But there’s someone we often forget about. An essential person in our homeschool.

That person is US. The homeschooling mother!

Many of us are so focused on our kids needs, that we ignore our own. I believe this is a major factor in why so many homeschool parents are burned out!

We teachers matter too. Our homeschools and the students will flourish more if we are delighting (or at least able to tolerate) in our home school set ups.

Consider Your Own Personality, Passions and Priorities

When trying to decide on your homeschooling philosophy, or how you’ll structure your days, or what curriculum you’ll use, don’t forget to think about how YOU are wired.

• Are you a type A person who wants to stick closely to the public school path? Check your boxes with a curriculum that a local private school uses.
  
• Are you in a season of life that is overwhelming? Try an open and go boxed curriculum.
  
• Are you spontaneous and adventurous? Make room in your routine for field trips and travel.
  
• Are you creative and crafty? Go all in with those hands on projects and art.
  
• Are you enthralled with books? Choose a literature rich philosophy.

I know myself well enough to know that I don’t like rigid schedules, but I also don’t do well with zero structure.

I am drawn to books, nature and variety.

Here’s a couple things we do that personally help me to LOVE our homeschool.

Avoid Monotony/Add Variety

I do this in a couple ways.

First of all, we keep our lessons SHORT. We also try and mix up our subjects so that we use different parts of our brain and keep ourselves on our toes.

For example, after math, instead of doing science, we’re likely to listen to a poem or do some art. After reading history, break things up by practicing an instrument.

Second, we do a bunch of subjects. On top of the typical subjects, we also do poetry, current events, logic, composer study, social skills, shakespeare, archeology etc etc. But since we keep this subjects short (think 5 minutes for many) it doesn’t bog us down.

ALSO we don’t do every subject everyday, instead opting for a loop schedule. For example, in grade school, my kids do science twice a week, history twice a week, in addition to the history project and the science experiment that do at our weekly co-op. It’s very doable and it keeps our interest.

Ditch Textbooks/Read Living Books

Textbooks are usually written by a conglomerate of academics. They are usually dry, and as Charlotte Mason would say, a regurgitation of facts. The thinking has been done already, all that’s left is to store the information.

Living books in contrast are usually written by a single author that is passionate about their topic. Often times they are in a story format. And most importantly, they are full of ideas. Ideas aren’t neatly packaged like facts, but are larger concepts that need to be chewed on and digested by the student.

This major different leads us to my second thing that makes homeschooling more enjoyable for me (and my kids).

HOW we respond to the material we consume…

Abandon Worksheets/Embrace Narration

Worksheet usually ask specific questions about a text, expecting students to remember facts or the details that a teacher deemed important.

They leave students feeling like they need to care more about what the teacher wants them to learn, than what they themselves can glean from the text. It’s nerve-wracking!

Instead, our family chooses to show what we learn through narrating to each other what we learned from the text.

It seems simple but is hands down the most effective way to learn. (Check out “Know and Tell” by Karen Glass for more info and details on how to use this method.)

Kids have to pay attention the the big ideas of text, organize their thoughts, and communicate clearly. And because of this, they’ll retain so much more of the passages.

But the thing that makes this life giving to me as a parent is I get to see first hand the connections my kids are making, what stood out to them, and living ideas take root in their lives.

It’s better than magic. And it keeps me going when the days get hard.

Scrap the Planner/Use a “Doner”

I have had other moms tell me this small change has completely transformed their relationship to their schooling.

We’ve all heard of and have probably used planners. We consider what our students need to accomplish, we divide that up by the number of days, and we assign specific passages or lessons and write them on the date.

Inevitably, life happens and we get “behind”. The pressure builds and we begin to feel like failures.

Not exactly a recipe for feeling happy and content as a homeschool mom.

Instead of being slaves to a planner, our family simply has a “Done-er”. I write down what we DID do that day. That way I can focus on the positive and not what didn’t happen.

Now don’t get me wrong, this does NOT mean I don’t plan. Far from it.

Three times a year I remind myself of my “why” for homeschooling, I consider what subjects I want to cover, I pick out living books that fit the bill (my all time favorite task!), AND I create an ideal rhythm for our days.

With that structure in place, I don’t have to spend time daily or even weekly doing any planning. I just know our rhythm, grab the books that I’ve already decided on, and we read them.

Not everything I dream up gets done. And a lot of times I add things in mid semester that end up being favorites. But either way, a “Done-er” has been key to keeping my mom-guilt low.

Celebrate

At the end of the year, we spend a lot of time narrating what really stuck with us from the previous year. We don’t just do oral narrations, but also art representations, papers, and even reenactments in front of friends and family. It’s a blast!

It’s amazing how much I can be kicking myself over the plans that we didn’t manage to get to, but once we spend a little time looking back and what we did absorb, I can see the progress and the growth.

So spend time remembering and celebrating. You’re working wonders, Mama!

The post How to Make Homeschooling Enjoyable for MOMS! appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

High Pointe June 2nd – 5th

This is an evening VBS. High Pointe want VBS attendees to know the Bible’s message of redemption through the work of Jesus. We will explore Ephesians using the PROOF acronym and learn about how God saves “scallywags” like you and me!  FREE to attend!

Christ Church June 4th – 6th

This is an evening event for kids in Cedar Park. There will be 3 action packed evenings of water games, treats, crafts, games, worship, Bible teaching and more. Kids Camp is open to children ages 3 to 5th Grade.  $25 per child.

Bannockburn Church June 17-20th

They are holding a VBS at three of their different campuses around the Austin area! $20 per child.

Austin Baptist Church June 17th- 20th

This church is located in west Austin. Kids will be challenged as they discover that God’s truth never changes, everyone needs Jesus, and learn to speak the truth in love. Adventure awaits each day as kids explore tide pools, spot orcas, fly kites, and watch the mighty waves crash up against the immovable Breaker Rock! FREE to attend!

All Saints Presbyterian June 24-27th

Embark on an epic journey at this year’s Vacation Bible School! Our theme, “Olympion,” will ignite the hearts of young champions as they discover the exhilarating adventure of running by faith.  Join us as we challenge children to passionately commit to Jesus Christ and His Word, and embark on the race of faith with courage and determination!

Hill Country Bible Church July 8th -11th

Xtreme Adventure Event for 4th-6th graders. Friendly competition, intentional worship, solid biblical teaching. Tons of fun!

Park Hills Baptist Church July 22-26th

A FREE morning VBS for five full days.

An exciting week of songs, games, skits, snacks, crafts and growth in Jesus!

We will be taking the children through the book of Joshua to help them understand what it looks like to run the race of faith while being passionately committed to Jesus Christ and His Word. 

On Friday, there’s a Family Extravaganza complete with a yummy lunch, water inflatables, snow cones and more, all for free!

The post Vacation Bible School Options in Austin, TX 2024 VBS appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

It seems like just doing more of the dreaded task and lots of reading instruction is the only way to improve. Yet the more you push them to read, the more they resist.

As the homeschooling mother of a son with reading difficulties (four official learning disabilities in fact), I know the worry. But I’ve also watched as my son has become a voracious reader.

Here’s what we did.

Set the Atmosphere

Dyslexics often find reading a frustrating experience. Don’t let every facet of language become a chore.

Create an atmosphere of a love for language.

Charlotte Mason, the 19th-century educator, stressed the importance of a variety of language experiences to foster a love of learning. Read widely; let your home be filled with music, poetry, and conversation. Don’t forget to incorporate nursery rhymes, tongue twisters, and other fun language play.

Your house should have lots of books (in every room!). The library makes this possible, along with “Thriftbooks” and garage sales.

Model a literary life yourself. If you’re struggling to find the time to read for yourself, this changed my reading life forever.

Provide Irresistible Books

I truly believe that a love of story is part of being human. They connect to our souls in a subconscious way that can bring about lasting joy and growth. There are SO many books that will “baptize the imagination” and hook the most reluctant readers.

Ask around. Listen to what gets recommended over and over again. Find ones that transcend demographics.

Coming soon, a list of books dyslexics won’t be able to resist.

Offering a plethora of book options across different genres can help to pique their curiosity. Fantasy, science fiction, graphic novels, and non-fiction selections may be more appealing to dyslexic readers than traditional narratives. Consider choosing books with clear and easy-to-read fonts to help reduce visual processing issues.

Let Their Ears Do the Work

Family Read Alouds:

Take away the decoding issues and just enjoy a story together! You’ll be fostering connection and positive associations around books. As Sarah MacKenzie likes to remind her listeners, you will never regret the time you spend reading aloud as a family!

I firmly believe that when my kids have graduated and the dust has settled, my fondest memories will be of our family read alouds. We have laughed, cried, speculated, argued, and marveled. These books have been used by God to form us in the most profound ways.

Audiobooks:

For the love of all things, let your kids listen to audiobooks!

Audiobooks are often seen as cheating on the hard copy variety of books, but why? Are they decoding? No. Does this help their spelling? No again. But do they learn grammar, vocabulary, brilliant prose, unprecedented empathy, living ideas and a deeper humanity? That’s a resounding YES!

It’s time to acknowledge the incredible benefits of using audiobooks for kids with dyslexia.

Using audiobooks allows kids with dyslexia (and neurotypical kids) to read things WAY beyond their decoding level. Talk about stretching their comprehension!

I’ve seen it in my own child. For many years, he could only decode simple “B.O.B.” books, but I allowed him to listen to great literary works with gorgeous prose and complicated plot and syntax. He had no trouble following along. Eventually his decoding skills caught up. I’m so glad I didn’t keep him from the “great conversation” just because he struggled with decoding. His intellect was given the space it needed to flourish.

Note: Parents, can I encourage you to use audiobooks as well? I can testify that I was close to giving up on so many books that became much easier when I switched to audio (or vice versa!). For my very hardest books, I listen WHILE decoding what’s in front of me.

Encourage Them to Write

Don’t discredit someone’s ability to write because they struggle to decode. Urge dyslexics to get their stories, thoughts, and ideas onto paper (or screen). Encourage them to share their voice with the world.

Most writing skills can be developed without decoding (especially if they LISTEN to top notch writers.) Try voice-to-text software (Google Docs is free!), or simply allow them to write by hand (without the fear of spelling errors!).

One of the game changers in our homeschool was separating the subjects. When we are working on spelling, we’re not working on handwriting. When we’re learning how to organize our thoughts in a research paper, we’re not worrying about spelling. Obviously the final product needs everything, but do it one thing at a time.

Seek Help from Professionals

Your dyslexic kids can love books without being especially skilled at decoding the letters on the page. But eventually, reading is a necessary skill for independent living.

If your child is struggling, and you’re not sure if they have dyslexia, please pursue a diagnosis. There could be many learning disabilities at play, or even as we found, physical issues with the eyes that a typical eye test wouldn’t catch. (Behavioral Optometrists do incredible work!)

In the States, local public schools are required to do the learning disorders evaluations for free. In my state, they don’t have to provide follow up services after the evaluation, unless the child enrolls in the school. But at least there will be official results and something to go off of as you find reading specialists, curriculum and interventions to help. They should also explain to you what some appropriate accommodations you could make.

Dyslexia is not likely to be something they grow out of, and they deserve to be given the tools needed to educate themselves as early as possible.

I hope this post gives you hope that you can provide a rich literary life for your child regardless of learning disabilities.

The post Learn How Dyslexics Can LOVE Reading appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

I was curious, but intimidated.

As we got into the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling, I was shocked that even 1st graders were being introduced to the iconic plays of the Bard.

I have been absolutely shocked by how my boys have taken to the plays. I thought everything would go over their head and they would groan every time I pull out the books.

Instead, my oldest is always begging for “one more page!” And one time, my four year old literally stood up and whooped when the good guys won in the end!

But how should you get a little Shakespeare in your life?

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Please read my full disclosure policy here.

I don’t suggest grabbing the full play and reading it act by act. Someday, yes, but here’s how to build up to that.

Children’s Versions

There are many great children’s versions of Shakespeare’s plays. These cover the plot of each play and present it in beautiful, engaging language. These aren’t “translations” into modern English, and they often include some applicable full quotes from the originals.

Two that have been recommended over and over are Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb and Shakespeare Retold by E. Nesbit They still use advanced vocabulary and sentence structure, but your kids (and you) will understand the plot a LOT better!

My new favorite kids version of Shakespeare comes from Usborne. It literally has EVERY play. And before each play is a gorgeous illustration of the main characters and the basic plot. It helps everyone “picture” it and the writing is pretty fantastic too! It’s a must have for your library.

Usborne Complete Shakespeare (Illustrated Stories)

Another go to is any Bruce Coville adaptation. His picture books are so well written that hardly any beauty is lost but a lot of comprehension is gained! And the picture will make it so your kids just can’t help but get sucked into the story!

Twelfth Night

The Winter’s Tale

Romeo and Juliet

Macbeth

P.S. If you’re feeling a little daunted by reading so much Shakespeare aloud you could try this: Audiobooks. I can’t believe how many books we enjoyed together in the car or with Audible during quiet times( Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks)! My oldest son can’t get enough of these stories and sometimes listening to them was a welcome break.

Memorize

It’s important for students to understand the plot of Shakespeare, but most of his brilliance is in his actual wording and gorgeous poetic language. I wanted my kids to be exposed to syntax, vocabulary and just the straight up genius of it all. That’s why we use How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare by Shakespeare expert Ken Ludwig. Students will memorize small sections of plays, specifically chosen to highlight plot or technique or just the character of the Bard. Each chapter gives background to the quote and explains all sorts of things that are lost to the casual reader.  I’ve been shocked at how well my young boys can do memorize these tough passage.

Listen to Podcasts

I am a HUGE fan of “The Play’s the Thing” Podcast, put on by an actor and playwright well versed in literature and classical education. The episodes are accessible to total newbies, deep enough to reveal new insights for the scholars, and utterly enjoyable and hilarious! I would suggest previewing them before letting your kids listen. While they’re not risqué, children aren’t the intended audience.

See the Plays!

But of course, Shakespeare wasn’t meant to be just read, but SEEN! So find local groups that are performing his timeless pieces! And in the meantime, search YouTube for performances. We’ve had good luck with recordings of local colleges.

We recently watched this version of 12th Night. It was done in the recreated Globe Theater and with complete historical accuracy. Stephen Fry and Johnny Flynn were in the cast! Had us rolling on the floor!

I’ve been so amazed to see my crazy, rough, messy boys get sucked into the plot of these plays and light up when they hear a line performed that they themselves had memorized. They giggle and gasp and their world of emotions and language continues to grow.

Have you introduced your kids to Shakespeare? What’s their favorite play?

The post How to ENJOY Bringing Shakespeare into Your Homeschool Routine appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

You envision cozy mornings learning together, adventures exploring the world around you, and a tearful “thank you” from your grown kids when they graduate.

But not five minutes after your decision, the advertisements start showing up on your phone.

“This math curriculum is the one that NASA recommends. This reading program will get your child 4 grade levels ahead. This history book will teach your kids the “real” story.”

The message is clear: “Buy me or fail as a homeschool mom.”

As a seasoned homeschooler, I feel protective of new parents. I want to help calm your panic and give you a different approach that will help you lay a foundation of confidence as you navigate this educational journey.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Please read my full disclosure policy here.

Where to Start: WHY you should figure out your Homeschool Philosophy First

A Homeschooling Philosophy???

I know, that seems a little high brow and probably super overwhelming to a new homeschooler, but hear me out.

If you don’t have a destination in mind, a goal to shoot for, you’re going to flounder. 

But if you know the goal of your child’s education, having a clear picture in your mind of your priorities and the methods you think will achieve them, then you’ll be able to weigh curriculum and advice through that lens and save yourself a lot of whiplash.

How Do I Choose a Homeschooling Philosophy?

• Get specific. Write it Down.
  
  It can be easy to have vague, general goals for your kids. But when you narrow things down, you’ll be much more focused on what your priorities are. Be RUTHLESS in your elimination of extras, and only keep the things that matter to you and your family.
  
  If you’re looking for ideas, feel free to checkout what I did for my family.
  
  I thought through five big areas of life that I wanted my boys to excel at, cast a “vision” of what I’d love for them to be like as adults, and then listed some of the things we can do in the daily grind that will help steer us there.
  
  I look over these aims at least monthly, before I pick a curriculum or set a schedule, and whenever I’m discouraged.
  
  Get those FREE Homeschool Goals HERE!

• Ask Others
  
  With homeschooling gaining popularity, it’s almost a given that you’ll personally know a couple homeschool veterans. Pick their brains about what methods they follow. Ask for their honest assessments of what they like about their particular homeschool philosophy and what hasn’t worked well with their theories.
  
  Bring paper and pen. Homeschoolers LOVE to talk shop.
  
  
• Consider BOTH Your Child’s Needs & Yours
  
  When weighing homeschooling methods, factor in your personalities, strengths, and weakness.
  
  Do you have a kid that devours books? Do your kids come from a long line of engineers and love math and science? Are you extroverted or introverted? Does your family love spontaneity or prefer structure?
  
  You need to have these very real people in mind when you think through homeschooling philosophies. Don’t sacrifice real life for an ideal. Plan and dream, but go for something that is enjoyable, stretching, yet not an impossible burden.
  
  
• Get an Overview of Homeschool Philosophies
  
  There are quite a few homeschool ideologies out there. You’ll be drawn to some, repulsed by others, and intrigued by many.
  
  A great resource for educating yourself is the book The Call of the Wild and Free which is full of encouragement for new homeschoolers, but also does a great job of giving an overview of many different methods, including perspectives from influencers who choose them.
  
  Jump to my next section to get a Birdseye view of different homeschooling philosophies and methods.
  
  
• Deep Dive Into One Philosophy
  
  Pick a homeschooling method that is your top contender and dig deeper! No blog post, podcast, or conversation with a friend will be able to give you a full scope of a homeschooling philosophy.
  
  Get some books, subscribe to some influencers that follow the method, and see if you can borrow some curriculum from a friend that falls in line with this type of philosophy.
  
  I almost dismissed my chosen homeschooling method because I misunderstood what it was really about!

What Are Some Popular Homeschool Philosophies?

Below, I’ll share a very brief synopsis of some of the most popular homeschooling methods used today. While I’ll try to be fair, please realize that my homeschool philosophy will be hard to disguise.

• Traditional
  While I’d argue this is a misnomer, people that want to mimic the teaching methods of the public schools will go the traditional route.
  
  Expect textbooks, worksheets, lots of seated work etc. Expect LOTS of options for curriculum.
  
  Pros:
  1) It feels safe and controlled. Many people start with this method as they grow in confidence.
  2) Some motivated/gifted kids can blaze through their school work and use the rest of their day for their passions (think of the Olympic athletes, or musical geniuses of the world)
  3) You can easily reintegrate your kids into public school if you want to do that later down the road.
  
  Cons:
  1) Often doesn’t produce true learning.
  2) Typically dull and boring, one size fits all material.
  3) Usually harmful to kids with learning disabilities.
  
  
• Neo Classical
  Claiming to be in line with ancient western views on education (think Aristotle, Socrates and Plato) these homeschoolers place a big emphasis on great literature and solid thinking skills.
  
  Neo classists also believe in three stages of learning over the course of a child’s life. (This is based on a modern essay by Sayers, not the Ancients.)
  
  First comes the grammar stage, where kids are sponges that memorize tons of information without much context. Next, middle schoolers enter the logic stage where they start to make connections to the facts they learned. Finally, students reach the rhetoric stage which is when they develop their communication skills so they can take what they’ve learned and influence the world with it.
  
  Pros:
  1) Lots of great books that get students connected to “The Great Conversation” that humanity has been engaging with for millennia.
  2) Students eventually learn deep logic and communication skills that help them be movers and shakers in their world.
  3) A very rigorous education.
  
  Cons:
  1) The reality of three stages may be too simplistic, confining and frustrating for younger ages.
  2) The demanding pace and push to gain skills that are grade levels beyond the average student, can burn kids out or leave kids behind.
  3) There is a tendency to only focus on Western culture (though that seems to be shifting in the past couple years.)
  
  
• Charlotte Mason
  This British educator set out to apply the ancient traditions into what was her modern England.
  
  Similar to Neo Classical in its emphasis on broad reading, Charlotte Mason used the analogy of spreading a feast of living ideas for children’s souls to feed on. Even young children are expected to make connections and glean life giving truths from things like Fairy Tales, Shakespeare, and history.
  
  Student narration is the primary tool used to make those connection and solidify knowledge into kids memories. There are rarely worksheets or testing.
  
  Pros:
  1) A wide and beautiful education full of the subjects that make us more human.
  2) Respects the child’s personhood and the role of our ultimate teacher, God.
  3) Excellent for students with learning disabilities.
  
  Cons:
  1) Can feel like an overwhelming amount of subjects (like poetry, dictation, Latin, nature study, etc)
  2) Teacher involvement is high, especially for younger kids or those with learning struggles.
  

• Unit Studies
  This method of homeschooling focuses on a different theme for a certain period of time and builds all of its lessons around that theme.
  
  Say you decide to do an ocean theme for the month, you can gather up books, documentaries, crafts, and field trip possibilities that center on those themes. Especially for younger ages, it can be pretty easy to incorporate science, literature, math, and even some history into the theme.
  
  Pros:
  1) Lots of fun (sometimes more so for the teacher!)
  2) Memorable, fully of variety, and interest lead
  
  Cons:
  1) Lots of planning involved.
  2) Difficult to make sure all skills are being covered.
  3) Hard to continue in the older grades.
  
  
• Unschooling/Child Led
  If you’re looking for an outside of the box education, this is it! Unschoolers believe real world experience is a better teacher than structured learning. The focus is on following the child’s interests.
  
  Because of this, each Unschooling home is going to look drastically different than another. By not getting bogged down in textbooks and doing things in “the right order”, these students are free to dig deep into their passions. Kids can apprentice with experts, travel the world, or play in the woods for the majority of the day.
  
  Pros:
  1) The possibility of being highly skilled in a narrow field.
  2) Shouldn’t be much push back from kids, since it’s interest led.
  3) A truly unique, tailored education.
  
  Cons:
  1) Can be lots of work and will keep you on your toes.
  2) You’re limited by your resources and connections.
  3) Some personalities will use this as a means of laziness.
  4) Risk major gaps in knowledge and skills.
  
  
• Eclectic
  If you don’t want to be confined to a box, don’t! You can mix and match these homeschooling philosophies and others.
  
  Pros:
  1) You can have the best of all worlds.
  2) It’s easy to pivot if things aren’t working.
  
  Cons:
  1) You may lack direction. Be sure you have your aims solidly in mind!
  2) You may feel lonely. (Homeschoolers can be passionate about their philosophies!)
  

Educating With Your Educational Philosophy In Place

I know it can be fun to research homeschooling curriculum and purchase the next shiny thing that promises to teach your kids to be the most amazing people on earth. But before you spend a cent, take a while to lay the foundation of your educational philosophy.

I promise, it will be an anchor for you as the years go by.

The post Figure THIS out BEFORE Buying Homeschool Curriculum appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

Those days are starting to disappear.

More and more people are turning to entrepreneurship full time or starting their own businesses to supplement their day jobs.

This post contains some practical ways to help your child be a successful entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Entrepreneurs think differently than the average person. Try to instill these habits of thought so that your kids will have a entrepreneurial mindset that will serve them well in whatever situations they find themselves in.

• Growth Mindset
  Do your kids quit when things get tough? At the first sign of trouble, do they pack up their bags? Kids (and adults!) who see failure as a permanent declaration over their abilities will struggle to have the grit necessary to be an entrepreneur.
  
  But all of us can LEARN tenacity and resiliency.
  
  Celebrate failure and how very much can be learned from it! Model this in your own life. Be vulnerable and let your kids know when you’ve messed up and how the world continued to spin.
  
  Help kids learn the power of “yet”. For example instead of “I can’t do this math problem!” reframe it to “I don’t know how to do this math problem YET.”
  
• Self Motivated
  Guide your children in learning to have an internal motivation. None of us like to nag. But often, our kids get used to only doing the things we as parents insist on them doing.
  
  Remind kids that motivation isn’t a feeling but an act of the will. It’s doing something we don’t want to do in the short term because we strongly desire something valuable in the long term.
  
  Help kids think of the “why” behind their business. Maybe they want to save money for a car. Maybe they want to go to an expensive camp. Maybe they want to donate to a charitable work close to their hearts. Keep that motivation front and center so that when the hard stuff inevitably comes, they have the internal motivation to push through.
  
• Outside-the-Box Thinking
  Entrepreneurs are creators. They either have come up with something new, or have combined something old or repurposed it. They aren’t cogs in a machine, but rather step outside the proverbial assembly line and look at things with fresh eyes.
  
  Creativity is messy, and often looks like they’re “doing it wrong”. When your kids use things in unconventional ways, resist the urge to correct. Ask questions of common occurrences, like “How could this be done faster?” “What might make this process more convenient?” “What else could this object do?” etc.
  
• Putting Yourself Out There
  When you start a business, you have to put a bit (or a lot) of yourself into it. It scary and vulnerable.
  
  Try to first ground kids in who they are and things about themselves that never change regardless of circumstances. (I always remind my kids that even if the world falls apart around them, they were made by God, Jesus died to save them, and that He is always with them and for them.)
  
  Then encourage activities that push them beyond their comfort zone. (Examples: Climb a ropes course for the kid afraid of heights. Give a speech for the kid with stage fright. Place the fast food order for the kid nervous around strangers.)
  
  The more they cross into the uncomfortable and find out they survived, the easier it gets.

Entrepreneurial Skills

There are certain skills that are key to nearly all entrepreneurial endeavors. And don’t forget, it’s never too late to learn things. You may graduate with one skill and find that you’ll need to teach yourself another particular skill for your business.

• Persuasive Communication
  
  This is huge no matter what field your kids eventually find themselves in. They may have knowledge, passion, and something vitally important to share with the world. But if they can’t communicate persuasively, it can all be for nothing.
  
  Read widely. Read the classics. Read a TON. Who better than the masters to learn communication skills. Memorize poetry and the great speeches. Narrate constantly. (Learn more about the seemingly simple yet profound tool of narration!) Write in all sorts of genres. Speak in front of others.
  
  It takes practice and time, but it’s worth it.
  
• Branding, Marketing and Networking
  
  With the internet these days, having basic understanding design and branding will pay off in droves.
  
  Knowing how to utilize advertising, email funnels, and social media can make or break a business.
  
  And the old adage “It’s all about who you know.” certainly still holds true. Encourage your kids to have an elevator pitch and to be evangelistic about their ventures.
  

• Business Math
  
  Knowing basic math skills will help your kids keep their eyes on the bottom line, not waste their time, and keep them from getting duped.
  
• Customer Service
  
  One of the things that sets great companies apart is when they go above and beyond in helping meet their customers needs. The occasional disgruntled customer is inevitable, and how your child responds to that can leave a lasting impression.
  
  Kids that notice when others are in need may be the same person that comes up with a marketable solution.
  
  Even as young children, when we are reminding them to put others first, we can tie its value in to being a good business owner.
  
• Marketable Skills
  
  Often, kids want to start a business but aren’t sure what they can do. As they go through their young lives, keep asking things like “What can you teach?”, “What can you make?”, “What can you automate or make easier for someone else?”.
  
  The answers to these questions will of course change over time. The point is to get them thinking along these lines throughout their life so they can pivot as circumstances and skills change.

Introduce and Model the Entrepreneurial Life

Kids soak up the environment they find themselves in. Help fill their lives with the entrepreneurial spirit!

• Add to Your Own Income Streams
  
  Even if you work a typical 9-5 corporate job, you can still model the life of an entrepreneur by having a side hustle or a passive income stream.
  
  Don’t forget to keep asking yourself what you can offer. As circumstances change, so can your businesses.
  
  For example, I taught swimming lessons all through high school and college. When we got married, we didn’t have easy access to a pool so it didn’t even cross my mind. Now, over a decade later, we’re in a neighborhood with a pool and all my kids can swim and JOIN me in this side hustle. I’m glad I kept the creativity and possibilities open!
  
• Talk to Entrepreneurs You Know
  
  There are so many people that you interact with that own their own business either full or part time. Give your kids opportunities to converse about being an entrepreneur with their piano teacher, the bakery shop owner, your friend that wrote a book.
  
• Read Biographies about Entrepreneurs
  
  Hearing the stories of what people have overcome can be truly inspiring. I have an entire list of picture books about inventors that would be a great place to start!

The post How to Teach Your Kids to Be Entrepreneurs appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

Baffling. Explosive. Irrational. Inconsistent.

Words often used by parents to describe their child’s sensory meltdowns.

Our kids sensory needs can leave us as parents feeling helpless. We want to understand and support our children, but without the tools, we’re usually left guessing as to how we can help our kids in their struggles. 

(If you’re wanting to be a confident sensory parent, check out the Sensory Parenting 101 course and start forming your family’s sensory game plan today.)

The good news is, there ARE reasons for your child’s behavior and with a few simple questions, you can start to discover the root cause of every seemingly strange struggle your child is dealing with.

Ready to be a sensory sleuth?

Here are the Three Questions to Ask of Every Sensory Behavior:

What Combination of Senses Might Be Involved?

There are typical six senses that can cause sensory issues. They’re not exactly the five you learned about in grade school.

• • Proprioception:
    

    Description: This sense tells the body where it is in space without the use of vision or touch. It provides body awareness. Input for this sense comes through the joints and the ligaments. 

    How to Get It: To get proprioceptive input, people need to do what is often referred to as “heavy work”. Jumping, pulling, pushing and more compacts the joints and ligaments, building up the desired sensations. 

    Significance: Proprioception is the KING of the senses because if someone is receiving adequate proprioceptive input throughout the day, they will be better able to handle all the other sensory struggles that come their way. It’s also one of the most straightforward senses. I have yet to see a case of someone being a proprioceptive avoider (barring some interaction with other sensory input they avoid like a tactile or vestibular influence. See below) .

    So, the more heavy work, the better. 

  • Vestibular: 
    

    Description: This sense is responsible for helping the body sense movement. It contributes to balance. Input for this sense comes from the inner ear. 

    How to Get It: To get vestibular input, people need to either move their head or be inverted (upside down). Keep in mind that there are multiple planes of movement, back and forth, side to side, up and down, spinning and inversion. 

    Significance: The vestibular system is the most finicky of the senses. The body can go from craving movement to despising it in the blink of an eye. Always be checking in with your child during vestibular input. When we use our sensory swing, I’m asking roughly every ten seconds how their feeling and if they want me to change the speed or direction. Often kids will prefer one plane of movement and hate another (ie, LOVE rocking back and forth, but despise spinning). Like I said, finicky!
    

  • Auditory

    Description: This sense is hearing. Input for this sense comes from the ear. 

    How to Get It: In general, auditory input is not a sensory need, though there are many sounds that can trigger avoidance.   

    Significance: While there typically aren’t auditory “seekers”, often times an auditory avoider will create noise to drown out other noises and maintain control of their environment

  • Oral

    Description: This sense is anything to do with the mouth, from taste to touch. Input for this sense mouth and jaw. 

    How to Get It: Eating and drinking obviously comes to mind, but don’t forget chewing, sucking and blowing non food items.  

    Significance: The mouth is a place where a lot of sensory factors interact. A texture issue may cause a food avoidance, while a desire for proprioceptive input (heavy work in the joints and ligaments) may be secured through engaging the jaw by chewing on a non food item.

  • Tactile

    Description: This sense is has to do with touch, including pressure, texture and temperature. Input for this sense comes from the skin. 

    How to Get It: Anything that comes in contact with the skin. The possibilities are endless. 

    Significance: A child is likely to have seeking AND avoiding tendencies based on the various tactile sensations. For example, they may crave strong touch, enjoy silky things, hate cold things, and struggle with constricting things. It’s rare to find someone that is a seeker in every tactile situation or an avoid of all tactile input. 

  • Interoception

    Description: This sense is has to do with internal sensation and awareness. Examples include awareness of hunger, thirst, sleep needs and toileting needs. 

    How to Get It: This sense is a bit different in the fact that mindfulness, curiosity and awareness are the best course of action to take if your child struggles in the interoception department.  

    Significance: Probably one of the most overlooked of the senses. But just consider your anxiety levels when you ignore your hunger needs or push off taking a bathroom break as a busy mom. 

Is Their Sensory “Bank” Depleted?

Children often respond to sensory issues differently on different days.

Socks might not be a problem on Tuesday, but come Thursday, they cause a full blown meltdown. 

Why do my child’s sensory needs change daily?

Think of your child’s sensory system as a bank.

Example:

Some days you’re making “deposits” that help your child respond well to sensory input. When you make a “withdrawal” (like having to put on those pesky socks) the body might not be thrilled, but it has enough “money” to spare. 

Other days, a child’s circumstances may be requiring numerous “withdrawals” that deplete the body of its ability to tolerate certain sensory input. When it comes time to put socks on, it triggers the fight or flight response from the sensory system because it’s become “bankrupt”.

Ask yourself:

• What sensory demands were made upon your child leading up to the meltdown or incident?
  Consider what “withdrawals” are being made and if you can prevent any of those. You might not be able to avoid socks in every circumstance, but you could turn off the TV that’s auditory drone is draining your child’s sensory reserves while you’re trying to get the socks on. 

• How much beneficial sensory input (like proprioception) have they been getting?
  If a child isn’t getting deposits into their bank, they’ll be perpetually running low. Or maybe they usually jump on the trampoline every day, but it’s been raining all week and haven’t been outside. This clues will help put the pieces together. 

What Non-Sensory Factors Are At Play? 

There are of course other non-sensory factors that can cause a sensory flare up.

1. Pay Attention to Your Child’s Sleep Patterns.

   Have you had a couple late nights in a row? Are they waking in the middle of the night?

   One good indicator that tiredness may be a factor is if the sensory behavior occurs around the same time everyday. I know I personally have the hardest time coping with auditory issues in the afternoon when I’m having an energy slump. 

   If you’re recognizing that sleep may be an issue, here’s a great article with advice on helping sensory kids get the rest they need!

2. Consider Their Nutritional Needs

   Food plays a huge role in how the body handles sensory information. When inflammation is rampant, or the body is overloaded with artificial substances, the nervous system can get all out of whack.

   When I find we are in a particular rough sensory season, I have to take a step back and evaluate our food intake. Often, I find I’ve got lacks in my standards and we’re paying for it.

   If you’re realizing that nutritional may be an issue, here’s a great article geared towards improving nutrition even when your child has sensory related picky eating. It explains the underlying issues, the best way to break out of the cycle, and even has supplement recommendations. 

3. Acknowledge Emotional Turmoil

   Sometimes the circumstances of life will bring sensory issues to a crisis point. Consider what has been going on in your child’s world that may be causing them distress or uncertainty.

   Kids with sensory processing disorder often feel like their world is out of control, so they grasp for anyway to control the situation around them. 

   Obviously events like moving, divorce, death, bullying and more can cause serious distress. But don’t forget that happy events can also send your child into a tailspin. The birth of a sibling, going on a trip, or a birthday party, can also spell a sensory disaster. 

Want to Become a Confident Sensory Parent?

Armed with these three questions, you will be able to start digging at the root of the sensory behavior you’re observing. Of course there is still more to learn that a simple blog post can’t hope to cover. 

If you’re wanting to grow in your confidence as a sensory parent, I highly recommend taking Sensory Parenting 101.

In a few short hours, you’ll be equipped to be an active advocate for your child and their sensory needs. 

Read what other parents have to say about how Sensory Parenting 101 has helped their families. 

The post How to Become a Sensory Sleuth (3 Questions to Ask About Any Sensory Behavior) appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

Often times, we can see symptoms of an issue and just try to figure out the quickest way to get that symptom or behavior to stop.

But usually this ignores the root causes.

When our kids have alarming symptoms or behaviors, we should approach it from as many angles as possible. Considering the emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, physical, and sensory needs in play gives us a much better shot at addressing the underlying issues.

When your child is struggling in the sensory department, obviously it is good to learn about sensory activities and sensory toys. Understand how the sensory system works and why proprioception is essential.

But don’t ignore the rest of the body, especially the nutritional needs that might be adding to the issue. 

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Read my full disclosure policy here. 

What Causes Sensory Processing Disorder?

Is Sensory Processing Disorder hereditary? SPD often seems to be inherited, passed down through genetics. You often see in running in families. Yet at the same time, we see environmental factors and lifestyle choices greatly affect outcomes.

What explanations are there for the causes of Sensory Processing disorder?

I like the theory of a famed neurobiologist that has helped countless people with sensory struggles. He suggested that the issue is both genetic AND environmental.

He believes that a genetic mutation of the MTHFR gene can be passed down from parents to kids. The MTHFR mutation causes issues in processing folate. This in turn leads to inflammation along the nervous system, often showing up as sensory issues.

But by supplementing with a bio-available folate, and working on calming inflammation, many of the symptoms of sensory processing disorder can be lessened. 

What Foods Should You Avoid If You have Sensory Processing Disorder?

Well, as you could probably guess, anything that causes inflammation. Most of the Standard American Diet (aka S.A.D.) is a no-no.

Red meats, fried foods, and artificial food dyes all can cause an overactive inflammatory response. Refined sugars affect the bacteria in your gut. 

Unfortunately, kids with sensory issues are usually picky eaters who tend to love the “SAD” diet. I understand the battle and the discouragement of knowing your in a downward cycle. Here’s some tips for improving the habits of a picky eater.

Because suddenly overhauling a sensory child’s diet can have disastrous effects, start in an area that is easier to make swaps. 

Easiest Nutritional Changes to Make for Picky Eaters

1. Eliminate Artificial Food Dyes
   For our family, our most basic nutritional rule is to eliminate artificial food dyes. It was one of the top culprits of behavior issues, known as a carcinogen and is banned in most European countries. It also doesn’t affect taste so picky eaters don’t seem to miss it too much. (Beware, artificial food dyes are in EVERYTHING! We even found RED food dye in a vanilla frosting!?!!)

    

2. Avoid Artificial Ingredients (Eat Natural, Homemade and/or Organic)
   The second step for our family was to avoid chemical additions to our food. The more natural, the better. Obviously, the labels get complicated and we aren’t perfect, but the closer to nature, the easier to pronounce the ingredients, the simpler and less processed, the better. 

    

3. Use Food Chaining to Add in Fruits and Veggies
   Occupational therapist use a method called Food Chaining to get kids to bridge the gap between a food they like, to another one that is healthier. Through changing just one thing (like texture, color, shape, smell, etc) you can gradually get a child to feel comfortable with a larger (and more healthy) variety of foods. Read this article to learn more.

    

4. Add Supplements to Reduce Inflammation
   – Our first addition was to get this lotion (hallelujah for not having to deal with picky eating for this supplement!) that has BioActive B6, B12, Methyl Folate, Vitamin D and K1. It’s pricey, but one bottle lasts for a couple months and I have three kids plus myself who use it daily! And it makes a noticeable different in sensory behaviors. 
   – A probiotic for gut health. These kid friendly supplements are from a trustworthy brand. Or try to introduce fermented foods like yogurt, kombucha, sauerkraut etc. 
   – While not necessarily for reducing inflammation, DHA has helped our boys with cognitive function and sensory struggles. 

A Word of Encouragement

If you’re like me, it may feel overwhelming to attempt to change a picky eater’s diet. It can be tempting to think you have to be perfect. To think that it’s all or nothing. 

But here’s the thing: even small changes in the right direction can yield results. And getting out of a downward spiral will make the next change and the next change that much easier. 

So don’t ignore the underlying nutritional needs that may be making sensory issues worse. Pick one small thing to change and use that momentum as you help your child’s sensory regulation. 

Have more questions??? Check out this wildly popular series of Sensory FAQs and become a more confident sensory parent today!

The post Nutrition and Supplements for SPD to Help Alleviate Symptoms appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

Suddenly there are books to read, therapies to attend, medical bills to battle, sensory activities to do.

While your children need to get their sensory needs met, there’s still more to life and those things can’t be ignored either.

A child’s education is obviously a priority.

So what if you could multitask a little and get fantastic sensory input WHILE learning?

Scroll to the bottom for a VIDEO demonstration of these sensory tools in action!

A huge thank you to LakiKid for sponsoring this post! This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. 

Four Sensory Input Learning Activities

The following ideas are easily adjustable for different ages and subjects of study. Not only will you be saving time by multitasking, your child will actually learn and retain MORE because of the movement and sensory input! So even if your child doesn’t have a sensory diagnosis, they will benefit from these activities. 

1. Swing Narration

Whenever my son has to do a lot of speaking for a school assignment, I like to have him go on the swings.

We homeschool and instead of tests, we do something called narration, where, after a reading, my son will tell back to me all he remembered from the passage. There are all sorts of advantages to this, but standing still while giving a speech can actually be distracting to him. Instead of forcing him to put most of his focus into being upright and still, I invite him to get some movement and vestibular input by going to the swings in our backyard. His narrations are SO much better when I encourage movement!

Maybe you don’t do narration or homeschool, but you could practice spelling words or rehearse skip counting  while on the swings! Or work on memorization!

2. Sling Shot Sight Words

This next activity was such a hit that my son continued doing it even after the lesson had ended! I taped some sight words up on the wall and gave my son the bouncy bands from LakiKid. I’d call out a word, he’d have to find it, then shoot it.

This sensory activity is easily adaptable for all age levels and school subjects. Ask them math word problems and have multiple answers taped to the wall. Younger kids can do shapes, colors or letter recognition. Older kids can do vocabulary words or history questions.

3. Bounce the Math Facts

I like to get in some gross motor heavy work by doing a simple activity with an exercise ball (we use this one by LakiKid because it doubles as active seating!).

My son raises the large ball above his head and bounces/smashes the ball down as it is bounce-passed to me. Sometimes we go back and forth skip counting, other times spelling words, each taking a letter as we go back and forth.

4. Weighted Drawable Lap Pad

Many sensory parents know the benefits of weighted objects on their child’s proprioceptive system. It helps regulate the brain and improves sensory responses across the board!

LakiKid has come up with an innovated twist on the standard lap pad that is a total game changer! Usually lap pads are ignored in my home because my boys never want to hold still long enough to use them. But this pad can be drawn on!

Using this lap pad with schoolwork is a no brainer. Well, actually it’s a “whole brainer”! We used it for handwriting, math, music practice and while reading.

This is just a TINY sample to get your own juices rolling. The possibilities are endless! Share in the comments below ways that you’ve found to combine learning with sensory activities!

Don’t miss my boys demonstrating some of these ideas PLUS some NEW ones! Play the video below!

The post Combining Sensory Input with Learning Activities appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

“I’m not patient enough to homeschool.”

I usually respond something along the lines of “Me neither!”

While instagram may paint of lovely picture of the homeschool life, the reality of being with your kids 24/7 while also having to teach them phonics and long division is a recipe for testing your patience.

Anger and frustration have long been a struggle of mine, but I have grown in this area. Here are a couple ideas that have helped me be more like the mom I want my kids to have. 

Have a LOOSE Plan 

People tend to fall into two categories when it comes to planning out the day. Some like to assign a task to every minute and become slaves to the clock. Others prefer spontaneity and fly by the seat of their pants, often failing to accomplish much and feeling chaotic. 

When I lean too heavily one way or the other, I’m bound to lose my patience when things go sideways.

I have found that having a rhythm works better than a schedule. I know what subjects were going to cover that day and in what order. I also have a couple benchmark times I shoot for like when we should be wrapping up breakfast, when “elevenses” or morning time should start, etc. 

I also have found that if I were to plan out details of what I want to accomplish that week, I end up frustrated and behind. So instead of writing down what math lessons we will get done the next week, I keep a “doner” not a planner. I write down what we did accomplish that day. It ends the day with victory instead of defeat, which helps me get back in the saddle the next morning. 

I do plan three times a year, but it’s big picture stuff like what books we’ll read in conjunction with our history spine, what composers will deep dive into, which Shakespeare plays we’ll enjoy together and so on. That way I know where we’re headed when we finish a book or an artist and I can just keep going without being derailed. 

Get Your Sensory Needs Met

If you’re a long time reader, you know that I am big on reminding people that everyone has sensory needs.

That includes you homeschool mama!

When our sensory system is out of whack, it can be so easy to lose our cool. 

Let me give you an example from my own life:

I have found that if I am barefoot in my house, and my floors are dirty (which is pretty regularly), the grit on the bottom of my feet is subconsciously annoying and distracting. My body gets more tense, my brain can’t focus, and I get short with my family. I know this about myself now and usually remember to wear something on my feet to avoid this. But when I don’t, it’s funny how long it takes me to realize that the reason I’m being impatient really has nothing to do with these rambunctious kiddos!

Consider these common ways that sensory input influences your patience level.

• The cacophony of kids noises is overwhelming.
• Fluorescent lights make you anxious or on edge. 
• You’re cold or hot.
• You’re all touched out.
• You chew on a pen, tap your foot, twirl your hair.
• The list could be endless.

You don’t necessarily have a sensory processing disorder (though you might), because EVERYONE has sensory needs. 

It’s time to start paying attention to your body and getting those needs met, so you can be fully present and able to exert self control. 

Enlist Others

Sometimes homeschoolers start to think of themselves as an island. If we view ourselves as the only person who can educate our kids in anyway, we’ll be quick to burn out and take it out on our family.

It is not admitting defeat to outsource a subject. Math is a major triggering subject for one of my kids (and myself) so my husband has offered to teach him that subject when he gets home from work. My dyslexic son has gotten tutoring from folks via the internet. 

Make sure you are surrounded by a community of homeschoolers. Having other parents who understand what you’re going through will help immensely! 

We go to a co-op once a week where the kids do the things I’m not so keen on like history projects, science experiments, and writing. (It should be noted that I LOVE writing and teach it to the older kids at the co-op. But it’s wonderful to have someone else besides “mom” give input in these more subjective skills like writing.)

Take Some Time Off

One of the major perks of homeschooling is the flexibility. If you find your schooling is in a rut, use your freedom to break free. Depending on circumstances, you can shake things up in a number of ways.

Here are a couple options:

• Do school in a new location (outside, the park, the library, etc)
• Call it a half day and do something fun together like a game, movie, or just take a nap!
• Go on a field trip for the heck of it.
• Take a day off to get other pressing matters done so that you’re not overwhelmed with housework or errands.
• Take a week off to get perspective and energy.

We do school through the summer (mostly because it’s too hot to do much else) and this gives us LOTS of wiggle room to take time off when we need it. 

When You Blow It

While these ideas can help you reduce your impatience, we need to also have a plan for those times when we lose our patience.

When we get angry and yell or let our frustration out in some other way that hurt our kids, we must be quick to repent and ask our kids for forgiveness.

Our humility and desire to repair relationships will speak volumes to them. And it may very well be the most important lesson of the day. 

The post When You Don’t Have Enough Patience to Homeschool appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.