In the midst of all these seasons of life colliding together, I am still teaching school to three kiddos!
School has always been a mix of book work, chasing interests, working together, projects, and just LIFE.
That has not changed – but I feel like the emphasis on chasing interests dominates our “school time” these days.
When you have two children in eighth grade and one senior, there is less “hand holding” and more “equipping” them with what they need to learn.
I LOVE THIS SEASON!
I will say, though, that I have looked back at posts here and videos I have of when the children were little – and that honestly is one of the most fun seasons as a homeschool Mom.
Little children are just sponges – soaking up and learning things so quickly and with enthusiasm that just fuels their teacher!
What am I saying – I still have very enthusiastic children, who just are not little anymore!
I scrolled through all of my photos since the end of February and gathered a pile of “school” like photos for this post.
ANY learning is “school”, in my opinion.
I am grateful to say that all of our children have really loved and continue to love to learn.
WIN, WIN!!
School is teaching them to love to be outside…
And teaching them to love to work outside.
Spring cleaning is a BIG job and many hands make it lighter work!
School is about teaching them to figure things out and have FUN while doing so –
Like when we tapped our maple trees and made our own maple syrup this spring!
School is about teaching them to take care of themselves well, through the way they eat and the habits they make.
It is about teaching them how to work hard in the kitchen to nourish their bodies in the best way!
It is about pulling them to your side in everything you do until suddenly they are in the kitchen without even being asked making amazing things all on their own!
School is also about teaching them the JOY of serving others – even in small ways –
Whether it is helping your big sister one day a week at her house,
Making chicken salad for a women’s conference that will have ninety women in attendance,
Or cleaning the church for that conference.
Maybe it’s just giving your other sister’s dog a bath and a grooming,
Or making a baby blanket for your soon to be new niece.
It could also be helping your mom make food for your Grandma, helping deliver it, and helping your Grandma with any projects she has!
School also is teaching your kiddos how to advocate for their health and manage appointments.
School is teaching them to look adults in the eye and speak to them when spoken to – especially at appointments.
School is about teaching your child to drive, how to get a job, and how to manage all of the things that go along with that.
It is about teaching them how to launch into a world that is getting worse by the day.
It is about doing all of that in confidence and fellowship, yet while on your knees every morning asking God to strengthen you and guide the way!
School is also about bookwork!
Don’t worry, we do that too – every morning, Monday through Thursday.
They thrive in their bookwork and are SO easy to teach!
Read aloud is still one of our favorites – do children ever get to old to read aloud to?
I sure hope not!
School is about choosing awesome Unit Studies, about countries, and running with all kinds of things as you learn.
School is about making as many things as you can hands on – which is an awesome way to remember the things you learn!
School is about letting them try things they are interested in, supporting them with all of the things they need.
It also is about encouraging them when they struggle to figure things out to keep trying!
School is a lot about being a cheerleader and helping your children meet their goals!
School is about not being tied to someone’s else’s schedule for your life and days.
It is about choosing to set the books aside and spend time doing things that are better!
It is about teaching your children to be flexible with their time too, and also teaching them to manage their time well so they can do this.
School is also about growing together in our faith.
It is about spending time in God’s Word and spurring each other on with our walk with Christ.
It is about teaching your children that they have to OWN their faith and not ride on the skirt tails of their parent’s faith.
It is about teaching them good habits of Bible study and memorization of God’s Word that you hope they will always embrace.
School is about running with your children’s strengths, helping them strengthen their weaknesses, and having A LOT of FUN along the way!!
These children are SO much fun.
They keep my days full and exciting and filled with joy!
Here was our first day of this school year – 2025-2026.
We “started” school on August 11th.
I have a photo of each of our children on the first day of school every single year!
In other school news….this guy GRADUATED High School.
Last week!!
Five months early.
And just like that, I only have two students left.
Cue all the tears!!
We died laughing at how very accurate this t-shirt is for Lane!
We are currently on Christmas break for the next two weeks!
I hope to get that tall guy’s (in the photo above) transcript all finished for him.
Wish me luck!!
I know it sounds cliche, but I never could have guessed what my homeschooling career would have looked like all those years ago when we decided to bring Kayla home from a Christian private school to homeschool.
What a wonderful journey it has been!!
So many precious memories!
It is my hope and prayer that our children will look back on their school days with great joy and appreciation for the way that they were raised.
TWO MORE!!
I have the privilege of two more students to graduate!
I cannot wait to see what the Lord allows for their high school days ahead!!
