Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, homeschooling during this time can be difficult. The kids struggle to stay focused. It's cold out, so some days you are all cooped up together and getting on each other's nerves! There are so many sugary treats available and that doesn't make things any easier if someone sneaks one. It feels like the darkness is creeping from all sides. We are all there to some degree!

Holidays are tough for us, not only for a lot of those reasons above, but also we are a military family away from family again. We also lost my husband's parents just 2 years ago and the grief during this time is almost soul crushing.

So we give back. We find ways to be a light for others who may be in the same darkness we are. It helps to take the edge off...just a little bit. I know it's hard. I know some days you will only be able to do just enough...and THAT IS ALRIGHT!! Look for those moments though. Volunteer at your local food pantry. Take a tag off that Angel Tree and buy a gift for another child. Bake some Christmas cookies and take them to a neighbor who may be alone this year. Visit your local police or fire station and let them know you appreciate their hard work during this time of year. (And yes...all those can be a part of your "school" day.)

During this time of year, if you are having a hard time or struggling, just know...we see you. Your feelings are valid. We have all been there at one point or another. If you need someone to talk to or to pray with you or you are struggling to figure out how to just accomplish things. REACH OUT! HOME would love to help you in any way that we can! Don't let the darkness creep in. BE A LIGHT! By shining a light for others and igniting theirs, you make your

own flame grow just a bit brighter.

By Patricia Hutchins

In September of this year, HSLDA held their annual National Leaders  

Conference. One session during this year’s conference focused on the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE) and its

proposed model bill (the “Make Homeschool Safe Act”). 

The CRHE was founded in 2013 and consists predominantly of people who were previously homeschooled. This relatively new group is concerned primarily with cases of abuse and neglect that can be connected to homeschooling. Because these issues are at the center of CRHE’s work, there is an emphasis on increasing homeschool regulations. These substantial changes would result in a great deal of authority and power over homeschooling families being placed in the hands of local public school districts through the office of the superintendent.

By Sarah Buchwalder

What do you say when someone says that education should be left to the professionals?

Loving parents are the first and best teachers of their children. You know more about your child than anyone else. You care more about their success than anyone else.

Furthermore, educational professionals are very new on the scene of human history. In the middle of the 20th century, degrees in education as its own field of study became available and then increasingly required. But before then, a teacher was a master of a subject or subjects. Think about it: college professors teaching the highest levels of a discipline do NOT have a degree in education, only their discipline.

By all means, if you're feeling weak in a particular subject (particularly as children enter high school level courses), feel free to outsource some of your child's education to a master in that subject (which might also be a spouse, grandparent, or family friend; it doesn't necessarily need to be someone with a degree in education or whose profession is teaching). That's the beauty of home education: YOU get to choose your child's teacher.

By Kathy Green

Are you enjoying your homeschooling journey? How about your kids? If you are hesitating to answer with a resounding YES, then please take a few moments to read on for encouragement. 

Yesterday, our granddaughter came for a visit with a little one that she often cares for while mom works. These two enjoy stopping in to visit with us whenever they are together, and we are always happy to see them. It’s such a delight to watch young children explore their surroundings. They are natural learners, and they do it so well!

By Brandi Schunk

Our family recently endured a very challenging season. During this time, we went through an unexpected move. I went from being a stay-at-home mom to working full time. The life we knew slipped away and things got turned on their heads pretty quickly. Through it all, we homeschooled, and even managed to complete our school year earlier than ever. In this blog, I’ll share a few tips and words of comfort to hopefully help and support you in navigating your own homeschool year through life’s challenges.