So ready to trade in my wool sweaters for my linen So ready to trade in my wool sweaters for my linen sundresses all summer long! ☀️ ready for some warmer weather this week! 

Also, if you spend as much time outdoors as we do, these @blundstoneusa boots have been faithful to me all fall + winter long. Can’t wait to wear them with my dresses in the summer. #hikingmom #larissawears
Have you planted any seeds yet this season? What a Have you planted any seeds yet this season? What are you growing? 🌱 ad

This year we are growing tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, spinach, beans, radishes, and we started a few flower seeds indoors, and they're already sprouting! It's been fun seeing them make progress each day.

This past autumn, I was thinking a lot about this moment as growing our own food is something we are slowly working towards. I've been using the @Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 all winter long to store away some recycled food scraps to use as fertilizer once we transfer these little seed babies to our raised beds. The FoodCycler takes our everyday food scraps and transforms them into nutrient-dense fertilizer! It stores easily on our counter (just 1 cubic foot) and it's equipped with a carbon filtration system to help eliminate odors. The FoodCycler is also super easy to use and extremely convenient. With our outdoorsy lifestyle, we aren't inside very much during the day, so we run our FoodCycler in the evenings, and when we wake up, we have fresh fertilizer for our garden. Right now, I keep it in stasher bags in our freezer, and now I'll have a jumpstart for both our compost bin in the new house, and for our spring garden!

Check out my stories for more info on this useful household tool for eliminating food waste! #Vitamix #VitamixFoodCycler
My baby turned three today. So many mixed emotions My baby turned three today. So many mixed emotions! As her mom, it’s rewarding to see her learn, develop, and grow, and yet it’s so difficult to watch. She will forever be the squishy, snuggly bundle that they laid on my chest three years ago around this very moment. She smiled up at me, I kid you not, on week one and has been smiling ever since. She is still the happiest little soul, and just radiates joy wherever she goes.

She is still nursing... just once a day now and she still consistently makes her way to our bed each night. She runs up to me when she sees a stranger, and reaches for help when she’s hopping from log to log. Still, she can wash her own apple, get herself dressed, and memorizes our recitations at morning time. Growing so fast and still very much a little babe, so I’m going to soak in this year as best I can. I’m so happy that God chose me to be her mommy. 💓
Which linen dress do you like best? 1, 2, or 3? Do Which linen dress do you like best? 1, 2, or 3? Do you own any linen items?

Today on my site I’m sharing four reasons to invest in a linen dress this spring/summer. I also share where I shop for my favorite linen dresses! You can view the post at the link in my bio. ✨ #larissawears
“I’ve come to appreciate the importance of the “I’ve come to appreciate the importance of the many thousands of routine moments in a mother’s life, for it is in these moments that real greatness tends to be taught and caught... it’s the way I respond to my children in everyday moments that gives me the best chance of winning their hearts. If I have integrity and patience in the small moments of life that are so important to my children, and if I approach them with a servant’s heart, then I have a far better chance of influencing them in the larger and more critical issues of life.”
-Sally Clarkson, The Mission of Motherhood.

Who else sees a noticeable difference in your home when you’re able to really focus on your kids needs, big or small? (For me that means sometimes leaving the kitchen untidy to read a book, or choosing to put off work until bedtime to work on a special art project.) 

It’s such a treasure to be with them every day and sometimes I grow weary, but reading @sally.clarkson’s words remind me that the grace and gentleness we show our children doesn’t go unnoticed. As my own children grow into toddlerhood and older babes, I find I really have to focus on this more. These small moments make such a significant impact. ✨ #lichomeschool
“A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a “A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest.”
-Albert Einstein 

I’ve really enjoyed the past few weeks as I’m trying NOT to do everything or be everything and instead just focusing on my family. As a type A personality, I can easily get caught in the productivity trap. Anyone else? Doing my best to only say yes to lifegiving things and choosing rest as we ease into a new season. 🌱 

Alternate caption: homemade English muffins with honey butter...name something more lifegiving! 😱 #livingincoloreats #homemade #sourdough
Getting as much wear out of my cozy winter knits a Getting as much wear out of my cozy winter knits as I can before spring hits! It was in the 60’s here last week so I had to change into a flannel for the afternoon. Which outfit would you wear? #larissawears
It’s #exploringnaturewithchildren #nestingbirds It’s #exploringnaturewithchildren #nestingbirds week! It’s no secret that we are pretty big bird fans in this household. 🐤 These little yarn birds are a project we did exactly one year ago as part of our #enwcnestingbirdsweek study. We also made this adorable little nest... The girls and I went on a walk and collected moss and twigs and other nesting items and made them into a little nest for their yarn birds with some hot glue. It was a hit and I can’t wait to do it again later today! 😍 I also included a shot of some of our favorite bird books in our own home library. Definitely worth picking up to read year after year. 😍 Do you follow exploring nature with children by @raisinglittleshoots? If not, going to link it in my stories so you can check it out! ✨
Do you seek out friends who are much older than yo Do you seek out friends who are much older than you? I’ve found myself really enjoying conversations with people who are in a completely different season of life than I am, and it’s so comforting. The other day I talked to my neighbor who is a good 30 years older than I am, she has a daughter that’s my age, and yet we chatted about things we are both extremely passionate about. We talked sourdough, cooking, meal planning, and home decor. All topics that were completely universal...and my cup was so full after. I don’t know if it’s me craving extra social interaction after this crazy year or if I’m just a total extravert, but either way, I’m going to make it a point to have more conversations with people I encounter in the future even if I don’t feel like I have the energy. 🙂

P.S. this whole foods focused, DF broccoli cheddar recipe is on the blog! Link in bio. #livingincoloreats
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Partner
    • Contact
    • Disclosure
  • E-Books
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Partner
    • Contact
    • Disclosure
  • E-Books

living in color

food. style. home. family.

  • Food
    • Meal Planning
    • Recipes
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Dessert
      • Snacks
    • Sourdough
  • Homeschool
    • Art Study & Composer Study
    • Books
      • Books to Read
      • Children’s Books
      • Seasonal Books
    • Crafts
    • Charlotte Mason Home Education
    • Curriculum Reviews
    • Homeschool Organization
    • Literacy
    • Math
    • Morning Time
    • Nature Study
    • Preschool at Home
  • Style
    • Maternity Style
    • Mom Style
    • Nursing-Friendy Style
    • Kid’s Style
    • Slow Fashion
    • Sustainable Style
  • Homemaking
    • DIY
    • Garden
    • Home Decor
    • Non-Toxic Living
    • Simple Living
    • Sustainability
  • Motherhood
    • Baby-Led Weaning
    • Babywearing
    • Birth Story Series
    • Breastfeeding
    • Cloth Diapers
    • Family Activities
    • Gentle Parenting
    • Postpartum
    • Pregnancy
    • Product Reviews
    • Screen-Free Parenting

Charlotte Mason Home Education, Family, Gentle Parenting, Homeschool, Homeschool Organization, Motherhood, Preschool at Home, Screen-Free Parenting • February 24, 2020

Why We’ve Decided to Homeschool

I think the “why we decided to homeschool” question is my most-asked question fo 2019! It makes sense. So many people want to know why this former Kindergarten teacher is homeschooling instead of sending her kids to school. I get it! Here’s my long, but hopefully straightforward answer! Keep reading to see why we decided to homeschool.

Why We’ve Decided to Homeschool

The decision to homeschool wasn’t a lightbulb moment for me. In fact, I had my daughter signed up and ready to head to preschool this past fall. But for months I went back and forth with it. One day I felt confident in my decision, and the next it felt so off. One day she’s want to go and the next she’d talk about how she isn’t interested. It was never something any of us felt ready or prepared for. If this was just preschool… what would Kindergarten be like?

Then it hit me. We’ve done almost everything (food, parenting, etc.) a little bit differently so far. Why would schooling not look differently for our family too? I was so convinced that this next step was something we HAD to do, no matter how off or weird it felt to me or my daughter. It was such a relief when I finally gave in to the nagging urge to at least just give homeschool researching a chance. I dove in head first. I listened to podcast. I read countless books. I talked with several families who homeschool. I talked with families who don’t. Then I wrote this post with my research findings.

It wasn’t until we started our homeschool this past year, however, that I really understood how right this decision was for our family.

Here is why we decided to homeschool.

*Note: these are our reasons for homeschooling. Unique to our family. I am in no way saying those who don’t homeschool or don’t homeschool this way are wrong. I’m not even claiming any of this is the “right” way. It’s just what’s right for our family. <3

 

01. We are interested in preserving childhood.

We are not interested in sheltering our kids from the world (they spend a lot of time outside of our home and with other children/adults), but we are interested in slowly and gently introducing them to the world rather than thrusting them into it headfirst. This is probably my number one reason for wanting to homeschool. Here’s the deal. We send our kids to school because that’s just what you do. Right? Well, what if it doesn’t have to be? What if we don’t have to send them away from us just because they’re turned five? (As a teacher, I’ve seen so many children who were of school-age, but just weren’t emotionally ready.)

What if we can let them spend their mornings at home listening to mom read their favorite book? Or playing with their favorite toys with their siblings? What if they can spend their afternoons eating a nutritious lunch, at their own pace, in the comfort of their own home. What if they want to play outside for hours in the mud or rain? The fact is, with the fast-paced school schedule, and year, it just isn’t possible for childhood to remain wonder-like (not as long anyway), so this is our main “why”. There will be many years of adult-like things ahead. We want to preserve our children’s childhood.

02. We believe homeschool allows for a gentle, unique, interest-led, and academically-tailored education.

Not all children are created equal. Chances are, you probably have much different interests than your spouse. Maybe you share a few common interests, but each individual has things that inspire them. Things they’re passionate about. School is sort of a “one size fits all” type of education. As an educator, I had a hard time with this. It’s difficult to tailor one type of content to several learning styles. It’s even more difficult to get students excited about material when they may not be interested in it. I believe that homeschool is a great way to educate our children because it allows for an interest-led education. (If my daughter loves music, I can teach her math through music, for example!) It also allows for a unique pace. Say she loves math and flies through that material, but struggles with writing. We can take as long as we need to for any of those subjects! This is how students should be able to learn. It’s just impossible to do it effectively when there’s one teacher and thirty-five students.

03. I want to be with my children.

This one is going to be striking for some people, because when I tell them, they think I’m nuts. I know many wonderful mothers out there who love nights away from the kids. They’re called “girls weekends” for a reason. In theory it sounds nice to me, but I’m the type of person who has never “needed” this type of break. I know I’m the minority, and I’m absolutely not shaming those who love their time! I think it’s great for every mom and every individual to know and meet their needs. Whatever those may be! Mine just don’t require me to need breaks, so I honestly love being around my children.

Homeschooling them allows me to spend more time with them. In college, I ran a before and after school care program at an elementary school. It was a great program! Enriching, even, and we had great staff! But many of the children who attended it arrived to school at 6:00 AM and left at almost 6:00 PM. That’s twelve hours away from their family. Away from their home. Now, I realize that isn’t the case for many families, but for some it is, and that’s more time away from their parents than with. At five or six years old, that’s a lot of time to miss out on. (See number 6 for more thoughts on this topic.)

But, for me, I really enjoy motherhood. I really enjoy being home with them. Maybe I’m a total weirdo. But I’ve always felt this way. As long as they enjoy my company too, we’ll be golden.

 

 

04. We love the flexibility.

The flexibility of homeschool allows us to do our school work in the morning and play in the afternoon. We can also meet up with friends or go on adventures and work on schoolwork when we get home. Or not! We can read the books my daughter wants to read. (We just finished Stuart Little and now we are onto Trumpet of the Swan). It’s flexible schedule-wise, and it’s flexible learning-wise. We don’t do school work on Fridays at all, and instead, spend time out in nature! It’s so good for our souls.

05. We crave the slowness.

The mornings where we have to get up and rush to be somewhere are some of my worst morning as a parent. I don’t know what it is about hurry, but it makes me snappy, stressed, and unpleasant. Slow mornings are something that were truly foreign to me until adulthood. There’s something magical about cooking a breakfast from scratch, being able to sit down to eat it, pouring a cup of hot coffee, and enjoying a meal in the morning. Maybe picking up a book, or listening to an audiobook.

We absolutely love our morning time routine. There’s room for rest. There’s room for connection. This is what slow mornings look like for us. They aren’t always quiet or peaceful, but they’re ours. They’re spent together, in the comfort of our home.

06. We homeschool because we are able to.

I wanted to include this last point, because I realize and completely embrace that some families may want to homeschool, but just aren’t able to make it happen. My husband and I are in a unique situation where I am able to make money while staying home with my children. This allows me to juggle both working from home and staying home with them to homeschool them. While it isn’t easy and there are busy/difficult days, there are still more wonderful days to make up for it. The fruits I’ve seen from my time home with them this year far outweigh the sacrifices. Therefore, I’ll do it as long as I can. I just realize and embrace that that isn’t the situation for every family.

These are just a few main reasons we are homeschooling our daughters. It’s honestly something I never saw myself committing to. But since I have, I haven’t really looked back. It’s been wonderful. I love talking about homeschool!

If you are on the fence or have questions, shoot me an email. I’m happy to chat!

 

Thank you so much for reading!

 

Interested in homeschool? Read more about homeschool research resources in this post here.

Read about our simple morning time routine for young children here.

Read about our preschool morning time routine for 2020 here.

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason Home Education, Family, Gentle Parenting, Homeschool, Homeschool Organization, Motherhood, Preschool at Home, Screen-Free Parenting

subscribe

You’ll Also Love

New Mom Giveaway (Part Two)
How to Talk to Your Child About Their Artwork
Ten Must-Read Autumn Picture Books

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Next Post >

Gentle + Classical Preschool Review | Level 2

I'm Larissa. A mama to daughters and wife to my college sweetheart. I am passionate about sustainable fashion, whole foods recipes, and Charlotte Mason home education. I also love being outdoors with my family. You can usually find me sporting a wide-brimmed hat, with a baby on my back.

subscribe

Privacy Policy

Categories

  • Style
  • Recipes
  • Motherhood
  • Meal Planning
  • Homeschool
  • Homemaking
  • Babywearing
  • Books

Reader Favorites

  • The Best Non-Toxic Art Supplies for Toddlers
  • How To Choose A Swimsuit By Body Type
  • How to Style Dr. Martens 2976 Chelsea Boots for Summer
  • My Weekly Meal-Planning Process (With Downloadable Meal Plan Sheet)

popular posts

  • How to Style Dr. Martens 2976 Chelsea Boots for Summer
  • How To Choose A Swimsuit By Body Type
  • The Best Non-Toxic Art Supplies for Toddlers
  • How to Wear Your Newborn in a Ring Sling

instagram

Follow @livingincolorblog

So ready to trade in my wool sweaters for my linen So ready to trade in my wool sweaters for my linen sundresses all summer long! ☀️ ready for some warmer weather this week! 

Also, if you spend as much time outdoors as we do, these @blundstoneusa boots have been faithful to me all fall + winter long. Can’t wait to wear them with my dresses in the summer. #hikingmom #larissawears
Have you planted any seeds yet this season? What a Have you planted any seeds yet this season? What are you growing? 🌱 ad

This year we are growing tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, spinach, beans, radishes, and we started a few flower seeds indoors, and they're already sprouting! It's been fun seeing them make progress each day.

This past autumn, I was thinking a lot about this moment as growing our own food is something we are slowly working towards. I've been using the @Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 all winter long to store away some recycled food scraps to use as fertilizer once we transfer these little seed babies to our raised beds. The FoodCycler takes our everyday food scraps and transforms them into nutrient-dense fertilizer! It stores easily on our counter (just 1 cubic foot) and it's equipped with a carbon filtration system to help eliminate odors. The FoodCycler is also super easy to use and extremely convenient. With our outdoorsy lifestyle, we aren't inside very much during the day, so we run our FoodCycler in the evenings, and when we wake up, we have fresh fertilizer for our garden. Right now, I keep it in stasher bags in our freezer, and now I'll have a jumpstart for both our compost bin in the new house, and for our spring garden!

Check out my stories for more info on this useful household tool for eliminating food waste! #Vitamix #VitamixFoodCycler
My baby turned three today. So many mixed emotions My baby turned three today. So many mixed emotions! As her mom, it’s rewarding to see her learn, develop, and grow, and yet it’s so difficult to watch. She will forever be the squishy, snuggly bundle that they laid on my chest three years ago around this very moment. She smiled up at me, I kid you not, on week one and has been smiling ever since. She is still the happiest little soul, and just radiates joy wherever she goes.

She is still nursing... just once a day now and she still consistently makes her way to our bed each night. She runs up to me when she sees a stranger, and reaches for help when she’s hopping from log to log. Still, she can wash her own apple, get herself dressed, and memorizes our recitations at morning time. Growing so fast and still very much a little babe, so I’m going to soak in this year as best I can. I’m so happy that God chose me to be her mommy. 💓
Which linen dress do you like best? 1, 2, or 3? Do Which linen dress do you like best? 1, 2, or 3? Do you own any linen items?

Today on my site I’m sharing four reasons to invest in a linen dress this spring/summer. I also share where I shop for my favorite linen dresses! You can view the post at the link in my bio. ✨ #larissawears
“I’ve come to appreciate the importance of the “I’ve come to appreciate the importance of the many thousands of routine moments in a mother’s life, for it is in these moments that real greatness tends to be taught and caught... it’s the way I respond to my children in everyday moments that gives me the best chance of winning their hearts. If I have integrity and patience in the small moments of life that are so important to my children, and if I approach them with a servant’s heart, then I have a far better chance of influencing them in the larger and more critical issues of life.”
-Sally Clarkson, The Mission of Motherhood.

Who else sees a noticeable difference in your home when you’re able to really focus on your kids needs, big or small? (For me that means sometimes leaving the kitchen untidy to read a book, or choosing to put off work until bedtime to work on a special art project.) 

It’s such a treasure to be with them every day and sometimes I grow weary, but reading @sally.clarkson’s words remind me that the grace and gentleness we show our children doesn’t go unnoticed. As my own children grow into toddlerhood and older babes, I find I really have to focus on this more. These small moments make such a significant impact. ✨ #lichomeschool
“A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a “A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest.”
-Albert Einstein 

I’ve really enjoyed the past few weeks as I’m trying NOT to do everything or be everything and instead just focusing on my family. As a type A personality, I can easily get caught in the productivity trap. Anyone else? Doing my best to only say yes to lifegiving things and choosing rest as we ease into a new season. 🌱 

Alternate caption: homemade English muffins with honey butter...name something more lifegiving! 😱 #livingincoloreats #homemade #sourdough
Getting as much wear out of my cozy winter knits a Getting as much wear out of my cozy winter knits as I can before spring hits! It was in the 60’s here last week so I had to change into a flannel for the afternoon. Which outfit would you wear? #larissawears
It’s #exploringnaturewithchildren #nestingbirds It’s #exploringnaturewithchildren #nestingbirds week! It’s no secret that we are pretty big bird fans in this household. 🐤 These little yarn birds are a project we did exactly one year ago as part of our #enwcnestingbirdsweek study. We also made this adorable little nest... The girls and I went on a walk and collected moss and twigs and other nesting items and made them into a little nest for their yarn birds with some hot glue. It was a hit and I can’t wait to do it again later today! 😍 I also included a shot of some of our favorite bird books in our own home library. Definitely worth picking up to read year after year. 😍 Do you follow exploring nature with children by @raisinglittleshoots? If not, going to link it in my stories so you can check it out! ✨
Do you seek out friends who are much older than yo Do you seek out friends who are much older than you? I’ve found myself really enjoying conversations with people who are in a completely different season of life than I am, and it’s so comforting. The other day I talked to my neighbor who is a good 30 years older than I am, she has a daughter that’s my age, and yet we chatted about things we are both extremely passionate about. We talked sourdough, cooking, meal planning, and home decor. All topics that were completely universal...and my cup was so full after. I don’t know if it’s me craving extra social interaction after this crazy year or if I’m just a total extravert, but either way, I’m going to make it a point to have more conversations with people I encounter in the future even if I don’t feel like I have the energy. 🙂

P.S. this whole foods focused, DF broccoli cheddar recipe is on the blog! Link in bio. #livingincoloreats
“Given a chance, a child will bring the confusio “Given a chance, a child will bring the confusion of the world to the woods, wash it in the creek, and turn it over to see what lives on the unseen side of that confusion...

In nature, a child finds freedom, fantasy, and privacy; a place distant from the adult world, a separate peace.” 
— Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods

Work With Me

  • About
  • Partner
  • Contact
  • Shop

subscribe

Privacy Policy

Shop My Favorites

  • My Amazon Storefront
  • Favorite Kitchen Items
  • Shop My Outfits
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Refunds Policy
  • Terms of Service

Copyright © 2021 living in color · Theme by 17th Avenue