In my recent post "What a Teenage boy needs most from his Mom," I confessed that the teen years are my favorite. I love my teen boys, and the glimpses of manhood mixed with occasional remnants of boyhood that I see in them. The teens years are what I call my reward for all of the hard work that came in the younger years.So, what about those younger years? Many people have commented and emailed asking "What are some things you suggest we do BEFORE they are teens?"A good question
Parenting and Family
What a Teenage Boy Needs Most from his Mom
Over the next week, two of my boys have birthdays that end in "teen." Today, Jonah stepped fresh and eager into his thirteenth year. Next Saturday, Josiah will swagger his way into fifteen. How could this be?Slow down boys--I gave birth to you yesterday.But really--I dig this stage. I feel like I finally understand why I had to go through the baby and toddler years: This is the reward. I mean, I love my kids at every stage, but certainly some years nearly killed me. Now that my
Homeschool Confessions: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Awkward
Well friends...You know I only post about homeschooling about once every two years, right? So bear with me while I finish what I started last week when I responded to the hottest question in the homeschool world: "What curriculum do you use?" Today, I share a quick and honest look at some of the things that stand out to me when I think of our homeschool life. Some of the stuff that us homeschoolers don't talk as much about.As homeschoolers, we tend to get super defensive (or maybe it's just
Homeschool Updates. {Part I: Curriculum.}
For a homeschool mom-blogger, I suppose I don't talk about homeschooling very much.This is probably because I really don't feel like a serious, professional, homeschool momma. There are other bloggers out there--Who share great ideas, create printables, and put together amazing curriculums. They get excited about homeschooling, and inspire me to do the same. Those are the homeschool experts. And next to them, I feel pretty lame.I homeschool for many good reasons, but I am far from the
Five Myths about Homeschool Families
I don't write a lot about homeschooling because I don't feel like much of an expert on the subject. That may sound funny, because I've homeschooled for eight years, and you'd hope that I know a thing or two by now, but it's true. There are plenty of mom-bloggers out there who write curriculums, create unit studies, and share printables, and I consider them the experts. I homeschool my three school-aged boys with an online program, and my job is simply facilitator, grader, and warden of the
Life, As it Happens {Reflections on Blogging, and Gratitude.}
I tend to get a little sentimental this time of year. I know it's busy and hectic and all of that, but I still have more of those quiet, reflective moments in December than I do the rest of the year. Maybe it's all of the holiday decorations, and the memories and associations they bring. Maybe it's the music. Or the sugar. Or the simple knowledge that we're about to wrap up yet ANOTHER YEAR…and I find myself doing some healthy reflecting.This blog brings yet another reason for me to
Helping your kids Navigate Friendships
Here in our home, we are entering into a new season: My oldest son is nearing fourteen, and the next one is almost twelve, and change is in the air.Gone are the days when our plans revolved around family, and work, and family, and family. Suddenly, almost all at once, my two oldest boys seem really focused on FRIENDS. Friends. Friends.I know it's normal. And healthy. I expected it. I am just really wanting to navigate through it all well.Side note: My boys are homeschooled,