I have been a History professor for 25 years. The best students I had were homeschooled. They generally more prepared, more eager to learn and better adjusted. It's one of the reasons I put all my lectures on RUclips. As a free resource to help homeschoolers.
I just looked at your channel and I love it...i will be listetnin to the videos about the Ottoman Dynasty since I am really interested and in them and I do not know a lot about them :( Thanks!
Yes I'm trying to tell family and church members that this is my job. There are certain hours in the day I am schooling my children and I cannot be interrupted unless it is urgent. I like to think of it as my job like my career because it helps me show up.
Well this is mind blowing. My husband wants me to go back to work. So I am half homeschooling, half job hunting, half handling my crazy toddler, half handling all the meals and snacks, cleaning during the day, etc. I’d like to make teaching my job. I’m going to re-examine this in my life. Triggering powerful for me. Thank you
Their spiritual life is 100% the main reason the Father called me out of teaching in the system to homeschool. I've never looked back. Best decision ever. God be abundant to you. ❤
Yes!! My Homeschooling became so much better when I started treated it as a priority. I would get distracted my other projects or activities and the kids would flounder for a while. I’m thankful I had this mindset shift. Thanks for your thoughts on this, Ashlee!
I laughed so hard when you said the cashier saying no school today!! Ugh we hate that!! 🤣🤣🤣 I’ve homeschooled my kids from the very beginning. My son is finishing his freshman year. My other son is finishing his 7th grade and my daughter is a year ahead finishing 2nd grade. I agree 100% with all of these.
I agree with these 5 points wholeheartedly! We’re wrapping up year 3 of homeschooling and the confidence that this is the correct decision just keeps growing. I felt called to homeschool from the start, but we were reluctant because of doubt. Then the pandemic happened and we heard God again tell us that we needed to homeschool. This is easily one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Thanks for your wisdom Ashlee!
I agree 100%! Homeschooling is my utmost priority in my day- and I protect that time. It’s a constant battle to protect that time and I have to be on guard and aware of the enemy trying to distract away.
I am about to start homeschooling after my daughter finishes 5th grade. I do feel I have most of these down but lack confidence. I do feel it is a calling and I’m leaving my job as a pre k assistant to do this. I love watching your videos for advice and encouragement. There is so much more I can say but I just want to thank you for posting videos and being honest. So thank you and May God bless you and your family abundantly!
Hi Margaret. I just read your comment and I am in the exact same situation you are. My daughter is finishing 5th grade and we are about to embark on our homeschool journey together. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone and I feel the same way......called to do this but a little nervous and needing confidence. Praying for you as you and your daughter as you begin your journey.
Many times in life confidence takes time. When we learn a new skill we become more confident with more practice. Keep on keeping on. You will get there.
Thank you for this. I have been going through a tough transitional season, and have felt very disoriented. It's nice to have a blueprint to refer back to when I lose my focus
This is why I love the Charlotte Mason method. It uses a lot of habit training for the family to follow. All the successful homeschoolers I know realize how important good habits are.
Thank you so much for this encouragement!! We have always homeschooled, but the past two years have been difficult as my older kids have become teens and their moods and pushback with school have just discouraged me so much. I start wondering what have I done wrong? I have been diligent in our school, discipline, pointing them to Jesus, etc. but many days are full of friction and disagreements with siblings. Sigh. What happened to the good ol’ days?? 😅 Any tips with this transition would be wonderful!! ❤ I love your encouragement to adapt and not abandon the call!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
We have been homeschooling for years but have recently been homeschooling through a difficult health situation. If we had not been practicing these habits you discussed in your video all these years, we would not have been able to continue homeschooling through this situation. ❤
This is by far one of the best videos you have put out. Everything you said was 100% on the money. If I could I would give this video a bajillion thumbs up 😊
Thank you so much , I needed this!! We are about to embark on our homeschool journey after this school year. I doubt myself so much, but I am ready for this next journey. God has never led me astray, and I know He is guiding our family❤️
Ash, you have inspired me so much on my homeschool journey. I’m a Nana homeschooling my grandson. He’s ADHD and it has been a wonderful thing for him. We meet him on his level on every subject and that varies. I agree with all five. My list is very long on the reasons we homeschool and will continue.
What an amazing video!!! I agree with this 100% 🎉 I was actually homeschooled and have come into this from a unique view point! But when I feel most successful it’s when I’m doing all of these things for sure
Agree 100%!! Loved everything you said and feel encouraged to continue. We’ve been going through a hiccup since last year where I had to get a job and be the breadwinner in my family, after being a full time stay at home mom to two kiddos, because my husband’s job went on a lock down. I was working 10 hours a day due to mandatory overtime, and started our school at 7:30pm….you can imagine. But praise the Lord we were able to pull through🙏🏼🙌🏼 My husband is not too involved in the teaching process but he helps a lot with what he can in our homeschool. So we make a great team. My husband was called to work and starts in a few weeks, so I will be able to take it a bit slower again. But being home with my kids is just an amazing feeling, and it is so worth it!! Keep the content coming Ashley! You inspire me🌟💛
Love this ❤. On our 10th year of homeschooling! Knowing your ‘why’ is so important. Helps you to stick with it and adjust to the different seasons of life. Love your channel so much. You are such an inspiration 🤗
When you’re homeschooling upstairs with your youngest (mostly), what do you do while you’re waiting for her (or your other kiddos) to finish her work? My biggest struggle is that *I* get bored sitting and waiting. But then if I start doing something else (laundry, cleaning, etc.) I find that I have a hard time refocusing on our homeschool. How do you handle this?
I struggle here too! So I always bring up a pen and paper for lists/planning etc. I find that if I’m working next to them then I’m not tempted to get into something else
We do a lot of homeschooling right in the kitchen / living rm so I can set kids up with independent work and do the dishes or make a cup of coffee or wipe down the counters. I’m close by if they need help and can keep an eye on them. If my older children want to work somewhere else, I make sure to check in on them every 15-30 mins to make sure they are staying on task. I have to also be willing to abandon any task when they are done so we can keep things moving!
I'm so sorry to hear you had been going through such a tough season. I am so grateful for your honesty. I am also feeling similar things. I hope that you have been able to get through the *funk*. Blessings and prayers for you and your family. ❤❤❤
As always, thank you!! We are about to go through a big change in our homeschool. I’ve always been home with the kids but we are opening a business this summer and I keep doubting if I can “do it all.”
I agreed with all of this!!! Finishing up our 7th year and this all hold true for me. So thankful for you sharing as you are just ahead of me! Have a great weekend!
Ashley, I just wanted to say how blessed I was by this video. Honestly, when I saw you post it I didn’t want to watch because I was afraid that I wasn’t doing the 5 things that you list and then I would feel like a failure. Thankfully I follow all 5 and it was truly so encouraging. I have been on my homeschool journey for 13 years now and my oldest will graduate next year and it’s just amazing to me. Even though I’ve been doing this a little longer than you, you still are such an encouragement and an inspiration to me. Thank you for all your videos! 🤍
Oh no! The intent is never to make anyone feel bad. That’s why I started the video with saying we each define what success is, and then I define what that is to me. Then my tips relate to that. But there’s room for others who may define success differently! Glad you felt encouraged ❤️
These videos are always so refreshing and reassuring to hear especially when we're going through a tough phase in our homeschooling journey. Thank you!
I appreciate you and all that you share… when my oldest was in Kindergarten in public school, I felt an urge to get insight on homeschooling…so I did, and fast forward one year; we are a homeschool family and I am so grateful for the opportunity to do this. My husband and I come from a public school learning perspective, as do most of our family members aside from a handful, and we can only ignore the need people feel to comment on it…. For the most part. They will never really understand the WHY in my opinion because it is such a personal decision…. And I am thankful we continue to equipped our children to understand this. I pray you and your family keep strong in your roots and continue flourishing.
This is a great list, which I need to work on. How do you include activities/ lessons outside the home so the academic is still a priority and still has rigor to it?
Amen to this!!! Thank you so much! I struggle with knowing my why and as a result I constantly wonder if I should put them in school. I've got an 8th grader, a five, three and infant. It's so so hard with the little kids, I'm pulling my hair out daily!
This is all great advice amen! The Lord sure does equip! We have to stick together and be a light to others. God bless you and your homeschool journey as well. Keep growing in Christ! Praying for the salvation of our children.
Do you have advice on whether or not a one day a week “learning center” or “homeschool park/ social day” works with The Good and the Beautiful curriculum set up? I feel uneasy about taking on too much or too little. I do want my kids to make friends, how do you approach that? Through sports or ballet friends only? My church doesn’t have much of a youth group just a church children’s choir. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you!
Queston....if you are a mom that loves your private christian school, but recent events make me fearful and want to pull them out and homeschool...feels like I'd be making that decision out of fear...is it still the right decision? Really struggling after the Nashville shootings.
All of these are true, and I'm confident in all 5. However, we're wrapping up our 5th year homeschooling and my oldest who's in 6th grade has refused to work with me any longer. He simply puts zero effort into his work even though we've tried offering rewards and discipline. It's been the hardest year yet, and he's fallen behind where I'd like him to be. Have you ever experienced this with any of your kids and if so how did you handle it?
What do you say to people when they find out you homeschool and they say, "I could never do that! My kids and I would kill each other having to be together all day!"? I always feel so awkward what that happens, because part of me wants to respond with how sad that makes me. I mean, it's not like every day is perfect for us either, but we when through those things and generally have really great days together. I don't want to make them feel bad about their schooling choices, but I don't want to feel like I'm being put on a pedestal either.
I usually say something about how we spend our time (and how it’s changed and throughout the yrs). We may be home together but we’re not together every moment. We do things that fill our own cups up and each others. And like you said everyday isn’t perfect but that’s how life is anyway.
I point them to Christ and use it as a time to evangelize. I say something like, “the Lord is faithful to equip us, or I used to think that too but the Lord has changed my heart. “
Here’s a question for anyone to answer. Why do you think some Christians say they don’t feel called to homeschool or say they could never homeschool? I believe as Christians homeschooling is as close to Deuteronomy 6 as you’re going to get and yet many Christiana give their children over to the public schools.
Because not everyone is open or receptive to the Holy Spirit. And the conviction of the Holy Spirit does not fall on everyone at the same time. If we close our eyes and turn our heads we can ignore all of what God wants for us and our children. There is a lot more to this issue more than I can type in a RUclips comment. There’s also economic impacts that prevent it. And so much more.
I have been a History professor for 25 years. The best students I had were homeschooled. They generally more prepared, more eager to learn and better adjusted. It's one of the reasons I put all my lectures on RUclips. As a free resource to help homeschoolers.
❤️ Just subscribed! 👍🏻
Thank you!
I just looked at your channel and I love it...i will be listetnin to the videos about the Ottoman Dynasty since I am really interested and in them and I do not know a lot about them :( Thanks!
That's awesome feedback to hear as a homeschool mama. Thanks for sharing!
Just subscribed!!
Yes I'm trying to tell family and church members that this is my job. There are certain hours in the day I am schooling my children and I cannot be interrupted unless it is urgent. I like to think of it as my job like my career because it helps me show up.
Well this is mind blowing. My husband wants me to go back to work. So I am half homeschooling, half job hunting, half handling my crazy toddler, half handling all the meals and snacks, cleaning during the day, etc.
I’d like to make teaching my job. I’m going to re-examine this in my life.
Triggering powerful for me. Thank you
Their spiritual life is 100% the main reason the Father called me out of teaching in the system to homeschool. I've never looked back. Best decision ever. God be abundant to you. ❤
Yes!! My Homeschooling became so much better when I started treated it as a priority. I would get distracted my other projects or activities and the kids would flounder for a while. I’m thankful I had this mindset shift.
Thanks for your thoughts on this, Ashlee!
Agreed with these 5 points 100%. God does call us to this life choice and I am eternally grateful he did.
I laughed so hard when you said the cashier saying no school today!! Ugh we hate that!! 🤣🤣🤣 I’ve homeschooled my kids from the very beginning. My son is finishing his freshman year. My other son is finishing his 7th grade and my daughter is a year ahead finishing 2nd grade. I agree 100% with all of these.
LOL we get this all the time! 😅🤣😂
I was asked by a stranger, “ so when are you going to put that kid in school?” 😂
I agree with these 5 points wholeheartedly! We’re wrapping up year 3 of homeschooling and the confidence that this is the correct decision just keeps growing. I felt called to homeschool from the start, but we were reluctant because of doubt. Then the pandemic happened and we heard God again tell us that we needed to homeschool. This is easily one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Thanks for your wisdom Ashlee!
I agree 100%! Homeschooling is my utmost priority in my day- and I protect that time. It’s a constant battle to protect that time and I have to be on guard and aware of the enemy trying to distract away.
I am about to start homeschooling after my daughter finishes 5th grade. I do feel I have most of these down but lack confidence. I do feel it is a calling and I’m leaving my job as a pre k assistant to do this. I love watching your videos for advice and encouragement. There is so much more I can say but I just want to thank you for posting videos and being honest. So thank you and May God bless you and your family abundantly!
I relate to the calling of it so much, I think a lot of us do … best wishing in your journey.
Hi Margaret. I just read your comment and I am in the exact same situation you are. My daughter is finishing 5th grade and we are about to embark on our homeschool journey together. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone and I feel the same way......called to do this but a little nervous and needing confidence. Praying for you as you and your daughter as you begin your journey.
That is pretty normal. You gain confidence as you start to see the fruit of your labor.
Many times in life confidence takes time. When we learn a new skill we become more confident with more practice. Keep on keeping on. You will get there.
I wrote my reasons to homeschool at the beginning of my journey. When I’m in doubt, I refer back to that one page. My family never looked back.
Thank you for this. I have been going through a tough transitional season, and have felt very disoriented. It's nice to have a blueprint to refer back to when I lose my focus
Adapt, not abandon…YES!
As always great tips ❤ We always start our days with Bible, devotionals, and good conversations. It sets us up for a productive day 😊
This is why I love the Charlotte Mason method. It uses a lot of habit training for the family to follow. All the successful homeschoolers I know realize how important good habits are.
Thank you for this great advice! ❤
Thank you so much for this encouragement!! We have always homeschooled, but the past two years have been difficult as my older kids have become teens and their moods and pushback with school have just discouraged me so much. I start wondering what have I done wrong? I have been diligent in our school, discipline, pointing them to Jesus, etc. but many days are full of friction and disagreements with siblings. Sigh. What happened to the good ol’ days?? 😅 Any tips with this transition would be wonderful!! ❤ I love your encouragement to adapt and not abandon the call!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
We have been homeschooling for years but have recently been homeschooling through a difficult health situation. If we had not been practicing these habits you discussed in your video all these years, we would not have been able to continue homeschooling through this situation. ❤
Thank you!
This is by far one of the best videos you have put out. Everything you said was 100% on the money. If I could I would give this video a bajillion thumbs up 😊
Great video!! Thank you!
Thank you so much , I needed this!! We are about to embark on our homeschool journey after this school year. I doubt myself so much, but I am ready for this next journey. God has never led me astray, and I know He is guiding our family❤️
Don't give up. Always remember you are actually your child's best teacher. X
Ash, you have inspired me so much on my homeschool journey. I’m a Nana homeschooling my grandson. He’s ADHD and it has been a wonderful thing for him. We meet him on his level on every subject and that varies. I agree with all five. My list is very long on the reasons we homeschool and will continue.
I LOVE THIS ❤
What an amazing video!!! I agree with this 100% 🎉 I was actually homeschooled and have come into this from a unique view point! But when I feel most successful it’s when I’m doing all of these things for sure
Agree 100%!!
Loved everything you said and feel encouraged to continue.
We’ve been going through a hiccup since last year where I had to get a job and be the breadwinner in my family, after being a full time stay at home mom to two kiddos, because my husband’s job went on a lock down. I was working 10 hours a day due to mandatory overtime, and started our school at 7:30pm….you can imagine. But praise the Lord we were able to pull through🙏🏼🙌🏼
My husband is not too involved in the teaching process but he helps a lot with what he can in our homeschool. So we make a great team.
My husband was called to work and starts in a few weeks, so I will be able to take it a bit slower again.
But being home with my kids is just an amazing feeling, and it is so worth it!!
Keep the content coming Ashley! You inspire me🌟💛
Thank you! 🙌👍💕
I needed this!
Challenging time... Adapt don't abandon... Really needed to hear that a real encouragement 🙌
As a new homeschool mom, thank you for this video! Very helpful ❤
Love this ❤. On our 10th year of homeschooling! Knowing your ‘why’ is so important. Helps you to stick with it and adjust to the different seasons of life. Love your channel so much. You are such an inspiration 🤗
When you’re homeschooling upstairs with your youngest (mostly), what do you do while you’re waiting for her (or your other kiddos) to finish her work? My biggest struggle is that *I* get bored sitting and waiting. But then if I start doing something else (laundry, cleaning, etc.) I find that I have a hard time refocusing on our homeschool. How do you handle this?
I struggle here too! So I always bring up a pen and paper for lists/planning etc. I find that if I’m working next to them then I’m not tempted to get into something else
This is my struggle too.
We do a lot of homeschooling right in the kitchen / living rm so I can set kids up with independent work and do the dishes or make a cup of coffee or wipe down the counters. I’m close by if they need help and can keep an eye on them. If my older children want to work somewhere else, I make sure to check in on them every 15-30 mins to make sure they are staying on task. I have to also be willing to abandon any task when they are done so we can keep things moving!
I'm so sorry to hear you had been going through such a tough season. I am so grateful for your honesty. I am also feeling similar things. I hope that you have been able to get through the *funk*. Blessings and prayers for you and your family. ❤❤❤
As always, thank you!! We are about to go through a big change in our homeschool. I’ve always been home with the kids but we are opening a business this summer and I keep doubting if I can “do it all.”
Love and agree with everything you said in this video!
I agreed with all of this!!! Finishing up our 7th year and this all hold true for me. So thankful for you sharing as you are just ahead of me! Have a great weekend!
Ashley, I just wanted to say how blessed I was by this video. Honestly, when I saw you post it I didn’t want to watch because I was afraid that I wasn’t doing the 5 things that you list and then I would feel like a failure. Thankfully I follow all 5 and it was truly so encouraging. I have been on my homeschool journey for 13 years now and my oldest will graduate next year and it’s just amazing to me. Even though I’ve been doing this a little longer than you, you still are such an encouragement and an inspiration to me. Thank you for all your videos! 🤍
Oh no! The intent is never to make anyone feel bad. That’s why I started the video with saying we each define what success is, and then I define what that is to me. Then my tips relate to that. But there’s room for others who may define success differently! Glad you felt encouraged ❤️
These videos are always so refreshing and reassuring to hear especially when we're going through a tough phase in our homeschooling journey. Thank you!
I appreciate you and all that you share… when my oldest was in Kindergarten in public school, I felt an urge to get insight on homeschooling…so I did, and fast forward one year; we are a homeschool family and I am so grateful for the opportunity to do this. My husband and I come from a public school learning perspective, as do most of our family members aside from a handful, and we can only ignore the need people feel to comment on it…. For the most part. They will never really understand the WHY in my opinion because it is such a personal decision…. And I am thankful we continue to equipped our children to understand this. I pray you and your family keep strong in your roots and continue flourishing.
This is a great list, which I need to work on. How do you include activities/ lessons outside the home so the academic is still a priority and still has rigor to it?
Wow, this video was such a blessing and encouragement to me! Thank you so very much, God bless you ❤
Great habits. These are things I share with other homeschoolers that I have the pleasure of working with. 🌸💞
So good! Thanks for the encouragement!
Amen to this!!! Thank you so much! I struggle with knowing my why and as a result I constantly wonder if I should put them in school. I've got an 8th grader, a five, three and infant. It's so so hard with the little kids, I'm pulling my hair out daily!
Sara Mackenzie's Teaching From Rest would be an amazing resource for you.
This is all great advice amen! The Lord sure does equip! We have to stick together and be a light to others. God bless you and your homeschool journey as well. Keep growing in Christ! Praying for the salvation of our children.
These are great tips, thank you!
This was a wonderful video, thank you so much for always bringing me back to my why!!
Great habits! Thank you, Ashlee❤️
You are so welcome!
I agree 💯!
Loves it , you always make the best videos, this has to be one of my top ten from you. Sooooo good. Thank you
Wow, thank you!
These are great tips. Some habits I still need to work on.
Great advice!
So so helpful! Thanks Ashlee! Xx
Thank you Ashlee ❤for the video I love all of it thank you for the tips
Really great tips!
Loved this video! ❤
I really needed to hear this today. ❤
Do you have advice on whether or not a one day a week “learning center” or “homeschool park/ social day” works with The Good and the Beautiful curriculum set up? I feel uneasy about taking on too much or too little. I do want my kids to make friends, how do you approach that? Through sports or ballet friends only? My church doesn’t have much of a youth group just a church children’s choir. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you!
Btw, I am trying The Good and the Beautiful for the first time for 2023-2024.Ordered yesterday!
Queston....if you are a mom that loves your private christian school, but recent events make me fearful and want to pull them out and homeschool...feels like I'd be making that decision out of fear...is it still the right decision? Really struggling after the Nashville shootings.
Praying for you. Only you know the answer. Sometimes there is a catalyst that God uses.
All of these are true, and I'm confident in all 5. However, we're wrapping up our 5th year homeschooling and my oldest who's in 6th grade has refused to work with me any longer. He simply puts zero effort into his work even though we've tried offering rewards and discipline. It's been the hardest year yet, and he's fallen behind where I'd like him to be. Have you ever experienced this with any of your kids and if so how did you handle it?
Ty 👏💕
Great encouragement, thank! I think I looks up to you the most due to spirituality and matter of fact-ness lol idk if that’s a word.
I know what you mean! Thankyou!
What do you say to people when they find out you homeschool and they say, "I could never do that! My kids and I would kill each other having to be together all day!"? I always feel so awkward what that happens, because part of me wants to respond with how sad that makes me. I mean, it's not like every day is perfect for us either, but we when through those things and generally have really great days together. I don't want to make them feel bad about their schooling choices, but I don't want to feel like I'm being put on a pedestal either.
I usually say something about how we spend our time (and how it’s changed and throughout the yrs). We may be home together but we’re not together every moment. We do things that fill our own cups up and each others. And like you said everyday isn’t perfect but that’s how life is anyway.
I point them to Christ and use it as a time to evangelize. I say something like, “the Lord is faithful to equip us, or I used to think that too but the Lord has changed my heart. “
These are great responses. Thank you!
❤
Here’s a question for anyone to answer. Why do you think some Christians say they don’t feel called to homeschool or say they could never homeschool? I believe as Christians homeschooling is as close to Deuteronomy 6 as you’re going to get and yet many Christiana give their children over to the public schools.
Because not everyone is open or receptive to the Holy Spirit. And the conviction of the Holy Spirit does not fall on everyone at the same time. If we close our eyes and turn our heads we can ignore all of what God wants for us and our children. There is a lot more to this issue more than I can type in a RUclips comment. There’s also economic impacts that prevent it. And so much more.