Oh no… is this homeschool burnout?  Today I woke up and nobody wants to get out of bed. What now? Is this what homeschool burnout looks like? The causes of burnout will vary by family and by family member. Some may need more time out with friends, some more time at home with friends, some need to get out of the house alone, while others might need time at home alone. Sometimes the curriculum we chose isn’t quite working out the way we hoped, perhaps kids are misbehaving and you are totally over it. Marital tension is inevitable, and financial stress is REAL. Let’s be honest, life can be s ..read more

Do you ever wonder how to homeschool and get it all done?! How to Do it All – Or Not… To be honest Mama, I don’t and neither will you.  That sounds daunting and stressful, I know – I’ve been there (many, many times!) Twenty-one years in and I can tell you that seasons change, your needs will change too.  I’m gonna share a few things with you that have helped me. Take them and make them your own. Some Background  Many years ago (or what feels like it now) I discovered a book called Large Family Logistics: The Art and Science of Managing the Large Family by by Kim Brenneman&n ..read more

Can My Homeschooled Teen Participate in Public School Sports and Extra Curriculars? Many homeschool parents wonder how they can provide their children opportunities for extra curriculars during middle and high school years that are normally provided by the public school system. Many parents are worried about their children not having the ability to participate in band, choir, orchestra, speech and debate or sports like they did when they were in high school. The good news is that Colorado is one of the states that allows homeschoolers to participate in public school sports and other activities ..read more

How do I track homeschool attendance? This a very common question in homeschool forums. Honestly, the answer is so simple we tend to overcomplicate it.  The short answer is, mark it on a calendar or a printed attendance tracker. What you really need to know Really, what you need to be asking is, “Do I need to track attendance in my state or for my umbrella school?” If the answer to that is yes then you need to know if you’re tracking days, hours, or both. Don’t know off the top of your head? That’s ok! You can check out your state’s laws here.  Check the resources you have access to ..read more

What Subjects Should I Teach in Homeschool Are you wondering “what subjects should I teach in homeschool?” This is a common and VERY important question to ask, and to know the answer to in order to meet your state’s requirements. In the state of Colorado the following subjects are required to be taught – history, civics, speaking, reading, writing, literature, math, and science, and the United States Constitution. You do not have to teach every single one every single year, although you might find it can be pretty easy since so many combine so well. To learn more about homeschool laws governin ..read more

Colorado Homeschool Testing Requirements and Alternative Options End-of-year testing and evaluation is often a huge source of stress for many homeschool parents as the end of the school year draws close. Colorado homeschool law requires that homeschool students be tested or evaluated periodically to ensure that they are making academic progress in line with their abilities. What your evaluation options are depends on which homeschool option you chose.   Homeschooling With the NOI If you submitted the NOI (notice of intent) you are required to have your student complete a standardized test ..read more

Many homeschool parents find planning their student’s high school education to be quite intimidating. Public schools only have so many electives to choose from, but when you’re homeschooling there is a seemingly endless selection of choices. With hundreds of options to choose from it can be difficult to narrow it down to just 2-4 per year. There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to high school electives, and today I’ll share some tips with you that will help make the task easier.  Consider Your Child’s Plans After High School The first thing you should consider when choosing e ..read more

Nothing is quite so stressful to a homeschool family as when the time for end-of-year testing and evaluations rolls around. You’ve worked hard all year, and now it’s time for your progress to be examined. To ease the stress during this time of year we need to change our mindset. Instead of looking at annual assessments as judging your child’s accomplishments throughout the year, think of them as a tool to gauge their progress and develop a plan for the upcoming year. These assessments will help you understand what your child has already learned and what they are ready to learn in the next scho ..read more