Just wanted to offer that I am homeschooling and doing very well. My first grader is up to multiplying 9’s, reading, etc.. I think working in a beautiful, grown up environment is fantastic!! I enjoyed your dining room revamp. I like to think about how inspired I feel when I sit down in a library. Big chairs, table space, and grown up environment! We homeschool in the dining room but you can’t tell it after school. I also think homeschooling in a lovely environment helps moms feel happier. We all know this makes homeschool goes much smoother. So keep up the good work and remember Rome wasn’t built in a day 🙂

Lol … I’m getting too used to FB. I wanted to hit ‘like’ on that comment! 🙂 The thing about homeschooling is that it is constantly changing, and I see this as a huge benefit. (De-schooling can be helpful for folks coming into it from former classroom experience, too). Just when you find something that works and hit your groove, someone’s needs change, life throws a curve ball, etc. and back to the Lord on your knees you go! I think this is actually beautiful. Getting stuck in a rut isn’t good for anyone. It might be easy … but we weren’t ever promised ‘easy’. Homeschooling can be such a tool for refinement of our character! Keep encouraging, keep being encouraged, and enjoy those priceless moments of kids and books and darling nooks with cute chairs and piles of pups … and all the change that keeps our eyes focused on Him. Hugs! ~Amber, Daughter of the king, wife, homeschooling mom of 4 (former teacher).

Hey Sara! Awesome! I love it. I would recommend checking out this book – it really held my hand through it all, and helped me remember I’m completely sane and normal. ;} It breaks down the process, gives sage advice for curriculum and just seems like a really honest down to earth approach to me. ;} I would also watch this video for an interesting perspective, and this one for one from a kid. I also made a little list of things to consider that you may find helpful here and our entire series here because you’re not alone. ;} Thinking of you… please let me know if I can help with anything else or answer any more questions!

Thank you for that Leslie. Your kids are the same ages as ours and I love hearing from your perspective. ;} We have heard about my father’s world over and over and over again. I think we will be looking into it for sure.

I just wanted to add my “two cents” regarding the dog comment. I don’t homeschool but my daughter’s pre-school has a full time therapy dog that they have had since he was adopted at 6mo old. He greets the kids as they arrive, does yoga with the students and has never been a distraction in any way shape or form. He is seen as just one of the students, as our dogs are part of our family as well. It was one of the many reasons I choose her school. Plus, learning to take care of animals is a great life skill.