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How to Homeschool in 13 Easy Steps

As a homeschooling mom of nearly three decades, I have learned a few tips and tricks. Here’s some practical advice for planning and scheduling your homeschool, including tips for meeting state requirements, scheduling heart training beyond book training, establishing routines, using whiteboards and planners, and finding time for vacations, celebrations, and life skills education.

 

How to Homeschool in 13 Easy Steps
As a homeschooling mom of nearly three decades, here are some tips for planning and scheduling your homeschooling!

As a homeschooling mom of nearly three decades, here are some tips for planning and scheduling your homeschooling!

Homeschooling your children can be a wonderful experience. Not only do you get to spend more time with them, but you can tailor your education to your children’s needs and interests. As a homeschooling mom of nearly three decades, here are some tips for planning and scheduling your homeschooling!

  1. Know and Follow Your State Requirements: Each state has different regulations for homeschooling, so make sure you know what your state requires. This will help you ensure that your children receive a proper education and that you follow the law.
  2. Schedule Heart Training Beyond Book Training: Homeschooling isn’t just about teaching your children academics. It’s also about training their hearts—scheduling time for character development, life skills, and other essential education areas beyond book learning.
  3. Big Picture Idea: Take some time to think about your overall goals for your children’s education. What do you want them to learn? What skills do you want them to develop? This will help you plan your curriculum and schedule your homeschool days.
  4. Plan Your Week: Once you have a big-picture idea, start planning your weekly schedule. Determine which subjects you’ll teach each day and for how long. Consider your children’s ages and abilities and any extracurricular activities or appointments.
  5. Teach Kids of Various Ages at the Same Time: Teaching kids of different ages simultaneously can be challenging, but it’s doable. One strategy is to teach your older children more challenging material while tailoring the same subjects into more manageable tasks for younger kids. Another method is to have your older children help “teach” your younger children.
  6. Discover That a Routine Is Your Friend: Kids thrive on routine. Establishing a pattern for your homeschool days can help your children feel more secure and make your days run more smoothly.
  7. Whiteboards, Calendars, and Planners: Use whiteboards, calendars, and planners to help you stay organized. Write down your schedule, your to-do list, and any critical dates.
  8. Morning Time and Read-Alouds: Many homeschooling families enjoy a “morning time” together to read and study. (Personally, this is one of my favorite parts of homeschooling!) This can be a great way to start your day and build family connections.
  9. When Life Goes Off Schedule: Life happens, and sometimes your homeschool days will go differently than planned. It’s essential to be flexible and to have a backup plan. Ensure you have some activities or lessons ready if you need to switch gears.
  10. Vacationing While Others Are in School: One of the benefits of homeschooling is that you can take vacations whenever you want. Consider taking trips during the off-season when prices are lower and crowds are smaller.
  11. Chores and Home Economics: Teaching your children life skills is essential to their education—schedule time for chores and home economics, such as cooking, cleaning, and laundry.
  12. Birthdays, Holidays, and Other Celebrations: Remember to schedule time for birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations. These are essential times to connect with your family and to make memories.
  13. Put Away Your Phone: When spending time with your children, put away your phone. Give them your undivided attention and show them they’re more important than your screen.

Remember to be flexible, adaptable, and open-minded, as homeschooling can be a challenging but ultimately rewarding journey. With a little bit of planning and organization, you can provide your children with an education that prepares them for a successful future and helps them grow into well-rounded individuals.

Homeschool Success Course

Are you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about your homeschooling journey? Do you wish you had a roadmap to help you navigate the challenges and achieve success? Look no further than Tricia Goyer’s Homeschool Success video course!

Tricia Goyer is a homeschooling expert with over 20 years of experience, and she has poured all of her knowledge and wisdom into this comprehensive course. In each video, Tricia shares practical tips and strategies for homeschooling, from choosing a curriculum to managing your time effectively.

With Homeschool Success, you’ll discover how to:

  • Create a customized curriculum that meets your family’s unique needs
  • Develop a daily routine that maximizes your time and energy
  • Cultivate a love of learning in your children and inspire them to reach their full potential
  • Foster a positive homeschooling environment that nurtures relationships and builds character
  • Navigate the challenges of homeschooling with confidence and grace

Tricia’s warm and engaging teaching style will leave you feeling empowered and equipped to tackle any homeschooling challenge that comes your way. You’ll also receive a workbook with actionable steps and reflection questions to help you apply your learning to your homeschooling journey.

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from one of the most respected homeschooling experts in the industry. Enroll in Tricia Goyer’s Homeschool Success video course today and start your journey to homeschooling success!

Homeschool Success Course only $9
Purchase the course here.

  1. Homeschool Success Course only $9
    Homeschool Success Course only $9

    Purchase the course here.

    Additional Resources:

    A conversation with Jessica Smartt author of Let Them Be Kids
    The Tricia Goyer Show: Tina Hollenbeck, author of 8 Great Smarts for Homeschoolers

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Feed Your Young Creative’s Imagination with StoryMakers

My kids are always making and creating something. It isn’t unusual for us to have to clear craft supplies off the dinner table before we eat, and we aren’t even going to talk about our schoolroom table. When the team at StoryMakers reached out about sending us a box for Advent, I couldn’t say yes fast enough! When we received our box, I barely had a chance to look at it before it disappeared!

StoryMakers is a creative studio that designs imaginative resources for kids and teens. Their team of writers and artists brings the Bible to life through zines, playbooks, guides, and more. They have products for your little people as well as your teens!

Each StoryMaker guide invites the reader to step into a journey — a journey based on Scripture. Chapters include scripture, a prompt to get minds ready to engage in God’s story, notes, thoughts to ponder, fun facts, and an activity.

A starter kit includes zines, guides, playbooks, and memory cards designed to invite kids into the story of scripture. I love that StoryMakers has sound theology — and everything from the graphics, and the memory cards, to the zines, is so fun!

And if you aren’t ready to commit to purchasing a full starter kit, you can grab anything a la carte.

If you have a young creative in your life, consider investing in a StoryMakers subscription!

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When is the Homeschool Day Over?

When is the Homeschool Day Over? Out of all the questions that people have about homeschooling, this one tops the list. While the answer varies with each family, here are a few things to consider when it comes to setting a homeschool schedule, keeping on track, and knowing when the homeschool day is over.

Out of all the questions that people have about homeschooling, “What is a typical homeschool day?” tops the list. While the answer varies with each family, here are a few things to consider when it comes to setting a homeschool schedule, keeping on track, and knowing when is the homeschool day over?

When is the Homeschool Day Over?

As a new homeschooling mom, I wondered this myself. With all the wonderful plans we have for giving our kids the best education ever, we can sometimes lose track of time. Don’t let the day go on too long and face burnout. Learn from my veteran advice.

1. Homeschooling doesn’t take as long as you think.

Unlike public schools, homeschool subjects take less time to teach. Instead of a teacher teaching and overseeing twenty-five or more students, you have far less. Even if you’re teaching multiple grades at once, you won’t spend time controlling a crowd, making sure everyone understands, and moving from room to room. For early elementary grades, homeschool lessons can be completed in 2-3 hours. Older kids take more time, but an added benefit is that when the homework is done, it’s done. Since schoolwork is done during the day, you don’t have to spend time on added homework in the evenings.

2. When setting your homeschool schedule, remember you can shorten your homeschool day by teaching kids together.

Homeschool would take more time if you were teaching complete sets of curriculum for all of the first grade, third grade, fifth grade (or whatever ages your kids are). I’m currently homeschooling ages 9, 10, 12, 15, and 17-year-old twins. We do Bible Study together, and I read aloud missionary stories and historical novels to all my kids. This not only builds family bonds and saves money … it saves time too. I’ve learned to teach toward the older kids and then add in fun activities for the younger kids to help them understand the concepts at their level.

3. Start with the difficult and demanding subjects when setting your homeschool schedule.

If you do the fun subjects first, then the day can drag after you finally get to the hard stuff. Yet if you start with the hard stuff, then the day seems to go quickly once that’s done.

4. Don’t forget breaks!

Breaks are important, both for you and your children! Give your kids time to play outside, do crafts, or read on their own. So while officially you haven’t called the homeschool day over yet, you can schedule in time for yourself.

5. Don’t fill your day with so much that your schedule doesn’t end.

The curriculum is your guide, not your boss. The purpose of the curriculum is to provide structure and direction. Teacher lesson plans are lists of ideas. No one is expected to do it all! Not even private or public school teachers finish every lesson. (It’s true, they’ve told me!)

6. Know that even if your homeschooling day is officially over, every part of life can be considered “schooling.”

when is the homeschool day over

The way you shop, spend time with friends, and work, will change because you’re giving a large part of your day to your kids. That being said, there are so many aspects of everyday life that you can choose to be teaching times if you’re creative. Grocery shopping and running to the bank can be great lessons. You simply have to be imaginative and realize your lifestyle won’t look like those of most folks around you.

7. Capture the teachable moments.

I was leaving the doctor’s office with my three, young kids when a homeless man approached us. He was in a wheelchair, and he was missing a leg. I’d just gotten the kids buckled into their car seats when he approached asking for food. I “just so happened” to have a packed lunch that my Bible Study leader gave to us. I also had recently been to the bakery, and I’d picked up some donuts for my grandma for a treat.

I gave the man lunch and offered him the biggest donut. His eyes grew wide. “Is this cream-filled?” It turned out it was and the man’s face filled with joy. He ate it with pleasure.

It was only as I backed away that I realized my kids had been watching the exchange. Even though I never intended it to be, that was a teachable moment.

On the drive home, we talked about homelessness. We talked about caring for those who God brings in our path. We talked about sharing what we had. We talked about kindness. And that night—as the kids shared our experience with their dad—we talked about it again. And the next day we decided to pack up care packages with water bottles, snacks, and spare change to keep in the car. We also started reading a book for homeschool, Tales of the Not Forgotten by Beth Guckenberger.

Offering what we had to a homeless man, talking about homelessness as we drove home and later at dinner, creating care packages was schooling. Reading a book about needs around the world and those who are helping them helped us understand it even better, too.

7. Your kids learn just as much from real-life conversations as anything else.

I talk about real-life stuff during fun times, like when we’re enjoying popcorn or picking flowers outside. It’s then that kids are more likely to listen.

Ron Rose, author of Seven Things Kids Never Forget says, “Learn the art of meandering conversation. When you’re working a puzzle with your kids or riding in the car together, talk about worries or other crisis times. As a way to get started, use something you heard about, something you saw on TV, or something that happened to you as a child.” I especially love the idea of sharing stories from my own childhood. There are lessons each of us have learned that can be passed on to our kids.

8. And even when the official schooling day is over, be present.

Any time of the day, when my children ask me a question, I either answer it or let them know when I can answer it. Eye contact with my children makes a big difference. When I take time to focus on their faces and make an effort to smile, a connection is made. My children know I’m available and I care.

While a school-at-home day is done when the basic subjects are covered, schooling together also creates times for more connections and interactions during the day. Your daily school schedule will be different than anyone else’s, and that’s okay. Focus on helping your kids love to learn and enjoy time together, and you’ll go a long way!

 

When is the Homeschool Day Over?

Have you checked out my homeschool success course yet?

Let me share all the practical tips and tricks I’ve learned to:

—Homeschool multiple levels in four hours a day.

—Understand the basics of homeschool laws and what your kids need to graduate and go to college.

—Discover your gifts as a homeschool teacher.

—Finding extra help for special needs kids.

…and so much more!

Here is my welcome module to give you a glimpse of this course!

 

YOU can give the gift of a homeschool education to your family by joining me here: www.homeschoolsuccesscourse.com 

 

 

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The Importance of a Simple Homeschool Schedule

Never underestimate The Importance of a Simple Homeschool Schedule. Does making a school-at-home schedule intimidate you? Do you resist the idea of a schedule “tying you down?” Or maybe you love the idea but you just aren’t sure where to begin. A simple homeschool schedule can guide your day and help parents and kids focus on what’s most important. But before I share my top tips, remember that no schedule is set in stone … simplicity also means flexibility!

Does making a school-at-home schedule intimidate you? Do you resist the idea of a schedule “tying you down?” Or maybe you love the idea but you just aren’t sure where to begin. A simple homeschool schedule can guide your day and help parents and kids focus on what’s most important. But before I share my top tips, remember that no schedule is set in stone … simplicity also means flexibility!

The Importance of a Simple Homeschool Schedule

As a homeschool mom of twenty-six years (with a large family!), I’ve had numerous schedules over the years. Because our family dynamics have differed from year to year, our days and our seasons also fluctuate. One year we had a new baby, and the following year my grandma needed extra care in our home. A few years after that, I had three children to teach, and the next year, we added four more children through adoption.

homeschool schedule

The important thing is to evaluate your current season and figure out what works well now.

Things can and will change. If something doesn’t work, try a different way. Remember, you are in control. Here are several things to remember when you go to create your simple homeschool schedule.

1. A simple homeschool schedule helps kids know what to expect.

This is true for virtual or hybrid schools as well. When kids know what to expect … and what’s expected of them … there are less anxiety and less of a fight. By knowing what comes next, kids can naturally prepare and adjust.

2. A simple homeschool schedule helps you develop daily routines and turn chaos into calm.

If you’re struggling with feeling like your life is chaotic, a routine can transform the craziness into a much more calm existence. Best of all, by creating a simple school schedule, your home and life will be more orderly, but on top of that, you’ll also get more done.

3. A simple homeschool schedule will help you be more disciplined.

If you’re going to be successful as a school-at-home mom, you’ve got to be disciplined. No, you don’t need to run such a tight ship that every fifteen minutes is scheduled, but you do need to set up and follow a routine. Nothing good ever happens by accident. If you want something good to happen, put some structure around it.

4. To create a schedule that fits your needs, start by asking questions:

  • What would a great school-at-home day look like?
  • A year from now, what would I consider a “success”?
  • What values do I want my children to have when they complete their schooling?

homeschool schedule

5. Next, start to “form up” your day:

With answers to these questions in mind, write down a list of everything you’d like to complete in a day. Put in even those little things that you always wished you had time for. (Maybe you have had a book you have wanted to read for a long time, put a few minutes of reading in your schedule!) Based on your family’s priorities, add in or take out what will make your days run more smoothly.

Ask:

  • What works in my schedule?
  • Is there something I need to cut?
  • What do I need to add?

6. Have a start time to shoot for.

In my house, we prioritize sleep, so I don’t have an early start time for my kids. But it helps many homeschool parents to have a start time to shoot for.

7. Don’t try to make your day look like a public school day.

Your kids aren’t going to do well if you try to make them sit at desks from 8 am to 3 pm. That’s not necessary! Instead, set “blocks” of time for Reading, Math, Science, History, Bible at art. For example. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday can be your times to focus on Reading, History, and Bible. Tuesday and Thursday can be for Math, Science, and Art. Or, if you’d rather do each subject a day, ask your children what they’d like to do first.

 

Are you ready to learn how to have True Homeschool Success?

Let me show you what has worked for our family for over two and a half decades. I want to share what’s given us the power so you too can lead your family through home education. Learn more here: True Homeschool Success

 

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When Families Learn Together

When Families Learn Together they grow together. And there’s something magical about the moment your child understands something about God and His creation on a deeper level. That’s why I’m excited to help you grow your family’s faith and knowledge with the help of Brock Eastman, AKA Dr. Fizzelbop. Make sure you read through to the end and enter the giveaway to win your own copy of Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop!

Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop giveaway

When Families Learn Together: Ideas for Fun, Educational Family Time

There is just something fizztastic about the “Aha!” moment! Maybe it’s because everything finally clicks into place. Maybe it’s because what was murky before is now clear and easy to see. Or maybe it’s because our brains are wired for discovery by a God who loves to be discovered.

Whatever the reason, an “Aha!” moment can be made even more satisfying when it is shared with others. As a parent, you have the ability to create “Aha!” moments for your kids every day in every way because our world is ripe for discovery. Psalm 19:1 tells us, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship” (NLT). The world around us is literally shouting and pointing back to the God who created it. All we have to do is look.

 

Here are some ways you can create and take advantage of “Aha!” moments through having a family devotional time with your kids!

Families Learn Together Through:

Create time to spend with the Creator.

Life can get busy, and we can make a million excuses for why we don’t have time to sit with God and be still, but the truth is, we need quiet moments to spend together with God, both alone and in community with others. Your family is a mini-community, with a culture, experiences, and ways of being all its own. What if as part of your family culture you set aside time each day or week to spend it with the Creator?

Choose a Format that takes into account your children’s ages and readiness to learn.

 Thirty minutes is a great amount of time for younger kids, allowing you to read a story from Scripture, talk about it, put it into practice, and then pray together. With older kids, focus on a discussion format where you can talk and ask questions.

Remind your family that we all learn from one another.

As a parent, allow for your kids to teach you something about Jesus too! You might be surprised by the “Aha!” moments you have as your child makes connections you’ve never seen before!

Read a story from Scripture together.

Act the story out or take turns reading it. Or read from a storybook Bible and then from your family’s favorite Bible translation. As you finish the story ask these questions:

1. Where did God show up in that story?
2. How was God interacting with humans in the story?
3. What did you discover about God?

Do an activity related to the Scripture together.

You can find fun science experiments in my book Faith & Science with Dr. Fizzlebop. They are easy to try, and they relate to stories from Scripture!

Always allow for questions.

Never be afraid to say, “I don’t know the answer to that question, but let’s see what we can find out together!” Allowing your child to ask good questions helps their faith to form and grow. When kids are given answers too soon, it actually slows down the truth internalization process. However, if your child has the chance to explore and discover the answer with you, that creates space for the Holy Spirit to do His transformative work!

Pray together.

Take turns praying for one another. Have your kids pray for you as you pray for them. Ask the Holy Spirit to take what you’ve discovered from Scripture and do a work in your lives.

Family learning time may look messy, but the key is to stick with it. Using a book like Faith & Science with Dr. Fizzlebop is a great way to stay guided in your discovery of the next “Aha!” moment for your entire family.

Enter to win a copy of Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop*

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*Due to shipping costs, can ship to a US address only.

Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop

Brock Eastman, Dr. Fizzlebop’s alter ego, is passionate about marketing and storytelling. His desire to show kids how faith and science connect is the driving force behind his Dr. Fizzlebop persona. He writes feature stories and the Dr. Fizzlebop recurring column for Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. magazines. He is also the co-host of the Story Biz podcast and the host of Tyndale Kids’ Virtual Summer Camp. In fall ’21, he will be launching the Fizzlebop Labs YouTube series.

Besides creating a crazy, fun science devotional, Brock has written and sold over 150,000 copies of several books and series, including the Quest for Truth series, Daddy’s Favorite Sound, Mommy’s Favorite Smell, Bedtime on Noah’s Ark, the Sages of Darkness series, and Showdown with the Shepherd from the Imagination Station series. He currently resides in Colorado and loves cooking, doing puzzles with his wonderful wife, and reading stories to his four kids each night.

Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop giveawayAbout Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop

Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop features 52 easy experiments kids and parents can do together once a week or at their convenience. Each experiment will have a how-to video featured in the free Fizzlebop Labs web series launching in fall ’21. Building on Dr. Fizzlebop’s desire to show kids how faith and science connect, each experiment connects to a devotional that allows kids to go deeper and learn about God’s amazing design for everything around them.

On average, each experiment takes 5 to 10 minutes and the devotional is an additional 5 minutes.

Our expert and guide, Dr. Phineas Einstein Fizzlebop, is a bit quirky and maybe a little cheesy at times, but he is passionate about three things: God, science, and fizz―and all come together wonderfully at Fizzlebop Labs. Guest scientists (families) will journey through the Bible in an extravaganza of experiments and Bible studies full of fun, facts, and fizz.

Purchase a copy HERE.

You might like this post as well:

https://triciagoyer.com/how-to-get-your-kids-to-pay-attention-while-you-homeschool/

 

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How to Homeschool Successfully: Tips From a Veteran Homeschool Parent

Ready to learn how to homeschool successfully? On Tuesday, April 6th, I’ll share how to save time, money, and have confidence and peace in your homeschool. Let me teach you how to choose a curriculum you’ll love, homeschool multiple ages at once, and inspire children to love learning and not just “get work done.” Hope to see you there!

How to Homeschool Successfully: Tips From a Veteran Homeschool Parent

Ready to spend 90 minutes preparing or transforming your homeschool? I’ve homeschooled three children nearly to adulthood, and then, I started all over again! After John and I adopted seven more children I became a full-time homeschool teacher again. I’m currently homeschooling four children ages 10-16 so I know the challenges of teaching multiple ages, finding the right curriculum, and teaching children with learning disabilities.

‍If you can join me on April 6th, I’ll be sharing my best tips, including:

 

  • Organizing a schedule
  • Saving time
  • Saving money
  • Homeschooling multiple ages
  • Helping kids to love learning
  • Keeping a transcript
  • And more!

How to Homeschool Successfully: Tips From a Veteran Homeschool Parent

Have you struggled to get your classroom organized? Do you feel out of your element when teaching your kids? Homeschooling is more than textbooks and lessons–it’s a lifestyle of learning. And it can be mastered by anyone willing to learn. You know your kids better than anyone else and you’re the best person for the job. Let me guide you into making your family life-long learners.

If you’re ready to nail down all the specifics of a successful homeschool then this is the place for you. In this interactive, LIVE event, I’ll spend the first 60 minutes teaching, and then I’ll open it up to your questions.

Prepare to be encouraged, educated, uplifted, and inspired!

Register here–Limited to 100 participants:

How to Homeschool Successfully: Tips From a Veteran Homeschool Parent

Tue, Apr 6

5pm PT / 8pm ET

90 min

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4 Practical Tips for a Grumble-Free School Year

As a homeschooling mom of ten, there is always a lot going on in our home, and it’s hard to make everyone happy all of the time. This has led to a lot of grumbling in the past. But a few years ago our family decided to do something different and replace out grumbling with gratitude. I chronicle our journey in The Grumble Free Year, and these are four practical things I learned that can also help your family to have a grumble-free school year!

As a homeschooling mom of ten, there is always a lot going on in our home, and it’s hard to make everyone happy all of the time. This has led to a lot of grumbling in the past. But a few years ago our family decided to do something different and replace out grumbling with gratitude. I chronicle our journey in The Grumble Free Year, and these are four practical things I learned that can also help your family to have a grumble-free school year!

 

1. Start with your grumbling before you address your family’s grumbling.

Okay, I admit it, it’s hard to tell my kids to do better when I was grumbling, too. I wasn’t a loud and proud grumbler, yet I would often fall prey to the internal, grumbling martyr, and I knew the kids could tell.

My internal grumbling often went something like this:

“I can’t do this. There are too many kids and too much needed from me. I can’t keep up.”

“It’s going to be a rough day!”

“Oh, the weather is bad outside, so much for my clean house while the kids are all cooped up!”

or

“I’m going to have to deal with the kids grumbling again, ugh!”

Having these conversations with myself was not only a sin, but it also created a murmuring tenor in our home. I had to repent before the Lord of my grumbling before I could make progress with my children’s attitudes and seek to have a grumble-free school year.

I had to capture my grumbling thoughts and think of something to be thankful for instead.

This simple practice changes my attitude and it was noticeable, to me and my kids.

2. Take control of your unrealistic expectations and remain flexible with your kids’ schooling.

No one expected this school year to go as it has. No one. Yet here we are, and complaining about it doesn’t change things.

As parents, we often grumble because we expect things to go a certain way, but they don’t. But the fact is, things rarely go as planned. Even if the changes aren’t huge (like going from public school to homeschool or virtual school), there are always bumps in our plans.

The problem with unrealistic expectations is when the house got messy, I didn’t get as much done in the day as I had hoped, or the kids started to fight, I would get overwhelmed and begin to grumble.

In my effort to stop grumbling, I thought about my unrealistic expectations that I could clean the house and have it stay clean. (We had eleven people living in our home at one point after all!) I also considered how unrealistic it was that I could go through a day with my family, and it would be conflict-free.

Instead of giving in to those unrealistic expectations, I started proactively considering how to help my family get back on track. Some days this meant stopping to do a 10-minute cleanup, with all the kids helping. Other days, it meant pausing to help my children communicate with each other better: “How about we try that conversation again, this time with kind words?”

Think about the next few hours. What do you hope will happen? Now consider your response when something doesn’t go as planned. It doesn’t matter what happens, just think about how you’ll respond.

When we realize we’re being unrealistic and plan for a positive (not negative) reaction, we handle situations better. We look beyond the problems to find solutions. We treat our family with respect, instead of just grumbling about what went wrong.

When we react with confidence, instead of feeling like a victim, we feel better about ourselves and others—and we model this for our kids. When we can control our expectations and emotions, we can better handle the bumbles and struggles when they come.

Consider your desire to have a grumble-free school year and how to attain it in light of this. With the current pandemic, there is so much up in the air. You might even start the year with your kids going to school, and then in a few months, things could quickly change. Thinking ahead to how you’ll respond when change happens can go along way. Planning to be flexible and to communicate positively now will help when things don’t go as planned.

3. Communicate to stave off grumbling.

Often we get upset or frustrated with our kids’ grumbling when they actually have a reason behind it. Kids are little people with human emotions, fears, and frustrations. When the grumbling starts, it helps to figure out what’s really going on.

Ask yourself:

  • Are they feeling residual tension and stress in our home? (Kids are amazing sponges when it comes to soaking up when we are fearful or stressed.)
  • Are there needs they have that are not being met?
  • Do they need extra love and attention from me?
  • Are they not feeling well, sleep-deprived, or hungry?

By asking yourself these questions, you may reduce complaining and head towards a grumble-free school year by realizing your child’s needs.

For older kids, they often grumble because they know outward defiance will get them in trouble. They feel frustrated about certain things, but they know they are not allowed to act out. Questions to ask older kids are:

  • What is worrying you?
  • Is anything making you anxious?

Then, instead of trying to solve all the problems yourself, ask, “What do you think we can do about this?” It’s amazing what solutions kids can come up with, and older kids learn to problem solve and not just grumble about it.

For my 4th practical tip towards having a grumble-free school year head over to Rooted Family for the rest of the article.

 

Are you ready to learn how to have True Homeschool Success?

Let me show you what has worked for our family for over two and a half decades. I want to share what’s given us the power so you too can lead your family through home education. Learn more here: True Homeschool Success

 

Filed Under: homeschooling

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

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How to have TRUE Homeschool Success

Are you ready to learn how to have True Homeschool Success? Let me show you what has worked for our family for over two and a half decades. I want to share what’s given us the power so you too can lead your family through home education.

 

How to have TRUE Homeschool Success

Home + school. It’s a decision we made years ago. But, to be honest, when we made that decision little did we know how it would affect generations to come of our little family.

We didn’t know *for sure* that homeschooling would give us the chance to teach our kids to trust God in all things.

We didn’t know *for sure* that reading missionary stories and talking about service to others would sink in.

And, we didn’t know *for sure* that our kids would develop strong relationships with God that would make them bold for Christ—willing to lead and follow Him where ever He called…


But we truly hoped and prayed that it would.

Now, we have three grown adults who not only survived homeschooling, but THRIVED! Our son Cory leads his lovely family to follow the Lord, our daughter Leslie is a missionary in the Czech Republic, and our son Nathan is a godly man pursuing Christ as He finds his career path.

Now, I get the amazing gift of homeschooling our seven adopted children as well! AND I get the amazing gift of seeing my grandchildren grow to be fully devoted followers of Christ too.

I have to tell you, this makes my heart burst.

How to have TRUE Homeschool Success

Would this have happened if we had chosen public school for our kids? Possibly. But the truth is, I KNOW that my time and efforts schooling our kids at home gave them a foundation of faith that has stood the test of time and now feeds into the faith of future generations of our family. THAT is a gift that keeps on giving.

 

When I see my beautiful grandchildren walking in the Lord I am overcome with gratitude that God called us to homeschool education. And I’m SO glad we took Him at His word when He said:

 

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

And:

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

 

Also:

“Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.” Deuteronomy 4:9

 

As well as:

“Teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 11:19

 

These Scriptures say to me that we as parents are called to be teachers. Not just some of the time, but in all things. We are to lead the children God blessed us with. And what an honor and blessing it is to do that.

How to have TRUE Homeschool Success

 

If you want to know more about how YOU can give the gift of a homeschool education to your family join me here: www.homeschoolsuccesscourse.com 

Let me share all the practical tips and tricks I’ve learned to:

—Homeschool multiple levels in four hours a day.

—Create a positive learning environment where your children will thrive.

—Invite your kids to join you on the journey of education.

 

 

—Understand the basics of homeschool laws and what your kids need to graduate and go to college.

—Discover your gifts as a homeschool teacher.

—Finding extra help for special needs kids.

…and so much more!

 

Here is my welcome module to give you a glimpse of this course!

 

YOU can give the gift of a homeschool education to your family by joining me here: www.homeschoolsuccesscourse.com 

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3 Steps to Turn Grumbling into Gratitude in your Homeschool

Today I want to share 3 steps to turn grumbling into gratitude in your homeschool. It’s hard to believe that Fall is around the corner. As we kick off a new homeschool year- we are still in very unsettled times. We may begin with one direction and have to change course at a moment’s notice due to the Pandemic. Perhaps now more than ever, we need to keep our focus where it needs to be and remember how critical our perspective is.

 

It's hard to believe that Fall is around the corner. As we kick off a new homeschool year- we are still in very unsettled times. We may begin with one direction and have to change course at a moment's notice due to the Pandemic. Perhaps now more than ever, we need to keep our focus where it needs to be and remember how critical our perspective is. Today I want to share 3 steps to turn grumbling into gratitude in your homeschool.

 

Remember what God thinks of grumbling.

The first step to turn grumbling into gratitude in your homeschool is to remember what God thinks of grumbling.

Sit down with your children and share the many Scriptures the Lord gives us that show the importance of praise and gratitude instead of grumbling.

Grumbling comes from the French language, which means “mutter between teeth.”

When we feel stressed, we think grumbling is a better option, but we forget how much God hates grumbling.

Why does God hate grumbling? Because, even if we don’t think so, it’s saying, “God, you’ve failed me.”

Also, the Bible talks about the grumbling Israelites in the desert. If you read in Exodus, there are chapters and chapters about this. But, it can be summed up in this:

In the desert, the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. Exodus 16:2 God had a promised land waiting for them, but they only focused on the challenges. And He wasn’t happy with their attitudes.

Numbers 14:26-29 says, “The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites.So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say: In this wilderness, your bodies will fall—every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me.”

Jesus also said, “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” in John 6:43

And James 5:9 says, “Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.”

By sharing these and other scriptures with your children, you will not just be telling your children something that you think they need to do, but you will be putting God’s authority with it. Children need to see that we are God-centered, and our directions have biblical backing.

Assess If There is An Underlying Reason For the Grumbling 

The next step to turn grumbling into gratitude in your homeschool is to see if there is a root reason. Often we move straight to correcting our kids, instead of figuring out the problem.

Bad attitudes, disobedience, and mouthiness are from the same vein. There is something unsettled within our kid.

It could be:

  • anxiousness
  • worry
  • fear
  • embarrassment

They could be:

  • overscheduled
  • tired
  • not having enough one-on-one time
  • feeling neglected or even bullied

To troubleshoot this, make a list of when the grumbling or anger happens.

  • Is it after screen time?
  • Is it during a particular subject in school?
  • Is it when they are getting ready for bed?

Next, try to figure out the why behind it:

  • Were they hungry?
  • Were they tired?
  • Were they overwhelmed?
  • Or is it that they simply don’t like the rules?

Then proactively seek solutions.

Here is an example of a situation we had in our family. Our kids don’t like bedtime. They always want to stay up later. So, We create a routine as fun as we could make it. For our 11 years old and under, they get ready for bed, get ice cream, and then it’s storytime. For our 12-year-olds and over, they get ready for bed, get ice cream, and watch a show with dad.

They don’t want to get ready for bed and of course, at that time of night, being tired doesn’t help with attitudes,

but ice cream is fun and shifts the focus off what they don’t want to do, to what they do want (icecream)!

Plus, the routine helps, so we don’t have to deal with grumbles or fights every day.

This strategy can work in turning grumbling into gratitude with your homeschooling as well.

Ask yourself:

  • What is the situation?
  • How does my child feel about this situation?
  • What is a system I can create around the problem?
  • How can I make that system fun?

 

Hardwire Praise To Turn Grumbling Into Gratitude

The third step to turn grumbling into gratitude in your homeschool is to hardwire praise in your heart and home.

We need to focus on God and the good, and then we will fully receive what God promised. But, we cannot do this of ourselves. It is not in us. We cannot tackle this problem alone. I’ve taught my kids to pray for the fruit of the Spirit. We cannot be loving, patient, kind, or grateful on our own. But we can ask God to work IN us.

Just like other emotions, gratitude is an emotion. It does not come naturally. It’s one that must be cultivated. We need to hardwire gratitude into our hearts consciously.

 

Tricia Goyer shares 3 steps to turn grumbling into gratitude in your homeschool.

 

David, in the Scriptures, talks to himself and encourages his heart in Psalm 42:5. He asks himself why he is discouraged and tells himself to look up and hope in God! When we are tempted to grumble or be discouraged, we need to talk to ourselves using the scriptures as encouragement. What kind of conversation are you having inside your head?

It truly can become a habit if you work at it. As one of my friends calls it, we need to be “magnifying our mercies.”

–Do you have an overwhelming amount of laundry? What a mercy that God has given you these little people!

– Is it rainy and cold outside? What a mercy that you have such a warm, cozy home!

-Are you behind in a specific homeschooling subject? What a mercy that with homeschooling, you can set your own pace and focus on what is most important at the time!

-Are you feeling overscheduled, overwhelmed, and unappreciated: “Thank you God that you have given me a sound mind to make healthy changes in my life and the strength to be strong in the things I can’t change.”

When we train ourselves to praise, it changes everything, and eventually, it can become a habit. The more we replace our grumbling with gratitude, the more we hardwire the right responses, and this is something we will carry with us for life. How do I know? I saw it first hand.

During these uncertain times, Tricia Goyer shares 3 steps to turn grumbling into gratitude in your homeschool.
 
For the last twenty years, my Grandmother has lived with us. Just a few months into our grumble free year, she fell and broke her back. In our already busy homeschool life, this was not expected. I had to pull back even more, and that was tough for me, and I was tempted to grumble; But, my Grandmother’s example convicted me.

Because of her dementia, each day, she awoke forgetting about her injury. Instead of complaining, she’d thank me for taking care of her. She’d also thank God for how good He was to her. Throughout the day, I’d hear Grandma singing praises to God as she lay immobile on her bed. She could not sit, stand, or walk, but she praised.

We can make a habit of turning our grumbling into gratitude in our homeschooling. And if we do this, no matter what the future year might hold, whether our plans fall into place as we had hoped, or whether the Lord changes our path to something different- we can trust in His divine plan and praise Him in our homeschool and our whole life!

What is something that you have done to turn grumbling into gratitude in homeschooling? I’d love to hear about it!

~Tricia

Want to learn more about my family’s commitment to have a Grumble Free Year?

Tricia Goyer The Grumble Free Year

The Goyer home–with two parents, eight kids, and one eighty-eight-year-old grandmother with dementia–is never without noise, mess, activity, and, often, complaining. And it’s not just the kids grumbling. After adding seven children in less than six years through adoption, the Goyer family decided to move out of survival-mode and into unity- and growth-mode. They decided to tackle the impossible: a grumble-free year. Check out the book.

 

Are You a New Homeschooler? Or Are You a Veteran Homeschooler That Needs Encouragement? Check out My Homeschool Success Course!

Tricia Goyer Homeschool Success Course

Are you desperate for all the best advice for homeschooling all in one place? So was I when I started 25 years ago. It’s way easier than you think, and I want to teach you the basics.

-How to save TONS of money.
-How to teach your kids together, so you don’t have to juggle multiple curriculums.
-And what I’ve learned to make things easier for myself!
Included in the course:
10 Video Modules
+ Workbook
 
Each module takes 20 minutes and will save you TONS of time, TONS of money, and will give you confidence and peace about the upcoming school year. Check out my limited discount!

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Homeschooling Success Can Be Yours Today

Believe me when I tell you–homeschooling success can be yours. Let me tell you how I made it work for our family and how you can too!

Homeschooling Success Can Be Yours

18 (short!) years. That’s’ all I had.  And with some of my adopted kids joining our family late in life, I knew I had even less than that with them. I wanted to pack my children’s lives with meaning. I wanted to give them the best life I could. Because someday, I wanted to stand before God and be able to say I had done all I could to raise my children to love and follow Him.

But something was holding me back. As I lay awake at night, it was like a weight sitting on my chest…the possibility of homeschooling.

I realize now, that weight was fear. I was scared that homeschooling would require me to kiss my dreams goodbye. That if I homeschooled, my kids would emerge from adulthood as weird, socially awkward creatures that people would roll their eyes at and say, ” Oh, they must have been homeschooled.” Most of all, I was afraid homeschooling would turn my life upside down.

In many ways, it did.

My dining room table was suddenly taken over by books and papers and my thoughts became consumed with worries about curriculum. homeschool co-ops, and conferences. I worried, was I even qualified to do this? My school-aged kids were home all the time, I had no time for myself.

But as the days passed into months, and months to years, I started to notice a few things:

My kids were playing outside when other kids were stuck in desks all day.

My kids truly loved learning and viewed the world as their classroom. They loved the Lord and were excited to serve Him.

These kids raised at home weren’t socially awkward–in fact, they loved talking to adults and could strike up a conversation with anyone anywhere.

I felt like I knew my kids–really KNEW them. I was confident I could give them each the individual attention they needed to be successful. Homeschooling had made it possible for me to reach them despite their different levels, abilities, and challenges.

Not only that, but I found I did have time for myself–time to write and publish books, serve moms in my community, and host a podcast.

So, I guess you could say that homeschooling did turn our lives upside down. But, 10 kids and 25 years later, I realized the truth:

Homeschooling didn’t turn our lives upside down. It turned our upside-down lives right side up.

Now I want to offer the same gift to YOUR family. The rich gifts of home education.

 

Homeschooling Success Can Be Yours

They say bravery isn’t the absence of fear, it’s moving towards the thing you fear anyway. Maybe you’ve got fears, concerns, questions. I’m here to tell you that’s OK. In fact, it’s actually very normal.

“For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?

Luke 14:28

You are right to consider the cost. And that’s exactly why I designed the Homeschool Success Course with you in mind. I know the cost and I know that the gift of a homeschool education to your children and your family is worth it. And I’m here to help you.

I’ve put my heart and soul into developing a course for you that outlines the most important aspects of homeschooling:

  • Creating a positive home environment where your children will thrive and learn.
  • ​Inviting your kids to join you on their education journey.
  • ​Understanding the basics of homeschooling laws and what it really takes for your kids to graduate and go on to college.
  • ​Discovering your gifts as a homeschooling teacher.
  • ​Finding extra help for special-needs kids.
  • ​… and more!

Homeschooling Success Can Be Yours

You can bypass the stress, confusion, and exhaustion I experienced in the early years. You can skip straight to the meaningful, fun adventure that comes with schooling your kids at home! Because I care, I’ve compiled my best tips and tricks, making it easy for you to give your family the rich gift of homeschooling. 

Don’t Wait!

Public and private schools are unsure how they’ll of how they’ll proceed this fall in the wake of the pandemic. But you don’t have to be. You can proceed confidently and wisely. You can start your homeschooling journey with an entire toolbox of knowledge and inspiration. 

Can you imagine what life will be like when you create a positive homeschooling environment where your children thrive and learn? And where you feel peace as a homeschooling mom?

Let me show you how! Learn more about The Homeschool Success Course now!

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Great Homeschool Resources for Girls Who Love Horses

Do you have horse lovers in your house?  I sure do! In fact, more than one. When you can couple homeschooling your child with the things that they love, it makes schooling that much more fun.  Today I want to tell you about some great homeschool resources for girls who love horses.

Great Homeschool Resources for Girls Who Love Horses- By Tricia Goyer

 

I love it when I can find ways to encourage my children’s love for learning. There is nothing like seeing their eyes light up as they develop their own interests. So, when we found the Circle C products, I knew it would be like candy for my girls. I mean, what little girl doesn’t love horse adventures? Add to that with paper dolls, coloring pages, lapbooks, and audiobooks, and you have a win/win situation! These are such great homeschool resources for girls who love horses!

 

From activity guides, to lapbooks, to Wild West novels, Susan K. Marlow knows how to capture kids’ attention. She’s also created exciting curricula for year-long literature and language-arts learning.

Or kids can read these historical adventure books just for fun! From your youngest (who can listen to the audiobooks), to teens, your girls will love these books.

Here is my daughter with some of the audiobooks: 12 hours worth of fun listening!

 

Great Homeschool Resources for Girls that Love Horses

While your kids are listening, they can also act out the stories with their paper dolls or color the coloring sheets that correspond with the books.

Susan and I are kindred spirits in that she began writing stories when she was 10 years old. In fact, you can read some of the stories she wrote as a teen here. As a busy mom, when she was not homeschooling her own children, she would retreat in the evenings and write about the wild, wild west and the Gold Rush.

Now she has dozens of books in print!

Susan has a series for boys about the Gold Rush as well. Make sure you can check out The Goldtown Books. So not only is this an excellent resource for girls who love horses but boys too!

But, one of the things I love the best is that Susan has made a whole bunch of her products FREE!

And there is so much more – all free on her site.
Your daughter (and son) is sure to find lots of goodies to enjoy.

Coloring Pages with Homeschool Resources for Girls Who Love Horses

paper dolls with great homeschool resources for girls who love horses

Go on a learning adventure with Circle C. Your horse-loving girl will LOVE these FREE stories! Download these free PDF Short Stories and enjoy! Great for Homeschooling and Coops. Encourage Reading and Love for books!

Susan also has a bunch of products that also make great gifts for your little horse lover.  I hope your family enjoys reading and learning through these visits back in time with all the Circle C beloved characters.

Have you ever read any of these books or gone on any of these adventures with Susan? Which ones are your favorite?

Homeschool Success

Have you checked out my homeschool success course yet?

Let me share all the practical tips and tricks I’ve learned to:

—Homeschool multiple levels in four hours a day.

—Understand the basics of homeschool laws and what your kids need to graduate and go to college.

—Discover your gifts as a homeschool teacher.

—Finding extra help for special needs kids.

…and so much more!

Here is my welcome module to give you a glimpse of this course!

 

YOU can give the gift of a homeschool education to your family by joining me here: www.homeschoolsuccesscourse.com 

 

 

Filed Under: homeschooling

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my newsletter, check out my podcast, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, or Instagram.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

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