I love the idea of traditions just as much as the next person, and the warm and fuzzy feelings that word evokes in my heart. However, I’ll admit that, try as I might to establish and keep traditions, I’ve really struggled over the years with consistency. Which is a problem […]
Author: Renée Gotcher
Renée Gotcher is a freelance writer, editor, and recently “retired” homeschooling mother of three daughters (her eldest graduated from Moody Bible Institute and two younger daughters attend Bob Jones University). Still adjusting to an empty nest, Renée is the Communications Coordinator for Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC), where she continues serving the homeschooling community she has been a part of for the past 15 years. Renée and her husband of 30 years, Kenny, are next-generation homeschoolers who began homeschooling when they moved to Castle Rock, CO, in 2010. In 2011, Renée launched this homeschooling blog with her homeschooling sister and sisters-in-law. She has served the local homeschool community through part-time teaching and administrative roles at a private homeschool partnership program and volunteer leadership positions at homeschool support groups. As a freelancer, Renée was a contributing writer to the devotional anthology, "Life Changing Stories;" she contributes monthly devotionals to the Daybreak Devotions series on Crossmap.com and writes on her personal blog, The Pace of Grace.
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Strategies to Slow Down & Savor the Season
Can you believe Thanksgiving is less than one week away? Ready or not, the retail rush into the holidays has been in full force for weeks now, with Christmas displays up at some stores in my town even before Halloween! And I’ve been inundated with email ads from businesses that can’t even wait for Black […]
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Five Reasons I’m Thankful for Homeschooling
As a NextGen Homeschooler, I am thankful for my own homeschooling experience as well as the opportunity to homeschool my own daughters now. Homeschooling has come a long way since the mid-80s when my mom started homeschooling: From more curriculum options and enrichment programs to public funding for homeschooling co-ops. Homeschooling is […]
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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 as students have helped shape many of our best systems and strategies today. In the next 31 days, we’ll be […]
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31 Days of Homeschool How-To: Unit Studies
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 as students have helped shape many of our best systems and strategies today. In the next 31 days, we’ll be […]
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31 Days of Homeschool How-To: Save Money
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 as students have helped shape many of our best systems and strategies today. In the next 31 days, we’ll be […]
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31 Days of Homeschool How-To: Daily Routine
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 as students have helped shape many of our best systems and strategies today. In the next 31 days, we’ll […]
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When Back-to-School Isn’t Picture Perfect
What do you remember most about the back-to-school season of your youth? The smell of freshly sharpened pencils, perfectly tipped crayons and a clean backpack? Picking out a cooler lunchbox? Laying out your first day’s wardrobe, complete with scuff-free school shoes & coordinating hair accessories? Making plans to sit next to your […]
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Homeschooling in a Dual-Purpose Room
Welcome to our family front room slash dining room slash daily homeschool area! We have been homeschooling in a dual-purpose room for the past four years, and I have reorganized this room every summer to better combine its many functions. For starters, it’s the first room you see when you walk in the […]
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Does Common Core Affect Homeschoolers?
As a homeschool blogger and leader in my local homeschool support group, I get a lot of questions about Common Core. Questions like: “What’s the deal with Common Core? Why should I be concerned? Does Common Core affect homeschoolers?“ I’ve even met parents who’ve decided to homeschool or are considering homeschooling […]
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10 Tips for Parenting Teens With Wisdom & Love
We’re all familiar with the common conflicts between parents and teens, situations like: “My teenage daughter is addicted to her phone, and if we take it away for punishment, she acts like her life is over! How can I be firm without becoming public enemy No. 1?” Although the technology […]
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Parenting Tweens & Teens: Fears to Overcome
When our children are young, danger is obvious. The guidance we provide is very tangible, and saying “no” is part of daily life. However, as our children enter the tween and teen years and begin to develop their own judgement, setting rules and guidelines for them gets more complicated. We […]