Tips and Questions on White Space

Tips:

• Block out the time for all your subjects in your daily schedule (sometimes less is more)
• Consider loop scheduling (science in the fall or grammar only on Mondays)
• Evening white space for your family (sports, dinners)
• Establish a daily family rest time (hour after lunch, hour before dinner)
• Don't make plans for ideal life---make plans that fit your family's needs not your neighbor's family.

Questions to Ponder:

1. "Over-scheduling eliminates my kids' processing time." Agree or Disagree? Why?

2.  What is your opinion of white space?

3.  How do you prioritize white space or not?

4.  What would you predict would happen with more white space in your day?

So How Do I Create White Space

Rather than thinking about the quantity of ideas, quantity of experiences, quantity of work produced, we need to think about the quality.  A single experience (really and truly had and understood) is more valuable than weeks and weeks of rushed, unconnected random experiences.  

Following a more unschooling  approach allows me to easily free up afternoons.  In our home white space looks like these long afternoons of digging into passions and talents.

GM loves animals and wants a rabbit so she: 

• reads about them
• watches YouTube videos on caring for rabbits
• visits pets stores and breeder to see different breeds
• creates plans for hutch
• determines best breed for her
• prices supplies
• makes list of needed items

Bubba is a passionate hunter.

• play (very realistic) hunting games
• shoots archery---creating challenging shots form different yards and scores target
• Actual hunting
• Field dressing animals
• Process meat-cut meat, mix and make jerky
• Watch shows like Meat-Eater
• Cooks his own recipes.  

These experiences can happen when I strictly protect our calendar white space.  About 4 afternoons during the week are left blank.  

White Space

White Space is the margin in your life.  It is the empty space surrounding the text.  This important, key item emphasizes things by setting them off.  Without white space there is no balance.  

Jesus gives us the example of creating white space.  Time and again we read that Jesus went off alone after preaching, performing miracles, and meeting with others.  

Whole Brain Child Review

This book, The Whole Brain Child, by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D. has amazing strategies to connect with your child in the daily comings and goings.  

After a friend posted a list of "brain science" books that indicate the unschooling approach actually helps children in brain development, I requested most from our library.  This book was the one who spoke most to me in a simple, effective way to help children make connections and understand connections in their brain.  

The anecdotes and comic depictions of what to do and what not to do that fill each chapter were helpful and applicable.  The change that has occurred in our home after reading and applying the information gathered can only be describe as remarkable.  Instead of being sucked into diffusing a conflict or problem, I can approach the situation with the focus on making a connection and developing relationships further.  

This is a book that can be read again and again.  I am sure it will join my stack of books to reread. 

Legos Unite

With one boy, who is ALL BOY, and one girl, who is a GIRLY GIRL, few toys can be played together with true equality and imagination involved. Well, Legos save my sanity.  We have tons, like literally tons!  The kids even created boards so they are able to have roads, land, and bodies of water to create their worlds of Lego.  The story lines they tend to play reenact events in their lives or plots from stories.  So as much as I hate stepping on these little blocks of plastic torture, I love more how they can unite our children in play.

So Glad I

So many blogs focus on what they would do differently as homeschooling moms.  Today I want to focus on what I am happy I did in the early years of homeschooling.  I am so glad:

• we read tons of books
• we played games
• we built and pretended with legos
• we created art
• we hiked and biked
• we watched documentaries on our interest
• we cooked
• we camped
• we spent time outside
• we picked fruit
• we played at parks

As I make this list, I laugh to myself because these are things we still do.  Although, the same basic activities look different today than they did 5 years ago.  I wonder what 5 years from now will look like from now.

Try NEW Things

Learning takes place when you are truly interested.  In the moments of trying new things, studying new subjects, and/or experiencing a new situation is when deep learning occurs.  So what is new?
Me:

• Barre class at the yoga studio is leaving me sore and aware of muscles that need work
• Cooking from scratch is stretching my abilities in the kitchen
• Blogging and writing is encouraging me to find my voice
• Serving others through hospitality is challenging me from my comfort zone

Bubba:

• Starting a fantasy football league for our family forces him to explore new information and methods
• Independently reading realistic/fantasy fiction allows him to understand his preferences and discover humor in books
• Playing tackle football at the "sophomore" level encourages him to memorize plays and positions as well as read the field 
• Hunting and cooking wild game is not only mathematical but also involves critical thinking

GM:

• New art techniques and creative writing bring understanding of new creative ways to express her thoughts
• Planning experiments allows the development of fore thought and planning skills as well as the experimental thinking
• Horse riding forces her to read signals and signs from others as well as animals
• Reading fantasy independently encourages her thinking outside the box and beyond the given information

Some days learning happens so heavily in these areas and some days we just dabble.  

Comparison

So often we fall into the trap of comparison.  The view in our Facebook feed, blog reading, or even from our seat at the park can trap us into comparing your real life to what other's let you see.  It has been said "comparison is the thief of joy." 

As homeschooling moms, we are not immune to comparison.  This week as I see smiling kids returning to school, I remind myself not to compare this to the path our family is walking in choosing to home-school.  As I hear moms getting together for breakfast, I remind myself not to compare to my messy breakfast at our bar over sticky devotional books.  As other home-school moms discuss the latest curriculum, I remind myself not to compare the "rabbit hole" exploring method that works for us.  As other kids follow directions the first time, I remind myself not to compare these actions to the passionate, outspoken children in my family.  As other brothers and sisters play quietly, I remind myself not to compare them to my rowdy, rambunctious crew. 

Key is remind yourself that God blessed you with this path and your family.  Don't let comparison take your focus.  

Needs Change

In my early years of parenting with a toddler holding my hand and a baby strapped to my chest, I traveled with a mom squad.  Meaning outing to the zoo, children's museum, pool, and beach were meticulously planned with my mom friends.  I needed the support, I needed the interaction.  I needed the activity.

Now as we move into the later elementary years, I travel around with "just us."  Meaning: me, my son, my daughter, and many times my husband, of course.  Why? Because needs change.  

We need time to be ourselves.  We need time to bond, share experiences, and go on adventures together.   We need to enjoy the flexibility our lives have right now.

Do what works for you.  Needs change.

Overcoming Unexpected Challenge

Everyone experiences unexpected challenges at some point on the homeschooling journey.  Recent challenges around our home include:

• one extrovert/one introvert child---so on any given day one can't wait for activities with others and one just wants a day alone.
• Dryer stops heating just as sweaty football season begins
• Week long travel for husband pops up on the calendar 
• Friend reveals she is struggling in her marriage
• Volunteer work that throws the entire day for a loop with time changes and rescheduling

The key to unexpected challenges is how I over come them.  Prayer, breathing, and rhythm are essential for me as I struggle and deal.

• I pray daily to meet the needs of each family member through strength provided by Christ
• Breathing past the initial frustrating of a broken appliance, I find a solution in an outdoor clothesline
• Having a rhythm to our weeks makes unexpected travel an opportunity for a special treat or outing
• Prayerful support of others benefits everyone when a friend is hurting
• Return to our rhythm when a commitment turns it upside down and remember the experience when volunteering again

Challenges or routine, struggles or picture perfect days, breathe it in and love the life you are living.  

Not Planning

This month I made a strong effort NOT to get sucked in to all the home-school planning that is taking place.  I am a planner by nature, but I found in the past planning can be consuming and doesn't really work out well for our family.  So this August while other homeschooling mamas are crazy planning, buying, and scheduling, I am maintaining our summer routine.  We take trips to the river, slide at the water park, hike the foothills, and camp remotely as a family. We read, play games and picnic along the way.  

Being present in this season is the goal.  I am enjoying this time of creating memories and strengthening bonds with my family.  I will admit I do hold one plan for the upcoming fall season.   

Remaining FEARLESS in my role as wife and mom.  

Some people choose a word for the year each January.  I like to choose a word, verse, and/or mantra each fall after finding peace and calm during the summer.  

Fearless

2 Timothy 1:7

The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

1 Corinthians 13---Homeschooling

LOVE

If I purchase the perfect curriculum and supplies for each child, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I research, study, and implement the right homeschooling philosophy, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I plan each detail of our school year with wonderful experiences in a specially designed planner, but I do not have love, I am nothing.

Love is patient when siblings fight or argue.

Love is kind when carefully chosen read aloud book is a flop.

Love does not envy free time other moms have in their days.

Love is not proud that your children are ahead of grade level standards.

Love does not dishonor others who chose a different path for their family.

Love is not self-seeking at co-op or easily angered by a Facebook post.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with truth.

Love always protects, always trust, always hopes, and always perseveres. 

Summer Musing #7

Boating---Another Hobby

As I said before my husband leads us to do hobbies, interests, and passions well.  His love of being on the water after grouping up water skiing and years of enjoying a boat of our own is apparent.  So this summer, he planned outings on a boat.  We were fortunate to go boating on different area reservoir several times in the past few months.  At first, honestly, I was completely apprehensive to the idea of wake-boarding, tubing, and knee-boarding.  This apprehension quickly dissipated when everyone was squealing with joy, encouraging one another, and smiling.  
Another fun summer experience.    

Summer Musing #6

Summer Nature Experiences:

*Hiking

*Climbing trees

*Walking greenbelt

*Watching ducks

*Floating river

*Tree swing

*Boating

*Swimming in the creek

*Fishing

*Catching craw-fish

*Gardening

*Camping

After the challenge in the spring to be outside everyday, my awareness to our time in nature was heightened.  Just like our family has a culture of enjoying books, we have a culture of loving time in nature, God's creation.  As a whole after time spent outside, we emerge more grounded, refreshed, and content.

So get outside. Breathe in fresh air.  Enjoy our God's miraculous creation.

Summer Musing #5

Creating a Family Culture with Books

I love a good book but even more I love a good series of books we as a family can dive into head first.   This summer the series I selected on good recommendations wasn't a fit for us.  My niece enjoyed it, so all wasn't lost.  We sent them to her and found a series we couldn't put down.  (Fun Jungle --- more on that later.)

Creating a family culture around books doesn't mean reading books from a book list---trudging through and dragging your kids along.  It means getting lost in books everyone enjoys, having meaningful conversations about story and characters, and making connections to our own lives.  The books we choose and love will be as different as our families.

Summer Musings #4

Individual Time.  It is so nice to take time alone with each child to do what they want to do in that day.  Fortunately on Monday, Bubba and I were able to get materials for a strike zone box he wanted to build.  I loved seeing him apply himself, build, and enjoy his finished product.  

On Friday, Sis and I did our weekly shopping together which she enjoys as a shopper of any and all things.  Revealing her desire for glasses (not needed just wanted), we were able to make that happen for her.  As the one who LOVES drama, Sis was thrilled to marathon watch Once with me.  

Individual time not only helps me know my kids better, it draws us closer together as a family.  

Summer Musing # 3

Sis has found her "shows" on Netflix.  Enjoying silly drama's for kids like Kickin' It, Lab Rats, Girl Meets World, Richie Rich, and Good Luck, Charlie.  These shows speak to her right now because she finds the dynamic and social interaction depicted fascinating.  I love to snuggle up next to her to watch one or two and hear what is interesting to her.

Summer Musings #2

As a follow-up to my last post about summer baseball, I thought I would share Bubba's insights.  

"I just needed to experience this."  Bubba explained one night at the end of June.  He meant "All-Stars."  While it was humbling being on a team that suffered many losses for the first time in his life, he had the opportunities to improve drastically as a catcher and pitcher.  Learning to handle the disappointment of striking out or getting out in the field as well as not being fast enough to make the play came with this season.  He understands he enjoys baseball but regular season maybe enough since he missed the time usually spent fishing, boating, shooting archery, and camping.

Summer Musings #1

The word for June was "BASEBALL."  I heard the rumors and the gossip that summer baseball was consuming, but naively thought to myself, "It is summer and I already stay-at-home with both kids, so how hard can this really be?"  Well, summer baseball was a new beast for me as well as everyone else in our family.  

As a family with a son playing All-Stars, we were in a constant state of preparing for baseball (practices or games), playing baseball games, recovering from full days on the field, or discussing past plays and future ideas.  

I am by no means complaining, but only saying.  Baseball is what the entire month of June revolved around for us and anyone visiting us.  Just ask my niece her visit was Intro to Baseball.  We enjoyed every minute of it and have memories that will last forever. 

Return of the Routine!

Wow! Seriously!  I haven't blogged since the end of May.  

Well, summer is my favorite time of year.  I just love the long days of sunshine, visits from family, time  in the water, and camping.  With August arriving means football for our family which also translates to returning to a schedule.  Practice, other kids returning to school, and end of family visits ushers us into a new routine.  

Before I jump right into that, I would love to share some of my summer musings!

Baseball Season

(After a long baseball season, I thought I would publish this post Bubba and I wrote together.  It is all in fun and after long hours spent in the hot sun.)  

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE watching my son play baseball!  (really any sport.)  As a homeschooling mom, I find it interesting to observe the different type of boys on the team.

#1 Super Competitive Player:  This boy shows up with eye black for an evening game.  He is often the coaches kid and keeps a copy of the line-up in his back pocket.  Many times he is frustrated after practice sense no one on the team is as serious about the game.  

#2 Mom Signed Him up:  This boy doesn't want to be outside and even less on the baseball field.  He would rather be playing video games.  Many times, he has no idea what he is suppose to be doing---batting or in the field.  But Dad is so excited he is getting play time!

#3 Newbie:  This boy is just starting out and has let everyone know this is his first year.  Usually he just needs extra coaching and practice time.  He is athletic and picks up the game quickly, but can be frustrating to the Super Competitive Player.  

#4 Where's the Party Player:  This boy is here for the fun, playtime, and friends.  He has little if any concern for the game or what the coach is implementing.  Found in the back of the line wrestling another player, telling a joke, or playing tricks on someone else, he is clueless to what is going on in the game. 

#5 Know It All Player:  This boy is the one arguing with the coaches about the play and saying "I know" when told what needs to happen.  He can tell you exactly what you "should" do in every hypothetical situation.  Yet he is often found fumbling the ball, daydreaming in the field, or getting out due to his error. 

This is just meant in fun and most kids fall somewhere in between on any given day.
Any guesses to which player I have in living in my home?

To Quit or Not

Sis has spent the last two years in an amazing Christian organization called American Heritage Girls.  This time introduced her to new friends, new knowledge, new social experiences, and new interests.  She is blessed to spent time getting to know a few girls who have become great friends.  One girl and her family in particular became a homeschooling family we enjoy meeting at the park often.  Learning about geology and creation in this group setting allowed her to not only expand her insight but also to work with others on projects and experiments.  Social gatherings like "lock-ins," skate nights, rock climbing, and late overs provided experiences with other girls that only young girls can enjoy.  Above all, her world was open to new interest such as sewing and horseback riding.  Now she is feeling pressed for time.  Her desires to spend more time with the horses and working on her sewing creations is forcing her to think about moving on from AHG---essentially quitting.  

So often parents do not allow their children to make the decision to leave an activity once the commitment has been made and completed for the term.  They encourage their child to press on and continue.  I trust Sis knows her heart and how she desires for fill her time.  I won't guilt her over her decision to leave but will have open and honest conversations on why and future expectations she has for herself.  When we support our children in the small decisions they build the confidence in themselves to make bigger decisions praying and trusting in their God given path.

Making Passionate Learning Possible

What does that look like in real life?

  Sis loves horses.  She spends the day working with them and caring for them once sometimes twice a week.  A trip to the library provides a bag loaded with picture books with horse characters, nonfiction books on horse breeds as well as historical significance, and DVDs on horses.  She will uncover each subject in her reading and viewing.  You may insist that math is a stretch, but calculating cost of food over a given time period or amount of room required by each horse on a given ranch could prove to be complex and living math. 

Bubba is consumed with baseball.  He is playing little league games with his team and closely keeping track of his stats on an app his coach uses.  Batting practice includes using a Zepp tracker that monitors his hand speed and bat speed to aide in making improvements. Tons of real life math.  Biographies on Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson are completed and on his shelf.  He watches professional games, observes rankings, and follows certain players.  A new show he found is ESPN Sports Science on YouTube that digs deep into the how and why players are able to perform.  

Yes, if you are following closely writing has not been covered. Both children are able to keep notebooks with ideas and interesting facts they discover and record.  Sis and Bubba maintain personal, private blog that family follows and comments on weekly.  In every post, each are able to share what they are researching and learning as often as they like but mostly on Mondays.  

Passions Take Time

Each of us are created uniquely by God.  Which includes our children.  Each child is formed with particular interests and passions.  When we invest energy in a passion it becomes part of our journey. This journey takes time.  Thus passions take time.

You can not expect to understand and go further in areas of interest with out investing time.  So often, I hear homeschool moms make the statement that they unschool or pursue interest led learning in free time, after academics.  In order to follow their passions, children need limitless time to settle, ponder, and experience in a field.  

Are these areas strictly scholarly?  Basically, no.  Any interest has history, science, reading, writing, and mathematical aspects.  

How is that possible?  Our life is made up of naturally occurring bits of these subjects.  When learning independently these subjects are not needed to isolate the information.  Everything is related and connected.  But often for parents who are "schooled," we like to see these ideas covered.

In the next post, I will give real world application to making this possible.

Apology & a Hug

Sometimes I blow it as a mom.

*I don't follow through on what I say I am going to do.
*I get grouchy and complain.
*I don't give my children enough space.
* I give my kids too much space.
*I laugh too loud and embarrass them.
*I lecture and use too many words with my children.
*I don't listen carefully enough to their desires.

These times are easily forgiven with my heartfelt apology and a hug.  Thankfully I can remember to forgive as readily when they offer an apology and a hug.  

Holy Struggle

In a perfect world, I would live God's truth daily being an example of a Christian wife and mom in relationship with Jesus.  Attend church weekly, host bible study, serve in local outreach ministry, lead daily devotions with my children on a consistent basis.  Instead I live in a fallen world.  I need more Jesus daily.  I sleep-in and miss church, yet go for a weekly hike and experience God's creation.  I am a bible study drop out due to my calling as wife and mother that has me on my knees praying daily.  I volunteer along side my children at a youth ranch praying for troubled children as I water horses.  Daily devotions happen over a slow breakfast as we connect and share how Jesus is working in our lives.  The Christian life I am walking doesn't fit perfectly in the holy box.  It is messy.

Spring Fever

Taking time to enjoy Spring has been amazing for our family.  In April. we took the challenge to be outside everyday.  #outsideeveryday  Amazing we did it!  

How?

Hiking
Playing near the river
Biking
Walking the dog
Baseball
Playing at parks
Flying kites
Blowing bubbles
Nature walks
Gardening
Picking up litter
Yard work
Mowing yards
Skating

These sound fun, don't they?  Try some.  The conversations, the fun, the memories created during these activities are overwhelmingly rewarding.

Shifting into Baseball Mode for the Family

For a little more than the last month baseball has taken over our life.  As I wrote earlier, baseball serves many lessons to our players.

Today, I am so grateful our pace of life can shift as we move into the baseball season.  3 nights a week (fortunately only 3) we are at the ball field practicing or playing games.  My husband coaches our son's team, I keep the score book, and sis loves to volunteer in the snack shack.

How do we make it work?

*Allow time to sleep in on mornings after the game nights
After playing games, we usually don't arrive home till 9:00 p.m.  That means everyone still needs bathes and time to calm down.  The kids are often starving so a heavy snack is required as well before tucking them in about 10:30 (on good nights).  With such a late, stimulating evening, I really let the kids wake up when they are ready.  We are still able to our things and often have an outing planned such as hiking, horseback riding, or park afternoon with friends to motivate them to get moving naturally.

*Lighter activities on baseball days
On days we have games, I make sure we spend the morning reading, playing games, and working on hobbies so everyone has rest time in the afternoon.  This allows us to feel refreshed once it is time for dinner.

*Easy favorite dinners before games and practices
I don't know about you but my crew's attitude can revolve around food.  I try to keep dinners a favorite kid meal.  For us this means spaghetti, tacos, and chicken pot pie.  These meals also must be easy for me.  I don't want to get rushed or overwhelmed either.

I hope this helps someone out there.

Top 5 Essentials to Unschooling

Unschooling requires key traits  from parents.

Trust
-in the child
-process of learning
-in themselves

Active participation
-encouragement of the interest of each child
-modeling involvement in own passion
-interest in the ideas and desires of child

 Connection
-time together
-speaking each child's love language (see Gary Chapman's  5 Love Languages book)
-supplying needs and wants without being asked

Time
-to dig into interest
-to take child to activities and/or watch activities
-to discover and develop passions

Enthusiasm
-eagerness to embark on new ideas
-zeal for life and diversity within it
-devotion to learning and exploration through living life

Each child was placed in your home by God because you have what it takes to be the parent that child needs. Get out there---LIVE, LEARN, & ENJOY.

Baseball Set of Lessons

Baseball, the all consuming season of practices, games, schedules, wins, and losses.  Mostly beautiful weather finds us outside supporting our son.  Watching him grow, improve, and learn from this strategic game, continues to amaze me.

Valuable lessons discovered:
-accomplishments achieved from hard work
-follow through with your commitments
-teamwork 
-listening to authority
-good sportsmanship on and off the field 
-respect for yourself and others
-importance of strategy
-the difference family support makes
-acceptance of skill level (yourself and others)
-time management

Get out there and play ball!

Simple Comparison

I LOVE this graphic.  In fact, I should print it in bookmark size so I can refer to it when quizzed by others about our homeschooling method.  

Unschooling is more of a natural learning process.  Information learned is linked together in areas of interest instead of designated to individual subjects.  Are all subjects learned? Sure, but not in equal segments of time spread out through the day.  

Children and parents work together to understand, inquire, and process interest.  Unlike the presumed concept of unschooling, kids are not turned loose to "figure it out" on their own.  Parents are involved in providing information, processing questions, and creating the environment conducive to their family's learning styles and interest.  

Goals are set by student, which means student is invested in achieving goals.  Why is this key?  Have you ever been successful at dieting when put on a diet by someone else?  Of course not.  Until you deem it is important to achieve, achievement in any area isn't happening. 

 Even as a teacher I detested box curriculum.  One size fits all doesn't work for education.  Some parents pick and choose different curriculum for each subject and that works for them.  Experience has been the number 1 factor in learning for kids I taught in public school and my own children.  This is why we chose to camp, play games, explore, and visit the zoo and museums   

The best is learning happens all the time when you embrace the unschooling lifestyle.  Always learning!

Tea Time

Each month or maybe more often, we find it fun to get out the poetry books and tea set, bake a yummy treat, and have a "poetry tea time."  Everyone enjoys plenty of sugar and laughs along the way.  I found this poem during one of these poetry tea time shared with the kids.

Invitation

If you are a dreamer, come in,

If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,

A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer...

If you are a pretender,

Come sit by the fire,

For we have some flas-golden tales to spin,

Come in!

Come in!

by Shel Silverstein

This poem speaks to me that those with a desire for more and a belief that more is available learn from life and find a love for life along the way.

Why I Don't Shop Costco!

While I LOVE the idea of buying in bulk and not having to worry about our toilet paper supply for at least 6 months, I just can't shop at Costco.  Why ?

1.  It is so far from my house, like a good 30 minute drive.

2.  The trip itself will become the activity of the entire day with making list, driving to store, shopping, loading car, driving home, unloading car, putting away items, finding storage space for items bought in bulk.  

3.  The kids will have to go with me which means bribes of pizza, ice-cream, huge bags of chocolate, and snacks not on the list.  

4.  It is exhausting!

I know shopping at Costco will save money, mean less shopping, and is full of opportunities for learning.  But right now it is just exhausting.  Now if Costco will build a store closer to my house so I don't put the trip off for 6 months at a time, I will write a blog post on the joys of shopping at Costco.  

Mondays

I confess I am an early bird. I cherish my morning workouts whether it is yoga or a run.  That time alone is so refreshing.  Equally refreshing is relaxing while enjoying a cup of coffee while children sleep in.  A busy weekend of baseball, hiking, church, friends has them worn out.  This morning I am just thankful for a slow Monday morning.  We may even make it a "movie Monday" once they get up.  

So often Mondays are dreaded because of the "back to grind" mentality.  A benefit of homeschooling allows be to create a peaceful, energizing Monday instead of stress filled fast pace.  I can honestly say I love Mondays more and more. 

Rethink the package our culture is giving you. Mondays don't have to be a struggle. Make your Monday great! 

Persistence

Anyone knows fishing takes persistence!  While I have attempted to fish many many times, I just can't get into it.  Currently, there are 2 anglers in my home.  My husband and my son.  Since moving to Idaho, both have seriously taken up fly fishing, which is an entirely new level of persistence.  Bubba took up fly-tying this winter to spur his love of fishing on through the down time.  Creating and tying an original fly to catch this beautiful brown trout proved to be extremely rewarding.

 Homeschooling is all about persistence as well.  As moms, we spend our days living and learning with our children.  You must bring stamina, tenacity, and just plain grit to your daily life.  Whether you choose to implement the "perfect" curriculum at the time, support passions and talents, and/or play along side your children, you will encounter disagreeable attitudes, cranky outburst, and push back to your choices.  Many times these reactions aren't even from your kids.  You must persevere because that moment when your child hugs you, thanks you for the time you spent helping them, and/or shares the best part of their day was the book you read with them is so extremely rewarding.  If we aren't persistent, we will miss these moments.  I don't want to miss a single one.  What about you?

#outsideeveryday

This month we embarked on the Outside Everyday challenge.  Not only will this stretch us to get outside everyday but for me to get on Instagram.  

Alisha at Learning From My Kids is one of the few people I enjoy watching on periscope, so when she scoped on the lack of time children spend outside and placed an Outside Everyday Challenge, I was hooked!  

If you are looking for inspiration to get out and enjoy the fresh air, find a sunny spot to read this book.  I guarantee you eyes will be opened to the value of nature in all our lives but especially this generation of children.

Invite Your Kids Into Your World

Regularly practicing yoga at a local studio has been part of my routine for several years now.  I crave the quiet, peace, and prayer time it allows my spirit to enjoy.  Sis requested to go along with me on a Sunday evening.  Knowing the class was a restorative practice led by a patient, thoughtful woman, I felt free to have her attend with me.  After providing all pertinent information--we can't chat, focus on your breathing, and don't compare yourself to others.  She truly enjoyed it and wrote down the next class in her planner in order to remind herself to attend.  

Many times parents are encouraged to use desired activities as incentives to force kids to work towards.  If I would have taken this path, I would have missed the opportunity to enjoy the moment with my daughter, watching her experience a piece of  "my daily world."  Next time you child wants to accompany you and honestly their is no reason she can't, let her and enjoy that time, that look, that amazement. 

Grammar Naturally!

I have always held to the idea, "the more you read, the better you read, write, and spell."  Having always maintained a love of reading, I surround my family with books, audio stories, and reading experiences. 

For Easter, Bubba received a Mad Libs book.  Hilarious stories flowed for hours.  What also happen was a basic understanding of grammar terms, naturally and easily.  Worksheets don't create the brain connections that enjoyable, interest led activities do!

Standarized Testing

Anxiety that grips you by the throat when in a circle of other homeschooling moms where the conversation turns to testing.  This may or may not have actually happened to me recently!

Moms say:

"I like to know where my kids are in subjects."

"Scores help me know what to teach next year."

"I feel such a weight to keep up.  This shows me if we are on track."

"My job is to ultimately prepare them for college."

"I need to know they are ready for higher education."

When faced with these legitimate goals and desires for their children, how do you respond if you feel like:

-I spend everyday with my kids and know their interest and knowledge in areas.

-Our children have ultimate input on what they want to explore further next year.

-I was led to homeschool so our children became individuals with personal passions and time for developing their talents.

-My job is to help our children become life-long learners.

Take a deep breath and call up a friend who has views like you.  Listen to a podcast or read a book that supports your view of education.

I suggest:

Weapons of Mass Instruction

Dumbing Down Curriculum

Traveler's Notebook with 3 Booklets

I heard the idea for a traveler's notebook on a podcast while walking our dog and was intrigued.  I priced them on Etsy and quickly discovered that they were out of my price range since of course I would want one for Sis, Bubba, and myself!  Luckily, I found a wonderful tutorial on Youtube!
DIY Traveler's Notebook by Sea Lemon
I also used her link to create booklets for the inside.  Like with any project I am fired-up to start I headed to Hobby Lobby to gather supplies with Sis as my assistant.  After much discussion, we selected covers, scrapbook paper and elastic cord that all coordinated.

Each screams personality!  Sis chose flowers with purple booklets inside.  For Bubba, we went with a camo theme of tan cover, RealTree camo inside and green booklets.  I love the cheery-ness mine provides with accents of bright yellows through out the cover, inside, and booklets.  Each turned out so well, I plan to pick up supplies to create one for my niece.

If you are looking for an easy, fun project to spice-up note taking, journal, or record keeping, give this a try.  As a bonus, I created 3 complete traveler's notebooks with 3 booklets inside each for the cost of one traveler's notebook (no booklets).

Author Obsession

Recently each person in our home became obsessed with reading their new favorite author.  Truly a blessing when you find a writer that you enjoy their style, topic, and personality. So who are these authors?

 When C. J. Box came recommended to me as well as my husband from several different friends, we knew these were novels that needed a try.  Once we each finished the first one I found, immediately we set out to read the entire Joe Pickett series.  While this story of a game warden in Wyoming may not be every one's cup of tea, it is very fitting for our hunting family.  

Bubba desiring pure boy entertainment worked his way through the first 2 tree-house books by Andy Griffiths.  To say he is anxiously awaiting the next 2 from amazon is an understatement.  He is intrigued by the humor and simply drawings.  Being a reluctant reader, I am glad he found a series he enjoys reading independently.

Who doesn't love Beverly Clearly?  I am thrilled at Sis's excitement over the Ramona series.  She is just beginning, but this determined reader enjoys life-like characters and an engaging story.