A Homeschool Confession and 2 New YouTube Videos

If you didn't know, I don't get paid one cent for this blog.  I have 0 ads (I hate them), and I don't do affiliate links or posts (I hate those too).  That's not to say I won't ever go that route, but for now, I don't do this for the money.  I blog because I have a burden, a passion for home education. Homeschooling is not easy, and I think there are many parents who want to homeschool but don't have the resources, or the confidence. Homeschooling is not for everyone, but I think that more people could do it if they had a little guidance and help.

Last spring I was in tears, begging God to help me homeschool.  I was teaching my son, but it was a nightmare. God kept telling me to homeschool, but I was failing at it.  I was ruining my child's spirit while educating him.  And yet, I was determined to keep going, and to make it work.  Nothing was going to make me back down.  

We took a break from homeschool over the summer.  I purchased curriculum.  I was pregnant.  I prayed and prayed. I followed dozens of homeschool blogs. All of those factors totally revamped our homeschool, and it became a joy last fall.  It wasn't, and isn't, perfect.  But it is enjoyable.

I know I'm not the only one with this kind of a story.  I know I'm not the only one who struggled with homeschool.  I know that there are women who did exactly what I almost did- gave up- because that was honestly the best thing for their child. Kids love school when they are little.  It is fun!  So why not send them if they're miserable at home?

I'm sad that I created some horrible homeschool memories with my son.  I don't know that I'll ever forgive myself!  But I do know that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).  I know that despite my mistakes, I can use them for God's glory, and help others in their homeschool journey.

If you didn't know, I have a YouTube channel.  It isn't much just yet, but I hope it will be in time.  I have a few videos with teaching phonics.  I uploaded two videos last week.  One is a very-pregnant me playing a game I learned during the library's story time called Hickity Pickity.  You can play this game ANYWHERE and with anything- letters, numbers, blends, words.  The kids love it!  Watch it here. The second video can be found here, and it demonstrates how we sing the blend ladders.  The kids LOVE this!  You use the same tune to sing all of the blends.  

Teaching a child how to read can be intimidating.  My oldest son was ready to read when he was 2, yet I waited a whole year before tackling the task.  I didn't know where to start! I'm currently writing a post about how I taught my children to read, and the goal is to create a video as well.  Stay tuned for those!

And for those of you wondering, we got almost 3 feet of snow- over 29 inches!  Yes, I shoveled all through the blizzard (I was the only one on my street doing that).  I had to shovel in between caring for the kids, but I did it!  I managed to shovel my husband's side of the driveway.  It only took 3 days to do it, and my neighbor helped me at the end.  But my husband bought me flowers to thank me :)  I finally saw him after 3 days!  :D  

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10 Tips for Homeschooling with a Newborn

Homeschooling with a baby is not for the faint of heart.  I have homeschooled with a baby before, twice actually.  Once when my middle child was a baby, and when I babysat a baby.  I have to say, homeschooling with a newborn baby is much easier than homeschooling an older baby (who is awake more, very active, mobile, and vocal).  I am no expert at homeschooling with or without babies, but I do have a few years under my belt.  Here is what I've gleaned:

• Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.  I know you've heard that saying before, and it is as true today as it was in years past. I go to bed when the kids go to bed- as early as 8, but as late as 9:30.  I need my rest, especially with a baby waking up to nurse, pass gas, and fill his diaper every few hours.  Other things that wake me are my own bladder or thirst, my husband's work phone (he's on call every few weeks), and early gym alarms. Before the baby arrived, I was up and at 'em by 5am.  After baby, I let him wake me up, which today was at 4:45. Why do I get up so early? Because I have to wake up before my two older children.  If they wake up first, my attitude is shot.  I lose my patience too often, which leads to yelling and saying things I shouldn't.  
• Start your day with Bible, prayer, and coffee. In fact, I'll add a shower in there too. Yes, shower, Bible, prayer, and coffee.  If I miss any of those, my day is a stinky mess. When a mommy's hormones are wack-o (or a woman's in general), she needs help getting in the right frame of mind.  God's Word changes hearts and minds (as does a good shower, and a nice cup of coffee!)  My prayer for this school year has been for God to give me compassion for these little ones, to be sweet, and gentle.  I am not any of those things. But with God's grace, I can be!  I have seen that prayer work wonders in my life, but only when I make time to talk to Him.
• Keep it all in perspective.  Homeschool is not about having the best education (although it can be!).  The baby will grow up in the blink of an eye.  Relax. If you don't cover math class today, so what?  You'll have tomorrow, or the summer to memorize those addition facts with fun games.
• Breathe.  When the baby gets to screaming, and the toddler's diaper leaked all over the sheets twice in one day (true story), just breathe. The laundry can wait. So can the dishes.  But your children won't.  After you breathe, attack the most important thing first.  Then work your way down the list.  And make sure you put your own needs above the chores.  I have a dishwasher to unload and dishes in the sink.  But here I am blogging . . . for me, because my needs matter too.
• Don't expect too much from yourself.  We like to compare ourselves with others.  Don't.  You do what you can do, and that is all you can do. There is a lot I personally don't do in my homeschool. For instance, I do not do science experiments very often.  I see other moms blogging about amazing science experiments their preschoolers are doing.  That's not me.  And that's okay. 
• Exercise.  I don't nap during the day.  I don't need to nap.  Why?  Because during nap time I am breaking a sweat!  Exercise is so good for the mind, body, and soul.  Stressed about school? Sweat it out.  Tired? Sweat it out.  You'll feel better, and when Mommy feels good, everyone feels good!   
• Take a break.  When my preschooler and my newborn nap, guess what?  I'm taking a break. For me, I usually exercise and do a hobby of some sort. The housework will never stop. Your house is a home, not a museum.  And, a spotless home is not necessarily a happy home.  I like my home neat enough to eat off the floor, but messy enough to show that I've put time into my children.  So instead of cleaning during your break (unless that's your hobby), relax!  You deserve it!
• Wear your baby.  I love my Moby Wrap.  When I need cuddle time during school, I slip baby inside and he snoozes peacefully.  I can do chores with him in there too, although at a snail's pace.  :)
• Work around baby's schedule.  If you know baby wants a snack at 10am, that's a perfect time to have your child do some table work (worksheets, flashcards).  If you know Junior struggles with their writing and needs your undivided attention, plan for them to write during baby's nap.   
• Eat healthy.  When Mommy takes care of her body, her mind and body work more efficiently. Eat fruit and vegetables with every meal and for snacks.  Your body needs vitamins (fuel), not junk.  I like to eat tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and jalapenos with my eggs (breakfast, lunch, or dinner).  I steam enough vegetables to fill half of a plate for lunch (brussel sprouts and carrots are my favorite right now!)  I eat hummus with raw veggies (carrots, celery, or bell peppers are usually in my fridge).  I top bananas with all natural chocolate peanut butter.  And for dinner, Daddy is the chef, and he knows I get mad if he skimps on the broccoli (half a plate, please). We don't eat Doritos, Cheetos, Lays, etc. because we don't buy them.  If you don't buy the junk, you won't eat the junk.  And the junk will have you running on E long before bedtime.  How can you homeschool when you're exhausted?  I know I can't!  Not only will you have long-lasting energy when you eat healthy, but your immune system will be in top shape.  Colds, anyone?  I read an article that says adults contract 4 colds a year, and children contract 8.  I had one over the summer (while pregnant), and a few sneezes throughout the year (and for the past several years) otherwise.  I have no doubt the exercise and good diet kicked those viruses to the curb. My son and husband both had the flu 3 years ago. Me and the baby remained 100% healthy, without the help of Bleach or Lysol.  Staying healthy is so important for homeschooling.  And, if you eat healthy, your waist line will thank you! You'll have that hour-glass figure you've always wanted- although that doesn't have much to do with homeschooling, just an added bonus :) Unless, of course, you homeschool better when you feel gorgeous!  I know I do!

Did you notice most of my advice revolves around caring for YOU?  If you take care of your mind, body, and spirit, homeschooling with a newborn will fall into place!

What about you?  Do you have any tips for homeschooling with a newborn?      

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3 Tips for Successfully Homeschooling a 2-yr-old boy!

On the first day of K-5, I pulled out my 5-yr old's worksheets and expected my 2 yr-old to go play in his room by himself.

Not so much!  He sat at the table, right across from big brother, and watched, dying to be just like him!  That first day I gave him a coloring book or two, and begged him to go play.  He wouldn't comply!  

Like every good mom, I burned the midnight oil with my sleeves rolled up . . .

 pinning away on my beloved Pinterest account.

The next day, I was prepared.  And now, I am so thankful that my little guy didn't go play!  He is so unlike my older son who never even sat still long enough to listen to a story until recently!  My youngest can sit for hours, (and quite often does!), as long as his mind is engaged.  

3 Tips for Successfully Homeschooling a 2-yr-old boy:

1) Follow their lead.  Let them decide if they're interested in school activities or not.  Remember, they are 2, and just five minutes of education a day will have your child learning by leaps and bounds!  And believe me, they are learning every second of the day, no matter where they are or what they're doing!  Once their mood starts to turn sour, quickly switch to something that will perk their spirits back up!

And if your child is like mine and won't go play because he is dying to do school and worksheets . . .

2) Be very, very, very prepared!  I can Pin 100 activities on Pinterest, make 20, and he will reject 15 of them!  When I've run out of colored ink, printer paper, cardstock, lamination, and page protectors because I've made him so many activities, he's already bored with them!



3) Keep a snack and a drink within reach.  This might sound so simple, but it makes the world of a difference, and goes right along with number 2, being prepared!  My little guy doesn't eat much for breakfast, so right in the middle of school his face starts twitching and the ugly starts coming out.  I hand him a banana, some chocolate milk, and Oscar the Grouch is gone!

My 2-yr old can count very well (above 20), is reading blends, has great one-to-one correspondance, can make patterns, has known his colors and shapes for a few years, and so much more!  You can homeschool a 2-yr old!

I hope this little list helps, and I will be adding to it as I learn more and more about my temperamental boy!  What tips would you add?

Why I homeschool

My reasons behind why I homeschool revolves around my Christian faith.  I have wanted to raise my children in a godly environment since I started serving the Lord as a teenager.  When I was 16 my Sunday school teacher told me if I wanted to homeschool, then I needed to go to college to be a teacher.

My heart sank.  

A teacher?  ME?  That was the last thing I wanted to do!  Even after BEGINNING college I avoided taking those education classes.  After I caved in, my professor said, "Oh good, Ashley!  You'll LOVE it!"  

And I haven't looked back since.  

I DO love teaching.  It is my gift!  After graduating I taught 6th grade for 4 years.  I absolutely loved it-

But not more than I loved being a mom.  

You see, the last year I worked, I took my newborn to school with me every day.  I would nurse him and leave him behind in the nursery.  I absolutely hated leaving him under someone else's care, especially when I KNEW he needed ME to take care of him!  But, I didn't have much of a choice.  My husband had said I had to work for one more year before I could quit.  He had to get a little farther in his career, we had to pay off his new car (which we did in 13 months).  After that I began staying home with my son.  

Education begins in the womb.  They hear your voice, feel your emotions.  But I didn't start educating him 24/7 until he was 11 months old.  He's 5 now, and I have never wanted to leave him again.

Okay, that was a total lie.  

I missed teaching.  I almost went back to teaching that next fall!  I felt like my job was so small- leaving a classroom of students to raise ONE child.  How was I making a difference in the world?  But whether I believed it or not, I was making a difference. 

Reasons Why I Homeschool:

1. I love spending time with my family.

2. I'm a little bit of a control freak and can't stand the thought of someone else raising my child!

3. I want to shelter my children.  Despite what the world thinks, sheltering a child IS a GOOD thing!  It offers peace, comfort, protection, security!  I want my children to stay as innocent as long as possible.  They'll learn all about hurt, pain, and sin soon enough! 

4. I want my children to be comfortable.

5. I can afford to.

6. Stronger sibling bond.

7. It is fun!

8. I can cater to my child's educational, social, spiritual, health, and personal needs.  

9. My children have FREEDOM!

10. It is flexible.

If you don't homeschool, that's okay!  These are the reasons why I absolutely LOVE homeschool!  I think it is a lot of fun.  I have been down the road where it was a nightmare, but thanks to some wonderful education blogs, we have turned a new leaf!  My kids love the things I create and literally do them morning, noon, and night most days of the week!