Are homeschoolers cheap? Hopefully, we are frugal — not cheapskates! There’s a difference between being a good financial steward and avoiding paying a fair share of costs or expenses. As homeschoolers,…
31 Days of Homeschool How-To: Find Support
Welcome to our October “31 Days” series at NextGen Homeschool: 31 Days of Homeschool How-To Tips! As NextGen Homeschoolers, we remember what it was like to be homeschooled ourselves, and our experiences…
Whole-Hearted Homeschooling: It’s Not What You Do, But Why
Last night I had the pleasure of meeting 20-year homeschooling veteran Lori Lane, founder of Artios Academies and The End in Mind, a Christian homeschooling encouragement blog. As the guest…
Homeschooling Tweens: Great Group Activities
Today we’re finally celebrating my eldest daughter’s thirteenth birthday with her friends (two weeks late!), and as we prepare to welcome her guests, I’m reminded about how blessed we are…
Top Homeschooling Posts of 2013: Homeschool Encouragement
Welcome to NextGen Homeschool’s Top Homeschooling Posts of 2013 Series! This week we’ll be sharing the top homeschooling topics — and most viewed posts — of last year based on…
Five Places to Find Homeschool Encouragement
This week we are participating in Teach Them Diligently’s homeschool blog link-up, “How to Stay Encouraged While Homeschooling.” Finding support and encouragement for your homeschooling journey is vital. No matter…
Five Steps to Start a Homeschool Co-Op
Last month I shared five reasons to consider starting or joining a homeschool co-op at Today’s Frugal Mom. This month, I’m sharing five steps to start a homeschool co-op based on…
Five Reasons to Consider Homeschool Co-Ops
The concept of homeschool “co-ops” is to “cooperate” with one or more families to share any part of the homeschool educational process. They can be as simple as two families…
Friday Flashback: Projects, lapbooks & more!
In my life this week… it was non-stop action at the Gotcher household! A week ago today, I was driving down to Colorado Springs for a last-minute trip to see…
Tuesday’s Tip: Host a Moms Resources Swap
Last night my local homeschool group dedicated a portion of our monthly meeting to a “resources swap.” Similar to a curriculum/book swap or clothing swap, the idea was for moms…
What’s Working: Group presentation days
Back when my mom began homeschooling, I was the eldest child and a junior in high school with lots of prior experience in public speaking. I was in drama club…
When in doubt, seek support!
One of the most common feelings expressed to me by other homeschooling moms is self-doubt. Am I doing enough? Am I doing it right? Am I organized enough? Am I…
Unexpected gifts on an atypical schooling day
Today was a great homeschooling day. Not because it was “ideal” in terms of schedule, flow, and checking off a lot of boxes on the “to do” list. But God…
Ask a NextGen Homeschooler: What about “co-op” schooling?
Welcome to “Ask a NextGen Homeschooler…” It’s your turn to ask the authors of NextGen Homeschool — four formerly homeschooled moms who are now homeschooling our children — to weigh…
The Role of Homeschool Support Groups
This weekend I attended my first board meeting for our local homeschool support group, Homeschoolers of Castle Rock. I recently accepted the board positions of Membership Coordinator and Web Admin…
Standing Out in a Crowd
By Renée Gotcher Last week our homeschool group took an interesting field trip to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. It was interesting because although these days most museums,…
My, How Times Have Changed!
“When I was a kid, I had to walk five miles to school… uphill… in the snow!” We’ve all heard that one before — Grandpa’s way of saying, “Stop complaining!…
Our First Week: Getting Back in the Swing
The Sunday before our first “scheduled” day of the new school year, our family spent about eight hours driving back home from Telluride, Colorado — pulling into our driveway as…