15 YEARS of Homeschooling | Mom of 8 | homeschool curriculum choices - NOT spending $ this year

Hey Friends!
After 15 years of homeschooling, I still LOVE it! Here is how we aren't spending hardly any money on our curriculum. With this said, I don't think HSing is for everyone. Our two oldest boys are in school this year and I will tell you why in the video.
Feel free to ask any questions! I have mastered nothing, but am passionate about helping other momma's learn to love Homeschooling if they feel called to it!
I have linked everything in the Amazon link.
Xo, Meg
Follow Along on our journey here at Haven Hill :
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[@sherri1999]

Immediately, I was connected to you. My husband and I have 4 biological children (all grown) and we adopted 3 young children 2 1/2 yrs ago. A year later he passed suddenly. My life flipped upside in every way you can imagine and not imagine. We lived on a military base and had to move, decide on a location with no family members in the same location, house hunt, and family issues with our new children. All while trying to just breath. I homeschooled for over 22 years and am homeschooling our new family. I love, love, love God, family, and all things homeschool. I look forward to future videos from you. I feel I am having a close chat with a very good friend. Thank you for taking the time to post for us. MY you be richly blessed by God!!

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Oh wow goodness I can only try to imagine all of the challenges and heartbreak! Thank you for entrusting me with that information 🤍 I love hearing about your journey as well… More videos to come and the greatest compliment is that you said you felt like you were having a chat with a very good friend - that is all I hope and pray for in the space!

[@barbaraburr1310]

Enjoy listening to this video. I have homeschooled for 17 years. My youngest is going to public school in the fall like her two other siblings. I am sad to be ending my homeschool career but happy that God gave me this wonderful opportunity. Love the thought of using the books you have.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

What an accomplishment- well done!!! 🤍🤍

[@user-xh4jf6pm1f]

Would love a morning binder flip through!! I need some ideas!

[@sydneymohler346]

What a refreshing video in this over-complicated homeschooling world. So much wisdom! Thank you for this video.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

I was hoping for just that!! Thank you for saying so 🫶🏼

[@ashleymckinney5126]

3 minutes in this video and I’m already hooked! I have 8 kids and we’re going on our 9th year homeschooling! My oldest is 20 and my youngest is 3 and my older 3 have graduated already so I have a 7th grader, 4th grader, 1st grader, pre-k and toddler! We have a variety of special needs over here it’s always interesting to say the least but it has been the biggest blessing to homeschool!

[@havenhillhomestead156]

I’m so happy you are here!’ Thank you for sharing a bit about your journey as well. Loved reading it 🤍

[@caytlinshreve3821]

Oh my goodness as you’re talking my heart is just leaping for joy with what you are describing teaching your kids in details things that I never learned in depth, like anatomy or having the pleasure of going outside in nature and sketching! I am SO excited to put these things into practice in the coming years!! Thank you so much for this video!! ❤I definitely want to teach our children all that we can the best way for them while making it so fun and enjoyable and helping it all to sink in all without spending hundreds and hundreds! 🙏 Thank you Jesus for the gift of homeschool!!! 😭❤️

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Thank you so much for sharing that… I really am encouraged by everything you said as well! 🫶🏼

[@rachaelloomis1722]

I have loved watching your videos! You are such a light ❤ thank you for sharing your endless knowledge of curriculum on this one!

[@havenhillhomestead156]

This is very encouraging to me… Thank you for being here!! 🤍🪴

[@momof3498]

I cannot thank you enough for this video!!!! This set me free on so many levels. I love this

[@havenhillhomestead156]

You are so welcome! That is exactly what I pray for!! God wants is so free IN HIM!! 🫶🏼

[@jennawest95]

Oh thank you for shariing your experience!! I appreciate this

[@havenhillhomestead156]

You are so welcome!🫶🏼

[@bethanyhall1524]

I just loved this video! You are giving the very best advice and reminding me of what's important as I'm struggling to make decisions for the year. I've been homeschooling 15 years as well. Relationship is so much more important just like you said. It's absolutely true!♥️

[@havenhillhomestead156]

I'm so glad! And congratulations on Homeschooling for 15 years as well- quite an accomplishment! Thank you so much for your encouragement

[@ruthemsil1792]

Thank you for making the video, you give me encouragement to start my homeschool, now I can figure out how to start the day and what to do and thank you for keep reminding the most important one in homeschooling is building relationship with my children, thank you for sharing your experience, may God bless you and your family ❤

[@havenhillhomestead156]

You are so welcome! You got this!! 🫶🏼🫶🏼 I pray I you are so encouraged!

[@felixhorta2090]

Thank you for doing this video. I wished I had found your videos 3 years ago 😊. So much valuable information. I appreciate you explaining step by step. I really needed this today! Thank you. Dawn 😊✝️

[@havenhillhomestead156]

You are so welcome! I’m really encouraged to hear that - I wish it would’ve been out there three years ago as well… Blessings to you 🫶🏼

[@Emac4]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom. This was very encouraging and reassuring that I’m focusing on the right stuff. We place a high value on the relationship we have with our children, so this was so good to hear.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Absolutely… i’m so glad it was reassuring to you… Keep on🫶🏼

[@kristiehardt8388]

First time viewer and new subscriber! Definitely encouraged! Please do more homeschooling videos!

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Thank you! Will do!

[@AubreyHirdes-pz2qs]

This video was so helpful! I use The Good and the Beautiful and it has worked really well. Also you are sooo beautiful! ❤

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Oh good - I’m So glad to hear that!! And Thank you so much - you are too kind 🤍🌻

[@joyiasells4810]

Thanks so much for sharing!

[@havenhillhomestead156]

You are so welcome! 🫶🏼🫶🏼

[@jillbrightwell7916]

Outstanding video! Thank you ❤

[@havenhillhomestead156]

You are so welcome! 🤗

[@ourfamilyvideos7283]

You just popped up and so glad to hear you…wished it was a few years earlier…senior year here

[@havenhillhomestead156]

🤍🤍 so glad you are here

[@jenniferjones6228]

Interesting thought on men teachers for our older boys… I love that and it gave me something to think on! Love your video and am now subscribed!!!

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Yes! Thank you! So glad it gave you something to think of… I’m very thankful for my boys the day I’ve had that experience

[@OldSoulHomemaker]

This was so encouraging! Thank you.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

You are so welcome! nobody knows your children better than you… So only you can make the right decisions for the treasures that have been entrusted to you - And then walk confidently in it. 🤍🤍🤍

[@OldSoulHomemaker]

Amen to that! It’s so important for experienced mamas like you to sing that anthem. Young, and old, moms need to hear it ❤️ Ps I came from a family of 8 kids where my mom homeschooled and I loved it! I have 3 children (praying for more but it hasn’t been Gods plan for us so far) and have been homeschooling for about 10 years. What a treasure to see other moms committed to their kids education, even when that means seasons of “traditional” school. Love your videos!

[@havenhillhomestead156]

I love reading all of this… Especially about your own experience Homeschooling, and in a big family!! Thank you for taking the time to share all of that.🤍 And thank you for your encouragement

[@45754]

Would love to see a book collection ❤

[@heidihovan1331]

Hi! I stumbled onto your channel based on the title. Thirteenth year homeschooling, and I've also done ALL the things. I hadn't specifically made the commitment to have a no-spend school year, but after completely pivoting after a recent move, and trying to find our groove, i am watching your video, inspired. Funny, my first temptation was to run and buy some books. But I realized that wasn't the point of your video. The points I took away were, (1) you are your kids' best advocate and teacher, and (2) curriculum doesn't take care of that for you. Also, (3) you probably can find your way with what you have, especially if you have homeschooled for any length of time. I think the message for the homeschool community is we can be too overwhelmed with good choices for curriculum these days. There are a lot of great options, but we can figure out best what does work for our families. I love this message. I, too, commit to no-spend for the next two semesters. I love that probably more than anything, to stop chasing the answer to my questions by getting new curriculum.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Love reading all of This!! 🤍🫶🏼

[@katrinakim4145]

Thank you so much for this video!!! I would love to listen to more of your wisdom. Would it be possible for you to make more homeschool related videos please? 🙂

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Absolutely!! I have more scheduled to come… So keep watching and staying tuned. 🫶🏼

[@janelldawson]

What are those books on the different body parts? Also thank you for the encouragement. I really enjoyed watching this.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

I think you mean the ones by David McCauley… They are fantastic and he has many

[@mombomb833]

I have one through college, and 3 still home in grades 4,6, and 9 respectively. I loved Master books when there were 2. I went back to it this year and couldn't be more stressed out. There's some subjects that are still FANTASTIC, but others are too much. We've gone through some unexpected problems recently so we're all off schedule and I just feel behind. I appreciate your video. It's a great reminder that we're ok. Our kids are still learning even when we're not in our school books. My youngest watches documentaries more than anything else, especially military and war documentaries. Over Christmas vacation he met a combat pilot and this gentleman was blown away with his knowledge of military aircraft and tanks. How they work, what war they were used in, and even what country used them. My 9th grader is all about science and music and watches all sorts of science videos and reads science books. Has learned multiple instruments. My daughter is all things art and art history. She's found several art videos online and has taken an art history course that really makes her think in different ways. We play lots of trivia games. Sometimes you have to give yourself a break. We don't have to keep up with, or out do, one another. I think we can all get frantic at times and think we're not doing enough, or we're failing our kids because this families kids already know this or that, or a parent you know makes you think you're slacking because you're not doing what a brick and mortar school is doing. I so needed this today. Thank you.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Well, you encouraged me by everything you said as well… Thank you for sharing all of this!!

[@BaileyAcademy]

New subscriber. I have 3 in homeschool, 1 in highschool and 1 adult child.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Welcome!! I loved hearing about your journey as well - Having kids in different places… You know your kids better than anyone. 🤍

[@adreannacosper3799]

My daughter LOVES butterflies and both my kids love Nature Study. I would love to know more about how you spent an entire year using the book “the girl who drew butterflies” for nature study. Thank you!

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Sure thing - I will work on that. In short, though - we would just read super small snippets of the book, and then, for my artistic kids, they would do a sketch of a certain butterfly that we read about and (age appropriateness) some of my kids would diagram. Each of my kids then my kids at riding level would receive a dictation from me of which then they copy.

[@terynnj.barnes4295]

I am looking for the book series you raved about, Winter is Coming by Tony Johnston and only found one other book called Trees. Any chance you can list out the books so I can look for them individually? I loved this video. I am grateful for the reminder to follow your own mother’s intuition. the voices of this world get pretty loud at times. Thank you!

[@havenhillhomestead156]

www.amazon.com/shop/megwhite_havenhill/list/140U1N45KBHMC?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_m

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Sure thing - I can definitely definitely work on that… In the meantime, I tagged all of them here as well. Winter is Coming is towards the bottom so you will have to scroll and see it as well as the other ones I mentioned.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

And you are very welcome about the reminder of mothers intuition… It might be the most powerful thing for your homeschool!! 🫶🏼🫶🏼

[@Ahomeontheprairies]

Thank you for sharing this! Are you doing a short history reading and a short science reading in the same morning time, generally?

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Yes I am! Typically - sometimes I will change it up but generally yes

[@LaciElements08]

We are in our 19th year with our final two of our eight children. After a while you don't have to spend much because of prior purchases lol. Some helpful things I have found are Peanut Butter Fish Lessons - Randi is the creator of alot of add on resources that are free to low cost. Another is The Wolfe Pack - Katie also makes free to low cost add ons. And Lastly, Twinkl - It's like Teachers pay Teachers * but* it's one fee per month ( I pay 5$ US I think its gone up to 8$US for new people ) for unlimited downloads. They also have free live lessons , a very active FB support system , special needs materials , Literally you name it they have it and for one tiny fee.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

This is really good to know… Thank you for sharing all of this!

[@laurenrasmussen7997]

So you just use the cc guide for memory work? I always thought cc was a really expensive co-op that you had to pay to be in and meet up weekly and they also told you what curriculum was to be used.

[@demisgrooves]

You’re so pretty mama.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

So kind. 🫶🏼

[@ashleymartinez9641]

could you do a video more in depth on how you utilize the foundations book? i also want to do this and not be a part of the community. For example: do i need the triviums, a separate spelling curriculum, do you use the timeline and what resources you use etc? :) loved this video

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Yes, I absolutely can - I will be working on this this summer

[@karenbrumley8095]

I am a grandmother teaching my grandson at home and he has learning issues. He left public school very far behind grade level and I have been working for 2 years with him trying to bring him up. I have three other grandchildren that go to classical conversations going there and paying what it cost is not an option for us and unfortunately there is no way you can get their curriculum any other way. I don't think in North Carolina so even if I wanted to I can't get it. I'm the kind of person. I like a physical book in my hand. I do not like to do school work and things on the internet. Yes we will look up documentaries and things that we have to. But as far as saying here's a computer. Do your school we have to do it hands-on. I have to be there for every aspect of everything with him. I have tried so many things that have failed. I am still searching for something that works for him All of that being said, I also don't think the memory work and advanced level of classical conversations would work for him with his learning issues. So if anyone out there knows of something that would work well for a child who has possible discalculia and also possibly dyslexia. Please share

[@ghostbird-heike]

Not sure how old your grandson is but maybe Wanda Sanseri’s Spell to Write and Read & RightStart Mathematics would help. Good luck :)❤

[@sinjimuih1]

The good and the Beautiful offers free courses for Math and LA if you didn’t know.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

I actually did know that… That is such a huge blessing

[@mottoandfleur9156]

Is Classical Conversations something that needs to be started from the beginning? Or can it be picked up anytime? We currently have a K and 3rd grader!

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Either way really. They have 3 cycles- you can start with any cycle knowing you will keep going on to the next one.

[@laurenrasmussen7997]

What would you recommend for a rising first grader? I love Charlotte Mason but i struggle bc i brought my oldest home from third grade to homeschool, she is now in ninth but it's always felt like school recreated at home. Now i have one in kindergarten but she hates sitting at the table to do math and reading (Saxon and AAR) so we're currently not really doing much besides living. I also have a four yr old boy and a one yr old nursing baby for context.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

When your kids are young - I think, just living and being very intentional as to what you expose them to, and do particularly out in nature in real life is absolutely invaluable! One of my favorite places to start book Work is with the good and the beautiful.

[@1dc25]

Hi, I missed what you said towards the end the title of one of your all time favorite books. Can you tell me the title? Thanks 😊

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Sure - I might have to watch it again 🤪- was it a kids book or homeschool book for moms?

[@lizmccoy3045]

A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter

[@bethanyhall1524]

When you do dictation for history do you correct it afterwards or just leave it like journaling?

[@havenhillhomestead156]

When I do dictation I make sure that they’re capitalization and punctuation etc. is all correct. This is a bit more formal. Short and sweet, but formal nonetheless. When they do their own journal entries, I do not correct those. I do not want to ruin their flow of thought and those are just for themselves to enjoy and look back upon.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

By the way - that was a fantastic question! I’m glad you asked it

[@audreymaldonado5655]

You know you can get all the Good& Beautiful math & language arts for free.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

I know - I think that’s amazing!

[@user-xh4jf6pm1f]

At what age is appropriate to start classical conversations? My son is 5

[@havenhillhomestead156]

You can start him at age 5, but in my opinion as a mom of eight - I think it is completely unnecessary. Save your money and wait to start them until six or seven. Or even older… Let them explore and read lots of really good books to them and teach them that learning can be fun in the early stages

[@danahall1282]

What is essentials and where do I get it?

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Fantastic question - you can purchase it through classical conversations or on Amazon… I will post both links.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

classicalconversationsbooks.com/products/essentials-fifth-edition?variant=39309008470050

[@havenhillhomestead156]

www.amazon.com/shop/megwhite_havenhill/list/140U1N45KBHMC?ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_aipsflist_aipsfmegwhite_havenhill_TWDNZPSVAKWVV38MBD4G

[@laurenrasmussen7997]

What do you use for world history?

[@havenhillhomestead156]

We do memory work through classical conversations, even though we are not part of the community right now. And then, each of my kids reads historical novels at their current reading level. (this is an invaluable part!) Once in high school, we pick more of a curriculum if they are homeschooled or my two boys in school right now, they obviously do what their school provides.

[@jessicafalcon4642]

I have a senior and I wanted to ask you how can I graduate her?

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Do you know what your state requirements are?

[@TheChan7]

New sub here. This was so encouraging and wonderful. Thanks for sharing. We also love the memory work from cc. So great to hear your experiences and wisdom. I also have a channel mainly about homeschooling and would love to be friends and connect here.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Thanks so much for subscribing- and welcome here!! 🤍

[@havenhillhomestead156]

And yes to being friends on a similar journey!!

[@TheChan7]

@@havenhillhomestead156 yes!

[@christinabas6462]

Just FYI: Your amazon link does not work... It sends us to an oops amazon page...

[@havenhillhomestead156]

Hmmm - thank you for the heads up - I just fixed it and I will put it here as well.

[@havenhillhomestead156]

www.amazon.com/shop/megwhite_havenhill