For my little family of five, travel is a family legacy: It’s a priceless inheritance that’s been passed on from one generation to the next. My husband’s family history is filled…
Why Multi-Generational Travel Matters
Much-Needed Vacation & Encouragement at Teach Them Diligently Nashville 2016
For the past three years, a Teach Them Diligently Convention for homeschooling families has taken place fairly close to my home state of Oklahoma. The first year I attended Teach Them…
When Tough Circumstances Create Doubt: Should I Continue to Homeschool?
I have been homeschooling for 10 years now, and I’ve never really questioned our decision to homeschool. I have always enjoyed teaching my kids and being there for the “lightbulb” moments on…
Afraid to be a Homemaker? Think Again! Book Review: The Lifegiving Home
I’ve been a work-at-home mom for more than 14 years — and a homeschooling, work-at-home mom for six. However, I would quickly correct anyone who tried to call me a…
Finding Encouragement & Fellowship at Homeschool Moms Winter Summit
I’ll be completely honest: This past year has been a season of real brokenness for me, and I have mostly been in hiding. But when a friend asked me to attend the Oklahoma Homeschool Moms’ Winter…
Mother & Teacher: How Do You Wear Both Hats?
When I first started homeschooling my two middle-school-aged daughters more than 10 years ago, I remember really struggling with the mother vs. teacher dynamic right off the bat. I thought that homeschooling…
Review: Back to School Survival Manual
This year we’re embarking on our 6th year of homeschooling, and I can honestly say that each year has been a completely different adventure! The mission — our “why” — is the same, but…
New Name, Old Game: Is Talent Pipeline a New School to Work — And What’s Next?
When I was in college taking American Government in the early 1990s, I wrote a research paper on the then-new School To Work Opportunities Act of 1994. It was legislation written…
Homeschool Graduates: The Next Chapter
Many readers know that our two daughters are homeschool graduates: They both graduated from our homeschool when they were 16. Now that several years have passed, I thought it would be a good…
Back to School: Joining Artios Academies & Homeschooling High School
Last Monday was back-to-school week for my family, and our week started out with our first day at Artios Academies, a once-a-week integrated academic and arts program for homeschoolers that we’re participating in along…
Back to School at Guardian Academy: Curriculum & Plans for 2015-2016
We will soon be back to school at Guardian Academy, and lots of changes are taking place this year in our homeschool plans and curriculum choices. Last May we moved…
Review: HEDUA High School Planners
The idea of homeschooling high school can seem daunting even to the most organized and experienced homeschooling mom. In fact, one of the biggest concerns I hear from new and…
Homeschool Mother’s Journal: August 15th
Welcome to the August 15th edition of The Homeschool Mother’s Journal at NextGen Homeschool! This week was all about getting myself organized and our homeschool area prepped for the new homeschool year. My daughters…
Homeschool Mother’s Journal: August 8th
Welcome to the August 8th edition of The Homeschool Mother’s Journal at NextGen Homeschool! While many families in Colorado sent their children back to school this week, my family had another week of “great escape”…
Homeschool Mother’s Journal: August 1st
Welcome to the August 1st edition of The Homeschool Mother’s Journal at NextGen Homeschool! Can you believe it’s August already?!? Maybe you are ready for summer to be over, but I feel like summer…
Fabulous Family Movie Night: The Chronicles of Narnia Series
One of the things that we look forward to as parents is sharing our childhood favorites with our own children. So I couldn’t wait to read C.S. Lewis’s classic Chronicles of Narnia…
Three Generations at Teach Them Diligently
This was my third year attending a Teach Them Diligently Convention. The biggest blessing of the conference this year was being able to attend with three generations of my family: My…
Homeschool Mother’s Journal: July 25th
Welcome to the July 25th edition of The Homeschool Mother’s Journal at NextGen Homeschool! Join us by linking up your blog posts below and reading what other homeschooling mamas just like you are sharing this…
Homeschool Mother’s Journal: July 18th
Welcome to the July 18th edition of The Homeschool Mother’s Journal at NextGen Homeschool! Join us by linking up your blog posts below and reading what other homeschooling mamas just like you are sharing…
Homeschool Mother’s Journal: July 11th
Welcome to the July 11th edition of The Homeschool Mother’s Journal at NextGen Homeschool! Join us by linking up your blog posts below and reading what other homeschooling mamas just like you are sharing…
Homeschool Mother’s Journal: July 4th
Welcome to the July 4th edition of The Homeschool Mother’s Journal at NextGen Homeschool! Happy Independence Day! We hope you’re having a wonderful time celebrating with your family. Join us by linking up your…
Why I Won’t Miss a TTD Homeschool Convention
My family lives in Colorado, and we are blessed to have a state Christian homeschool convention here every June — and I’ve attended several. However after my first Teach Them Diligently Convention experience three…
Homeschool Mother’s Journal: June 27th
Welcome to the June 27th edition of The Homeschool Mother’s Journal at NextGen Homeschool! Join us by linking up your blog posts below and reading what other homeschooling mamas just like you are sharing…
Preparing for Teach Them Diligently Dallas
In less than a month, I will be enjoying the weekend with my sister, Elizabeth, and sister-in-law Renée, in Dallas at the Teach Them Diligently Convention. Every year I anticipate…
Homeschool Mother’s Journal: June 20th
Welcome to the June 20th edition of The Homeschool Mother’s Journal at NextGen Homeschool! Join us by linking up your blog posts below and reading what other homeschooling mamas just like you are sharing…
Tools to Help You Bloom as a Homeschool Mama
Although I’m a NextGen homeschooler and had a positive personal experience with homeschooling, I struggled with many of the same doubts and fears — the “big fat lies” — that…
Why a Daily Homeschool Routine Works for Us
As a former editorial manager who juggled a team of writers, editors and varying project deadlines on a wall-sized white board and spreadsheet, I didn’t expect to run into challenges…
Find Freedom From Your Homeschooling Fears
Fear often holds us back in our homeschooling journey and robs us of the joy God has in store for us as we teach our children and create deeper relationships with…
Homeschool Mother’s Journal: June 13th
Welcome to the June 13th edition of The Homeschool Mother’s Journal at NextGen Homeschool! Join us by linking up your blog posts below and reading what other homeschooling mamas just like you are sharing…
Learning Continues Despite Life’s Distractions
Even after 10 years of homeschooling, my biggest challenge is still consistency. Because of our lifestyle — owning two busy donut shops — my plans are interrupted on an almost daily…