in this episode, you really will learn to prio...

It's the most wonderful time of the year, but homeschool moms can easily feel spread really thin. Everyone in the family is enjoying all the activities, Christmas homeschooling, Advent, concerts, Christmas pj's...you know, the long list that Mom fulfills behind the scenes. But underneath it, you just want to enjoy the Christmas season yourself. And want to feel the specialness of the holid...

There are so many conversations that homeschool moms can have around the topic of Christmas. And today is no exception. We're going to cover a lot of ground and I'm pulling back the curtain on a few topics that I've never shared outside of my small inner circle. But it's worth it because I know that the insight to my family's story is something you'll resonate with. Grab th...

So often, parents jump into homeschooling and are hyper focused on the here and now. And that is completely understandable because this is a whole new way of life and education. Today's guest, Elizabeth Santelmann of Sunshine In My Nest, is here to encourage you to take a step back and look at the long-term vision of homeschooling. As she homeschools her 3 boys, she wants to encourage moms to...

It's the most wonderful time of the year, but there can be a significant downside. All the pretty lights and decorations can cause discontentment in our homeschool mom hearts.  This isn't an intentional thing, but the mind and heart can wander, even when you don't want it to. What should you do when you find yourself feeling jealous? Drawing upon my own experience, I have 6 steps that...

Happy Thanksgiving, Friend! Thanks for popping your ear buds in today. I hope today finds you feeling blessed beyond words. One thing that I am thankful for is you! It truly is an honor that you allow me the space in your day to encourage you in your homeschool journey. Today's episode is short and sweet: there is an announcement, a quick life update, and a little something just for you. All j...

The Christmas season is when homeschool moms tend to pile on the guilt. The stress is high and the to-do list is long and the holidays add an extra amount of pressure. And when you don't fulfill all of your obligations, the default is to feel like a failure. How is homeschool supposed to get done, along with the traveling, Christmas traditions, special activities, and performances? There just...

There just seems to be something holding you back from success in your homeschool. And you can't quite put your finger on what it is. Might I offer a place to look? How about inside yourself?  Are you the one throwing off all that your homeschool could be due to unconsciously sabotaging it? From my many years of homeschooling, I'd like to offer you 4 ways that I see this happen. But...on t...

There is so much that can be said about the time a child spends outdoors. We know in our mind that it's important, but the daily to-do list and homeschool curriculum easily fills up the day. Today's guest, Ginny Yurich, of 1000 Hours Outside is going to help you reframe the concept of the outdoors for your family. Drawing upon her personal and professional experience, she shares the roadbl...

Sometimes it seems like homeschoolers have their own secret language of terms. And today we are going to crack open one of those words: deschooling. Let's tackle the subject of what it actually is. And then focus in on why you, as a homeschool parent, need to do it. The goal is for you to feel empowered to take education back from what you think it needs to be to what it can be in your home. A...

You've seen the Christmas display in the stores already. And there is probably someone in your life who is playing Christmas music...maybe it's you! Lol! But there is the pressure that is beginning to fall upon your shoulders for the fullness of the upcoming Christmas season. What about Thanksgiving? It gets tossed into the mix, but by doing so, your homeschool family misses some valuable...