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For many years I doubted myself on whether or not I was equipping my children, as a homeschooler, with what they needed to succeed in life.

I would say to myself at the end of the day, Did we really just do that for Homeschool today?

I listened to all the people, around me, tell me my children wouldn’t have any socialization, they would feel left out of special events, they wouldn’t have any friends, and most important, I wouldn’t be able to give them what they needed education wise, if I continued schooling them at home.

Boy, I really wish a veteran homeschool parent would have told me back then that there will always be haters, non-believers of homeschooling and lots of misinformation concerning homeschooling in every conversation you will have with those people.

But most of all, I wish someone would have told me, I will ALWAYS doubt myself as a homeschool parent (hey I’m a mom, it’s what we do) and that if God has chosen me to homeschool my children, then God will continue to equip me to finish the journey with my children.

I also fretted so many times about staying on schedule.  Making sure every lesson was completed on time.

I finally learned to throw all schedules out the window and allow the world to be the classroom.

You might be asking, “You mean you don’t do lessons?”.  Actually yes we do, but we also have lots of life lessons as well.  I have learned that there are many kids with book smart, but no life skills.

My children are not exactly like yours.

They do not have the same personalities,  same interests or same abilities.  And I know I don’t live my day to day the same as you might.  So why would our schooling look the same way?

My children may never win a Math Reward, or a Spelling Championship, but I guarantee my son can go kill a rabbit, skin, clean it and cook it without blinking.  I can also guarantee he knows how to hatch chickens and turkeys from eggs, shoot a gun, plant a garden and make a business deal like its nobody’s business lol.

And my daughter, well she can travel to third world countries to show the love of Jesus, not to mention work for the money it takes to go.  She can clean, cook, do laundry, and can fruits and veggies.  She can plan and organize any event and teach any age in our Children’s Ministry at church.

This morning we had just returned from our local rec center, where we played basketball and walked for our PE time, and sat down to start our work for the day when my dad arrived at our house.

For some odd reason my dad picked the most dreariest day to decide to come over and help us build our pen our chickens, turkeys, rabbits  and soon to be goats.  Hey he’s helping, I can’t complain to much!

Well that was the end of “lessons” for the day.  We put our tablets and binders away and went to work with my dad.

Did we really just do that for Homeschool today?

Yep, we did!  My children learned how to build a pen for our animals.

For some that might not be important, but we live in a rural area where livestock is a deal big.  And it’s important that my children learn basic tasks and skills.  I do not want my children to grow up and be dependent on others for everything they need done.

They need to learn to cook, clean, do laundry, grow their own food, make their own products and supply their own needs.

Just overall I want to equip them to be a self-sufficient homesteaders.

Book smart is important, but knowing how to take care of your self is even more important to me.

Don’t put limits on your child’s learning.

Allow them to grow into an independent person by using their strengths!

Even if it’s learning how to build a pen!

It’s not how you learn, it’s the journey that gets  you there!

The post DID WE REALLY JUST DO THAT FOR HOMESCHOOL TODAY? appeared first on GraceandGravy with a side of life!.

Can you believe it, it’s that time of year again.

The time that children dread and parents celebrate.

Yes, thats right!  A New School Year is here.

From some, that time has already begun.  For others, like myself, as a homeschool parent, I am still planning and preparing to begin soon.

I enjoy putting lessons together, finding the perfect curriculum that fits my children’s  learning style.  One thing I have learned over the years of homeschooling, is that every child is different.  Just because one style fits one child, doesn’t mean it will fit the next child.  Math always seem to be a subject where I have to try several methods of learning before I find a good fit.

I came across Splash Math, and I instantly fell in love.

Splash Math is Interactive Math Lessons for Elementary School Students Grades K-5 at every Skill Level. The Interactive games and rewards, motivate children to learn, practice and improve their math scores. Splash Math is available at home on the computer, on the iPad, on Chromebooks, and in a Classroom Edition for Teachers.

I love how visual the lessons are, how the audio helps explain the instructions clearly.

But I also love how, as a parent, I receive a weekly report via email on the progress of my child.  It explains what lessons have been completed on each level and the score for each.

And Splash Math even offers A Summer Program ,an 8-week review program to halt the Summer Slide (students lose 2-3 months of math competency during the summer break if they don’t practice regularly).

Splash Math is perfect as a Full Curriculum or as  Supplemental Lessons.  Even though my children are past Grade 5, I was so interested for my tutoring students.  It fits perfectly for their needs.

I highly recommend this program for everyone.  But children who need more visual learning will excel with Splash Math.

I am so excited that Splash Math has teamed up with GraceandGravy for a giveaway.  One lucky reader will win a free Splash Math Program!  How Awesome is that!

Click on the Rafflecopter Giveaway Link to Enter!  And Good Luck!

*Winner will be notified on 8-16

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Review is solely based on my own thoughts and opinions.  I was not paid to offer my review.

The post Splash Math Review and Giveaway appeared first on GraceandGravy with a side of life!.