My Little Robins

Loving and Learning in the Nest

Guidelines for Making Big Homeschool Decisions

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We're quickly pulling up to the season where we'll have many decisions to make as homeschooling moms: curriculum choices, co-op choices... it can be overwhelming, and, if you're like me, paralyzing. Sometimes it's just easier to not make decisions than to weigh and analyze all of the information you take in. 

We worry about which curriculum to choose for the next school year. Will this one adequately prepare my child for the future? We stress about which books to read during which year. Will this title be too difficult this year, too simple for years to come? Will this co-op surround my child with people that will build her up? 


We put a lot of weight on these big homeschool decisions.

When Charlotte Mason discussed authority, she said that the authority we project over our children should be based in right or wrong.  Our authority isn't based on what we want, our whims. It should be based in morality because God has placed parents in authority over their children. To set arbitrary rules over little ones, and to make arbitrary decisions, is to exasperate them.

I think this applies to the decisions we make for our homeschools. Some things, even Charlotte Mason's recommendations, are arbitrary. Does it really matter if formal lessons start at five-and-a-half versus six? Do we have to read that book, the one that has obscure language and I'm dreading to read?

Related: Thinking Love Podcast Authoritative Parenting 

Homeschool Decision-Making

Last spring, I spent months researching books for Miss H's curriculum. I pored through Home Education, to see what Charlotte Mason suggested, pulled book titles that she had used in her school, and researched how much time to spend on each subject. Even though these things weren't rooted in right and wrong, I used another Charlotte Mason idea to guide me. 

I thought of her "code of education from the Gospels," which she wrote about in the opening pages of Home Education:  "Take heed that ye OFFEND not- DESPISE not- HINDER not- one of  these little ones." She based this idea off of three verses in the book of Matthew. (Take a peek at the graphic below!) 

How can we apply this educational code to our decision making? 

  • Choose interesting, lively lessons. Boring lessons are an offense to children. 
  • Take our parenting roles seriously. Don't undervalue habit and character training. If we do, we despise, or have a low opinion of, our children. 
  • Feed a child's relationship with God, instead of hindering it.  


When we are faced with decisions, we can evaluate them by this Biblical code, and then decide whether or not they are worth a whole lot of mental and emotional energy. 

Decision-Making Freedom

I think of an analogy I heard several years ago. When you are struggling with making big decisions, imagine yourself in a wide meadow, full of fragrant flowers in hues of pink, yellow, and violet. 

You could go left, right, forward and back and still have access to beauty. It wouldn't be wrong to go each way. 

 But in the distance, beyond a wild strawberry patch, there's a cliff. Going near the cliff would be foolish and dangerous. Stay away from the cliff. 

The meadow is our freedom in Christ. We are free to choose, as long as we don't choose what is morally wrong, or ignore what God is clearly telling us. He can, and will, work with our decisions. 

If we have freedom in Christ, then we surely have freedom within Charlotte Mason's philosophy. 

Guidelines for Homeschool Decision Making

1. Think about whether or not this decision is arbitrary, then devote a proportionate amount of time making it. 

2. Pray about it. Ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance. 

2. Gather your information. Don't over-research and enter into "analysis paralysis!" 

3. Consult people who are integral in your homeschooling, like your spouse, family members, or even your children. Be careful from whom you seek advice! 

4. Think about the "offend not, despise not, and hinder not" code, then make your decision.  

5. Stick with it. Something will always seem better. That is our human nature. Console yourself with the knowledge that your decision was prayerful, research, and rightly considered. 



Mid-Year Evaluation for Your Charlotte Mason Preschool

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We live in a performance-based society. This performance mentality doesn't wait until a child has neared adulthood to emerge. If that were true, then there'd be no need for n0-heckling rules at children's sporting events. There wouldn't be elementary school awards for making the honor roll or never missing a day of school. Even babies are subjected to milestone checklists, comparing them to peers!

Some of these things are helpful, but no matter your opinion on this, the chances are that this performance-based perspective has infiltrated many areas of our lives. 

Yes, even homeschoolers' lives.

I can tell every time someone asks if their child will be behind, or if they are doing enough to teach their children. They are concerned that somehow their children won't measure up. 

The fear is valid. But, if you choose to follow Charlotte Mason's philosophy, we can find peace in evaluating our homeschools, in the early years and beyond, according to her standards and our calling- not the world's standards. 

Related; Charlotte Mason Preschool Foundations

Does Your Homeschool Measure Up?

Charlotte Mason's philosophy and related curricula have high expectations. But thankfully, these standards expect children and their parent/teachers to do the best they they can considering the gifts that God has given them, not to achieve the most. 

She gave us three tools to use for our children's education; atmosphere, discipline, and life. These are the things that we do for our children's education, and if we are maintaining them all, then we can rest in the fact that our homeschool is going to be a success, even if it can't be measured by a test. 

If you need to learn more about these three tools before reading on, please do! I have linked to some posts below, and I also have a free booklet available for email subscribers in the subscriber library called Charlotte Mason Preschool: Tools for Education. You can sign up for it in the box below. 

​Atmosphere

​Discipline and ​this post, too


Life

Mid-Year Evaluation

We can evaluate how we are using these tools by asking ourselves some simple questions. 

1. What does my family value?

The atmosphere in our homes should reflect what we value. If you value screen-free life, you most likely will not have a television in every room. If you value education, there's a good chance that you'll have many books (minimally-minded families might have an iPad loaded with good books!) Your values can also be apparent in a non-environmental way. Those who value gentleness will probably have a peaceful feeling in their home. Being a Christ-centered family will surely have a positive effect on the atmosphere. 

Ask yourself what your family values, and figure out how your home atmosphere can better reflect that. 

Related: The Complete Charlotte Mason Preschool Guide

2. What is running smoothly in my home, and what can be done differently?

Education is the discipline of habits, and how your home functions will give you a clear picture of how habits are running. Are there areas that are truly difficult? Are there areas where you're family is thriving? Reflect on these.  

Think about the area that you need to improve. What habits can you work on in this area? I wrote more about the process of changing your routines to support habit training here.

3. How can I present ideas in a lively way?

During the early years, our children have free time and are encouraged to pursue their interests. In what ways can you offer your children living ideas in areas that interest them? Are you getting your nature-lover outside plenty? 

When formal lessons begin, the bulk of these ideas will be presented through books. Evaluate the books that you're using. Are they striking your child so that ideas take hold? Are there other experiences you and your child can enjoy together that would present living ideas to them? 

​Related: Will My Child be Behind if I Delay Formal Lessons?

Charlotte Mason Preschool: Tools for Education

There's a 10 page PDF waiting for you in the Subscriber Library that describes Charlotte Mason's tools of education, and how to use them in the early years. I've included explanations of each tool, and workspaces to work through the questions above. You'll also find a sample day so you can see the tools in action. Sign up below to get access to the subscriber library! 




Stocking Your Christmas Morning Basket

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I love celebrating the Christmas season with my children! Advent is not something we paid much attention to growing up, besides watching the wreath fill up with light at church every Sunday. Maybe it's a trend, but if so, it's a very good one. Advent. which means "the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event"  helps us anticipate the coming of our savior, both 2000 years ago, and in the future. 

I am not sure our advent resources will be relegated only to morning time, but I do know that I want the morning time feel during this season- all of us sitting around the table together, learning and reading about Jesus. Other lessons will be scaled back to make way for celebrating the coming king. I've also included ideas for a Mom's basket, and an evening basket, which we've started doing with my husband after dinner. 

Each year, we've gathered a couple of new resources, giving us many to choose from. I've mentioned the age category that I think they're appropriate for, even though all of my children participate in what we do, whether it's meant for an older or younger audience.

I've used affiliate links to share items to help you stock your Advent Morning Basket. You can read more about affiliate links in my policies.

Advent Curricula

The Christmas Guide- A Peaceful Preschool Unit

We will use this year, with my middle child (4) in mind. I often gear our Christmas activities towards my older child, but this year, I think he will be so excited for this.  I love the read alouds that are included, and the fact that there are cards to help with recitation. As usual, activities that don't fit my vision for our Charlotte Mason homeschool will be left out, but there aren't many of those. 

A Gentle Advent

We've used this the past two years, and we adored it! It is such a sweet way to celebrate Christmas, and has beautiful videos to watch for guidance, a gorgeous printable Advent calendar that my children loved to flip open each day, copywork pages, and more. It can be adapted for children of different ages (we have omitted the copywork the past two years)  so a wide array of children can participate. 

Christmas Celebration Morning Time Plans

Pam Barnhill, the queen of morning time, offers free morning time plans on her website. These include living books, music study, and liturgy. We are tucking these away for another year when our kids are slightly older, but they look lovely! 

A Gentle Advent- Jesse Tree

The second version of A Gentle Advent includes readings to hold your own Jesse Tree. A Jesse Tree traces the arrival of Jesus all the way back through the Old Testament, with scripture and prophecy from long before his birth. There is an advent calendar, printable ornaments to put on the tree each day, and other ideas to celebrate advent. To me, this resource looks appropriate for children five and up, with some modifications for non-writers. 

Christmas Books and Devotionals

Great read-alouds are crucial to the morning basket! We read most of these every year. 

There Was No Snow on Christmas Eve

 We picked this book up at the library a few years ago, and I couldn't believe that I hadn't heard of it before. Pam Munoz Ryan is a talented author, and this book is no exception. I love that it more accurately portrays the first Christmas scene for young readers, rather than the snowy night, jingle-bell idea that has become the Christmas ideal. 

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

This is a longer book that we usually take several days to read. It is gorgeously illustrated, and beautifully tells the tale of heart-transformation during Christmas time. While younger children enjoy it, it would be most appreciated with children five and up. 

Advent Storybook

 There are two advent storybooks that I think are worth adding to a morning basket, although probably not in the same year! This one tells the story of Benjamin Bear, who is making a pilgrimage to see the Christ child. It is very sweet for young children, ages 0-6, with just one short story to read each day of advent. 

The Advent Storybook

 This advent storybook is somewhat more Christ-centered. It contains 25 stories about why Jesus came on Christmas. I ordered this book for my two younger children, but it hasn't arrived yet.

The Way to the Manger

We bought this devotional last Christmas, and it is so sweet! I love how there are questions and spaces to write responses, so you can see how each family member changes and grows from year to year. I do wish there was a little more depth to it, but for now, with very young children, it is great for our family. This is what we do for our "evening basket" after dinner. Usually, my husband reads it to them so he can also be involved with our advent celebration. 

The Christmas Story From the King James Bible

This is a beautifully illustrated account of the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke. It's in the language of the King James Bible, which is so lovely to listen to, and the pictures make it engaging and understandable for the littlest learners. 

Free Resources

Advent ABC's

 A daily scripture verse in alphabetical order that is fun for little ones!

Jesus Storybook Bible Reading Plan

Download a free reading plan that coordinates with the Jesus Storybook Bible. There are even printable ornaments so your children can add an ornament to the tree for each story. 

Focus on the Family Advent Devotions

This year's free devotions are intended for each Sunday of advent, but once you download your plans, you can acecss past year's devotions as well. 

The Book of Luke

There are 24 chapters in the book of Luke, which makes it a perfect, free advent resource. Read one chapter each day to have an entire account of Jesus's birth, life, death and resurrection. 

Handicrafts

Rooted Childhood Christmas Collection- If you've been hanging out here for very long, you know that my kids and I really enjoy Rooted Childhood. They just released a Christmas Collection, that will be a beautiful addition to our seasonal collections. I am planning on choosing one handicraft to work on each week of advent. As a warning, there is some Waldorf-inspired content in this collection, which I know some Christians avoid. 

Mom's Morning Basket

I love the idea of having a morning basket for mom, which I first heard of from Lara at Everyday Graces. Stocking up a morning basket for myself, which I can do before my kids wake up, is a great way to face the day restored, and to focus my own heart of Jesus's arrival, too. 

A Homespun Hallelujah

This course, which is part online, part printables, is such a refreshing way to prepare our hearts and homes for the season.  I loved the Bible journaling pages, and the tutorials for festive decorations, like an evergreen wreath. I'm looking forward to using this again this year. 

Case For Christmas Free Online Bible Study

 A few years ago, I read The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel, and really enjoyed it. Just weeks after finishing the book, my husband and I just happened to visit a church the day that Lee Strobel was the guest speaker. Now I'm a big fan!  I was excited to find this free advent resource this year, that I think I will use with my husband. 

Unwrapping the Names of Jesus

I just ordered this advent devotional, so I'm not sure what I think of it yet, but I can let you know ASAP 🙂 It has great reviews on Amazon. 

Charlotte Mason's Saviour of the World Poems

Volume One of Charlotte Mason's poetry collection, Saviour of the World, focuses on the holy infancy. What a refreshing read for mothers during the Advent season! You can find it for free thanks to the ladies of Ambleside Online. 






THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES: Outdoor Subscription Box for Kids

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Outdoor culture is important here in Colorado, and my husband and I want to raise our kids to be nature explorers and adventurers.  Adventure without knowledge is foolish, so we try to help our children develop a deep understanding of nature and survival skills.  We've sought out and tested different outdoor curricula to fit our outdoorsy needs, and recently discovered THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES, a monthly subscription box and nature curriculum that encourages a love for nature and teaches how to live in it responsibly.  

I 'm thankful for this opportunity to receive THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES for free, since they're a perfect fit for our family.  I received compensation for the time spent writing this post, but all opinions are my own. 

Outdoor Subscription Box

We aren't using a nature study curriculum this year, and I had been feeling like  I needed direction. I wanted my kids to not only learn about the natural world around them, but learn how to love it. THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES is a monthly subscription box for kids, perfect for outdoorsy families or those who want to be. Each month of this year-long subscription has a theme oriented around nature. We received two boxes:  the campfire box and the nature box. 

The boxes have 3-5 tools to help stock a nature survival backpack, as well as a guide packed with information and nature activities. The tools are not run-of-the-mill nature toys, they are high quality items that would be truly necessary to outdoor survival. A year-long subscription will ensure that your family is prepared for all elements of nature. 

The guide that came in the box is well-done and something we keep coming back to look at and use. It is broken into several sections: Learn It, Try It, and Live It. The learn it section has information to read about each month's topic. This is well-organized writing that tells about a certain nature topic, or warns about dangers you might encounter outside. The "try it" section has activities that get your children thinking. Some of the activities are nature handicrafts, and some are intended to get your child up close and observing nature. The "Live it" section is shorter, and teaches children how they can apply what they're learning in nature.

THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES

Nature Box Crafts and Activities

When we opened our nature box in our backyard, the kids and I were immediately inspired to head out on an adventure. I loved that THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES had the ability to make us crave more outdoor time! So, we packed up and headed to one of our favorite nature spots. 

 This box has a bite and sting kit, and other nature tools like a magnifying glass (actual glass, not plastic!) and LED tweezers. Thankfully, we didn't encounter any insects or venomous creatures or biting insects that day, but the kids had a lot of fun acting out a snake-bite situation, taking turns with the venom pump. This was a great way to get my kids prepared for an emergency situation: should it happen for real, they'll know what to do! 

It was so simple yet meaningful to make a braided nature bracelet!

Miss H and I worked on some of the outdoor activities in the curriculum guide. The guide is set up so that we can read a little, and then do a related activity. It feels like the perfect amount of reading versus activity. We read about trees, and then H searched out trees in the area and noticed their different qualities.  There was a little graphic organizer in the booklet for this activity that she thought was really fun to fill out! 

Miss H was a also excited to try a nature handicraft: making a braided bracelet from long strands of grass. She loves trying new crafts, and I love it when the supplies come directly from nature and not out craft cupboard. The activities in the guide are balanced between educational and skillful, a perfect combination to keep children learning and interested. 

Related: Making the Most Out of Outdoor Play During the Early Years

My two older kids, unboxing their THiNK OUTSiDE box.

Miss H, working on the tree chart in the nature curriculum guide. 

Campfire Box

The campfire box interested all of us, including my husband! The box came with materials for building a fire, like cotton for tinder and a fire striker. This all came in a little burlap bag for easy storage in the nature backpack. The guide has important fire safety information, which is crucial for young children to learn! We were also really excited about the fire extinguisher recipe in the guide. That will be something to keep handy on our next camping trip! 

We don't have a fire pit in our new backyard (yet!) but it didn't stop my children from making a pretend fire according to the directions in the laminated flip book that came with the box. They spread lava rocks for the base of the fire, gathered tinder, and set up sticks in a little teepee shape. 

THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES in Our Homeschool

With six "learn it" and "try it" sections in the nature box guide, we'll have more than enough to keep us learning and playing throughout the month. These days, we venture out somewhere rugged about once a week, so this curriculum is just the right amount for us. I plan to read the "learn it" section at home, and then bring our tools and the guide on our adventures. 

Even though my younger kids don't need a nature curriculum at this point, this has been completely accessible for them, too. E (4) enjoyed reading the sections in the guide, and A (2) loved playing with the tools. The imaginative play that results has been so heart-warming to watch!  I am thankful that THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES aren't geared towards a narrow age segment.

There are 12 themed boxes that will keep us exploring all year long. You can check out this worthwhile resource for homeschoolers here.  Use the code HOME10 for $10 off of your order through 2019. 

THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES: A nature oriented subscription box for the outdoorsy kid.

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The Key To Homeschooling For Christian Moms

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Humans like easy.

This is scientifically proven, and I believe it's why God created us to be creatures of habit: habits make things easy and take decision making away. 

For those same reasons, so many homeschool moms look for what will be easiest for them: the open-and-go curriculum, the habit-training advice, or the blog or business that can tell them just what to do. Whatever makes it easy. 

But, is it possible that in the quest for easy, we overlook our biggest Homeschooling Advocate: the Holy Spirit?

Habits for the Early Years: A Mother's Journal

Charlotte Mason's 20th Principle

Charlotte Mason's 20th principle is probably my favorite. She said: 

 "We allow no separation to grow up between the intellectual and 'spiritual' life of children, but teach them that the Divine Spirit has constant access to their spirits, and is their Continual Helper in all the interests, duties and joys of life."

For the Christian mom, this principle brings comfort and peace of mind. We no longer have to agonize over our decisions, over the books we choose to read with our children, and whether or not we are qualified to homeschool. 

Charlotte Mason believed so strongly in this principle, that she called it the "mothers' key" to education: 

"In the things of science, in the things of art, in the things of practical everyday life, his God doth instruct him and doth teach him, her God doth instruct her and doth teach her. Let this be the mother's key to the whole of the education of each boy and each girl; not of her children; the Divine Spirit does not work with nouns of multitude, but with each single child." School Education, page 273

But many of us stand with this key in hand, refusing to use it to unlock the door. We know that we can turn to the Holy Spirit for help, but instead we turn to social media, we hesitate, and we don't trust. 

What if all Christian homeschooling moms decided to tune out some of the loud voices shouting their dissent, and instead tuned into the Holy Spirit? 

Can you imagine the transformation we'd see in our own hearts and others? I've been thinking about this topic for years, and I truly believe that if we let the Holy Spirit guide out homeschools, we'd find peace in many areas. 

Charlotte Mason's First Principle: Children are Born Persons

1. Making Decisions

I try not to get too caught up in the question of what Charlotte Mason would have us do in certain situations. I don't agonize over decisions about what books we should read or at what age to include copywork. Instead, I pray about what the Holy Spirit would have me do. Sometimes, what I do is not directly in line with what Charlotte Mason would say, but in the end, I'm answering to God and not to Charlotte Mason. 

When I taught my daughter to read at the age of 5.5, I knew some people would disagree with my decision. But thankfully, it wasn't about them. It was about seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit and doing what I felt called to do. Teaching H to read slightly earlier than Charlotte Mason recommended ended up being a blessing to our entire family. My little girl was thrilled with her new knowledge, and  her little siblings loved having a new person in the home to read to them. 

Why My Kids are Out of Control

2. Feeling Qualified

Many of us don't feel qualified to homeschool our children, maybe academically or spiritually. But, if we hang onto this: "her God doth instruct her and teacher her" from the quote above, we can feel confidently qualified. As I said in a recent Thinking Love podcast episode, it isn't a matter of how qualified we are, but who qualifies us to homeschool. 

If we understand that the Holy Spirit is on our side, that the knowledge given by him is infinite and more complete than any college degree, then we can rest in our Qualifier. 

3. Learning and Teaching Hard Things

We all have areas that we've struggled with in the past. Math never clicked for me as a child, and I carried that unsettling, "I am a math failure" feeling through the first few years of my teaching career.  We can either let these feelings overwhelm us and outsource these subjects to other people, or we can hold the key in our hand, and use it to give us God-confidence, knowing that we can learn and grow just as our children do. 

Understanding that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Teacher also allows us to mess up. If we don't relate a subject perfectly, your child's understanding of it doesn't entirely rest on your efforts. The Divine Teacher can, and will, use you, books, other people, and your child's own mind to deepen their knowledge. 

20 Principles Study Guide

4. Getting Along

I will touch on this final area gently. It's no secret that there's tension in the homeschooling community. When someone makes a decision that's different than ours, sometimes our defenses go up. We sometimes feel that it diminishes our own decisions if someone else chooses another path. But why? 

 I love how Charlotte Mason said, in the passage above, that the Holy Spirit works with individuals, not with multiples, and this applies to mothers as well as children. If we believe that the Holy Spirit can guide different people in different directions, then there is no reason to view others' decisions in a negative light.

He is carving out a unique path for your homeschooling journey, and it is yours if you are willing to accept it.  



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