Homeschool Mom Q&A! Lonliness? Worst memories? Not sure what's after high school?

Let's hang out while you wrap your Christmas presents (I think they call this a "Wrap & Chat"😜 I think you'll find that, Homeschool Mom, you are not alone! You asked me SO MANY questions! Check out the chapters below to see a question you may be interested in hearing about!
PRODUCTS MENTIONED:
Not Consumed “My Brother’s Keeper Bible study” store.notconsumed.com/?aff=199
IEW “Teaching the Classics” & “All Things Fun & Fascinating” IEW.com/affiliate/280966/start
John MacArthur children’s Bible study: www.generationsofgrace.com/pr...
Envy of Eve - Melissa Kruger: amzn.to/3R2v167
Behold Your God by John Snyder: amzn.to/49RGKge
The Pursuit of Holiness - Jerry Bridges amzn.to/46Dhjw3
The Blessing of Humility - Jerry Bridges amzn.to/46IaLwe
Sins of the Mind sermon series is on the Sermon Audio app
Speak Truth in Your Heart by Sarah Mally amzn.to/3sXIunC
12 Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur amzn.to/3R4YjAO
Azul amzn.to/3t2bryE
Blokus amzn.to/3uzLWVP
Swoop: Google “how to play swoop” and instructions will come up! You just need 3 decks of cards!)
Telestrations amzn.to/47UaRSC
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🎥😄 OUR HOMESCHOOL PLAN VIDEOS MENTIONED:
TGATB writing vs. IEW writing, etc. (includes what I don't like about TGATB L.A.) : • I'm STRUGGLING w/6th G...
John MacArthur Kids Bible study (3 cycles): • HOMESCHOOL BIBLE STUDY...
Homeschool Mom Depression & loneliness is REAL! • My emotional tale of H...
Homeschool Conventions Playlist: • HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCES...
Our favorite Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup! • HOW TO MAKE ROTISSERIE...
MOM GUILT!! What I would do differently in my homeschool: • MOM GUILT!! So many HO...
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CHAPTERS:
01:04 How do you encourage sibling relationships & getting along?
07:12 What is your favorite way to do Reading & Literature?
09:38 Should I ditch TGATB language arts for IEW even though its mid-year?
11:40 What is your all-time favorite curriculum to teach?
13:12 Have you felt lonely as a mother? Found friendship difficult to find?
19:13 Tell us more about your Co-Op!
22:51 How do you build community for you & your kids?
28:14 Why are you not using any TGATB curriculum this year? Not satisfied?
31:05 Christmas Decor: before or after Thanksgiving? Down before or after New Years? White Christmas or It’s a Wonderful life?
35:07 What are your favorite Bible studies for Adults & for kids?
39: 13 How do you handle negative feedback on your channel?
41:31 What are your BEST homeschool memories?
47:07 How do you guide an unmotivated teen when they don’t know what they want to do in life?
50:01 What is your family’s favorite meal?
50:29 What’s another great homeschool moment? (I thought of more! :)
51:23 What are your favorite hobbies & activities?
52:42 What are your WORST homeschool moments?
55:53 What is your BEST ADVICE for moms of young children?
58:45 What are your favorite family games?
1:00:06 What are your plans when you’re done homeschooling kids?
1:00:30 What direction are your kids going after high school?
1:01:29 How do I get my hair as nice & thick as yours? LOL…and mascara recommendations when you don’t have an instagram filter! 😂
1:03:16 What is a good schedule for a 1st grader?
1:04:29 Do you struggle with the question, “Is this enough?” In regard to curriculum?
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♥️HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM I LOVE!! ♥️
LEARN MATH FAST:
www.learnmathfastbooks.com/in...
discount code: HSPLAN for 10% off at checkout
COMPASS CLASSROOM:
affiliates.compassclassroom.c...
INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE IN WRITING (IEW):
STRUCTURE AND STYLE FOR STUDENTS - IEW.com/affiliate/280966/sss
TEACHING WRITING: STRUCTURE AND STYLE - IEW.com/affiliate/280966/twss
VIEW other IEW products from this link. On the left side, filter down by grade, & then view products.
WHERE TO BEGIN - IEW.com/affiliate/280966/start
NOT CONSUMED HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM & PRODUCTS:
store.notconsumed.com/?aff=199
NIGHT ZOOKEEPER online language arts GAMES & writing program for ages 6-12:
www.nightzookeeper.com/parent...
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PLANNER & PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS:
PASSIONATE PENNY PINCHER PLANNER, etc:
shop.passionatepennypincher.c...
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*Some of the links are affiliate links. If you use them, I receive a compensation for referring you. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING MY CHANNEL!
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[@homeschoolteenswithjenny]

Lonely as a mother.... that's a big one for me! My friends are so busy. I try to plan outings and either never get a commitment or get last-minute cancellations. I've kind of given up, honestly. I always aim to be a good friend to others, but I can't say anyone really tries to be a good friend to me.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

It is hard when you WANT to get out and it doesn’t seem to be a priority or an ability for some. Hang in there!! My mom has told me it doesn’t change sometimes. There are some people who will NEVER ask you to do anything, but if you ask, they will. Sometimes people just don’t think about asking and you may always be the one to ask. This is when I try not to create stories on my head about how nobody cares. 😉 because dividing people in our minds……that’s a powerful tool of Satans. He loves to place that doubt in there. Just keep reaching out and praying for the friendships you desire. Let God work. ❤️

[@terrytsai3586]

I really agree with your suggestion on sibling rivalry, that's the same kind of talks I have with my kids. My sister and I are estranged and it all started in childhood.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Oh I’m so sorry!!!! But yeah….i see some families who are super tight as adults. And other siblings who really don’t care as much to even GET TOGETHER as a family except for holidays and that’s not what I want!! I want my kids to love being together with all of us even into adulthood. It would break my heart if they only cared at holidays or not at all. Having said that, I also think relationships with spiritual (Christian) family is MORE important than blood family. That’s not to say you just neglect your blood family. But if they aren’t Christian or even believe so Completely different from you, it hinders fellowship. BUT- they just become a new mission field. Again….this is who God created for you to minister to. I named my son, Drew, after Andrew in the Bible Le bc of the account when Andrew first found Christ. He was one of the first to find “the Christ” and the Bible says, he went FIRST to tell his brother Peter! Thats our role in families. Sure, we should enjoy each others company. But more importantly, our role is to represent Christ and point each other to HIM! I’m so sorry about your sister. That’s SO hard! Family relationships are messy, but the positive side is how we are aware now. And hopefully we’re raising our kids to do it differently! ❤️

[@jessicabodden5875]

Thank you for answering my question about sibling fighting! It was helpful and encouraging. It’s important to me that my children have a good relationship with each other when they grow up. And I definitely want them to all want to come back home and visit when they all grow up.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You’re welcome! I don’t know if you saw my pinned comment, but when I started editing the video, I realized that I didn’t give you a lot of practical tips! But some people left comments about your question. And maybe I’ll do a followup Video on the topic as well. Because we ALL want close families!

[@jessicabodden5875]

Yes! A follow up video would be great! And no worries, I appreciated the advise and the comments as well were helpful. You have a wonderful community of women on your channel☺️

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@jessicabodden5875 yes I do!!! Thank you!! ❤️

[@alycurtis8271]

Thank you for your videos! I’m watching so many of them and they are so encouraging. 💓 God bless you and your family.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I’m so glad you’re being encouraged!! 💕

[@eo6357]

Shalom, I just LOVE LOVE LOVE your authenticity transparency and upfront raw personality 🥰

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you so much!!! 🥰

[@amberc.2840]

Great video! The one piece of advice I would give to younger moms is to SLOW DOWN! Enjoy the time with your young children as much as possible!!!! They do not need to read by age 4, learn math facts by age 6, etc. I see so many young moms putting so much pressure on themselves and their children, and it makes me so sad. My oldest is a senior this year, already accepted to the college of her choice (with their highest scholarship!) - and as our time draws to a close, every day I get teary thinking how fast the time went. Don’t rush through it, Mamas. Cherish it!!!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I COMPLETELY agree!! The days are so long in those younger years and then all of the sudden they begin flying by! I look back on my early years of homeschooling and wish I could just tell myself to not worry so much about what we weren’t getting done and just read more picture books and go outside!!! ☺️

[@immichellerivera]

Oh my gosh I would totally be friends with you. I love your personality and I’d love to get coffee or just hang out. Man, motherhood can be so lonely sometimes.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Awe!!! 💕❤️💕

[@mrs.jaywojo5426]

Hi! I got that book - The Envy of Eve - and read the first chapter. I can see so far why you liked it! What a help it is to have someone explain what is going on... the author articulates it so well. Thank you for the recommendation!!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You’re welcome!! 😉

[@faithfullyinfertile]

I finally had a chance to watch this! This was super fun. I wish we lived in the same town!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I know!!! Me too! 😉❤️

[@jessiemadanat5455]

Read alouds solution - get multiple copies of the same book then stream the audio loud on the couch follow along.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I always have good intentions with the audio books bc it IS easy to listen while doing an art project or something too!

[@lovepraysign6891]

THANK SO MUCH for answering my question about The Good and the Beautiful. I figured your answer was going to be a pretty neutral perspective based on how you’ve explained some things during your other videos. But it really gave me a good perspective on the curriculum generally. I really appreciate that!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You’re welcome!!! I’m glad it helped a little! 😉 your question (and somebody else’s about IEW) actually had me thinking this morning about the differences between all the language arts programs. It would be nice to know how they all compare! But it’s hard to compare if you haven’t actually used them. And there are so many out there. 😬

[@lovepraysign6891]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan yup. You are sooooo right!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I was WAY OFF when mentioned that Illinois is a long state and probably takes 4-5 hours to drive from north to south. I google mapped it…..6.5 hours from a northern suburb of Chicago to Paducah, KY (which is the 1st city across the border from southern IL) so yeah… it’s a geographically long state 😜) I wonder how long it takes to get from northern CA to southern CA? 🤔 I bet it’s about 12 hours! Curious homeschool mom minds are curious! 😜) ALSO!! I did a poor job with the question about siblings fighting! I realized after I began editing that I could’ve given so much more practical advice than I did! The comments from you all on this is golden! So check out the other comments! And maybe I should do a followup video about this! Because there are definitely things, practically speaking, that I’ve done to foster these sibling relationships from the younger years until now!

[@ourfamilyvideos7283]

Sorry I didn’t finish question…would love a video…child ended up thinking of mission work. We’re in senior year, all needed work is done…we’re doing nurse assistant, medical vocabulary, started a business crocheting…love the ideas.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

So they just don’t know what to do next??? I get that! It’s so much pressure. I went to college “KNOWING” and then after a year decided to switch majors but I had NO CLUE what I was interested in! It’s a lot of pressure to know when you’re not even 20 years old!!! I definitely feel like young people should take time and explore bc I know from personal experience, just choosing something bc time is running out to decide, is not a good idea. I chose a more based on job security and I hated going to work every single day. It didn’t inspire me AT ALL! so I’m trying to coach my kids differently.

[@lanefurey8676]

I’ve been memorizing Scripture with my kids since they were very little. They are 6, 4 and almost 2. We learn new Bible verses and review ones that we’ve previous learned. I do this at the breakfast table, every day that I can (6 out of 7 days most weeks). A lot of the verses we learned are on the subject of how we’re supposed to be with one another in the body of Christ, which means it’s applicable to how the siblings treat each other. Ephesians 4:29, 32. Romans 14:19. Those are a great place to start. When they say something that’s not loving and kind, I will ask them about it. I.e “Are those words you just said, loving? Are they intended to build her up or tear down?” I let them answer. A lot of times I’ll ask them what they could say or what they should’ve said. Same with not letting corrupt words proceed out of your mouth. What’s the profit? I ask my kids these kinds of questions. I’ve heard it called “probing the heart”. Also, in my house if you have a bad attitude, you need to change it (Rom. 12:2). You don’t get to come out to the common area of the home and be grumpy and unloving with everyone. You can go into your room and change your thinking and make a decision to be loving and kind. We do a lot of “Let’s talk about things we’re thankful for” moments, as well. It’s certainly not perfect and sometimes I just let them sort things out, but I feel in the younger years it requires a lot of my involvement and you’re paving the way for the older years. It takes a lot from me, but I made commitment to this when I had them and God is the strength of my heart! He gives me rest! (That’s what I have to tell myself and renew my mind to, so I don’t have a bad attitude. 😜 hehe)

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I love this!!! Keep up the consistency in those younger years! It will pay off! Scripture is the BEST way to address this! (I shouldn’t a followup video about siblings fighting bc I realized I explained why it’s important to address, but I didn’t give much practical advice you did!! This is great advice!!! ❤❤❤)

[@lanefurey8676]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlanI loved your video! I thought you did a great job explaining things and I loved your point you made about not accepting the comment “it’s just siblings arguing”, because I feel the same way. No way. You’re not going to tear each other down while I’m around. Lol. It’s great when you can teach your kids God’s Word because then the Bible is the standard and it’s just “mom and dad”. I tell me kids all the time that I have to obey too! 😊

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@lanefurey8676 yes!!! 👍🏻 we have to obey too! Thats good! 😉

[@Homeschooling_with_the_Riveras]

12 Extraordinary Women of the Bible is a really good book. We are wrapping up reading it this week for our book club. These women of the Bible feel even more like sisters in Christ (since they already are, lol). I learned a lot from them. Thank you for your answers. It’s been a rough homeschool week. Your videos are always refreshing. We are working our way through History of Christmas and loving it!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I'm so glad you're enjoying the History of Christmas! I hear you on the rough week! I'm feeling that way too. I have so many audible credits available to me (bc so many books ai want to listen to are actutally free....lol!) But i was thinking about LISTENING to the extraordinary women book. I wonder if MacArthur is the voice behind his books. I listend to a Voddie Baucham book and he wasn't the one reading it. I was a little disappointed. So which woman or women in the book impacted you the most? Who are the women he talks about.

[@Homeschooling_with_the_Riveras]

Eve, Sarah, Rahab, Ruth, Hannah, Mary, Anna, The Samaritan Woman, Martha & Mary, Mary Magdalene, Lydia. I haven’t read Lydia yet. My favorites have been Rahab, Hannah, Mary, Anna, and Mary Magdalene. I don’t think MacArthur is the one reading. I had to listen to the first chapter because I didn’t get the book in time for our first meeting. I’ve learned something from each of the women. It has been both encouraging and convicting. We just made the Italian Soup and the Tree Trunk cookies today. Everything has been delicious thus far. We loved the Shepherd’s meal so much we’ve made it twice. 😂

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@Homeschooling_with_the_Riveras oh wow! I can’t believe you liked the shepherds meal! Thats awesome! My family hated it! 😂 maybe yours had better spices in it. I can’t wait to listen to the book!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@Homeschooling_with_the_Riveras]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan​​⁠We did change a few things in the recipe. My husband has health issues and can’t have salt, so we make our own sodium free vegetable stock. And we cooked in a crockpot. Not sure if that made the difference.

[@AmatiinBC]

I deal a lot with loneliness as a homeschool mom. Only one of my closest friends homeschools and she lives 12 hours away. So far all of the homeschoolers in my area that i have met are secular and started homeschooling as a reaction to the C-vid. Its just a whole different dynamic.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

That’s tough! So you have homeschooling in common, but not the Christian aspect? Nobody from your church homeschools?

[@AmatiinBC]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlannone of the ones i have met are christian. Its very strange. I know a few from my faith background that homeschool but even they live quite a ways away. We are quite literally in the wilderness where we live. There are a few churches in our town but not the same beliefs as us. I havent even met any homeschoolers who attend those churches. I remember telling that to a friend from Iowa. She had come up to Canada and we met at Seminary here so she knows the faith lay of the land here so to speak. She was amazed when i told her what i was facing as a homeschooler. Its the exact opposite than any homeschooler from the USA that i have conversed with. I think there are some areas of my province where there are more christian homeschoolers but in my area its a very different dynamic. It makes it somewhat tricky to navigate at times but there are a few issues where there is some like mindedness... dislike of cvid restrictions and Lgbxyz agenda in schools but even with that its tricky because the mindset/reasons/ways of dealing with or handling those issues can be quite different.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@AmatiinBC oh my goodness! I can’t even imagine! How far are you willing to drive to come a church with a community for you? When I was in high school, we drove an hour and half to get to our church! It’s not ideal. But there are some who do it. There are people in our church who drive an hour to get there. Ugh, I just feel for you!! Sending a virtual hug!! ❤️

[@AmatiinBC]

There is a couple who lives 2 hours away. I think there are a few couples 1.5 hours the other direction but we dont know them. I saw them on a fellowship finder app. 😂 it can get lonely thats for sure.

[@RockSimmer-gal4God]

We love audiobooks!!! We love TGTB but struggle with the readers so my kids read other books!!! My older kids love Hillsdale online!!! I love that TGTB incudes geography!!! We will be travel schooling from January so I love that it’s open and go!!! We love Joesph prince’s devotionals!!! I have a John mcartha study Bible and I love the notes!!! Sorry I can’t spell!!! I had a teen who hated school until he knew his passions!!! I’ve assigned my older daughter a science research project!!! I have a girl more like a boy but I’m a tomboy and she’s a lot like me!!! I remember that curriculum is wrote to teach well and when I compare to my memory of public school my kids are learning more than I did at that age!!!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Yes, I often compare my kids education to my own public school education and it makes me feel better! 😊

[@paularodillo]

I love this. Thankful that you made this even if it's so long... My eldest and youngest son are the same with your eldest and second child. We haven't even decided on what to give him even if we ask him, he isn't even decided on those. Don't have any homeschool mom friends since the community in my country is not that pretty well established but there are some online that is why I go on KZbin just to be on the know with things like these. Anyway, I also get easily distracted, bored and lose focus when troubles arise... BTW, I suspect that I have ADHD though it is undiagnosed.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You’re so very welcome, friend!! ❤️ I’m glad you can find a form of community on KZbin! I can imagine how hard it would be in a different country. I’ve wondered if I might be undiagnosed ADHD too! Sometimes it hard to focus on 1 thing and I get overwhelmed. And then sometimes I’m hYPER-focused and can forget to eat! 🤪 I guess the good news is we’ve learned to adapt and can teach h our kids techniques without a doctor! Lol!

[@paularodillo]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan maybe you have it too. The things that you mentioned are pretty much signs of ADHD. I just recently noticed this wirh myself by following several IG influencers with ADHD then I came to understand myself better and why I do things the way I do.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@paularodillo what you said too about being distracted when trouble arises!!! Yes!!!! If I have a conflict in my life (outside of homeschool) it’s difficult to switch gears. I HAVE to get the conflict solved or in a place of peace or I can’t think of anything else!!

[@user-bn7dg2km2d]

Thank you for answering our questions. I enjoyed hearing your answers and have some new books to add to my list! 😊Interestingly enough I use to have an actual user name , and about a year ago or so, KZbin changed it to this. 🤷 No idea why. Lol.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Yeah they changed it and I can’t remember why. I had to make a special request to be @ “our homeschool plan” I don’t even remember how I did that now!

[@user-bn7dg2km2d]

My name is Sam by the way. Nice to meet you. And I would read a book if you wrote one. 😁

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@user-bn7dg2km2d awe! Nice to meet you, Sam! And thank you! 😊

[@user-bn7dg2km2d]

I just wanted to come back and thank you for the book recommendations. We did the envy of eve in our group bible study, and it was so good! It was challenging and thought provoking. I never would have heard of it, it is wasn't for your channel. ❤

[@hg8247]

I agree with social media and everyone talking particular curriculum. TGTB was hot and now so many don't like it anymore. I feel like everyone is talking to IEW now. It does make me hesitant if it as great as everyone says or if the "in the curriculum ".We use TGTB LA and I am unsure about it. I didn't like their old ones at all but like the upgrades so far. I still worry about writing because its my weakest area. We tried fix it and I felt it lacks explanation. Makes me hesitant if IEW would be a good fit. Not sure what we are going to do for the future.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

These curriculums definitely have different styles on how they even explain. IEW is a bit “drier!” That’s without the videos….bc if you watch Andrew Pudewa on video, he’s amusing! But I definitely feel like IEW is way “NERDIER” than TGATB. IEW has been around forever, though. Even though it doesn’t seem like it’s being talked about more, I see that as more that the younger moms have just now discovered if. But the OG homeschool moms have used it for YEARS! My first year using it was 2016! I switched to TGATB in 2021 to try it bc it’s definitely richer in terms of the geography, art, and beauty. I’m not sure Maher’s you started with Fix It grammar but one of my lessons learned there is that you really should start from the beginning….book 1. Those later books jump QUICKLY! So if you’re weak in grammar, or maybe a bunch of it is new to you, those leaps can feel very big! All that to say, I completely understand when people don’t click with IEW just like I understand when they don’t click with TGATB. I think some of it comes down to personality and what speaks to you! 😉

[@brittanym58]

The aristocrats story is HILARIOUS 😂

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

😂😂😂thank you for appreciating it! 😜

[@mrs.jaywojo5426]

It is Wo-Joe. My last name is long, so it's shortened 😂

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I love it! Wo-Joe it is! Thats how I’ve always pronounced it in my head when I’ve seen your name come across the comments! 😜

[@mrs.jaywojo5426]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan My last name is Polish, and I got the nickname Wojo in 7th grade from my teacher lol. He said it reminded him of some character on a show, like Wojolinski or something. I have no idea what it was. My first name is Jaime, so Jay for short. Trying to be anonymous online plays a part in the obscurity, too. Life is hard sometimes, but my hope is that it is a refining my character where God sees that I need it. I appreciate your answer. I have always been a loner... and before I got saved, I rebelled "envying" what others did or had. My prayer is that my efforts homeschooling and ministering to my kids will help them always walk with God, because with Him they are never alone!