Category Archives: homeschooling

the freedom trail with kids

m

We took this quick trip to Boston in February of 2020, just before the pandemic became very scary here in the states (and before lockdown in late March). Over one year later and I’m still struggling to process how drastically our lives have changed along with everyone else, but I finally feel like I can share this trip. While travel is still not a possibility for most people, perhaps this will help to inspire some family-friendly trip planning, and in the meantime, you can virtually tour many of the sites! We (actually I–my husband was at a work conference) managed the entire Freedom Trail – most of it in one day, with two 7-year-olds (we only missed two sites). I’m a history buff (plus my father was born in Boston), so I enjoyed it for so many reasons. The kids said it felt like a treasure hunt, and it truly is – there is so much to discover along the trail. I’m sharing our full itinerary below, and you’ll find video and more here in my Massachusetts highlights!

Continue reading →

how we homeschool

m

As we enter our third year of homeschooling, I feel like it’s finally time to share more about how we homeschool, along with some of our favorite resources. I won’t be getting into why we homeschool – I shared that here if you’re curious, and started the discussion on my blog back in 2016 with this post. Choosing a path for your children is a very personal decision, and not an easy one, no matter which way you go. My heart goes out to everyone being forced into a learning at home situation due to the pandemic. Homeschooling was a decision we made in our own time, and we remain prepared to switch gears if ever it’s not working for us and/or them. Choice is a privilege and I feel very lucky to be able to do it and still have time for my creative pursuits. It should be said that I gave up my interior design business when I started down this path full-time (and lost a dream project), but I can say with 100% confidence that I will never regret my decision to homeschool. The time with my kids during their formative years, the co-learning, the ability to creatively support their individuality, giftedness and learning styles, the list goes on and on. There are so many reasons to embrace homeschooling (despite the challenges) and I hope that this post is helpful should you choose that path.

Continue reading →

pressing pause

marieinthought

“

“An observant child should be put in the way of things worth observing.”

Charlotte Mason

 

We’ve made a big change in our life  – one that we’ve been debating for many years. If you’ve been following our journey for a while, you might remember this post which sparked quite the conversation in the comments. Two years later and here we are – officially (as in: compulsory age, district-approved) homeschoolers! It was a long road to get here, and not a straight one, but nevertheless, we have arrived. I’m aware that this is a very personal, often controversial topic, but I’m sharing our story in the event it might help someone else in their decision, to connect with other homeschooling families, and to hold ourselves accountable. I don’t think there is any one right way to educate a child. All of the options present their own challenges, and value. It’s not for everyone, and every family strives to make the best choice for their children given their circumstances. We feel quite fortunate to have the option of homeschooling, as my business allows for great flexibility. So far (one month in) it feels a little challenging, a lot right, and even, dare I say – luxurious (at times).

Continue reading →

unschooling

Untitled-1

 

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

John Dewey

n

If you’re a parent, it’s the time of year when your social feeds are flooded with school buses, shiny new backpacks, and carefully curated wardrobes and lunch boxes. We’re inundated with emotional posts – from bittersweet tears and separation anxiety, to more relaxed and joyful (?) send-offs as the years pass. We have yet to join these ranks. This will be our fourth year watching from the sidelines, and we’re still feeling uneasy about getting in the game. We don’t have all the answers yet, and most likely never will. What we do know is that we’re in a season of life that goes by all too quickly, and we’re holding onto it with all our might. I’ve avoided discussing this topic here for so long, because it’s a highly charged and personal one. Every family has different needs and goals…I’m sharing our journey, with respect for your choices.

The gravity of parenthood has never been more evident to me than when making decisions about our children’s education. Those decisions and questions began years ago, when Henry and Marie were still in utero. What educational path would we choose? Public, private, homeschool, charter? Where are the best school districts? What type of learners will they be? Which environment will suit them best? The questions are endless – it’s dizzying and overwhelming. Add the societal pressures, and it’s enough to make me want to crawl under a rock. We’ve received advice (both solicited and not) from family and friends, and have toured a myriad of schools. The cost of a (secular) preschool education has left us in a state of shock, and we haven’t felt right about any of the options we’ve explored. We’re waiting for something to feel right.

Until that happens, we’ve decided that we’re not going to decide (yet). We are giving ourselves (and the kids) another year to get our bearings, find a more permanent home, and choose an educational path. Of course, we’ll continue our quest and research in the meantime. If we choose the traditional route, we wouldn’t enroll them in kindergarten until they are six (two years from now). So, while the kids will remain “in the nest” for a bit longer, we’ve already started providing a bit more structure to their learning (more on that soon). I’m so thankful to have the luxury (and choice) of being at home with my children, and letting them learn at their own pace, for now. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. What path did you choose, and what has worked best for your child? Would you change anything, if you could? Please share!