5 Must-Read Posts for the Homeschool Mom

It’s September, and we’re deep into that traditional first month of school. Some of us are rocking this homeschooling gig, others are flying by the seat of their pants, some are muddling through, and many others are crying, ready to throw in the towel.

I’ve mentioned before that I am a bit of a hoarder; I am a lover of words that speak to me. I collect quotes, articles, books, and posts that hit home for me. When we’re having one of those ugly homeschooling days over here, I’ve learned that taking a few minutes to read something inspiring can help to turn the day around, even just a smidgen.

No matter where you are in your homeschool journey right now, every single one of you can benefit from reading the following articles. I promise they will make you smile today. So, grab that cup of coffee and pull up a chair. Make this moment yours, take a moment to refresh your spirit with these posts.

Homeschool Worries: Erased with Research and Experience

~ Laura Grace Weldon

I stumbled upon Laura Grace Weldon, a fellow unexpected homeschooler, early on in my homeschool journey. I am consistently inspired both by what she writes and by what she shares on Facebook. In this post, Laura explains how she fell into homeschooling and then she goes on to erase many common homeschool misconceptions with research. I especially love the truth and honesty in this bit:

Taking my kids out of school liberated them from the test-heavy approach of today’s schools, one that actually has nothing to do with adult success. Instead of spending over 1,200 hours each year in school, they could devote time to what more directly builds happiness as well as future success. Things like innovation, hands-on learning, and meaningful responsibility. That doesn’t mean I lost all my doubts. Some days, all right, months, I worried. It’s hard to unlearn a mindset.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one of my favorite homeschooling books, Free Range Learning, written by Laura Grace Weldon. Have you read it?

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Getting Ready for a New Homeschool Year

~ Shawna Wingert, Not the Former Things

I love this post because it is a funny and honest look at this homeschool journey. I love how Shawna compares preparing for her fifth year of homeschooling with those early years. I especially loved this:

In just about one week, we will be starting our fifth year learning at home.

I know now that no amount of preparation and planning, is going to make it go exactly the way I think it should.

I also know now that there is a good chance this year, like all the others, will be messy, and fun, and frustrating, and interesting, and loving, and ugly, and good, and my boys will learn.

And I think that just may be the point.

Isn’t that just perfect, folks? By the way, if you aren’t following Shawna over at Not the Former Things, you need to. Her writing is filled with truth and honesty and love for her boys.

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10 Ways You’re Making Your Homeschool Day Harder Than it Needs to Be

~ Jamie Martin, Simple Homeschool

Since starting our homeschool journey, I have this morning routine. I get up a couple of hours before my children to write, but before I do that – while my eyes are focusing and the coffee is starting to work its magic- I visit a couple of my favorite sites for inspiration. Simple Homeschool is one of those sites. In this post, Jamie shares heaps of fantastic advice, including this gem:

We teach our kids through what we love. We teach through who we are. We teach through what we learn and get excited about. Anything else can’t possibly convey the lifestyle of learning we’re hoping to model. 

If you are new to homeschooling, I highly recommend that you work Simple Homeschool into your daily routine. In this do-all-the-things culture, we forget that things like homeschooling can actually be quite simple.

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Do You Need a (Homeschool) Full Stop?

~ Kara Anderson, Quill and Camera

I love every last drop of this post, folks. I have read and re-read this post so many times and it’s not even that old! It speaks to me as both a mother and a homeschooler. So many times in this life, we feel the need to do all the things. When we are stressed out, we feel like conquering the never-ending to-do list will make us feel better. In reality, what makes us feel better is to just stop. Just. Stop. Why is it so hard to remember this in the moment? When we stop and focus on the simple things, the ordinary joys of this life, we immediately feel better. I love it all, folks, but especially this:

So today, I wanted to share with you the beauty of the full stop. The pleasure of the Soul Fever Day. The absolute transformative power of doing nothing but what you absolutely need to do, even if it’s just for an hour or two.

Because sometimes, we need to push. It’s true.

And other times, what we need most is to breathe.

So, if you’re having a rough day, homeschool mama, take Kara’s advice and grab a cup of tea and some crumpets and go to bed.

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This Mom’s Simple Question Stopped My Heart and Brought Me to My Knees 

~ Hannah Keeley, For Every Mom

Piggy-backing on the themes in the previous post, This Mom’s Simple Question Stopped My Heart and Brought Me to My Knees is an important reminder that this motherhood thing is a short season. Have you ever had one of those moments when you look at your child and think to yourself, “Wow. He looks so much older all of a sudden! When did that happen?” Or, suddenly your daughter says belly button instead of belly bunt and you burst into tears? Yes, it’s messy and loud and hard, but it’s beautiful, too. It’s important to savor the last magical drops of those ordinary moments because they might be gone tomorrow. Can you relate to this:

Here’s the deal with motherhood: It’s our job to raise independent kids; but no one tells you how to handle it when it really happens.

That night, it happened.

I thought back–When was the last time? When was the last moment I rinsed the shampoo out of her hair? Why didn’t I know it was the last time? If I would have known, I would have done a better job, or made it last longer, or kissed her head, or something. I would have done something!

This post made me cry, folks. Not only is it honest and true, but I felt like it was speaking to me. My sweet T recently broke her wrist, too, and I’ve been savoring the moments of extra help that she needs right now.

It’s been years since she needed help getting her shirt on or off, or an extra hand buckling her car seat. I’m saddened that she hurt herself but I’m not going to lie when I tell you that helping her a little extra has been sweet for both of us.

What must-read would you add to this list, folks? Share here!