Dual enrollment. I actually have a lot to say about it. At this point, my oldest son finished his associates degree, and my next two teens are finishing up their degrees. So I wanted to give an update on our experience with dual enrollment.

Between the three of them, they’ve attended a number of different colleges. So where do I start with sharing our experience with dual enrollment.

This post is going to be a review of dual enrollment—the good, the bad, and the ugly.

What is Dual Enrollment?

Before we dive into to the review, let’s talk about what dual enrollment is. It is when high school students are taking college classes. At this point, my two are finishing out their high school with just college classes.

Dual enrollment is a great way to skip high school and go straight to college. If your kids are college bound, then give them a head start in high school.

Learn more about dual enrollment and how to add it to a high school transcript.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn’t love free stuff. For more information, see my disclosures.

The Good of Dual Enrollment

There is one major benefit of working on college in high school—tuition is so much cheaper. Like $500 per credit hour for regular tuition is $100 per credit hour for high school dual enrollment. So it is a dramatic savings.

The second benefit is they can skip high school and go straight to college. Now, they haven’t completely skipped high school, but once they start with dual enrollment that is basically all they will do. They may do a few high school classes here and there, but for the most part it is just college.

They are able to get an associates degree very cheaply, get it earlier than most students, and have a good foundation to continue their education…if they want to.

The Bad of Dual Enrollment

Those are the only benefits of doing early college. I am so unimpressed with our higher education system, I am at the point of being disgusted with it. The only reason they will continue is the cheap tuition and businesses still give points for a college degree. But the college system is a joke. Or a scam as Charlie Kirk wrote about in The College Scam. Yes, I did buy the book because I am totally fed up with the college system.

I have dealt with six different colleges, Christian and non-Christian, and I am still surprised at the incompetence of the administration, the arrogance of the professors, and the lack of actual learning that is happening. It is mind-boggling that colleges and universities are still in business.

After my kids finished their first semester at one particular university, I was very tempted to email the student advisor and tell her she oversold the program. In my opinion, she oversold it to the point that I felt she lied to us about it. I am still thinking about emailing her.

Are all colleges bad? Honestly, I don’t know. I really hope there are institutions of higher learning that take it seriously, but I haven’t found one yet.

Then why are we doing it? I confess, I’ve asked myself the same question. It comes down to really cheap tuition. They couldn’t go to college at any other time in their lives so cheaply. It still looks good on their resume to have a college degree right out of high school instead of just a high school diploma. Those are the two reasons.

The Ugly of Dual Enrollment

Now, let’s get into the ugly of dual enrollment. As I mentioned above, I am completely unimpressed with all aspects of these institutions of higher learning.

Administration

It is very easy to get into college for dual enrollment. Some colleges require testing, but there are so many that don’t. If you are doing dual enrollment, then don’t waste your time on a college that requires a lot of hoops to jump through. It is just unnecessary.

There is one college that my kids have taken classes from that require a letter from the school district (not happening) or a transcript from previous college. I was told this is to ensure that high school students can handle college-level work. I may have told them that their homeschool work was more rigorous than any class they offered. And this is from personal experience because I have also taken classes from this college.

Another college couldn’t get my son’s registration correct. Literally, and I mean literally, every semester she messed up his registration. And then I would have to text her boss to get it fixed because she ignored my son’s emails about needed it fixed.

Rigor

In my opinion, colleges and universities think more highly of themselves than they should. Maybe this is an indication of how uneducated students are when they graduate from high school. I know there are recent stats regarding illiteracy in high school students.

We found that most classes aren’t rigorous. Or if the college is just trying to present themselves as rigorous, then they pile on the work, like 3-5 times more work than their other 100-level college classes, and they have a professor who shouldn’t be teaching teach the class. Basically, they students stop trying to learn and are just trying to complete the assignments. There needs to be a balance between learning and assignments. Sadly, it seems some schools interpret rigor as more assignments, but fail to actually teach and ensure that students are learning. We have definitely encountered classes like this. When we pointed it out to the dean of the school, we just received a brush off email in response.

I don’t think my kids would say they are learning much. My daughter probably is because she is putting in the effort on her own. If she just relied on the classes and professors, she would probably say she isn’t learning much.

Ideas of DEI

This needs to be addressed because it is pervasive in all the colleges we’ve encountered. Including Christian colleges. If you are planning on dual enrollment, then you need to prepare your kids for these ideas.

 It is important to fully understand them. Why Social Justice is Not Biblical Justice by Scott Allen is an excellent resource. Anything from Thomas Sowell. My favorites are Ethnic America and Black Rednecks and White Liberals. But any of his books are fantastic.

As a mixed-race family, we have addressed these ideas because of the events in recent history. While the ideas of DEI want to define everybody by the color of their skin, we have encouraged our kids to let no one define them by an immutable characteristic—the color of their skin.

These ideas are antithetical to a Christian worldview. And seeing Christian colleges support and teach these ideas boggles the mind. My oldest son has encountered this the most, and he will speak out against it. And we discovered he gets 100% anytime he mentions, “As a black man I find these ideas offensive.” The ideas being that he is defined by the color of his skin and not by his merit or character. That it is assumed that he must be low educated. And so much more.

I would also highly recommend avoiding sociology classes. This may not be easy because they are usually required, but if you can avoid it. My son took one from a secular college. He was told by the instructor that he must answer the questions according to the course material, even though the questions were all looking for an opinion. I guess he wasn’t allowed to have an opinion that deviated from the course material.

He also had to write a paper on socioeconomic classes and whether people can ascend from their economic level. I suggested that he interview his dad because he was raised in New York City by a single black mom, and he moved up from his socioeconomic class. The instructor essentially told him that his opinion was wrong. I thought lived experience is what they are all about. But I guess it only moves in one direction.

I know this is anecdotal evidence, but all the ideas of DEI are backed by anecdotal evidence. If they were to actually look at the facts of their claims, their ideas would fall apart. But if they can basis claims on anecdotal evidence, then he can too.

He also had Bible classes with a heavy emphasis on race. To me this was absurd. The idea that we judge anyone or make assumptions about anyone based on the color of their skin is antithetical to a Christian worldview.

There are also many other ideas presented throughout the various classes that fall into the DEI category. One of the most important things we can do as parents is to discuss these with our kids and to help them thoroughly understand the ideas.

Is Dual Enrollment Right for You?

This is really something to consider and really think through. Yes, my big 3 will finish their degrees, but we are reconsidering this path for our next 3. I have four years to decide, so things can definitely change.

There are two reasons we are doing dual enrollment—cheap tuition and it is replacing most of high school. Some college or a college degree looks better on a job application as opposed to just high school. You don’t need a college degree to do a job, but sometimes you need it to get the job.

If you do decide to do dual enrollment, then you need to be your kids’ advocate and they need to advocate for themselves as well. Every college will tell you that students need to talk to the professor directly. Which they do. However, they’ve had some professors who weren’t professional, so I refused to let them do any one-on-one meetings with him. I see myself as the equivalent of their guidance counselor, so I will also be their advocate. They just need to sign the FERPA form giving your permission to talk with the college. This is a legal requirement, so make sure to ask for it.

Conclusion: Dual Enrollment Decoded

If you child has aspirations to go to college, then dual enrollment is probably a good option for you because it is cheaper tuition. But is isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.

It is important to carefully weigh the benefits and challenges or dual enrollment.

I wanted to share our unfiltered experience with the different dual enrollment options out there, so you can make an informed decision. I’m not saying your kids shouldn’t go to college, mine are still working their way through, but I wanted to give you all the information and tools to make dual enrollment successful for you.

FAQ: Dual Enrollment

Q: What is the difference between dual enrollment and AP courses?

A: Dual enrollment courses allow students to earn college credits by passing the class, while AP courses require students to pass an exam to potentially receive college credit.

Q: Can homeschool students participate in dual enrollment?

A: Yes! Many colleges offer dual enrollment options specifically for homeschoolers. It’s important to check with local institutions for eligibility and course offerings.

Q: How do I know if my dual enrollment credits will transfer?

A: Check with the colleges your student is interested in attending. Some schools have articulation agreements that ensure credit transfers, while others may have stricter policies.

Q: Is dual enrollment harder than high school classes?

A: It depends on the student and the course. College classes tend to be more independent, requiring strong time management and self-motivation.

Q: What should I consider before enrolling in a dual enrollment program?

A: Consider your student’s academic readiness, time management skills, and long-term college plans. Research credit transfer policies and talk to an academic advisor to determine if dual enrollment is the right fit.

The post Dual Enrollment Decoded: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

Homeschool all in one curriculums are a work from home mom’s secret weapon. But they get a bad rap in the homeschool world.

If you want to streamline your education journey, save time, and still tailor education for your kids. Then let’s dive into the ultimate guide to homeschool all in one curriculum.

There are so many homeschool curriculum options out there. It is hard to know where to start. Then throw in the added pressure that you if you are going to be a real homeschool mom you need to write your own curriculum, do hours of research, and carefully piece it all together. I don’t know if you can be a real homeschool mom if you aren’t doing this.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn’t love free stuff. For more information, see my disclosures.

Mom, working from home and homeschooling kids is stressful enough. It is ok to use a homeschool all in one curriculum.

The first couple of years of homeschooling I used all in on curricula, but they weren’t the right fit for everyone. My daughter has only used Abeka Academy and begged me to never change it. My boys on the other hand have used a few different ones.

I’ve done the piecing together, and the desperate search to just find that one book left on the list. Sitting down and organizing and planning the entire year. Making sure that each piece fit together in a logical order.

After spending so much time, effort, and energy, I went back to using homeschool all in one curriculum.

5 Benefits of Using Homeschool All in One Curriculum

Homeschooling is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to our kids. They can explore their interests. Learn to be independent thinkers. Participate in homeschool co-ops. And have more hands-on experiences with different homeschool activities.

But it doesn’t mean it is a piece of cake. There are challenges to homeschooling. Finding the right curriculum and resources is one of them. It isn’t because there are a lack of resources. We have so many choices, you can start to get overwhelmed with decision fatigue.

Going with an all in one curriculum helps to eliminate these added stressors. Here are 5 more benefits to using homeschool all in one curriculum.

1. Saves Time

You aren’t spending time on research and searching for curriculum. After a few years of piecing things together, I decided we needed to make a bit more money, so I could buy open and go curriculum.

It was taking too much time to put it all together for all the kids.

If you still want to piece it together and save some time, then grab The Momtrepreneur’s Guide to Curriculum, 2nd edition.

2. The Planning is Done

his is one of my favorite things about homeschool all in one curriculum. All of the planning is done. I don’t need to sit down in the summer and plan our whole year. Type is up in Excel and hope I didn’t miss anything.

There are organizational tools, like Homeschool Planet, that can streamline the planning process for your eclectic homeschool.

3. Comprehensive

With an all in one curriculum, I know they are getting a comprehensive education. All the necessary subjects will be covered.

We’ve used a number of different curriculum. For homeschool all in one, we typically used Abeka Academy. Even with this program I’ve swapped out subjects because there was a different science they were interested in. And I still experienced all these benefits I am mentioning.

4. Accredited if You Need it

Let’s clear something up first. Curriculum cannot be accredited because that is not how accreditation works. Schools can be accredited because they are institutions.

The good news is there are homeschool programs that offer an accreditation because they are a school. The downside of these programs is you will be sending in schoolwork to these schools. I’ve been there done that, and I will never do it again.

But in some of the states where it is more difficult to homeschool, like Pennsylvania or New York, I would consider an accredited homeschool program to make the homeschooling process easier.

5. Kids are Independent

This is my favorite part with a homeschool all in one curriculum. Kids can open the box and start. It is easy for them to understand how a program works, and hit the ground running.

Working from home and homeschooling is challenging enough. I don’t want to make our curriculum harder to use.

How to Choose Your All in One Curriculum

There are so many homeschool all in one choices out there, it is important to consider certain factors before making a decision.

1. Parent Led or Not

There were some all in one curriculum that I fell hard for. It was amazing. The books, the style, it had it going on. But there was one thing that I couldn’t get past—it was parent-led, and I knew it would eventually break my heart.

Working from home and homeschooling adds another dimension to the homeschool all in one curriculum you choose. You need a curriculum that will allow your kids to work independently. Or at least without too much parent involvement.

Can your kids open the box and run with it?

2. Learning Styles

We homeschool so we can tailor learning to our kids learning styles. When you are choosing a homeschool curriculum, make sure it is a good fit for learning styles.

Early on in our homeschool, I discovered a homeschool all in one curriculum that was completely online. It was going to be perfect. There was a flat fee rate for the family, and it graded automatically. I really hate keeping grades for school. I thought I finally found my pot of gold at the end of the curriculum rainbow.

The three oldest kids the 30-day free trial…and one liked it. The other two were not impressed. My second son, the one who liked it, has been doing it ever since, but he is the only one who ever used.

Does your child engage well with the curriculum?

3. Budget

This is an important factor when considering homeschool curriculum. Think about ways to reuse it or sell it.

I work so I can buy curriculum…at least it is a motivator to keep working. The flexibility in being able to choose the curriculum that works best for all of us plays an important role in my ability to homeschool and work from home.

Popular Homeschool All in One Curriculum

Now that we’ve explored the benefits and features of homeschool all in one solutions, let’s take a closer look at some of the popular programs available.

There are more out there. These are the ones that I am familiar with.

1. Abeka

This is a curriculum that a number of my kids have used and use. We normally do Abeka Academy, the unaccredited homeschool program.

You can also get the full grade curriculum as well.

I prefer to start this around 3rd grade. Although my daughter did start it in second grade. We have used the K4 curriculum, and I wouldn’t recommend it for that grade. It is too much. If you want to do homeschool preschool curriculum, then I recommend Sonlight’s.

Abeka has an accredited curriculum path.

2. BJU

I’ve used pieces of their curriculum—Bible, English, and vocabulary—and it was good.

This is another great all in one option for homeschool curriculum.

These are just a few examples of the many all-in-one solutions available. It’s important to research and explore different programs to find the one that aligns with your educational goals and preferences.

3. Memoria Press

We used the full curriculum for fourth grade. It didn’t work for us, but if you like the classical education style of homeschooling, then this is a good homeschool all in one option.

I do like their literature guides. We used them over the years. In my years that I pieced everything together.

4. Monarch

This is the online homeschool program that my second son uses. He is the only one that was all in on it. For the most part, it is fine. I did not like their math, so we ended up switching curriculum mid-year.

If you want an all in one option that will grade for you, then this is one to look into. They also offer a 30-day free trial. It was a great way to see if this curriculum worked for us.

5. Master Books

This is another one that I’ve used bits and pieces of—My Story, Logic, Forensic Science, Civics, Worldviews in Conflict.

6. The Good and the Beautiful

I haven’t personally used this curriculum, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about it. If your kids are visual learners, then this is a great curriculum for that learning style.

7. Horizons

This is another one that I haven’t used personally, but I’ve seen good feedback on it. Horizons from Alpha Omega, is a good option to check  out.

Eclectic Homeschool All in One Curriculum 

Did you know you can still have an eclectic style homeschool and all in one curriculum? These publishers put it all together for you and give you the lesson plans. It is the best of both worlds.

1. Timberdoodle

I used this for homeschool kindergarten and first grade. I liked it better for kindergarten, it was too much for first grade.

2. Curriculum Express

I just discovered this website. It uses a lot of the same curriculum as Timberdoodle, but it is cheaper. It definitely worth doing a comparison shop.

3. Sonlight

This is one of the homeschool all in one curriculum that I’ve drooled over for years. But it is very parent-led, so I never did it for the lower grades. However, in high school, they shift to more student-led, so I used it with my oldest son.

He prefers books to textbooks, so this was a great fit for him. We used it for 9th and 10th grade, and then switched to dual enrollment.

Conclusion: Ditch the Stress and Save Time with Homeschool All in One Curriculum

Homeschool all in one curriculum is a valuable resource for streamlining your education journey. Especially if you have a big family, and you are a work from home mom. 

All in one curriculum take the stress out of planning and organizing your year. While giving you’re the confidence that your kids are getting a comprehensive learning experience.

Want to get the full review of all the curriculum we’ve used? The good, the bad, and the ugly. Avoid the mistakes I made and homeschool your kids with confidence. Grab The Momtrepreneur’s Guide to Curriculum.

FAQs About Homeschool All in One Curriculum

Q: How do I choose the right all in one curriculum for my child?

A: Consider your child’s learning style, academic goals, and your homeschooling philosophy to select a curriculum that aligns with your family’s needs and values.

Q: Can I customize homeschool all in one curriculum to suit my child’s unique needs?

A: Many all-in-one curricula offer customization options, allowing you to adapt lessons, adjust pacing, and incorporate supplemental materials as needed.

Q: How do I track my child’s progress and ensure they are meeting educational standards?

A: Utilize the assessment tools, progress tracking features, and reporting capabilities provided by the curriculum to monitor your child’s academic growth and mastery of concepts.

Q: What support resources are available for parents using all-in-one curricula?

A: Many all-in-one curricula offer parent guides, online forums, customer support, and community resources to assist parents in navigating the curriculum and addressing any challenges.

Q: Can all-in-one curricula be used for multiple grade levels or with multiple children?

A: Yes, most all-in-one curricula are designed to be adaptable for various grade levels and can be used effectively with multiple children, providing a flexible and scalable homeschooling solution.

The post The Ultimate Guide To Homeschool All In One Curriculum appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

Do you dread the thought of teaching art for homeschool? Are you feeling like you aren’t creative enough or you don’t have the skill? You can add art to your homeschool, even if you aren’t an artist.

We are homeschool moms, so we are supposed to be amazing at teaching our kids and giving them experiences. All while working from home. You’re a super mom.

Let’s face it. There are certain subjects that we just hate to teach. Chemistry and algebra get me every time. We know we want to give our kids the best, well-rounded education, but our own lack makes it feel impossible.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn’t love free stuff. For more information, see my disclosures.

When we may lack the knowledge or skill for certain subjects. This leads us to ignoring it or shying away from it. Yes, you can outsource these topics. I am always for adding classes like Skillshare. But this is not an option for everyone.

This post is all about how to easily add art for homeschool.

Why You Should Add Art for Homeschool

You want your kids to identify the paintings in the background on a random TV show. Then everyone will know that homeschooling is the best. That was a joke, but it is fun when they can.

There are so many benefits to creative pursuits—relaxation, self-improvement, pleasure, reduction of stress. Part of the reason we homeschool is to teach necessary life skills to our kids. These are necessary life skills as your kids become adults. Teach them now how to tap into their inner-creative, so they can better manage stress as they get older.

It is also a fun, sensory experience. Art is just fun. Trying different mediums opens up your creative mind. The first time I tried watercolor pencils, I wanted to know where they had been my whole life. Why did it take over 30 years for me to discover them? They are an amazing medium to work with. Especially with young kids. They aren’t messy either. Another perfect reason to try them.

It is a great way to connect the events of history. For example, Vermeer and Rembrandt wouldn’t have happened without Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation.

Creativity draws on your entire brain. Being creative will cause you to use more of your brain. It fuels your imagination. Forming a habit of creativity will teach your kids how to think creatively. Which will make them more successful in adulthood. You can get creative by practicing it. The more you use it, the better you will get.

Creativity is not just for the special few who seem to be touched by God. It is for everyone and everyone can learn to think and be creative.

The more you paint, the more you’re able to visualize…you really can learn to be creative as you paint. It’s like everything else—it just takes a little practice.

Bob Ross

How to Add Art for Homeschool

You don’t need to be an artist to add art to your homeschool or to teach your kids to think creatively. You just need to introduce it.

1. Get Discover the Greatest Artists unit study

I am not an artist, and I’ve never claimed to be. But I love the creative process and how things are made. My husband tells me there is an inner creative in me dying to come out.

A few years ago, our homeschool co-op emailed requesting an art teacher for the upcoming semester. I replied I could do it. From that one email, I ended up teaching several semesters. And I created my own unit study.

I wanted to create an art for homeschool unit study that was easy to do, step-by-step instructions, and suggested art projects. You only need to get art supplies and the books to go along. It is that easy. It is truly a unit study designed with the non-artist in mind, and it is an easy way to add art for your homeschool.

2. Books

If you aren’t ready to dive into a unit study, then get Mike Venezia’s books Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists. These are the books that I use to accompany the unit study. They make great read alouds for kids of all ages.

Yes, you will learn a lot about the artist and the artwork from these stories. The best part is you can find them anywhere—library, eBay, curriculum groups.

I highly recommend these books. We almost have the entire series of artists, and the kids love them.

3. Online

I love online learning. It is a great way to outsource those subjects that you don’t want to teach. Whether you want to learn art history or art technique, there is something online for everyone.

My older kids get a lot out of Skillshare classes. Whether it is traditional art, crafts, or digital art. They learn a lot.

ArtHubforKids is also another favorite for my younger crew. This is a great way to occupy active fingers, with few art supplies, and no mom time needed.

Conclusion: You Can Add Art for Homeschool Even if You Aren’t an Artist

Mom, you don’t need to be overwhelmed with one more subject. Grab Discover the Greatest Artists and easily add art for homeschool.

The post How to Add Art For Homeschool Even If You Aren’t An Artist appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

It is hard not to have two incomes. Yes, you can be really frugal, but it helps to have that second income coming it. Work from home mom jobs expanded in the last few years, making it possible to make money from home and homeschool.

While there are many work from home mom jobs, there are also several scams. Or things that you end up spending way too much time on for very little return.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn’t love free stuff. For more information, see my disclosures.

In this post I am going to answer many questions. But I can’t answer all your questions. I know, I am not supposed to say that. All the marketing gurus will tell me to be an authority. But that’s just annoying sometimes. That’s why this isn’t your ultimate guide. Or the best work from home mom jobs. There are times we just need straightforward and practical.

To a large degree, I am an authority. But I don’t know everything. What I can do is tell you what has personally worked for me. This isn’t some fluff piece; these are things I’ve actually done. Some worked, and some didn’t. Or these are things that other moms are very successful at.

In the post you will discover all the work from home mom jobs I’ve tried.

My Work from Home Mom Jobs

I wanted to work from home from the time I gave birth, and I had my first child. Motherhood changes you. But we lived in New York City, and it just wasn’t a possibility. Daycare was provided on site, so it was the next best thing.

I worked for 12 years in a 9-5 office job. And I longed to work from home and homeschool. I just wanted to be home with my kids. The oldest were in school and hating it. I just wanted the freedom to bring them home. I wanted to find the best job for mom that provided flexibility and fulfillment.

There was a point that I started exploring all my options. This was way before anyone was really working and homeschooling. So there wasn’t a lot on the internet. I knew I just needed to start.

I slowly started building my virtual assistant website. This was something I was going to do as a side-hustle until I could build it up…or so I thought. Going from 9 to 5 cubicle monkey to virtual assistant didn’t go according to plan. You can watch more of my mom entrepreneur transformation.

Work from Home Mom Jobs I’ve Tried

Here are some things that I tried. I put up a profile on Upwork. Actually, there were two different websites like this at the time. Eventually they merged into Upwork. So I put up profiles on these sites…crickets. I tried Survey Monkey because someone on Pinterest said you could make money with surveys. That was just funny. I got a pack of diapers out of it, but that was it. Also, I applied to a virtual assistant agency, but they paid barely above minimum wage, and I had to pay my own taxes…pass.

I upskilled and received a certification as a copyeditor from the University of California, San Diego Extended. But I haven’t done any copyediting. Yes, I edit and write, but this isn’t anything official that I’ve done. It is usually an extension of other admin tasks I do. Or in designing a magazine ad that millions saw. Things like that. Or ghostwriting and publishing a book for a client.

What I’ve actually done in my work from home mom jobs is to be the Swiss Army Knife for businesses. There are websites I’ve created. Books written. Bookkeeping kept. Fliers made. Posts written…on pressure washing (yes, I can write about anything). Contracts read. Invoices sent. Research done. New database built (I was more of the project manager and quality assurance). And so much more.

I’ve tried blogging, podcasting, and doing a YouTube channel…it is still a work in progress. There are books published on Amazon KDP. Yes, I make money from them, but it isn’t the life-changing money you see on YouTube. But I like doing it. Google Ads, affiliate marketing, creating digital products and courses. I am still waiting to see if I can actually make life-changing money from them.

You May Also Like:

How to Get Clients as an Introvert

How to Get Clients: 5 Ways to get Clients as a Virtual Assistant

Part Time Work from Home Jobs: Prepare before You Leap

Should I Start a Business?

This really depends on how quickly you need to make money. Starting a business is not a get rich quick scheme. It is a slow, plodding process.

When I started my virtual assistant business, I got my first client within two and a half months of launching. But it was someone I knew, and I already had a relationship with. Over the years, all of my clients have been people I know, or referred by people I know.

There are always pros and cons and risk involved. However, I thoroughly enjoy being an independent contractor. I enjoy setting my own hours and working on my own. Start here if you are ready to dip your toes into the waters of mom entrepreneur.

Work from Home Mom Jobs that Moms are Actually Doing

There are so many moms who are juggling working and homeschooling. They are creating morning routines and figuring out time management for moms who work from home. It is not easy, but it is also not impossible.

Here’s what some moms are doing while homeschooling their kids.

1. Virtual Assistant

This is what I’ve been doing for 10 years now. It is probably one of the easiest businesses to start because you can really do anything with a virtual assistant business. Are you ready to take the next steps on how to become a virtual assistant?

Check out my virtual assistant business.

2. Course Creator

Many people are making a good income creating courses. If you want to jump into this world, then check out Skillshare to get the skills you need.

You aren’t limited to creating courses just for moms. Is there a subject that you love to teach? Create a course or membership around this. Like Literary Adventures for Kids.

Check out my courses for mompreneurs and homeschool moms to get some ideas.

3. Piano Teacher

You need to have previous experience. My oldest daughter takes piano lessons from another homeschool mom. If you have the skill, then the homeschool market definitely has the demand.

When it comes to music lessons, homeschoolers prefer taking them from homeschool families.

4. Bookkeeping

You can do this even without prior experience. Yes, you need to learn the skills, but you can. I suggest getting certified in QuickBooks, and Skillshare also has classes on bookkeeping.

Yes, I offer this as part of my virtual assistant business too. My husband calls me a renaissance woman.

If you aren’t a specialist and not sure how to specialize, then read more on how to be successful in business as a generalist. You can.

5. Social Media Manager

Even though you know how to use social media, this doesn’t qualify you as a social media manager. But you can easily learn the skill. If you are starting from zero, then build the skills you need. There are many classes on the internet, and, of course, on Skillshare.

Yep, I’ve done this too.

Many businesses hate this aspect of marketing, but you can’t avoid. This creates a lot of demand for this skill.

6. Author

You can make money from your writing. It takes time (you need to write your book first), and people need to find you. This isn’t impossible, but it takes a lot of work.

And this one too. Check out my author page.

7. Paralegal

This can be a very lucrative business. Believe it or not, I actually haven’t done this. But I met another homeschool mom who offered her services to different lawyers. And she was busy.

8. Content Creator

You can still make money from writing a blog and producing content on YouTube and other places. But it is a lot of work, and it takes a lot of time.

If this is something you want to do, then get started now. Remember, it takes 10 years to be an overnight success.

9. Creating Products to Sell

It has never been easier to create a unique product and sell it online. You don’t even need to hold on to the inventory. You can upload the product to a store like Printify and sell it on Etsy. With the ease of use also comes more people in the market.

10. Evaluator

If you are a former teacher, then this is a great way to leverage your teaching license. Our state requires that homeschoolers either test or do a teacher evaluation. So this is an in-demand skill.

If your state has any of these requirements, then you can definitely create a business around evaluations at the end of the year.

11. Podcast Manager

The world of podcasting has gotten bigger, but there are many people who don’t know where to start. You can create a business around this service, and it is something that you can easily learn online.

12. Fitness Coach

This is one I haven’t done, but there are a lot of moms looking to improve their health. There are many ways to learn and get certified as a fitness coach.

13. Homeschool Coach

Homeschooling has grown 50% in the last five years. There are many families jumping in, who don’t know where to start or even how to do this homeschool thing. This is a great way to leverage your experience as a homeschooler.

What do you love about homeschooling? Create a business around it. Here are some homeschool coaches. Homeschool Family Legacy and Pocket Homeschool.

14. Online Business Manager

With so many businesses moving to the online space, this has become an in-demand job as well. Check out online business manager on LinkedIn. You will get many ideas about the services offered and the businesses looking for one.

15. Editor

Over the last 15 years or so, publishing has become more accessible to the common woman. We are no longer beholden to the big publishers to get our books out there.

This has also given rise to the supporting roles that are typically provided by publishers, like an editor. If you are good at shaping stories, then this is a skill you can create a business around. Or learn the skills you need. Yes, there are many copyediting courses out there. And you can add your profile to Reedsy and connect with authors.

There are so many more jobs that you can do, too. Here’s a list of almost 400 jobs that homeschool moms do.

How to Find Work from Home Mom Jobs

How do you actually find these work from home mom jobs? There are a few ways to do it. Join mom groups on Facebook. Here are a few of my favorites: Rebel Moms Club for Working Homeschool Mom, Christian Mompreneurs, Working Homeschool Mom Club, and Working Homeschool Moms Support Group.

Tell your friends and everyone you know. All of my clients through the years have been people I know, or referred by people that I know. I think this is one of the best ways to get clients.

Social media. Potential clients have contacted me through social media. However, I never take them on. I prefer to take on clients that are referrals. I would take on a client that I met via social media if I found the work to be interesting.

There are so many ways to get clients as a momtrepreneur.

Conclusion: Work from Home Mom Jobs

Mom, working from home and homeschooling is going to be the best thing you will ever do. Yes, there will be hard days. But you can do both confidently.

If you aren’t feeling confident or aren’t sure where to start, then grab the Rebel Mom Checklist. This is a no nonsense guide to working from home and homeschooling. Find actionable suggestions and practical help for work from home moms.

FAQ: Work from Home Mom Jobs

Q: What are the best work from home jobs for moms who homeschool?

A: There are many options available, including virtual assistant, course creator, piano teacher, bookkeeper, social media manager, author, paralegal, content creator, product seller, evaluator, podcast manager, fitness coach, homeschool coach, online business manager, and editor. Each job offers different levels of flexibility and opportunities based on your skills and interests.

Q: How can I start a business while homeschooling my kids?

A: Starting a business while homeschooling requires careful planning and time management. Begin by identifying your skills and passions, and then explore business ideas that align with them. Consider taking online courses to enhance your skills, and network with other mompreneurs for support and advice.

Q: How do I find clients for my work-from-home business?

A: Finding clients can be challenging but is achievable through various methods. Join mom groups on Facebook, tell your friends and family, use social media to showcase your work, and consider referrals from satisfied clients. Building a strong network and maintaining good relationships with clients are key to growing your business.

Q: Is it possible to balance work and homeschooling effectively?

A: Yes, it is possible to balance work and homeschooling with proper planning and time management. Create a schedule that includes dedicated time for both work and homeschooling. Establish routines, set realistic goals, and be flexible. Involving your kids in your work and teaching them independence can also help manage the balance.

Q: What should I avoid when looking for work-from-home opportunities?

A: Be cautious of scams and low-paying jobs that require excessive time and effort for little return. Avoid opportunities that seem too good to be true, require large upfront investments, or lack transparency. Research thoroughly and seek advice from trusted sources before committing to any work-from-home job.

Q: How can I upskill myself for better work-from-home opportunities?

A: There are many online platforms offering courses to help you upskill. Websites like Skillshare, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning provide training in various fields. Consider certifications in areas like bookkeeping, social media management, or virtual assistance to enhance your qualifications and increase your job prospects.

Q: Can I make a full-time income working from home while homeschooling?

A: Yes, many moms successfully make a full-time income from home while homeschooling. It may take time to build your business and client base, so be patient and persistent. Diversify your income streams by exploring multiple work-from-home opportunities and continuously improving your skills.

Q: What resources are available for moms who want to work from home and homeschool?

A: There are numerous resources available, including online courses, mompreneur communities, homeschooling groups, and business tools. Websites like Life Unboxed Blog, Facebook groups for working homeschool moms, and online business platforms provide valuable information, support, and networking opportunities.

Q: How do I handle the challenges of working from home and homeschooling?

A: Handling challenges requires flexibility, resilience, and a positive mindset. Establish clear boundaries between work and homeschooling, prioritize self-care, and seek support from other moms in similar situations. Adjust your schedule as needed and remember that it’s okay to ask for help when needed.

Q: What are some tips for managing time effectively as a work from home homeschooling mom?

A: Effective time management involves creating a structured schedule, setting priorities, and delegating tasks. Use tools like planners and calendars to organize your day. Involve your children in age-appropriate tasks to teach them responsibility and free up some of your time. Focus on one task at a time and avoid multitasking to maintain productivity.

The post Work From Home Mom Jobs: What Moms Do appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

Highschool credits are important regardless of the path your teenager takes. If your homeschooling highschool, then you need to know about highschool credits.

Understanding homeschool highschool credits is going to help you create a strong homeschool high school transcript, and preparing your teen for life beyond homeschool. If you’ve ever wondered how many credits your teen needs and how to assign them, you’re in the right place.

Yes, the idea of planning for high school can feel overwhelming at first, but let me help you simplify the process, so you can confidently plan for high school. Knowing how to track highschool credits and what to track will make it so much easier.

I am currently on my third high schooler and third driver, help us all, and I know the anxiety that I felt when my oldest was in 8th grade. I didn’t have a clue. In the moment it felt very stressful. But now that I am 3 kids deep, it is totally a piece of cake. Mom, you can do this, and it is easier than you think. Get all my tips for homeschooling high schoolers.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn’t love free stuff. For more information, see my disclosures.

Why do You Need to Track Highschool Credits?

Let’s talk tracking credits because these are going to be very important no matter what path you take to graduation. Yes, you give a diploma, and you can order one from HSLDA, but it is the transcript that is going to validate your diploma. And it is the credits on the transcript that are showing the completed courses.

That means a diploma doesn’t carry any weight without the transcript. Colleges, military, or any other institution will always ask for the transcript and not the diploma. It is the credits on the high school transcript that validates your homeschooling highschool. The diploma is just the certificate of completion.

What Exactly Are Highschool Credits?

A credit is a unit of measurement representing completed academic course work. The credits on a high school transcript represent the students time spent on the course.

Typically, one year’s worth of course work is 1 credit hour.  It is usually calculated at 150 hours of academic work is one credit and 75 hours is a half a credit, or 1 semester worth of work. These hours include course content, instruction time, and the time spent by the student on the work outside of the classroom or outside of the textbooks.

For example, Drivers Education is on my kids’ transcripts. They are required to do 50 hours of actual driving time, then we discussions, online drivers education, etc. All of this time spent on driver’s education comes to a half a credit, which is 75 hours.

I know what’s going through your mind, how do I actually determine if they put in the time? Do I need track hours now. The answer is no. Look at the publisher. Many times the publisher will mention how many credit hours the curriculum is. If the schedule requires them to work on the curriculum 5 days per week for 30-36 weeks, then this is a full-year course, and it is one credit hour.

If the curriculum is once a week for a year or it is 5 days per week for 15 weeks, then it is a half credit.

It is important to use reasonable judgement. You don’t want to inflate your kids’ academic performance, but you also don’t want to take away any achievements from them. When in doubt, look to see what the publisher recommends.

I know this might be more difficult if you are doing a literature-based or unschooling approach. In this case you might want to track hours more carefully. But I typically use a homeschool all in one curriculum, so there are probably better ways to track highschool credits for an unschooling approach.

Highschool Credit Standards

Now, let’s talk credits. Where did they even come from? The standard credit hour used is the Carnegie Credit. Now, before I go full nerd there are five states where the public schools use different credit values. Those states are California, Nebraska, New Jersey, Idaho, and Indiana. If you live in these states, you can follow the public schools’ credit system or you can use Carnegie Credits. The important thing is to be consistent with the system you use.

If you want to explore more on these other credit systems, then read this post.

Now, I am going to go full nerd for a minute, and let’s talk about Carnegie Credits. This is the standard credit that the majority of institutions use. This unit of measurement was developed in 1906 with the express purpose to measure how much time a student spent on a subject. The idea of credits was to standardize educational outputs and faculty loads.

The Carnegie Credit originally represented 120 hours of instruction. This comes out one full hour, 5 days per week, for a total of 24 weeks in a year. Remember, these hours are not just time spent in the textbook. Any time spent outside of the textbook on the subject counts.

I am done going full nerd and that if probably more information than you actually need, but I like to know the backstory of things.

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Where Will I Use Highschool Credits?

Credits are add to the high school transcript, and it is the transcript that will validate the diploma given. You can’t just give a diploma you also need a transcript.

The most important thing to know about credits is make sure your child is getting the right ones for his next step. While public schools will follow state or district requirements for high school graduation. There aren’t any state mandated requirements for high school.

Yes, there may be subject requirements for homeschoolers, but as of this writing states do not mandate graduation requirements. But each state is different, so double-check the specific requirements for your state.

That’s the easy part. Here is the big however. If your student is wanting to go to a four-year university, attend a two-year college, join the military, or another vocational path. All of these institutions will have entrance requirements for high school graduates.

Your student will need a high school transcript showing the specific subject areas that are required by these institutions as completed.

Properly assigning and tracking credits ensures your teen stays competitive and meets expectations for future opportunities.

Sample Homeschooling Highschool Plans

After high school plans will determine how you plan highschool credits, and it will vary. Total highschool credits are usually 20-30 credits for graduation. Here’s what a typical graduation plan looks like (this is just to give suggestions and educational purposes, please do your own research):

Planning for a 4-year University (approximately 26-30 credits)

• 4 credits of English
• 4 credits of Math
• 4 credits of Science
• 4 credits of History/Social Studies
• .5 credit of Personal Finance
• .5 credit of Health
• 1 credit of Physical Education
• 2 credits of Foreign Language (same language taken in consecutive years)
• 1 credit Computer Course
• 5 credits of Electives

Planning for a 2-year college, military, or trade school (approximately 24-28 credits)

• 4 credits of English
• 3 credits of Math
• 3 credits of Science
• 3 credits of History/Social Studies
• .5 credit of Personal Finance
• .5 credit of Health
• 1 credit of Physical Education
• 2 credits of Foreign Language (same language taken in consecutive years)
• 1 credit Fine Arts
• 6 credits of Electives

These plans are just to give you a general idea. Full disclosure, none of my 3 teens followed these plans to the letter. We used them as a guide and tailored high school for their interests.

Yes, they all did 2 years of a foreign language and health. My daughter has more Language Arts classes because that interests her. My son has more digital arts classes because that interests him. My oldest son had way too many science classes because we thought we needed them (we did not). They also do dual enrollment, and once they have their associates degrees the high school transcript really doesn’t matter anymore.

There really are so many options for homeschooling highschool. Find out what your child wants to do or if he doesn’t know (and that’s ok too), then set him up with the best possible outcomes. We decided to do college dual enrollment, so the kids would get an associate’s degree for really cheap, and an associate’s degree looks better on the resume than just a high school diploma. If they want to continue after that, it is up to them.

Keeping Track of Highschool Credits

Now that you have an idea of highschool credits, you need to keep track of them. The best way to do that is with a homeschool high school transcript. I usually create the transcript the summer before high school starts, and then I will update it every year. This way I have a current transcript, and I don’t need to try and remember everything they did for four years.

Disclaimer: Part of this is a sponsored post and I was compensated for my time to review and write about Master Books One Nation Under God. All opinions are always my own. For more information on sponsored posts, see my disclosure.

5 Homeschool High School Curricula Recommendations for Your Transcript

Whether your high school plan is aiming for a four-year university, a two-year college, the military, or something else. There are certain subjects that should be on the high school transcript: history, math, science, language arts, and personal finance. Here are some of my top curriculum choices.

1. Master Books One Nation Under God

If you are looking for history that is taught from a Christian worldview, then this is it. Understanding American history in a clear and truthful way is something that is lacking in our current culture. But it is necessary to know, as most of our media presents current events through a specific lens of history that is not always true or accurate.

History is nuanced, and we have to approach it with an understanding that it isn’t black and white. We can’t interpret everything as an either or proposition. We need to understand more than just the events of the time. It is important to also comprehend the motivations and what let up to a historical moment.

Master Books One Nation Under God goes beyond presenting events in chronological order. Students take a deeper dive into the impact on culture and analyzing events from a biblical worldview. And this is what sets it apart from other history curriculum. We are getting a more nuanced approach to the study of history. It is true what they say, if we don’t learn from history we are bound to repeat it. The learning from history isn’t just the events, but it is what motivated and influenced people to respond the way they did. This is what we need to learn from.

And can I just say the book is totally engaging. I picked it up, and my first thought was, “Maybe I should start reading textbooks for the fun of it.” It is one that I can see myself sitting down and reading on my own. That’s another perk of homeschooling, we can read textbooks just for the fun of it.

If you are looking for an American history for high school, add this one credit course to your transcript.

2. Mr D Math

Math isn’t my favorite subject. And I had to tell my kids, “I don’t remember anything about Algebra because I never used it after high school, but you still need to take it because colleges require it.” Math is one of those subjects that you can’t get around. So whether it is your least favorite or you love it, Mr D Math is one of my favorite programs to recommend.

Mr. D Math offers both live and self-paced high school math classes. The courses are engaging, interactive, and gamified, which makes math feel a little less painful and a lot more motivating.

They offer courses from pre-algebra all the way through calculus, so it can carry your student through the high school years. The program is also fully accredited, if that is something you are looking for. But remember, your homeschool curriculum does not have to be accredited.

If you are dreading high school math, Mr. D Math just might save your sanity. And these courses are one credit of math to add to your transcript.

3. Master Books Forensic Science

This is a fun way to engage your kids with science. It takes various ideas from different scientific disciplines and applies them in a practical way. Two of my high school students did Intro to Forensics Science and enjoyed it more than other science curricula.

At the time, I only wished they had a Master Books Academy class for it. And now they do! It is an online course that includes auto-grades, always a plus. It also provides lab demonstrations, which my kids would have found very helpful. This course does address real criminal cases and sensitive topics. My kids never had any issues with the topics discussed.

If you want a science curriculum that peaks your child’s interest and engages them in a practical way, then check out Intro to Forensic Science. And there are labs, so if your child does the recommended labs within the course, then this is 1.5 credits for the transcript.

4. Sonlight Language Arts

Sonlight’s Language Arts programs take the approach of listening to good writing, look at good writing, copy good writing, and writing on their own. They focus on using real books for their language arts curriculum.

My oldest son enjoyed this program for his high school. He hated textbooks, but could completely engage with real books and stories. He even bought himself more Shakespeare. If you have a child that loves to read, then this is the perfect program for them.

This is one credit of literature, and either .5 to 1 credit for composition. The composition credit depends on the quantity of optional writing and other work your student does. It is really up to you. And you don’t have to use the designation of English on the transcript. I’ve used Literature and Composition as well.

5. Foundations in Personal Finance: Homeschool Edition

This isn’t a subject that we talk about a lot. Yet, if you are planning for the next steps it is looked for on the transcript. All of my kids have used Dave Ramsey’s Foundations for Personal Finance. It has given them a clear understanding of how finance works.

We build on the principles taught in the course by creating a budget when they get their first jobs. This has been a requirement for all my kids, when the first paycheck hits the bank. They have to sit down with me and plan out a detailed budget. We talk about an emergency fund and why it is important for the future. Then we plan for big expenses, like saving for a car because they all have to buy their own car.

This class gives them a good foundation on managing their finances for the future. Whether you agree with everything he teaches (I don’t always agree), this is still a practical class that gives good advice for future planning. While it is a half credit for the transcript, it is also good life-skills learning.

Conclusion: Confidently Navigating Homeschooling Highschool

Assigning and tracking homeschool high school credits may seem complicated, but once you understand the system you realize how easy it is.

Download your free high school planning guide now!

High School Planning Guide

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FAQS: Homeschool Highschool Credits

Can I make up my own courses?

Yes! You can create customized courses that meet your teen’s interests and needs. Just make sure to document the objectives, materials, and assessments.

How many hours equal one credit?

Generally, 120–150 hours of instruction equals one credit. However, if your student masters the material in less time, it’s still valid to count it as a full credit.

Do homeschool credits really count for college?

Absolutely. As long as your records are clear and well-documented, colleges accept homeschool credits. In fact, many colleges actively recruit homeschoolers.

Can I include work experience as credit?

Yes, work experience can count as elective credit under career education, business, or life skills.

What if my state has no homeschool credit requirements?

In that case, use college admissions standards or nearby school district guidelines as your roadmap. It’s better to aim high and cover your bases.

The post Highschool Credits Made Simple: Homeschooling Highschool appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

Are you a rebel mom? You know a mom who breaks all the rules. Forges her own path and defines success on her own terms.

If you are, then this is the place for you. If you want to be a rebel mom, and decide how you want to work and school. This this is for you too.

Can You have it All as a Mom?

We’ve heard certain things our whole lives. Go to school, get a job, establish your career, and then  decide if you want to have a family. The problem with this logic is by the time you decide to start a family, it may be too late.

Is this the best wisdom or advice?

I started having kids young…or what would be considered young. At twenty-four I had my first child. I was living in New York City at the time, and this was incredible to many people. And when I had my second son, the questions I was asked made me roll my eyes.

Most random people I met on the street couldn’t fathom why I was having kids at such a young age.

As women, we are conditioned our whole lives to see career and family in a certain way. And usually in that order. Then when we become parents that thinking is challenged, but often times we don’t know what to do with it.

Is it possible to have it all? That really depends on what all means. Yes, it is possible to work and homeschool. You can contribute to the family budget and still raise your kids. It may not look like high-powered mom boss though. More than likely, it will look like day pjs and a messy bun.

If you want to have it all, then you need to decide what that all looks like for you. Even if it breaks all the rules of what we were always told is the right way. You can define success on your own terms.

It is time to be a rebel mom.

A Rebel Mom Must Define Success on Her Terms

I don’t want to do what every one tells me I should do. At some point, we need to step out of the rat race or get off the hamster wheel, and change our thinking.

We’ve been told our entire lives that success should be defined as a bigger house, bigger car, and bigger bank account. This is a lie. There I said it. What if you defined success by other standards? What would that look like?

Is it following your dream for a career? Or following your passion for your kids? Is it deciding that you never wanted to be in the rat race in the first place, and stepping out of it. Or working less hours, but making enough to cover homeschool curriculum?

Mom, you have permission to change who people think you should be, and carve out your own path. You might not be the woman you thought you were. Or the woman you were conditioned to think you should be.

Steps to Take to be a Rebel Mom

If you want to be a rebel mom and define success on your own terms, you can. It is possible to value family, and place family as the priority.

This probably won’t happen overnight. It did not for me. This was a process of about 10 years. I know it seems like a really long time, but there were things that needed to happen to get to a place where this was a possibility.

Now that I am 10 years into this, I am grateful that I didn’t give up. Even when I couldn’t see how this would ever happen.

1. Consider where you are now

Where you live will be a major player in venturing into rebel mom life.

For example, I knew that we would never be able to make a change while we lived in New York City. The only way this would work is by leaving. It was totally impossible to stay in New York City and be able to be at home with the kids. For one, the cost of living was way too high.

Do you need to change your location to make this work?

2. Where do you want to be

If you want to plan well, then you need to know the direction to head in. Do you want to be on a farm? Or near family? Do you want to road school and travel with your kids?

Think about what you want to do. What is your end result? What is it going to take to get there. You need to know where you want to be, so you can start traveling in that direction.

Yes, directions may shift and change. You may even change your mind, but start moving in a direction.

3. Look at your budget

There is a love-hate relationship that most people have with money. We love what we can do with it, but hate how dependent we are on it.

You need to take a long hard look at your budget. And a realistic one. More than likely, you will need to cut your income to start with. You may not stay there, but it is usually the case when you start any venture. It is important to prepare before you take the leap.

Figure out your absolute minimum budget, then work from there.

4. What do you want to do and what can you do

There are so many work from home jobs that you can do. It is easy to get overwhelmed by all your choices.

I like to start all my new ideas with a mom notebook and pen. Writing things down helps me to clarify my ideas.

Get out a mom journal and start writing down what you want to do. And what you can do.

This is not about passion for a career. Your passion is for your family. So what do you need to do to make it happen. Your motivation is all about your kids. It is possible to have a career that you aren’t passionate about in order to pay the bills. And be happy with it. You can create the life you love that doesn’t include a career you love.

I know this is really rebel mom style now. This goes against everything, everyone will tell you is the right way. But if you want to create a rebel mom lifestyle, be the most influential person in your kids’ lives, then you can have a career that is not based in passion.

5. Take the next baby step

Yes, that is all you need to do. Just take the next step. I know we want to sprint and jump over walls, but it isn’t always possible. That’s ok. Just take the next baby step.

It may take 10 years or it may take less time. What is the next baby step you can take to move you in this direction?

Conclusion: You Can be a Rebel Mom

Mom, you can define success on your own terms. Family and career doesn’t need to be in conflict with each other. But this won’t happen overnight. Just take the next baby step.

If you don’t know where to start, then check out the Mom Boss 2.0 course. I hold your hand and walk you through the process of starting a business on your own. The best part, it won’t break the bank. I want to enable you to be a rebel mom.

The post How To Be A Rebel Mom And Succeed At Life appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

What does success look like for you? We have so many people defining how to be successful that we need to pause and define it for ourselves.

How to be successful. Is it defined, in your mind, by a bigger house, a bigger car, and a bigger bank account? This is how traditional success is typically defined. But for the work from home and homeschool mom, how to be successful looks completely different.

The Instagram reels will try to tell us success looks like six figures, or a homestead, or perfect sourdough bread. But that also doesn’t work for work from home and homeschool moms.

It is time to go outside of the box and define how to be successful on our own terms. We need a definition that fits real life, not a polished fantasy.

The Problem with the Traditional Definition of Success

The usual definition of success, or how our culture views success is often measured by money, titles, or some kind of visible achievements. While these things do matter in some instances, they don’t tell the whole story for a mom juggling kids, clients, and home.

Success if often defined by a big promotion, awards, an increase in income, and visible public milestones achieved. These are easy to see and applaud.

On the other hand, a mother’s work if often done behind the scenes. It isn’t visible to the public. We are growing businesses, serving clients, teaching kids, making meals, and keeping everyone’s schedule. This isn’t flashy, most people don’t post it on Instagram, and it doesn’t always get applauded. But it is worth it.

If we want to define success on our own terms, then we can’t look to the traditional definitions of how to be successful because they don’t fit. That’s why it feels discouraging when we try to define success according to the usual standard. But we’ve carved out our own path and that requires a new definition of success.

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How to be Successful as a Work from Home Mom

Real success as a work from home and homeschool mom needs to be shaped around purpose and values. Your ideas of success need to conform to what works for you. You can’t be shaped by the traditional view of success because that is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. If success is going to fit you, then it must be shaped by you.

Think about what is important to you. Is being home with your kids? Being the biggest influence in their lives? Having slow mornings? Spending time together? What do you value and what is the purpose of your homeschool?

Success comes down to doing what matters most to you in the season you’re in.

Some seasons are for growth, while others are simply for survival. A mom with toddlers, homeschool lessons, and client work may not be in a season where you can do everything. That does not mean you are failing. It means you are living in reality. Success should fit the season you are actually in.

Success is building a life that matches your values.

Your work from home life should be the engine that supports your homeschool. Yes, there will be busy seasons for your business, but it shouldn’t consume your life. You work so it can provide the resources you need for your family. How to be successful is about creating a life that matches what you value most. And sometimes that is not the six-figure business.

Success is not perfection.

Sometimes good enough is enough. You don’t need a perfect routine, perfect home, or perfect business plan to be successful. A good enough routine, you know one that makes everything run smoother. A good enough home, you know one that works for your family without adding stress. And a good enough business, you know one that gives you just what your budget is looking for while still having flexibility.

Many times these are enough.

Stop borrowing other people’s definition of success and define it for yourself.

Shift Your Mindset on How to be Successful

Every family has different needs. How to be successful for me may not be the same for you. But there are some mindset shifts that we can all make to define success on our own terms.

1. Account for your limitations

Energy, health, and the age of your kids will affect your season of success. Working with a newborn is not going to be the same as working with a teen. This is not making excuses, but recognizing that there are things that will limit you. And that’s ok. It is just a season.

Ignoring your limitations does not make you stronger. It just makes your more tired.

2. Ditch hustle culture

Hustle culture has been everywhere for years now. It tells us to work harder, sleep less, and keep pushing. But this falls apart quickly with family needs and everything else. I already get little sleep, how can I get even less? A life that looks productive but leaves you exhausted and miserable is not success. If you are struggling with mom burnout, maybe it’s time to ditch hustle culture.

3. Stop comparing

Comparison gets us every time, and it can make success feel impossible. Yes, it is easier for a mom with one child to be a homeschool curriculum snob and build a six-figure business. That’s her reality, but it is not mine. Trying to measure my success with someone else’s measuring tape is going to leave me feeling like I’m not measuring up.

Your trade-offs and struggles are not the same as someone else’s polished image online. And to be honest, that polished image isn’t showing you everything.

4. What are your real priorities

Your success needs to be defined by what is important to you. Maybe success means bringing in extra income without sacrificing homeschooling. Or it means paying bills, reducing stress, or creating a calmer home rhythm. Define your success by your priorities.

5. It can change

The most important part of defining success is understanding that it can change. Your definition of success should change with your seasons. It doesn’t need to stay the same. As your family changes and your business grows, your definition of how to be successful should change too.

Conclusion: A Better Definition of How to be Successful for This Season

Success as a work from home mom is not about doing everything perfectly. It is about building a life that works for your family, reflects your values, and supports the season you are in right now. That kind of success may not always look impressive from the outside, but it is real.

You do not need to chase a version of success that leaves you exhausted and discouraged. You can define success in a way that is practical, healthy, and honest. When you do, you stop chasing everything and start focusing on what matters most. And that is a much better way define how to be successful.

FAQs: How to be Successful as a Work from Home and Homeschool Mom

Q: What does success look like for a work from home mom?

A: Success looks different for every family, but it usually means meeting your key priorities without constantly running on empty.

Q: How can a work from home mom be successful without burning out?

A: She can set realistic expectations, simplify routines, protect her time, and make rest part of the plan.

Q: Why do moms struggle with feeling successful?

A: Many moms use impossible standards and ignore the value of the invisible work they do every day.

Q: Can you be successful and still have messy days?

A: Yes. Messy days are part of real life. Success is about continuing forward, not avoiding all hard days.

Q: How do I redefine success in my current season?

A: Start by looking at your values, responsibilities, and capacity. Then create simple priorities and goals that fit your real life.

The post How To Be Successful: Redefining Success As Work From Home Mom appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

What does failing forward mean? Failing forward is one of those phrases we hear all the time. But, at this point, it has reached the status of losing its meaning.

This is one of those statements that is at the top of all the mindset guru’s lists. But what does failing forward mean? Is it really possible to always fail forward. Is failure always a bad thing?

People who avoid failure also avoid success.

What Does Failing Forward Mean When Failure is Inevitable

There are so many hard feelings that surround failure. Especially, if you are a perfectionist.

Here’s the thing about failure, it is inevitable. How we respond to it, and what we do with it shows who we really are. This is probably the best answer to what does failing forward mean.

How do we let failure change us for the better?

Is Failure an Excuse or a Teacher

Failure is ok, necessary, and unavoidable. It is not the end of the world…but it may feel like it in the moment. Failure doesn’t need to be shameful either.

When Coke launched New Coke in 1985, it was a disaster. People rebelled against the change. Even going so far as to publicly dump it down Seattle sewers. This was a shock because Coke did all the right things. They product tested it, and they had a secure place in American lives. Everything pointed to success.

No expected the outrage. After 77 days, the previous version of Coke was brought back. Was this a dismal failure, or is this the perfect example of what does failing forward mean.

However, in hindsight, all the historians see that it was a great move because Coke sales soared when they returned the Classic Coke. But at the time it seemed like a terrible failure. Like lose your job failure.

We can either accept our failures and allow them to teach us. Or use them as an excuse for never growing or changing.

What Does Failing Forward Mean When Bad Things Happen

There are things that we experience that were out of our control. And all the cliched statements—just fail forward or what doesn’t kill you only makes your stronger—aren’t helpful. They lack substance. Really, can anyone tell you exactly how to fail forward or get stronger, when circumstances are so devastating you never really recover?

What would you think if I told you this isn’t a true statement. That it has been scientifically debunked. Would you breathe a sigh of relief because your difficult circumstances haven’t made your stronger?

What would you do if you were given permission to recognize that there have been hard things in your life that beat you down. Learning from experience is understanding that those circumstance don’t need to make you stronger, but you just need to realize it is time to get back up.

As moms, sometimes, we just need those hard places validated.

Jodie the Mom

You don’t have to think positively about every situation. Sometimes you need time to bring a different outlook and you can’t rush the process.

I know the nice advice people offer—think positively, have a growth mindset, create positive self-talk. What if you can’t? What if you just aren’t at that place. It is ok. You don’t have to be.

Some Endings Should Happen

I know many well-meaning people want to encourage you to never give up. But what about times when don’t give up is the wrong advice?

Sometimes failing means that you need to end something that is not working, so you can redirect your resources. We have limited resources—time, money, energy—we need to put these resources into something else.

There are some endings that are necessary. In the moment, it can feel like total and complete failure. But it is what you need to propel you to your next step.

What we see as failure is success in the waiting.

Jodie the Mom

You may also like

• Hello Moms: My Story from Corporate Workhorse to Momtrepreneur
• Stop Feeling Like a Failure and Start Winning for Life
• Mom’s No Good Very Bad Day

3 Steps Required to Fail Forward

Failure is hard. It can knock you down, but it doesn’t have to knock you out. Failure is inevitable. It is your choice whether it will move your forward or stop you in your tracks. If you are ready to fail forward, then apply these three steps.

1. Recognize the process

Each time we fail, it should change us. There are always lessons learned from every failure. Recognize the process in your life and apply the lessons learned to your next steps.

Admit where you are at. Acknowledge your emotions. Start to process your feelings. And make a list of next steps.

It is ok to acknowledge you are in a hard place. That you are disappointed with how things turned out, but don’t stay in that place. Let this moment teach you the lessons you need to learn.

2. Failure is not final

Failure doesn’t determine your success. In the moment, it may feel like there is nothing more left. But failure is not final. Remember that.

Have you heard of the game Lexiko or Criss-Cross Words? Probably not. But have you heard of the game Scrabble?

Lexiko and Criss Cross Words were the early versions of Scrabble that were rejected by Parker Brothers and Milton Bradley. In 1949, the game was purchased by James Brunot, and he immediately lost money on it. Then in 1952, it all changed. An executive at Macy’s discovered the game, and suddenly they couldn’t keep up with demand. In 1953, they sold 800,000 games and still couldn’t keep up with demand.

Failure is not final.

3. It is the next step to success

See failure as making room for something else. We have limited time and energy. Do you want to keep spending your time and energy on something that isn’t working? Or is it time to shift gears to something else? Failure is just the next step to success. Take everything that you’ve learned and apply it to your next endeavor.

Conclusion: What Does Failing Forward Mean

Failing forward means you take all the lessons learned and move forward. Yes, failure is painful, and you will need to process the emotions. But it is not final.

What are some lessons you’ve learned from failure?

The post What Does Failing Forward Mean appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

Homeschooling high schoolers means you are almost finished homeschooling. Unless, there are younger kids, then it is just the start of a new and exciting chapter in your homeschool journey.

But homeschooling high schoolers might feel like a giant leap from the elementary years. And you are also planning for after high school, college or not to college, and really preparing your students for the rest of their lives.

No pressure, right?

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn’t love free stuff. For more information, see my disclosures.

This stage of parenting, high schoolers, is really the hardest stage of parenting. Even if your teens are fabulous, and I think mine are, it is still a really challenging stage. I heard some great advice when it comes to parenting teens. It is probably the best advice I’ve heard, and I am going to share it with you. Here is the advice: Just hold on. I just felt this deep in my soul when I heard it.

Even though high schoolers are the hardest stage of parenting because the stakes are high for growth, independence, and meaningful learning experiences (dumb decisions anyone). There are still some essential tips to help homeschool high schoolers with confidence, clarity, and courage.

Mom, you can do this. Is it easy? Nope, but it is doable. This post is going to give you the essential tips to homeschool high schoolers.

Plan for Homeschooling High Schoolers

I am all about planning. For the most part, when kids are left to their own devices chaos ensues. So make a plan. It doesn’t mean you will follow it to the letter, but think of it as more of a guide. You don’t want to get to senior year and realize your student doesn’t meet the requirements for his plans after high school.

Homeschooling high schoolers is all about planning for what comes after high school. If your student wants to attend college, join the military, or something else, they will have requirements for high school. Colleges and military do have expectations for high school students, so find out what they are before you start planning for your high schooler.

My 3 teens all had a different response to high school. My oldest didn’t know what he wanted to do, my second responded with a shrug, and my daughter has the next 10 years planned out. Since my oldest two didn’t know what direction to head in, I planned for them to get their associates degree in high school. This gives them really cheap tuition, and it puts them on the path with the most options. They can easily join the military, continue with college, or get a job after high school. My daughter is also working on her associates degree because it fits with her 10 year plan.

However you plan, remember to be flexible with your plans.

High School Planning Guide

Download your free editable high school planning guide. Plan 4-years of high school with confidence. Get a category transcript, yearly transcript, university sample plans, dual enrollment colleges, and more!

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Essential Tips for Homeschooling High Schoolers

1. How to Create a High School Plan

You want to plan homeschool high school with after high school in mind. If your child has a certain college he wants to attend, then you will need to find out what that college requires for incoming students.

I have yet to find a state that has graduation requirements, so you get to set the standard for graduation. You get to determine the credit hours your student needs. You have the freedom to determine what your high school looks like.

Need help with high school planning? The be sure to download my high school planning guide. It even comes with sample plans that you can customize for your high school.

2. Transcripts are Important for High Schoolers

Yes, it is important to create a transcript. You never know when you will need it, and it is better to have it just in case then to try and go back and remember four years of high school.

Psst…transcript templates are included in the homeschooling planning guide above.

Here’s the funny thing with transcripts. You might not need it, but if you do you will wish you had it. Also, it is much easier to update the transcript every year.

I create the transcript template at the start of their high school, and then I just update it as we go along. It is very easy to do it this way. And by the end of their high school, they have a complete record. It is the most painless ways to do it.

Or you can use something like Homeschool Planet, and they have a transcript template built in already.

3. Get Input from Your High Schooler

If you want to create independent thinkers, then you need to let them have input on their curriculum. We need to start shifting responsibility to our teens. This is the hardest stage of parenting, and they will make dumb mistakes. But we are here to teach them the process of making an important decision.

You are still the final decision maker, but show your teen the plan, and include him in the process. It creates ownership and more motivation in your teen.

4. Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment is a great way to earn a degree while paying very cheap tuition. You can replace high school classes with college classes and your teen can earn a degree in high school or right after.

It boosts a teens resume. College degree on a resume is more meaningful than just high school. Also, if your child wants to attend a 4-year university, once a college degree is received, in my experience, the high school transcript isn’t requested. Everyone is looking at the college transcript now. But you should still keep a high school transcript, just in case.

You May Also Like:

Homeschool Dual Enrollment: Your Ultimate Guide

Dual Enrollment Decoded: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

10 Benefits of Teens in the Home

5. Do You Need SAT/ACT?

You do not need these tests to graduate high school. Also, if you are already attending college through dual enrollment you won’t need them either.

In my experience the only time you need them is if the college requires it. Ask the college to confirm that it is needed. If you are planning to join one of the military academies. If you want to be eligible for more scholarships.

Go back to your plan and decide if these tests are necessary.

6. Life Skills and Responsibility for Your High Schoolers

We need to prepare our kids for responsibility on their own. That includes things like budgeting (and living within it), how to buy a car, taxes, laundry, cooking, and time management, these are essential skills for every young adult.

Incorporate these skills into their weekly routine. When my oldest kids got their first jobs before they could spend any money, we created a budget together. I showed them how to update it and keep track of where their money was going.

I know it is easier for us to keep doing everything and sometimes it is less stressful for us to just do it. Especially if it is a new task that takes them outside of their comfort zone. But our job is to nudge them to do these things. Once something is successfully accomplished, it builds confidence in your teen.

Create opportunities for your teen to take increasing responsibility over their life and schedule. This prepares them for college, work, or living on their own with confidence.

7. Be Flexible

Your plans will change. As you figure things out and your teen gets a better idea of what he wants to do, you will adjust your plans.

The most important thing you can do is to remain flexible through these years. Set your graduation requirements (how many credits are needed), but be flexible on how you get there.

Sometimes the best learning moments aren’t in your planner. And that’s the beauty of homeschooling. Stay open to spontaneity, creativity, and connection.

Disclaimer: Part of this is a sponsored post and I was compensated for my time to review and write about Master Books World Geography and Cultures for high schoolers. All opinions are always my own. For more information on sponsored posts, see my disclosure.

Curriculum for High Schoolers

Here are some of my curriculum recommendations for high schoolers.Whether you want to go eclectic or all in one, here are some of my favorite recommendations

1. Mr D Math

This is one of my favorite math programs to recommend for high school. I have always struggled to help my kids with high school. It isn’t because I’m bad at math, I always did well, it is because I can’t remember it any more. I haven’t used it since high school, and so I can’t remember all the steps.

Mr D Math offers live or self-paced high school classes. They are gamified, which brings learning math to a new level of fun, engagement and motivation. The program is fully accredited, if you want that, but your curriculum doesn’t need to accredited.

The math courses offered by Mr D Math range from pre-algebra to calculus. If you are dreading math as you approach high school, then Mr D Math just might save your sanity.

2. Master Books Geography

Geography is one of my favorite subjects and this can make your high school learning so much fun.  Explore the world with Master Books World Geography. Your student will understand how geography shapes human life, culture, and history.

This is a full year one credit social study course. If your student is applying to a four year university or has other plans, Master Books Geography exceeds the standard. The structure of the course is designed for students to be independent, which is always a plus in my book.

The best part of using Master Books World Geography and Cultures are the colorful pictures throughout the textbook. Your students are not only learning and engaging with the culture, but also immersing themselves in the landscape.

The textbook covers all six inhabited continents, giving in-depth profiles of the major regions of each continent. Your high schoolers will learn more than landforms, weather, and culture. They will understand how these resources shape the way people live and understand global events.

3. Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science

This is another subject that I love to outsource. Between the teaching and the science labs this is not a class that I enjoy. That’s why I highly recommend Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science. He is a former college professor that offers classes from 4th grade through high school.

If you want to give your kids a homeschool science with faith-based values that is going to shape their critical thinking and understanding of the world around them, then you need to get Greg Landry Homeschool Science.

High school classes offered: biology, chemistry, conceptual physics, anatomy & physiology, and more! But most important the classes also offer virtual labs. No more science experiments on your kitchen counters.

4. Master Books Worldviews in Conflict

This is one of those must teach electives for your high school student. If your student is going to college, the military, or something else after high school, then they need to understand the worldviews that they will be facing.

We want our kids to be independent thinkers and understand how to process information. Before they can do that, they need the right foundation and understanding of ideas. Ideas have consequences. Those ideas unfold throughout the events of history. If we want to truly understand why something happened, then it is imperative to study how the ideas developed over time.

The pursuit of knowledge is a good and necessary endeavor. But when this pursuit becomes untethered from truth, the result is bad philosophy. It is important to know how to answer bad ideas because some of these ideas have had a devastating effect on western civilization.

There are a lot of ideas out there, so where do you even start to gain an understanding of them? If you want your high schoo

5. Sonlight

This is one of my favorite all in one curriculum. High school can feel overwhelming trying to put it altogether. If you want an easy open and go curriculum that uses a lot of real books, then check out Sonlight.

If your teen isn’t a fan of textbooks, but loves to read books, then this is a great program for high school. It is a literature-based program that does all the heavy lifting and planning for you.

This was the perfect program for my oldest son. When we switched to it in high school, I finally felt like we got the right curriculum. He enjoys reading, but hates textbooks. This curriculum really engaged him for high school.

6. Abeka

My daughter has used Abeka Academy since second grade. Anytime I asked if she wanted to try something new, she always refused. If you want an open and go curriculum, then this is a good option.

Abeka is a more traditional school curriculum, especially if you use the DVDs. She wanted to use the DVDs for science and math, but didn’t find them necessary for the other classes.

Abeka makes high school planning very easy because you just follow their plan for each year of high school. It is a rigorous program, so my daughter easily transitioned to college classes.

7. Dual Enrollment

My three oldest kids have all done dual enrollment. It is a great way to get a jump start on college and pay really cheap tuition.

College dual enrollment is exactly what it sounds like. Your high school student is taking college classes while in high school. Pretty simple. There are a lot of colleges that will do dual enrollment. If there is a particular college you are interested in, check to see if they offer it.

Keep this in mind, many colleges offer lower tuition rates for high school students. In your search, make sure you are in the dual enrollment section of the college. Search for dual enrollment, early college, or something like that. Tuition is much cheaper.

Also, keep in mind that not all colleges will offer a degree. There may also be a limit to how many credits a high school student can take. I also discovered that many colleges won’t offer a super-senior year. The dual enrollment tuition is just for 4 years of high school. Then regular tuition kicks in. That can be three times the amount of dual enrollment tuition. So keep these things in mind as you are planning your homeschool dual enrollment program.

Books for High Schoolers

I have lots of book reviews for all ages. If you need some great book recommendations for high school, then check out my book review section.

Conclusion: Homeschool High Schoolers Confidently

Homeschooling high schoolers may seem overwhelming at first, but with a bit of planning you can guide your teen with confidence through these years and onto the next step.

Plan your teen’s high school in pencil and not in pen. If your teens are unsure of the next steps, then give them the most balanced high school plan. For us that means dual enrollment and an associate’s degree in high school.

You don’t need to have it all figured out today—you just need to take the next step.

Download the high school planning guide now.

High School Planning Guide

Download your free editable high school planning guide. Plan 4-years of high school with confidence. Get a category transcript, yearly transcript, university sample plans, dual enrollment colleges, and more!

Subscribe

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Built with Kit

FAQs: Homeschooling High Schoolers

Q: Is it hard to homeschool a high schooler?

A: It can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. With the right resources and mindset, many parents find it becomes easier over time.

Q: How do I issue a diploma as a homeschool parent?

A: As the administrator of your homeschool, you have the right to issue a diploma. It’s all about documenting the work on a transcript which validates the diploma.

Q: What if my teen wants to go back to public school?

A: That’s a valid concern. If it happens, work with the school to transfer credits and ensure a smooth transition. Keep detailed records just in case.

Q: Do colleges accept homeschoolers?

A: Yes, many colleges actively recruit homeschoolers and often view them as independent, motivated learners. Make sure your teen has a strong transcript and, if applicable, test scores or portfolios to showcase their work. Speak with the colleges to find out what they require for enrollment.

Q: Can my teen still do sports and extracurriculars?

A: Absolutely. Many homeschoolers participate in community leagues, private classes, and local clubs. Some states even allow homeschoolers to join public school teams.

Giveaway ends February 5th at 19:59pm ET.  Winners will be drawn and emailed the following day. The winners will have 48 hours to respond to email to claim the prize.  By entering this giveaway you will be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers. (you may cancel at any time) You must live in the United States or Canada to be eligible to win. 

The post Essential Tips For Homeschooling High Schoolers appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

Karen Swallow Prior’s On Reading Well is basically a permission slip to stop treating books like “content” you consume and start treating them like mentors you keep. It’s warm, smart, and surprisingly practical—like having a thoughtful professor friend who also understands you have laundry in the dryer and a kid asking for a snack right now.

You don’t have to be an English major to enjoy this. You just need to be someone who wants to read with a little more purpose.

The skills required to read well are no great mystery. Reading well is, well, simple (if not easy).

Author: Karen Swallow Prior

Genre: Nonfiction, Christian Living, Books & Reading

Recommend: Yes

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn’t love free stuff. For more information, see my disclosures.

Overview On Reading Well

On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books explores how classic literature can shape virtue and character. Prior pairs a selection of great books with specific virtues (like courage, humility, perseverance, and love), showing how stories train our hearts and minds in ways a checklist never will.

It’s part literary guide, part spiritual formation, part gentle nudge to pick up better books and let them work on you.

Summary

On Reading Well is organized around virtues, and each virtue is connected to a classic work of literature. Prior explains why that virtue matters, how the story illustrates it, and how reading that kind of story can shape the reader over time.

This isn’t a dry literature lecture. It’s more like: “Here’s what this story reveals about being a good person—and here’s how it can form you if you let it.” She blends literary insight, personal reflection, and Christian worldview without turning the whole thing into a sermon with footnotes.

Key Themes

• Virtue is formed, not downloaded: Stories don’t just entertain, they train our instincts and imagination toward the good.
• The moral life is complex: Literature helps you wrestle with messy human motives and real-world consequences.
• Reading as discipleship of the imagination: If you’re a Christian reader, Prior makes a strong case that what you read shapes what you love—and what you love shapes how you live.
• Slow reading is a rebellious act: In a world of scrolling, demand a book that demands of you.

Who Should Read On Reading Well

Readers who love books and want their reading life to mean something beyond skimming the page and reading quickly.

Homeschool parents and teachers who want a virtue-based way to choose classics (and explain why they matter).

Anyone building a personal reading list and looking for guidance without feeling talked down to.

If you hate classics, this might not convert you overnight, but it will at least make you understand why people keep recommending them like they’re sourdough starter.

If I was rating this book like a movie, I’d give it a PG rating. It’s thoughtful, faith-forward, and literature-focused. The book discusses classic novels that may include heavier themes (because humans have always been a mess), but Prior handles everything with maturity and care.

Final Verdict On Reading Well

On Reading Well is the kind of book that makes you want to clear a spot on the couch, make coffee, and read like your soul depends on it, because Prior makes a convincing case that, in a way, it does.

I like this book. However, I didn’t agree with all her conclusions on morality, but we don’t have to in order to enjoy the book and get something out of it.

This would be great for a book club or for your homeschool high school. It is a book that requires conversation, so if you are going to recommend it for your homeschool students, read it with them so you can discuss and get the most out of it.

This book is inspiring without being cheesy, intelligent without being snobby, and it might just change what ends up on your nightstand next.

The post On Reading Well: A Book Review appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom