The Homeschool Life Blog
Encouragement for Home. School. Life.
Curriculum
Encouragement
Faith Development
Homeschooling
Getting Started
High School
The Home
A Few of our favorite Things
Podcasts
Planning and organizing
Recent Posts
ADORE 2024 FREE Christmas Devotional
Merry Christmas! Thanks for being a part of the HWC family. We hope you will enjoy Kris' devotional on the names of Jesus. May God use it to focus your heart to ADORE HIM this Christmas season. Who Is Jesus
Cultivating Faithfulness: Seven Ideas to Keep You Praying for your Kids
Despite the fact that I know consistency in praying for my children is important, I’ve oft had trouble following through. The demands of school, housework, and other needs seem to overshadow the quiet task of stopping, quieting my heart, and praying. The good news is...
Our Favorite Things: The Young Peacemakers
Purchase here: Why we like this prodcut: Other things you should know: https://amzn.to/4eMjd1N
Podcasts
Join Trisha Pull for Part 1 of 10 Things I Wish I Knew as a Beginning Homeschooler Hosted by Five Minute Parenting, Sandra Chambers
Join Kris Cox as she offers Tips for Planning the High School Years in Homeschooling Hosted by Five Minute Parenting, Sandra Chambers
Join Trisha Pull for Part 2 of 10 Things I Wish I Knew as a Beginning Homeschooler Hosted by Five Minute Parenting, Sandra Chambers
Join Kris Cox for a discussion on Planning Your High School Homeschool Years Hosted by Kody Hanner, Grow With a Homestead Education | The Homestead Education
Join Kris Cox for a discussion on Tips to Help You Succeed in Your Homeschool Hosted by Five Minute Parenting, Sandra Chambers
Join Kris Cox for a discussion on the Benefits of Homeschooling Hosted by Five Minute Parenting, Sandra Chambers
A Few of Our Favorite Things
Our Favorite Things: Young Peacemakers
Purchase Young Peacemakers About this product Peacemakers is a practical, step by step guide for children to handling conflict, seeking reconciliation and asking and receiving forgiveness. If you're looking for something to encourage healthy family...
Getting Started
6 Great Reasons for Homeschool Record Keeping
As homeschool parents, we can easily feel stressed out, keeping great records will reduce your homeschool stress
Perspectives from the Porch on Life and Homeschooling
Have you ever considered the idea that some of our favorite places and pastimes can give us insight into life and priorities? My in-laws house sits on 25 acres next to a river in rural North Dakota. The property is full of places to play and relax – swimming...
10 Gifts of Routine
As the carefree days of summer fade into the demands of another school year, I’m tempted to view the needed return to routine as an imposition. I readily focus on the sacrifice required to maintain routine without remembering the many gifts that it delivers. If...
9 Simple Steps for Homeschool Planning
Are you feeling stressed about preparing for school this fall? I get it, it feels like a lot to do! Let me simplify it for you and hopefully take away some of the overwhelm. 9 Simple Steps for Planning Your School Year Seek guidance from the Lord first! You...
Join Trisha Pull for Part 1 of 10 Things I Wish I Knew as a Beginning Homeschooler Hosted by Five Minute Parenting, Sandra Chambers
12 Incredible Benefits of Homeschooling
Are you approaching the years when your child will enter elementary school and trying to decide how you want to educate them? Or are you frustrated with your child’s current educational situation and considering making a change? Or are you already homeschooling your...
Join Trisha Pull for Part 2 of 10 Things I Wish I Knew as a Beginning Homeschooler Hosted by Five Minute Parenting, Sandra Chambers
Join Kris Cox for a discussion on Tips to Help You Succeed in Your Homeschool Hosted by Five Minute Parenting, Sandra Chambers
8 Proven Tips for a Successful Homeschool Transition
Photo by Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash With COVID fears and our current world situation, there have been numerous families making the choice to homeschool for the first time over the last year. The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI.org) gives the...
General Homeschooling
6 Great Reasons for Homeschool Record Keeping
As homeschool parents, we can easily feel stressed out, keeping great records will reduce your homeschool stress
Homeschooling Through High School: You CAN do it!
Many homeschoolers begin to panic as they approach the high school years. They fear they can’t continue homeschooling because it’ll be too difficult to teach high school level courses. I’ve heard other people say they don’t think homeschooling will provide a quality...
Perspectives from the Porch on Life and Homeschooling
Have you ever considered the idea that some of our favorite places and pastimes can give us insight into life and priorities? My in-laws house sits on 25 acres next to a river in rural North Dakota. The property is full of places to play and relax – swimming...
10 Gifts of Routine
As the carefree days of summer fade into the demands of another school year, I’m tempted to view the needed return to routine as an imposition. I readily focus on the sacrifice required to maintain routine without remembering the many gifts that it delivers. If...
9 Simple Steps for Homeschool Planning
Are you feeling stressed about preparing for school this fall? I get it, it feels like a lot to do! Let me simplify it for you and hopefully take away some of the overwhelm. 9 Simple Steps for Planning Your School Year Seek guidance from the Lord first! You...
12 Incredible Benefits of Homeschooling
Are you approaching the years when your child will enter elementary school and trying to decide how you want to educate them? Or are you frustrated with your child’s current educational situation and considering making a change? Or are you already homeschooling your...
Join Kris Cox for a discussion on Tips to Help You Succeed in Your Homeschool Hosted by Five Minute Parenting, Sandra Chambers
Why Am I Doing This Again?
Twelve Long-Term Reasons for Short-Term Perseverance
January can be a tough month. After the Christmas decorations come down and the deep cold of a Minnesota winter sets in, motivation to endure the day-to-day humdrum of homeschooling can be sparse. In a month when it feels like there’s much to gripe about, remembering why I homeschool can foster gratitude and renewed focus.
My hope is that these long-term reasons for homeschooling will encourage all of us to persevere in the short term.
Join Kris Cox for a discussion on the Benefits of Homeschooling Hosted by Five Minute Parenting, Sandra Chambers
Planning & Organizing
Homeschooling Through High School: You CAN do it!
Many homeschoolers begin to panic as they approach the high school years. They fear they can’t continue homeschooling because it’ll be too difficult to teach high school level courses. I’ve heard other people say they don’t think homeschooling will provide a quality...
Join Kris Cox as she offers Tips for Planning the High School Years in Homeschooling Hosted by Five Minute Parenting, Sandra Chambers
Join Kris Cox for a discussion on Planning Your High School Homeschool Years Hosted by Kody Hanner, Grow With a Homestead Education | The Homestead Education
Help! I’m Homeschooling a Tween!
I remember a time back when one of our sons was around age 11-12, when he would spend his usual hour working on math, but would only finish 2-3 problems because he was daydreaming so much. He just couldn’t seem to stay focused! Then when our daughter was around that...
Language Arts in the Middle School and High School Years
“I’m not sure what to do for language arts this year!” or “I don’t know what to cover for language arts in the middle school and high school years.” These are common statements that I hear from homeschool parents! I think that’s because language arts has so many...
Encouragement
Cultivating Faithfulness: Seven Ideas to Keep You Praying for your Kids
Despite the fact that I know consistency in praying for my children is important, I’ve oft had trouble following through. The demands of school, housework, and other needs seem to overshadow the quiet task of stopping, quieting my heart, and praying. The good news is...
Praying for Our Children~ Our Disciples
Praying for our Children ~ our Disciples by Kris Hage, veteran homeschool mom read to the end to get your FREE download of verses to pray for your children As John Newton told of God’s “Amazing Grace” in his life, he gave credit to his mother for all the prayers she...
6 Great Reasons for Homeschool Record Keeping
As homeschool parents, we can easily feel stressed out, keeping great records will reduce your homeschool stress
Perspectives from the Porch on Life and Homeschooling
Have you ever considered the idea that some of our favorite places and pastimes can give us insight into life and priorities? My in-laws house sits on 25 acres next to a river in rural North Dakota. The property is full of places to play and relax – swimming...
12 Incredible Benefits of Homeschooling
Are you approaching the years when your child will enter elementary school and trying to decide how you want to educate them? Or are you frustrated with your child’s current educational situation and considering making a change? Or are you already homeschooling your...
10 Tips for Helping your Child with Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues are on the rise the last couple of years with the pandemic and all that's been going on in the world. Sadly, we just passed the two-year mark of losing one of our adult sons to mental illness. It's the hardest thing I’ve ever been through and has...
6 Tips for Motivating your Child to Learn
Some children just naturally love to learn, they’re easy to teach because they soak up information like a sponge. They beg you to teach them math and reading and more. Other children don’t gravitate to learning on their own. They’re likely still learning new things...
Help Your Child Learn to Persevere in Tough Times
The years 2020 through 2021 have been a difficult season for all of us collectively. No one has been immune from the challenges. This pandemic and the ensuing quarantining, life changes, and stress have had an impact on everyone. It has caused way too much fear and...
8 Proven Tips for a Successful Homeschool Transition
Photo by Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash With COVID fears and our current world situation, there have been numerous families making the choice to homeschool for the first time over the last year. The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI.org) gives the...
Faith Development
ADORE 2024 FREE Christmas Devotional
Merry Christmas! Thanks for being a part of the HWC family. We hope you will enjoy Kris' devotional on the names of Jesus. May God use it to focus your heart to ADORE HIM this Christmas season. Who Is Jesus
Cultivating Faithfulness: Seven Ideas to Keep You Praying for your Kids
Despite the fact that I know consistency in praying for my children is important, I’ve oft had trouble following through. The demands of school, housework, and other needs seem to overshadow the quiet task of stopping, quieting my heart, and praying. The good news is...
Praying for Our Children~ Our Disciples
Praying for our Children ~ our Disciples by Kris Hage, veteran homeschool mom read to the end to get your FREE download of verses to pray for your children As John Newton told of God’s “Amazing Grace” in his life, he gave credit to his mother for all the prayers she...
Perspectives from the Porch on Life and Homeschooling
Have you ever considered the idea that some of our favorite places and pastimes can give us insight into life and priorities? My in-laws house sits on 25 acres next to a river in rural North Dakota. The property is full of places to play and relax – swimming...
10 Tips for Helping your Child with Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues are on the rise the last couple of years with the pandemic and all that's been going on in the world. Sadly, we just passed the two-year mark of losing one of our adult sons to mental illness. It's the hardest thing I’ve ever been through and has...
Help Your Child Learn to Persevere in Tough Times
The years 2020 through 2021 have been a difficult season for all of us collectively. No one has been immune from the challenges. This pandemic and the ensuing quarantining, life changes, and stress have had an impact on everyone. It has caused way too much fear and...
The Fruit of the Spirit Series ~ SELF CONTROL
We need self-control to grow in our faith and keep ourselves from sin . . . it's essential in our walk with the Lord. Many other religions besides Christianity teach the concept of self-control. But unlike other religions, Christians have the help of the Holy Spirit...
The Fruit of the Spirit Series ~ GENTLENESS
Gentleness or meekness does not mean being weak or a doormat like so many seem to think! Rather it's a humble strength that comes from learning to lean on God and acknowledging that you need Him. It's the opposite of pride. I'm excited to share this article by Kris...
The Fruit of the Spirit Series ~ FAITHFULNESS
The root word of faithfulness is ‘faith’. Faith is the belief or conviction that God is in control and is worthy of our trust, that He is working things out for our good. Faith is essential in the Christian life. The good news is that faithfulness, which includes...
The Home
Strategies for Managing Your Home While Homeschooling
When I first started homeschooling, I didn’t really think about how much it would affect the rest of my responsibilities. Maybe you can relate to this? I was so excited to start teaching our children, so I was very focused on how and what to teach. I didn’t...
Organizing your Homeschool Life
As homeschoolers, we have a lot more “stuff” to organize and store. Books, resources, art and science projects, supplies for various activities and regular school supplies as well. Plus we need to organize our homeschool days and plan for what we’ll be doing...
Tips for Managing a Busy Home
School has started and life is in full swing. As a homeschool parent, it’s possible that things are getting a little overwhelming as you add the role of teacher to your already busy life again. I’m not saying that we ever stop teaching, but I’m referring to...
High School
Homeschooling Through High School: You CAN do it!
Many homeschoolers begin to panic as they approach the high school years. They fear they can’t continue homeschooling because it’ll be too difficult to teach high school level courses. I’ve heard other people say they don’t think homeschooling will provide a quality...
Join Kris Cox as she offers Tips for Planning the High School Years in Homeschooling Hosted by Five Minute Parenting, Sandra Chambers
Join Kris Cox for a discussion on Planning Your High School Homeschool Years Hosted by Kody Hanner, Grow With a Homestead Education | The Homestead Education
Help! I’m Homeschooling a Tween!
I remember a time back when one of our sons was around age 11-12, when he would spend his usual hour working on math, but would only finish 2-3 problems because he was daydreaming so much. He just couldn’t seem to stay focused! Then when our daughter was around that...
Language Arts in the Middle School and High School Years
“I’m not sure what to do for language arts this year!” or “I don’t know what to cover for language arts in the middle school and high school years.” These are common statements that I hear from homeschool parents! I think that’s because language arts has so many...
Curriculum
Tips for Choosing Curriculum to Fit Your Family
For many families, school is done for this year and the summer is in full-force. It feels so good to wrap up a school year, doesn't it? And I love the summer months, such a great time to enjoy the outdoors and family time. It’s also the perfect time to do some...
Fun Games to Teach and Strengthen Math Skills
I love springtime and the culmination of another school year. It’s one of my favorite times of the year! It’s a time of finishing curriculum, feeling a sense of accomplishment plus anticipation for a fun summer ahead! Unfortunately, along with the fun of summer...
Fun Educational Games for Learning Language Arts
I've always known playing games made learning so much more fun for our children. However, as I wrote my last post on the benefits of using games for teaching, I was excited to find studies and information that confirmed what I knew experientially: playing games...
Language Arts in the Middle School and High School Years
“I’m not sure what to do for language arts this year!” or “I don’t know what to cover for language arts in the middle school and high school years.” These are common statements that I hear from homeschool parents! I think that’s because language arts has so many...
What to Teach for Language Arts in the Pre-K & Elementary Years
Language arts seems like this overwhelming subject that has so many different facets, parents become concerned that they’re not doing it well enough! One of the more frequent questions I hear from homeschoolers is “What do I need to cover for language arts in the...