Answering Your Homeschool Questions

I'm answering all your questions...How do you homeschool with toddlers? How much does homeschooling cost? Homeschooling boys? Nature Study? What are your favorite read alouds for Science and History?
Blog Posts in this Q and A-
Best Tips for Homeschooling With a Toddler
ourlifehomesch...
How to Keep a House Clean While Homeschooling
ourlifehomesch...
Other videos mentioned in this Q and A:
Homeschooling Boys- • Homeschooling Boys | W...
How to Do a Simple Nature Study Notebook- • How to Keep a Simple N...
SIMPLE MORNING TIME NOTEBOOK
ourlifehomesch...
NEED HELP TEACHING YOUR CHILD TO READ?
ourlifehomesch...
Follow along with Our Life Homeschooling:
Blog: ourlifehomesch...
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Pinterest: / ourlifehomeschooling

[@simplebee2366]

I love the honesty. Especially when you mentioned your 1st week wasn't the best. It's not about perfection but persistence.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Yes, so true!

[@AndreaOpatick]

Yes! Not perfection, but persistence and PROGRESS!!

[@MommiLew]

This was such a great video! I recently found you at KZbin’s suggestion. I’m a momma to 8 entering our 14th year of homeschooling. We started when I was pregnant with my 4th, my husband’s schedule is non-traditional and we have all the ages from young adult to toddler. I nodded through the whole video! You’re so practical and honest in relating to other moms. Maybe even especially younger moms who may think you have a “super” in your name. Thanks for reminding us that you’re just a sister sojourner for the Lord.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Thanks so much for this comment! Nice to meet you. :) Sounds like we have a lot in common! So glad you found and like my channel!

[@sarahguiton6503]

This is all so encouraging, thank you! I have a six year old boy who can't sit still too and a toddler boy who also wants to be outside all day 😅 so much good wisdom as we start this next year! Thank you so much!

[@Regina7ish]

Same here (with my 5 year old boy and my 18 months old boy)!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You're welcome! You've got this! It won't be easy, but it will be worth it! Think long game. You've got this!

[@Hopelb]

18 minutes 😭 learning right alongside you. ❤

[@sohappytogether88]

Thanks so much, loving all the advices. I agree is easier to homeschool with a newborn/infant once they can crawl, walk, and show more emotions things get harder. Also I'd add that homeschool can be super expensive or can be totally free, that's the beauty and flexibility of hs ❤❤😊😊😊

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You're welcome! :) Wow, great point! It all comes down to your choices. Some years we have been able to spend more and other years, we had to tighten the budget. But yes, it is very flexible in that way.

[@reneenewcomb8344]

This was so encouraging! With twins who are almost 15months and a 4yr old and a 7yr old who just started 2nd grade, your videos are so life giving and encouraging! I think I need to plan to do more during snack and lunch to keep the twins contained! A little while ago, on your blog, you reintroduced me to Durenda Wilson and I just got her book The Unhurried Homeschooler in the mail the other day. I'm looking forward to reading it! I'm also ordering the devotional from Kelly Crawford after seeing your suggestion of that as well from that same blog post you have. The 3 of you are a treasure trove of wisdom!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Yes, Durenda is great! I hope her book helps you! I loved it. And Kelly has been a long-time encouragement to me as a mom!

[@JennCG]

Thank you, thank you for your beautiful example of how to do this work❤ I am so excited to start using our morning time notebooks you created! You are a blessing. Xoxoxo

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You're welcome! And thank you for purchasing the notebook! I hope it's a great tool for you!

[@Melissa-jq2qn]

Very encouraging at the end. Thank you! ❤

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You are so welcome!

[@mikennawenger69]

Thank you so much for this video! I enjoy all your videos you share-they’re so helpful! Could you do a video on raising boys? With homeschooling them specifically also? Im not sure if you did anything specifically on just boys, and I know that’s such a broad thing to ask because there’s so much that goes into raising kids in general and homeschooling. Definitely would love to hear your advice on raising boys and what you have learned from them and what has helped you with raising and teaching them! I have a almost 7, 4 and almost 2 year old boys!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You're welcome! :) I'm so glad! Yes, I did a video all about how what I have learned from raising and homeschooling our 5 boys. I'll link it below. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmOyf5WBg5iEhKM

[@bessiescofill1487]

Great encouragement and advice! I’m going to share this with a younger friend of mine who is just getting started this fall. Thank you so much, Sheri!!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Oh good! You're welcome! :)

[@lbtk]

This was so helpful!! Thanks so much. I really enjoy these Q&As!!

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Glad it was helpful!

[@annabarber9056]

Your videos are so encouraging! Thank you! Question: do your kids have to finish their checklists before they do anything else? Also, Have you had any kids that resist you consistently on doing their work? I have one child (my oldest, almost 9) who complains, whines, etc doing anything and just wants to play. Trying to figure out ways to motivate him.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

When our kids were all young, I was much more consistent at having them complete everything on their checklist before doing anything else. They could get a candy treat when their checklists were finished. Recently, I've been a lot more laid back about that...our season is different. What I try to be consistent at is checking in with them every day and having them show me what they did get done. Although for the most part our kids like doing their school work, yes, we have had times when kids don't want to do work from time to time. Usually it's a resistance to work in general...either housework or school work. It's not easy, but finding what motivates them is key. With our older boys, I have handed all of their school work over to my husband. They are accountable to him. It works better for us that way in the middle/high school years.

[@samgetz3991]

Thank you so much! ❤

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You're welcome 😊

[@katieb9312]

Thank you for this! Your videos are always so encouraging! How old are your children when they graduate? I realized my daughter will be 17.5, based on the age of when they enter K here in Canada, and it feels so young. I’m thinking of holding her back a year now, so she will be 18 and 7 months at HS graduation.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You are so welcome! Glad to hear that. :) Our kids will all be 18 or just turning 18. Not sure if that helps, but I hope you find a good answer to your decision!

[@faithfullyinfertile]

We are starting our 5th week this week and it has been a rusty start. I am hoping a week or two more we will be in our groove again.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

That's completely ok. It's not how you start, but how you keep going! I hope things get better for you!

[@faithfullyinfertile]

@@OurLifeHomeschooling love that!!! Thanks for writing that. Last Thursday was the first day things went smoothly and it felt like we had found our groove! I was a teacher in the public schools (4th grade) wayyyyyy back in the day (early 2000’s before my children were born) and I remembered it always took me about 5-6 weeks to train my class and feel like I was in a groove with them as far as classroom procedures etc! We are starting week 6 today! I gave my kids the longest summer we’ve ever had since we are year round homeschoolers so we had a bit of a hard time getting back into the groove 😃 but I kept going and that has made all the difference! Thank you again for your words of wisdom blessing me and my homeschool today. I pray you have a wonderful day with your children today too 🥰

[@abigailarreola-garcia6973]

Question: how do u manage making meals and homeschooling?? Please thank you!! :)

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

I don't have solutions, but I can give tips that help me. 1. Make double whenever you can so you can have leftovers. 2. Always have meat on hand. If I have meat, I can throw a meal together. 3. Have a go-to list of meals rather than meal planning. 3. As soon as kids are capable, have them help.

[@Regina7ish]

Thank you once again, I loved the part on boys, I could completely relate 😅 and thank you for your honest sharing about your need of God every day to do all you are doing. I was wondering, did you ever, during the past 14 years, have your children complain that they would like to go to a public school? If yes, how did you deal with this? Thank you.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

You're welcome! Yes, so important! Great question! I'm answering this question in my next video! ;)

[@Regina7ish]

@@OurLifeHomeschooling Oh thank you I can't wait to watch it :)

[@simonspartyof6]

I have a 6 year old(7 in January),4 year old(5 in November)3 year old(4 in January) and the baby just turned 1 in June. I also think I may be pregnant but haven't taken a test 😅 First year fully homeschooling and I'm struggling

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

What a blessing! Just take things one day at a time. It's not easy, but it's doable and I think the rewards far outweigh the difficulties!

[@Rach1688]

I appreciate your constant reminders to rely on God. Ever since I found your Chanel I have been in Gods words every day with my children and on my own. “Is anything too hard for the Lord.” Genesis 18:14

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

I think you have posted the best comment I've ever received here on YT! I'm so glad you have been encouraged to depend on the Lord and his Word. What an encouragement to me that my videos are having that effect. Thank you for taking the time to comment! "He is able to do far more abundantly above all that we ask or think." Eph. 3:20 :)

[@AndreaOpatick]

That is sooo good!! What a great comment!! It definitely is the heart of it isn't it!? I think I will put that on my wall! Thank you!

[@adrie7318]

I have been curious to ask if your children have screen time and if so how much? If not what does their free time look like? I would greatly appreciate and thank you for your videos they are truly a blessing.

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

Glad to hear that my videos encourage you! I did a video on how we handle screen time. I'll link it below. Our kids have a lot of free time. I think it's important for childhood. They have breaks throughout the morning because our style is very relaxed, but when I finish reading to them after lunch, they have all afternoon and evening to either play or pursue their interests. I love seeing them take off in certain areas! How We Handle Screen Time kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWGpqItvYpuMqck

[@brendahowell5946]

I only have 2 but only my 2nd year. I don’t see how you do it with 10

[@OurLifeHomeschooling]

One at a time. I only had one at a time so we grew into it.