Engineer turned writer, who enjoys a challenging game of free cell and tea every morning. Currently unschooling my preteen who's teaching me how to play Minecraft.
11 Lessons I Learned About Strewing to Inspire Learning
What is strewing? If you’re not into unschooling you’ve probably never heard of it. The dictionary generally defines strewing as this: To spread around; Scatter. That kinda sounds like you're spreading seeds to grow a garden. But think about it... you are! We sow seeds of learning everyday for our children to grow.
I really like how other moms describe it. Sue Elvis says strewing is, “…enriching our children’s environment with interesting resources or experiences. We scatter or strew thing...
Homeschool Grad Dispels Socialization Myth
I love to read a good story about homeschooled kids who have graduated successfully and are well-rounded. It encourages me in my journey to homeschool my own child. It also gives me something to point to when people try to challenge my choice. The story of Noah Kutz is nothing short of awesome and inspiring to homeschool kids and parents alike, which is why I wanted to share it.
Noah is a student at Arizona State University on a full-ride scholarship and is a valued employ...
95 Activities to Overcome Loneliness for Single-Child Homeschoolers
Last week we talked about the challenges and advantages of homeschooling for only-child families. Homeschooling any amount of children is never easy, but for parents of single children it can be intimidating to realize you are all they have during 'school time.' That does not have to be the case though. You don't have to become hermit crabs and spend all day at home alone.
I’ve searched through many threads of support groups for parents homeschooling an only-child. It was heartbreaking to see...
The Smartick Method: A Tasty Dose of Daily Math for Homeschoolers!
by Leslie Fobbs
"This is fun!”, I heard my son whisper to no one in particular. I secretly smiled to myself because I wasn’t expecting that reaction to a math program. My son used to enjoy doing math problems, but over the last year, that has changed as his interests have. Today, he is happily plowing through his Smartick Method session, and I couldn't be more happier.
*Disclosure* Please note that clicking links in this post may result in compensation for the writer. Please read our disclo...
Homeschooling Hero: Up Close & Personal with Ella Kerrisk
Today’s Homeschooling Hero is a throwback to a feature that was posted a month ago. It linked to an article written about Ella Kerrisk, a 16-year old professional photographer from Georgia. Well, after reading the article I was intrigued with more questions about her homeschooling experience and how she became a photographer. So, I decided to request an interview to get the scoop! I’m so happy she obliged as the time spent with Ella was a treat. Read on and share this inspira...
Homeschooling Hero: Condoleezza Rice
When I first learned that Condoleezza Rice was homeschooled, I was disappointed to find out that it was only for a year because of where her birthday landed for starting first grade. I dismissed it as not really homeschooling. After learning about Ryan Gosling, who also only stayed at home for a year, and reading more about Ms. Rice, I now feel differently. Homeschooling is valid no matter the reason, method, or length of time. Condoleezza’s homeschool story is especially ins...
Summer Reading Programs for Homeschoolers
Oh, Summer. I’m so glad you’re almost here! During my childhood in Northeast Ohio summer meant sitting along Copley Road for the West Akron parade, walking to Mr. Pantries for Jo-Jos and candy, and weekly trips to the library to turn in our book list for the summer reading program. I was an avid reader and loved the independence I felt leading my brother and sisters down to the library to get more books. Now I enjoy taking my son, and I’m glad he’s finally caught a passion fo...
From Collision in New Orleans: What's New in Education and Technology
Last week a group of Homeschooling Heroes got the awesome opportunity to attend Collision, a global meeting of 16 different tech conferences rolled into three days in New Orleans, LA. Even for the youngest, it was an opportunity to see what possibilities are being imagined, innovated, created, and brought to the marketplace. There were hundreds of Alpha, Beta, and Growth phase startups presenting their ideas to investors and technology enthusiasts. This past week I’ve been c...
All He Wanted Was His Mama
This weird thing had been going on for weeks, and it was starting to drive me nuts. I know from other parents that it is nothing new and in fact very common, but it was still boggling my mind as to why my 2 1/2 yr old son was getting up multiple times in the night and just sitting there (there being wherever I was.) It could be 2 in the morning, and if I showed any signs of being awake, he’d walk out of his room and press up against the wall as if he had on an invisible cloak. At first, I did...
Breastfeeding From Another Mother’s Perspective
I sat frozen in a barn across a picnic table from a woman with her back to me. She was breastfeeding without a blanket, and I didn’t know what to do. Should I say something, anything? Like, “How’s it going? How old is your daughter?” Umm… this is awkward, I thought to myself. Should I just sit there, or should I get up and find the others? We were at a wine vineyard, and she was my good friend’s sister that I had just met like ten minutes prior along with the rest of her family.
She had just ...
Princess Diana: The Naughtiest Mum Ever
I still remember vividly the day after Princess Diana died and how I found out twenty years ago. I had just begun my freshman year of high school and was primping in the bathroom mirror that morning trying to get my hair to lay just right. My mother came in and announced with a low voice that she had been killed in a car accident. I was really too young to have followed her much, but I knew exactly who she was. It was sad but didn’t phase me like it did my mom. For me then, Princess Diana was...
The Truth About Vaccines
My first memory of being suspicious of vaccines occurred when I was in the Navy on a ship headed to a southeast Asian country. We were told we had to get immunized against smallpox even though there didn’t seem to be much of a threat anymore. This wasn’t your average get-a-shot-and-have-a-sore-arm experience either. It was more like get a shot and let it get all gross for a few days. Mind you, don’t get it wet, and don’t rub your eyes or you’d be sorry. Well, one guy, most have missed the inf...
When Natural D.I.Y. Goes Wrong
I’ve known for awhile that store-bought deodorant has been connected to breast cancer due to the aluminum compounds that keep your body from doing what its supposed to do: sweat. I’ve tried and failed in the past to use several different alternatives. Back to store-bought I always went, until recently. My determination to make the switch (again) came after hearing about my sister’s classmate being diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. When it’s somebody you know it makes you reevaluate...
My Hometown Bestie
My Hometown Bestie is the kind of forever friend that you grew up with, creating fun memories....
The Flat Earth Theory: Why This Old Theory Is Up For Intense Debate
Recently Twitter exploded with a “truth” bomb from Atlanta-based rapper, B.o.B. citing his belief in the Flat Earth theory.