Little by Little Homeschool - Christian Homeschooling and Motherhood

Hey, Friend! This episode is sure to ruffle a few feathers, but I'm good with that. As homeschool parents, we should be willing to think outside the box and consider new paths ahead. What if the future is not like the present or the past? What should we do to prepare our children for the world they will be working in?  We should welcome these types of conversations and be thinking about our ch...

Hey, Friend! It's spring cleaning time! Say what?! How in the world is a homeschooling mom supposed to get that deep cleaning done in the midst of lessons, meals, driving to all the things, and regular homemaking duties? Today, I am sharing 3 simple spring cleaning tips to help you narrow your focus during these few months between winter and summer. Let's get into some practical ideas, as...

Hey, Friend!  Over and over again homeschool parents hear the same few questions and comments about homeschooling. But what about this one inquiring about when we'll be putting our child back into "real school," meaning public school. This question can hurt a bit, but remembering that it isn't a question about us and that it has more to do with the person asking, helps to shift our...

Hey, Friend! Let's dig into a hard topic today and why parents shouldn't focus on finding the best homeschool program for their child. Why do we make this a thing? And what should we focus on instead? Are you ready for some hard-hitting truths and questions? I hope so because hard isn't something we should shy away from. Let's do the hard work because it gets us to the place of rea...

Hey, Friend! It's the inevitable question of whether a homeschool family joins a co-op or not. Let's dip our toes into the pros and cons and get realistic about what this type of educational avenue entails. We'll discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of homeschool co-ops so you can make the best decision for your family: for this year. ♥ Leigh   Ready to create absolute clarity and c...

Hey, Friend! To one degree or another, we've all had kiddos who are easily distracted or lack self-motivation. How do we encourage growth in these areas as we homeschool and raise our children? Today, I am diving into a few tips to keep an easily distracted child focused, as well as how to encourage self-motivation so that you see the maturity and growth in your children that you long for them...

Hey, Friend! How is your marriage doing? No, really. How is it? We homeschool moms can get so wrapped up in our role as mother and educator that we miss this most important relationship with our husband. Today, I want to dive into a few reasons why we need to make our marriage a priority and how that directly affects our ability to homeschool well. Let's not lose sight of our marriage and the...

Hey, Friend! Do you wish you could sit down with a veteran homeschool mom and ask her all the things? And then hear what she wished she did differently? I'm doing just that today. Grab a cuppa somethin' and settle in to hear my biggest regrets as a homeschool mom. May it encourage you, whether you're new or have been homeschooling for a little bit. We should be able to learn and grow f...

Hey, Friend! Whether your child is in kindergarten or any grade level, how do we, as homeschool moms, know whether we are doing "enough?" And how do we choose curriculum: by grade level or the level they are at? Today is a quick dive into this, along with a few golden nuggets that will help refocus our attitude about "doing enough" and "staying on track." I am super excited...

Hey, Friend! This episode wasn't planned, but I just couldn't shake that I needed to share this movie with you. And so, here's my dive into the "Whose Children Are They Movie?" and my raw reactions to it. I'll answer questions such as: *Why would a homeschool mom go to a movie about the public school system? *What can we learn from this movie? *How can parents respond to th...

Hey, Friend! Do you struggle with fully enjoying your days? It's so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day mundane tasks that we miss what we GET to do each and every day. I remember looking in the mirror one day and seeing a grumpy 30-something staring back at me. It was not the face I wanted my children to remember when they looked back on their childhood. Today, I am sharing the reason why...

Hey, Friend! We've got our beautiful kiddos home with us and we've poured into some amazing plans for our homeschool days and then... we're met with resistance. And we feel defeated. And a little like a failure. Don't let an uninterested kiddo bring down your enthusiasm for home education! Today, let's discuss a few key areas that, as moms, we can evaluate and figure out the ro...

Hey, Friend! You've got the kids to take care of {and all the millions of things that entails}, friendships to maintain, a dog to walk, lots of activities, a marriage that needs you to pour into it...oh yeah, and you homeschool. And don't forget the housework because you're also a homemaker! Yikes! It can feel so overwhelming at times and housework has you feeling like you are drowning...

Hey, Friend! Are you curious as to why we left the public school system after enrolling our children? Today, I am sharing these reasons with YOU! Maybe you are thinking about homeschooling and these reasons will confirm what your heart is already saying. Or maybe you already homeschool and hearing another family's reasons will solidify your conviction to continue homeschooling. This way of lif...

Hey, Friend! Today's question is a loaded one and I am totally here for it!  Are you aware of your state's homeschool laws and proposed new legislation? If not, you need to be! Those who have been in the trenches with homeschooling for a while have seen this coming and it might be about time to start sounding the alarms. There are some very tactical steps that you can take to ensure your f...

Hey, Friend! Are you feeling the winter blahs right about now? Does it seem like this season will never end? I totally get it and I used to experience feelings of negativity during the winter months. Until...I accepted 3 shifts I had to make in my mind about this time of the year. Ever since then, there has been a strong feeling of contentment that I never experienced before.  Today, I am sharing...

Hey, Friend! We're diving a little into that dreaded "s" word in the homeschool realm...socialization. I'm answering a listener question about how to respond to people, what socialization really is, and where homeschoolers can find it. Are you ready to rethink your assumptions about homeschooling and socialization? Let's change our mindset about it and then change everyone else...

Hey, Friend! Let me guess...the days are full: there are school lessons, chores, housework, naps, soccer practice and oh, dinner needs to get on the table each night too. Your days are predictable and yet unpredictable and you want to provide a nourishing meal for your family. But where to start? Today, I am sharing a simple 4 step process to getting a home-cooked meal on the table each night. Thi...

Hey, Friend! Are you thinking about homeschooling, about to get started, or maybe jumped in and aren't sure if you did the right things when you began? Let's do a quick dive into 7 steps you need to get started on homeschooling today. And this list isn't one you'll find anywhere else. It's not full of homeschool lingo that you've never heard before. But it's what I wish...

Hey, Friend! We've all heard of common core...but should you be doing it as a homeschooler? I'm answering this question today with a little dive into the history and goal of common core. But let's also discuss how to approach teaching a subject, like math, when it's not a subject you feel strong in. Let's cut to the chase and get you feeling more confident in your discussion ab...

Hey, Friend! Let me guess: your home is full of action, every day, right? There are meals to cook, toys to be played with, lessons to do and somehow the house needs to keep from falling apart. Whether homemaking is something that comes natural to you or not, today I am sharing a few key steps to keeping up with your home. Let's create homes that work FOR us and not us for it. These key steps a...

Hey, Friend! Have you noticed that our culture expects teens to rebel and be awful during their teenage years? Yeah, that's gonna be a hard no for me. We DON'T have to live like the culture and we have the opportunity to pour intentionally into our children in a way that the teen years can be a lot of fun! Today, let's look at 4 steps you can start today that will reap blessings for th...

Hey, Friend! Are you trying to choose curriculum and feeling overwhelmed by it all? I'm answering a listener question today and giving you 3 quick tips to choosing homeschool curriculum. And just as important as choosing what to use is what you do after that order is placed. I'll share why and how to maneuver things after you've made the decision. If you'd like to submit a question...

Hey, Friend! Homeschool moms tend to chat about all the things we DO in our homeschools, but often, the things we DON'T do are just as important. Are you curious about what a 10+ year homeschooler who has graduated a child does NOT do? Today, I am sharing 6 things that don't happen in our daily and yearly lives as homeschoolers. Come find freedom in the homeschool lifestyle with this list!...

Hey, Friend! There is so much to do every day, am I right? Homeschooling is a huge priority, but did you know that homemaking is important too? There are 3 areas of our lives that will thrive when we take the time pour into our homemaking. And it doesn't mean we have to have an HGTV or magazine-worthy home {or budget!}. Let's dive into why we, as homeschool moms, need to take time to creat...