Is Homeschooling the right choice for your family?
You have choices when it comes to your child’s education!
Are you considering homeschooling? It’s an excellent choice for families who want to actively shape their children’s education. While it may feel like a significant decision, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Every family is unique, and it’s important to make educational choices that align with your values and goals. Homeschooling offers a flexible and personalized approach to learning.
With our extensive experience of over 30 years in the secular homeschool community, Maria and Nicole are here to be your trusted guides on this new adventure. Whether you’re just starting to explore homeschooling, have recently begun, or are seeking to enhance your homeschooling knowledge, we are committed to supporting you every step of the way. We understand that you have important questions, and our primary objective is to provide you with the answers you need.
Through our informative podcasts, blog posts, daily inspiration, and a wide range of free printable tools, we aim to empower and assist you on your homeschooling journey. We believe in equipping you with valuable resources to make your homeschooling experience successful and enjoyable.
Let’s join forces and embark on this exciting educational voyage together!
GREAT NEWS!
Homeschooling is Legal in all 50 states
Click HERE to Look Up Your State Law
Nurture Curiosity and a Love for Reading in your Homeschool
One of the joys of homeschooling is nurturing a lifelong love of learning in our children. They are naturally curious beings, always eager to explore and understand the world around them. For me, fostering curiosity is at the heart of our homeschooling journey.
Lifelong learning goes beyond following a rigid curriculum. It’s about equipping our children with the skills to ask questions and seek out their own answers. When our kids show interest in a particular topic, we dive into it together, exploring it from different angles and encouraging their curiosity to flourish.
Unstructured time is also crucial for their growth. Allowing them moments of quiet reflection and independent thinking helps their ideas take shape. It’s during these times that their thoughts begin to form, waiting to be shared.
And let’s not forget the magic of reading! Reading opens doors to endless learning possibilities. By instilling a love of reading from an early age, we unlock a treasure trove of knowledge and imagination. Reading aloud not only exposes our children to the joy of storytelling but also creates lasting memories of shared experiences.
In our homeschooling adventure, we strive to create an environment where curiosity thrives, where our children are encouraged to ask questions, explore their interests, and embrace the joy of reading. Let’s embark on an incredible adventure of lifelong discovery and learning as we come together to create a vibrant homeschool lifestyle that nurtures and inspires….
What is a Homeschool Lifestyle?
BTDT Homeschool Podcast
New Episode every Thursday!
Latest Episode:
- Deschooling 101: A Vital Step to a Successful Homeschool
As you embark on this new journey, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Thoughts about which curriculum to choose and how to begin may be racing in your mind. While your enthusiasm to jump in is admirable, don’t skip this crucial step!
NEW PRESCHOOLER
PULLING YOUR CHILD FROM A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
PREPARING FOR COLLEGE, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, OR THE JOB MARKET
You know your child better than anyone else—better than teachers, administrators, or experts. You have an incredible understanding of what makes them happy, what frustrates them, and what truly ignites their passion. You’re familiar with their quirks, their unique talents, and their individual journey. You have an innate sense of what is best for your child because you share an unbreakable bond.
So, when it comes to making educational decisions for your child, trust your instincts. You have the power to choose the path that suits them best, whether it’s full-time homeschooling, a combination of homeschooling and traditional school, or transitioning from homeschooling to formal education later on. Embrace this opportunity with confidence and know that your love and understanding will guide you to make the right choice for your child’s unique journey.
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BOOK RECOMMENDATION: If you want to light a fire under your kid’s love for learning, The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life by Julie Bogart is a must-read! It’s perfect for parents who want to tap into children’s natural curiosity and make learning a lifelong adventure. Bogart’s approach is all about embracing their unique interests and learning styles. She shares practical tips for turning your home into an exciting learning hub and encourages a mindset of wonder and exploration. With its relatable and down-to-earth style, this book is like a trusty guide that will help you inspire your little ones. This book is not only on our own bookshelves, it remains one that we continue to reread:
Quick Clickable Guide:
Here are essential steps to guide you in your homeschooling journey:
- Understand your state’s homeschooling laws: Familiarize yourself with the specific homeschooling regulations in your state as they can vary.
- Communicate with your child’s current school: If your child is already enrolled in a school, inform them of your decision to homeschool. Follow any necessary procedures for withdrawal, and we can provide sample withdrawal letters to assist you.
- Begin a “De-Schooling” period: If your child was previously in a traditional school setting, it is crucial to allow for an adjustment period known as “De-Schooling.” This time allows both you and your child to transition into the homeschooling lifestyle and set the stage for a successful outcome. Don’t Skip this crucial step after withdrawing your child!
- Determine your family’s homeschooling philosophy: Take time to establish your homeschooling philosophy, considering your child’s learning style and your teaching style. This will help shape your approach to homeschooling.
- Choose your homeschooling approach: Explore different approaches like unschooling, classical education, or Montessori. We recommend reading the book “BRAVE LEARNER” by Julie Bogart for valuable insights.
- Connect with other homeschoolers: Building a community of like-minded homeschoolers is essential. Seek out local homeschooling groups or online communities to connect with and learn from others who have experience in homeschooling.
- Find suitable resources: Research and select curriculum materials, lesson plans, and online courses that align with your educational goals, budget, and your child’s needs. Stay tuned as we will provide book reviews, curriculum suggestions, and more resources.
- Establish a schedule, routine, and rhythm: Create a schedule that works for your family, considering each member’s priorities. Establishing a routine and rhythm can bring structure and consistency to your homeschooling experience.
- Maintain balance within your family: Recognize that homeschooling involves the whole family. Ensure that each family member’s needs are met and find ways to create harmony among multi-age children.
- Learn and grow together: Embrace the homeschooling lifestyle as a continuous learning journey for both you and your children. Foster their curiosity, encourage lifelong learning, and be open to adapting your approach when necessary.
Be sure to check out our free resources that we prepared for you on each page. This is just an introduction – we have many more pages, episodes, and resources to help you on your homeschool journey. We also have a shop with dozens of FREE RESOURCES you can instantly download:
Happy Homeschooling!
STEP 1:
NEW TO HOMESCHOOLING
Each page is full of FREE resources and podcast episode that details everything you need to know:
How To Get Started
-Homeschool Advantages and Disadvantages
-Can I homeschool in my state?
-How do I withdraw my child from public school? What is “deschooling?”
Deschooling 101
-What is Deschooling?
-Should I Deschool?
-How Do I Deschool? Be sure to download the FREE Deschool Ideas List!
Homeschool Styles and Philosophies
-How to identify your world view?
-What are the different homeschool philosophies?
-How to identify your child’s learning style?
How To Find Your People
-What are co-ops, university model and micro-schools?
-How to find support?
-How to start your own group?
Schedules, Routines & Rhythms
-What’s the difference between schedules, routines & rhythms?
-How do I organize the day?
-What are some different planning methods?
All About Family
-How do you balance multi-age students?
-How do you encourage strong sibling relationships?
-How do you encourage extended family support?
STEP 2:
YOUNGER CHILDREN
Each page is full of FREE resources and podcast episode that details everything you need to know:
What Should Your Preschooler Know?
-When should I start homeschooling?
-What age should my child learn to read?
-What curriculum do I need?
How Do You Teach Your Child To Read?
-When is my child ready to read?
-What curriculum should I use?
-Can I teach reading with games?
STEP 3:
Special Needs?
This page is full of FREE resources and podcast episode that details everything you need to know:
How Do You Homeschool a Child with a Learning Disability?
-What are the most common learning disabilities?
-How do I homeschool a child with a learning disability?
-Will having a special need hold my child back?
STEP 4:
MIDDLE YEARS
This page is full of FREE resources and podcast episode that details everything you need to know:
How Do You Prepare a Middle Schooler for High School?
What does your middle schooler need to know?
How do you deal with sibling growing pains?
How do you motivate your middle schooler?
STEP 5:
HIGH SCHOOL
Our High School Series is full of FREE resources and podcast episodes that detail everything you need to know from making a 4-year plan to graduation and beyond:
You CAN do this!
Recent BLOG Posts
- LGBTQ+ HistoryThe LGBTQ+ history is often left out of history curricula. Learn how to teach LGBTQ+ history, inclusion, and celebrate differences in your Homeschool.
Includes age appropriate book ist – fiction and nonfiction!
- Free Summer Reading Challenge BundleIgnite your child’s imagination and keep them motivated all summer with our FREE Summer Reading Challenge List and Log.
- Top 25 Homeschool EssentialsFREE Planner Templates!
Our TOP 25 Homeschool Essentials List that you should incorporate in your homeschool space to kick off your school year.
- Cornstarch Speaker ExperimentIt’s Alive! This Non-Newtonian Experiment is fun for all ages. Watch how oobleck behaves on top of a speaker. So creepy and fun!
- Discovering Geography and Culture Through FoodWe’ve enjoyed Universal Yums for years. Bring food to your lessons. Get a new country every month!
