Are you and your kids tired of the same old writing drills?

Do your homeschool bookshelves house more than three types of writing curriculum?

Writing, even if you feel you are quite good at it yourself, can be one of those subjects you find hard to teach in your homeschool.

Why?

Because, we tend to automatically recall and implement techniques from when we were in school.

Think back to all the creative writing assignments, ugh!

I enjoyed using my imagination, but often felt too much pressure when it came time to writing it all down.  Now that I have matured, I recognize that I didn’t dislike writing; I just felt stifled.  Stifled by correct grammar, spelling, and use of literary concepts that felt cold and mechanical.

All the excitement and fun of my story was held hostage to criteria and outlines; and that dreaded red pen.

Yes, we need to learn the mechanics of writing, but I also believe we need to enjoy the process.  Writing is something we all use every single day and it shouldn’t be something we dread doing.

So, how can we make some of those writing curricula work for us?

How can we make writing more exciting for our kids?

We need to get creative and not be weighed down by the curriculum.  We need to explore and read great literature to them.

Consider addressing writing lessons in a personal, fun and/or real way.  Find a way to have your child connect to what they want to write.

Make it Fun!

Any chance I get, I use books and novels to drive home my point about certain literary devices. No pens, no paper; just me, my kids and books!

As and example, the other day we were discussing how we need to think of our readers.  How can we engage them and make them want to read what we write?  How do we hook them?

Instead of pulling out our curriculum, which does discuss and teach this through examples and practice, I decided to change things up. I zipped around our house and pulled a book off every shelf, and added the library books we just brought home.

I read the opening paragraph or two from every book.  We discussed it, I encouraged them to share with me what they really thought, in their own words! They need to know they can express their opinion, so I asked them questions like:

• What do you know so far?
• Does it capture you?
• Can you guess what the book will be about?
• Do you want to read more?
• What intrigues you, what do you want answered?
• Did it take you to another place?
• Could you understand the vocabulary?
  
• How long do you think it will take before you are captivated enough to keep reading?
• Do you like it?
• Did your imagination kick in?
• Which of your senses were engaged?
• etc.

(In case you are wondering, Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White won by a landslide!)

Make It Personal!

What stories and books really connect with your kids?  It can be a new novel or something you’ve read before and want to re-visit.  As you read use sticky tabs to mark passages of text to discuss or dissect later.  Ask lots of questions and get a discussion going.

• What do you think about this character?
• Who do you think the hero of the story is?
• Would you have done the same thing?
• Is this person being a good friend?
• Do you see yourself in any of these characters?
• How would you have handled this situation?
• When is it right to … or is it wrong?
  
• Can you picture yourself in this setting?
• What do you think they feel right now?
• Can you think of a situation in real life that could relate?
• Imagine if the author didn’t use these exciting descriptive sentences, would you still like the book?

Make it Real!

Use real writing examples from novels they love and passages that take your breath away or send you off to some far off land.  Talk about why it captures your child’s imagination the way it does.  Use it as copywork and take the time to point out some literary devices the author is using; or highlight the different clauses within that particular paragraph.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all had a copywork journal full of  passages from great novels or poems? Not a novel or poem that I love or you love, but one your child loves and identifies with!

This could be a great keepsake as well; all the while teaching them something about good writing practice. By the time they graduate they could have a little portfolio of the novels they read and loved over the years; with passages that meant something to them at that time in their life.

By diving deeper into the novels we read together, it provides us with an opportunity to learn much more about ourselves.  It also helps us to understand what good writing is and what it can become for us. It helps us to discover our writing voices.

Take the opportunity to have fun with words, explore and stretch your imagination!  Help your kids fall in love with writing not because it is part of a curriculum, but because beyond it being an essential skill, it is a beautiful way to communicate. 

Don’t be afraid to use a curriculum, but do be wary of becoming a slave to your writing curriculum.

Take a detour, step outside the box from time to time; push the curriculum aside, and just fall in love with great writers!

If you want more ideas on how to have discussions or ways to engage your learners with process questions check out “How I Teach Critical Thinking in Our Homeschool”

Want to know what great books we have been Reading? Here is some of our Reading List.

This post is part of a “How to Teach Without a Curriculum”  link up at iHomeschool Network

Click on the picture below to find other “How to Teach Without a Curriculum” posts:

The post Supporting Young Writers in Your Homeschool With Great Literature appeared first on Home School Innovation.

What kind of planner are you?

I am a list maker, the “old fashioned” pencil and paper kind of list maker.

There is something about a pencil or pen in my hand which helps me to own my to-do list.

When we physically write something out, it helps our minds to own those tasks a little more than if we write it via a keyboard, in a virtual way.

 Although, having smartphones and apps certainly are useful too.

In fact, at our house we have a virtual calendar for our family where each member is colour coded, to go along with my paper list.

My husband and I enter our appointments, business travel as well as our children’s sports and other out of the home activities into our virtual calendar.  As our kids become more involved with activities outside the home, this has helped my husband stay in the loop.  When he is out working or if he has been out of town, all he has to do is check our calendar to know what the rest of us are up to.

 It also helps me!

At the beginning of each week I enter all the activities or appointments we have planned as a family and as individuals.

Once all of that is entered I can let it go and allow myself to focus on all our other “to-do” lists.  As homeschoolers, we all have a lot on the go from planning each child’s subjects and projects to the regular household stuff like laundry.

(That never ending pile of laundry, or is this just my house?  Lol.)

What Goes on the Master List?

Making a master list is great, but you have to be picky.

Discern what is on your list and what can or should be on your children’s lists.

Then break it all down, into your daily  Action List.

1. Have – To’s
2. Should – Do’s
3. Want – To’s

I keep my “Have to’s” as focused and clear cut as I can, and try to attack at least 1 “Should Do”.

Once my “Have to” and “Should do” lists  are done I get to pick something from my “Want to” List.  I can work away at one of my hobbies, read a book, or just sit.

At our house the goal of our action lists is to provide our family with:

• organization
• direction
• strategy
• peace of mind
• a sense of accomplishment

This may sound all neat and tidy, but let me tell you, we definitely live a real life around here which also means it can all just be a whirlwind of organized chaos!

The post Organizing Your Homeschool Family appeared first on Home School Innovation.

 Hint:  The answer does not include pulling out your hair or giving a lecture.

Many of us parents face this teeter-totter emotion from our children throughout the year.

Let’s face it, we ourselves have subjects we love to dive in and share with our children, and those we try to defer to the other parent.

While we can’t force our child to sit and apply themselves to a subject they may loathe; we can help lift them up out of the doom and gloom so they may see the dreaded subject in a different light.

Tips to Help your Child Learn a Subject They Don’t Like

•  Take a deep breath and step back from the situation a little.  Don’t let a battle start.
• Have one on one time where you can chat with your child to help them figure out why they might be avoiding math (for instance).
• Be willing to adapt.  Adapt the curriculum you are using, or in the case where you don’t use curriculum, perhaps be willing to get some samples and give them a try.
• Be willing to be creative.  How can you approach that subject from a different view-point? Baking for fractions, figuring out your car’s mileage for division, talk about gear ratios in your truck for ratios, etc.  Find something they enjoy and go about the subject from that angle.
• Get laughing.  Why not get a little creative and silly? Shake out those nerves
• Get your other kids busy – something they can collaborate on or be independent with and then find a spot where you and your other child can work on their least favourite subject.
• Reach out to other home school parents and ask what works for them, get some fresh ideas.
• Get downright real.  Once kids see how their Dad or Aunt use Math everyday in their careers it can be enough to inspire them to try a little harder. 
• Be willing to be available.  Sometimes they just need Mom or Dad to sit beside them.
• Always,  Always,  Always end on a positive note!  If you push further into a lesson and you feel like you are heading into that all familiar tailspin; then it is time to go back and let your child execute a question where they will get the right answer.  Finish it there for the day and make note of where it started to fall apart.

As parents, we are often part detective as we try to figure out our kids and the curriculum we may use or choose not to use.

So, although I did provide you with the above tips, know that these are things we do in our house which have worked for me.  They are not absolutes, take what you can and adapt my tips to help you conquer your  home school day.

One thing I do know for sure is none of my kids are the same and the above tips come from a few years of me taking it one day at a time.  Each of my kids have their own learning styles unique to themselves and no matter how much they love a subject area, or not, they all have times where they just need me to be there for them.

Want more?  

Head over to watch my short  HSI Coffee Break  Video- Homeschooling Your Child’s Least Favourite Subject 

What tip is your favourite?

The post Homeschooling Your Child’s Least Favourite Subject appeared first on Home School Innovation.

Independent Learners … it’s what most of us strive for in the homeschooling of our children.

Having kids who can read, decipher and then apply new information without us holding their hand through it all is a valuable skill.

I am lucky to have independent learners.  Even the youngest who requires my help to read instructions is quick to go off on her own once she knows what she needs to do.

Having kids who will go off on their own to learn, gives me a bit more time to do other things.  I am able to tend to chores, scheduling, writing, planning lessons, workout, etc.

But here’s the thing…

While it is all good to foster independence in our children, we need to be mindful that we do not take advantage of our independent learners.

As much as they need the room to grow and learn, they also need mom and dad to be involved.  Even if you just sit with them as they read instructions and ask if they understand.  Or watch them do a few Math questions and ask them to show you how to do it.

Teaching new information back to you is one of the best ways to make subject material stick!

A few points I notice in our home:

Staying Involved:

1. Shows we are interested and we care.
2. Keeps them accountable.
3. Helps their confidence.
4. Offers kids a chance to talk about what they are learning, and even teach us.
5. You might notice where you can offer a tip.
6. Provides us an opportunity to draw even more information out of them by asking questions.
7. Gives us a chance to stay in tune to how or what kind of learner they are.
8. We will know when they are ready for a bigger push into more complex study, OR when they might need to pull back and re-work something.
9. Everyone loves to share new and exciting things.  Just because it might be basic for you doesn’t mean it is for your kids.  It is so good for them to share their new knowledge with someone.
10. We might learn something new….believe me it has happened.
11. Learning to be and becoming a self-sufficient learner sets you up to becoming a life-long learner!
12. Having someone in your corner just feels good.  Be there to celebrate their new discoveries, their pride in a project, and even their excitement as they bring cool creepy crawlies into your house.

I love chatting with other parents, so here is my question to you…

What are some activities your Independent Learner likes to have you around for?

Click here to link to my  HSI Coffee Break  video about Independent Learners.

The post Homeschooling Independent Learners appeared first on Home School Innovation.

So you are homeschooling, or thinking of homeschooling, you’re excited and start to share with others what you do or what you are planning to do…then it happens….

The negative talk, raised eyebrows and the hesitant…“Oh?”

Sooner or later we are all faced with this and I hope that for your sake it is few and far between.  The truth of the matter is … the negative outlook others share can slowly eat away at us, not to mention it just plain ol’ hurts!

 The negative talk can even make us question what is in our hearts and all the thought we put into homeschooling…don’t let that happen to you!

There are many approaches to dealing with negativity and difficult people and I should share with you that  I am not an expert in this field.  However, I can share what has worked for me, as well as what has worked for others.  Maybe something here will help you get through one of  ‘those days’.

What Can We Do?

• Know with conviction and passion why you homeschool!  The true grit to your everyday.
• Smile!  Smiles can be contagious, it might throw those nay-sayers off track when they see you love what you do.
• Be understanding!  Some comments I hear/see scream insecurity and ignorance.
• Know you don’t need to explain your why to everyone.  No matter what you say or solid research you provide, some just will not hear you out anyway.  No need to go there, rise above!
• Consider that some may just be flustered by your confidence.   As a homeschooler, you are going against the norm and following your heart’s desire.  This is hard to do for many, maybe those who are questioning you and your decision are looking for real answers for themselves.
• Surround yourself with positive people. Find some like-minded families to hang out with.  They don’t necessarily have to be homeschoolers themselves, just people who support you in your homeschooling.  There are also many on-line forums for you to check out, and don’t forget the many social media sites as well.
• Reach out to other homeschool families.   Create your own positive vibe by helping someone else out with their homeschooling.  Invite someone over for tea or coffee!
  

Other Things I Do

• No “school work” that day.  If I feel deflated from the negative conversation, we go home and put away any core “school work” for the day!   I do not want the negative energy seeping into our lessons.
• Make sure the rest of your day is FUN!  Crank the tunes, do crafts, go out and buy new pencils, watch a movie, go for a nature hike, start a new read-a-loud book, make a volcano…so many options for having a fun day.
• Gather up those amazing little people in your life and hand out the hugs. Talk about all the fun things you have done that month because you have the freedom to homeschool.  (My boys, 11 and 9 years old at the time, have already had the privilege to go out and volunteer!  They have done many little things, but have also each done a 5  hour shift during the “school day”. )
• Grab your  spouse and let him/her know how thankful you are.   It is easy for us to complain and lean on one another when our days get long, instead just give each other a hug and a pat on the back.  Build each other up and chat about why you love homeschooling!

These are just a few  things to help you get through some negative comments that may come your way.

I really want to convey to you that we can all rise above the negativity of others in a positive and proactive way.

Rise Above!  Stay Focused!  Have Fun!

Now it is your turn!   Please share with us …

What are you going to do to keep in your  positive homeschool groove?

The post How to Rise Above the Negative appeared first on Home School Innovation.

Home School Conferences are an amazing time to reaffirm your commitment to homeschooling.

Let’s face it some years, months or days can be difficult to get through.  Challenges can sometimes leave us feeling tired and weary.  We all need a plan of different actionable tasks to keep us on course, energized and prepared as we ride the ebb and flow of our homeschooling lives.

One part of my action plan is to attend the local Home School Conference.

It is a time  for me to get out, to reconnect and feed my homeschooling vision.  Conference has always left me with a renewed energy and excitement.

 Home School Conference Provides You With:

• A chance to connect and re-connect with other home school families.
• A chance to meet with your local home school board and their office staff.
• A chance to look through and get your hands on some amazing curriculum.
• A chance to take in some great seminars and keynote speakers.
• A chance to look at and learn about some great games.
• A chance to network and reach out to some newbie homeschoolers.

I try to go to conference every year, but admit  there have been times where I have taken a year off.

Although I may feel like I don’t need to go every year, as I may not be needing any curriculum etc., I do notice a difference in my energy level whenever I have skipped attending a conference.

There is something to be said about connecting with those you may only have a chance to talk with via chat rooms or social media.  The smiling faces and the hugs, the shared cups of coffee as you encourage one another  sharing your joys and maybe even troubles.

Keynote speakers are there to encourage you and cheer you on.  They share their own  personal journey, all the ups and downs, the happy and sometimes sad times; the great speakers are those who share from their heart.  There is no mistaking their genuine feelings of wanting to help and encourage you, it is contagious and you cannot help but grow from that experience!

As great and awesome as conference can be, it can also leave you exhausted and somewhat bewildered.  Here are some tips to survival  I have learned along the way.

14 Tips to Survive Home School Conference:

1. Wear comfortable shoes,  even take an extra pair to change into half way through the day.
2. Take a back pack, or even a rolling suitcase to carry all your books/games/curriculum you purchase.
3. Don’t forget to hydrate! Take a bottle of water.  Also step outside from time to time to get fresh air.
4. Pack a lunch or some small healthy snacks to keep up your energy.
5. Spend a few moments the night before to read through the schedule and highlight any seminars that are an absolute for you to attend.  Plan your shopping and visiting around those keynote speakers.
6. A few days prior to conference take a bit of time to research some of your top picks for any curriculum or materials you may need.  Make a list of your Must Have purchases and another list for products or materials you need to take a closer look at.
7. I like to make my Must Have purchases right away, this helps me to feel at ease knowing I have not forgotten any essentials and clears my mind allowing me to focus on any sessions I want to get to; as well as any curriculum I may need to further research.
8. If you are feeling lost and worry starts to creep in, it is time to reach out to some veteran homeschoolers and get some advice. I also recommend getting outside away from it all for 5 minutes, it does you a world of good.
9. If you really are not sure about a product, it is probably best to keep it on your list and not in your home.  If later on you decide it is something you need,  you can always order.  Yes you have to pay shipping, but sometimes that is a good trade off v.s. making a panic purchase and never using that resource.
10. Take notes, I love going home and reading over what was shared and often speakers share so much that taking notes helps keep all the important points handy.
11. Don’t stress out about curriculum.  Instead go home with some great games and great novels to read aloud to your children.  I found some great historically accurate fiction novels this year.  The kids love them and are learning so much!  Again looking back to tip #9…you can always mail order the curriculum at a later date.
12. Step out of your comfort zone and open your mind to look at different curriculum, books, or methods of homeschooling.
13. Make it a point to meet someone new, it is fun!  Network and build up your own support system.
14. Have fun!  This is a time for your personal development and for you to take it all in and re-energize.

This past year conference was amazing and although exhausted from all the walking, talking and shopping I squeezed into 2 days, I came home  full of  so much positive energy!  I made some great purchases including some new games, amazing living books, and our math books for fall.

My excitement was contagious, the kids dove into their new books with an eagerness that had honestly been lacking for a little while.

Home School Conference is a great time to re-group, re-energize, re-connect and make new contacts; it is also a time of renewal, self growth and we must not forget the shopping!  Even if you feel you do not need anything new, then go with the mindset that you are there to support homeschooling.

You just might be the veteran mom or dad  someone new and bewildered reaches out to!

I hope you have an amazing time at your home school conference and that you make a commitment to yourself and your family to go.

It is absolutely worth it!

The post 14 Tips to Surviving a Homeschool Conference appeared first on Home School Innovation.

Homeschooling and fitness for teenagers can be a tough mix.  Traditional schooling provides one type of framework with team sports and after school activities.  To keep your kids fit and not giving you the eyeroll you’ll have to come up with some out of the box ideas.  Here’s a few to get you started …

League sports.  Similar to high school athletic programs there are lots of private leagues your kid can join.  They might be mixing in with adults or it might be specifically geared to teens.  As a kid I couldn’t get enough of soccer and there weren’t any school programs in my town.  My Mom found a twice a week league for me to join.  The adults were happy to have me and I was challenged to keep up with them.  I loved it!

Gym membership.  See if your local health club accepts teens.  YMCAs almost always do and they can offer family memberships too which are a lot cheaper than joining as individuals.  This can be the best of both worlds, your kid gets screen time on the cardio equipment (making them happy) and you know they’re doing something healthy (making you happy!), a win/win for everyone.  You can also start teens out with simple weight lifting moves.  Don’t mess around here though, make sure your child has a session or two with a personal trainer, they’re still growing and you want to make sure you do it right and don’t set them up for any injuries down the road.

Bike to class activities.  You can always incorporate fitness as you bop around from place to place.  Instead of driving to the library, grab a bike and sweat a little. You likely won’t need that much more time to get there and the extra exertion will help you focus on your task once you get there.

Pool memberships.  If you’re not lucky enough to have a pool in your backyard look for local pools where you can swim.  Town facilities are often available, but if not you might find one at a nearby college with hours for the public.  Check out the locker facilities and make sure they’re clean and see what they have for swimming programs.  From tadpole to Olympian there is likely a program that suits your teen.

Hire a coach and share the costs.  Maybe you and a few of your homeschooling friends would like to share the cost of hiring a pro to teach your kids.  This can be a great way to save money and develop your child’s skills.  Perhaps you could hire a basketball coach to run drills with your kids, or a track coach to help them with their running.

Once you start looking at the possibilities, there are a lot of options out there.  Hope these ideas help.

Lisa Johnson is a popular fitness blogger at LisaJohnsonFitness.com.  She is also a certified Pilates Instructor and studio owner.  She can frequently be found on Twitter @LisaJohnson. Thank you Lisa!

 https://lisajohnsonfitness.com

The post Fitness and teens (and the wee ones too!) appeared first on Home School Innovation.

I used to really dislike getting bombarded with this question since it seemed like no matter what I said for my reasons why we chose to homeschool, they never seemed to be enough to satisfy those who were asking.

Then I had a bit of a revelation…

The Power of WHY

Knowing your why will empower you in your:

• home school
• life
• business
• relationships
• sports
• workouts…..etc.

The list can be endless, the power of WHY can empower your whole being!

So, when you get bombarded with the question “Why do you homeschool?” for the 273rd time, instead rolling your eyes and brushing them off with the quickest answer like…”we just thought it would be better”; use it as an opportunity for growth.

After all, you don’t know the motive behind that person’s question.

Perhaps they want to know because they have been yearning to homeschool their children and are searching for a mentor.  Then again they could be people who just don’t get it or even feel threatened somehow that you homeschool.  Either way, taking the time to answer  this WHY question will at minimum empower you, but it also has the ability to reach out and empower others.

23 Reasons Why:

1. My children  They are the best little people I know…I do it all for them!
2. I love their inquisitive nature!
3. The sparkle in their eyes!
4. I want them to love books….and they do!
5. I want them to be properly prepared to know how to gather information.
6. I want them to learn how to apply that information…which doesn’t always mean writing out a report.
7. I want to free them from “busy work”.
8. I want them to be on fire for knowledge.
9. The extra hugs.
10. The family read-a-loud times.
11. The great discussions.
12. The ability to handle situations as they arise.
13. The fact that I am more aware of any situation almost immediately v.s. a week or more later if child was at school.
14. I can celebrate with them when they learn to tie their shoes, or print their name!
15. Our playtime is far more productive.
16. No useless worksheet after worksheet.  We do real learning for our current needs.
17. We can make a mess.  We have fun with our projects!
18. I get to be the one to wipe the tears when they are frustrated or sad.
19. I have the power to outsource if need be and I also get to search for the best possible person to help with aerodynamics (as one example).
20. I get to laugh with them when they say the best one liners.
21. We have time to volunteer.
22. More time for sports and extra curricular activities.
23. We can instill our family values day-to-day.  Again I am aware of situations and I am available to them to help figure it out and guide them.

There are so many more reasons why we chose to homeschool.  These are just 23 reasons why, that I had on my mind this sunny afternoon.

Here is another post I wrote that fits well with this topic:  “Why Do You Want To Homeschool?”

This post is part of the “Why We Chose to Homeschool” link up at iHomeschool Network.

To read more “Why We Chose to Homeschool” posts from my fellow iHomeschool Network bloggers, click the photo below!

The post 23 Reasons Why We HomeSchool appeared first on Home School Innovation.

From the title you can probably guess I homeschool boys,  in fact I have 2 boys and a girl, and Star Wars is running theme in my house!  Lights sabers slashing against each other the battle of good and evil is fought out, the good side prevails and the princess is once again rescued.

Often I hear my kids quoting the Jedi Master Yoda and yes my husband has joined in too.  I think he is in his glory right now, they love to build things, they love hockey (oh do they love hockey I get stat reports everyday…lol), and they love Star Wars.  A dad’s dream come true

Actually, truth be told I don’t mind it either.  Watching them play Star Wars, or hang out with their dad is an amazing privilege I get to indulge in daily.  It is both joyful and adorable (unless of course said light sabers get out of control) and it is also what has inspired me to write this post.

When one is considering to homeschool or not, there is so much research involved that it can start to overwhelm you!  Depending on how you process information, it can actually have you learning and researching so much you end up going in circles.  I  know this because I can tend to be that way.  I am a list maker extraordinaire!   I love making  traditional pro v.s. con lists, to the point I start to drive my poor husband crazy.

Looking back at all the research I did, I am glad I did it.  I met some great people, read some great research documents and learned things I have never heard of before;  however I also admittedly started to go in circles.   The lists I made and re-made started to take control.   The journals I tried to start in order to keep track of it all ended up pushed aside only to start another list.  I was armed with a pen and I knew how to use it, or at the very least how to drive everyone, including myself, nuts with it.

Making a list isn’t a bad thing but don’t let it take control of  your life.

Don’t get stuck in the planning and research and the “let’s try” phase.  It is a trap!

Make a list if you have to, but make it clear and concise.   Break down the main points you will need to propel you forward in your choice or your decision making process to homeschool.   Some of these points of interest will probably include your local legal requirements (see HSLDA), some respectable research (again see HSLDA), where in your home you see yourselves working together, some resources and/or curriculum you would like to explore,  names and phone numbers of other homeschooling parents, and perhaps a start date.  Every list will be different for every family, these are just some ideas to get you rolling.

Now that you have started to complete your list, you can begin to make some homeschooling family goals!

Write them down, make them achievable and take action.

This may sound simple, but jumping into new water can be daunting.  It can be especially daunting if people around you are judging you harshly.  Keep the research you have done close at hand, especially any phone numbers or e-mail addresses of other homeschooling parents, it will help you to feel stronger when or if negative judgement comes your way.

Some advice I received when I was first looking into homeschooling was to just try it for a year…”just try homeschooling for a year and see how it goes”.   It isn’t bad advice really, however I would like to tweak that statement just a bit.

When we allow ourselves to say or think “try“, we are actually allowing ourselves more room for failure or opting out.   I don’t think we give whatever challenge we are facing, in this case starting to homeschool,  all the effort it requires if we are only going to try.   Invest yourself into the challenge which faces you so you can be sure you have a proper gauge of what it takes to succeed.

Think of business people, anyone you know who has made a healthier lifestyle change, artists, professionals, athletes….think of anyone you know who is successful at whatever they chose to do.

Do you think they achieved their success by just merely trying and only investing a little of themselves?

Or do you think they gathered what they needed and just started?  Years ago, when I started homeschooling, I put my pen and lists away and just did it!  For me there was no try, I was all in.

My challenge for you is to DO homeschooling, really invest in you and your family, get right down to it and do homeschool.  You can still take it year by year, but don’t cheat yourself or your family by merely giving it a try.

Drop me a line in the comment box below; let me know how you are doing, are you trying or doing?

 (I’m so grateful to be inspired everyday by my children and my family)

The post Do or Do Not…There is No Try, Advice from Yoda appeared first on Home School Innovation.

Although it pertains to business, it relates closely to us moms and dads who have decided to homeschool.

Why did you start?

What prompted you to research homeschooling in the very beginning?  Every homeschooling family will have different reasons and we also share some common reasons too.

Some of My Why:

I started because sending my sweet children off to Kindergarten did not seem natural at all.  Nothing about it felt normal to me.

Here we were teaching all the important life skills they would need like walking, talking, reading, playing, dexterity, motor skills etc.,  in a comfortable loving environment.  Not only that, my kids were thriving, having fun and were on fire for any kind of information they could get their  cute little hands on.  They wanted to know about dinosaurs, trucks, animals, bugs, flowers, trees, building things, touching things, you name it they were into it and wanted to know more about it.  I loved every minute of it answering all their why questions and they loved my answers prompting them to ask even more!  We had a good thing going, so WHY would it make sense for me to stop the flow of information, to change the structure of our days by sending them off to school?

Together we went out  to the library, the local museum, we were always taking in nature on our long walks collecting leaves, rocks and whatever else they could convince me of.  My kids were learning real life patience, understanding, empathy and social skills needed for any situation.  Scouting groups and sports were also part of our week and gave them an outlet to be independent with other children and adults.

This is one part of my “Why”, how about you? 

What gets you motivated everyday?   

Do you forget your ‘why’?

Sometimes  we can get  caught up in our day or whatever family drama that may be going on and we can loose our focus.  It happens to everyone:  homeschoolers, business owners, employees, we are all vulnerable.

What can we do to guard ourselves and get back on track?

In order to restore some sort of  “normal” and to bring everything back into focus I like to write little reminders.  Write down why you started or why you want to start on some nice paper, or in a journal.

I like to use pretty recipe cards for these ideas, after all my why is part of my recipe for our home school  success!  When I feel a little burdened, tired or burnt out I make a cup of tea or coffee reach for my box and relive my excitement for our family and our home school.

Decide right now  to take some action and gain some focus by writing down your “why”  using whatever works for you, but make sure it is written on something that represents who you are, I am not a journal person, thus the recipe box idea.  Also make sure it is always accessible and that you remember to reach for it to either fill in more of your “why” or for when you need a refreshing reminder.

Be loving, strong and courageous and continue on your homeschool journey.

My Free gift for you:

HSI Bookmarks to print and record your “Why”.

Enjoy and Happy Homeschooling!

 HSI Bookmarks (blue) and HSI Bookmarks (natural/gray)

Want more reasons?

Check out:  “23 Reasons We Homeschool”

The post Why Do You Want to Homeschool? appeared first on Home School Innovation.