Posted in Encouragement

• You don't have to bring school home.  When I started our "official" schooling, we had the desk, flag, whiteboard, letter strips, etc.  I quickly saw and felt how artificial that all was from what we had been doing naturally before "school" started at the magical age of 5!  After that first few weeks, up until now, we continue to learn all over the house!  My oldest is 15 and does choose to work at the table, his brother (13) prefers the couch (using a TV tray when doing his copywork and other writing), floor and bean bag chair in his room.
• I don't need to worry about what the kids in school are doing - the freedom to homeschool is the freedom to tailor each child's education, moving at THEIR pace, NOT the school system's.  I spent way too much time during those first few years worrying/comparing.  We were fairly relaxed and I knew we were doing it the right way for us, but that didn't keep me from fretting!
  
• You will make mistakes when purchasing curriculum, and it's okay!  With so many options available to us, it is important to prayerfully consider our purchases.  However, there will be times when you purchase books or resources that either don't "fit" your family/child or simply don't get used due to any number of reasons.  I've learned over the years to go easy on myself and I've seen how my mistakes have been able to bless others who are looking for that item I have just sitting on my shelf. 
  
• Don't feel guilty when you spend hours ready aloud.  I used to get mad at myself for allowing my boys to talk me into reading for hours, therefore not getting to all the "work" that needed to be done.  Now, these are my most treasured memories, AND my teens still enjoy listening to me read aloud.  Our favorite books these days are from Lamplighter Publishing :-)
  

Posted in Encouragement

That seems to be the question I hear the most when I speak with homeschool moms around the country.  Many are surprised when I tell them that I often ask myself the same thing!  Homeschooling is a HUGE responsibility.  We love our kids and only want the best for them.  For most of us, homeschooling is "new" - we only know how we were taught, in a traditional school setting. Whether you use traditional homeschool methods or are a bit more relaxed or delight-driven in your approach like me, those moments of doubts or discouragement can seem huge. 

It seems every spring I begin to really think about all that I hoped to accomplish this year and what actually got done.  You know what they say about the best laid plans....  A couple years ago I was particularly discouraged when I looked at my beginning of the year plans and realized it was now May and much of what I had dreamed of doing was not going to happen.  As I talked with the Lord about my feelings, I felt a nudge to reflect and write down what we DID do that year.  It wasn't long before I had a long list of books read, trips taken, visits made, music lessons, special classes, hobbies and projects the boys had really enjoyed that were (shock!) definitely educational, and of course, the academic subjects we had worked on.  I remember looking at that list and crying tears of joy as I realized just how much learning and growing we had done after all!

So, here I am in the spring again with mixed emotions.  Part of me is already excited about some plans we are making for next year, and part of me is a bit discouraged.  I call it the spring time "blahs."  Knowing that this day comes every year, I spent some time this morning reflecting on our year and, once again, I saw how God had allowed us to learn and grow over the past several months.

Do you have a case of the "blahs"?  Feeling a bit discouraged?  I heartily recommend spending a few minutes refecting on all the things your kids did this year.  As you reflect, God will bring to your mind so many things - things that are "beyond the textbooks."  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!  You might even wonder how in the world your kids learned and experienced so much

Blessings,
Cindy

Posted in Encouragement

Posted in Encouragement

HOMESCHOOL REVIEWS FOR YOU
a ministry of
Homeschooling From the Heart

December 2006

In this issue:

Contest Winner
Important Reminder: "A Gift For You"
New Reviews

And the Winner is...
It has been awhile since my last issue of Homeschool Reviews, but I didn't forget the contest we had for finding the hearts! I have pulled a name out of a hat (okay, it was a box) and the winner of the book "The Art Auction Mystery - Find the Fakes, Save the Sale" is...Tammy W. of Kentucky. I won't be having a contest this time..I've just been too busy gathering all of the wonderful, bonus goodies for our BIG December event! Contests are only for subscribers, so be sure to stop by my site and sign up!

It's Almost Here!
keep watching - it is almost ready! Our special December event! We've added some new products AND I will be working all morning putting the final touches on an awesome set of downloadable goodies that I pray will be a blessing. More details on my blog later today!

New Reviews
I have received so many great products for review the past few months and I'm determined to get caught up. I'm excited to share seven products with you in this issue, so let's get rolling!

Growing With Grammar - I am so impressed with this thorough, easy to use curriculum!

Teach Them to Your Children - New from Vision Forum, this charming book imparts foundational biblical principles to young children.

Left-Handed But Not Left Behind - Written by a homeschool mom who is a lefty herself, this short book helps parents, help their lefty children with writing and more.

OCTA-TETRA Construction Sets - There's construction sets, and then there's CONSTRUCTION SETS.

Woodshop 101 for Kids - A new book from a homeschooling dad that makes teaching woodworking not only possible, but enjoyable.

Marmee's Kitchen Primer - Cooking, baking, kitchen management and more - foundational homemaking skills for young ladies.

Algebra I: A Fresh Approach - Avoids excessive formulas but still covers everything a student needs to learn in a first year Algebra course.

I hope you enjoy the reviews!

I'll be in touch later today :-)

Posted in Encouragement

Posted in Encouragement

Posted in Encouragement

1. Go! - I know we all live busy lives and it can be hard to set aside the time, money, home responsibilities, etc., but I want to encourage you to do it anyway.  Even if you already know what curriculum you want or need to purchase, or already own, go to the convention to meet other homeshool moms and hear the wonderful speakers.  You will be refreshed and inspired!  One of the things I dislike about being a vendor/speaker is not being able to go to the many workshops - take advantage of the wisdom offered from speakers, many of whom are homeschool veterans with lots to share. 
   
   One word of caution here: after listening to a workshop, it can be easy to decide to make a major change in your homeschool methods or rush to the author's table to purchase their materials.  I advise moms to find a quiet corner, take a walk through the halls, or stop by the cafe' or eating area and take a few minutes to pray and think.  Ask the Lord to help you sort through this new, excitement you are feeling and ask Him what your response needs to be.  If, after taking a few minutes to reflect, you still feel that a purchase and possibly a change in the direction you were taking in a particular subject is right, then by all means move forward.  If you are unsure, wait.  Enjoy some more workshops, talk to other moms, look over the materials you had planned to use and those recommended.  If you wait to make that purchase and then find the vendor is out of stock, ask if they will ship the item to you.  Many (not all) vendors will ship out of stock items for free if you pay for them at the convention.
   
   
2. Make a Plan, Stick to the Plan - Depending on the size of the event and whether or not you are a new or veteran homeschooler, some convention exhibitor halls can be quite overwhelming.  I always find it helpful to do so 'window shopping' online and in catalogs before covention.  This helps me have an idea of what I need to purchase.  Also, I like to spend the first day (if the convention is more than one day) just looking at what is offered.  I have met many families who don't bring any money, cards, or checks on that first day.  That way they can stick to their commitment to look first, think and pray overnight, and then make their purchases on the following day.  Of course, if you KNOW that you need to purchase a certain workbook or something that you are continuing to use from last year, then you might want to make those purchases on the first day, so you'll have less to carry around later. Whether you decide to shop from the minute you hit the convention or prefer to wait until day two - remember to do some "pre-convention" research and stick to whatever spending/shopping plan you and your husband have agreed to!
   
   
3. Support the "Little Guy" - I really appreciate the wisdom shared by Donna on the HSB Community Blog.  Whenever you can, please consider supporting some of the smaller companies, many of whom are homeschool families who genuinely seek to serve and minister to your needs. 
   
   
4. Bless Those Who Bless You - Several years ago, when I was at my first homeschool convention as a "newbie", a well-known conference speaker ended an encouraging and informational presentation with these words, which have stuck with me for over a decade (loosely paraphrased, as my mind has turned to mush over the years): "If, after a vendor takes their time to explain and answer questions about a product, you decide to make a purchase.  Even if it is a decision you make later in the day.  Please go back and purchase the item(s) from that vendor -even if their price is a couple dollars more than someone else in the exhibitor hall.  The Bible says 'A laborer is worthy of his wages.'  It is important to bless those who take their time to bless you with their knowledge and wisdom." As a young homeschool mom, I really took this speaker's words to heart and I hope I was a blessing to those wonderful, experienced homeschol families who gave me so much wise counsel about curriculum and homeschooling in general!
   
   Fast forward a few years and now I find myself on the above speaker's side of things!  I have found that, because we are a smaller homeschool business, we are able to spend more time answering questions and ministering to families.  Although we carry a good number of products, we have used most of them and are able to really help people with the "ins and outs" of various resources.  As much as we love talking to folks and showing them the resources that we have found to be some of the "best" available, it can be a bit disheartening to spend time pouring into a person, answering their questions, only to see them later carrying the item(s) you took so long to explain, and knowing the didn't purchase it from you.  Most of the vendors I know price their products as competitively as possible, so often your savings from one booth to another is only a couple of dollars.  I know budgets are tight - as a fellow homeschool family, we are in the same positioin as those who shop with us.  I also know that when you are buying for several children, that a few dollars here and there add up to a  lot!  Spending our funds wisely, staying in a budget and finding bargains are all very important - especially in the exhibitor hall.  If you know what you want and don't need lots of advice about a book or resource, then by all means make sure you are getting the best price.  But, if you "hire" someone to explain a program or answer your many questions, please consider paying them their wage, buy purchasing from them (if you decide it is the product you need).
   
   
5. Recorded Workshops - Many convention organizers hire companies to record workshops.  If there were workshops you missed or even some that you heard and loved - consider making the investment of purchasing it on tape or CD.  I have found that there are some CDs that I listen to over and over through the years.  It is also a great way to bless new homeschoolers that you meet throughout the year - loan them some of your favorites and help them benefit from the wisdom of these great speakers.  You might even consider speaking to the leaders in your support group about them purchasing (or allowing you to donate) a set of recordings from this year's convention to have available to loan to members throughout the year.
   

As I wrap things up here, I am reminded of another important point.  Beware of discontentment.  As you prepare and plan for next year, listen to speakers share about their homeschool experiences, listen to other moms share about their purchasing plans, or look longingly at some "cool" curriculum resources that are way out of your budget, remember that God has called us to be content with what we have.  Don't allow the enemies of discouragement and discontent to rob you of your joy or to cause you to stumble (spending more than you had planned, allowing coveteousness to get a foothold, etc.).  Instead, turn your eyes upon Jesus - He knows exactly what you and your children need!  Although you may not see it today, He often chooses to bless us with many of those things that we "want" for our homeschool. I am constantly amazed at His goodness and how He provides those blessings in the most unexpected ways and always at just the time we need them the most!

Leaning on Him,

Cindy

Posted in Encouragement

Posted in Encouragement

Posted in Encouragement

Study skills are important, I know, but I've had a bit of trouble teaching this important skill (along with notetaking) to my sons.  I believe that not having deadlines (or having those deadlines extended when we know we've had the kids out of the house too much that week), is one of the possible "pitfalls" of homeschooling.  So, I am working with my oldest on keeping to a deadline, even if that means finishing a project/report on the weekend so it can be ready for Monday.   Z is in 8th grade and we only have a few years to work on these skills.  I'm glad I didn't fret too much over developing study skills when he was younger, as I believe he is now able to "catch on" more quickly and to develop his own style of notetaking, test preparation, etc.

To help me and Z., I have him taking a class called The Superior Student, which was offered by an tutor with over 10 years of working with both homeschooled and public schooled students in both individual and class-based situations.  After 2 weeks the three middle school students in this group have learned the importance of thinking positively, dealing with teachers that may be less than perfect (in their minds at least), developing good study habits, tips for studying for a test, the use of flashcards, tape recorders, mnuemonic (sp) devices and more.  I'm so glad we are taking this class!  I was the type of student who didn't have to spend much time studying and so I never really developed any concrete study skills.  Therefore, it is hard for me to teach my son what might work for him.

I have people ask me all the time - "What will you do when your kids get to high school and you don't know the topic well enough to teach it?"  Of course, I always explain that there are many resources available to homeschoolers in the way of video or computer instruction, co-op classes, and tutoring.  For instance, we are using Teaching Textbooks for Algebra because I am definitely "math challenged".  This tutoring experience, The Superior Student, is just another tool in my homeschool toolbox. 

As I type this, I am reminded...

To think that not that long ago, these resources were not readily available to homeschoolers.  I am thankful for the many pioneers of homeschooling who had courage and vision, and who paved the way for the rest of us.  Homeschooling is legal in every state of our great country - may God help us to not take these freedoms lightly and to guard them with all diligence!

Enjoy this day of homeschool freedom AND celebrate our freedom in Christ!

Cindy

Posted in Encouragement

It seems these days I'm always behind in something!

I've enjoyed a break from blogging and other online activities to focus more on family during the holidays, but I'm now ready to hit the ground running.

I've started working on reviews so I can get out a LONG overdue issue of Homeschool Reviews for You.  I'm also playing with my new Dreamweaver 8 program (a gift to myself) and look forward to making some major changes to my website over the next month or so.

We have eased back into our school routine around here.  The boys enjoyed a long holiday break and then we've been under the weather the past week or so.  That has made the transistion "back to school" a bit more challenging than normal.

Of course, I'm also making some mid-year adjustments and I'm determined to keep us more "on track".  In some ways I feel like we're starting our school year now, in January.  I went through several discouraging days as I reflected on the past few months, but then was encouraged by several good friends as they shared their own struggles and triumphs over the past weeks.  Since I am a an author and speaker on homeschool topics, many people think I never have a bad day.  Well, let me dispell that myth right now  ! 

God has been so faithful to remind me that it is HE who is directing our path and He will provide me with the wisdom and direction I need if only I ask with faith.  Then after asking, I must choose to ACT on His direction and leading.  I don't know about you, but that is when my flesh usually gets in the way!  It is often just way to easy to be lazy, or make up excuses for not moving forward in the way the Spirit has directed.  So, I've determined - with God's help - to change my thoughts and not give in to my flesh.   As we did our wisdom search in the book of Proverbs this morning, God gave me this nugget: "Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established." Proverbs 16:3

So, that is what I'm doing - it is a moment by moment decision, but I am resolved this year to walk closer with my God, commiting each day - each hour - to Him.  I long to be more sensitive to His leading so that I may glorify Him in all I do - and especially to bring Him honor in our homeschooling.

Have a God-honoring day!

Cindy