It has been a long time.  I really forgot about this blog, but I am back. Recently, I have been trying to do new things, push myself out of my comfort zone.  Well, this blog is part of that.  In my mind, no one will ever read this so it does not really matter what I say.  However, maybe, just maybe, I can help someone by what I write.

    I have been a homeschooling mom for many years, like 25 years.  So you would think, I still do not struggle with if I should homeschool or not.  The fact is, with each of my children, I want to do what is best for them and me.  Lynnae and Landen are my girl and boy cabooses. I have eight children ranging from 30 years to 9 years.  The first six were born in 11years.  Lynnae came five years later, and Landen five years after that. Lynnae is now a freshmen in high school.  She is doing most of her school online, which seems to be working.  Having plenty of social activities is a lot harder this year because of corona virus.  Denton Classical Coop, which is the "school" we have been attending for the past 10 years, is online only this year.  Landen is where I am struggling.  I have nine more years with this little man.  I need to remember it is okay to take one year at a time, and each year can be different than the next. 

I have learned several “Golden Nuggets” throughout my years of homeschooling my eight children. One of the most important, be flexible! Each child is unique. This may seem obvious, but I am always reminding myself that just because something worked for one or two does not mean it is good for the next. Each child is on his or her own journey through life. As a mother/teacher I am here to provide opportunities and encourage them. My second daughter learned to read at age four. Yes, she could read full chapter books on her 5th birthday. Once, I had a friend ask me, “What program did you use? I want to use it.” I did not use a program. This daughter taught herself. Sure, I read to her at a young age, but her brain just understood and saw letters and words. Then my third daughter came along. Reading was so hard, oh some many tears. She wanted to read, but it took so much work. I spent hours flashing phonic cards. It was after she turned eight before she could read simple books. During this time, I attended a homeschooling class about teaching your child to read. The instructor made a comment about one of his sons not learning to read until he was twelve. I honestly thought that it was crazy. He must have not been trying to help his son; after all, my daughter had a very hard time and now she was eight and could read. Then my sweet son Levi came along. His brain saw pictures, not words. One day when he was 10 years old, we were in the car going somewhere, he said to me, “Look, Mom, there are words on that sign!” I thought, “Really, you are just now noticing words?” Levi was 12 years old before he could read. I spent more time and energy helping him to read than all the others combined. So, be flexible!