homeschool girl reading poetry

How to Create Intellectual Culture with Poetry

A few years ago while writing a poetry lesson for my language communication classes, I came across a quote by Charlotte Mason that said, “Poetry takes first rank as a means of intellectual culture.” Intellectual culture? Hmmm. I’d never heard that term. I was intrigued and began researching what exactly it meant. I found scores Read More

living language arts

A Living Approach to Language Arts

We were created for language. It’s the primary way through which we know God. Through His word He speaks to our hearts and minds. Through His word He artfully communicates in a way that connects us to Him. God is the Master of the Art of Language. And we’re changed because of it. From the Read More

homeschool girl spelling with copywork

How to Teach Spelling Using Copywork

We’ve learned from the last two blogs that copywork is worth its weight in gold. Yet, there’s even more value to be mined from copywork lessons. You can use copywork to teach spelling! Charlotte Mason tells us that we need to help our children develop the habit of seeing words. And you know how it goes—habits, habits, habits. Read More

boy celebrating copywork success

Copywork Works!

Everyone understands the value of copywork for neat handwriting, but did you know copywork benefits the child’s language learning and creates foundational habits? Copywork works—on so many levels! Charlotte Mason was a huge advocate for copywork and developed a specific methodology that benefitted her students greatly. Let me share with you some of her ideas Read More

mom teaching writing with copywork

Developing Strong Writers through Copywork and Notebooking

Let’s talk about how to teach copywork so that your children will actually develop the skill of natural, fluid writing. All of my children left home with the skill of writing. One was naturally drawn toward language and writing while the others gravitated to math and science—not surprising as they grew up watching their mom Read More

homeschool mom drawing near to God

Removing the Rocks in Our Homeschool Path

It wasn’t long into our homeschool experience that I encountered what seemed like an immovable boulder blocking our way forward. Garnering my abundance of first year homeschool energy and excitement, we found a way around it. And just as we began skipping along our merry way, another boulder came tumbling toward us.  And then another.  Read More

Mother Homeschooling Daughter on Purpose

Homeschooling on Purpose for God’s Purpose

I’m filled with awe and wonder when I consider that my children were chosen by God before the foundation of the world. That each was distinctly fashioned with specific gifts, talents, abilities, interests, passions, dislikes, and preferences. Each was created for a particular purpose—a purpose God ordained in advance that they should pursue.  For we Read More

free mom and son

Free to Educate Well

As a veteran homeschooler and creator of products that empower moms to educate with excellence, it is my heart’s cry to encourage, build up, and say to every homeschooler I encounter with those weary and worried-filled eyes, “You can do this!”  You can do this well. You can educate your children better than the reigning Read More

What happens when you draw near to God

What Happens When You Draw Near to God

I’ve heard many commentaries on love and what Jesus meant when He told us to love one another. Years ago, I wholeheartedly agreed with the idea that love is a decision, not a feeling. The concept that love is expressed more out of choice than emotional sentiment made sense to me. I went along with Read More

children homeschooling

The Great Homeschool Distraction

There’s a quote that says, “If Satan can’t tempt us with destruction, he’ll tempt us with distraction.” How true for the homeschool mom!  Our enemy tempts us to veer off God’s perfect path by distracting us with a plethora of “good” things: things that seem beneficial, things that seem profitable, things that even seem necessary.  Things Read More

homeschool girl praying

Prioritizing Devotions with Our Children

Of all the things we desire to accomplish in our homeschool day, devotions with our children should uncompromisingly be done first. Why? Because nurturing our children’s heart and character is paramount for success in all areas of their life—whether sports, academics, leadership, or daily choices. I’ve said this for years, and it still rings true: Read More

boy learning science early

When to Teach Science

There’s confusion among homeschoolers about when to teach science. Some Charlotte Mason educators avoid teaching science in the early elementary years. Often, they consider nature study enough. Perhaps part of it is they are uninterested in science—the outcome of their own education. After all, the way science is presented in the school system renders it Read More

Four,Kids,In,Park,Dancing,Under,A,Picnic,Blanket.,Group

The Seven Keys to Ensuring ADHD Children Thrive in the Homeschool

Homeschooling children with ADHD is a popular topic and is something I’ve spoken about recently. I’ve been making homeschool related TikToks every week and had a huge response to my TikTok about how to ensure your ADHD children thrive in your homeschool. I also did a podcast on this topic for The Charlotte Mason Show. Read More

A woman with a child is reading

How to Train Your Child’s Character – The Charlotte Mason Way!

Training your child’s character can be likened to tending a garden. Nurturing to life the good character qualities you want to see grow and blossom. It’s about watching over what’s sprouting up and carefully cultivating that which will one day bear fruit. It requires tilling the soil and weeding out anything that is not fructiferous Read More

Let them Go

College Prep: Let Them Go

After reading the past posts, you now know everything you need to know to help your homeschooled child find the college of his dreams. Whew! It’s been quite a journey, but you’ve been faithful and you’re almost there. Now it’s time to let them go. Sending a child off to college can seem like a Read More

Encouraging Success

Encouraging Success in Your Children

I often speak and write about nurturing our children’s gifts, talents, and passions—about encouraging their success. Homeschooling offers the unique opportunity to tailor our children’s education to their own personal bents. We don’t have to follow the standard scope and sequence designed for a typical student. The cookie-cutter mentality is often why students leave high Read More

The Perfection Trap

The Perfection Trap

At times we fall into what I call the perfection trap, demanding more from our children than they are capable of giving. Our reactions to their misbehavior can be harsh, lacking in the mercy God has for us. When we constantly communicate frustration with our children’s imperfections, we fail to portray Christ to them. If Read More

Believing God's Word for our Children

Believing God’s Word for our Children

As homeschool moms, believing God’s Word for our children is paramount. Being our children’s primary educator can fill us with fear and trepidation. The enormity of this responsibility overwhelms even the most faithful homeschool mom. Yet we need not fear, for God’s Word promises great and wonderful things for our children. The question we must Read More

Rest for the Journey

Rest for the Journey

Fulfilling the call to homeschool requires rest for the journey. It demands more than we are capable of producing in our own strength. We must depend on God for stamina and one another for motivation to keep travailing this path. It’s so important that we surround ourselves with encouragement. Do you receive encouragement on a Read More

Obstacles in Our Path

Obstacles in Our Homeschool Path

When God calls us to something as immense and life transforming as homeschooling, we can be sure there will be many obstacles in our path. Whether it’s opposition from the non-homeschooling community, learning challenges with our children, character issues that surface, or the many fears, anxieties, and insecurities we find within ourselves, we can be Read More

Impart Vision

Imparting Vision to Your Children

If we will impart vision to our children for their future, they will be inspired to pursue excellence, do the hard things that are required, and restrain themselves from that which slows their progress. Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint. Proverbs 29:18 It requires a great deal of restraint to persevere and Read More

First Things First

First Things First

I began my homeschooling journey with a deep conviction that this was God’s call on our family. Cultivating a love for God above everything else was a part of that call, and my passion to keep “first things first” was strong. Many of you felt that same calling. You knew God had great plans for your Read More

Foster Independence

Foster Independence

Did you know that homeschooled students perform better in college than their institutionally schooled counterparts? One reason is homeschooled students are used to being autonomous and independent in their learning; they are self educators. Our job as homeschool moms is to give our children progressively more autonomy and help them foster independence as they age. Read More

Four More Years

Four More Years

The post below was written during the time when I was entering the homestretch of homeschooling my oldest. These heart reflections and questions were born out of the startling realization I had only four more years with my daughter in the home. Lately, the thought of having only four more years of homeschooling my oldest Read More

Quitting Homeschooling

Do You Want to Quit Homeschooling?

I recently ran into a sweet, godly homeschooling mother. She hesitantly shared with me that she may not be homeschooling her oldest through high school; instead she was considering private school. I could tell she was nervous to tell me, but I reassured her I didn’t judge her decision; after all, if God guides you Read More

Prayer Avails Much

Prayer Avails Much

I just love prayer. I’m so thankful that God has ordained it as the means by which He moves. I wish everyone could experience answers—miraculous answers—to prayers like I do. I believe it’s God’s will that everyone does, for His word tells us prayer avails much! John Wesley once said, “God will do nothing, but Read More

Jesus is the Same

Jesus is the Same

I was reading through a devotional today called Little Pillows. It’s a sweet, small book of devotions that are especially touching and deep, though written in somewhat antiquated language. The specific devotion I read was quite nurturing to my own soul. It talked of the fact that Jesus is the same. Have you ever considered Read More

Guarding our Thoughts

Guarding Our Thoughts

For the homeschooling mom, there’s a gnawing temptation to feel overwhelmed. I’ve wanted to address this issue for some time because I know how it feels and experienced it quite a lot in my beginning days as a homeschooler. Thankfully, I discovered a way we as homeschool moms can protect ourselves from this emotion while Read More

Encourage One Another Daily

Encourage One Another Daily

It’s so important that we surround our lives with encouragement. God’s Word tells us that we need encouragement daily. Are you getting that dose of encouragement? Are your friends encouraging toward you? Do you listen to encouraging messages on the radio or the computer? Do you read encouraging blogs? Are you being encouraged in your Read More

Happy mother and daughter

Keep the Testimony

If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore. Psalm 132:12  The children of Israel didn’t keep the testimony—the witness—of all God had done for them for very long. And they found themselves in bondage. But here we read Read More

Cute family lying on the floor smiling at camera

Teaching Character

Over the years I’ve been asked how we approached teaching character in our home. I’d love to share how we went about it because it was one of my most favorite aspects of homeschooling. Without question, the most important thing we did was begin our mornings with devotional and Bible reading, discussions about what we Read More

Who Better?

Who Better

Who better to educate your children than the person who cares most about who they will be when they grow up? The one who is concerned not just with their academic achievement, but also their character? Who better to educate your children than the person who knows them fully, their every mood, every cue, every weakness, and Read More

A Vision for Their Future

A Vision for Their Future

How many times have you heard someone say, “Oh! You homeschool? Wow. I could never do that!” Their reasons range from, “I’m too impatient” to “I would ruin their education.” But the fact is, with homeschooling—as with all great accomplishments—there is a principle at work that gives parents the ability to homeschool their children for the long haul: Read More

Receiving Encouragement

Receiving Encouragement

God’s word tells us to encourage one another daily. I believe we are instructed to do this because every person really does need daily encouragement, especially homeschool moms. Receiving encouragement from others is essential if we, our family, and our homeschool are to thrive. As the days wear on, we need to hear: You can Read More

Do All Things

Do All Things

Do all things…without grumbling and complaining. This is something we’ve always focused a lot on in our home. And I’m not just talking about the children. Philippians 2:14-15 tells us, Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, Read More

Why You Should Homeschool

Why You Should Homeschool

Where to begin? There are so many reasons why you should homeschool, the first being the freedom it affords you children—freedom to pursue an individualized education and life path that enables them to be true to themself and mature into the person God created them to be.  Freedom Let’s begin with academic freedom. Sadly, our nation Read More

A Christian Worldview

A Christian Worldview

People kick around the word “worldview” a lot. I remember when I first began hearing about it. I wondered, “What does that mean?” After a bit, I could give you a definition based on context. Yet, I really couldn’t give you a strong meaning. Since then, the Lord has revealed a lot more about this Read More

Praying God's Word

Praying God’s Word

Someone once said when you pray Scripture, it may sound like you praying to you, however, to the devil, it sounds like God. Because of this, praying God’s Word is powerful and even essential if we are to walk as victors through the spiritual battles of this life. For the Word of God is quick and Read More

Spiritual Inspiration

Prayer II: Confession

In an earlier post I shared that I believe unforgiveness is one reason our prayers are hindered. Here, I want to share a second reason. Though the Lord promises that whatever we ask for in prayer will be given us, this doesn’t always fit our reality. Why is that? Well in addition to unforgiveness, I Read More

Prayer III Faith

Prayer III Faith and Answered Prayer

The third reason we may not see our prayers answered is probably the least popular, but might actually be the most common. I think the reason it has been given such a bad rap is because of the abuse and wrong doctrine that some have preached concerning this one requirement for answered prayer.   Let Read More

Prayer IV Prayer of Two

Prayer IV: Prayer of Two

Jesus says that whatever we ask for in prayer, we should have. Yet often that’s not our personal experience. We’ve discussed that sometimes prayers are not answered because we’ve not forgiven someone, or we harbor unconfessed sin, or even that we lack faith in a good God that would want to bless us with the Read More

Trusting God's Promises

Trusting God’s Promises

The other day I was struggling with some negative emotions: fears and worries about this and that. I am of the strong belief that fear and worry are signs of a lack of faith. If I’m worried, I’m not trusting God’s promises; I’m not believing He’ll take care of me. Well I prayed and earnestly Read More

Free Time

Free Time

Free time is one of the greatest benefits of a homeschool education. It gives students space to think and create, to pursue and develop their passions fully and deeply. I’m so pleased with how much my daughter accomplished with her free time even during the middle school years. When she was thirteen, she taught herself Read More

The Mark of Maturity

The Mark of Maturity

Jesus tells us, “Love the Lord your God” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Two commands. Both are to love. Yet, love seems to be a naturally occurring virtue, a quality we don’t often focus on, especially in our family. We tell our husband and children every day that we love them. It’s not something Read More

Better Part

The Better Part

Long ago, the homeschooling mother had time to read novels to her children. Dinner was unhurried and filled with laughter and rich conversation—often about the latest learning adventure. Playing games together in the evening, the family drew close to one another and the children knew peace and unity. In contrast, today’s busy homeschool mom rushes Read More

Removing Rocks

Removing Rocks

Sometimes we must stop what we’re doing and address issues that come up in our family. When we have everything all planned out for our day or week, these interruptions can seem overwhelmingly burdensome. Yet, we must see them as part of God’s plan for the path we walk. I once found the morning interrupted Read More

Easy Geography

Easy Geography

I want to share some of the things we did for geography in our homeschool. Our method was not only educational, it was easy, and it included incorporating inspiring living books into our geography studies. Each summer at the homeschool convention we scoped out the YWAM booth. We would purchase all the Heroes of the Read More

Always be Ready

Always be Ready

We should always be ready to share the good news of the gospel. Sounds easy, yet so many Christians aren’t sure how to bridge the topic with unbelievers. Let’s say you’ve started a conversation about spiritual matters…what now? Well, when I took Evangelism Explosion—a course that required going out in teams and witnessing to people Read More

Homeschool Coaching

Sharing the Good News

Why do we hesitate, when speaking with unbelievers, to share the good news of what Christ has done for mankind? I believe it’s because we fear rejection. We fear what others will think of us. If asked, we would emphatically say we’re not afraid of people rejecting us if they learn we’re a Christian. Yet Read More

It's all about love

It’s all about LOVE

I’ve heard many, many commentaries on love and what Jesus meant when He told us to love one another. Years ago, I wholeheartedly agreed with the idea that love is a decision, not a feeling. The concept that love is expressed more out of choice than emotional sentiment made sense to me. I went along Read More

Happy thoughts

Forget about Me

Oswald Chambers calls it self awareness. I think that’s an incredible way to describe it. In the past I’ve called it self focus. Self awareness is like self consciousness, but it goes beyond that. It’s simply being concerned on a certain level with ourselves: our plans, our needs, our desires, our sin, our looks, our Read More

Why Christianity

Why Christianity? What’s all the hype?

“Why Christianity?” you ask. Before answering I’d like to ask you a question. If you were to die today (you never know if this is your last day on earth) and stand before God and He asked you, “Why should I let you into My heaven?” What would you say? What would be the reason He should let Read More

Biblical Worldview

Biblical Worldview

I have to admit, when I first began hearing about giving your children a Biblical Worldview, I really wasn’t sure what that meant. Of course, I could surmise what it meant. But when I gained an understanding of its accurate definition, I was moved deeply in my heart and wanted this for myself and my children. Read More

How to Have a Quiet Time

How to Have a Quiet Time

During the years I taught Bible study, I met many women who had never developed the habit of a daily quiet time. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to have a quiet time, it was that they simply didn’t know exactly how. They had tried to read their Bibles, but found it didn’t gel. They Read More

Making Disciples

Making Disciples – A Homeschool Mom’s Great Commission

Like many of you, I spent years in women’s Bible studies, growing in my knowledge and understanding of the Lord and His Word. I’m so thankful for that time of spiritual growth, and was loath to give it up for the homeschooling years. One day, during my quiet time, God impressed a profound truth upon Read More