Homeschooling with the Seasons, Finding Your People, and More FAQs | Lyndsey Treehouse Schoolhouse

I have begun talking more about homeschooling on the podcast lately, and it is a topic that you all seem to really enjoy and ask a lot of questions about. In this podcast, I am chatting with Lyndsey of Treehouse Schoolhouse about homeschool methods and philosophy, and we are also answering your questions! If you’ve ever wondered about schooling with the seasons, socializing your kids, and managing it all with multiple children, this discussion is for you!
In this episode, we cover:
- What it means to homeschool with the seasons
- Determining the right age to start homeschooling
- Priorities for learning in the early years
- How homeschooling requires an entirely different mindset than other types of schooling
- Top tips for homeschooling older siblings with toddlers in the home
- Encouragement for tough seasons of homeschooling
- The powerful impact of prioritizing the parent/child relationship in education
- What shifts we make in homeschooling as the seasons change
- How homeschool families excel in socialization
- What to do if you don’t have a homeschool community
- Involving your husband in your homeschooling rhythm
- How do you know if your child is actually retaining what they are learning?
- Making homeschooling possible on a low budget
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View full show notes and transcript on the blog: simplefarmhous...
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ABOUT LYNDSEY
Lyndsey is a homeschool mom of four and the founder of Treehouse Schoolhouse. Before motherhood, Lyndsey had a career in children's ministry and special needs education. Her home education centers around living books and ideas, hands-on learning, nature exploration, and biblical discipleship. She shares experiences and home education inspiration through her Instagram and blog, as well as creates curriculum and resources for families around the world. Her most popular curriculum titles are An Expectant Easter, A Connected Christmas, and Treehouse Nature Study.
RESOURCES
100 Living Books for the Early Years: landing.treeho...
Simple Ideas for a Valentine Tea Time: treehouseschoo...
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An Expectant Easter: treehouseschoo...
Treehouse Nature Study: treehouseschoo...
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[@TheTidyNest]

I'm 32 and was homeschooled and am now homeschooling my 6 kids. I was probably overly socialized, haha! My dad and I were too extroverted to sit at home so we were out and about everyday and I was in every extra curricular I could sign up for! I had no lack of friends, but even more importantly, my dad passed away when I was 22 and because he was home with me I got to spend all of my days with him. If I would have been at school all day and sports in the evening I would have missed out on the whole last decade of my dad's life ❤️ Time is one of the greatest gifts.❤️

[@victoriarussell7799]

My favorite question from moms new to homeschooling: "What science curriculum do you use for your 5/6 year-old?" My response: "The nonfiction section of the library?" 😆

[@HeatherStecher]

It’s me I’m that mom. Thank you I needed this 😂

[@princessgemz271]

Great segment. I can feel the pushback from a few people regarding our choice to homeschool. It’s really discouraging some days. Also, we did come up with a Valentine’s Day exchange within our own little family. All of our kids (all girls) and us decorated Valentine’s Day boxes and wrote encouraging notes to each other from February 1-14. On the 14th we all opened and read the notes and got goodies as well. It was nice.

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

cute idea!

[@Homeandthimble]

Loved this! I was homeschooled and I’m in my 30s now, so I believe I’m part of your generation. I must disagree that our generation of homeschoolers were “unsocialized”. ;) It was definitely not as common nor as understood as it is today, but most homeschoolers I knew growing up were respectful and could speak to anyone of any age, just like most homeschoolers today. Charlotte Mason was a thing back then too. It’s actually the style I was taught! My mom had four children and did the “family learning” method, too. The biggest difference between now and then is it’s much more generally accepted (which I’m grateful for now that I’m homeschooling my own children!) and we have easier access to resources and more of them. I still see people use the exact same materials I had in the 90s and 00s though, which I find amusing (nothing wrong with them, either!). I guess my point is, homeschooled millennials weren’t much different, generally. ;)

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Thank you for sharing that!

[@diversekakes]

Yes, I knew families that homeschooled and they were in all of the same activities as I was growing up. They are doing amazing today and homeschool their children.

[@kristinastoltzfus6032]

Finding good, interesting books for boys is much harder. For our son he finally found adult literature more interesting. Not bad literature but he loved westerns and when he found Louis L'Amour it just clicked! Another one was Tuckets Travels and I started by reading that to him. The whole you read a page and I read a page. It is also for younger readers. I guess all that to say our son didn't enjoy what he was reading so it seemed like he couldn't read well.

[@StaceeMassey]

Good idea. I have Louis L'Amour "ride the river". I should try that out with my son. See how he likes it.

[@aprilyeno1919]

Socialization uggghhh 😂😂😂 My 14 year old was with me, of course, and the usual question came because it was noon on a “school day”…. “Where do you go to school? Off today?” And my daughter glanced at me and we shared a “private joke look” and replied, “I’m homeschooled, this is part of my high school education.” The woman smiled and said, “Well no wonder you’re so polite and sweet!” Then we laughed and she said, with a guilty look, “Just kidding, there are good kids everywhere.” My daughter laughed again and said, “Oh I know what you mean. Thank you.” Had to share because I also have a son, who goes to a traditional school this year (we’ve done both with him over the years, he likes to experience variety lol). This year he attends middle school in an accelerated program, which I still supplement, and I see both sides. We do what we do because we are raising productive, confident, well-rounded, good humans. Homeschooling just gives us, or speaking for me personally, the chance to pace myself and do it all day. ❤ God Bless ❤️🙏🏻

[@jennifercope4577]

The boys will learn to read when they are ready. My middle son was reading at 4 and I was frustrated that his 5 year old brother wasn't reading. At about 8 or 9 my older son finally decided reading wasn't so hard and found that he enjoyed it quite a bit. The kids personality is definitely part of their learning. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

[@servantwarrior880]

We have five girls who are 5, 7, 9, 10, & 12. We have homeschooled them from the beginning. Our first two girls were born practically reading. They were easy to teach because it came natural to them. Our middle daughter has a very logical mind, she is a "long game" thinker, she is very intelligent, she is going to bypass her older two sister in math but reading has been a struggle. I will tell you how I have overcome this with her, we paused on reading for a year. I am not saying we didn't read to her, go through math lessons that included reading, etc. but her "reading curriculum" we took a year off. The next year we picked up where we left off and it was much smoother. I will say she still isn't a reader like my big two girls who ready for the fun of it and devour books faster than I can buy them but she can read her school work. Also, she does not enjoy reading aloud...I found out she could actually read more than it seemed she really just didn't enjoy reading out loud to me. I really feel like it is much like potty training - they won't be graduating from high school without being potty trained, the same goes with reading. Each child is a different learner and the beauty of homeschooling is you can tailor that per child. It was a personal shock to my system and blew my mind because I assumed she would be just like the big two and love to read. This too shall pass 😀 My best friends are a decade older than me, two decades younger than me, and a few years older than me. 4 out of 5 of our girls are some of the most outgoing girls of their ages that we know. I one who is a hermit like her mom but otherwise they are social butterflies!

[@sabl6381]

The socialization question is hilarious. My husband used to be a public school teacher and he said about all those kids did was scroll on their phones and maybe grunt at you when addressed.

[@jessicarupert8815]

100% on the socialization piece. It's all about the parents and how intentional they are. That's why we see really socially awkward kids in public school as well, all depends on the parents

[@Lmr6789s]

Love this podcast I'm a homestead homeschool mamma as well so enjoy watching and seeing how others homeschool. We do Charlotte mason style as well great podcast

[@diversekakes]

Lisa, I have 6 boys and the good and the beautiful has worked great for us so far with reading!

[@jessicarupert8815]

I'm in the same season as you right now Lisa. I love all the Charlotte mason philosophies and such, but we are definitely working through math workbooks and will continue to do so through the summer. We had a couple years of babies, pregnancies, moves, and are just needing to "catch up" in math especially. But I think as we get where we need to be it can be a little more relaxed again.

[@Blessedmomma702]

Hey Lisa, thank you for posting and talking with other homeschooling moms, and making it available for us all ! I’m a mom of 5 with a baby the way and plan to start homeschooling this fall. I’ve been learning so much about it. I tried to check out your blogging master class but it is blocked by bitly.

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

I have a free into to my master class on my blog FarmhouseonBoone.com....but, the entire blogging class is a paid class that will open once it's paid for.

[@user-zu3qc4tm2u]

Lisa, thank you so much! I enjoy your podcasts a lot, you find very interesting people. I'm also in homeschooling, so yes, it's a very interesting topic for me.

[@Amanda-ye9xd]

Mmk, would it be possible for her to put together a list of quality books and materials for those of us homeschooling on a budget? Also, a video on how to do more of a family homeschool style would be so appreciated! Buying different sets of books is so expensive!

[@makingthemurtlows]

Love the homeschooling content. Thanks for all the inspiration, Lisa!

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

You are so welcome!

[@ourwildflowerhaus]

I love this podcast, especially homeschool related content

[@ivelissebouet9563]

Thank you

[@glennarichards2933]

Thank you so very much. Shared with friends

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@mondriaan83]

Got so much out of this episode. Thank you both

[@rough-hewnhomestead5737]

Love this! I especially love hearing Lyndsey speak about the importance of a quality home library and about not having to constantly 'test' kids to see what or if they're learning. I homeschool my daughter and many of the principals that Lyndsey mentioned match my methods. Great interview!

[@lorieflanders]

Great discussion! Thanks!

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sharongeorge1259]

Loving all your segments and topics you discussed. My question is when teaching the kids, do you use the chalkboard to demonstrate such things as maths, geography and anything that needs a bit of demonstrations . Thank you

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

or a dry erase board or a notebook....

[@RachaelStronger]

Love this!!

[@carinacorp5214]

Hi, just love your channel. Have you discussed the curriculum you use? I'm having a hard time with reading? The good and beautiful is not working. Thank you for sharing

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Yes, I have a whole episode on curriculum!

[@alyssasweetypie]

Hi, love the content. I was looking to start a blog and take your blogging course but it appears Bitly has blocked it?

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Go to my blog, FarmhouseonBoone.com and sign up there for the free class....I'll link itwww.farmhouseonboone.com/masterclass-registration

[@SarahsOctoberHome]

Homeschooling is something I never thought I would do, but here we are, and we Love it.🤍✨ I always get, “ How are your kids going to know how to socialize?” …..😂👀