How many times have you heard your kids say, “I’m bored!” I remember cringing the first time I heard that phrase. How could they be bored? There’s a room full of books, toys and other things to do. We have a big backyard to play in. Why, just that morning they were full of ideas…
Category: Ideas and Inspiration
Flexible Daily Routines: Meal Planning & Preparation
Do you like cooking? Are you a meal planner or do you like deciding what to eat for dinner a couple of hours before eating? I like to cook. Before I had kids, I really liked pouring over cookbooks and trying new things all the time. I never was very experimental, but I was much…
Flexible Daily Routines: Laundry, Dishes & Straightening
In my last post I shared about how I set up my cleaning system for my house that complements our lifestyle of learning. I think even more important than my cleaning system are the few flexible routines I’ve developed that help keep my house from becoming chaotic and me not feeling frustrated and a slave…
How to Keep An Interest-Led Learning Home & a Clean House at the Same Time
In homes where there is more of a school at home approach there might be a set schedule where schoolwork takes place, usually in the mornings, and then a specific time each day when all the household chores are done. In an interest-led learning environment, that gets a little tricky. You want to be available…
Homeschooling with a Sick Child: My Interview with Kimberly Ehlers
What happens when your child is sick? If it’s a serious illness, do you start to panic and think that they’ll get too far “behind?” Do you focus on the limitations rather than on what everyone in the family could be learning from that illness? About a year ago, I had the wonderful pleasure to…
Transforming & Synthesizing: The Final Two Thinking Tools
Today is the last day in my five part series about the 13 Thinking Tools of the World’s Most Creative People. I’ve been summarizing parts of the book Sparks of Genius as well as sharing some tips and resources that you can use to explore these tools more on your own. Here’s the link to…
My March Unschooling Fun & Resources
As March came to an end, I wondered why I felt so tired. Then I looked at this list! Really, though, it was an incredible month for my family. We learned so many new things, went to so many new places and just enjoyed spending time together. I’m hoping some of the resources or activities…
Dimensional Thinking, Modeling & Playing: Thinking Tools 9-11
This is part four in a five part series about 13 Thinking Tools of the World’s Most Creative People. I’m summarizing parts of the book Sparks of Genius as well as sharing some tips and resources that you can use to explore these tools more on your own. Here’s the link to part 1 –…
10 Out-of-the-Ordinary Easter Activities
Do you celebrate Easter? If so, what images come to mind when you think about Easter? Many people think about rabbits, baskets and chocolate eggs. Our family has a strong faith in God so we also think of new life, resurrection and salvation. You probably have some favorite Easter traditions, too. Maybe it’s hunting for…
Forming Patterns, Body Thinking & Empathizing: Thinking Tools 6-8
This is part three in a five part series about 13 Thinking Tools of the World’s Most Creative People. I’m summarizing parts of the book Sparks of Genius as well as sharing some tips and resources that you can use to explore these tools more on your own. Here’s the link to part 1 –…