Category Encouragement

Thoughts, quotes, and ideas to refresh and encourage you as a parent and homeschool teacher.

Homeschool mom and daughter

The Wonderful Ease of Having a Plan

I am at peace. My mind can focus happily as I write this note. It is not wrestling with little nagging thoughts that flit in uninvited and interrupt the flow. How did I achieve this happy state?, you ask. Yesterday…

homeschool mom cooking with daughter

A Day of Small Things

Today was a day of small things. It looked something like this: Walk the dog Clear off kitchen counter Make grocery list at breakfast Take a phone message Put a load of jeans in the washer Teach young one’s schoolwork…

We give thanks to God

A Feast of Joy and Thanksgiving

Our family is preparing for a large family reunion this week. One of the biggest parts of that preparation is planning the menus and gathering the ingredients for our time of feasting. But even as we walk the grocery store…

Ink splat

That One Fault

Why is it that one fault can be so glaring we can’t see past it? It becomes easy to stare fixedly at the bad attitude or the sloppy work or the once-again-forgotten chore or the disorderly room and never look…

Looking Past Your Homeschool Fears

“This homeschooling full-time looks so intimidating!” “I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep up with everything that is expected of me.” “What if one of my children has special needs, or what if I get sick, or what if…

A Good Airing

We’re pleased to be the host for this 11th edition of the Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival! This edition is dedicated to Mother Culture and to all those mothers who need a good mental “airing” during these last weeks of winter.

Reaching Your Child’s Heart workshop

Here is an invitation for all of you who live in the Atlanta area. Join us for a wonderful evening of encouragement and refreshing on Thursday, January 10. Sonya will be sharing her workshop, “Reaching Your Child’s Heart,” at Calvary…

Are You a Thermostat or a Thermometer?

My husband John thinks in word pictures, and several years ago he described a word picture that has stuck in my mind ever since. He explained that some people are like thermostats and some are like thermometers. A thermostat regulates…