Thrift Schooling

  History is a tricky subject—but it did not used to be. In the 1800s, American school children learned about the origin of their country from school books, family stories, and Independence Day celebrations complete with the full reading of the Declaration of Independence. Now, American history is convoluted and viewed through political lenses, often distorting the reality of what actually happened. Do you ever wish you could go back in time and experience it for yourself? (If anyone is working on a time machine, please let me know.) Or do you ever wish you could speak first-hand with someone who heard the Liberty Bell ring on that memorable day? I know that I do.  Since I cannot do those things, the next best option is to carefully select history materials from an accurate and Christian worldview. Why Christian? Because Christianity formed America. Were those Christians perfect? No, but was the early church perfect? Is the modern-day church perfect? I am sure that we would al...

Awakened by the sun flooding my room, I rushed out of bed. Which should I do first? Brush my hair? My teeth? Quickly get dressed and then head to the bathroom? I was frazzled. It was 9 am on a Monday morning. Clearly, I had missed school. With my bright pink hairbrush in one hand and a scrunchie in the other, I dashed to the bathroom. Mid-dash, I stopped as I noticed that my little sister's room door was closed. Had she slept in, too? It was not until I was ready for school with books in hand that I sped down the stairs only to find my patriotic father dressed in a red, white, and blue three-piece suit, holding signs for his upcoming political campaign.  "I need to head out and get in place for the parade," he said,  I'll be sure to wave to you!" I slumped down on the couch in relief, thankful that it was Memorial Day and that my sister and I did not miss school. Our school year ended in June. Having that one last day off in May was always welcome, but often forg...

  Bedtime seemed hours away. It did not help that they had recently dropped their afternoon naps. "Go jump on the trampoline twenty-seven times. Then, run around the house three times," I commanded, half-joking. They were up for the challenge and were back in no time, proud of their accomplishments. Although my previous teaching experience had not prepared me for the continuous demands of motherhood, it did help me to think outside of the box when needed.  This afternoon, it was needed. Still filled with energy, I sat them down on the living room floor and we played our own version of charades. Instead of having me guess what they were acting out, I would give them something to act out, and they would have to figure out the best way to impersonate it. It lasted for almost an hour, and they were active the entire time. From fire trucks to helicopters to made-up words that I would throw in there for fun, my little ones were active, using their brains, and having a great time wi...

  The cobwebs were easy to remove. It was the picture books and well-loved curriculum that took some time. This past weekend, my kids and I cleaned out what used to be our homeschool classroom . My husband and I had set it up in the early years when I was beginning to get my bearings straight—establishing a routine. Yes, I actually had a classroom for homeschooling. Of course, my idea of what a classroom actually is has changed dramatically over the years. From a year-long mission trip to Mexico as a family to starting up a business on our humble homestead , education is no longer confined to the four walls of the thrifty schoolroom that we used to use.  As my youngest begins to age out of the materials geared toward younger learners, it is hard to let go. Desks have been replaced with a pool table. Maps on the wall replaced by musical instruments, and a computer lab now sits where my kids would work diligently on their workbooks and manipulatives . Though I am still homescho...

  Homesteading looks different for everyone. At least it should. Having a cookie-cutter homestead based on someone else's vision defeats the whole purpose—and could cost you a pretty penny. I have thrown out the idea of attempting to attain the typical red barn storybook idea of a farm, and rather embrace the ideal setup for my family. Even though we are seventeen years in, we still have a ways to go, and so much more to learn. That is why I am excited about The Southwest Virginia Alternative Living Expo  in Ferrum, VA, on May 31, 2025. This all-day event is jam-packed with speakers, demonstrations, and vendors from all walks of life. Come and be inspired, see what could work for you if you are just getting started with homesteading or see what you could add to your routine if you have been doing it for years. Even though I do not recommend copying and pasting someone's homestead set-up on your property (everyone's land has its own unique characteristics, strengths, and wea...

Education is tricky. Many parents tend to lean toward the options they were presented with while growing up. If we went to private school, that is the first place we begin to explore for our children. If homeschooled, we already know the basics and can go from there. For those of us who went to public school, that can become more of a mental battle. I personally had both positive and negative experiences in that environment—as did my husband. We have chosen not to take that route and decided to explore other options. Since we wanted an alternative method, we explored our school choice options and landed on homeschooling. Regardless of where you land in your family's decision, here are three tips to help with school choice. 1. Know Your Child’s Needs Your child will have specific needs, both with academics and life skills. It is worth keeping these in mind when exploring your options. It lets you narrow down your choices more than you would have otherwise. It is just a matter of mak...

Let’s pretend for a moment that I show up at your homeschool co-op for the first time. Following behind is my brood of five. You spot me from across the room, and once your kiddos are occupied, you have a free moment to meet the “new girl.” You head over and greet me with a friendly, “Hi, my name is….” We begin chatting. What is one of the first questions you are going to ask me? “ Which curriculum do you use? ” We love to connect with homeschool moms through curriculum. If you find out that we use one or more of the same methods, styles, or books, we will become instant friends.  It reminds me of when I used to go to youth camp and meet people from all across the state. The popular question then was, “What kind of music do you listen to?” When you found someone who knew all of your favorite bands, there was a connection. You got each other’s numbers and addresses and would try to meet up at the next concert.  Now that we are older and our lives have changed, it doesn’t mean t...