5 Things We Prioritize in Our Homeschool

[@katiewashburn1405]

This message was at JUST the right time. I was literally crying on the phone to my mom about how everyone is SO into sports and filling up all their free time. (We have 4 kids and have chosen not to do sports). It was really encouraging to me to see another like minded family. I really appreciate your videos!!! ❤

[@user-qe7cm4vr5d]

You are not alone.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Oh my, I can relate to the struggle! We live in time when putting the family first (especially when it means saying no to fun things) is not popular! I'm glad this encouraged you! :)

[@Dreblueskies]

I only have 1 and don’t plan on doing them. So many miss the “home” in homeschool.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

@@Dreblueskies Yes!

[@diversekakes]

Great advice! Thanks, momma. ❤ We choose music and music lessons instead of competitive sports. We prioritize hiking, biking, swimming, camping, and jogging together as a family ❤

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Love it!

[@lillianschaffer5846]

Truly, you have been the most encouraging homeschool mom I’ve come across on here. Thank you so much for taking the time to make videos❤

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Aww, I'm so glad! You're welcome! :)

[@joidavis5210]

I know a lot of others have already said this, but it's so true, this video was just what I needed and SO encouraging. My oldest is going into 6th grade this year, and that has been a huge eye-opener of how fast the time is going, and to really start prioritizing the things that truly matter. Thank you for this!! ❤❤

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

So glad to hear that! You're welcome! Yes, when you see your time with them at home coming to an end, it really puts things in perspective.

[@Love-dz1um]

Must be financially stable in a great way. We cnt even manage 2 kids expenses easily.. nice house nice big family.. what a blessing ❤

[@Dreblueskies]

So much wisdom I thank you so much for this video 😊 We are still beginners here, but have definitely found our home with five in a row and I can see what you mean by sticking with a curriculum. It also makes my life easier as well. Although it’s very tempting to hop around to try to find the perfect one, but perfect does not exist.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You're welcome! :) So glad you have found something you like! I love five in a row!

[@simplegodlylivinghomestead]

So glad we found your channel 😌 We're a Homeschooling, Homesteading Christian Family in Pennsylvania as well ☺️💛🥰 Love Always and GOD Bless Y'all 💕🙏🏼, Stephanie 🙋🏼‍♀️

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Oh, how cool! Glad you like my channel! Nice to meet you. :)

[@simplegodlylivinghomestead]

@@OurLifeHomeschooling Nice to meet you as well 👋🏼 🤗 I really appreciated this video, and I really needed to hear it ☺️ It's as if The LORD GOD was answering me on things I've been talking to HIM about and praying on 🙏🏼 and also things I have been worried about 🤍 We had a horrible house fire and unfortunately lost our home and everything. So we ended up moving to PA, here on our homestead. I homeschool our children and I have been worrying about my children being able to have opportunities to make new friends, and with being new to the area, not being able to put them in extracurricular activities and sports. It just isn't plausible right now. You made me feel much better and content on the issue. So thank you ☺️ Moving, being new to the area, NOT knowing the area, and homeschooling can be tuff.. especially on children, and especially with making new friends and settling into our new normal. Thank The LORD GOD that there is Grace and Patience in the "waiting seasons". It's so important NOT to overdue ourselves and NOT to overload our schedules and time, and to avoid over-stimulating ourselves and burnout. Thank you for the reminder and for the grace that came with it 😊 Love Always and GOD Bless Y'all 💕🙏🏼

[@creativekingdomkids6045]

I love that the things you prioritize are very similar to what I feel is important when it comes to homeschooling. I was also a teacher before I started homeschooling and my priorities have changed so much since the beginning of our homeschool journey. One thing I feel, I definitely need to get better at is really taking the time to listen to my kids and spend time with them that's not homeschooling time. My oldest is any to start middle school, and it was a wake up call to me about how fast time has gone.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Glad to hear this! I relate about spending time that's not homeschooling time. Something I need to remember from time to time as well!

[@Wide-Eyed-Audience]

Love this! Just found you and am marathoning your channel Now! Thank you 🌺

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Aww, so glad you like my content! Thanks for the support! :)

[@karlyw.b.4125]

I agree about the sports / scheduled events (even things like Boy Scouts). It takes up so much time! We started with these things with my first born and then I would feel horribly guilty because he would miss spending time at the playground... Why am I spending money for scouts if he just wants to go to the playground? We quit it all! It has been so much more peaceful and enjoyable.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Completely agree! Letting it go can be a little scary, but the peace it brings to home life is great!

[@Anonymous-lx8pt]

Thank you for your on going advice and encouragement. I am a homeschool mum and have eight children. I have recommended you to other homeschool mums as you always have the right words and advice. God bless you and your beautiful family xx

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You are so welcome! Thanks for spreading the word and recommending my channel to your friends! :)

[@courtb609]

As usual - cooking dinner & being encouraged ❤ thanks friend! You’re a gift

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Aww, glad to hear that! Thank you! :)

[@Melissa-jq2qn]

This was very encouraging. Thank you! ❤

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

So glad! You're welcome!

[@rachelplett7233]

Yes! What you said about curriculum!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Yes, relationships first!

[@rowanmac]

Thanks for the reminder again about sticking to the one curriculum has benefits long term. I remember listening to you saying that at the start of the year when we were trying to find a math curriculum that worked for our family, and it so resonated with me. I wanted those benefits too. Thanks for sharing this message. 😊

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

So glad to hear that helped you! Sticking with the same curriculum (for the most part) has cut down on so much wasted time for me and the kids! You're welcome!

[@charlotte22]

I like that list. We are very like-minded.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Thank you! :)

[@lbtk]

Thank you for this reminder!! It can be so overwhelming for us out here just starting out and not knowing what we are doing for sure!! You have so much wisdom and grace; I look forward to your videos every week. So thankful for your channel. 🖤 I am also looking forward to your video about the clean out and organization. It is always so helpful to see what everyone else is doing. We need some inspiration and motivation to do it too!!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Aww, thank you so much! Good, I'm glad to hear it inspires and motivates people! I can relate to the overwhelm in the beginning, but you can do this! And it is such a rewarding family lifestyle. What helped me the most in the early years was having other friends who were doing the same thing and listening to homeschool podcasts (that was back before there were homeschool KZbin channels ;)

[@jenmer2166]

I needed to hear this. Thank you. Crazy how much pressure there is on us

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

I'm glad to hear that! So true!

[@christymiller6350]

Ooooh my goodness...you have no idea how much I needed this video! You literally JUST popped up in my feed for the very first time! I subscribed now! Thank you again!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

I'm so glad to hear that! Thanks for taking the time to comment and thank you for subscribing! :)

[@kellydimuzio1785]

Thank you Sheri ❤ this is my 4th year homeschooling and i doubt myself often. Your videos are so encouraging

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

So glad to hear that this encourages you! I doubted myself many times over the years when I really shouldn't have so I relate to what you are saying. I think it's a tendency of a lot of homeschool moms. Keep looking to the Lord for wisdom and help. And keep pressing on!

[@user-qu6in3nf8z]

اود التواصل معك وحقا اشكرك على هءا المحتوى الرائع واستفدت منك كثيييرا ومن مدونة واود منك موضوع عن كيفية امكانك التحاور مع كل طفل من اطفالك وكيف تلبين احتياجات كل طفلك وكيف تتعاملين مع شجاراتهم ومشاحناتهم انا ام لاربعة بنات واواجه بعض الصعوبات معهن لذلك اود التواصل معك اذا كام ممكن موفقة فى مسارك واستمرى على هذا المنوال انت تقدمين شئ رائع ودعما كبيرا للامهات

[@ceifaci]

This summer our homeschool was “learning how to move and how to cope with new situations.”

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

That's a great life lesson!

[@mindyl243]

This was so nice to listen to as I am thinking our upcoming school year. Thanks for sharing your experience and wisdom with others. 😊

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@wagnerfamily2043]

I love all this! You do such a great job explaining things for a new and seasoned homeschoolers.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Glad to hear that!

[@seesmof]

HALLELUJAH thank YOU JESUS our LORD GOD ALMIGHTY KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS ✝️💖🙏🏼 GOD bless you guys, the amazing videos you are doing are very relaxing and interesting, may JESUS CHRIST our HOLY LORD GOD MOST HIGH continue blessing your family and providing for you and protecting you always! ✝️💕🙏🏼

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Thank you!

[@Beautyforahses]

❤ thank you for taking the time to make this video. It has blessed me!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

I'm so glad! You're welcome!

[@robynphillips7099]

I’m gleaning so much encouragement and practical help from your channel! Thank you!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

I'm glad to hear that! You're welcome!

[@ludmilakushnir9763]

This is just what I needed to hear. Thank you for sharing.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You are so welcome! :)

[@alysem135]

Thank you!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You're welcome!

[@ashleyirizarry-diaz6415]

Thank you very helpful video as I’m starting to homeschool my 5 and 3 year old this year! Love your channel!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You're welcome! Glad to hear that and thanks for taking the time to comment. I love hearing from my viewers!

[@RestorationAcresTN]

Too young! Please just let them play at those ages.

[@Regina7ish]

Free time is inspiring, I like that and agree 100%. Thank you for sharing what you prioritize! I'm happy for you for the freedom you have where you live. Here in Switzerland my children will have to be tested every year even though I'm a teacher and I have some obligations to respect (the study plan of our area needs to be followed). Nonetheless I'm grateful I get the chance to homeschool because in France for example (we live at the border) homeschooling is no longer allowed. :( I'm excited about your next video on "back to school". :) God bless you!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You're welcome. :) Great perspective that you have! Accepting what you can't change and moving forward doing what's best for your kids. You are paving the way for others in Switzerland!

[@Regina7ish]

@@OurLifeHomeschooling thank you :)

[@weaverwagon6084]

You are an encouragement and I always look forward to your videos 😀

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Thank you so much! I'm glad to hear this encouraged you. :)

[@becnoordink2901]

Thankyou so much for this video. Reminding me of what is and isn't important

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You're welcome!

[@kendratai]

I still haven't figured out how to do morning time and our basics(math and language arts) all in the same day. It seems to be either or. I have one independent student and 2 that are depending completely on me

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

I wouldn't put too much pressure on yourself if you can't make it work for both on a given day. Try aiming for a Morning Time one or two days a week rather than every day. Personally, I would make sure kids are doing reading, writing, and math every day first, then add on the extras.

[@bethanylowe7864]

I needed this! Thank you.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You're welcome! :)

[@BaileyAcademy]

Awesome video!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@diversekakes]

I want to know. Please share your favorite History and science based read aloud books. I’m definitely looking into some new books to read. My kids are similar ages to your kids.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Oh good question! That would be a long list for me...I use a lot of Veritas Press suggestions for history. Also, we use AO as our spine, so I have a list of my favorite science and history in this post. ourlifehomeschooling.com/2023/04/20/ambleside-online-homeschool-curriculum-for-a-large-family/ There are many others though. Good idea for a future blog post!

[@katiea3117]

Thank you for this video. What is your girls KZbin channel?

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You're welcome! Misty Hollow Farm Home Bakery I'm sure they would love it if you subscribed!

[@emilyribnicky9410]

Do you have any tips on how you teach science to multiple ages? My oldest is an advanced 9 year old that does great with apologia...but it's a little too advanced for my 6 and 4 year old. I'd love to teach science all together as a family. We also have a homestead so they learn a lot about animals and gardening naturally.

[@karlyw.b.4125]

My son is very enthralled by his science and we use the unit studies from Good and the Beautiful. They have a free Marine Biology unit you could try/look at. It has a separation for more complicated work for the older kids that my 9yo can often do. My 4 yo has a wonderful time doing it alongside his brother.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Personally, I would just do Apologia (or whatever science he/she likes) with your nine year old and not worry about the younger kids yet. In my opinion, kids at that age don't need a formal science curriculum. Plus, they will probably pick up on a lot of what they hear from your science lesson just from being nearby. Also, they learn a lot naturally from the things you mentioned.

[@intentionallymade]

I know you didn’t ask me but just wanted to say that nature study is enough for a loooong time. My son is 11 and we still just do nature study, living books and lots of life skills (gardening, cooking, canning, baking, woodworking and the list goes on..) you can learn all sciences through nature study and the skill of observation. Save the big time science for high school or late middle school. From my experience this has served us well and given us room to delight in other areas formally.

[@intentionallymade]

Check out CM simple studies. Crystal has done an amazing job at her guides and has made nature study and journaling so fun. Also joy Cherrick and her nature hacking guides are wonderful. For older grades check our sabbath mood homeshcool!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

@@intentionallymade 100% agree! Excellent input! Durenda Wilson talks about this in her podcast. She didn’t do any formal science curriculum until high school and her kids passed the science state exams just from natural learning and nature study in the early years.