HOMESCHOOL Update 2022 | Homeschool + Life + Channel Changes

After taking a 4 month break from KZbin to rest, refocus and plan, I'm back to share about all the changes coming in our homeschool!
📢 I'm super excited to announce that I have a NEW website! Check it out at www.theeclectichomeschool.com!
🌟 Download your FREE Homeschool Assessment Guide Here: www.theeclecti...
🌟 Reclaim peace and joy in your homeschool by establishing a purpose-driven plan designed to help your unique family thrive using my new Homeschool Vision Planning Guide! www.theeclecti...
🎥 Easy UNIT STUDY | Western Pioneers Homeschool Unit Study + Resources
• Easy UNIT STUDY | West...
🎥 MINDSET CHANGES That TRANSFORMED Our Homeschool
• MINDSET CHANGES That T...
Let's connect:
📸 Instagram: @erin.theeclectichomeschooler
📦 Books We Love on Amazon: www.amazon.com...
____________________________
Hi friends! I’m Erin. I’m a homeschooling mom to 4 kids and we’re in our 8th year of this homeschool lifestyle. I love to share videos with tips about things we’ve learned along the way that have helped me out, as well as curriculum reviews and some heartfelt homeschool inspiration. I hope you leave here feeling encouraged that YOU CAN DO THIS!
Thanks for checking out my channel!
If you enjoyed this video, you may like these as well:
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• REVERSE PLANNING Recor...
LIFE-CHANGING Homeschool Routine
• LIFE-CHANGING Homescho...
Morning Time LOOP SCHEDULE | Creating A Homeschool Loop Schedule
• Morning Time LOOP SCHE...
ORGANIZING Your HOMESCHOOL For Beginners
• ORGANIZING Your HOMESC...
Small Space HOMESCHOOL ORGANIZATION
• Small Space HOMESCHOOL...
I Wish I Knew THIS Before I Started Homeschooling
• I Wish I Knew THIS Bef...
Email for Business/Collabs:
[e-mail]
THIS VIDEO IS NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN, IT IS DIRECTED AT ADULTS.
CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS, which means I make a small commission on products ordered through them. Thanks for supporting my channel!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Well, hello! 👋🏼 I’m so excited to be back in this space! Tell me how you are doing! What’s changing in your homeschool?

[@Blessedgal_3897]

We are doing great. ☺ I changed a lot of my mind set for this year, asked God for guidance with what curriculum to use and sure enough he guided me. Although this isn't our first year for some reason I'm nervous. LOL I'm thinking it's excitement. 😄😀

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

@@Blessedgal_3897 Love that! Where God leads, he supplies! It’ll be great! ❤️

[@Blessedgal_3897]

@@TheEclecticHomeschooler Amen, yes!! 🙏🙏💜💜

[@Pro7093]

In regards to character studies, have you checked out Laying Down the Rails from Charlotte Mason. I am implementing that this year. I hope it goes well.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

@@Pro7093 Yes I have that also. I think I’ll be pairing that with some other things (still TBD) as well!

[@SavannahMares]

Praise God!!! That’s how we’ve been homeschooling for 14 years!!!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

LOVE that!! ❤️ I’m sure I could learn a ton from you!

[@amber689]

This is my first year homeschooling. My 11 yo son will be at home while my 9 yo daughter will stay in public school. I’m anxious but excited. I’m trusting in the Lord to guide me through all this craziness!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I’m so excited for you! It’s going to be great!

[@beckyj325]

You are probably my favorite homeschool KZbin mom. Thank you for being real. It's never fluff. I'm so thankful you're back!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Aww, thanks Becky! 🥰❤️

[@jehangesta476]

Mine too!

[@jenlin27]

me too! 🙋‍♀️

[@JoyfulNoiseLearning]

I love taking long month breaks from KZbin. It helps SO much! I took 2 months off. I'm coming back for a couple months, than I'll take off for 3-4 months. It's so hard to surrender it all to him and trust him with the plans. Glad you had a refreshing time!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

It really does! Sounds like a great plan! ❤️

[@hummus1874]

I was so happy to see your face when I turned on my screen😀 So many from our more recent generations are graduating knowing calculus ,but not how to keep a budget . I think that sometimes we can get so focused on the maths and language arts, that we sacrifice topics that deserve to be developed. "Core curriculums" are important, but nothing will serve you more in life than life skills, good character, and the ability to communicate well. I wish these were taught in every school. These are definitely things I keep in mind as I am planning our homeschool year.

[@taylorhphillips]

So glad you’re back!

[@sansal8017]

I missed your videos so much! Glad to see you back. ❤

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

😊 thank you

[@crystaljordan7318]

Yay! So glad you're back!

[@JustMakinItWork]

Love hearing your heart❤️

[@ahjaizza]

Missed you!!!

[@megansamborski7440]

Your plan for this year reminds me a lot of the Konos curriculum. It is unit studies that are based around biblical character traits. It's considered the grandfather of unit studies and our family has loved every konos unit study that we have done. Maybe you want to look into that and see if it would be a good fit for your family. They are very adaptable. And if not, good luck in your upcoming school year! ♥️

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks for the recommendation! I actually just heard of them a couple days ago so I will definitely check it out!

[@thehudsonshub]

I am glad to see you back, Erin!😍

[@thehudsonshub]

I am glad you figured things out, Erin. God is the only answer to our worries and congratulations on your new website.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

@@thehudsonshub Thank you! And I agree 💯!

[@angelicaclaudio-cortes6952]

I'll have a kindergartener, pre-k3, and toddler running around, this school year. So I'm praying for grace and patience. We're keeping it pretty simple this year.

[@Natalie-earth]

Hi, I'm a homeschooling Mama of 8 kids living in the UK. We're headed into our 13th year and the last structured learning year for my eldest. I just came across your channel and this is the first video I'm watching. If you're still looking for character development materials I can highly recommend The Family Virtues Guide. We used it to teach character in Sunday school for a year and it was great. Good luck with all the changes for your family this year. 🍀

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks so much for the recommendation! I will look into that!

[@Blessedgal_3897]

I have missed you and literally thought of you yesterday. 💜💜💜💜

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

❤️❤️ Thanks for being here!

[@Blessedgal_3897]

@@TheEclecticHomeschooler 💜💖☺☺

[@sculbertson7804]

Me too!🥰

[@faithhomeschool2789]

Welcome back! You have been missed. I hope you had a great break and you are refreshed and motivated for the school year.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thank you! I did!

[@jennbeck3401]

So glad to see you back, refreshed, and ready to take on this next phase of homeschooling! Thank you for including us in your journey! I always feel like I relate so much to how you approach life and the struggles you’ve shared. Thank you for being so vulnerable, for your positive spirit, and for being a light to so many of us! You’re amazing! And I love how you’re taking the reins and creating experiences for your kids! I’m hoping to do something similar…a bi-monthly math/art or math/games or science/art group. I’ve also thought about creating a homeschool mom’s group that meets quarterly just for support…something offline that’s a safe space to understand the ups and downs we go through as homeschoolers. You’ve inspired me to make these things happen and I thank you for that!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Love that!! Our church has a once a month homeschool mom encouragement night! It’s wonderful! We need each other in this journey!

[@ariyvonne5]

I am so grateful I found your KZbin page!

[@amandaspeicher7801]

I JUST found you! This is your first video for me and God's Timing is Amazing. We've homeschooled for 11 years and I know my kids need something different. My eldest is going into high school this year! I even interviewed at several local Christian schools in an effort to meet a need. I attended the AWAKEN Living Books conference last weekend and came away with a deep Love of Charlotte Mason and 1000 Hours Outside. A school career is not in my immediate future, so I'm starting a Charlotte Mason based homeschool co-op including hikes and cultural field trips! We moms do anything we can.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Love that!! Sounds amazing! Best wishes! ❤️

[@nnylasoR]

I’m just starting out with my 5yo (at a K/1st level…. since our world feels it necessary to put some kind of label on his smarts - even though he reads at a 4th grade level, and could debate any high schooler under a desk. haha) I just wanted to tell you how glad I am to see you again!! It was so refreshing to hear you basically say “Whoops - back to [Charlotte Mason]…” It is OK to admit when we kind of went askew and make a new, more appropriate path - or even backtrack to where we feel more inline with what we truly believe. ✊♥️ Thank you for being an example of that. I am taking a very relaxed “Unschool” approach, peppered with Charlotte Mason, Montessori and a few other elements… with PLENTY of outings, and mainly reverse record keeping. 😄 It’s not only my son’s first year of homeschooling, it is mine as well - and it is the year I get to prove to my husband that homeschooling is not just an ok alternative … it is what’s BEST. (I still praise God he even gave me his blessing at all. That was a MIRACLE. ✊😭) Anyway, welcome back! I am really looking forward to what you have in store for us to further glean from. 😘♥️

[@storybookschoolhouse]

You are such a beautiful soul! Happy to have you back🌻

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Aww, thank you! Anything good you see is definitely God in me! ❤️

[@hanab837]

This is my first time seeing your channel. We are starting our 8th year homeschooling and my first year schooling four children. I am planning a very relaxed school year, because it feels like we all need it. It was such a wonderful, relaxed summer for us, and I hope we can carry that into our school year (at least a little bit 😉).

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Welcome!! So glad you had the chance to relax and enjoy that time together! What a blessing!

[@IntentionalHomeschooling]

I love this, interest-led, Charlotte Mason inspired unit studies are exactly where we're at too.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

❤️❤️ Your research units are so beautiful!

[@cindysparks9114]

I just want to cry 😭 because I seem to be at similar crossroads and your videos are so often used by God to shine a light of truth on our homeschooling path! I had lost my peace big time because I too was stressing over my 7th grader. We joined a co-op group that is supposed to be a blessing to meet other beautiful Christian families...but before it has even begun I am feelings stressed thinking about keeping up with all the workload. When I am the teacher and have the final say! Instead of me making peace-filled decisions I allowed an invisible slave master to start cracking a whip over my head! I have some major reassessing to do! I know now I need to print out your assessment on your website and pray about the exact direction God would have us go. I know for sure it's a peace filled one where we all enjoy learning together without the stress of performance. This might sound weird but I just feel we would be such great friends if we were able! I love Jesus, love history....and love Charlotte Mason methods more and more as the years go by! Thank you for the example you are and for sharing your heart!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Oh, that blesses my heart! That's my prayer with all my videos - that God would use it to encourage someone else! God is so good that he knows all our needs before we even do and is ready to help whenever we need him! Praying he directs your path!

[@chastain2825]

Your back ! I’m so glad!! You have taught me so much about homeschooling. I was about to give up before I found your channel

[@JoyfulNoiseLearning]

Your website looks lovely!! Great job!!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks, Ashley!

[@2007mcg]

We homeschool so similarly. Everything you say is what’s in my head but you put it into words for me!! Thank you so much!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

❤️❤️❤️

[@gladiscecilia9603]

Welcome back. I'm a new subscriber. Found your Channel back in May when I was researching about Homeschooling. This will be our 1st Year. I'm nervous and excited. 😊

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

How exciting! You’ve got this! 👏🏼

[@leslierolling]

We just started our 4th year of homeschool with a 9th and 6th graded. Like you I’ve been worrying about all the high school things and filling gaps, and like you ended up going heavy on the curriculum and textbooks last year. I took a step back to reassess because we were all pretty miserable last year, and changed some things up. It feels so good! Though the struggle of relaxing and trusting the process is hard for me. Baby steps!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Totally feel you! So glad you’re feeling more peace now! ❤️

[@caitlinlizarraga5696]

4th year here too and I also have a 6th and 9th as well as a preschooler (3) foster daughters 2 and 4 mos) Can I ask what curriculum you decided to use this year?

[@FamilyStyleLearning]

I've been waiting all day to find time to watch this video. I think the things you said were so important and I was glad to hear them. I'm excited to see more over the next videos that you publish. Nice to have you back.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks, Abby!!

[@allisonward6621]

I appreciate your insights and encouragement to go back to the why of homeschool and to allow your kids to be interest led! You mentioned a video from 2 years ago...which one is that? It's funny bc I asked my girls what they wanted to learn if they could learn anything and they all said animals!!! So animals it is!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Whoops forgot to add that to the description too! Here you go. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fom6nnepgNV8hKs

[@MariaSantana-hx4bb]

Yay! So glad you're back! I too have been concerned about my kid missing and not covering enough. I was overcomplicating our homeschool with too many different curriculums. It's our 3rd year of homeschooling and it wasn't until I read the book A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver Van DeMille that I realized that the greatest leaders around the world were educated with what we would consider the minimum. So this year we have simplified our school. Focusing on Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. Vocabulary, Spelling, and Geography are naturally covered just through reading. Have a question? Then we pause and look it up on a map or dictionary. We simply research what we don't know. It's covered a variety of subjects without having to have a curriculum for everything. Its freed our time to include poetry, apologetics, and other interests we didn't have time for. Somethings clicked where my son and I are enjoying our homeschool more. I hope you will take us along the ride to share how you are fitting in your requirements without compromising what you know is important in your homeschool. I still am struggling with figuring out how to hit all the requirements as he gets older and not bombard either of us. I've got time as mine is only in the 6th grade. Thank you for sharing! Looking forward to checking out your website 😀

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thank you for sharing! Sounds like we are in a similar mind-frame! I read that book at the beginning of this summer and it has definitely helped shape my path going forward and helped me to be more confident that this way of educating is enough! I’m super excited about moving forward more in this direction!

[@sciencemama]

Welcome back! Good for you for taking the time you need away from YT. Love the look of your website!! Quick question - what site did you use to host your website, it’s something I’m thinking of doing in the future 😊

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks, Angie! I built and hosted it through Wix.

[@sciencemama]

@@TheEclecticHomeschooler Thank you!!

[@karenm.3955]

Hi Erin, I was wondering why I haven't seen you here in a while! Welcome back! You're one of my favorite homeschool channel! ❤

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thank you so much!!

[@ezekielfenjavandehei3189]

I really enjoyed this video because I'm a new homeschool mom and sometimes I feel I have to have it all figured out now but I love how you just changed your homeschool to fit your family and readjusted. I love the humility and search for what God has for you. It's really inspiring and encouraging. Funnily we are focusing on a lot of similar things: character and Bible and making time for margin and fun. I'm switching things up and am starting Konos curriculum which is a character based unit study ha ha

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Love that! I just heard about Konos recently! It looks like a fun option!

[@die5plaas]

Welcome back beautiful lady! You were definitely missed! You truly look relaxed and renewed, the time away has done you well 😊 I always find myself watching your videos two, three times just to take in everything and catch all the goodness and encouragement you offer. I also still get stressed about "all the things" BUT I am also focusing more on self-directed, child-led learning. Especially with my youngest daughter, who was in school the shortest period of time, so I find it easier with her. My older two now 13, almost 14 and 11 do a lot of hands on work with their dad. Learning a lot of hands on life skills. Things like changing a tire, fixing our tractor's bearings, mixing feed for our cattle and sheep etc.. And inside the home they are learning how to cook and bake and also to keep a house clean. Survival skills are also very important and we have always included them in these activities as well. Learning how to make a fire without matches, building a shelter, filtering water etc. Again welcome back!! Looking forward to all the NEW you will bring ❣One thing I am focusing on quite a lot is to start strewing all learning type things (books, educational toys, art supplies etc) around the house and not just limit them to a study/homeschool room. Praying it works!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thank you for the wonderful encouragement! It blesses my heart that you have enjoyed my videos! Love that you have always included a lot of those life skills into your learning!! And yes to strewing! I love picking up new books and things to leave out on the coffee table or other places for the kids to just pick up and start looking at. They have learned a lot from that! Best wishes!

[@rtdugan04]

When you talk about 1 virtue or character trait, I thought about my mom who would focus on one fruit of the spirit at a time with us.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Love that! ❤️

[@tiffanys935]

Welcome back and you look amazing. I honestly took a longer break this summer than we normally do to basically reboot myself. I am over the moon about your website and your helpfullness in forming our school purpose, etc. I have unschooled, child lead and loosly been Charlotte Mason the last 2 years. This year, I am being more focused and honestly more relaxed than last year. I have to stop comparing myself or abilities to others so I can be the best homeschool mom I can be. I look forward to more of your videos. You have blessed me in so many ways with the encouragement I needed at the exact time I found you!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

🥰❤️This blesses my heart so much! Praise God you’ve been encouraged here! Wishing you an amazing year!

[@ruralcanadianmom8964]

Great to have you back! Can you give some insight on your plan on teaching bible? Last year we did devotions, then audio, etc. I feel like by the end of the school year we all got complacent and went off or got busy doing other things during devotion time. I need some ideas because at this point I have no clue Thank you

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I got this Bible Study that I’m planning on going through for each of my kids to do independently right after breakfast every day and then we will discuss family style during morning time. I haven’t tried it this way before so we’ll see how it goes, but that’s my plan at this point! 😄 store.notconsumed.com/collections/bible-studies/products/armor-of-god-bible-study

[@kimjaymama26]

We have really enjoyed not consumed' s bible studies. We just finished the "my brohter's keeper" one and it was bible study and character all in one. So good. Love what you are saying here.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Great to hear! I have their Do Right study to do but we haven’t started yet!

[@lonegamers7826]

I’ve looked into that! Mom of 4 boys, the eldest is 9 then 2,1,and another in Nov. what age do you think it’s good for?

[@vivianlopez9575]

First time watching your videos. Love the idea of nature walks/hikes and and learning survival skills!!

[@laurenreichow5427]

Im taking back quite a bit this year too! We are utilizing the Not Consumed Bible studies, which I highly recommend, and read alouds again. I’m also trying to add more cooking/baking in too! Just really trying to focus on what is truly important, God, quality of time together and service to each other. Have a great year!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Love that!! ❤️ I have one of the Not Consumed studies for us to try out as well!

[@wonderfulworld5015]

Wow, your video exactly I was looking for! Thank you very much for all of the info! I am about to homeschool my two kids 1st, and 6d grade. Never again I wish to my children in public school. We have completely different core values from what they’re teaching our children. God is number one in our family, and my kids no longer fit in in their system. We had to move out of state of MD because it’s just getting worse! That’s it! If as parents we don’t stand up for our kids, its over! I’m admire parents who took their step forward and take complete control over education of their own children! Parents who knows that survival skills, and gardening is very important! I Can’t wait to check out your website! Thanks again❤️❤️🙏!

[@soniaschemel3436]

I am soooo glad to see you back! I had just started following you before your hiatus and learned so much from you and I am excited to learn from you now moving forward

[@apl1515]

We have schooled using a public charter school for the last 3 years and it has been a constant struggle trying to balance secular and faith/ textbook and lit based. The school obviously wants all secular and textbook and worksheets and we relented last year but found all joy stomped out of our schooling. This coming year I have gone in hard with lit based curricula and I’m a little nervous LOL! I have to supply work samples and I won’t be able to rely upon worksheets… but I know in my heart that we will find joy in the books and subjects we will be diving in to. Adding Bible is still something I’m trying to figure out. It’ll be fun to go along with you all in a similar journey 💕. Great job on your website! So beautiful

[@apl1515]

@Jessica Garcia that’s awesome! Every year I think “eh should we just go it on our own?” But we’ve stuck it out and going in for one more year until they tell me I can’t use Lit based curricula. I think they may do that year after next. I’ve been warned by our teacher of record. As for reading, my girl is an excellent reader yet does not LIKE to read and doesn’t have stamina. I turn to audio books sometimes. Or I’ll have her read a chapter then I’ll read one. She still fights me on that LOL. Libby and Hoopla are both free and have newish books. Best wishes and blessing to you. It’s going to be a great year! 💕

[@laurimuse1390]

Awww cool I just found your talks. So interesting to watch the old ones this week then this one after your break. I’d like to know how planning will be different for you and what your plans will look like now. For me.. I want to read tons! Sooo I gather piles of books and we will read a lot together and discuss and use the books to engage further learning. Spark interests! We will have Morning Time with many subjects. Hopping around. It’s been a long break since my morning time was flourishing. Many reasons. Pray for me! If you can… I need to get that going again solidly.

[@jasminelozano9575]

I was sooo happy to see your video pop up today. Welcome back and I’m glad you were able to rest and recover! Excited to check out your new website.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks, Jasmine! 🥰

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

So good to see your face in my feed here, friend! It sounds like we were doing some similar soul searching during each of our hiatuses from KZbin. Praying for a wonderful homeschool year for your family!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks, friend! Glad to see you back at it too! ❤️

[@RedwoodHeartstead]

I'm short on time and the ability to articulate our changes here in his teeny digital box, but I'm just so happy to be hearing your all encompassing 'voice' through this platform again. Thank you for returning. I am able to see how much time, effort & energy must be invested to do so and so I thank you for all of it. Your sharing is very centering and inspiring 💛

[@GracefullyUnraveled]

We’re starting our 4th year of homeschool. I have a 4th grader, 2nd grader, & “preschooler” (she’s 3 & does whatever she wants 🤣) Thank you for being an encouragement to the mamas who want to break the mold of traditional schooling at home. I have loved Charlotte mason, but don’t feel confident that it’s “enough” sometimes. I’d love some more videos on how you make this work in your life. Glad to see you came back with a clear vision of your homeschool!

[@cassandrablanscet6912]

Glad you’re back and with some ideas that I resonate with! We have the opposite problem where I feel like we rely too heavily on unschooling and interest based, random learning, too much free time lol. Life can’t be one big summer vacation?! So always looking for ideas on how to turn that into a bit more so that we’re not ‘falling behind’. Or feel like all our half-filled workbooks are somehow enough 😬. We’re going into our 3rd year of homeschooling, hoping this is the year we can buckle down and figure out what we’re doing. Definitely will be checking out your new website, thanks!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Why is it such a struggle to find the right balance?! 🥴😅 Right there with you!

[@MatthewsAdventures156]

Welcome back! My oldest is 8th grade too so I understand everything you're saying!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

It’s a challenge, isn’t it! 🥴😅

[@mariscadenby4300]

I’ve definitely been struggling with the pressure of public school/traditional and allowing more delighted directed learning as my daughter is entering grade 9 this year. Previously we’ve done a mix of both and it’s worked well, however it’s harder to break out of the traditional mindset now that she’s entering highschool. I really resonated with your struggle and your decisions and goals that you finally decided on. I hope I can get to that point soon!

[@QueenHonestlySavage]

Congratulations beloved on your website!!! Welcome back mamas you definitely look well rested!!! Happy to see you back on your A game! So many great news I am so happy for u beloved. I will be checking the website and cheering you on! Keep shining love ❤️

[@singgirl82]

So glad to see you back on here, and so happy for you to have some time to regroup. It sounds like it was a much-needed and blessed time. Beautiful website and resources! 👏

[@juliequates9529]

Love your videos and your insights! My oldest is only 8 and I was getting too deep into a gotta do it all mindset. We've since switched over to a more independent, minimal curriculum with a focus of math, writing, reading. It has freed up my mind to incorporate other fun topics things. There's only so much time and there's more to life then getting through the curriculum. Blessings to you on your new school year.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Agree 💯! Blessings to you as well!

[@faithhomeschool2789]

Congratulations on the website. We are needing a little bit more structure this year. Last school year we were too relaxed almost to my frustration. We are going back to basics bible, life skills, art, family PE, morning walks are priority before we get our math, reading and writing is still top priority. Everything else we will get to.

[@GeinaVellaSmith]

Wow! I love everything you said in this video and this exactly what I am looking for, thank you for sharing!!! ❤️

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

My pleasure! ❤️

[@BaileyAcademy]

Welcome back. We will be doing one character traits a month too this year. Glad you've figured your vision out.

[@JustMakinItWork]

Thanks for sharing this process🙌🔥❤️

[@SummerMeyers]

My oldest is entering 7th grade, and you better believe I've been sweating highschool already. 😅 I'm excited to see how you guys are figure it out! ❤️

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I still don't get why we stress about doing things the school way, when obviously it didn't help us to feel confident in our abilities by going through it ourselves. Oh the irony. 🙃😂

[@rebeccamorris1032]

I am so excited for your new content! I am glad you feel refreshed and refocused!

[@KidsLearningforLife]

So glad to see you back! “Charlotte Mason Inspired, Interest-led, Unit Studies” This sounds a lot like me, haha! Jenny (my co-host) LOVES the CM method and we just finished reading and discussing her book Home Education on our channel. I loved the insight into this method, but I still love unit studies. :) Good luck with all your changes! Can’t wait for more updates! -Stacey

[@reneevdwesthuizen4849]

Yay, so great that you're back! Missed your positivity and helpful tips. All the best in your new chapter, from South 🇿🇦

[@sarasali1366]

So great to see your smile again, and to hear all the exciting news!!! We are getting ready for kinder and 2nd grade here, very excited to kick of the new year!!

[@lesver9297]

I appreciate this. I've been having the same feelings All that you mentioned we will be doing!

[@SJD36]

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing what you have learned in your needed time away :) Glad you had time to take care of yourself and reflect! I have been struggling with some of the same thoughts of feeling like the school system requirements make it feel like I can't do what I really was hoping for and it just felt not quite right for our family last year. I am excited to look at how things have come together for you to bring your homeschool style into your day! I have a few more weeks to figure things out for our family and I think your tools at on your website will be super helpful! Thanks so much ♥️ You are a blessing! ~ Sarah

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks for being here, Sarah! Hoping you are able to find that balance for you as well!

[@saraavila695]

You have amazing plans! I love the character building and survival skills. That’s so awesome. It sounds fun!!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

❤️ Thanks, Sara!

[@singgirl82]

Also, I have been in a similar space with reading through CM’s volumes and finding out how well her students did with that style of learning. The idea of not trying to fill their minds with the pieces they “need to know”, or lecturing, has been a crucial reminder to me. In terms of Bible Study, we’re going to be doing Strong in the Word by SCM in the new year! I’m so excited for my oldest two to get into that!

[@melissap3737]

This is great, love all of your ideas. I’ve looked into trail life for my boys to help them learn some life skills.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I’ve looked into that too! Looks like an amazing program, unfortunately they don’t have one in our area so we’re kind of doing some of it ourselves!

[@seleneespinoza713]

Hi Erin Welcome back ! Your such an inspiration and bring so much encouragement. I’m new to homeschool this year to my 6th grader and your videos have been very helpful. God bless :)

[@makerofahome]

Glad to hear you have made some changes that are bringing your heart peace! Praying it goes well for your family this year 😁💕 Our change this year was joining the Charlotte Mason Education Center (CMEC) membership to try the more “purist” method of a Charlotte Mason education. I also have been listening a lot to A Delectable Education podcast and purchased their geography lesson plan. I’m excited to try it all and see how it works for our family this year!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Yay! How exciting! That’s a great podcast!

[@1Victorias1]

Erin, thanks for your ministry work with your KZbin videos and now a new website! We are starting our 3rd year with 5th and 8th grade. I too am anticipating what we are doing for high school. I just finished a few of John Holt's books and reintroduced myself with all of Charlotte Mason's educational ideas. There is so much peace and freedom when we follow God's will for our homeschool, and I've learned it's good to reflect and evaluate on a frequent basis where we are and where we are going. Very excited to have you back. God bless your school year!!!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Totally agree! Thanks so much! Blessings to you! ❤️

[@doriswu88]

Love to learn more about enrichment & characters studies resources. I need to add to my homeschool too. Thanks

[@laurapinkham3488]

Yay! Glad to see you are back. What are you using for character studies?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

The big one is just getting into the Bible more together and learning about what God says about how we are to live. I also have the study Do Right from Not Consumed and Laying Down the Rails from Simply Charlotte Mason. 😊

[@ginakitsuse2796]

Welcome back :) You look very happy! I've been planning our school year and changing our schedule a bit. Definitely more art, bible time ( I have two young adult kids in our house with different thoughts on religion so that's a bit tricky) getting out for more field trips, and life skills is on our list too. I like the Charlotte mason style and am thankful to have a good friend close by who is homeschooling too. Here's to a good year for us all :)

[@abanocy]

Hey Erin! Good to see you here again! Love your message here, and so excited for you as you launch your website! Excited to go check it out. I feel like I reassess and change something every year, and I too have fallen prey to the pull of what “should be” done. We are re-centering this year too. Grateful for the rest we took (and the clarity that came from it), and looking forward to the start of the new year!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks, Andrea! That mindset is such a challenge to overcome, isn't it?! I'm so glad that you've been able to re-center yourself as well! Always room for growth and new inspiration! Blessings as you start your new year!

[@ourthriftyhomeschool]

I’ve been struggling with the same feelings having an 8th grader!!! 😬

[@FLMegan]

Ww continue to mix it up more and more. The twins do different maths, tgtb/t.t which is awesome. We switched up history... just no longer attached to anything not working great. What state are you in? We don't have to follow anything here in Fl. Mine won't go further than Algebra 1 or do all traditional subjects at all unless they want too.

[@heidibee476]

Yay, Erin! Glad you're back. And SO glad you had time away to de-stress and de-escalate. My oldest is 8th/9th and I am FREAKING out as well! This is the perfect time for me to see this video today - God is good!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thank you! God is good indeed! ❤️

[@Dreblueskies]

I love CM too but I want to reduce the number of subjects and dig deep. Debate skills are great I wish I had those. Survival skills might be needed quicker than most of us are prepared for. Loved hearing your update! Will your planning change?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

My planning is changing a little but I'm still really relaxed with it! I'll have a video up soon about planning our routine/morning time. :)

[@unconditionallovehomeschoo1830]

Glad your back and I agree with your new method. I always try to do unit studies, so much fun.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

It really is!

[@ourthriftyhomeschool]

Congratulations on the website! So excited to have you back! ❤️

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks, Toni!

[@laureeso99]

Soooo glad to see you back!! Heading over to your website to check it out. :)

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

🤗 Thank you! ❤️

[@homeschoolingcuriously]

You're back! I'm so happy you got the rest you needed. I'm so happy you're back and loving all of the things you've shared.

[@MoniqueAduSustainableLiving]

So very helpful thank you!!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

You’re so welcome! ❤️

[@rmechelle4230]

I enjoyed this video so much. I have also made some necessary changes in my own homeschool. We have switched over to Masterbooks, which gives us a more bible-based focus for language arts. Also, we will be using Konos as an additional resource to add-in bible-based unit studies.

[@Maria_O]

Welcome back! I always appreciate your insights. My son will be a first grader. I feel like this year will be our REAL first year of homeschooling. Last year, we dipped our toes in, were very laid back and yes remiss too 😁 So this school year...well I'll just say there's lots of planning going on. Not so much actual lesson planning, but more wrapping my head around everything. Getting familiar with the curriculum. Figuring out exactly what I want to teach and how. My mind works very methodically, and I need STRUCTURE. A college professor used to tell us, "A goal without a plan is just a wish. What's your plan?" I learned a lot last year of what worked for us and what didn't. Now it's time to put those lessons to good use.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Love that! Best wishes in your new year! ❤️

[@veronicapearson5095]

You are such a blessing! Thank you for the encouragement over the last two years!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks, Veronica! So glad you’ve been encouraged here! ❤️

[@katrinaalison2511]

so happy to see this video! Perfect timing! Just starting to get into the homeschool planning for September. 👌🏻😊

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I'm so glad! Happy planning!

[@meandmyquiverfull1695]

So excited for you! And so happy to see you back here again, missed your videos. But what a blessing this time must have been for you. May the Lord keep working in and through you and may you have a wonderful and blessed new year of homeschooling. We do a lot the way you explained in your video ☺️

[@shannonperry5166]

I love the process--going through the same myself. It's one of the things I enjoy about this prepping time of year. Question about the virtues portion...is there a resource you are pulling from? I've heard of Laying the Rails, I think it's called, but haven't read it or figured out how to implement it. Another that came to mind is the Konos curriculum. I get so overwhelmed at wanting to do "all the things," but am trying to pull bits and pieces of what serves my mission plan, versus becoming a slave to the curriculum. Just watched your very helpful video on how to loop plan! Thank you!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I do have Laying Down the Rails from Simply Charlotte Mason that I will probably pull some from. I also have this book, Character Building for Families that we will probably use some of as well! amzn.to/3cvA6U4

[@constancejackson7986]

Oh my goodness I love the idea of survival lessons!! We are moving over to those kinds of things just myself and my husband and have been discussing adding this in with the kids!! So happy to have you back I have missed you and your encouragement that the Almighty has blessed you with. With much love !!

[@Homelifelearning]

Great video. I've been doing lost of thinking about our HS. My daughter is getting older and I want to up the anti so to speak so really looking at how to do it in a way that works but in a calm stress free way. Also my son is wanting to learn more so getting him involved in a way that works too. Going to check out your website for inspiration and quiz sounds good.

[@sarahmiranda7130]

I was homeschooled from grand 2-12. I always planned to homeschool my children but instead send them to a private Christian school. I know they aren't being taught what I really want them to learn but My oldest is a very difficult child....I am not a structured person and just dont know of I will ever have it in me to teach them myself.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Oh, I feel your heart! Self-doubt is such a big struggle… One thing to keep in mind is that as they get older, it actually involves less teaching because they can do more independently if you find the right curriculum! So much of homeschooling is learning together and living life together, rather than you being a teacher! It’s a process to get to that mindset though. The book Teaching From Rest by Sarah Mackenzie really helped me with that! Best wishes!

[@keluarga.peradaban]

😍😍

[@claudiaaguilar8380]

Hello. I'm from Peru and I'm moving to Brisbane next year with my two kids and husband (he is applying to the student visa) . I want to homeschool my children in Australia, do you know if is it legal to homeschool foreign students? thank you for your answer

[@mandyg888]

May I ask what state you live in?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

We are in Washington. ☺️

[@carinthiamontana7069]

So glad you are back!