Homeschool
Online Users

About SoCalVal

Photobucket

Welcome to my little corner of the beach in Southern California. I am married to one amazing man who loves me with a heart of Christ and who has blessed me to be a stay-at-home homeschool mom of three wonderful blessings. My heart is for homeschool ministry and helping others through encouragement. I've been homeschooling since the beginning and love it more and more every day.


I began my journey in homeschooling based on Bible scriptures found in Deuteronomy chapter 6:6-12 Homeschooling With Encouragement is dedicated to encourage the homeschool mom. I am the owner of a Yahoo group, monthly newsletter, two homeschool blogs, and the Weblink Education website.


Please take your time and thumb through my past postings as well as the Ministry links sponsored on this blog.


Join My Community at MyBloglog!

My Yahoo Group


SoCalVal Homeschool Lounge Blog



Words Of Encouragment

E-mail Monthly Newsletter


Weblink Wednesday



Helpful Homeschooling Links Posted Weekly



Recent Posts

Bitter Sweet Endings
Homeschool Agenda 2008-2009
Baby Kisses and Baby Bunnies
6 Pounds Lighter
Just4homeschoolfamilies
Yet Again, It Happens...
Show And Tell - Binky Soup
Blogging Schedule
Ready To Talk...
Prayer Need Update - Blogging Vacation
Blogging Vacation
Traditional Year Round Schedule
A Brother's Homecoming!
The DVD Winner Is...
A Letter Home
Weblink Wednesday AND Wordless Wednesday
Earthquake News
Day One - Camp
Growing Pains
Just In Time...
Scout Update - Decision
Weblink Wednesday
Wordless Wednesday
Scout Update
FREE DVD Contest!!!

Links


Home

Photobucket
Email Me

My Blog's RSS

My Blogging Friends

IamHis
lonestaracademy
Tiany
soaringwings
laurie59
FaithfulGrace
ThreeLittleLadies
HisWillingVessel
iluvtheland
homeschoolinghaven
JennLovesJesus
mistresninos
sherrydhoneycutt
Jimmie
aburks6
carmatlock
homeschoolmom2000
WaitingontheLord
BStrouse
genamayo
heavenlycreations
seekingHim
EEEEMommy
3menandalittlelady
3rsandahug
Jocelyndixon
MarlaMom
Canadagirl
CandyFoote
homeschoolingmommaof4
gabalot
TheFrosts
homeschoolmomof2

byourlove1
momofneb
servingtheKingofkings
briannash
henryteachers
VAhomeschooljourney
booknhome
RainSongWoman
JustGiveMeStarbucks
bubbebobbie
BChsMamaof3
MOMflippedisWOW
smokeybutter
Kristi
Tracy
jones9387
westward
AmyD
MyThree3Sons
jenn4him
CreativeLearning
solidrock
eclecticeducation
gidget
40winkzzz
FruitfulFamily
thosecrazyandersons

PlainJane
floridamomto4
cricket
PumpkinsMomma
3bugs
sharity
ajl3
teachermom2boys
2peter318
moreofhim
Anissa
tabasco7992
Kinley
farmgirl2
psalm127
CoasterQueen
imasharp
SuzyScribbles

happycamper
naturalpaths
jenefork
blessedwith2angels

hsmom210
tagsfan
bakerswife
solidrockhomeschool
rockyridge
mom0ktdid
mom2myblessings2001
Diddlefritz
brownie
Dot
SchoolinRhome
boysrus
Thill
hsfamily
blessinghill
thomasjaz3
Stef
aliwiddows
simplyauthentic
Mookiesmom
kimalita
MayTheyBeMightyMen
woodpixie
TF
MamaArcher
aimin4heaven
mamakaren
loripearce
homeschoolboutique


homeschool

chool in homeschool

Homeschool Blinkie
blog

STICKY NOTE

Ducks
 Weblink Wednesday 
 What is Weblink Wednesday?  click here to find out!!!


Starting NEXT Wednesday, I will be hosting Weblink Wednesday once again.  I'm super excited to start this wonderful meme for the 2008 - 2009 school year!  As a point of celebration, I will be entering EVERY participant into a drawing for a DVD titled "Unlocking The Mystery Of Life" (click on title to learn about this movie).  This is a wonderful DOVE approved movie that presents the scientific case for intelligent design.  It's a great educational tool for the young and older homeschool family.  I'm sure you will be blessed to win this...

Photobucket

So, be sure to create a Weblink Wednesday post for NEXT Wednesday, September 3, 2008  - and enter it here on Mr. Linky NEXT Wednesday to be entered in the DVD give-a-way.   Your must have a post/weblink in order to be entered in the contest. 

Mar. 11, 2008
Are You Insane?


Has anyone asked you lately how you do it all?  When do you take time for yourself?  Well, I'm not sure if it is because of all the media lately about homeschooling, but I have had a few questions float my way.  It got me thinking about my own kind of homeschooling.  Are my papers in order?  Am I doing a good job?  Then, I got to thinking that other people must judge our success at homeschooling by checking "the Mom's" sanity level.   Ok, maybe that is true, but is it the best way to measure?  After all, good things always get in the way of a mom's sanity. Let's face the facts here...  Real moms have only have so much time and energy to spread between all their responsibilities.

As Christians, our relationship with God is primary. If you stay up late every night grading the day's paperwork and are too exhausted to read God's Word, then maybe you need to use a correspondence program that will grade the work for you.


As wives, your husband is next in line, not the children. If you are pouring every ounce of your strength into homeschooling and feel too exhausted at night to spend any time with him, try a different approach.

 
Homeschooling moms often overwork themselves because they fear their kids will be missing something. Or they think they are failing to educate their children in just the "right" way. Here's the best way to solve that dilemma. Choose a homeschooling curriculum that you like, and make sure it's easy to use! It doesn't have to be perfect or the most popular. In my opinion,  "If it isn't easy, don't buy it." ~ Also, weaving smaller unit studies into the mix of learning also helps.  By eliminate textbook mumble jumble you can start to bring "fun" hands-on projects into the scene. 


Just remember, there is no perfect or right way to homeschool your children. I believe everyone needs to find what works best for their family (and yourself).  That will help you keep sane.



Post A Comment! Send to a Friend!

Comments

Mar. 11, 2008 - Struggling

Posted by elizabethshirley
Hi. I found your blog today and it was a blessing to me. I am really struggling right with homeschooling. I have four children, ages 8, 7, almost 3, and almost 1. I know that I am not doing all I can right now. The kids have been begging me to go back to school, and in all honesty, I want them to. But I also know how great homeschool can be if I give it my all. I just don't know if I have the energy to do it. It is almost 1 p.m. here and I just tried to start Math. I got tons of attitude from the kids and I gave up. I feel like all areas of our life are crazy right now and I just don't have the energy to make it all work well. Any advice? Sorry for the long post. Thanks!
Permanent Link

Mar. 11, 2008 - Oops!

Posted by elizabethshirley
I forgot to include my e-mail. It is elizabethshirley@bellsouth.net. Thanks!
Permanent Link

Mar. 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by 3rsandahug
You are so right. This was such an encouraging post! I have to keep reminding myself that I don't have to find the "best" of everything (the best curriculum, the best readers, the best projects), I just have to find what works. You really could drive yourself insane trying to do everything perfectly!
Karen
Permanent Link

Mar. 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by MamaArcher
when I finally was able to admit that I could not do EVERYTHING and came to the point of being okay with that, my sanity came back, it was amazing. Seek the Lord, discuss with your husband what is most important and let the rest go.

Finding a curriculum you love and your children love is a great contributor to how well your school runs! I only wish it had not taken me 10 years to find it. *wink*
Permanent Link

Mar. 11, 2008 - <em>Untitled Comment</em>

Posted by henryteachers
You said it so well! What may work for some families may not work for another. A good reminder to put God and husband first above our children. Thanks Valerie!

Edited by henryteachers on Mar. 11, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Permanent Link

Mar. 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by psalms16vs2
It's kind of funny I just blogged a bit about our homeschool style tonight. We are a basics homeschooler, and we are o.k. with that. We are getting basics done, and that's good. Thanks for writing this entry, it was encouraging to read. :)
JoAnn
Permanent Link

Mar. 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous
Couldn't agree more!!! Got to add though, I think sometimes hs moms over work themselves because they believe others expect them to be "super moms". I know I have fallen victim to that one!!! I agree on using easy curriculum. I make sure at least that my oldest child can do most by himself with some guidance from me and I am available for questions. It helps him become an independent learner and it takes a lot of the burden off me.
Permanent Link

Mar. 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by eclecticeducation
The "anonymous" comment was from me. I had no idea I wasn't logged in. How strange, I'm always logged in!!! lol! :)
Permanent Link

Mar. 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by woodpixie
Thanks for this. Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing everything I should with my son b/c I'm working. I'm hoping to do some fun units with him during the summer. Right now he's in workbook drudgery. He's such a good boy though and does not complain.
Permanent Link

Mar. 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by mcgyver959701
I agree, sometime's as a Mom, teacher, Wife, and all my other duties I feel overwelmed at times. And since January the feeling as been really hanging over me. And that is why this past week, I have decided to make some major changes.

Hugs,
Lynn
Permanent Link
Last Page | Next Page

My Book...

cover for HSWE

Be encouraged in your homeschooling. This book is perfect for the mom who is in her 1st - 3rd year of homeschooling. Gain ideas to help you plan a school day and/or tackle the difficult questions on socialization. Find new understanding to all the terms you hear in homeschooling circles. This is book is a MUST read for the new homeschool mom.

Visit The Schoolhouse Store for details


Read A Review


Photobucket



Grab A Button And Visit WeblinkEducation.com


My Newsletter

Receive My E-Mail Newsletter



Donations

If you like to help support my ministry of encouragement

please consider making a donation


Established In 1996

Photobucket

Children Are A Gift From The Lord

Psalm 127:3


Photobucket

My Bugs

And Best Friends


Photobucket

The Little Lady Bug


What We are Studying

Out For The Summer

Photobucket

Graphic Codes

I have a no right click option on my blog. If you are trying to attain a code for a specific graphic, please e-mail me. I will be glad to share it with you

E-Mail Me

Sites That I Support


HOTM Magazine








http://thehomeschoollounge.com




View my page on The Homeschool Lounge


Photobucket

Photobucket
fireworksfireworks
Photobucket

Locations of visitors to this page

Jesus

chool in homeschool

Homeschool Blinkie

IXOYE

UK Parenting Advice


Photobucket

UK Parenting Advice

UK Parenting Advice