Encouraging Moms Who Homeschool

When given the opportunity to review the new book " Always Fall Forward " (by the author of " Woodlawn " - which is a great book & a great movie) I didn't realize how much I would glean from it, even though it is geared toward a male audience. This little book packs quite a punch and has loads of encouraging counsel based on the Word of God. Divided neatly into 52 weekly readings, it makes a perfect devotional and I really, really think it would make an awesome Father's Day gift. Or a graduation gift (high school or college). Each week covers a topic based on something the author's dad ~ who was the head coach at Woodlawn back in the day ~ would often say. He then takes each saying and adds Scripture to create some excellent content. This book really seems to embody the idea that the author of Hebrews was conveying when he told us to spur one another on toward love and good deeds (see Hebrews 10:24-25). Day 381 done :) Jan L. Burt ...

If there is one thing I have learned from a couple of decades plus change as a homeschooler, it's this:           ~ Getting the Word of God into me as often as possible keeps my family advancing onward....and keeps me from going insane. Now, I'm not implying that homeschooling will make a mama go nutso. But I am saying that life in general has a way of bringing the crazy out of the best of us. And homeschooling adds a whole new layer to the crazy-cake at times. Not because it isn't awesome (because it is!) but because it takes the job of "Mom" and gives that job a massive promotion that comes with the title "Homeschool Mom". Which could also be read "Guidance Counselor/Gourmet Chef/Housekeeper/Laundress/Chauffeur/Athletic Coach & Encourager/Financial Adviser/Teacher-of-ALL-the-Subjects". (disclaimer: this is not an exhaustive list!) So, yea. It's no big stretch to understand that some crazy could come into play when a woman jugg...

This is a completely practical post ~ just me sharing a few of my absolute favorite tools from 25 years of doing this whole homeschooling thing.                 # 1 ~ Weighted Book Page Holder (preferably a non-slip version) ~ This is an item you will use again and again and again from preschool through high school graduation...and I personally use one every day (holding open a cookbook - a Bible - a journal - you name it). It's perfect for holding open your first graders math workbook; perfect for your seventh graders science textbook; perfect for your high school students hardback copy of To Kill A Mockingbird, freeing up their hands to take notes, and so on. Here is a link to a couple of different options for book page holders on Amazon: Weighted Page Holder Book Holder           # 2 ~ KUM Artists' Color-Combi Pencil Sharpener ~   {UPDATE! This is no longer available as of...

Often I find myself wondering, "How can I encourage so-and-so today?" Usually I am thinking of a friend facing a specific situation in which I know for sure a little encouragement would go a long way. But sometimes I just pray that question and kind of let it sit there until the Lord gives me an idea of some way and some one to encourage. Today, that someone is anyone who happens to be reading this post.      Homeschooling is tough ~ but your Jesus is tougher.      Adulting is tough ~ but your Jesus is tougher still.      Having healthy friendships is tough ~ and Jesus will always prove tougher.      Health issues are tough ~ and our Healer and Deliverer is oh so tough in this arena.      Parenting is tough ~ your loving Father is tougher.      Life is tough ~ but you aren't on your own; you do life with your Jesus. Don't take my word for it. Take H...

I think the title of this book is an excellent description of what all Christians should aim with regard to their personal and business finances. Faithfulness. One single word that carries a ton of significance. Faithful Finance by Emily G. Stroud is an easy but informative read. It's a great way to, say, teach your teenager about money and how to handle it God's way. It's also a good reminder for those of us who have been dealing with money for years that we need to trust the Lord in this area and believe that His ways are best and that His provision for us is sure. The author has a lot of sound advice offered here - from disability insurance to college money, she covers pretty much every base that I could think of. I really found it to be a thorough resource and it would serve as a good refresher course for most anyone. And of course, as a Christian, her perspective rings true with me. I probably appreciate that most of all. If you are looking for a book abou...

It is very nearly February. In the life of a homeschooling family, February is often the longest month of the year (academically speaking) while simultaneously being the shortest month of year (per the calendar). The eight-ish weeks between the first of February and the thirty-first of March can drag on and on and on. But what if the Lord's plan for us is something more than time slowly dragging on and on, creeping by at a snail's pace? To play on both an age-old saying and a modern Christian pop song, I beg to ask you: "What if there's more?" There is more. Tons more. The Lord does not intend for any one chunk of time to ever, ever be drab or boring or lifeless. He desires to infuse every part of your life and every moment of your day with joy and peace and fulfillment. Note that I did not say you can have joy and peace and fulfillment without Jesus ~ because you cannot. Again note that I did not say you have to find a way to create your own joy and pea...

The study guide entitled The Transformational Adventure is a unique type of book, in that it corresponds with a unique type of Bible study. Sure, you watch video lessons online at a provided website. That's not a unique idea. But the way the author shares his heart in raw realism, and the way his story compels you to examine your own story...that is very unique. This is a 7-video session study, and it would work well for a small group or a retreat setting. But it could also be done by an individual, working quickly or at a more leisurely pace. The study guide has some  questions that can be answered on your own or as part of a group study. And there are also ways to apply each lesson and it's theme to your everyday, walking around life. That's what a Bible study ought to do, after all. I really enjoyed this curriculum, and I think, speaking as a homeschooler, it could be pretty easily adapted for use with high school age students. It's highly adaptable to a...

I recently did a Google search in an attempt to discover how the majority of homeschoolers would answer the following question:           "What is a homeschooling mothers #1 need?" I really wasn't confident as to what the answer might be. I mean, sure, I know what my main needs and frustrations are as a mom who has homeschooled all five of her children from pre-school through high school graduation. But I wanted to know other mom's thoughts on the matter. Because, as a blogger, I decided my 2018 goal would be to provide quality content that meets the most pressing needs in a very specific way. A Google search seemed like the perfect place to pose my question. (Next week I am going to use Pinterest to further explore this question.) Any guesses as to what Google revealed? The absolutely, definitive answer to my question about the #1 need of homeschooling mothers was...... ENCOURAGEMENT ! Over and over and over again, in different forma...

I agreed to review this book, in all honesty, simply because the title and subtitle grabbed my attention and did not let go. In light of the fact that I have been faced with two heart conditions that have been pushing me toward heart failure, a book about having courage for the unknown season and navigating whatever comes next with confidence and hope, this book practically demanded that I read it. And I am blessed that I did. Jan Silvious is a gifted writer. Reading this book is much like listening to a caring friend share her thoughts on your circumstances. She offers wisdom, wit, and Biblical encouragement as she deals with the weighty issues of life. While the book is primarily aimed at those who are aging, it was ridiculously fitting for me in my current situation. Every - Single - Chapter spoke to me at some point of my need. Every - Single - Chapter. If you are the child of an aging parent, this is a great read. If you are aging yourself, you must get a copy of this boo...

The book Life-Changing Miracles is a compilation of 37 short real-life stories that each displays an aspect of God's miraculous care in our modern day. Written by the people who experienced the miracles, these narratives move from the seemingly normal to the undeniably supernatural. (And by supernatural, I mean miraculous feats and acts performed solely by the Lord God Almighty) Each story is short enough that you could sit down and read half the book in one sitting, or possibly include one each morning as part of your morning devotional time each day. Even reading one or two before bed at night would be a great way to work through this book. As I have been facing serious issues with my heart (in a nutshell, heart failure) I found several of the things shared in this book encouraging and comforting. Whether a reminder to persist in prayer for healing or acknowledging that God often has plans very different than my own, Life-Changing Miracles was a pleasant book to read thr...