So it’s like I woke up one day and suddenly we’ve been doing this home school gig for ten weeks. Oh, and I just started using essential oils. And let’s not forget the (somewhat-failure of a) garden this last spring. Say what?! I don’t even know who I am anymore. I’ll start making my own clothes next, and move into a compound. If you hate these things, it’s cool because I still love Krispy Kreme, fried chicken, and sarcasm so it’s all about balance. And living in a compound would be amazing for the sole purpose of a zombie apocalypse.
Never say never as a parent. Ever. I’m Eating crow. But a few of you guys have had some questions for me about home schooling, Sonlight, and using their curriculum. Today, I thought I’d write about it from a day-in-the-life kind of approach… to share what I can. Making the choice to home school your children is one of the most intimidating, yet convicting choices you can ever make. The last thing you need to feel in this process, is that you are alone. So today it’s about what we like about it, and what we have supplemented with in the hopes that we can shed some light on the subject. We’re breaking it down and talking about why. So without further ado…
First things first: I’m still a little hesitant to share too much. It’s been a long adjustment period of finding our groove: The kids are doing great. It’s been a rough adjustment period for me. To get it organized + teach, and then switch gears in the middle of the day and work. To let go when I need to. Honestly, it’s been exhausting. Selfishly, I’ve had days where I completely question everything I’m doing in a torrent of dark chocolate and tears hidden in the pantry. And I’ve had days where I am in my element, and we are clicking. The stars have aligned and the angels are singing.
At the end of the day, I don’t regret it. People still say to me, “I just couldn’t do that.” Well, I once thought that, too. I don’t for one moment regret having this season with my children. The process of home schooling has a way of tearing into your heart, and finding the bad places, with the good. And revealing them to you. It has a way of exposing those elements you need to work on as a parent, and the ones your children need to work on as well. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. And the absolute best, all rolled into one.
I just know that people all view this very differently. So take me with a grain of salt. Please know that no matter what you choose regarding your children’s education, there will always be pros and cons, but ultimately, you’re doing what you feel is best for your children, and there is nothing better than that. We have no idea what we will be doing for education in three years. It may look very different, so I am in no way saying one is better than the other. This is a post about what we’ve found in our own experiences – plain and simple… right now it’s my passion. And I love working with our children daily. Here’s what it looks like.
Why we chose it + what we like:
A lifelong love for literature.
Sonlight is literature based. It came with this load of books that made it look as though the book fair had exploded right there in our home. But I adore the fact that their history is tied in with the book we’re reading at the time. There’s a nice correlation between Bible + Language Arts, Reading + History. The books that go with this curriculum do not disappoint. Be prepared to read to your children every day, for a good bit. We read more together than we ever have. I love snuggling on the sofa with my kids, and reading with them. It’s my favorite part. And theirs, too. They’re learning to love books by experiencing them with us.
That being said, if you worked with more than one child on one curriculum all day long, you would be doing it. All. Day. Long. No one curriculum will exclusively fit your child. This is why so many people pick and choose from their curriculums. Sonlight themselves even say not to let the curriculum rule you. They have the option of choosing from different options on their site. You choose what works. I love having so much to pick from, and now that I’ve learned to let go, we will be okay. Will we use it again next year? Probably. Ask me again in six months, and it may be something different… but right now my kids are getting all that they need, and I feel great about it. {More on that below.}
Structure.
I like structure. I prefer it, and believe that an amount of structure is good for our children. They crave it. I don’t think they will love everything they do in home school every day. Some people will not agree with the way I do things. That’s cool because it’s my children and it’s working for them. I believe it models what ‘real’ school is like, and eventually they will return. What the real world is like. You will not love everything about school, let alone life. So sometimes, sitting through something you don’t particularly enjoy, teaches discipline and endurance and patience, among other things. Our math runs a little long sometimes, for instance. I cut it short if Aiden is feeling exasperated. Sometimes, if I think he can do it, I wait for him to work through it. I’m looking for ways to work with more hands-on methods. I give our children incentives and work through it, and they still love it. I’m constantly looking for other methods now that it’s up to me. But I love structure and our kids respond well to it. They need some of that in their schooling, so because we’ve downshifted from a magnet school, this has been good for us.
Money back guarantee + super nice people.
I needed a little hand holding at first. Basically, this is why we chose Sonlight. It’s a lot of money up front, but it comes with an overwhelming amount of resources at your fingertips, and I love having the freedom to choose… this was a great start for us. I don’t feel like we have to get out and search for more, because it came with its own library. Financially, we kind of got a double whammy, because we’d just dropped serious money on the kids’ school uniforms, along with supplies for their old school. And then, just kidding! We’re home schooling. It was a lot at once. It freaked me out, to just hand a couple of thousand over (on top of what we’d already spent) to some rando company and hope it all works out. But I was comforted by the fact that I could return it, once I put my hands on it, if it wasn’t working out. So far, so good. The people at Sonlight have been super kind, and great to work with.
My greatest challenge:
Balancing three kids on three different levels. It’s hard to maintain control with different areas like Math or language arts, when they’re just not feeling it that day. I include Malone on Mondays (he goes to preschool on Tuesday – Thursday and he loves it. This is the best thing for him right now). But more and more, I find myself working with him to get him ready, and I’ve decided that next year, instead of preschool again (we were going to wait to start Kindergarten) he is ready to work with me. A few weekends ago, I hit a store in Nolensville, Tn. while visiting family, and found a lot of books. A looooooot ranging from fifty cents to a dollar each. I purchased over fifty out of sheer excitement, knowing we would use them all. I was in home school heaven. These little supplemental workbooks are perfect for keeping him busy.
The basic schedule:
We start in the morning at 8:00 a.m. We’re usually done, at the latest by 11:30. (Sonlight is a 4-day-a-week program with an optional 5th day. I reserve the 5th day for fun activities and projects, supplemental videos, or field trips. Sometimes, they just play and that’s okay too.) In the afternoons of each school day, they have allotted computer times but mostly, they just play. Also, because of the rush of fall and the craziness of adjusting to everything, we plan to have them each in an activity of choice by January when things start back up again. The younger two will probably do gymnastics in the middle of the afternoon – Aiden says he wants to try the swim team. I plan on bringing art into the picture, each day as well. (Stay tuned…) Socially, in case you’re wondering, they still see their friends, and we are involved in church. I told Jamin the other day that it feels the same as when they were home with me before they ever started school. It’s just more structured.
How I work with Sonlight and my three kids:
Disclaimer: I realize there’s an endless amount of ways to do this. This is our approach only, and how it’s working for us. I’m sharing this, because it took me a while to figure this one out, and pull from it what we wanted.
I’ve balanced out our schedule so that even though Emerson would typically have less work than Aiden (Shhh! Don’t tell her!) she (and Malone, when he’s with us) are working on their own things at the same time. We have lessons we do together, and then breakaways. Here’s how it works:
Each sunday, I pull out both weeks (the number that we’re on for both kindergarten and the second grade) from each curriculum. These are the huge blue notebooks that come with each order. (We ordered two curriculums this year) Some of this is included in the curriculum, and some of it I have added. I break it down, and pull from it as we need for the week with the lesson plans. This is the skeleton, and we adjust. The beauty of Sonlight, is that it’s already broken down so all I have to do, is take a look ahead and decide what we will use. (For instance, at first I was doing two of everything, but decided this was confusing and overwhelming when working that way – this deal didn’t come with a manual) – I didn’t want to spend all day on home school and neither did my children. So I look at which one is more interesting and/or applicable, and we use that one for both kids.
Science, for example, is different, for both kids. And we do both science lessons together with each child because they enjoy it. So we may learn about coagulation of the blood with Aiden, and then kangaroos with Emerson. One day we were reading about volcanoes, and after the school session was over, I googled and found a documentary on the volcanoes of Hawaii. They sat for an extra hour, mesmerized by the video. It’s a give and take, and this is our basic “schedule” but the beauty of it is that my children are also free to pursue their interests.
The pages on the right (in the photo below) are Sonlight’s curriculum. The page on the left is a printable of my own that I use to break it all down and it’s what I’m including in the explanation below. (If you’re interested in any of the following little blank charts to use as a guide, let me know and I will include it as a freebie on our downloads page). This is what I’ve done to keep it real, manageable, and fun.
1. Calendar and Journal : (All children) Each day we review what day it is, talk about the months in order, the year, + any upcoming events they have to look forward to. Anything relevant like seasons… Sonlight included a calendar for this. Then they have a writing prompt for their journal entry, where they write the date, and finish a sentence. This week, for instance, we are learning about knights and castles in history. Examples of writing prompts:
If I had a castle, it would look like…. {with a picture of their castle and a description}
If I had to defend my castle I would use….
Emerson and Aiden both copy the sentences and the date. Aiden writes a paragraph, Emerson chooses three words and writes them (copies them from the board) and Malone draws a picture. Afterwards, they stand at the front and share. They love to share.
2. Math: (The math we ordered through Sonlight is actually separate from their curriculum.) Math with Aiden + Emerson (they have their own lessons for this) and a workbook (I scored at the flea market) for Malone. I rotate between each child and go over concepts with them. These came with a ton of manipulatives we can use, and I do love that about the math. Sometimes, its a little hard jumping from child to child, and their worksheets can be a little long (for Aiden) so sometimes we break it up into work for afterwards or we do it together. If he’s mastered a concept, I don’t have a problem with that.
3. History: (Sonlight) – looking ahead at the general subject matter, I pull from one of the two lesson plans, and we do this lesson with all three, together. So far they’ve used an accumulation of books, so it’s fun to mix it up.
4. Spelling: Sonlight (Aiden) – has his own each week. With a separate application each day which I have also supplemented. For Emerson, I’ve pulled sight words that we do daily, (and add to weekly) from One plus One. We alternate between verbally doing them, writing them on our dry erase activity center, and writing them on our tablet. While the two older kids do these, I work with Malone and his letters. Then we have a review session, and it’s on to the next lesson.
5. Bible: Aiden reads the Bible lesson and the younger two listen. This usually has a great story the kids haven’t heard of. Right now, we’re using a reader and going all the way through the Bible. Sometimes, I supplement this with a facts book they included which is great for modern day applications. (Sonlight)
6. Language Arts: (Sonlight) Sometimes I do both, with both kids. What I love about Sonlight, is that their Language Arts lesson is usually tied into the Bible lesson they just read about.
7. Science: Both lessons with both kids (Sonlight)
8. Reading: Both reading with both kids. This usually correlates with their history that they’ve already had that day. It’s usually a combination of fables or poetry, and both chapter books they’re reading. But we choose from the books Sonlight has designated.
And we’re done for the day.
At night, it’s reading with Daddy time. Emerson reads BOB books and Aiden chooses a book and they both read to Jamin. Malone sits in. I’ve come up with a calendar of sorts with incentives. Every twenty books they read, they earn an “allowance”. It motivates them to keep going.
Incentives + options: Nowadays, our coffee table looks like this. It’s a plethora of interesting magazines, books, and readers for them to choose from. They love getting to pick, and it keeps it fresh for them.
Incentives also include tickets at the end of each day. PBS parties, as they did in their old school, which is an accumulation of tickets to have a party. Or certificates (per their choice) to go towards separate things. For example: Ten extra minutes on the iPad, a later bed time are to name a few. I designed them in illustrator so they always feel pretty special when they get to pick. Oh, and a few grabby kinda treats from the dollar store. I’m in a roll-with-whatever-works phase. And right now, that’s donuts for Malone. (Oops I crapped my pants = no donuts.)
We also have a chart with happy green, uh-oh yellow and sad red faces. They work to keep their pins on happy green.
Again, that’s our basic skeleton and we keep it flexible… that’s the beauty of home school. But they’re learning so much, and I’m learning just as much with them, adjusting each lesson as we go. It’s a great feeling. It’s hard work, but definitely the most rewarding thing we’ve tackled as a family.
WHEW! This was long, but I hope it helps… let me know if you have any questions, guys! I’ll be glad to answer whatever I can. It’s been a fun kind of adjustment period for us, but we love it. Have an inspired day!
Want to see more of our posts on home schooling? Check them out, here.
Alexis says
Wow this is fantastic! Thank you for writing about all of this- I have been so curious about it all! 🙂 that is a lot to take in so thank you thank you thank you!
Annie says
This. Is. PERFECT! I have been on the fence about all of this for a very long time so thank you for such a candid view. I love the fact that you are always so honest. Thanks for sharing all of this! 😉
Sarah says
Very nice to read! I love your incentive ideas, I may have to use those! It’s our first year as well…and some days we just barely make it through and other days are truly fantastic!
April says
Looks amazing and so well organized! I probably will never homeschool (never say never) unless I feel there is an issue once my son starts. Right now I just wish there was a preschool option in our area that didn’t require the children to go all day like the kindergartners. We live in a very rural area and there just isn’t any options for preschool besides the free school-based one and daycare ($$). I was wondering where that place was you found stuff in Nolensville, TN. I live about 2 hours away from there.
victoria g says
Thanks! We’re looking forward to homeschooling but the daily details of it have always seemed shrouded in mystery! 🙂 and I LOVE oops I crapped my pants = no donuts! hahahaha! (oh the things we never knew we’d be addressing!)
ashley @ the handmade home says
IT IS like some big secret mystery. These were my biggest questions when starting out. I only hope they help someone! ;} Yay for pants crappers! Not really. Have an awesome day!
Sara says
Thank you…thank you…thank you! For sharing. I’ve thought homeschooling for one child as the public school she goes to just seems to exhaust her. Yet the same school seems like a great fit for my oldest daughter. I never would have thought children could be so different with such different needs. And then I had children:) Keep sharing…to show us fraidy cats it can be done.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Sara! I am so glad it may help! It’s such a big part of us now, it’s kind of impossible not to. YES – all kids are TOTALLY different. It’s kinda crazy – and it CAN be done! I’m learning that not only was I following “the rules” from this imaginary system in the way I once dealt with the decor of my home, but with my children, and all things pertaining to them, as well. I’ve been a little too up tight about things, and this has been the best thing for them, and as I reluctantly admit it… me also, in this season. So, I say all that to say, sometimes we limit ourselves without even realizing it. This has been amazing, and if I can do this, anyone can! ;}
Naomi J says
Thank you so much for continuing to write about your home school experiences. It gives me hope for the future! Thank you so much!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you for your sweet comments, Naomi. I hope it helps!
Tania says
Totally unrelated to homeschooling but curious about your experience with essential oils? My sister in law and some friends of hers have started using it and say it really works! Her house definitely always smells awesome, and she gave me some to put on my gums during a toothache, and it didn’t taste totally terrible…but how are you liking them? Have you noticed a difference?
ashley @ the handmade home says
We JUST started yesterday, Tania. But last night, I plugged in two all around the house, and my breathing is better – it was better after ten minutes. Malone, before he went to bed last night said “Hey, I can breathe!” And he was breathing through his nose for the first time in a week (we’ve been sick) so I know it’s not all in my head if it’s working for him. Beckie @ Infarrantly Creative swears by them, and I wanted to give them a try to prevent some things this winter since we always tend to stay sick – I figured it wouldn’t hurt to give natural solutions a try, as well. ;} I’ll keep you posted, but I can already tell a difference!
Vanessa says
I am a fairly new reader and really enjoy your posts. We even painted two of our rooms in Whispering Spring and love it. Can you tell me more about the essential oils? Which ones you are using/how? We’ve been sick for almost a month and each time I think we have it beat – we seem to move on to the next stage. We have a 2 year old – so I realize it comes with the territory – but would love to kick it/prevent it. Thanks!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Vanessa! I am very new to this, so I am afraid I’m not really the person to ask. ;} But I ordered the physicians kit from DoTerra (Per Beckie from Infarrantly Creative) + I’m referencing this website it’s a great source for whatever ails you! I would read up there first… We’ve been using a lot of ‘Breathe’ around here, and Peppermint oil. Be sure to check out the site for reference. It will be very useful!
Brie says
WoW! This is awesome!!! Thanks for sharing. Our day is almost exactly the same except we use A Beka and Saxon. The tickets and chart idea is awesome!!! Thank you for sharing this, Ashley=)
-Brie
Erin says
This is a great post! I would love it if you included your breakdown sheets in the printable a. That would be awesome. We have decided to take the plunge and start homeschooling at the beginning of the year. Thanks for helping me feel less nervous and isolated by writing these posts. Y’all rock!
Susan Krauss says
I absolutely applaud your home schooling endeavor! What’s always perplexed me ( and I honestly mean NO disrespect here,,,,I swear!) however, is the idea that anyone can home school their kids. What I mean is, teachers at brick and mortar schools have had years of schooling to become teachers. How can someone who is ,say, a high school graduate, for instance( in my case), possibly have the skills to teach their kids effectively enough to graduate high school and prepare them enough to enter college? I’d love to hear your thoughts, ladies! Again, I only wish to understand more fully.
Wendy says
Anyone who is able to read and follow instructions can home educate their kiddos. Many times I end up learning and re-learning right along with my boys just by reading and participating in the lesson for their subjects. I’m not kidding or over simplifying; anyone can. Yes. We use Saxon Math for example, our lesson each day is literally “scripted” so I know exactly what to say. We veer off the script when we get in the flow of conversation but the points of the lesson are never omitted so that they can learn that new skill/step. Saxon uses manipulatives which are so fun for kids, especially my boys who have to handle stuff, so that keeps things from becoming robotic. Reading a script sounds so dry I guess to some, BUT it is your roadmap for that lesson and it inspires and encourages conversation and hands-on activities. Same thing with our other subjects, the instructor’s book or content is so helpful and at times even inspires my own creativity Again, I would wholeheartedly say YES, you can regardless of your education credentials. 🙂 Yes. Phil 4:13
ashley @ the handmade home says
Susan – thank you for your question + Wendy, thank you for that response. I didn’t see myself doing this at all, and asked the same exact questions. I guess it also comes down to faith (as Wendy mentioned above) and a whole lot of determination mixed in with grace + patience. One of my favorite homeschool blogs (1 plus 1) says (in her top banner): “To the world it makes no sense. To God it is perfect sense.” I guess I’ve kind of clung to that in this process. And that’s how it has been for centuries before us – children learning primarily from their parents. I think the key to the technical parts is surrounding yourself with great resources, from books, to magazines, to websites and more importantly, great supportive friends and family. It’s about educating yourself as much as your children. I’ve had to re-learn so much already. I have a great friend who is a teacher, and she told me that you can’t force your children to learn. You can’t open up their heads and shove stuff into it. But you can facilitate an environment for them to do so, and in turn, create life long habits. It’s all about figuring it out as you go, for sure. But it’s totally doable. ;}
Wendy says
Hi, I would love access to your printable organizing pages shown/mentioned here.
Great post, I enjoyed it a bunch!
Susan Krauss says
Thanks, Wendy!
Erin @ House Envy says
Kudos to you for taking on this challenge!
Jessica says
I was just talking to my sister in law about homeschooling and she took me through her day. It’s very similar to yours, and that’s encouraging. It seems like you really figured out what works for them. How do you keep up with your blog? My main concern is having no free time during the day to get work done. I don’t know how I’ll cope being with my loose cannonball kids every second of the day.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey girl – that was my number one concern. I told Jamin when we made this choice (because I knew their education fell primarily on me) that they come first, but the site and everything else we have going on, couldn’t take a huge hit because it is, in a way, helping ensure their future – it’s become a full time job in itself.
I have my days. I have my days when I get absolutely nothing done. And I’m learning to cut myself, and my kids, some slack. It’s literally a season of life that I’m in, and that’s okay. I’m still searching for that balance, and I think that maybe I’ve been confusing balance with perfection because that’s never going to happen. After I’m finished working for the day, we do lunch, and then they know that it’s mommy’s time to work. They’re old enough to understand that. I view it as teaching my children boundaries, and also like putting coins into a parking meter. Can I ignore them for three hours? No. And I won’t. But I work in short spurts and then tend to their needs/play with them. By working in other activities for them, and doing my own art lessons for them, I’m hoping this only adds to the balance.
In short, I work a lot of nights. In fact, if I’m being totally candid, Jamin and I (and remember, I think the key is having a LOT of help on that end) work until at least about 9 every night once the kids are settled. It’s hard, but it’s so good, too. One of my friends (Shaunna – Perfectly Imperfect) reminded me that they’re also soaking in things when I’m not working one on one with them… about family values and a family business. And I think there’s also a lot to be said for that… so again- I have my days. And I’m still seeking that balance. But maybe I’m too focused on perfection, and we’re in a really good place right now. Cutting myself some slack in this adjustment period, daily. It’s been rough, but it’s a really great thing.
I hope that helps!
Cara Yeh says
What a great post to find! We are on year 4 of homeschooling, and I’m still always searching for how others do it and what works for them. I’m especially impressed you work in the afternoons — wow! Gone are our days of being done by 11:30, but it’s mostly due to a slow start! I’ve always loved your blog for its wit and style, and now I have another reason to visit! 🙂 Blessings to you on this awesome journey.
Elizabeth Byler Younts says
This is fantastic, Ashley. Also a homeschooler I totally understand the balancing act of “work” and “school.” It’s NOT easy to get work done when you are a HSing family. I’ve used some Sonight for my 1st grader but we have started leaning toward Ambleside Online that is leaning further toward the Charlotte Mason approach. Sonlight has the most amazing reading lists though and we have soooo enjoyed our read alouds this year. 😉
Christie says
I have just spent a good chunk of time here on your site poking around and am printing the printable you mentioned here. We are on our 5th year of using Sonlight & I think your planner will help me! Thanks so much for sharing it!!
Megan Lucero says
I might have to home school for a semester for my soon to be 4th grader. I am so interested in learning more. We are moving out of state and to catch him up from common core to a state that has higher standards. I am freaking out.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Which is one of the biggest reasons we are home schooling. You are not alone! Best wishes to you and your family! We will be posting more as we go, but be sure to search Home schooling in the side bar or go here for organization type things, why we decided to, etc. I hope that helps! I’ll be updating more as we go. ;} Thinking of you and your sweet family!
Megan Lucero says
Thanks for your kind thoughts. I am just going to start using some of the HS material now. I want him to read Non-Fiction and I am getting reading lists together to have him start on those as well. My 2 yr old is Almost ready to start a Pre-School Curriculum. I am just ready to get away from common core.
ashley @ the handmade home says
I hear you! You will figure out what’s best for your family. That’s awesome that you’re making an effort and doing that! It’s hard but so worth it! You know what’s best for them. Not some system implemented by a group of people… YOU. Blessings to you and yours!
Aleksandra says
Thanks for sharing this and all the stuff on your site. We are homeschooling third year and still I found many great new helpful tips not to mention your printable organizer! It made my day and change my life a little 🙂 (in terms of scheduling) Thank you!
katie says
Loved the post. I’ve read it a few times as I was the one that asked you for it! Been considering Sonlight for 1.5 years but don’t personally know anyone who uses it. Wish I could see it in real life but this is close enough. Do you feel like they are getting a lot out of the read alouds at this age? I have a just turned 5 girl and just turned 3 boy. It’s so hard to pull the trigger on a such a big purchase when i have no idea what kind of learner my younger child will be. What math did you end up choosing? Also have you put the things you mentioned on the download page? thanks and sorry for all the questions. It’s $100 off Sonlight till the 31st so I gotta make the plinge soon!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey girl! Thanks – I hope this helps! You can find all our printables available for home school here We use Horizons Math and it’s been great – it comes with the Sonlight curriculum when you order that package – I would totally jump on that 100$ off! Remember – they have a money back thing and that was why I chose it – because it is a big choice to make but I took comfort in knowing I could send it back. The Read Alouds have been great, because we can pick from what we need, like our own little home library. And we will only keep adding to it over the years. It’s a plethora of books, and the kids LOVE it. Reading time is great. My 4 year old is still a little squirmy, but like I said, we pull from it, and its a great curriculum to have right at your fingertips. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Sara says
This is GREAT info!! Thank you thank you thank you for sharing! We are Sonlighters, too, and I just love your ideas for including all the kiddos. Also love your dry erase board. …just slightly jealous 😉
Claire says
Hi! Just found this blog.. and read this detailed post…. OMG !! Impressed. I cannot wait until the day I can homeschool. In the meanwhile would you homeschool my children too?
Lindsey : LRstitched says
Thank you thank you for sharing this! God began leading us to homeschool in May of this year and we were in a similar boat where we loved their school and nothing was ‘wrong’. I had a hard time with the response from the teachers and negativity from parents on how could I spend that much time with my kids, etc. It was really hard.
It has been such a blessing to follow along with your story. You have encouraged me! We are using Sonlight as well. I really needed things mapped out for me this first year to give me some confidence. We will be starting Sept 1st and I’ve been panicking trying to ‘plan’ how our day will look and dreaming/fearing how this is gonna play out. Anyways, may God continue to bless you and your family, thank you for sharing and giving a glimpse of a day in the life!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Back at you, Lindsey! Prayers for you and your amazing family as you start on this awesome journey! Please keep us posted! It’s so refreshing to us as well to know we’re not alone!;}
evelyn says
Hi Ashley! What a great post. I am piecing together my son’s curriculum this year for our first homeschooling endeavor — Kindergarten! Reading through your day and some of your methods and experiences encourages me to keep things flexible, relaxed, and fun. Thank you for sharing!
I live just up the road from Nolensville and wondered what store you visited there? Wasn’t sure if the books you found there seemed to be something they carried often, or if you happened upon it at the right time and hit the jackpot? I’d love to go there myself!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Evelyn! How exciting for you and your little one! It’s a thrilling time for sure! I went to the Amish Market there… the one with three little buildings off the main road? It was in the main building, an entire back section CHOCK FULL of books. I can’t wait to go back! if that is too vague, or if you have no idea what I’m talking about, let me know and I will ask my sis in law, who lives right down the road from there as well. I hope that helps! – Please let me know if you have good luck with that!
evelyn says
Thank you, Ashley! I know exactly where you’re talking about. I think we’ll pop down there some day when we need a little outing. 🙂
Stefanie D says
Thank you so much for your post! I felt like I was reading my story. I would love a copy of the reading incentives paper as well as the paper chart you use everyday to break down your daily curriculum. Thanks!!
Stefanie
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Stefanie! Check out our 2014 planner and 2015 planners for those printables! I hope that helps! ;}
Hannah says
Loved this post. I have recently started feeling led to homeschool my only child next year for second grade. Sonlight is the program I have been looking into and your post was so helpful and informative on what to expect. My husband and I have a somewhat unique circumstance as we both work full time (averaging 30hrs a week for each of us). However, I work first shift and he works second so one of us is always home. We will have to approach homeschooling with a united front and try to figure out what works best for our families schedule. It’s been challenging to figure out if we can make it work but your article has left me feeling more confident and that with alot of patience and determination we can do this. Thank you for sharing!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Hannah! Thank you so much for letting us know – we are so very thrilled for you! Our thoughts and prayers are with you guys as you begin this crazy/exciting journey!
Elizabeth L Easterly says
We have been using sonlight for 3 years now! I loved your review of sonlight and how it works for your family! Keep up the good work!