I want the share inspiration and encouragement that is helping me.
Here’s a talk from Nancy Campbell at Above Rubies, that explains the hormone Oxytocin, the “peace hormone” and how to tap into its power to reduce stress and anxiety, and give you a feeling of peace!
Click here for a post on “Tips for Reducing Stress, Media, and Clutter”!
Try one of my Art & Logic Therapy journals to help calm your mind:
Are you homeschooling social kids who always want to work on school with someone else? Do they thrive with field trips, with friends, and snuggling with you on the couch to read? Are they interested in social studies, watching other people, and understanding more about social behaviors? Have you ever thought to yourself, “I wish they would be willing to work alone for a bit!”?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you are raising what we call a Friend Learner.
We know it can be a challenge to find a balance in educating kids who would much rather be social than “do school”, today we’ll offer some tips to help them thrive.
Friend learners want to learn with more friends involved! We recognize this can be tricky. Especially when you have other children to give your attention to. Or maybe, like me, you’re raising an only child and don’t have the ability- or energy- to be their primary social outlet every day. By tapping into their desire to connect & learn about others, you can find an educational approach that works for both of you.
This is the biggest key for Friend learners. We have to let go of the idea of “school” looking like quiet work alone with these kids. Yes, I will provide you with tips for how to get some quiet alone work below. AND your Friend learner is going to totally wither if this is what they’re expected to do all day.
Our Co-Op handbook has 30 projects Friend Learners can work on with others. It is a mix of life skills, outdoor activities, and community service projects your Friend Learner will love. These do not have to be done with a co-op. Let your friend learner pick who to complete them with- friends, family, a small group, or-yes- a co-op. Some Friend Learners want to do one a week while others want to do one a month, quarter, or semester to really dive in. Work with them to figure out what they’d most like to do.
These kids are often interested in social studies. They really enjoy learning about other cultures, communities, people groups, careers, and all things people-related. Animals are also often a big interest, and they may want to involve a pet in their school day. World Tour is an especially popular journal for Friend learners as it involves cultures and animals! The Guide to Birth Work is popular among a lot of Friend teens who want to either be involved in birth work or have children of their own one day. By tapping into their interests, you can set them up to love learning. As a bonus, they’ll often be more than willing to work on school work alone when it is something they are interested in.
Your Friend learner will open up in a totally different way outdoors and on Field Trips. Homeschooling social kids usually means a lot of outings. These kids often really enjoy going out with our Bird Watching Journal. Bird watching is a perfect togetherness activity, especially as you learn more about different birds using the Book of State Birds. Kids get so excited when they correctly identify a bird out in nature and document it themselves! They also feel more bonded through the shared experience with whomever they’re bird-watching. Field Trips are another great way to provide this outlet for them.
Give your child a dedicated chunk of time together to set up their learning. It will help meet their need for time together, and that, in turn, will fill their bubble enough they’ll be able to work independently for a bit. Math Mysteries is a favorite for Friend Learners. You can create problems for them to solve in this journal. Kids often love it when you create silly or seemingly extremely difficult problems- that they can meet with success!
If you can take a bit of time to read together every day, that will make a big difference too. A Day Like Tomorrow is a fun little book about being together wither others and animals. Gather up some beautiful Living Books to read together before your child starts their school work. Fill their cup of “togetherness” time and tap into something they are learning about.
Setting up your Friend Learner’s core journal with them is also helpful. Some Friends open up a blank core journal and feel overwhelmed. Homeschooling with Pets is one of the most popular core journals for Friend learners. Sit down with them once a day or once a week to “preview” what they will work on. You may need to make some notes in the journal for what exactly they should be working on- which book, how many pages from the book, etc. Some Friend learners also like to have a note made for activities they can do with someone else.
Friend Learners LOVE it when Mom (or another adult/older sibling) sits next to them during school. Mom School gives you an opportunity to be a good example of lifelong learning while giving your child the feeling of connection they desire. You can invite your Friend learner to color in your journal or “help” you with different words as you’re reading/writing. Many moms homeschooling social kids like to select a journal to work on together. You and your child can each get a copy and learn with each other.
Even the most extroverted of children- and adults- need time alone. They will burn themselves out and sometimes even make themselves sick if they don’t get it. We incorporate a lot of art and creativity in our journals to give a pause. Art has been shown to help the brain process what it has already learned- as well as just life in general! It is critical for Friend learners to become comfortable with taking time alone to pause and go inward a bit. Comfort & Joy Brain Games is a favorite for Friends- full of all things cozy and togetherness. Have your student do a few pages from it every week.
If possible, invite someone else older to come alongside your student for part of their schooling. They can work through a journal of interest together, sit and read aloud, or take them on field trips. Laura & Leah’s Journal for Two and Spelling Time for Two were both created with Friend Learners in mind! So was our Storytelling Book. These would be fantastic journals to bring someone else to work on with your student. Older siblings often really enjoy getting to “teach” their younger sibling. Or see if a nearby relative, friend, or trusted neighbor can help. We’ve even had distant relatives purchase a journal to work on via video chat with a child. Get creative in involving others.
It can be hard to find balance when homeschooling social kids. Ask for their feedback regarding having their desire for time with others met. Sometimes, we make our plan, and it goes well for a bit, so we don’t think to check in again. I find checking in about every six weeks is best. Six weeks gives everyone a good feel for the current rhythm and then changes can be made. Be willing to go with the flow. Your Friend learner will likely have cycles where they desire more or less time with others. You are their best advocate!
If you’re homeschooling social kids, we’ve created this bundle just for them. It contains our most popular journals for Friend Learners and a suggested lesson plan. It and many of the journals mentioned above are on SALE for our February 2025 Friend Month.
WIN THIS BUNDLE –
Hop over to Facebook and Instagram for a chance to WIN the bundle. Hurry, the contest ends on Saturday, February 8th.
Stay tuned monthly as we announce a new secret theme with sales, giveaways, bundles, tips, and more.
Let us know what other questions and resources would be helpful for you to homeschool your Friend kid!
This content originated from David Morris over on X
Parenting is hard. Parents have to choose their battles. Here are 8 fights worth picking with your kids:
Make your kids read. Because reading is tied to everything from cognitive development to the ability to focus.
The Outside Fight:
Make your kids go outside. The natural world teaches us things. Plus, outside there’s sunshine, fresh air, and exercise waiting for them. Most importantly, nature is full of things in short supply in our world: Discovery, wonder, peace, joy.
The Work Fight:
Make your kids work. I’m saddened by how many parents don’t require their kids to lift a finger at home. There are priceless life principles you can only learn with a mop in your hand. Let sweat be their teacher.
The Meal Fight:
Make your kids eat as a family. Our lives are a blur of incessant activity. Meals together are a physical pause to recover a truth so easily sacrificed at the altar of busyness. Nothing’s more important than family.
The Boredom Fight:
Make your kids live with boredom. Don’t show a DVD on each car ride. Kids need unscheduled time. And, odd as it sounds, boredom is a skill. It’s hard as a parent to deal with the assault of boredom complaints. But if you give in and fill up their time with external stimuli, you’ll raise an activity addict. Make them learn how to be.
The “Me First” Fight:
Make your kids go last. Not every time for everything. But enough to remember that the world doesn’t revolve around them. Take the smallest piece. Give up the remote. Do someone else’s chores. Get their least favorite choice. They won’t like it, but they need it.
The Awkward Conversation Fight:
Make your kids have uncomfortable conversations with you. Sex, dating, body image, values…Your kids will roll their eyes and resist. You will stumble and stutter. They need and want your perspective, lessons learned, and wisdom.
The Limitation Fight:
Learning to live within limits is a valuable life skill. In fact, many adult problems arise from an inability to accept them. Screen time limits, dietary limits, activity limits, and schedule limits are all good.
As a parent, you have to pick your battles. They’re not easy, but they’re worth the fight.
Click here for the full discussion.
We include copywork pages in almost every Fun-Schooling journal. Sometimes, a mom asks, “What is copywork?” or “What do I do with these copywork pages?” Today, we wanted to explain copywork, how it is done, and why we incorporate it.
Copywork was popularized in homeschooling by Charlotte Mason but has been a part of education—and writing—for much longer. Professional writers, copywriters, students, CEOs, and others use copywork. In a home education setting, copywork involves a student copying a passage from a book, scripture, or poem.
The student, teacher, or parent can select this passage. Some families print up a selection of copywork passages for a student to keep in their journal and complete. Other families mark passages that stand out while reading for students to refer back to. Personally, I like to use book darts for this!
Copywork has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to teach spelling, grammar, punctuation, writing mechanics, and style. Writers regularly use copywork and copy passages from other writers whom they want to emulate. It helps create a muscle memory for writing well!
Copywork is simple. Students should copy the passage using their best handwriting, going slow and steady to ensure no errors. It is an exercise in handwriting, spelling, language arts, and attention to detail.
Some children may do best if they put a solid piece of paper on the passage they are copying. They can then move this paper down line-by-line to avoid the visual overstimulation from too many words on a page. Sometimes, you may want to provide two pieces of paper to cover everything except the current line a child is working on.
Many children may only be able to get through a sentence when beginning. Some families choose to have their children focus on a length of time, ensuring they’re doing their very best work. Others require a specific length of text. Keep an eye on your child to see how they are progressing and adjust accordingly.
Early elementary– 1-5 sentences, 5-10 minutes.
Late elementary– 1 paragraph-half a page, 10-15 minutes.
Middle school & high school– half a page to a full page- 15-30 minutes.
Remember- these are just general guidelines! You will also find a handful of our journals encourage writing the same short passage seven times. Repeating something seven times cements it into your memory and creates new neural pathways. This can be beneficial when you’re looking to memorize or emulate someone else’s writing.
If your child can fluently write independently, you may be surprised it takes them much longer to do copywork. This is normal. The child is paying strong attention to detail, focusing on their best handwriting, and no errors. Whereas, in other writing tasks, they know they can go back to edit and aren’t as concerned about writing perfectly.
We believe it is one of the best ways to teach a child all the aspects of writing. It is also beneficial for developing attention to detail, focus, and concentration. And we have seen the studies about how effective it is across disciplines- not just writers! You’ll find copywork in our Mom School journals too. It’s a fantastic skill for everyone. Copywork helps you store important words and skills in your mind and heart.
Having your child do some copywork every day is essential. Copywork is a no-pressure form of writing where they do not have to remember the mechanics, think of ideas, or worry about spelling. It can be effective for kids who are reluctant or struggling writers. Here are a few other tips for kids who struggle with writing-
First of all, writing is much more difficult than we realize! Schools push kids to write and writing skills kids are not developmentally ready for. It’s perfectly normal for kids to struggle with and dislike writing.
Use gel pens or colored pencils to make it extra fun! From there, you can decide how much writing you want to require your child to do.
Our Dyslexia Games helps with writing. It is excellent for all children- not only those with Dyslexia, especially younger children. We’ve had just about as many non-dyslexic kids use it as those with Dyslexia. I highly suggest it for helping with writing, reading, spelling, problem-solving, math, creative writing, and comprehension.
A couple of other ideas/ suggestions:
– Print PDFs “booklet” style. This prints them smaller and gives children less of a “blank canvas” to work from, making writing less intimidating.
– Let kids draw, color, or cut out photos and collage in their journals instead of writing.
– Kids can dictate to you and you can write for them.
– Use talk-to-text and print their answers.
– Discuss the answers and make a few notes after your discussion is over
– Kids can repeat journals. Let them write a couple of short sentences when they’re younger and then revisit the same journal years later and expand!
– Our pocket-size core journals are also a popular option for kids who don’t love to write. They’re tiny and not as intimidating as a full-size blank page. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1539449793/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1539502821/
You can also use PDFs digitally with the following apps/programs-
-Goodnotes
-Kami
-Notability
-Liquid Text
-PDF Expert
Make sure your child does some copywork every day. It’s the best way to teach writing skills.
We hope this helps answer the “what is copywork” question. Feel free to reach out if we can offer any additional clarity.
Check out this article for more helpful writing tips.
A Summer with Sarah is a series of journal entries from the summer Sarah turned 18.
Reflections in Virginia Beach
It’s Tuesday, June 14th, 1994. We arrived in Virginia Beach earlier today and are staying in a motel apartment just half a block from the beach. It’s pretty nice.
Mom and Dad just got back from shopping at the commissary. I can hear the others in the living room and kitchen. They’re all excited because they saw on C-SPAN that the Senate is in session. We visited that room yesterday when we went to Washington, D.C. We even took some pictures while we were there.
My favorite part of the trip was the art museum. I love Mary Cassatt’s paintings and Gainsborough’s. I could imagine them, hundreds of years ago, stepping back to critique their finished work, having no idea that in 1994, a young lady named Sarah Janisse would also be stepping back to admire their wonderful masterpiece.
At the Museum of National History, I found myself dreaming of watching the First Ladies and their dresses dancing with the President at the Inaugural Ball 200 years ago.
Something really pierced my heart as I walked past the Vietnam War Memorial, with its wall engraved with the names of thousands of men who died. My dad said his name could have very well been on that wall too. It was the first time he saw it, and he was really touched. He looked like he might cry.
A Conversation on the Subway
On the subway back to the parking lot, I sat beside a lady named Joyce. She was a small Black woman in her early 30s—very sweet—and we talked. She had lived in Washington, D.C. her whole life. She asked where I was from and where I was going, so I told her.
She asked me about college, and I told her I planned to go to art school and Bible college. She asked a few more questions, and I was able to share a little about how I’m a Christian and how believing in the Bible is so important in life. I didn’t say much, but I pray the Lord will use my witness to inspire her to read the Bible and come to know Jesus.
A Prayer for Provision and Blessing
I hope and pray that this will be a very successful art show. Lord, bring people to buy more paintings. Please provide for our needs. But I don’t ever have to ask—you always provide, so I’ll just thank you instead.
Father, I thank you now for abundantly meeting all of our needs. You are so faithful. Thank you that I can trust in you to give me all that I need. Thank you for caring. I will lack nothing.
A Prayer for Josh and His Family
I’m going to call Josh sometime and give him the number here. Lord, work it out and make a perfect time for me to call him. Pour your blessings on him and his family. Give them joy. Show his dad where to go on vacation—you know just what would be best—so let your will be done.
Thank you for working everything out. I’m not quite sure how Josh’s parents expect me to act, but I want to please them as I please you. Work it out. Let it come naturally for me to be a blessing to them. Please, Jesus, don’t allow me to be a burden.
I want to be helpful, not in the way. I want them to be happy to have me with them. Let me be someone they enjoy, not just someone they tolerate. I love Josh, and it’s important that his family loves me.
Let them see that it’s your plan that Josh and I are together. Let them accept the fact joyfully and receive me as I am, in your time.
A Prayer for Josh’s Sisters Becky and E (E is his foster sister). The are both young teens.
Use me in the lives of Becky and E to draw them closer to you. Let me be an encouragement to them to follow you with all their hearts. These girls will be part of my life forever—let us love now.
I know that you love Becky and E so much, just as you love me. Use me to show them your love. Work in their hearts. Use me.
Bless Josh now with your peace.
Be glorified. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Click here for a free Mary Cassatt picture study for homeschoolers.
Today I took an hour
To rearrange my things
To think about my goals
And to reignite my dreams
I went from shelf to shelf
To gaze upon each book
As if to stop and ask myself
To take a deeper look
To think of who I want to be
The skills I hope to learn
To set imagination free
To love, to grow, to yearn.
I found my favorite basket
Full of other people’s things
I dumped it out, and asked it
To be the keeper of new dreams.
I start fresh from empty
And held it with one hand
Without hesitation we
Set off to make new plans.
I found my favorite books again
And promised to begin
To treat them as my dear friends,
And then I found some pens
I found my father’s Bible
Filled with his notes and lines
I’ll take his thoughts once more to heart
and try to make them mine.
I have a little journal for each and every child
I fill the pages with my prayers
Through times of tears and smiles
I have some colored pencils
Some photos and memories
I’ll add a story book of course
For my little girls to read.
My basket is almost ready
My heart and mind feel full
Now I just need a cup of tea
And a journal for my soul
Today I took an hour
To rearrange my things
I’m ready now to grow and learn
And to reignite my dreams.
~Sarah Janisse Brown
Read about Mom-School here.
Find Mom-School journals here.
I’ve written before about super-creators, but I think it’s important to remember just what a super-creator is, and how to nurture your super-creator child! Two of my kids are super-creators — they’re driven by a powerful internal vision of what they want to make and are laser-focused on bringing that vision to life! They often resist learning anything unless it directly serves their creative goals, and struggle with learning by lecture or lessons directed by another person.
A super-creator doesn’t just want to create — they almost need to create. Their journey is deeply personal and non-negotiable, with anything that interferes with their creative process which is seen as a roadblock or a threat. Some projects take hours, others years, but their focus remains unwavering! It’s this determination that I find so admirable! These children have a vivid mental picture of the end result and seem to work backward, figuring out the steps needed to make that vision real. Often, what they imagine is far beyond their current abilities, but they’re not deterred!
Super-creators are deeply absorbed in their work, and anything they perceive as unrelated to their goal can feel like a distraction. If parents or teachers try to divert their attention, they can become disengaged or resistant. However, when adults come alongside them, supporting the process without taking over, the results can be incredible!
Too often, our culture tries to mold super-creators into obedient, “well-behaved” students, thinking we’re teaching discipline. In doing so, we risk stifling their natural gifts. Super-creators are rare, and if you have one, you’ve been entrusted with something truly special — a rainbow unicorn!
Do you have a super-creator? What challenges have you faced? What wins have you celebrated? And how blessed you are to be raising such talented and driven children!
Are you raising a kid who always wants to be on the go, go, go? Do they thrive with field trips, time in nature, and lots of variety? Are you homeschooling active kids who love adventure? Have you been told they have ADHD but in your gut, you think they just need more activity and excitement than other kids?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you are raising what we call Explorer kids.
Many parents find it overwhelming or challenging to raise these kids. With the right shift to meet their needs, it doesn’t have to be.
Explorer kids are frequently labeled as ADHD, hyperactive, and distractible. We want to acknowledge these diagnoses are often relevant, and you should always listen to your doctor’s advice. It’s also important to recognize these are frequently slapped on kids being asked to learn in a way their brains are not wired to. Tinkering with what works best for them can help them—and you—have a wonderful life.
We’ve specifically designed Fun-Schooling journals for these kids. Journals like Homeschooling Active Girls and Homeschooling Active Boys have lots of variety, creative projects, and invitations to get outside and move!
These kids are not typically going to do well when told exactly what to do. They’ll often shut down or feel like they’re being micromanaged. It’s okay to provide books, journals, documentaries, etc, you think are critically important to their education. It’s also essential to give them a say and let them at least choose their own “electives” or plan their school year with you. These kids often love travel and space. They enjoy journals like All About Space, Mission to Mars, and Explorers & Pioneers.
Explorer kids do best on the move. Nature feeds their minds and souls. Our Wilderness Adventure Handbook is one of the most popular journals for Explorer kids. It gives them a chance to get outdoors and learn how to not only enjoy it but also survive and thrive.
Explorer kids would go on field trips all day, every day. However, we know this is not practical for most families. Therefore, providing ways for them to satisfy this need for excitement is helpful. You can combine this with helping them dive into their passions. Journals like All About Sharks, Fun-Schooling with Dragons, and Exploring our Planet—especially the Minecraft version—give them a chance to do this, along with plenty of variety in their days!
Spelling, writing, and math are typically the top subjects Explorer kids complain about. The journals we’ve already talked about can help with writing and some spelling. Explorer kids enjoy our Four Seasons Spelling Time because it combines nature spelling and taps into their creative wiring. Pirate Pronunciation is an excellent option for older kids with a strong foundation who need to learn the basic mechanics of writing and the English language. Comic Book Math is a fun entry-level math resource. Life of Fred and Khahn Academy are popular math options for these kids.
Boredom is good- modern society has forgotten that. You can read more of our thoughts on boredom here. It’s essential to help your Explorer kids learn to calm down their busy brains. Give them “white space” to process their learning, rest, and relax. Fire Light Brain Games is a favorite for Explorer kids. It’s full of nature-themed activities designed to help with mindfulness and mental clarity. We incorporate coloring and brain games in our journals to help with this also.
Homeschooling active kids means their school education will look vastly different from their peers sitting in a classroom all day. This is fine! It is a blessing to customize your kid’s education to what they need. If you recently pulled them out of school, you may need to provide a period of deschooling. Deschooling allows them to fall in love with learning again—or maybe even for the first time—and heal any wounds from the classroom.
Explorer kids help us see and experience the world in different ways. Let them bring fun, adventure, and excitement into your home, and you will all thrive!!!
If you’re homeschooling active kids, we’ve created this bundle just for them. It contains our most popular journals for Explorer kids and a suggested lesson plan. It and many of the journals mentioned above are on SALE for our January 2025 Explorer month.
Stay tuned monthly as we announce a new secret theme with sales, giveaways, bundles, tips, and more.
Let us know what other questions and resources would be helpful for you to homeschool your Explorer kid!
Written by Ella Bundy from podcast content
When it comes to parenting, you never quite know what challenges you’ll face. For me, one of the biggest surprises came in the form of dyslexia. My oldest daughter, Anna, is the first one that we discovered is dyslexic, and it’s really an amazing story!
My first son, Isaac, was a natural when it came to letters and reading. He was already reading by age five, so I figured I’d use the same approach with Anna. But Anna was different – a free spirit who could never sit still. At four, she showed zero interest in reading, so I decided to step back and let her explore her own interests, like drawing and nature.
By the time Anna turned six, I felt it was time to focus on helping her learn to read – but it quickly became apparent that something wasn’t clicking. Phonics made no sense to her. She would get upset, she would get angry, she would cry. She would get one word correct one day, and then, the next day, she’d forget it. We tried again when she was seven, even bringing in a teacher, but the struggle continued.
As Anna approached eight and still couldn’t read, I started to worry. With five or six children at that point, my in-laws began suggesting that I might be too busy with the younger ones to teach her properly. It was heartbreaking when, at nine years old, Anna told me she didn’t care about learning to read because it was too hard for her to differentiate between letters. She declared she’d just be an artist and a mom instead.
I remember sitting there, stunned by her words. After a moment of reflection, I gently told her, “Anna, God wouldn’t have given us the Bible unless he was going to give us the ability to be able to read it.” It was then that I realized we needed a different approach. Anna was a real problem-solver, so I decided to try and outsmart her reluctance to read by creating something that turned reading into a problem-solving challenge.
Click here to find out what Sarah did next (and access some free resources)!
A unit study is a deep dive into a topic or interest. In the public school system, this might be a deep dive into a specific subject: math, English, history, science, etc. In the realm of Fun-Schooling, though, these unit studies can be far more specific to the interests of your child! They can be based on a favorite animal, a recently read book, a place your child wants to travel or even a historical event that intrigues them!
With Fun-Schooling, you’re also allowed to make unit studies more flexible, and can focus on more than one aspect at a time. For example, you can break one topic down into a study that can teach a little bit about each major subject. Say your topic is fossils. Here are some ways you could break this down:
Study Geology (and every OTHER required subject) with Minecraft! Here’s how!!!!
Rocks & Minerals: https://amzn.to/3zmRb8B
Homeschooling with Minecraft: https://amzn.to/3xYinu7
Seven Subject Science with Minecraft: https://amzn.to/4a7CxFY
Math for Minecrafters: https://amzn.to/3roCjUm
Rock Research Set: https://amzn.to/3kE4Nbv