Managing Double-Duty With Children's Schooling

Dear Holly,
I have a question following on from your comments on "How to Finish School in the Morning". How do you manage to stick to your time frame when you have two (or more?) children who need one on one instruction to complete their work? I have one child with special needs and another who is very easily distracted. Therefore they require much attention. They are 10 and 8. What you wrote about keeping academics in it's place resonated with me. I've been homeschooling for two and a half years. In that time I've devoted too much energy to curriculum and to ensuring we cover it all! Thank you for your wonderful book, and this encouraging blog
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 2:45 PM 2 comments

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Homeschooling Young Boys

Dear Holly,
I love your concrete examples from the post about Finishing School in the Morning! It's so helpful to see actual times attached to schedules. That's what I need, I am that kind of person! To go back to the original post...I have 2 fewer boys but their ages are the more troublesome...maybe. I have 3 boys, 1st grade, preschool and 3 years and I find I don't finish early either most days. Here is my problem: how do you keep the 3 and 5 year old occupied (read 'not fighting') when your 1st grade curriculum still requires a lot of engaged teaching time for a lot of subjects, and when your boy is so easily distracted. I feel like I am really neglecting my 3 year old and 5 year old because my 7 year old requires so much attention. I am trying to characterize the basic problem but I know there is much that goes into it including his temperament and mine, the curriculum and, in my opinion, a lack of discipline. I think he should be able to work more independently which means I have to send him to another room away from me and the other kids. Holly, what do you think about location of study for a 1st grader with a 5 and 3 year old in the mix?
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 11:17 AM 3 comments

Monday, February 04, 2008

How to Finish School in the Morning

Dear Holly,
I've read your book and love it. I have 5 boys (grades 6, 5, 2nd, and a 5 and 3 yr old) and wonder how do you get your school done by 1230 p.m.? We always have to go to 2 or 3 p.m. What curriculum do you use? Especially for math and English/writing? Haven't yet set up my mother's rule schedule, because I'm afraid I'll fail. It seems I'm only doing school, laundry and whatever I can fit in...before it's time to cook dinner.
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 4:26 PM 3 comments

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Doing Group Catechism as a Family

Dear Holly,
I am familiar with the Apostolate of Family Consecrated in the Truth and I like the idea of using just one textbook for my children's catechism. Are you using their appropiate grade levels for each child while you use your family textbook? How are you doing it with several children? Usually, someone told me most homeschoolers just take the middle level workbook (ex: 6 yrs old and 8 yr old use level 2 workbook instead of level 1 and level 3) and order how ever many so everyone is on the same page. I just want to have a Religion class together instead of having to read and teach individual classes. I am thinking to about just putting them in the parish Sunday school. But then again I love doing that with them because it teaches ME So much!!! How do you use the Apostolate of Family Consecration program?
Labels: 4th P Parent, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 11:42 AM 1 comments

Monday, April 09, 2007

Large Family, Homeschooling, and Perseverance

Dear Holly,
I have read your book and am now rereading it. I think the first time I was looking for the magic fix and now, out of sheer desperation, I am looking at the spirit of the rule and trying to take it to heart. I have just had baby #6, who is 14 weeks, and I have 5 other children ages 2 to 11. We have had some major life upheavals in the past few months with emergency surgeries and hospitalizations of two of my children. As a result, homeschooling has become completely overwhelming but I know that I need to persevere. I am sure you hear these stories all of the time.

First of all, what do I do with all of my little ones and the unplannable interruptions. It is hard to plan demand feedings, fussy babies, and destructive, energetic toddlers into the equation. I have read so many homeschool ideas for babies and toddlers that seem like they were written by someone with 2 schoolkids and maybe one baby. I have 3 in school and 3 to corral. Every day, every hour is so unpredictable that I don't know how I could make a schedule flexible enough until my babies grow up.

Also, what in your experience is the best homeschool approach for someone with a large family. Again, so many great programs seem to be aimed at moms with more time and flexibility. I feel strongly about high standards educationally but there is only so much I can do. Do I need to lower my standards? After 2 years of Seton I have been using A Beka video school this year and just not doing the religion and history for the older kids. I replace them with Catholic studies. I love Catholic Heritage and Sonlight, but they are very time consuming. I know that outside acivities are a major time sucker and distraction so we have cut back quite a bit on those. I want you to know I could have written the first few pages of your book, I was soooo ready to quit last week. My husband encouraged me to keep it up with lots of prayer, and now reviewing MROL has given me hope that there is a solution, I just can't quite grasp it yet. I think that the particular problems of mothers of large families, especially homeschooling, are very different than those with 3 or 4. How does one know when it is in fact too much and that the kids really do need to go back to school? I had to pray fervently to ask God to change my husband's heart to let me homeschool and then when I wanted to put them back in school, he was the one encouraging me to try again. In my heart I do think the kids need to be home, but it is much more difficult than I ever imagined.
Labels: 4th P Parent, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 3:22 PM 8 comments

Sunday, March 11, 2007

A Difficult Transition

Dear Holly,
My husband and I have 6 children, ages 10 down thru to 3 months. We began homeschooling our oldest four this year at the end of their 1st quarter in a Catholic School. Up until this time our kids had attended the Catholic school, which is 30 miles from our home. We live in a small town amidst a farming community. We are all making adjustments and feeling our way through this. I have lots of concerns and doubts, but I also have days I am very assured this is the right choice for our family. However, our kids are having a rather difficult time making the adjustment. When it comes right down to it, I think they mostly miss their friendships. Their Catholic school was a small school with a very family-like environment. The classes were small, and the friendships formed were close. I have now become "the person who has taken them away" from their friends and I feel like they resent me. I have tried to keep the connections between those friends but the distance and family circumstances (new baby, illnesses, etc.) have made it somewhat difficult. Because we live in such a small, rural community those activities that might be available in larger communities just aren't here for an outlet or change of pace. To keep from going on any longer, do you have any advice for making the transistion easier on them? I only know of two other families who homeschool in our area and they have always homeschooled so this isn't a situation they are familiar with. Are there other women who have made a change similar to ours and could share what worked for them?
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 2:42 PM 2 comments

Friday, February 16, 2007

Husband Reluctant to Homeschool

Dear Holly,
I am the mother of six, from a newborn to age 8. My husband and I are richly blessed. I absolutely love your book. I have many sisters to share it with (I am the youngest of 14, 9 of which are girls)! One of my biggest concerns is the education of my children. I desire to home school in the worst way, but my husband does not want me to. After coming home with our newest arrival, I can't help but feel somewhat relieved. However, if my husband ever agreed to it, I would try it with my whole heart. I would much rather attempt the hard work of home schooling, than to have my children being subjected to peers brought up with poor moral values. At this time, they go to a public school, my oldest being in the second grade. We most certainly could not afford a Catholic school. I feel that we try our best to teach them their faith at home. My husband is involved with that as well. He just thinks that it would be too much work for me. I haven't convinced him yet to go to a home schooling conference. I have talked much with my brother about this who is a priest with the Fathers of Mercy. He says Our Lord loves obedience. He tells me to pray about it, for my husband's heart to open to the idea. Until then, the priest tells me to do as my husband wishes, for he is the leader of our family. I am hoping and praying that if that ever happens or not, we will be able to give back to God what rightfully belongs to Him: our children.
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 6:49 PM 2 comments

Friday, February 09, 2007

Too Much To Do, No Time to Fit It In

Dear Holly,
I have 6 children between the ages of 1 and 17, and my youngest are twins. I have been homeschooling for ten years, but I am still trying to figure out how to get to everything I want to do with my children for their education. I have the pressure of getting my oldest through high school, while dealing with one child's dyslexia and another's emotional reactions to school work, while physically taking care of 3 small children and trying to make sure they aren't watching DVDs all day long.

I have a list of everything I must do for the morning, lunchtime, afternoon, dinnertime, and evening and still cannot get it all in. Today I planned to check my oldest's work, couldn't find the books and now here it is almost 11 PM and it still didn't get done. My oldest is very extraverted and finds it difficult to study alone. He is behind on his high school work because of the twins. He basically took care of the other children and the house while I was pregnant and then the first few months.

I think it is my personality that I find it very difficult to ride my older children about their schoolwork. I am very non-confrontational. That is why I made my checklists. My girls tell me that they are done now and I have a list of what to check. Very often I find that they are NOT done. I find it hard to impose consequences on getting things done. I am on a message board that is primarily Protestant, while I am Catholic. Many of them are very "training" minded and use physical discipline, which I do not. So whenever I post about difficulties within our home, I get advice that just does not fit - ie spank, make them do it, etc. That is why I decided to ask you.

I feel like I am constantly swimming upstream and losing ground at the same time. I don't know if what I want to accomplish is unreasonable or if I am just not organized enough or something. I have read MROL several times. I cannot commit to a timed schedule right now so that's why I have the checklist. I have thought of keeping track of my hours of homeschooling and trying to fit in a certain number per week.

I don't know if I have given you the right information to catch a glimpse of my life and make suggestions, but I would be very grateful for any you can make.
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 2:53 PM 5 comments

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Homeschool: Marking, Corrections & Discussions

Dear Holly,
I have a question about homeschooling. I have individual times for each kid during school hours then later in the day I give them some "homework" to do on their own. Problem is I don't have a good system on how to check and go over their work. I like to go over it with them but it ends up taking an hour to go over their work, correct mistakes and talk about whatever we need to talk about. I enjoy spending individual time with each but I can't do it with the 3 that are doing school everyday. I thought maybe spending an hour a week with each one and their work but I'm afraid that there will be so much to go over. I haven't tried it yet.. suggestions?
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 3:10 PM 2 comments

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Discerning How to School the Children

Dear Holly,
I have three young girls--4, 2.5 and 1. My 4-year-old is in preschool 2 days/week and also attends Catechesis of the Good Shepherd one day/week. She loves these activities so much. I've definitely seen her blossom in the past 2 months! It's hard to transfer that joy in school to home, though. I ask her if she wants to do this or that, and she doesn't! I ask her to help me, and she doesn't want to do it, even though I know she is responding at school. And then, I get upset, which I know doesn't help the situation! Ugh!! My desire is to really embrace my vocation as wife and mother. I don't know if I've really claimed it the way I need to, and I feel like I'm at a road block, and I'm not sure how to get past it. Any thoughts or suggestions?

More specifically, I have a question(s) regarding how to discern schooling options. In 1 1/2 years, my oldest will be in Kindergarten. Does her love for regular school play a factor in our discernment? Part of me really is attracted to homeschooling, yet I honestly do not know if I have what it takes. How do you discern your own personality to determine if this would work? What about the child's personality? In a way, part of me thinks it would be easier for me if my children went to school, but I know that is not the reason to send them. It has to be best for everyone, the kids and Mom, and I guess I just don't know how to discern that. Plus, my girls are so close in age (one year a part in school) that I don't know how it would work for me to school the oldest while the others are at my feet the whole time. Sure, it might be nice once they're all school age, but it seems a bit overwhelming now.
Labels: 4th P Parent, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 7:07 PM 5 comments

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Is Peer Socialization a Reason to School?

Dear Holly,
I have two little ones. My oldest is going to be five in January. Joey (not his real name) tends to be shy and we are living far away from close friends/family. So we decided that we would enroll him at a Catholic school in our area. Last year he went for two mornings a week. And this year he is there for three mornings. We have a good school that really tries to maintain a Catholic atmosphere. Still I know that the best school/teachers cannot shield him from influences that peers can bring. The more aware I become of the moral breakdown in families the more I want to bring him home. Period.

Here is my question: if I cannot (even with diligent effort) provide him with more than a couple of hours per week socializing with other little boys his age is that a reason to leave him at school? I know that I can get him to some kind of sports at the Y. I also know of another family with whom I could probably arrange a weekly playdate for an hour or two. But most of
the homeschool families from our parish with younger kids either have loads of siblings to hang with or live a long distance from us. When I have tried to gently suggest getting together for play I get the feeling that the moms are extremely busy and really can't find the time. I am frustrated because I want to give my children the best formation possible (and I think homeschooling is that). But since we are without grandparents, aunts, uncles, or really close friends here I am very conscious of the fact that we need other people in our lives. I don't want to have my kids isolated and lonely either. I keep waiting for the Lord to show me a way to make it work.
A second question is, just how much time do young children need to have with their peers? How can I know when I have it 'covered'?
Labels: 4th P Parent, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 1:26 PM 14 comments

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Determining Unique Child's Needs

Dear Holly,
I have homeschooled my 13 yr old son for the past 2 yrs. Last year we decided to bring our 10 yr old daughter home as well. We have found that homeschooling has been very beneficial for our son but are uncertain if it is the best option for our daughter. We saw our son grow in confidence and his drive to work hard, but our daughter seemed to have just the opposite experience. She began not to care about even doing school work, it seems that she works better having healthy competition. She began to have bouts of what appeared to be depression. She is much more social and really misses seeing her friends every day at school. We made a point of getting her together with her friends as often as possible and she does interact well with the homeschool kids but she still really misses the school environment. Because of how her demeanor changed so much for the negative I am concerned to continue homeschooling her. With the Bishop mandate virtues "sex-ed" programs beginning this fall in the schools I really feel that we should keep her protected at home as long as possible yet I do not want live life in fear either. How do we know where that fine line of being prudent and trusting in God lies? Is it true that some kids do better in a school setting than others and we should read each child seperately or is homeschooling in our world today the only safe and logical answer to raising them up as saints?
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 1:36 AM 1 comments

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Helping Husband Discern Homeschooling

Dear Holly,
I have greatly enjoyed your book and am in the process of forming my own rule. We have 5 children ages 4-10 with another on the way. Our children have attended a Catholic School 30 miles from where we live since our oldest was in kindergarten and we are set to have 4 in school this year. Since reading your book and other Catholic materials, I am feeling pulled toward homeschooling. I've prayed and just feel it is in the best interest of our children and family. My husband doesn't feel the same way. He has negative "stereotypes" of homeschooling and when we begin to break through those he still has concerns. I am having a hard time putting into words the why's to him as it's just something I feel in my heart is right and I don't need a lot of explanations or justifications for. As the head of our family, he has the ultimate decision but I would like to be able to give him a little more to base his decision on. I know very little about how homeschooling actually works and am discovering a lot as I search for information. Any suggestions on where to begin and how to at least give my husband an objective look at the options?
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 10:59 AM 15 comments

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Discerning Schooling Options

Dear Holly,
I will be entering my 4th year of homeschooling with my 3 children this coming school year & we love it! My oldest (12) should be chronologically entering 7th grade, but has done all of the work for that level ( as well as some for 8th grade, too) & I do think should be advanced at least to the 8th grade. (She also tested very well on her standardized tests; scoring post high school in all subjects except one where she scored 10th grade level.) Is there harm in advancing them?
Let me say that she is not only intelligent, but kind, honest, a hard worker & really wants to advance as well. I, of course, want what is best for her & know how fleeting childhood is. On the other hand, she is constantly looking at her future & talks of college, scholarships & the like. There is also the concern of Confirmation. I would obviously have to speak to our local parish, but would really want her to wait & do it the year after this, even though she would then be a Freshman (with the advancement.)
Of course, then there is the entire high school scene which isn't far off. My husband isn't too keen on high school homeschooling & I have prayed about it & feel the Lord wants this for our family - for many reasons including our family being strong together & that our 2 youngest have extensive medical isssues as well as that is where the Lord appears to be leading.
At this point, we design our own curriculum & this works well as we can work harder on certain things & advance the children in areas they excel at. I do realize that with high school, we would probably have to sign up with a program so as to make sure all is taken care of for colleges to accept the children. Any advice?
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 11:43 AM 13 comments

Monday, May 15, 2006

The 5 Ps, Homeschooling and a Home Business

Dear Holly,
Thank you so much for your book. I've read and re-read it several times and it has been a true gift and inspiration.
I have two children under 2 years old and have started a business from home. Although we live simply, we still need a second income to cover emergencies and a little savings. I work part-time, about 15-20 hours a week, in the early morning and during naptime, and if necessary, at night. I would like to homeschool as well. My question is, do you think it is possible to work from home part-time, be the primary caregiver of at least 2 children, and homeschool? I am wondering if this is realistic. How were you able to write your book and keep up with all your P's?
Labels: 5th P Provider, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 11:08 PM 1 comments

Friday, March 17, 2006

Adapting School Methods to the Person

Dear Holly,
I really am intrigued by your format and insight on homeschooling. I am seriously thinking of adapting to your suggested methods. I've been homeschooling for @ 7yrs. I have always been involved in co-ops and such as support, except for this year & we stayed home totally. I have generally followed Laura Berquists classical curriculum and this year for the first time I've done my best at following her day by day syllabi. It has been HARD but very insightful and some awesomely blessed moments. Its not so much the content as the juggle of grades, ages, teacher, mom etc. Getting what is expected in the syllabi completed for all 3 children with all 3 each day was nearly impossible for me. I did lighten up but reading your postings on homeschooling I could do a lot more lightening up.
More specifically I'm undecided about my 11 almost 12 year old boy. He is my oldest and is in 6th grade. He is very bright, athletic or energetic. I don't think or I know he was not very challenged, not because of content, this year which made him easily distracted and a big distraction for me and the other children. Plus with the lack of accountability he just doesn't seem to care. (especially if at the end of the day mom doesn't either!!) We were involved in a 2 day week co-op which was based on Laura Berquist curriculum. He had different teachers small classes and very faith filled. I think he thrived and he actually would like to go back. But that commitment for him is a commitment for all of us and I do love teaching or as you say tutoring my children. I think part of the reason he thrived at the co-op is because of the peer motivation. He is not a pretender he is a creator; my other children seem to be both. So he does not always want to "play"/interact with his siblings, so this need is not being met. He has always wanted to interact with the adults or have them interact with him. Case in point we have a project fair coming up he said he wanted to do something for it. We are studying Egypt. So he and I talked about it and discussed some ideas. He was gung ho at first and when I am actually doing something hands on with him related to the project he is interested but other wise he doesn't seem to have the interest on his own.
So the reason for this long winded personification of my son is that I was wondering, if he was your son how would you apply your method of homeschooling, practically speaking. I would love to see him thrive and be happy and challenged and love learning right here at home but I'm not sure where or how to start putting together what would pull that out of him naturally. I'm not sure I can or should, but your opinion and insight maybe a good discernment tool.
Labels: 4th P Parent, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 2:30 PM 4 comments

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Question Re: Holly's Homeschooling Part II

Dear Holly,
Thank you so much for your wonderful website and book! I am slowly working through creating my own Mother's Rule, one small step at a time. I'm finding, though, that I'm having a very hard time keeping the homeschooling time in proper balance. When I read your post about limiting school to three hours a day I thought, "Wow! That sounds so wonderful." But I'm afraid to do it! I, like you, was trained as a teacher. In addition, my husband is an academic, so I want my children, if they should so choose, to be equiped to follow in their father's footsteps. However, I'm finding that schooling (we are using Calvert) is taking nearly all of my time. Reading your book helped me realize that I have been neglecting my other obligations, and I am working
toward a schedule and rule that is more balanced and, I pray, more in line with God's will. But it is such a struggle for me! Yet I plan to dive in and do it! I would love to know more about your personal journey from how you were taught to teach, to how you now homeschool, which sounds like such a breath of fresh air to me. It would be truly encouraging to hear your thoughts. Also, how can I discern when I'm being motivated by a good desire for my children to excel, and when I'm being motivated by pride?
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 8:14 PM 7 comments

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Question re Holly's Homeschooling

Dear Holly,
I have a real practical question about homeschooling. Are you still homeschooling, and if so what grades, and what type of school schedule works for you? Are you enrolled or use a certain curriculum? How do you juggle (not balls)?
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 10:10 AM 32 comments

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Outgoing Mom & Homeschooling

Dear Holly:
I am a stay-at-home mother of a four year old and a two year old. My husband and I plan to have more children, and we plan to homeschool. My current dilemma is this: It seems like I need to get out of the house just about every day (library storytimes, trips to the zoo, playdates, etc...), just to keep my sanity. However, I do always schedule one "at home day" each week, but that seems to be all that the children and I can handle. I cannot imagine my future homeschooling life. Am I going out with my children too much? Do I need to schedule more at-home time? My schedule seems to be determined mostly by the outing of the day. Should we try to stay home more, and how would I go about making the switch? Are regular outings for preschoolers beneficial/necessary? Sometimes I wonder who benefits from our outings. Please help!
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 1:30 PM 4 comments

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

What Do I Do?

Dear Holly,
I don't even know where to start! I have been homeschooling for 10 years and I have 8 children ranging in age from 19 years to 2 year old twins. I have had and am still struggling with character issues with three of my younger children (they don't mind, etc.). We are not into any set routines and I KNOW that is a huge part of the problem. By the end of the day I am so tired that all I want to do is crawl into bed, but then morning comes all too soon and I'm on that merry go round again. I am not even eating properly or taking care of myself anymore. I am wondering if I should stop schooling for awhile and try to get things up to speed at home first or if I should try to get things up to speed while still schooling. Maybe I should just do the three R's and work on the rest later (although chances are I won't get around to it later). I would go over the letters on your website to find some answers, but just don't have the time. Any help you can give would be appreciated.
Labels: About a Rule of Life, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 5:57 AM 6 comments

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Scheduling Homeschool Time

Dear Holly,
Thank you for your amazing book. I can't believe how much I related to your story. I too did not think a schedule was a good thing and have fought it for so long! I started a rough draft of my Mothers Rule and started on Monday. Things went quite well and I have a lot of peace...compared to the chaos I had been experiencing! My two older boys and I made it to Mass all week at 7:00 AM, truly incredible!
I am curious to know if you have a schedule specifically for Homeschooling time....I can't figure out how to make sure both the older boys are staying on track while keeping my three year old busy! Also how do you schedule checking work, at night or during the day, on the weekend? I feel like if I can figure this out I will have even more peace of mind!
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 10:52 AM 6 comments

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

New Baby, New House, New Routines

Dear Holly,
I have enjoyed your book so much. It has given me a lot to reflect upon and practical things to apply to my own family life. I have three wonderful girls under three years old (33 months, 16 months and 3 weeks). We just moved into a new house two months ago. A lot of transition in a short period of time! As we approach fall, I want to get back to a more structured routine with my children. I have three questions pertaining to this.
1) How do I motivate my nearly 3-year-old to try new things (i.e., tracing lines, various crafts, learning different preschool skills)? She doesn't seem to want to learn, which I know cannot be true. I feel like I'm not a good teacher to her, and I get frustrated when she doesn't respond to something I try to teach her.
2) At the same time, she has lost interest in independent play. She used to play so well on her own (at about the age of my 2nd daughter who plays very nicely alone), but now she appears bored all the time. I can't play with her, do activities with her or take her places all the time, because I have two other little ones plus household tasks to accomplish. But at the same time, I feel responsible for her being bored. What should I do?
3) Finally, I want to incorporate regular chores into the girls' day. Up until now, chores have been sporadic rather than routine. How should I begin incorporating them? What can I expect from my 3-year old and 16-month-old? How do I motivate them? Sometimes it seems like a struggle to get them to even pick up their toys!
Labels: 4th P Parent, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 4:52 PM 2 comments

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Battling Relatives

Dear Holly,
We have been homeschooling for a few years now and are experiencing much fruit. Although it took my husband some time to come on board, he now appreciates and is happy with our decision. However, we experience much resentment from family members who live near us and whose children attend the local Catholic school which also happens to be our parish. There is not a huge homeschooling community in our parish, which doesn't bother me, but when running into family members on a continuous basis who clearly do not support our "way of life" it adds so much stress to our marriage and family life. I say way of life because our parenting is radically different as well. We have been looking to move for quite some time, initially because we are growing out of our house, but now I feel and strongly desire to move so that we can be the family God desires us to be without the need to "battle" and feel like such "oddballs." There are bigger issues here, specifically in our marriage that we are working on. But I find it extremely difficult to focus on my immediate family in addition to dealing with the demands of unsatisfied family members. Any advice?
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 10:33 AM 3 comments

Sunday, July 31, 2005

Space for Homeschooling

Dear Holly,
I am starting to homeschool this fall my 5yr. old. Since this is new to me I'm not sure where the best place in the house to "school" is. The only extra room we have is a playroom and I'm afraid he would get too distracted, especially with my 2 yr. old playing there. I could use the kitchen table, but I don't have any sort area for a chalkboard/dry erase board to write on. Do you think that's a problem? Any suggestions for me?
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 10:31 AM 3 comments

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Kids Have Lost Self-Initiative

Dear Holly,
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your book and recommend it to all my friends. When you wrote about the 5 Ps it opened up a whole new world of understanding for me. I realized that I spend way too much time on the 5th P. However, since reading your book (in May) I have been making slow but steady progress in prioritizing my activities, especially regarding the first P.

This is my problem. I followed a schedule (not quite with the spirit of a rule) during our homeschool year; since school ended in June I have had a difficult time following a rule, and my four children (8, 6, 3 & 10 months) have wide areas of free time. I have never had a problem with my children knowing what to do with themselves but it seems I do now. I am concerned that because we were so scheduled they don't know how to use their time without my constant guidance. This is particularly true of my 3 year old. But, I am concerned that they all seem a little lost with all the free time. How can I gently encourage them to entertain and explore on their own? Should I have some scheduled activities? I would appreciate your wisdom in this area.
Labels: 4th P Parent, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 10:52 AM 4 comments

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

How do You Homeschool?

DearHolly,
I was wondering if you could share your school schedule with us? I know you said it varies but it might be helpful to see what you have planned. Thank you!
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 11:23 AM 2 comments

Tuesday, January 18, 2005

A Mother's Rule and a Child with Disabilities

Dear Holly,
We are homeschooling our Grade 9th and 6th sons, and also have an 8 yr old daughter who has uncontrolled seizures and autism. She goes to a school, only 5 min from home, for 2 hrs a day for therapies and autism classroom, which is also planned for in my rule.
I am having trouble getting my boys into the rhythm of the schedule. Every week there seems to be a meeting with a therapist or a specialist, or an unpredictable seizure at school which interrupts our school day. This takes priority& I don't usually have a choice of time.
Should I have the boys do their work as best they can while I am gone, and pick up the schedule from where ever we are when I return, hoping at the end of the year we will have covered all the subjects sufficiently? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks to the rule we are not in chaos (I have prayer time, the house looks OK, supper's on the table, schoolwork is mostly completed, my husband is happy). I just feel very unfocused during school time, which affects the boys, I think.
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 1:20 PM 1 comments

Monday, November 29, 2004

Boredom and Motivation in a Homeschool

Dear Holly
I presently homeschool eight of my nine children, ages preschool up to highschool. My question is , how to keep teacher (ie Mom!) motivated after doing the same grade level over and over again? I'm on my sixth time with Kindergarten phonics, and I'm tired of Gr 2 Math - I'd rather be doing algebra and trig. We have used nearly every homeschool program invented, in an attempt to add variety and compensate for individual children's learning styles. I am in it for the long haul, so quitting isn't an option. I guess I'm looking for advice on avoiding burnout and keeping interested. I fear that my kids are missing out on their education because I'm not as enthusiastic about Gr 1 phonics as I was when I was younger. Part of this issue is really a 'time' issue as I school more and more children - but I am feeling stretched further every year.
Labels: Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 1:03 PM 2 comments

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Finding Activities for Little Ones

Dear Holly
I am struggling with my own motivation to get school stuff out and give it to my Kindergarten child. The schooling itself is easy, except for the part where I somehow find something for the other kids to do during school time. My oldest is 5, but I have four other children, ages 4, 3, 1 1/2, and a newborn. Any ideas?
Labels: 4th P Parent, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 8:24 AM 2 comments

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

My Home is a Disaster - Need an Attack Plan

Dear Holly
My home is such a disaster right now! How long does it take to organize enough to get the flow going? My laundry has no more walking space due to dirty clothes, out of season clothes, give away clothes, etc! It's going to take me a long time just to get that done. Should I stop homeschooling for a few weeks, get things in order, and then start again?
Labels: 5th P Provider, Homeschooling

posted by Holly at 8:08 AM 2 comments

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