Blog

Weekly Homeschool Roundup: 11/15/19

Are you feeling the pressure of November?

It seems that this is the time when we can see Christmas break right around the corner, but we still have a few (long) miles to go before we get there.

The November slump - as we talked about in last week’s roundup - is a real thing. It’s important to have grace with ourselves and with our children. Homeschool life is far from perfect, and some days might be just plain awful - but I still maintain that we can learn a lot from even our worst of days.

Our week was cold and rainy. I am feeling the pressure of the last couple weeks of school before the break. I am feeling the pressure of the holidays.

But then I remember the TRUTH - my feelings are not an accurate indication of my situation. Take a deep breath. Know that this too shall pass. Rely on God’s mercies to sustain me for yet another day, and it’s all good.

Weekly #Homeschool Roundup - 11/15/19
  • The Homeschool Trap (and how we’re falling into it)

    I’m shamelessly promoting one of my own blog posts here - but it’s an important one that has resonated with so many of you. Are we trying to hard to keep up with what all the other homeschoolers are doing? STOP!

  • Why You Should Find Time to Be Alone With Yourself

    I have often remarked that my kids know what to do with ALONE time. In fact, they crave it - and I know they are better for having that alone time. Homeschooling allows our children time and space that is desperately needed in their worlds.

  • How Technology is Changing Homeschooling

    I’ve seen such a change in just the 10 years we’ve been homeschooling - we use a variety of learning options in our homeschool. I can see the positives of technology, but also the negatives - because it can cause parents to be too complacent. This article is thought-provoking.

The technological advances have made it easier for a wider variety of families to access some of the resources that make homeschooling effective, but the success of any such program ultimately comes down to motivation on the part of parents. No matter how acclaimed these models and programs are or how state-of-the-art their technology is, none of them will work without one vital component: parents who are invested in the outcome of their children’s education.

  • In Defense of Latin: Per Angusta ad Agusta

    This appeared in my inbox at just the right time.

    Latin is getting difficult for my son. It has always been something that comes easily to him, but now the struggle is real and I’m seeing the true value in Latin! This article articulates 10 reasons why Latin is just GOOD for us to study... it gave me the push I needed to continue encouraging my son.

Latin education equips men and women to live with honor. As the Latin proverb says, “To high places by narrow roads”—also rendered, “Through difficulties to honor”: Per angusta ad augusta.

  • Favorite Books List @ Currently Reading

    I love the podcast “Currently Reading”.

    It is a solid hour of nothing but BOOKS. (And, one of the co-hosts is a homeschooling mom of 4.) I’m super impressed with the time she carves out for reading!

    The Currently Reading favorites book list is a great - you’ll find some good recommendations here for yourself AND the kids.


Something Fun for Your Christmas Homeschool

I took a very fun field trip today… to see my friend Nana from Chalk Pastels. Some of you might not know that Nana & I are practically neighbors. It was a definite treat for me to spend time with her (and her daughter - my good friend Tricia from Hodgepodge) today.

We are working together to bring you something SUPER fun at the end of next week - and then throughout the month of December.

Keep your eyes on your inbox for more details soon!

Mary & Nana of Chalk Pastels

There is a fire in our fireplace, chili on the stove, and we’re planning an UNO tournament tonight. I’m thankful for a quiet night at home after a VERY busy week.

Be sure to take time to stop and appreciate your blessings in this season of busy-ness and stress… it’s important, mamas!



How was your week?

Did you discover anything to share with me?

Tell me in the comments below!

Weekly #Homeschool Roundup


Weekly Homeschool Roundup: 11/8/19

The November homeschool slump is real.

I remember feeling it in a big way when my children were both elementary ages. Now that I just have one high schooler at home I feel it through him.

(And because I am a highly sensitive person his feelings really rub off on me!)

Academics are starting to ramp up in his Classical Conversations Challenge I program, and we have had to scale back, take a night off from an activity, and be vigilant in general about not making “school” an idol. I’m thankful for the relationship homeschooling has fostered with my teen. We can talk about these things openly and honestly.

I am constantly reminding myself we cannot lose the wonder in high school!

Weekly #Homeschool Roundup

Since my last update, I celebrated my 48th birthday!

We had a lovely weekend visiting Anna at college. The University Chorus she sings with put on a lovely (all Shakespeare inspired) concert. It was the PERFECT way to celebrate my birthday.

And, if I can please encourage you… all of that homeschool training, sacrifice, and hard work pays off. She is managing her time well, being discerning about her friendships, and adjusting nicely. She texts me each day and is sharing a lot of things that go on at college - so thankful for our close relationship!

I look at the lovely young adult she is and don’t regret a minute of homeschooling!

It’s always hard to say goodbye to her. The four of us have such a good time together, and when one is missing something just feels “off”. This stage of life is hard on a mama, but it is a natural stage and so gratifying to see your child building their own life.

Weekly #Homeschool Roundup - 11/8/19

Lots of good things to share with you this week - it was hard to narrow it down to just five.

  • Read aloud to your teens. It’s important.

    We finished a book this week (The Grand Escape) about a prisoner of war breakout during WWI. This true story of prisoners who literally tunneled their way to freedom was AMAZING. We learned so much about rules of the Geneva Convention, future impacts on prisoners of war escaping, and WWI history. I’m sure girls would also like this book, but it was especially good for my boy.

  • Everyone Wants to Quit in November and February

    I love this blog post for two reasons: One - it is written by my favorite blogger, Anne Bogel. Two - it offers practical strategies to get through those times of the year when homeschooling is just plain hard.

  • A Poem for November

    Another thing I feel strongly about is the memorization of beautiful poems. This Clyde Watson poem is a favorite of mine - if you recited this everyone morning during Morning Time it could be a simple gift for your children.

Weekly #Homeschool Roundup - 11/8/19

So government-run schools are academically inferior to homeschooling, riddled with crime and abuse, and producing graduates less tolerant than their counterparts who were educated at home. But rather than fix their pet institutions, politicians prefer to grab for power over people fleeing from their grasp.

Ummm… no. Not that homeschoolers have the time or inclination, but they have more standing to claim the right to oversee the floundering public schools. Instead of seeking to crush the competition, public officials should learn from it.


  • Fun Ideas For Homeschooling at Christmas

    We have such an opportunity to make learning fun and create wonderful memories with our children in these next several weeks before Christmas. I love this collection of ideas from Emily!


That’s it for this week, my friends.

Can you believe we’re a couple of weeks away from Thanksgiving, and then just a few more weeks after that until Christmas is upon us!


Weekly #Homeschool Roundup at Homegrown Learners

Did you have any good homeschool things this week?

Share them with me in the comments below!