Axethrowing. Doesn’t it sound so intimidating? I would never have gone on my own, but a friend suggested it for Friday night fun. Sure! I’ll try it!

We walked down a dark alley to find the entrance to the building nestled in between some warehouses. Inside, the building was plain with wood tacked up against the walls. Only wire fence dividers separated the groups of people.

Before entering I had envisioned the room divided up much like batting cages, but this room had no barriers other than the wire fences on either sides of the targets. We were all exposed and vulnerable to the actions of those around us. It was a bit scary…at first.

The staff gave us a quick lesson in axethrowing. Saying something about taking a step and swinging the axe over your head. What?! Then, saying that you didn’t need to push the axe – just release and the axe’s momentum would take it into the wood target in front of you. And…that was it – we were picking up large axes and talking to each other about our “form” as we began the process of getting the axe to hit the target.

It was a little maddening, because I wanted to sling the axe. I wanted to hit a few things. (I had secretly hoped it would help me get out some piled up tension) But, the secret to axethrowing is being relaxed and controlled. It’s not about using a lot of manpower or exerting a lot of energy. Who knew?

So, how does this relate to homeschooling?

I bet a good number of you think or have thought that homeschooling is intimidating. You’ve probably seen the Instagram photos or heard someone talk about it. You’ve probably gotten a picture in your mind of how only smart, strong, and patient parents can attempt this feat.

Yet, something or someone gives you the courage to try. The courage to give it a shot. For many of you, COVID gave you enough confidence to walk down the dark alley and push open the door.

As you begin the journey of homeschooling, you get the sense that you’re stepping way out of your comfort zone. You had a picture of what it should look like, but you find that things are not as you thought they should be.

Just like the axethrowing facility, you find an environment that has some boundaries, but you may not feel like there are enough safety nets in place. There are targets, there are goals, but there are no coaches, no experts, no “batting cages.”

Many times the people surrounding you give you a basic “how to” and that is about all you get. You have to take the step and you have to “swing the axe” all on your own.

You probably begin feeling like you have to use tons of energy and do all the subjects and push your child to be the best at everything. You hear words like “unschooling,” but it doesn’t seem right that homeschooling can be relaxed AND controlled.

You push through the first few weeks or months working hard, and you may even see some progress. But as you go through the days of “picking up your axe,” you begin to realize what the “staff” was trying to tell you. It’s not about strength. It’s about steady progress, consistent follow through.

You begin to see your “axes” hit their targets. You begin to understand why people would walk down the “dark alley,” why they would continue to homeschool.

How are you at axethrowing?

Some of you have already made the plunge, and you need to know that homeschooling is not about strength – it is about steady and consistent progress. You’re trying too hard to swing the axe and hit the target, and it’s bounced back at you a couple of times. You need to relax and get back to your “why.”

Some of you are hesitant and uncertain, and you need to know that homeschooling is not only for the strong. It really does offer the joy and adventure that you long to have for your children. But, you need to walk the dark alley and brave the bare, open spaces of the unknown.

Some of you need to realize that you are hitting the target, you are making an impact, and you are right where you need to be. Enjoy the ride, but also share with those around you who are struggling with the process, the lifestyle, the “axe.”

I’m not sure I would have enjoyed axethrowing alone. I enjoyed being there with friends. I enjoyed cheering with them when they got a bullseye. When the axe kept hitting the ground, it was good to have people there to encourage me. I enjoyed laughing at the mistakes together and celebrating the accomplishments.

Don’t homeschool alone. Find a friend or two, or find a tribe or two. Axethrowing, homeschooling, both need the same thing.

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Whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give to you.  Until now you have asked nothing in my name.  ASK, and you will receive, that your JOY may be full.

I was the oldest child in my family.  When it came time for Christmas, I had more awareness of my parents’ abilities to provide certain gifts or toys.  I would often ask only for things that I felt fit within those financial parameters.  I would tend to ask only for things that I needed – like a pair of pants or a dress.

My younger sister, on the other hand, would often be extravagant in her Christmas wishes.  One year she asked for a piano keyboard, and I was surprised to see her request waiting for her on Christmas morning – even though she didn’t play piano like I did or even participate in music to the extent I did.  I was flabbergasted (yes, this word definitely defines my emotions that Christmas!).

You see, my sister had simply asked.  She dreamed and hoped and asked without worry about how my parents would provide.  With childlike faith, she trusted them with her request, while I “pretended” to be mature and only request the necessary.  So, I only received the needed thing.

In John 16:23-24, we see the power of the Ask.  Yet, we sometimes walk as firstborn children who “pretend” to be mature and only anticipate what God is probably going to do.  Instead of complete healing, we ask for a good doctor and good medicine.  Instead of a new car, we pray for money to fix the old one.  Instead of asking for fulfillment of a ministry dream, we only wish to be used right where we are.  Instead of a peaceful home, we simply ask for strength to make it through one more day.

What would happen if we were like children – asking without considering how it would appear?  Trusting the dreams in our hearts were from Him?  Believing that the impossible is possible?

John 16:24 states that we receive what we ask so that our joy will be FULL.  That word “full” is defined by Strong’s Concordance to mean “to cram” or “to level up.”  The Amplified Bible adds the word “complete” to the verse.

We need to know that God wants to make our joy full, complete, crammed to the top.  He wants to give us whatever we ask.

It is not just John 16 that talks about asking, we can find the power of the Ask all over the Bible:  1 Kings 3, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalms 2, Isaiah 7, Matthew 7, Matthew 18, Matthew 21, Luke 11, Mark 11, John 14-15, Ephesians 3, James 1,  I John 3.   

As we enter the Christmas season, I challenge us to be like my younger sister.  Ask for the big thing from God.  Believe that He wants to make our joy full.  Stand on the promises of His Word.

Teach and encourage your children to Ask this holiday season.  Check out my post for Homeschooling During The Holidays.

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This is a subject that has a lot of resources available.  We watched movies, read books, completed worksheets, played online games, and even made crafts!

Reading

My favorite book that we read together was If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 by Ann McGovern.

But, there are TONS of books about these people and all that they experienced, as well as what they were able to establish.  CLICK HERE to view a lesson from our studies with all the resources.

Online Fun

We explored the Mayflower and its journey on Scholastic’s interactive webpage about the journey.

Then, we watched lots of YouTube videos which I gathered in my Pilgrims & The Mayflower playlist.

Activities

I then had them complete several worksheets that I discovered on Education.com as well as Teachers Pay Teachers.

But, it is ALWAYS fun to create something!  So…we made the Mayflower with paper plates, printables, and popsicle sticks.  A Little Pinch of Perfect offered the printable and basic direction.

A few days later we enjoyed Squanto’s Dirt for a snack as we learned about the planting techniques that he taught the Pilgrims.

These moments learning and exploring together with my students are my favorite moments.

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and I will receive a small compensation if you decide to purchase items using those links.

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Evidently, there is an art to holding the phone as you snap the photo.  The phone must be at the right angle – just the right balance of high and low.  And, you have to pay attention to the background and the focus.  What?!  I just wanted to capture the fact that I was actually there with my children as they experienced life.

These encounters led me to the realization that I needed to learn more, and how do I do that?  Practice makes perfect!

Selfies have gotten a bad rep.  We associate the term with people who are obsessed with seeing themselves and promoting themselves.  Yet, we need to recognize the good in the selfie!

As moms, we often are the ones who capture the moments of our children’s lives, but we forget to capture that we are with our children.  Selfies give us that opportunity, and for future prosperity, they document the active role of mom in children’s lives.

On a recent field trip, another mom and I switched up taking photos of us with our kids after having the conversation about how we are never in the pictures.  It is really a problem!

So, grab your phone and spend a little time perfecting your selfie skills.  Start getting your children to gather around you as you turn the focus on you AND your kids experiencing life together.  You will be thankful, and so will they.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t lead you to some tips, so here are a few short articles that will hopefully help you and me in perfecting our selfie art:

How to Take the Perfect Selfie – The Verge

How to Take the Perfect Group Selfie – Good Housekeeping

How to Take a Group Selfie – Stylecaster.com

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If you are not aware, I have started to post my lesson plans for others to use and hopefully benefit from all the time I’m spending writing for my students.

Visit My Courses page to view what is being developed.  Right now you can view them for FREE, because it is still a work in progress.

Enjoy and share the resources!

The post A Different Type of Writing appeared first on Kristy Trent.

Yet, in a life that is more like a hamster wheel that won’t stop moving, we have to discover ways to create space for the spontaneous.  Our spouses need this.  Our children need this.  We need this.

Remove the “Have To’s”

The first way to get space is to remove the “have to’s” in life.  This isn’t about actually removing all responsibility in life.  This is about realizing that each responsibility is a blessing, an opportunity.  You don’t “have to” make dinner or take a shower or pay that bill.  You can choose to not do it.

Recognize your power to choose.

So, no longer do I “have to” be at that party or talk to those people or rush my kids to be on time for an event or volunteer for that good cause or get my kids involved in extracurricular activities.  I can breathe and choose what I “get to” do.

Open Up the Schedule

Many times our “have to’s” are commitments we’ve made to things that are not really necessary.  At first, commitments seem wonderful and may even add value, but all commitments “come with a price.”  Make sure the “price” (time and/or money) doesn’t take all your space for spontaneity.

Let go of the good and cling to the best.

Add the “Get To’s”

I’ve always heard that when you take something away you need to put something in its place – or the old habit/idea will return.

So, instead of “Have To’s,” let’s start adding “Get To’s.”  We “get to” wake up this morning and take care of ourselves.  We “get to” hug our children and make them breakfast.  We “get to” give our spouses a kiss and walk them to the door as they leave for work.   We “get to” fold that laundry and straighten up the den.

How does that lead to space for spontaneous?

When I recognize the “get to’s,” I can choose to be spontaneous.  It’s not about what I “have to” do.

When I “have to” homeschool my kids today, I won’t enjoy a sunny day or stop to explore a deeper thought.  I will simply stay on that “hamster wheel” keeping my eyes focused only on what’s in front of me.  Any spontaneity will seem like a distraction.

When the spontaneous comes in life, I can say no to the “have to’s.”

Life can get so full, and I forget that I don’t “have to” live a mundane, tedious, super-focused life.  Jesus said that He came to give us life and life more abundantly!

I “get to” live today.  I “get to” be with my kids today.  I “get to” write a blog post.  I “get to” hug my husband in the kitchen.

Will you join me in creating space for the spontaneous blessings of today?

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Reading

First, we read about seasons.  I used these resources, and only read the pages about seasons in the resource books.  These images are linked to Amazon (affiliate links), but you can also find some of them at your local library:

Exploring the Internet

We love to explore the internet for activities and fun.  Our school has a membership to Enchanted Learning, so we read their page about Seasons and tested ourselves.  We learned some big words like equinox and solstice.

Then we went to Elemental Blogging for a video and printable season book.  My 2nd graders loved drawing and coloring their season books.

Writing

I have been using Elemental Science’s Earth Science & Astronomy for the Grammar Stage as a guide for the school year.  We end all our lessons with narrations using their student workbook.

More

We could have done so much more, and please feel free to share your favorite resources (book or internet) in the comments below.

Below is a link to my Pinterest board with links to more resources for Earth Science:

Keeping science simple and engaging can be a challenge, but it is possible!

The post Learning about Seasons appeared first on Kristy Trent.

Pinterest encourages CREATIVITY.

I find this fact to be true of all of us:

We are at our most fulfilled when we have created something.

The difference is that we enjoy creating different things:  dinner, plans, events, gardens, home decor, jewelry, outfits, art, furniture, and the list keeps going!

When I see that someone else used an old filing cabinet to store yard tools, I remember the old filing cabinet in my garage, and I CREATE a new home for my yard tools.

When I see the activities that someone created to help their student remember a math fact, I create my own activity based on the same idea.

CREATIVITY brings BEAUTY.

When things are created, beauty and fulfillment are brought to the world around us.  This beauty and fulfillment reinforces our purpose and our usefulness.

When I complete a project, whether it is a blog post or a birthday party, I am so happy and content to see the result of my hard work and time.

What about you?  Do you find joy from creating?

Whether you use someone else’s idea or not, it doesn’t matter!  Your efforts will have your own personal touch, making it different and one of a kind.

So, don’t stop creating!  Pinterest is good for fueling new ideas and ways of expressing your creativity.  Keep the balance and get all the good out of Pinterest that you can.

Disclosure:  I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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You’ve made the decision.  You are ready to go, but you don’t know where to start?  Here’s a few essential steps to get you on your way:

1.  Know Your Why

Take some time to make sure this is cemented.  You really need this foundation—believe me!  Use my free ebook to help you through this process.

2.  Be Responsible

Know your legal obligations.  Take all the steps to make sure you are homeschooling correctly under your state law.  Some require notifications, some require enrollment in a specified organization—make sure you know what is required and take the steps to get this important part settled.  Visit http://hslda.org for up-to-date requirements for every state.  (Psst…don’t trust your best friend on this one.  It’s kind of like trusting your plumber to give you tax advice.  Make sure you know it for yourself. )

3.  Evaluate Educational Needs

Take a moment to evaluate where you need to start educationally.  The parents with kindergarten students will have it easiest.  If you are starting at any other point, you will need to see where your student is academically, and often emotionally.

How to do that?  First, look though previous schoolwork, and now is a great time to study those standardized test results.  You can also give placement tests to your student for major subjects.  Most curricula companies offer these tests for free.

4.  Decide on the Big Three

Make sure you have the materials to teach the Big Three: Reading, Writing, and Math.  These subjects are the foundation of anything else a student studies.  Having these settled will help you get started confidently.

Ready? Set. Go!

Now, you can have a strong start.  You won’t have it all perfect or all figured out, but at least you can start moving.

Like this post?  Click here to receive email updates for future posts as well as a FREE ebook to start you on your homeschool journey.  And, please share with your friends!

For more information about beginning to homeschool, click here to view my posts for new homeschoolers.

The post How Do I Start Homeschooling? appeared first on Kristy Trent.

I was recently reminded of how life was without a cell phone. After a busy day, I came home, dropped everything, and took my twins outside.  The sun was shining, and the weather was warm.  I knew we needed to come out of hibernation.

If you’ve ever tried to get little ones out the door, you can imagine the adventure of making sure the two had clothing, socks, and shoes. Then, we had to have a potty stop.  Nothing worse than getting outside and someone suddenly having a potty emergency!

Then, we had to stop in the garage to collect bikes and outdoor toys…and finally we made it into the backyard!

I realized that I hadn’t grabbed my phone, but I wasn’t going to go back in for it.  After all of the work to get out the door, it wasn’t worth the trouble.  My older ones would know where to find me.

I’d love to say I didn’t have thoughts of missed calls or missed Facebook notifications.  It did go through my mind, but I let it go.  It was more important to embrace the moment.

Wow…it was a beautiful experience.  I played “school” at the swing set, even reviewing a little phonics.  I ran around and played freeze tag in my dress boots.  We also practiced our swinging skills (legs straight out, then bent back).

Why was this time so special?  What made it different?

No cell phone.  No stops to take a picture.  No interruptions of ringers or pop-up notifications.  Just being and living in the moment.

I’m old enough to remember life without cell phones.  I remember having these moments frequently with my older ones.  This day with my twins reminded me of the power I have to detach from the virtual and embrace the reality, the life happening outside of a phone.

I share this experience to encourage you as parents to do the same thing. Experience life without a cell phone.  I’m sure you will be blessed as much as I!

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