Truth, Love And Books

April is often a month of hope, warmer weather and natural beauty in bloom. And most likely, homeschool mama and/or kiddo burn-out. The struggle can be real. You are thirty-ish weeks in, you can taste summer break and the kids are stir crazy and so over math. Mom is so over math. The remaining weeks can feel like the end of a marathon. I never have attempted the 26.2 miles endeavor but my youngest brother has. Watching a video via text message when he hit mile 22ish, hit me hard. I could feel the anguish, the physical and mental battle. Give up and spare his body the immense pain and crippling fatigue? Or keep going to the victory that you've endured arduous training to reach? I learned soon after my brother finished, around mile 23, a friend and former marathoner saw him, jumped in the race, and ran alongside him. Fortifying him and inspiring him to envision the finish as tangible. The thought brought out some big sister crocodile tears. Running alongside someone who has done it o...

Ahh yes. The time of year to pull out the picnic blankets and a stack of books. I have high hopes to spend a considerable amount of time at our local metro parks with our school reading in tow. But also, little Mr. into-everything-spitfire will be joining us so the only reading we may do while out and about may consist solely of the audiobook in the car ride over. And that’s okay. Happy Spring! Here’s what we are reading. Poppleton by Cynthia Rylant is a family favorite. It’s an early reader and it’s well loved by all. Including mom, dad and little man. It’s hilarious. There are three short stories. We can’t get enough Poppleton. Our Science reading. The Let’s Read and Find Out Science series has been perfect for my 8 year old and 6 year old twins. It’s easy, interesting and books can be reserved through our local library system. The picture book historical biographies by Ingri & Edgar Parin d’Aulaire are great for early elementary history reading. My girls have been fascinated by ...

Growing up as a home-educated kid, my siblings and I quickly became accustomed to the shock and the questions that came along with the statement: “I am home-schooled.”   Unlike now, in the late nineties, my family was in the stark minority as far as education goes. I definitely consider myself a lucky girl to have encountered a potpourri of experiences when it comes to learning. I attended a private school through 3 rd grade, was home-schooled through freshman year and the remaining high school and college years were at public institutions.  I have had countless, phenomenal teachers. In fact, I can’t think of a single teacher that wasn’t good. Now that I’m a parent, and have decided to be my own kids’ primary educator, I’ve reflected on the social interactions that often result whilst discussing education. There are several formal school teachers in my life. Family members, old and new friends. To be honest, each time anyone of them asks me about homeschooling, a part of me w...