Today is a gift

Every single day is a blessing and I believe that we should treat it as such. We live for a purpose. Our amazing God didn't create us with no purpose in mind. I could never believe that. And, so I'm prompted to ask myself...."What are you going to do today with God's gift of life?"  It's simple, yet powerful!  

Stay amazing friends! Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

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Why I Keep Homeschool Simple

Sounds fabulous, doesn't it? Keeping homeschool simple.  The word simple just sounds so, well, simple. Ha! You see what I did there? Anyhow, keeping it simple is my thing. I really mean it. I'm a simple kinda gal, but I haven't always been. Some people seem to be born with the natural ability to keep things simple. I wasn't one of them.

Simple things add up to be some of the best things and this has really proved true in my life. I'm sure we have all heard the saying "Less is More".  I truly believe that I will stand by that saying.

In our previous years of homeschooling, I have tried to wing it. You know, tried the whole create as we go and hope for the best method. You see it's actually a fabulous way of learning, IF you keep it simple. I haven't always kept it simple. One idea would turn into a hundred and many times I felt like there was too much to accomplish and no time to do it all. We always rushed. These constant activities and feelings kept us from truly being able to retain what we were learning. Whenever I tried to “do it all” I was soon spread too thin to be any good to anyone. It was a constant race from one activity to the other. We didn't feel satisfied. We had feelings of failing, because we weren't getting it all done. It was tiresome and it was no fun. The times we were relaxed, slowed down and kept it simple, things flowed better. We learned better. We retained better. We honestly enjoyed ourselves. I have to continuously keep reminding myself….the biggest reason that I decided to homeschool my daughters is for them to learn at their own pace and ENJOY learning.

We do curriculum reviews and are constantly changing from one curriculum to another. You might wonder...How is that keeping it simple? Well, we take our time and enjoy each one and when we are done we move on. Unless we absolutely love it, then we stick with it. Overall, I just find what works best for my daughters and allow them to move at their own pace. There is no need to rush things. It will all be there tomorrow, I'm sure of it. It's okay to take breaks and enjoy the blessings that surround us daily.

I have learned that homeschooling can be made far more complicated than it should be. A simpler approach is just much more effective. Simple just works for us!

 
Sweet homeschool momma, are you keeping things simple? Do you feel rushed, overwhelmed, possibly burned out?  First things first, Pray! Then take a deep breath and remember tomorrow is a new day. A new day to try new things. A new day to keep it simple. Remember, there is beauty in simplicity.

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The Lonely Homeschool Mom

I've heard. Oh! have I. That it is so important for homeschoolers to socialize their children. Ha! We can't be weird un-socialized homeschoolers. :) My children are social. Truth is, I sometimes think my children are more social than I am. I rarely hear anything about mom though. Nobody really addresses the loneliness a homeschool mother can feel. It's real! Very real. I have lived it. 

Homeschooling Confessions - Pajama Mama

Hi, my name is Jennifer. I homeschool and I'm a pajama mama. Gasp! Yep...Sometimes I don't get out of my pajamas all day long. Double Gasp! Whew! This is a moment of honesty that is being put into words even though words are scary to see, I'm okay with it. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery, right? Oh boy! What am i saying, I don't have a problem, hahaha. Seriously though I need no recovery, because last time I checked I don't feel truly recovered from my day until I'm comfy in my pajamas. Although do me a favor and do not go look up the words pajama mama in the urban dictionary. (You are aren't you?). It's a horrible example, an example I want absolutely no part in. I'd like to rewrite it though, and say something like - Pajama mama - able to conquer the world in her pajamas...Yep, that's more like it. On a more serious note though, you will not see me outside of my home in my pajamas, well unless you drive by and I'm sitting on my porch. That's the extent of it though. I do not wear pajamas every day, all day,  but if I could...ahhh...I'd love it. That would be the life. Well friends, I truly had the intention of writing something with a little more substance. This will just have to do, because it's time to go put on my pajamas and get some shut eye. I suppose I can leave you with a good quote though and a coupon code for awesome pajamas.