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Why I Don't Mind Using TV as a Babysitter

I am That Mom Who Uses TV as a Babysitter

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I grew up watching tons of TV every single day. Later on, I realized that this was not the healthiest way to spend a childhood, so I rigorously monitored our children’s TV use.

Tigger didn’t watch any television until she was 2 (per the AAP recommendations). Somewhere between my third and fourth pregnancy, though, I discovered something wonderful: TV is seriously awesome for kids!

So these days, I don’t hesitate to use TV as a babysitter. In fact, it actually seems to be making me a better mom! Here’s how.

Why I Don't Mind Using TV as a Babysitter

Image c/o: djedzura / deposit photos

Why I Use TV as a Babysitter

There are several reasons why I don’t mind using TV as a babysitter, but I’ll just stick to three:

  • TV is a super educational supplement. Depending on the topic, sometimes the TV actually does a better job of teaching something than I do. The kids and I watched a six-minute video about ancient Egypt about a week ago and they remembered more from that than they did from a week-long lesson I did about it a while back. Sigh.
  • The kids discover new interests. Kids have a way of wanting to discuss the exact same thing every single day for eternity, so it can be tough to get them to break out and try something new. Enter TV! When the kids and I watch a good kids’ program, they always learn about something they didn’t know before and that usually leads to a brand new unit study topic they’d never have found before.
  • I need a break. For real, sometimes I just turn on the TV and go into emergency shut-down mode. The kids get to watch a show or two and I get some much needed quiet time.

How I Choose Good Television Programs

The key to making this work, though, is choosing excellent children’s television programs. Generally, I watch a few episodes of a new program with the kids to get a feel for it. As I watch, I consider three things:

  • Is it kid-friendly?
  • Is it educational?
  • Does it make the kids want to learn?

If the answer to all three is yes, then it’s a keeper.

One of my kids’ all-time favorite shows is Wild Kratts. They are seriously fanatics of that show. They get so excited as they learn about animals, plus they love Chris and Martin’s hijinks, so it’s a win-win. These are the kinds of kids’ shows that make excellent babysitters.

I Don't Mind Using TV as a Babysitter

So, yes, I use TV as a babysitter and (with supervision) it’s doing an awesome job with my kids! How about you? Do you use TV to “babysit” your children? What are your favorite kids’ shows? Share your tips in the comments!

For more parenting tips, check out my Parenting with Joy Pinterest Board!

This post is part of the “I am That Mom…” linkup from iHomeschool Network! Click over to read about how my fellow bloggers manage motherhood!

iHomeschool Network I Am That Mom Linkup

And if your homeschooling motivation is somewhat…lacking these days, reinvigorate your mojo with this wonderful homeschooling ebook!

Homeschooling: what to do when you want to quit

Choosing a Great Tutor for Your Child

Choosing a Great Tutor for Your Child

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Happy Tuesday everyone! Today I’m sharing a few tips to help you choose a great tutor for your child! But, it’s also time for another edition of the Laugh and Learn linky!

We had some great posts shared last week and Sarah, Haley, and I have chosen our favorites below. Stop by to share your parenting, family, and homeschooling posts and read even more great content!

Choosing a Great Tutor for Your Child

Choosing a Great Tutor for Your Child

Have you ever considered getting a tutor for your child? If you’re a homeschooler, you might not even think about it. But tutors can be great, especially if they focus on subjects that aren’t your strong point. (Calculus, anyone?)

The challenge is finding a good tutor – one that really knows the subject well, teaches it clearly, and works well with your child. And that’s what I’m sharing over at Thinking Outside the Sandbox! Stop by to get my tips for choosing a great tutor for your child!

Choosing a Great Tutor for Your Child – Thinking Outside the Sandbox

How We Teach by iHomeschool Network

Onward to this week’s linky!

This week we have some great links to share with you. We are very excited to bring you another great opportunity to linkup with us!
Laugh and Learn Linkup: Join us every Tuesday to share your favorite home or family posts!
Welcome to our 71st week of Laugh and Learn – Home & Family Linkup! Laugh and Learn Linkup will be open by 6 am every Tuesday morning.
New: We have decided to expand our linkup to home and family categories! You are still welcome to share homeschooling or parenting posts with us. That will always be part of the #LaughLearnLinkup!

Each and every week, all of the hosts will pick one favorite post to be featured on the next week’s linkup. All of your links will be shared on three blogs.

We are also sharing the top four posts on Pinterest: #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites}. It’s added exposure for your awesome content!
Reminder: Please share this linkup! You can help us build a great family, home, parenting, and homeschool group.
Laugh and Learn Linkup was created by Tina from Los Gringos Locos. We want to thank her for this opportunity and send her big hug on her new adventure.

Your Fabulous Hosts 😉

Selena
Selena - head shot Look We're Learning

Selena is a writer and a homeschooling mom to four kids, including three with ADHD/SPD. Selena and her husband, Jay, are committed to teaching their children at home and loving every minute of it! You can read about the family’s homeschooling experiences at Look! We’re Learning, written by Selena!
Find Selena at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Instagram

 Sarah
sarah-dedicated-homeschooler Dedicated Homeschooler

Sarah lives in Kentucky, USA, where she and her husband homeschool three children. Sarah writes for and about, families with special needs. She hopes to provide support and encouragement to all special needs parents in the homeschool community. Visit Sarah at Dedicated Homeschooler.
Find Sarah at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter

 Haley
Haleys Vintage Finds & DealsHaley's Vintage: DIY ~ Parenting ~ Blogging

Haley hopes to encourage stay at home moms. She wants to help them learn how to make an extra income, to stretch a budget, to make crafts, and other useful information. Haley always has updates on the kids, and their funny antics. Visit Haley at Haley’s Vintage Finds & Deals.
Find Haley at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Twitter
Google+
YouTube
Stumble Upon

Laugh and Learn Linkup: Join us every Tuesday to share your favorite home or family posts!

Most Clicked on Link

How to Homeschool in Five Hours a Week

How to Homeschool in Five Hours a Week by Look We’re Learning

Selena’s pick for this week…

Easy DIY Preposition Position Photo Cards

Easy DIY Preposition Position Photo Cards by smartE partE


Note from Selena:
This is such a fun way of teaching a basic ELA concept to young kids!

Sarah’s pick for this week…

Appreciating the Night Sky

Appreciating the Night Sky by Bright Ideas Press


Note from Sarah:
My family and I have always been fascinated by the night sky. Our universe holds many treasures, and there’s always more to discover about them.
 

Haley’s pick for this week…

2 Week Meal Plan for Late February

2 Week Meal Plan for Late February by Medium Size Family


Note from Haley:
We always try to spend time together as a family, and so often it doesn’t need to be elaborate!

 
Badges

Your post was rocked!

To show our appreciation we have super fun badges for you!

Just go to this page. We also have a fun badge to show you linked up with us!

Thanks to everyone who submitted a post. Please check out the post above by clicking on the image. If you enjoyed these picks as much as we did, please share them also!
Laugh and Learn Linkup: Join us every Tuesday to share your favorite home or family posts!

Have you joined our Pinterest Board yet?

Follow Tina Ernspiker’s board #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites} on Pinterest.

Laugh and Learn Linkup: Join us every Tuesday to share your favorite home or family posts!

 

Now give us your best posts!


How to Teach Kids to Cook

How to Teach Kids to Cook

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I’ve made a bucket list of things I want to do by age 35. On that list are the following:

  • Run a marathon (currently training)
  • Write a novel (okay, that one might not happen)
  • Do no housework at all (that one is DEFINITELY going to happen)

I am so over housework, you guys. Over it. And right now, the kids do pretty much everything, except ironing and cooking. So today I’m sharing some tips on how to teach kids to cook that I’ve been using. They work!

Today is also another edition of the Laugh and Learn linky! We had a blast last week and we’d love to see your newest parenting, lifestyle, and homeschooling posts!

How to Teach Kids to Cook

How to Teach Kids to Cook

It’s been hard for me to let my kids into my kitchen. Let’s be honest: They spill things. They drop things. And they occasionally…shudder…break things. But those things happen to all aspiring cooks and they’ll never get any better unless they practice!

So we’ve taught Tigger to cook several meals and we’re starting with our boys as well. Head over to Thinking Outside the Sandbox to see how we’re doing it!

How to Teach Kids to Cook – Thinking Outside the Sandbox

For a look at one of our first baking experiences, check out our post How to Teach Kids to Bake!

Learning to Bake with a Cooking Lapbook

And don’t forget our awesome list of great children’s cookbooks!

10 Children's Cookbooks - Look! We're Learning!


Onward to the linky!

This week we have some great links to share with you. We are very excited to bring you another great opportunity to linkup with us!

Laugh and Learn Linkup: Join us every Tuesday to share your favorite home or family posts!

Welcome to our 70th week of Laugh and Learn – Home & Family Linkup! Laugh and Learn Linkup will be open by 6 am every Tuesday morning.

New: We have decided to expand our linkup to home and family categories! You are still welcome to share homeschooling or parenting posts with us. That will always be part of the #LaughLearnLinkup!

Each and every week, all of the hosts will pick one favorite post to be featured on the next week’s linkup. All of your links will be shared on three blogs.

We are also sharing the top four posts on Pinterest: #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites}. It’s added exposure for your awesome content!

Reminder: Please share this linkup! You can help us build a great family, home, parenting, and homeschool group.

Laugh and Learn Linkup was created by Tina from Los Gringos Locos. We want to thank her for this opportunity and send her big hug on her new adventure.

Your Fabulous Hosts 😉

Selena
Selena - head shot Look We're Learning

Selena is a writer and a homeschooling mom to four kids, including three with ADHD/SPD. Selena and her husband, Jay, are committed to teaching their children at home and loving every minute of it! You can read about the family’s homeschooling experiences at Look! We’re Learning, written by Selena!
Find Selena at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Instagram


 Sarah
sarah-dedicated-homeschooler Dedicated Homeschooler

Sarah lives in Kentucky, USA, where she and her husband homeschool three children. Sarah writes for and about, families with special needs. She hopes to provide support and encouragement to all special needs parents in the homeschool community. Visit Sarah at Dedicated Homeschooler.
Find Sarah at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter


 Haley
Haleys Vintage Finds & DealsHaley's Vintage: DIY ~ Parenting ~ Blogging

Haley hopes to encourage stay at home moms. She wants to help them learn how to make an extra income, to stretch a budget, to make crafts, and other useful information. Haley always has updates on the kids, and their funny antics. Visit Haley at Haley’s Vintage Finds & Deals.
Find Haley at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Twitter
Google+
YouTube
Stumble Upon

Laugh and Learn Linkup: Join us every Tuesday to share your favorite home or family posts!

Most Clicked on Link

You can use so many everyday items to make art. Don't forget about coffee! It makes a gorgeous brown.

Selena’s pick for this week…

Art Studio Explosions your Kids will love! #LaughLearnLinkup

Note from Selena:

Confession: I hate making a mess with the kids. I always dread the cleanup. But these art activities look so fun, even I might try them!

Sarah’s pick for this week…

100 Free Homeschool Resources #LaughLearnLinkup #Homeschool

Note from Sarah:

I love this list of great homeschool resources! Many of them I did not know about, and there were some I’d just forgotten, but will use again. Check this out!

Haley’s pick for this week…

Family night can be spontaneous!

Note from Haley:

We always try to spend time together as a family, and so often it doesn’t need to be elaborate!

 

Badges

Your post was rocked!

To show our appreciation we have super fun badges for you!

Just go to this page. We also have a fun badge to show you linked up with us!

Thanks to everyone who submitted a post. Please check out the post above by clicking on the image. If you enjoyed these picks as much as we did, please share them also!
Laugh and Learn Linkup: Join us every Tuesday to share your favorite home or family posts!

Have you joined our Pinterest Board yet?

Follow Tina Ernspiker’s board #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites} on Pinterest.

Laugh and Learn Linkup: Join us every Tuesday to share your favorite home or family posts!

 

Now give us your best posts!


Are You Setting Goals Too High

Are You Setting Goals Too High?

by 3 Comments

Well, it’s almost February. Also known as “the month where goals go to die”.

I really think that we should move the start of the year to a different month. One that’s not followed by the abyss of bleakness that is February. March would probably be good, don’t you think?

Until then, we have to find a way to keep our goals for the year alive past this month. And that means taking a hard look at them to find out if they’re even reachable in the first place. We talked about how to set reachable goals last month, but what if you’re still setting goals too high?

Are You Setting Goals Too High

Are You Setting Goals Too High?

Here’s how you know you’re setting goals that are too high:

You don’t reach them.

It’s as simple as that. A goal that is reachable is generally one you will reach.

Now I know what you’re thinking: “Selena, some of these goals are ones I can reach. I just don’t put in the effort.” And my response to that is: Then that goal is too high for you right now.

If you’re a parent who works outside the home, for example, you might set a goal of eating dinner with your children at night. But if your boss comes into your office with an urgent project that’s due at 7 pm, you’re not going to reach that goal that night. Period.

Depending on the kind of work you do, that goal may not be reachable for you right now.

If you’re a person who hates the taste of water, you might set a “reachable” goal of drinking 8 glasses of water a day. Sure, you should drink 8 glasses of water a day. But are you going to reach that goal if you hate water? Almost certainly not.

So what can you do?

What to Do If Your Goals are Unreachable

Have you ever stood underneath a regulation-sized basketball goal? It’s pretty high. Way higher than the Little Tikes one my kids play with in our backyard.

Naturally, when they want to play basketball at the park, it doesn’t go as smoothly as it does in our yard. But we work on one thing at a time: learning to dribble, how to hold the ball, how to develop a jumpshot, how to use the “Granny” shot to get the ball high enough to reach the goal, how to block.

As they learn those things, something major happens. They get older and they grow. Before they know it, they’ll be tall enough to make those shots and they’ll never notice what they “couldn’t” do.

And that’s how it is when we set goals that are too high. We can usually still reach them. It just takes longer. And in the meantime, we can keep our focus by setting little “stepping stone” goals to accomplish along the way.

Going back to our working parent example earlier: You might not be able to have dinner with your kids every night, but can you read them a bedtime story each night?  Can you have breakfast with them in the morning? Those things totally count as connecting with them too!

What about the person who hates water? The first goal has to be: Learn to love water! If you find ways to like it, drinking 8 glasses a day will come easily.

So if you realize your goals for this year were a little too ambitious, don’t scale them down. Break them! Split them into small goals you can reach sooner that will motivate you to keep going.


My Goals for February 2016

Here are my goals for February 2016. As I mentioned last month, they’re set up in categories. One parenting goal, one financial goal, one blogging goal, one fitness goal, and one homemaking goal.

Setting Goals for February 2016 - Look! We're Learning!

Parenting: As a mom of four, it’s tough to have one-on-one time with each one. But I really need to find a way to get it done. So look for a post about that soon.

Finances: I’m on a mission to save money this year and I’m continuing with a flat amount to save this month. It’s ambitious, but it’s doable.

Fitness: Tigger and I are running each week, but only twice. If I’m going to do a marathon in a year, I need to up that to three times ASAP.

Blogging: I’ve been blogging professionally for nearly three years. And I just realized something: I have a lot of posts that need work! When I look at some of my earlier stuff, I shudder. It’s time to dust those posts off and make them work for me.

Homemaking: Books, books, and more books. I have so many books, you guys. I love them all, but some of them are ones my kids (and I) have outgrown. There’s a consignment sale coming up and I’m planning to sort through them ALL before then.

Do your goals tend to…fall off during February? If not, how do you keep from setting goals too high? Share your tips in the comments!

Setting Goals Too High? Try This!

This post is part of the Monthly Goals linky – a blog hop featuring bloggers who share their hopes and goals each month! Click over and read the goals of some of my fellow bloggers for this month!



My Daughter's Hair is None of Your Business

My Daughter’s Hair is None of Your Business

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In the past week and a half, I have been approached by three separate women about the exact same topic: my daughter’s hair.

I have a three-year-old little girl. And, apparently, three is the age when little girls should start getting their hair “done”, meaning fashioned into some type of ornate style.

I don’t do that.

Furthermore, I do not understand when or how it became acceptable to approach a parent (generally a mom) and tell her she needs to “do” her daughter’s hair.

For the record, most people probably don’t this to other parents. But if you’re the kind of person who does, here’s a newsflash: My daughter’s hair is NONE of your business.

My Daughter's Hair is None of Your Business

My Daughter’s Hair is None of Your Business

My three-year-old daughter, my 11-year-old daughter, and I all wear our hair in its natural state. We don’t use any types of relaxers, lye products, flat irons, or anything that changes the texture of our hair.

It’s not that I think these things are bad or wrong somehow. We just choose not to use them.

This means that our hair rarely ever looks “neat”. But it’s always clean, moisturized, and detangled.

Short Afro

This is what my three-year-old’s hair looks like on a typical day. For a special event last spring, I tried adding braids, ponytails, barrettes, etc to “do” her hair. Here’s what happened:

  • She screamed and fidgeted the entire time – making a 10-minute task into an hour-long ordeal
  • She rubbed the back of her hair against the car seat the entire time we were driving
  • She sat in her chair at the event and ran her hands through her hair
  • She laid down and took a nap halfway through
  • She ran around with her older brothers for an hour afterward

The hairstyle that I painstakingly created lasted a total of 14 minutes (give or take) before it began to devolve into a frizzy mess.

Afterward, I realized: It’s just not worth it to “do” her hair at this age. At least not for me. Honestly, we’re talking about a three-year-old child here. I guarantee you that having her hair done is verrry low on her list of priorities.

And I pretty much took the same approach with my tween until she decided she wanted to do something in particular with her hair.

Natural Hair

You know what IS worth it at this age?

  • Teaching my girls to value themselves – as people, not mannequins
  • Letting them be free to play and explore anything, not feeling like they can’t move for fear of “messing up” their hair
  • Showing them how to appreciate the inner qualities of people, instead of superficially admiring a physical trait

And I will not apologize for refusing to think of getting their hair “done” as anywhere close to a priority in their lives.

My Girls and Their Natural Hair

I want to raise happy, confident young women who love living, no matter what kind of hair they were born with. And I think my husband and I are on the right track.

So if you want to give me a box of barrettes, a card for a local salon, or ask me why I don’t “do” their hair, expect me to respond by telling you that my daughter’s hair is none of your business.

Because it’s not.

Have you ever had someone imply that you should do “more” with your daughter’s hair? Did you feel bad or guilty? Did you get angry? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!

For more posts about parenting, follow my Parenting with Joy board on Pinterest!

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5 Ways to Show Love to Your Defiant Child - Look! We're Learning!

5 Ways to Show Love to Your Defiant Child

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I tell my son to go to his room. Instead of walking down the hall, he stands rooted to the ground, yelling that he won’t go. When I turn to walk away, he rushes at me, grabbing my arms and trying to force me to look at him.

Sound familiar?

Welcome to the world of parenting a defiant child.

Do you have a child that seems to enjoy resisting your parental authority? Does he seem to do the exact opposite of what he’s told – almost every single time? Does it appear that she likes to see you get upset?

One of our children, who shall remain nameless, tends to be defiant. I can vouch for the fact that it tests every moral fiber a parent has. But we’ve found that one of the best methods for approaching defiance in our children is by showing them love. It really works!

So, here are 5 ways to show love to your defiant child. If you’re at your wit’s end, these tips may help you reconnect with your child, even when he or she is defiant.

If you're parenting a defiant child, you're facing a real challenge. But finding ways to love our kids, even when they're defiant, can help us keep our joy.

Image: Laurent Hamels / Dollar Photo Club

5 Ways to Show Love to Your Defiant Child

1. Try to understand his frustration.

Sometimes a child who appears to be defiant may be experiencing extreme frustration. Your challenge is to find out why. Before you ask questions (see tip #3), try to understand what may be happening.

Is he upset with a sibling? Could he feel that a situation is unfair? Is he exhausted, hungry, or disappointed? Trying to see things from his standpoint can give you a lot of insight into his behavior.

2. Show physical affection.

Physical affection (in moderate amounts) can be a simple way to defuse a defiant outburst. Simply placing your hand on your child’s shoulder, back, or cheek may be calming, especially if she has under-responsive SPD or ADHD. If your child allows, gently pull her closer to you and give her a firm hug.

Be careful not to force physical affection, though. If your child resists or pulls away from contact, give her time and space.

3. Ask questions calmly.

If your child is ready to talk, ask him a couple of questions about his feelings and give him plenty of time to answer. Some good questions might include:

“Would you like to talk?”
“Are you feeling upset about something?”
“Can you tell me what you’re feeling?”

If your child wants to talk, by all means, listen without interrupting. If  your child doesn’t want to talk, respond with “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk now. But if you want to talk about it later, I’ll be ready to listen.”

The Land of Nod, design for kids and people that used to be kids

4. Devote special time to her.

Children who behave in a defiant manner may feel misunderstood or unappreciated. Setting aside one-on-one time to spend with them can help them to feel accepted.

When my defiant child felt bad about himself, he tended to isolate himself from the rest of us: shutting down, refusing to talk or play with his siblings, or intentionally misbehaving. But when I scheduled a special time for the two of us to spend together, his defiant behavior calmed down considerably. He looked forward to reading and playing together and it gave him something special to talk about with his siblings later on.

5. Say nothing.

Sometimes, though, the best way to show love to your defiant child is to say absolutely nothing. If he is having a severe meltdown, you might just have to wait it out.

Go about your normal duties, but try to stay nearby where he can see you. If you walk away, he might feel neglected and try to come up with ways to “force” you to pay attention to him (acting out, throwing a tantrum, etc.). Trust me: I know that walking away does not work.

Ways to Show Love to Your Defiant Child

Books about Parenting Defiant Children:

There are some excellent books about parenting defiant children available these days. Here are some of the ones we’ve found over the years. (Affiliate links are provided here for convenience. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

1. 10 Days to a Less Defiant Child – Jeffrey Bernstein, Ph.D. (My personal favorite!)

2. The Defiant Child: A Parent’s Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder – Douglas A. Riley

3. Your Defiant Child: Eight Steps to Better Behavior – Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D.

4. The Explosive Child – Ross W. Greene, Ph.D.

5. Transforming the Difficult Child: The Nurtured Heart Approach – Howard Glasser & Jennifer Easley

Parenting a defiant child is difficult, extremely difficult. But when we just try to show love to them, even when they’re defiant, we can make a huge difference in their behavior and their self-esteem.

Oh – and remember when my son rushed at me, trying to force me to look at him? You know what I did? I looked at him and I asked him if he wanted to tell me why he was upset. Then I hugged him.

You know what he did? He hugged me back and started to cry. Then he started to talk and I listened. And suddenly, he didn’t seem quite so defiant anymore.

Are you parenting a defiant child? What have you found to be helpful? Share your tips in the comments! And be sure to read these other parenting posts!

How to Calm Your Frustrated ADHD Learner

How to Keep a Homeschool Tantrum from Derailing Your School Day

For more parenting encouragement, follow our board “Parenting with Joy” on Pinterest!

5 Simple After School Snacks for Kids

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“Moooommmm! I’m hungry!!!!” If you haven’t heard those words yet, I’m not sure you’re actually a parent. 🙂

When our kids went to public school for a few months last year, they always came home ravenous. So I had to get very creative about finding food to make into snacks for them. After a couple of weeks, I came up with a go-to snack list that really saved me in the afternoons. So I’m sharing some simple after school snacks for kids today!

Today is also Tuesday, which means it’s time for another edition of the Laugh and Learn linky! Check out our favorite posts from last week and get some more parenting and homeschooling encouragement below!

5 Simple Afterschool Snacks for Kids

5 Simple After School Snacks for Kids

Tired of rummaging through the fridge in the afternoons to find something to feed your kids? I know I was. And that’s when I realized that I didn’t have to come up with something different every week. I could just rotate the same snacks out every week and make meal planning a LOT easier.

Check out my go-to list of 5 Simple After School Snacks for Kids over at Thinking Outside the Sandbox!

5 Simple Afterschool Snacks for Kids – Thinking Outside the Sandbox

Linky time!

Come join us every Tuesday for the #LaughLearnLinkUp and share your #Parenting or #Homeschool #Tips!

Welcome to our 57th week of Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup!

Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup will be open by 6 am every Tuesday morning.

Each and every week, all of the hosts pick one favorite post to be featured on the next week’s linkup. All of your links will be shared on five blogs.

We are also sharing the top posts on Pinterest: #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites}. It’s added exposure for your awesome content!
Reminder: Please share this linkup! You can help us build a great homeschool and parenting group.
[bctt tweet=”Share your favorite #parenting or #homeschooling post with #LaughLearnLinkup. #ihsnet #ibabloggers”]

Your Fabulous Hosts 😉

Tina
Me and SawyerLos Gringos Locos
Tina lives abroad in Latin America with her husband and four children. Currently in Mexico, Tina is active in homeschool, travel, and her Bible ministry. She blogs about all of their adventures, and more at Los Gringos Locos.
Find Tina at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google +
Linkedin


Selena
Selena - head shot Look We're Learning
Selena is a writer and a homeschooling mom to four kids, including three with ADHD/SPD. Selena and her husband, Jay, are committed to teaching their children at home and loving every minute of it! You can read about the family’s homeschooling experiences at Look! We’re Learning, written by Selena!
Find Selena at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Instagram
Sarah
sarah-dedicated-homeschooler Dedicated Homeschooler
Sarah lives in Kentucky, USA, where she and her husband homeschool three children. Sarah writes for and about, families with special needs. She hopes to provide support and encouragement to all special needs parents in the homeschool community. Visit Sarah at Dedicated Homeschooler.
Find Sarah at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter
Haley
Haleys Vintage Finds & DealsHaley's Vintage Finds & Deals
Haley hopes to encourage stay at home moms. She wants to help them learn how to make an extra income, to stretch a budget, to make crafts, and other useful information. Haley always has updates on the kids, and their funny antics. Visit Haley at Haley’s Vintage Finds & Deals.
Find Haley at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Twitter
Google+
YouTube
Stumble Upon
Lindsey
Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she's on a mission to find love and joy in "the simple life" and invites you to join her! Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she's on a mission to find love and joy in "the simple life" and invites you to join her!
Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she’s on a mission to find love and joy in “the simple life” and invites you to join her! Visit Lindsey at Nitty Gritty Homeschooling. Find Lindsey at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Google+
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube

Grab a Button / Badge:

If you were featured this week, we would love for you to use this badge below. We really appreciate all your hard work, and sharing with us each and every week!

Laugh Learn Linkup

We would also love if you could use this badge on any post you shared with us. Or a text link would also be greatly appreciated. More shares and links helps us build a better and bigger linkup for all us to benefit from.

Laugh Learn Linkup

The Winners for the Week of October 27th:

Featured on #LaughLearnLinkup

Tina’s pick for this week…

FREE Children Around the World Learning Pack for Homeschool

Note from Tina:
It’s important to teach our children about the lands and people of our beautiful planet. It will help our kids learn to love diversity and broaden their horizons.
[bctt tweet=”Help your children learn about other cultures with pack by @momteaches2 #LaughLearnLinkup”]

Selena’s pick for this week…

Learning Games with Standard Playing Cards
Note from Selena:
We have playing cards and we always love unconventional ways to learn math! These sound like a fun way to reinforce math skills!
[bctt tweet=”Use playing cards to help reinforce math skills! #LaughLearnLinkup”]

Sarah’s pick for this week…

The Diagnoses We Never Wanted
Note from Sarah:
This post touched me deeply. As a mom of special needs children, with my own special needs as well, I know all to well that sometimes a diagnosis is a relief and sometimes it’s terrifying. Kim is very brave to speak up and help to educate others about Rett Syndrome. The more we all know about syndromes such as this, the more we can help one another to cope and move forward. I so look forward to the time when “no resident will say: “I am sick.” – Isaiah 33:24
[bctt tweet=”The Diagnoses We Never Wanted by @LifeOverCs #LaughLearnLinkup”]

 

Haley’s pick for this week…

Teacher Appreciation Gifts: Let Little Kids add their Personal Touch
Note from Haley:
I love these gifts and letting your little help is even better!
[bctt tweet=”Teacher Appreciation gifts your child can help you with by @worldwidewindow #LaughLearnLinkup”]

 

Lindsey’s pick for this week…

Ease back into school!
Note from Lindsey:
Routine is hard for me but something I am always working on. These are great tips to simplify things and make it doable.
[bctt tweet=”Ease back into your #Homeschool routine with tips by Little Log Cottage School #LaughLearnLinkup”]

Thanks to everyone who submitted a post. Please check out the post above by clicking on the image. If you enjoyed these picks as much as we did, please share them also!

Have you joined our Pinterest Board yet?

Follow Tina Ernspiker’s board #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites} on Pinterest.

Come join us every Tuesday for the #LaughLearnLinkUp and share your #Parenting or #Homeschool #Tips!

Now give us your best posts!


How to Manage Sensory Processing Disorder at Home

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Are you living with a child who has sensory processing disorder? At least two of our children do and we’ve been working with them at home.

In a perfect world, they would be seeing an occupational therapist, but that’s not in our budget or covered by our insurance. So if you’re trying to learn how to manage sensory processing disorder at home (like we are), here are a few tips from the book Sensory Processing 101 that are working in our family.

*Note: I am not a medical professional. If you are concerned that your child may have sensory processing disorder, please consult a doctor or occupational therapist for advice.*

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.*

How to Manage Sensory Processing Disorder at Home - Look! We're Learning!

How to Manage Sensory Processing Disorder at Home

This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.

Learn all you can about SPD.

You’ll need to begin by learning everything you can about sensory processing disorder. For example, SPD consists of several different aspects, including trouble with vestibular, oral, or proprioceptive senses. Plus, you can have a child who has problems in more than one sensory area. Since some books on sensory processing disorder are a little complex, be sure to choose one that is written for parents, not therapists.

Watch your child for sensory-seeking or sensory-avoiding behavior.

Does your child deal with over-responsiveness to sensory input or under-responsiveness? If your child shies away from sounds or textures in food or clothing, then he or she might have auditory, oral, or tactile over-responsiveness. On the other hand, if your child deliberately does things in a loud or forceful manner, then he or she might be under-responsive to sensory input.

In our family, our youngest son crashes into the floor (on purpose!), stomps around the house (even when he’s happy), and speaks extremely loudly. Sometimes he doesn’t even feel when he bumps into things. Learning about SPD and observing him has helped us to recognize his specific sensory needs.

The Ultimate Guide to Brain Breaks eBook

Include sensory activities in your daily life.

Okay – so you know about SPD and you’ve learned which aspects are affecting your child. Now it’s time to put together a “sensory diet”: a routine of sensory activities for your child to do everyday. Believe it or not – sensory therapy consists of activities that you can easily adapt and do at home.

Once you know which areas your child struggles with, you can make a list of daily activities (even chores) that allow them to get more sensory input through the day. Some of our favorites for our sensory-seeking kids include chewing crunchy foods, heavy work (pushing objects around), and wrapping up in tight blankets.

The ebook Sensory Processing 101 is a super resource for learning about SPD, recognizing the signs in your own child, and ideas for sensory activities you can do around the house! If you haven’t gotten a copy of the book yet, check it out below!

Sensory Processing 101

Are you living with a child who has SPD? Do you have any tips for how to manage sensory processing disorder at home? Let us know in the comments!

Sensory Fix™ for Everyday Sensory Needs

Surviving the Back to School Crash

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It happens to all of us. We start off in mid-summer with the homeschool planning and around late July, we really kick the back to school stuff into high gear. 🙂

Then by mid-September, we’re feeling the blahs of the daily school routine. (Interestingly, the same thing happened when I sent my kids to public school last year.)

This time around, though, I was a little bit more prepared. So I wrote a post sharing a few tips on surviving the back to school crash!

Today is also another edition of the Laugh and Learn linky – our 51st week! It’s almost been an entire year of sharing great parenting and homeschooling posts with these ladies! See our features from last week below!

Surviving the Back to School Crash

Surviving the Back to School Crash

When does the back to school crash hit you? For me, it’s about a month after the school year begins. And it generally falls on a Tuesday.

The newness of the new year has worn off and my kids are back to complaining about having to “do work” everyday. By then, I’m usually over the newness too and it can be a real struggle to keep my early year enthusiasm going.

Check out the tips I share for surviving the back to school crash over at Thinking Outside the Sandbox! If you have any suggestions too, please feel free to share them in the comments!

Surviving the Back to School Crash – Thinking Outside the Sandbox

Linky time!

Come join us every Tuesday for the #LaughLearnLinkUp and share your #Parenting or #Homeschool #Tips!

Welcome to our 51st week of Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup!

New: We have a new logo! We hope you will take the time to update this logo on your linkup pages. You are also invited to grab a badge / button to share on your blog and blog posts that you link up with us. We have also added more click to tweet boxes. We invite you to use these when you share. These also a mention winner in them, which will help them know how much you enjoyed there post.

Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup will be open by 6 am every Tuesday morning.

Each and every week, all of the hosts pick one favorite post to be featured on the next week’s linkup. All of your links will be shared on five blogs.

We are also sharing the top posts on Pinterest: #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites}. It’s added exposure for your awesome content!

Reminder: Please share this linkup! You can help us build a great homeschool and parenting group.

[bctt tweet=”Share your favorite #parenting or #homeschooling post with #LaughLearnLinkup. #ihsnet #ibabloggers”]

Your Fabulous Hosts 😉

 

Tina
Me and Sawyerlos-gringos-locos-blog

Tina lives abroad in Latin America with her husband and four children. Currently in Mexico, Tina is active in homeschool, travel, and her Bible ministry. She blogs about all of their adventures, and more at Los Gringos Locos.
Find Tina at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google +
Linkedin
Tsu

Selena
Selena - head shot Look We're Learning

Selena is a writer and a homeschooling mom to four kids, including three with ADHD/SPD. Selena and her husband, Jay, are committed to teaching their children at home and loving every minute of it! You can read about the family’s homeschooling experiences at Look! We’re Learning, written by Selena!
Find Selena at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Instagram

Sarah
sarah-dedicated-homeschooler Dedicated Homeschooler

Sarah lives in Kentucky, USA, where she and her husband homeschool three children. Sarah writes for and about, families with special needs. She hopes to provide support and encouragement to all special needs parents in the homeschool community. Visit Sarah at Dedicated Homeschooler.
Find Sarah at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter

Haley
Haleys Vintage Finds & DealsHaley's Vintage Finds & Deals

Haley hopes to encourage stay at home moms. She wants to help them learn how to make an extra income, to stretch a budget, to make crafts, and other useful information. Haley always has updates on the kids, and their funny antics. Visit Haley at Haley’s Vintage Finds & Deals.
Find Haley at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Twitter
Google+
YouTube

Lindsey
Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she's on a mission to find love and joy in "the simple life" and invites you to join her! Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she's on a mission to find love and joy in "the simple life" and invites you to join her!

Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she’s on a mission to find love and joy in “the simple life” and invites you to join her! Visit Lindsey at Nitty Gritty Homeschooling. Find Lindsey at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Google+
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube

Grab a Button / Badge:

If you were featured this week, we would love for you to use this badge below. We really appreciate all your hard work, and sharing with us each and every week!

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The Winners for the Week of September 22nd:

Featured on #LaughLearnLinkup

Tina’s pick for this week…

HOW TO GET AN OUT OF CONTROL HOMESCHOOL BACK ON TRACK

Note from Tina:

I like how she talks about flow of homeschool and the challenges each part of the year takes on.

[bctt tweet=”Get your out of control #Homeschool back on track with @TinasHomeschool #LaughLearnLinkup “]

Selena’s pick for this week…

We made homemade cookie maps for our Ancient Egypt studies!

Note from Selena:

We’ve already started Ancient Egypt, but now I want to study it again just so I can make cookie maps!

[bctt tweet=”#Cookie maps for your Ancient Egypt studies instructions by @JenALambert. #LaughLearnLinkup”]

Sarah’s pick for this week…

These book report worksheets are great for kindergarten or grade 1 students. There’s large lines for them to easily write in with places to draw and show their creative side as well.

Note from Sarah:

I love these print outs, and have already downloaded mine smile emoticon. I am very excited about using the book report sheets.

[bctt tweet=”Get your #Free #printable My Book Report Worksheets via @moniquebdesigns. #LaughLearnLinkup”]

Haley’s pick for this week…

4 Ways to Know When To Transition to Kindergarten

Note from Haley:

I love how Alecia breaks down four easy ways to know when your child is ready to transition. Her tips would easily work for any grade not just Kindergarten.

[bctt tweet=”Is your #Preschooler ready for #Kindergarten? Homeschool tips by @yrroundhomeschl #LaughLearnLinkup”]

Lindsey’s pick for this week…

Back to School Lunch Hacks

Note from Lindsey:

It will be our first week of the school year tomorrow and though I do not always have time to make elaborate lunches I like to do something special the first week, so this post gave me some great ideas.

[bctt tweet=”Your kids will love Back to School Lunch Hacks by @1littleproject! #LaughLearnLinkup”]

Thanks to everyone who submitted a post. Please check out the post above by clicking on the image. If you enjoyed these picks as much as we did, please share them also!

Have you joined our Pinterest Board yet?

Follow Tina Ernspiker’s board #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites} on Pinterest.

Come join us every Tuesday for the #LaughLearnLinkUp and share your #Parenting or #Homeschool #Tips!

Now give us your best posts!


How to Ease Your Kids Back into a School Routine

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Have you already started the new school year? If so, you might have found that your kids are struggling to recover from summer break. I wrote a post about how to ease your kids back into a school routine over at Thinking Outside the Sandbox Family that might help. 🙂

Today is also another edition of the Laugh and Learn linky! Check out the posts we’ve featured from last week’s party and read today’s newest homeschooling parenting posts!

 

How to Ease Your Kids Back into a School Routine

How to Ease Your Kids Back into a School Routine

Sending our kids to public school last year was a huge eye-opener for me when it comes to back to school scheduling. Adjusting from getting up at 8 am to getting up at 6:15 am was something they were never really able to do. So I know it definitely takes time to ease kids back into a school routine after a couple of months off.

Stop by Thinking Outside the Sandbox Family to get a look at a post I recently shared called “How to Ease Your Kids Back into a School Routine”!

How to Ease Your Kids Back into a School Routine – Thinking Outside the Sandbox

Time for this week’s linky! 🙂

Come join us every Tuesday for our Laugh and Learn Linkup! You are welcome to share any Parenting or Homeschool link. You will enjoy all the great links! #LaughLearnLinkUp #Homeschool #Parenting #Blog #Mom #Bloggers

Welcome to our 47th week of Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup!

Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup will be open by 6 am every Tuesday morning.

Each and every week, all of the hosts pick one favorite post to be featured on the next week’s linkup. All of your links will be shared on five blogs.

We are also sharing the top posts on Pinterest: #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites}. It’s added exposure for your awesome content!

Your Fabulous Hosts 😉

Tina
Me and Sawyerlos-gringos-locos-blog

Tina lives abroad in Latin America with her husband and four children. Currently in Mexico, Tina is active in homeschool, travel, and her Bible ministry. She blogs about all of their adventures, and more at Los Gringos Locos.
Find Tina at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google +
Linkedin
Tsu

Selena
Selena - head shot Look We're Learning

Selena is a writer and a homeschooling mom to four kids, including three with ADHD/SPD. Selena and her husband, Jay, are committed to teaching their children at home and loving every minute of it! You can read about the family’s homeschooling experiences at Look! We’re Learning, written by Selena!
Find Selena at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Instagram

Sarah
sarah-dedicated-homeschooler Dedicated Homeschooler

Sarah lives in Kentucky, USA, where she and her husband homeschool three children. Sarah writes for and about, families with special needs. She hopes to provide support and encouragement to all special needs parents in the homeschool community. Visit Sarah at Dedicated Homeschooler.
Find Sarah at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest

Haley
Haleys Vintage Finds & DealsHaley's Vintage Finds & Deals

Haley hopes to encourage stay at home moms. She wants to help them learn how to make an extra income, to stretch a budget, to make crafts, and other useful information. Haley always has updates on the kids, and their funny antics. Visit Haley at Haley’s Vintage Finds & Deals.
Find Haley at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Twitter
Google+
YouTube

Lindsey
Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she's on a mission to find love and joy in "the simple life" and invites you to join her! Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she's on a mission to find love and joy in "the simple life" and invites you to join her!

Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she’s on a mission to find love and joy in “the simple life” and invites you to join her! Visit Lindsey at Nitty Gritty Homeschooling. Find Lindsey at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Google+
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube


The Winners for the Week of August 25th:

Tina’s pick for this week…

Why We Stopped Buying Toys

Why We Stopped Buying Toys

Selena’s pick for this week…

17 Airplane & Hotel Busy Bags to keep your kids entertained.

17 Airplane & Hotel Busy Bags

Sarah’s pick for this week…

Blank World History Timeline +Free Printable

Blank World History Timeline +Free Printable

A note from Sarah: We keep a Book of Centuries too, but I love the way she lays hers out.

Haley’s pick for this week…

Grandma, Make a Skirt!

Grandma, Make a Skirt!

A note from Haley: I love how she up-cycled a thrift store shirt in to cute skirt for her granddaughter. What a great memory for her to have later on.

Lindsey’s pick for this week…

Making Friends: Qualities We Want in Our Friends

Making Friends: Qualities We Want in Our Friends

Thanks to everyone who submitted a post. Please check out the post above by clicking on the image.

[bctt tweet=”Share your favorite #parenting or #homeschooling post with #LaughLearnLinkup. #ihsnet #ibabloggers”]

Now give us your best posts!


10 Ways to Have a Fun Summer with Your Kids

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Running low on inspiration for summer activities as a family? Today we’re sharing 10 simple ways to have a fun summer with your kids!

This week also marks another edition of the Laugh and Learn parenting and homeschooling linky! Be sure to check out our features from last week and read this week’s newest posts below!

10 Ways to Have a Fun Summer with Your Kids

10 Ways to Have a Fun Summer with Your Kids

Spending time together in the summer can seem like something that just comes naturally. But, unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

Between busy summer activities, taking care of the home, and managing kids during summer break, moms can actually  become even more frazzled than usual. Kids can also lose inspiration as they get into a more relaxed summer schedule.

If you’re looking for a few ideas to make the most of your summer as a family, visit Thinking Outside the Sandbox to read “10 Ways to Have a Fun Summer with Your Kids”!

10 Ways to Have a Fun Summer with Your Kids – Thinking Outside the Sandbox

And now it’s time for the linky! 🙂

Come join us every Tuesday for our Laugh and Learn Linkup! You are welcome to share any Parenting or Homeschool link. You will enjoy all the great links! #LaughLearnLinkUp #Homeschool #Parenting #Blog #Mom #Bloggers

Welcome to our 40th week of Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup!

Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup will be open by 6 am every Tuesday morning.

NEW: Come back Friday and vote for your favorite two posts (your post and someone else’s post). We will feature the post with the most votes on the following linkup. Be sure to link your best content and maybe you will be our feature! We will also pin our feature to our Pinterest board for #laughlearnlinkup – homeschool and parenting posts. Check the board out here:: #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites}. It’s added exposure for your awesome content!

Your Fabulous Hosts 😉

Tina
Me and SawyerBadge

 

Tina lives abroad in Latin America with her husband and four children. Currently in Mexico, Tina is active in homeschool, travel, and her Bible ministry. She blogs about all of their adventures and more at Los Gringos Locos.

Find Tina at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google +
Linkedin
Tsu

Selena
Selena - head shotselena badge

 

Selena is a writer and a homeschooling mom to four kids, including three with ADHD/SPD. Selena and her husband, Jay, are committed to teaching their children at home and loving every minute of it! You can read about the family’s homeschooling experiences at Look! We’re Learning, written by Selena!

Find Selena at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Instagram

Sarah
sarah-dedicated-homeschooler Dedicated Homeschooler

 

Sarah lives in Kentucky, USA, where she and her husband homeschool three children. Sarah writes for and about, families with special needs. She hopes to provide support and encouragement to all special needs parents in the homeschool community. Visit Sarah at Dedicated Homeschooler.

Find Sarah at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Instagram

Haley
Haleys Vintage Finds & DealsHaley's Vintage Finds & Deals

 

Haley hopes to encourage stay at home moms. She wants to help moms learn how to make an extra income, to stretch a budget, to make crafts, and other useful information. Haley always has updates on the kids and funny things that happen. Visit Haley at Haley’s Vintage Finds & Deals.

Find Haley at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Pinterest
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

The Winners for the Week of July 6th:

Fun Ways to Build Kids’ Writing and Grammar Skills + Free Printables

Fun Ways to Build Kids’ Writing and Grammar Skills + Free Printables

10 AWESOME SUMMER SENSORY PLAY ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

10 AWESOME SUMMER SENSORY PLAY ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

END OF YEAR HOMESCHOOL REFLECTIONS {2014-2015}

END OF YEAR HOMESCHOOL REFLECTIONS {2014-2015}

Thanks to everyone who submitted a post. Please check out the posts above by clicking on the image.
[bctt tweet=”Come join the #laughlearnlinkup and share your favorite #parenting or #homeschooling post!”]

Now give us your best posts!


Shark Art Tutorials

What My Homeschooled Children Taught Me

What My Homeschooled Children Taught Me About Public School

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Last Friday was the last day of the school year and the last day of our Great Homeschool Public School Experiment. Our kids were only in public school for seven months, but it really and truly felt like forever.

Naturally, we sent the kids to public school to help them learn. The strange thing is that I think I learned even more than they did. Today, I’m joining up with several other iHomeschool Network bloggers to share what my child has taught me. I’ll be talking about What My Homeschooled Children Taught Me About Public School!

(If you’re looking for this week’s edition of 52 Weeks to a Healthier You, come back on Wednesday!)
What My Homeschooled Children Taught Me

What My Homeschooled Children Taught Me About Public School

1. It’s more work than homeschooling.

I was one of those parents who thought I’d “get a break” by putting my kids in public school. Wrong. Public schooling is FAR more work than homeschooling ever was.

Previously, I had the luxury of combining subjects and teaching all of my kids together. No more. Each child had his or her own teacher, own classroom, own homework, and own projects to complete. Plus, everyone had school events that I was supposed to attend.

For example, during the last week of school, I attended three separate awards ceremonies on three separate days. (This is, of course, in addition to dropping them off and picking them up each day.) There were separate field trips (with separate fees), class parties, and book fairs. It was a lot. I kept thinking, “Why do I have less time in the day now when I have fewer children around?”

2. My kids could handle it.

Before we finally went through with the decision to enroll them, we wondered how well our kids would adjust to public school. After all, they’d never been before. They’ve never even been to daycare. So just being away from home all day with a group of children was a new experience.

Plus, they’d have to deal with homework (even Roo had homework in kindergarten) and they’d have to deal with a handful of kids who were disruptive. Tigger’s class, for example, consisted of 21 students, including 14 boys. She sat in a row with three boys on one side of her and three boys on another. Naturally, she had some trouble concentrating.

We were pleasantly surprised, though, to see our kids succeed. All three of them were on the Honor Roll every quarter, two were chosen as student of the month in their class, and all three tested several grade levels in reading. I learned that the work we had put in during previous years was valid. Which, ironically, made me start thinking about returning to homeschooling.

3. It’s not for us.

More than all, though, my children taught me that public schooling is not for us. They were miserable in school. They loved what they were learning, but they hated the routine, the pressure, the focus on tests, and the time away from us.

I also learned that I missed them. In all my years as a mom, I’d never been away from them for entire days on end before. And I missed them terribly. So we’re all glad that we’re back to homeschooling again. 🙂

What have you learned from your children this year? Feel free to share in the comments!

This post is part of the “What My Child Taught Me” linky from iHomeschool Network! Click over to read other great posts by my fellow bloggers!
ChildTaughtMe

52 Weeks to a Healthier You: Why Alone Time for Moms is Important

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Week 16 of 52 Weeks to a Healthier You is here! Woohoo! We’ve covered some of the basics such as meal planning, getting enough sleep, and walking for fitness. But this week is a fun week, because it’s all about YOU!

We don’t think about the value of alone time for moms very much, but we should. Moms have one of the most demanding jobs on Earth. If we’re not careful, we can spend so much time focusing on our families that we neglect ourselves. You can’t be healthy if you’re not even thinking about yourself.

So this week, we’re talking about why we need to make time for ourselves!

Disclaimer: I am not a health or fitness expert. Please consult a medical professional before starting any new health or fitness regimen.

Alone Time for Moms

Image: Sunny studio / Dollar Photo Club

Why Alone Time for Moms is Important

Think about it: When is the last time you did something that was exclusively and entirely for you? (I’ll wait.)

It’s been a while, right? Even the things that we think are for ourselves end up being for our families sometimes. For example, you might say to yourself, “I’m going to get in the bed early tonight” and rationalize it as taking care of yourself. But why are you going to bed early? If your sentence finishes with “…because I have to get up and get the kids ready for school early in the morning”, then it’s not for you.

Naturally, we want to be the best moms we can for our families. But it’s also important that we remember the value of being the best women we can for our own happiness. Happy women make happy moms. And happy moms make happy kids. 🙂

How to Make Time for Yourself

Okay. So if you’ve lost the ability to make time for you, here’s how you start: Make a list of five things you’ve want to do, simply because you want to do them. My top pick is: Sit down and read a book from cover to cover in one sitting. (I used to do that all the time when I was single. As you can imagine, that is almost impossible these days.)

If your choices are things you can do in one evening, talk with your spouse, a trusted friend, or a family member about a time they can help with the kids. Schedule that time alone and then DO what you wanted. (No cheating and using that time to catch up on housework!) If your choices are things you can’t do in a single evening, schedule several evenings until you accomplish what you want to do.

Trust me. You’ll feel so relaxed and ready to get back in the routine of motherhood. And that’s the example we want to set for our kids: moms who value themselves. 😉

Are you able to make time for yourself? How do you do it? Share your tips in the comments! And don’t forget to join our 52 Weeks to a Healthier You Facebook group!

52 Weeks to a Healthier You - A free weekly action plan to help busy moms take care of their own health for a change. I definitely need this in 2015!

Unwelcome Attitude Changes - How one homeschooling mom dealt with the changes in her children after they started attending public school

The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment: Unwelcome Attitude Changes

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Today is the last day of our series The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment! And today we’re talking about the last thing we’ve noticed since our kids have been in school: unwelcome attitude changes.

It’s no secret that all kids act out on occasion and ours have been no strangers to that rule. We’ve dealt with quite a few tantrums over the years, but we’d settled into a fairly comfortable routine as a family. After our kids started going to school, though, we noticed some sudden and glaring changes.

While we weren’t shocked by these changes, we were certainly less than thrilled. And it’s taken us a while to get back to our original comfortable routine. But we’re definitely on our way now. Here is how we’ve dealt with the unwelcome attitude changes that have popped up since our kids have been in public school.

Unwelcome Attitude Changes - How one homeschooling mom dealt with the changes in her children after they started attending public school

Image: altanaka / Dollar Photo Club

The Sudden Appearance of Backtalk

We have never really had to deal with backtalk from our kids. After they started going to public school, though, we started to hear it for the first time. I wish someone had taken a picture of my face the first time Tigger said with a sigh and an eye roll, “I didn’t mean THAT, Mom.” I’m fairly certain my jaw was lying on the floor.

After recovering from my initial shock, I managed to ask “Excuse me?” I guess my face showed my abject horror, because Tigger immediately backtracked and rephrased her original comment. Still, Jay and I had to talk with each of the children in turn about picking up disrespectful speech from their classmates. We addressed it every single time we saw it. Every single time. And slowly, it’s loosening its death grip on our household.

Dealing with Irritability

Another issue we noticed was serious irritability. Pooh and Roo would wake up and immediately begin arguing as they got dressed. As soon as the kids got in the van at the end of the school day, Tigger and Pooh would instantly begin interrupting each other. It was awful.

We chalked a lot of the irritability up to the sudden change in schedule and their new homework responsibilities. But any life change is going to bring its own challenges and going to school was a HUGE change for them. Since we don’t have as much time together during the day as we used to, we have to make the most of what we have by sharing family dinners, giving the kids time to unwind individually, and getting them to bed at an early hour. Now that we make those things a priority, the irritability seems to be decreasing.

Have your children ever picked up negative character traits from other kids (in public school or elsewhere)? How do you handle it? Let us know in the comments!

This post is part of the series “The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment“! I really hope you’ve enjoyed reading it! Read about our other adventures in trying public school for the first time!

The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment - What's it like for homeschoolers to go to public school for the first time?

The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment: Plenty of Alone Time! Or Not

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We’re on to Day 5 of The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment! Today I’m giving you an honest look at all that “alone time” you picture when you think about sending your kids to public school.

On some of my worst homeschooling days, I’d fantasize about how “free” I’d be if my kids were in school. I’d have hours of solitude to get the house cleaned, plan meals, and even go shopping if I wanted! I’d read books I’d always wanted to read. I’d finish knitting the afghan I’ve been working on for over a year. I’d even think about painting the walls in my house. (Something I’ve never done.)

Of course, that didn’t happen. I do get more alone time during the day, but it comes with a HUGE catch. Here’s my take on the plenty of alone time you get when your kids are in public school.

Plenty of Alone Time - Do you really get more alone time when you send your kids to public school?

How I Spend My Days

Bear in mind that I still have Miss Piglet (who’s 2), so I don’t have quite the break that I’d have if all of my kids were in school. But I will say that having a house with one toddler in it during the day is FAR quieter than a house with four kids.

Generally, I drop the kids off at 7:15 and make it back home by 7:30. I get Piglet settled with breakfast and I start cleaning the kitchen. Piglet and I spend time watching JW Broadcasting, then we color and read a Bible Story. This takes a couple of hours. I make her a snack, then she takes a nap around 10:30.

Now I get to enjoy that vaunted “alone time”, right? Yes and no. I get about an hour and a half alone while Piglet naps, but here’s how I usually spend it: Doing laundry. Our kids’ school requires uniforms, so I end doing laundry and ironing more than I’ve ever done in my life as a mother. (Our kids often did school while still in their PJs.) If I’m actually caught up on laundry, I start on MY school assignments.

I make time to do something I want for half an hour (usually reading or taking a nap), then I get Piglet up, make lunch, and straighten up the kitchen yet again. By then, it’s time to get the kids. Seriously.

How My Evenings Became Even Busier

So, yes, I do get alone time in a way. But here’s yet another catch: My evenings are busier than ever. By the time we finish homework, it’s time to make dinner. And we have to cram in all the talking we used to do during the day around the dinner table. After dinner, the kids get about half an hour to unwind, then they get ready for bed. By the time they go to sleep, it’s time for me to finish up my schoolwork and get ready for the next day.

The quiet time during the day that I get is really helpful while I’m in school, though. Just having time to think clearly about what I want to do and how to go about it makes the evenings run much more smoothly. And after I’m done with school this spring, I’ll probably be able to enjoy that alone time a little more. 🙂

If your kids have ever gone to public school, did you find that you had more alone time? How did you use it? Do you miss it at all? Share your experiences in the comments!

This post is part of the series “The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment“! Read about our other adventures in trying public school for the first time!

The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment - What's it like for homeschoolers to go to public school for the first time?

Adjusting Our Schedule - What it's like to transition from a homeschooling schedule to a public school schedule

The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment: Adjusting Our Schedule

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Welcome to another entry in The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment series! Today, I’m sharing how we had to adjust our schooling and living schedule to make room for public school.

It’s also time for another edition of the Laugh and Learn linky, so be sure to check out our favorites from last week and read some great new posts this week!

Since we’d been homeschooling from birth, adjusting to a public school schedule was a MAJOR event in our family. Honestly, I had forgotten how much of my day revolved around school as a child. During the week, school pretty much consumed my waking hours. It’s only gotten worse since then.

Here’s a look at how we had to adjust our schedule when we took a break from homeschooling and enrolled our kids in public school.

Adjusting Our Schedule - What it's like to transition from a homeschooling schedule to a public school schedule

Getting Up Earlier

First, we had to start getting everyone up earlier. A LOT earlier. Generally, we allowed the kids to wake up on their own (usually around 8 a.m.) and then we’d start our morning routine. Fortunately, our kids’ school is located less than a mile from our house. But we still have to get everyone up no later than 6:30 a.m. so that they could make it to school in time for breakfast.

Apparently, they got the most important sleep of the night during that last hour and a half. Because without it, I have some seriously grouchy little ones. Pooh, in particular, has had a difficult time adjusting to rising that early. Sometimes, I actually have to shake him awake.

Reshaping Our Afternoons

I figured that the morning overhaul would be the biggest adjustment, but I was wrong. I had no idea how much homework kids receive these days. Even Roo has homework and he’s in kindergarten.

So, when I pick them up, I bring them home for a snack. (They’re always starving, because they eat lunch at 10:10 a.m. Truly.) After they have a snack, they get right on their homework. I’ll talk more about how we adjusted to the very idea of homework in another post. In general, homework takes about an hour, sometimes more for Tigger, and then they get a chance to unwind before dinner.

What Happened to Our Weekends?

I didn’t even consider that our weekends would be affected by public school, but they are. I had seriously taken for granted how much homeschooling helped me with errands. Now, I have to wait until the weekend to take the kids shopping for anything. Of course, every other person in our town is also shopping on weekends, so those trips now take three times as long. Fun!

If you have kids in public school, I’d love to hear how you tweaked your daily schedule to make room for their assignments. Let me know in the comments!

This post is part of the series “The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment“! Read about our other adventures in trying public school for the first time!

The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment - What's it like for homeschoolers to go to public school for the first time?

 

And now it’s time for the Laugh and Learn linkup! 🙂

 

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Welcome to our 15th week of Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup. Join us in the fun and help us spread the word! Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup will be open by 6 am every Tuesday morning. We will pick our three favorite posts and feature them on the following weeks linkup. Be sure to link your best content and maybe we will pick you! When you link your post with us it will be featured on three blogs.

We pin our favorites to a special Pinterest board for #laughlearnlinkup – homeschool and parenting posts. Check the board out here: #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites}. It’s added exposure for your awesome content!

 

Your Fabulous Hosts 😉

Tina

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Tina lives abroad in Latin America with her husband and four children. Currently in Mexico, Tina is active in homeschool, travel, and her Bible ministry. She blogs about all of their adventures and more at Los Gringos Locos.

Find Tina at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
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Twitter
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Tsu

 

Selena
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Selena is a writer and a homeschooling mom to four kids, including three with ADHD/SPD. Selena and her husband, Jay, are committed to teaching their children at home and loving every minute of it! You can read about the family’s homeschooling experiences at Look! We’re Learning, written by Selena!

Find Selena at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
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Sarah

Sarah Dedicated Blogger
Sarah lives in Kentucky, USA, where she and her husband homeschool three children. Sarah writes for and about, families with special needs. She hopes to provide support and encouragement to all special needs parents in the homeschool community. Visit Sarah at Dedicated Homeschooler.

Find Sarah at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Instagram

 

Our Favorite Posts for the Week of January 12th:

 

Written by Sheila at Brain Power Boy

Written by Annette at In All You Do

Written by Brand New Mom at Brand New Mom

 

Thanks to everyone who submitted a post. Please check out the posts above by clicking on the image.

 

Now, let’s see your best posts for this week so we can share them as next week’s favorites!

 


The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment: School Shopping on a Budget

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When you have the bright idea to start public school in the middle of the school year, you kind of miss out on all the back-to-school sales. So, we had to cut a few financial corners to afford school shopping. But we managed to get it done!

If you decide to put your children in school suddenly, you may be shocked at the amount of supplies they  need. I know I was. The supply list for our kids’ school included all kinds of things that used to be available free of charge: reams of copier paper, for example. Plus, the school follows a uniform dress code. Naturally, as homeschoolers, we had no uniforms.

So if we were going to make our Great Homeschool Public School Experiment a success, we were going to have to learn how to go school shopping on a budget. Here are a few tips that helped us out a bunch!

Homeschool Public School Experiment School Shopping on a Budget

Image: freepeoplea / Dollar Photo Club

School Shopping on a Budget

1. Raid your homeschool closet.

The first place we started “shopping” was in our homeschool closet. We had been homeschooling for six years, so we had tons of pencils, crayons, and markers. Before you buy a thing, look at the supplies you already have and then just purchase what you don’t have hiding away behind schoolbooks.

2. Use the Dollar Store to the fullest.

Our kids’ school supply list called for name-brand items: Lysol wipes, Expo dry-erase markers, etc. After pricing these items on Amazon and then panicking as I imagined the cost of multiplying these things by three, I talked with a few veteran public school moms. They quickly calmed me down by directing me to the local Dollar Store.

I found just about every single cleaning item there (generic branded, but still). So, if you’ve worried about name-brand items, they’ll take the store brand ones. Never fear. 😉 Another tip I got was to buy one of each item and then wait for the teachers to ask for the items they need throughout the year. That cut down our initial cost of supplies considerably.

3. Buy used uniforms, if you can.

If your school requires uniforms, you may be able to find used uniforms at second-hand or consignment stores. The school my kids attend does not require special patches or insignia, so all I needed were the right color and style clothing items for each child. I stopped at Goodwill first. And, fortunately, I found a few shirts and pants right away.

What I couldn’t find used, I bought from Old Navy. Kids’ uniforms are very, very cheap there. 😉

Have you had to cut corners to afford school supplies? How did you do it? Share your tips in the comments!

This post is part of the series “The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment“! Read about our other adventures in trying public school for the first time!

The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment - What's it like for homeschoolers to go to public school for the first time?

Koala Crate &gt;&gt;

3 Tips for Raising Boys with ADHD - These are great suggestions for parents who are struggling with sons who have this condition!

3 Tips for Raising Boys with ADHD

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We have two boys in our family with ADHD. Since one has classic ADHD with hyperactivity and one has limbic ADHD (which is characterized by a distinct lack of energy), they require very different parenting styles. Complicating this issue is the fact that we also have a daughter with ADHD and both my husband and I are living with ADHD as well.

While our family life is never, ever, ever boring, it can also be extremely challenging. So I’m always searching for great advice on how to raise boys with ADHD. Naturally, I was thrilled to get a copy of the book “Raising Boys with ADHD” from Prufrock Press!

As I read the book, I appreciated several of the suggestions and I’m sharing a few of them with you all today. 🙂

*I received a copy of this book free of charge in exchange for this review. My opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.*

3 Tips for Raising Boys with ADHD - These are great suggestions for parents who are struggling with sons who have this condition!

Image: nadezhda1906 / Dollar Photo Club

Tips for Raising Boys with ADHD

1. Make it into a game.

What is “it”, you ask? Anything. Make any and everything into a game. Since boys with ADHD are often easily bored, which can lead to misbehavior, keeping their interest is critical to getting them to cooperate. So, if you need them to pick up their rooms, challenge them to see who can get their room clean faster: you or them? You’ll get them to clean up and work together at the same time!

2. Take a problem-solving approach.

One of the biggest struggles for young boys who have ADHD is feeling defeated. As parents, we can do a lot to help them build self-esteem by refusing to overreact to their difficulties. Raising Boys with ADHD suggests viewing every challenge as a puzzle that can be solved. If what we’re doing now is not helping, then we need to find another solution. But we want to always believe that there is a solution that can help. That optimistic viewpoint can do a lot to help our sons keep trying, even when they feel like giving up.

3. Emphasize respect in the home.

All siblings tend to argue and fight, so when you add ADHD into the mix, things can become even more volatile. Rather than creating a long list of do’s and don’ts, the book recommends establishing the family rule “Treat Others with Respect”. If we help our sons learn how to respect us and their siblings, they’ll have an easier time managing their emotions and considering how their actions affect others.

Do you have sons with ADHD? How do you handle the challenges of parenting them? Let us know in the comments!

The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment: Breaking the News

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As you all know, we made the decision to put our kids in public school last month. After homeschooling for six years, it was … a difficult transition to say the least. Our kids had never stepped into a school before and their only ideas of what school is like came from TV, so they had no idea what to expect.

Personally, I waffled back and forth on the decision to enroll them for months, so I waited until we were really sure to break the news. It still did not go well.

Here’s the first installment in our series: The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment! Today, we’re talking about how we broke the news of our new public school experience to the kids.

The Great Homeschool Public School Experiment - Look! We're Learning!

Image: archideaphoto / Dollar Photo Club

Breaking the Public School News to Our Kids

I actually decided to tell Tigger first. She’s the oldest and I thought that if I told her in advance, she’d put on a brave face for her younger brothers. That turned out to be a good idea.

Her first reaction was to cry. She told me she was afraid, because she thought the other kids would be mean to her. I told her that she’d probably have a few mean kids, but that most kids would probably just be unsure since they didn’t know her (and because she was starting in the middle of the year). Of course, fourth grade is a difficult time for kids anyway, so she had a lot of questions and doubts, but by the time we started, she was looking forward to it.

Pooh, our six-year-old, responded with “THIS IS A CATASTROPHE!” (He actually said that…lol.) He really, really, really did  not want to go at all. Ironically, he ended up adjusting the fastest, so go figure.

Roo was kind of nervous, but also kind of excited. He’s in Kindergarten, which is an awesome time to go to public school for the first time. If I could go back to any point in my childhood, it would probably be Kindergarten.

Personally, I had been dreading breaking the news to the kids for weeks. But it turned out that telling them about our new homeschool public school experiment was the easiest part of the entire process. The harder parts were still to come. 🙂

Next week, I’ll talk about the next part of our experiment: School Shopping!

 

Is Multitasking Bad for Moms?

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Hey, mom! Take a quick second to look at your life. What are you doing right now? Are you reading this post while talking on the phone? Or waiting in a parked car? Or eating? (Please tell me you’re not reading this post while driving.)

It’s no secret that all of us are busier than ever before. Between the demands of modern parenting, taking care of our homes, working (from home or away), going to school (for some of us), homeschooling (for some of us), and attempting to maintain our health, it seems as if moms never get a break. And if you have more than one child, all of those responsibilities are doubled, tripled, quadrupled, or more.

Interestingly, if you Google the phrase “multitasking”, the first few results are from articles that present evidence that multitasking can actually impair our ability to perform tasks well. If so, we might have to ask the question: Is multitasking bad for moms?

Is Multitasking Bad for Moms

Image: olly / Dollar Photo Club

Is Multitasking Bad for Moms?

How Multitasking Can Take a Toll on Your Health

For starters, it’s a good idea to look at how multitasking may be affecting your life. Personally, I started to notice the differences in my health first. When I was homeschooling the kids, working, and going to school full-time, I started to rely on fast food, pre-packaged junk, and constant snacking. Unsurprisingly, I gained about 10 pounds. Also unsurprisingly, my sleeping habits suffered, which turned me into Mom-Hulk. (“You didn’t do your copywork! MOM SMASH!”)

The house suffered as well. I didn’t keep up with the chores, which led to the formation of Mount Laundry atop our washing machine. I couldn’t even remember the last time I prepared an actual meal for my family. I also started to lose my memory. I would lose my train of thought when speaking or forget what I was going to do when I walked into a room. I’m 31, by the way.

Want an even bigger jolt? Some researchers think that chronic multitasking can actually trigger ADHD in adults, which may explain a lot about my life as an ADHD mom.

Is Multitasking Really More Efficient?

I also found that in my attempts to multitask, I ended up taking longer to do each thing. For example, I’d sit down to outline a post for the blog, then I’d check in on one of the kids’ school lessons and end up getting sidetracked by a question or two (or six) and another child’s tantrum, then Piglet would need a diaper change, and, before I knew it, it was time to make lunch. Sometimes I wouldn’t come back to the computer until after the kids went to bed.

If I had just sat down and written the post, I could have been done in 20 minutes or so. Instead, it took me nearly 12 hours! Plus, I worried about it all day, which made me irritable and short-tempered with everyone I dealt with, including my kids. That, my friends, is neither an effective use of my time nor a way to be a good mama.

What to Do Instead

So, if we shouldn’t multitask, how are we ever supposed to get all this stuff done? Short answer: We can’t. We were never meant to do ALL of these things at once and trying to do it is killing us. So, we have to simplify. For me, that meant taking a break from homeschooling and cutting down on work, so I could get the rest I need, take care of our home properly, and be attentive to my kids and my husband.

Another way to avoid the tendency to multitask is to devote a set amount of time to each task, if possible. I like to use the Pomodoro Method, which is to work on one thing for 25 minutes, then take a five minute break. To keep myself on task, I use the free program Instant Boss. And, I have to say, now that I’m trying to slow down, simplify, and be more intentional about what I do, I’m actually beginning to find joy in the “small” things again, such as making breakfast for my family, sewing, and even writing on this blog.

What do you think? Is multitasking bad for moms? Are you a chronic multi-tasker? Do you think it’s helping your parenting or hurting it? Let us know in the comments!

Why I Decided to Take a Homeschooling Break

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If I was to sum up the last ten years of my life as a parent in one word, it would probably be “homeschooling“. We planned to homeschool Tigger as soon as we found out we were pregnant and we’ve stuck with it from the very beginning.

But ….

Last month, we decided to put our three oldest kids in public school. Everybody gasp with me! GASP.

Like a lot of homeschooling mothers, I’ve thought about public school a few times before but this is the first time I’ve actually gone through with enrolling them. And it was hard. A lot harder than I thought it would be.

Still, I know it was the right decision for our family. For now. Here’s why I decided to take a homeschooling break.

Why I Decided to Take a Homeschooling Break - A veteran homeschooling mom explains why she put her kids in public school, even though she was afraid of feeling like a failure. Very honest post.

Why I Decided to Take a Homeschooling Break

1. I was no longer a happy homeschooling mom.

For the past year and a half, I’ve been juggling homeschooling, working, and going to college full-time. During my first two semesters, my husband was unemployed, which was a huge reason why I went back to school in the first place.

This fall semester (ending this week! Yay!) has been the first time I’ve tried to juggle all three while he’s had a job. It. Has. Not. Been. Fun. I’ve been stressed for the last 15 weeks straight. I couldn’t even concentrate on teaching school to my kids, because I was so worried about my own (often rushed at the last-minute) assignments.

2. My ADHD was becoming a real problem.

I’ve always had a lot of things going at one time. I was brought up that way and I’d done it so long that I didn’t know there was another way to live. Since I have ADHD, I tend to get bored quickly and want to move on to something else.

Here’s the problem: You cannot do that when you have to take care of a home and raise children with consistent values. Boredom is not an excuse to skip lessons for a week (or a month), let dishes pile up in the sink, or overlook a tantrum. I had gotten to the point where it was either: A) put my kids in public school so I’d have a little time to clear my head or B) try medication. And, for me, medication is the absolute final last resort.

3. I didn’t want my kids to get the wrong idea of motherhood.

Most importantly, though, I began to feel that I was giving my kids the wrong perception of motherhood. Moms shouldn’t be stressed out and frazzled, because they have too much going on at once. And we certainly shouldn’t treat our kids as if they’re inconveniences, which is what was happening to me. I mean, what’s the point of keeping them home with me if I’m biting their heads off every time they ask a question?

Here is an example of an actual exchange between me and Pooh:

Pooh: *loudly from down the hall* “Mama?”

Me: *working* “WHAT?????!!!???!!!”

Pooh: “Can I….”

Me: “STOP CALLING ME! GOD!!!!!”

Pooh: *sadly* “Yes, mom.”

(I’ve since apologized. Fortunately, he’d forgotten about it. But it was not one of my proudest moments as a parent.)

That is not the mother I want to be. And I decided that being a happy mom was more important than being a homeschooling mom. Right now, I can be one or the other but not both. And my husband, wonderful supportive spouse that he is, was open to it from the beginning.

Btw, I’ll be blogging about our transition and some of the adjustments we’ve had to make along the way. And I’ll keep sharing great educational unit studies, lesson plans, printables, and more! I have Piglet with me during the day and she’ll be starting tot school soon, so I’ll have plenty to share for preschoolers in the upcoming months. Plus, I’ll be making activities and lessons to use with the kids during breaks and summer vacation. So if you’re a fan of our resources, they’re not going anywhere. 🙂

Have any of you ever considered taking a homeschooling break? What made you decide to? Or what made you decide not to? Let us know in the comments!