Non-traditional students have become more common in recent years. According to its most recent figures, the National Center for Education Statistics reports that 2.9 percent of students in the U.S. are homeschooled — that’s defined as “school-age children (ages 5–17) in a grade equivalent to at least kindergarten and not higher than 12th grade who receive instruction at home instead… Read more →
This past week was supposed to be one of much accomplishment! Co-op is over for the semester, which gives us an extra day at home, and I had plans to catch up on a couple of things as well as do some fun lessons. Sunday evening I printed and planned and went to bed, ready to enjoy homeschool the next… Read more →
2017 is bearing down on us. Christmas holidaying is once again threatening to turn my kids into self-centered brats (threatening; they’re still pretty amazingly caring people, even after a lot of chocolate and no alarm clocks for a week]) We are so behind on school that I almost skipped our January Month of Service. Almost. I’m now scrambling to put it… Read more →
Lately the toddler tornado has been experiencing a language explosion! Every day or two she has a new couple of words, and she is constantly trying to string them into phrases and getting frustrated when her attempts at communication are met with confusion. Sometimes she really is pretty clear—“moo..re chockat” was pretty understandable as “more chocolate,” but at other times… Read more →
It’s getting chilly up here in Massachusetts—enough so, that the toddler wanted her hat and shawl this morning when she went out! (Don’t you just love the snuggliness of a bundled up little one!) We’ve had a couple of light frosts, and it’s time to start thinking about how we are going to handle to long, cold days that are… Read more →
It was the last period of the day before Christmas break. My seventh grade classmates and I filed wearily into the science lab, prepared to endure a final boring lecture from our teacher, Mr. K., before we were set free to enjoy the holidays. We let out a collective groan as he emerged from the supply closet, pushing a sheet-covered… Read more →
Some parents turn to homeschooling because that was always their plan. Perhaps they were homeschooled themselves, or know a friend or neighbor that teaches their own children. Others (myself included) come to homeschooling only after first starting out upon the more common path of sending our children to school. We realize only belatedly that we must take charge of our… Read more →
Mental and physical exhaustion can happen to any homeschool parent. Whether it results from trying to juggle too many family obligations, adjusting to life with a new baby or adopted child, caring for a sick child or coping with one’s own illness, helping aging parents or grandparents, trying to balance work and homeschooling, dealing with unemployment, buying and moving into… Read more →
What about socialization? Homeschooling parents hear that question, or some variation, often in the course of their homeschool lives. This question is often asked by well-meaning family members and friends who are truly concerned that our children are going to miss out on some vital skills and experiences not being in school. We know that much social learning takes place… Read more →
The other day I was talking to my mother about some behavioral issue I was dealing with, and I finished the conversation by saying, “ I know they’ll get it eventually, and in the meantime I’ll just keep toting water uphill in a sieve!” She kind of laughed and we went on to another topic. It’s true though. Some parts… Read more →
