So, if I can be honest, last year Christmas snuck up on me and caught me all the way slipping. Why? Because I didn’t plan for it early. Well, some parts I did but other, not so much. I also tried to take on all the things, including hosting two cookie shares and organizing a secret Santa gift exchange. On 12/24/2019, I vowed to return to my old ways of planning early and have been doing just that throughout the year. (If you are wondering why I started planning so early in the first place, it is because of this.)
Then, COVID-19. I think it would be a gross understatement to say this Pandemic changed our plans and/or ability plan. I mean, by now, I would’ve had my photos scheduled. That’s not possible because we have no idea what will be open, how our photographer will be impacted, etc. So, I have been doing what I know I can do and I’ll share that with you.
Photos and Cards: If this is your thing, getit done ASAP. Either snap. edit and organize your phone photos, pick out card templates or design your own and figure out all the addresses!
Running Gift Lists: On my phone, in the “Google Keep” app, I have a running list of gifts for myself and for my kids. These gifts will go to grandparents, friends, godparents, etc. This way, I am not hunting and searching for something they may like or desire during the holiday season. I email or text the links to the persons above. I never “ask” them but rather use this as a guide. It also helps me not overbuy and keep an eye out at consignment or flash sales.
Plan for Traditions: As much as you can, plan for certain traditions, or prepare to have them done virtually. For example, I am coming to terms with the fact that I probably won’t host a cookie swap in person. I can organize a virtual cookie share in which we share recipes and traditions. Also, lots of things that are traditionally on our Advent Calendar may not happen so, I will either need a virtual substitute or change it up entirely so it can be done at home. I am seeing lots of cocoa recipes, reindeer games, and indoor snowball fights in our future.
Inspect Decor: Do your lights actually work? What was that thing you said you needed to get in January but you forgot? All of that. It is going to be a little more difficult to just run into a store safely so plan ahead. Wanna try some DIYs? Get the supplies and do that now. Be on the lookout for a felt-ball garland tutorial!
Breathe: I hate to break it to you, but this holiday season, as with any other, is going to have some hiccups. You are going to forget something. You are going to forget to send someone or a family a card. It happens. You are human. Breathe. Give yourself grace.
As I think of them, I will be sharing more holiday ideas and activities here and via socials..
Ok, I know the title is a little weird because most homeschool families can’t roll-up get a “supply list” from their local Wal-Mart, shop and be set for the year. I’m writing this mainly for all the new homeschool families. The one whose kids are old enough, or felt like it was “the right time” or their kids’ school thinks COVID-19 is normal and not changing anything to keep their kids safe. Or, a mom who has been homeschooling for some years and “wants a change up.” You could also have a serious case of #FOMO like me. Either way, let’s get after it.
I know we’ve all be there: Instagram, because that’s where all research properly starts, and we’ve scrolled across a page like any of these:
Chicken Eggs and The Land”: Here we meet “Tara” who homeschools her 3 kids, “Sage”, “Prism” and “Continuity” on a homestead somewhere in the middle of nowhere. She’s pregnant with her fourth, aptly named “Fin”, because this is her last birthed baby. They want to also adopt. She chronicles her day chasing chickens, her kids, and executing perfect baked goods while somehow educating her kids with all these artisan wooden manipulatives.
“Pink Bows and Purple Toes”: “Linds” (we never know if her name is actually “Lindsey”), has 2 daughters. They all love Starbucks and artisan coffee. All their accessories are from “this super cute Etsy shop”. She’s a super eclectic homeschooler and has so many resources for each subject you can’t keep up. Her house is perfectly designed. It looks like something out of a magazine and her “no make up face” is that of angel.
“Home Is as Home Does”: This is the page of Ashlee and her “unschooled kids”. It seems Ashley has time for every house project under the sun including fostering kittens. She currently has 12. Her house is immaculate and wonderfully organized.
That isn’t to make fun of pages like those at all. I truly admire all who are like those above, because, I think, at the end of every day we are all doing the best we can for our kids, ourselves, and family. My point in bringing those up is, and I’m including myself here, we see those pages and instantly think that’s the goal. That is what our days need to look like. That’s what our homeschool spaces need to look like. That is what we need to homeschool successfully and it just isn’t true.
What is true? What actually do you need to homeschool? I’ll do my best to answer.
Emotional Needs: You need to be able to meet your mental and emotional needs before you can meet those of your kid(s). It really won’t work otherwise. You have to find ways to continually fill up, and then re-fill, and then top yourself off. Additionally, you need to plan and prep in a way that works best for you. If you’ve never owned a planner and the thought of sends you to a hiding corner, maybe a homeschool planner isn’t for you. On the flip-side, if you’ve always been type-A, maybe “winging it” isn’t the key to success. There is going to be trial and error. There will be apologies. You’re gonna have to accept and extend grace.
Physically: Ok, now to the nitty-gritty. You’re going to need a place to learn. That could be a kitchen table, a portable lap desk, and/or a converted or shared space. (Read: You DO NOT need a fully stocked “room” specifically for learning.) Our first learning space was shared with our playroom. I separated the spaces (learning on one side, toys on another) and kept the toys with noise up high. The thing is, they rarely played there so when we moved I didn’t make a playroom. I converted a coat closet to a “toy closet” and it’s been great. This left space for a learning room. To be clear, we do lessons and activities all over the house. Especially now with my husband working from home. (I’m working a revamp for it all for the fall!)
Organization/storage- Don’t we all want a trip to IKEA with no budget??? I mean, that would be heavenly. It’s also not realistic soooooo I’ll say this: My goals for organization/storage are easy to access and responsibility-training. I want to find things easily, make sure everything has a place, and train my kids to be responsible for their curricula and supplies. Truth, I have two small bookshelves and a short 9-cube organizer. That’s it. My kids have these storage bins for their curricula. I show how I use them and why I love them here. They are very affordable and go on sale often. I purchased ours from Michael’s.
Supplies- I made a very detailed list for our “back to school” shopping. Yes, I narrowed it down to the number of crayons. Why? Because I know that’s what we need. I also knew these items were inexpensive and if they were needed again I could purchase them then. So here is what I think are the most needed.
If you plan on purchasing downloaded versions of curricula, you will need a printer. Printing at office supply places or print shops can get very pricey. Printers can be found as low as $40 and generally come with ink coupons or deals. Not-needed but helpful items I’ve come to depend on are a laminator and paper cutter.
Daily items:
Something artsy/craftsy: Crayons, markers, colored pencils, paint (tempera, acrylic, watercolor), construction, and/or watercolor paper. Do you need things actual artists use? Absolutely not. Can you make do with things from Dollar Tree? For sure! Full transparency, I really struggle with these types of activities for my kids. However, I know art is therapy. If one doesn’t express creativity, it comes out in other not-so-pleasant ways.
Writing utensils: Pencils. That’s one sentence because there are so many kinds. Here I really urge you to meet your child’s fine motor needs. They may need short pencils. They may need thick pencils. They may need triangular pencils and/or pencils grips. From there, I ask you to go with your preference. I prefer mechanical pencils because I don’t like sharpening pencils. I do have traditional pencils because I feel like sharpening pencils is a skill everyone needs. I have a blog post on all things “special needs learning” and some videos on school supplies here if that helps.
Something to write on/Learn with: I put these two together because of workbooks. Some curriculum comes with a workbook and the pupil will do activities and write the answer in the workbook. If you want to save curricula to sell or for the next child, you’ll need something else to write on. So, paper. Again, go with your child’s needs. For math, I like this large grid paper. For writing, this template is great. Both are free. I also like this composition notebook for writing. For older kids, a spiral notebook or composition book is great. Now for curriculum, I urge you to read this post. Find your child(ren)’s love language(s) and learning style(s), make goals and find things that fit those. As hard as it is, this isn’t the time to use what everyone else is using. Trust me, popularity won’t necessarily win.
Library Access- Books make the world go round and you can learn the world from books. Hopefully, your library is allowing for safe and distanced pick-up options.
Tissues and hand soap: Yup, you definitely need these items in your homeschool. I also love having a pack of baby wipes for quick clean-ups from paint too before they go wash their hands.
Honestly, that’s all I think you need. Is there more you can have? Of course. I’ll share that in another post.
It’s been a minute, I know. Being Black in America is always hard, the last few weeks have been especially hard. I’ve been rage filled, very weepy and determined which led to learning, teaching, sharing, more teaching, and more research. That took a toll on me, to say the least. To help heal my mind and steady my heart, I got to work planning our Vacation Bible School, VBS to us.
Little back story-I’ve volunteered at VBS since I was pregnant with James. Every summer my kids went to VBS from utero to last year because we were in a new place and it takes quite a while for me to trust any establishment with my kids. That broke my whole heart. So, for this summer I was determined. I was registered to volunteer in February. Then COVID-19 shut it all down. Not one to take defeat easily, I asked and hunted for virtual VBS options, only to not find those either. Then I was left with two options: Be sad again this summer or create one to do at home. Y’all know I can be so extra so obvi I chose the latter.
This is where it got fun. The work was already done for me, I just had to find it. A few Pinterest clicks and scrolls and BOOM superhero VBS with lessons, activities, crafts and snacks were planned. Because I came up with none of this, NOT ONE thing, it’s yours by clicking here. All the snacks, crafts and activities are linked or you find them on my Pinterest board, VBS.
For worship, I found this YouTube playlist that I edited to shorten. You can find that here.
Last but certainly not least, decor. Wait-let me back up. When I volunteered for VBS, I was very serious about my decor. I went overboard. (I have admitted I am extra.) I thought long and hard about what I do that would set the tone for VBS, but also not take over my house. I found this free printable that I will cut and back with colored construction paper then attach to the wall. This is great because I can use these later for literally anything.
Then, I organized. I planned out what I wanted to do each day using traditional VBS as a model. We will start with worship, move into our lesson, do our activity and craft, then make a snack. Again, I am extra so the snacks are themed for the day. My kids love being in the kitchen so we will work together to make it.
My organized breakdown, with links, can be found here.
Like, traditionally VBS, we will discuss all the things we learned through the day, and add the VBS verse, Psalm 34:14b, to our scripture memory journals.
Our VBS will be the week of June 22-26, following James’ Kindergarten graduation and our Juneteenth Celebration. Will you join in the fun with us? I’ll be prepping all week so join me via IG stories to see the haps! If you do join in on the VBS fun, will you use #VBSathome2020 and tag me so I can see everything in action. I would love to have fun with you.
