Tag: homeschool parents

The Night-Time Spiral

The Night-Time Spiral

 

 

It’s always at night, isn’t it? The house is quiet. Everyone’s asleep.

Except you.

The worrying… it creeps in so easily when you’re homeschooling. You start wondering…

Are we doing enough?

Are we behind?

Are they really learning?

What if they’d be better off in school?

Before you know it, you’re spiraling.

I know those nights too well.

So many nights, I’d lie awake, scrolling through Pinterest activities and curriculum reviews at 1 a.m., wondering if maybe this one will be the fix we need to make me feel confident we were “on track”. Replaying the day in my head- the math lesson that ended in tears, the half-finished writing assignment, the forgotten science experiment-  and convincing myself I was failing.

We’d never catch up.

I’d ruined their lives by homeschooling them.

Why had I ever thought that I could do this?

The self-talk… it gets bad in the still of the night, doesn’t it?

But here’s something I’ve learned after years of homeschooling and many of my own late-night spirals:

Bad parents don’t worry about whether or not they’re bad parents.

Good parents worry.

We worry because we care — deeply, fiercely, endlessly.

That worry you feel? It’s not a sign that you’re doing something wrong. It’s proof that you love your kids enough to question yourself. It means you’re invested. You’re thinking. You’re trying.

And that’s what good homeschooling is made of — not perfect routines or Pinterest-worthy plans, but care.

Every good parent I know worries about whether they’re doing it right.

Every good homeschooler I know questions if they’re doing “enough”.

It’s part of the process.

But try to reframe that worry the next time it sneaks up on you in the quiet hours. Instead of letting it spiral into fear, remind yourself what it really means:

You care enough to notice.

You care enough to show up.

You care enough to want the best for your kids.

And caring that much — that’s the heart of everything that matters.

So take a breath.

You’re not failing. You’re loving.

And that’s exactly what they need most.

? Lindsey
Certified Special Ed Educator & Co-Founder, Schoolio

Fear Says “Fit In.” Values Say “Stay Firm.”

Fear Says “Fit In.” Values Say “Stay Firm.”

This has been on my mind today…

Most of us were raised with fear dressed up as discipline.

Fear of standing out.

Fear of falling behind.

Fear of being different — or being too much of something.

When I was growing up, that fear had a thousand voices:

“Don’t talk back.”

“Respect your elders.”

“Just do what you’re told.”

“Don’t embarrass the family.”

South Asian homes are particularly good at this — teaching you to blend in so well that, one day, you wake up and realize you don’t even know what you stand for. You’ve become a collage of other people’s expectations. You chase safety instead of passion. Approval instead of purpose.

That’s why, now as a father, I keep coming back to one truth:

Fear says “fit in.”

Values say “stay firm.”

And if I want my kids to stay firm — to know who they are, to know when to walk away, to know what matters even when it’s unpopular — then I have to show them how.

Not lecture them.

Not shame them.

Not compare them to anyone else.

Just live it.

That means letting them speak, even if I disagree.

Letting them dress how they want, even if I don’t get it.

Letting them explore paths I didn’t choose — or couldn’t.

It also means apologizing when I parent from fear instead of from values.

Because I still catch myself doing it.

If you’ve chosen to homeschool, to opt out of the system, to rewire how learning happens in your house — then you already know this feeling. The discomfort of not fitting in. The awkward pauses in family conversations. The well-meaning but judgmental stares from old friends.

Let them come.

Let fear have its moment.

But then let your values speak louder.

You didn’t choose this path because it was easy. You chose it because it was right.

And if your kids learn anything from you, let it be this:

The world doesn’t need more people who know how to fit in.

It needs more people brave enough to stay firm.

—Sathish

still learning, still unlearning

Unpopular Opinion- Learning Shouldn’t Always Be Fun

Unpopular Opinion- Learning Shouldn’t Always Be Fun

By Lindsey, certified special-ed educator & co-founder, Schoolio

 

 

Does this sound familiar?

“How many questions do I have to do?”
“How much longer?”
“I’m bored!”
“Are we done yet?”

If your homeschool days feel like a marathon of sighs, tears, or endless negotiating, you are not alone. And it’s not because you’re a “bad teacher” or your child is “unmotivated.”

The real culprit?
You’re probably replicating school at home.

And the solution is simpler than it sounds: stop doing that.

At Schoolio, we talk a lot about our Philosophy of Learning. But here’s the gist of it: thriving in homeschool comes down to two big ideas—Relevancy and Responsibility.

Relevancy: The “Why” Behind Learning

Kids learn best when they understand why they’re learning something. And there are really only two powerful “whys”:

  • Curiosity – I want to know this because it interests me.

  • Purpose – I know why this is important for me to learn.

When kids have one of those reasons in mind, they’re naturally more engaged. That’s why Schoolio makes curiosity and purpose central, with our Future Readiness Library and electives that stretch way beyond the basics. Whether it’s learning all about cats, entrepreneurship, or the history of pirates, kids can find what they’re interested in, or see the value of- and often, they’re genuinely excited to learn.

Responsibility: Learning Isn’t Always Fun

Here’s the unpopular opinion: not all learning should be fun.

We love hands-on projects, electives that spark excitement, and letting kids explore their interests. But the truth is, some things in life simply just require effort. Some subjects take persistence. And not everything in life can, or should, be gamified or turned into an adventure.

And that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’s one of the most valuable lessons homeschool can offer.

Real-world readiness means teaching kids:

✔ Some things you want or need to learn won’t come easily, but they’re worth the effort.
✔ Not everything is a game, but it still has to be done.
✔ Responsibility means following through, even when something isn’t fun.

Because in the end, building grit, self-discipline, and responsibility are just as important as mastering math facts or essay writing.

The Balance

Homeschool should not be all drudgery, but it doesn’t have to be all glitter and games either. The sweet spot is in teaching both: helping kids chase what excites them and showing them how to stick with the hard stuff when it matters.

So maybe the next time you hear “I’m bored!” or “How much longer?” you’ll remember: you’re not failing, you’re teaching real life.

? Lindsey

When I Realized My Child’s Learning Style Didn’t Match My Own

When I Realized My Child’s Learning Style Didn’t Match My Own

By Lindsey, certified special-ed educator & co-founder, Schoolio

 

 

This has been on my mind today…

When I first started homeschooling, I assumed my kids would learn the way I learn. That’s the default, right? We teach from our own perspective. But it didn’t take long for me to realize their learning styles—and their needs—were very different from mine.

I’m ADHD. I thrive on novelty, challenge, and curiosity. I love going out, seeing people, doing things. My brain comes alive when there’s energy in the room. Planning homeschool field trips, events, parties, and mom meet-ups? That gave me life. I thought it would do the same for my kids.

But my kids are autistic. They enjoy their friends, yes—but in small doses, one-on-one, in familiar settings. Big group outings didn’t energize them the way they did me. They drained them. Where I walked away buzzing with energy, they walked away needing quiet, calm, and time to recover.

It was the same in our learning space. I always wanted music playing, stimulation in the background. They wanted silence. I craved variety and spontaneity. They needed consistent, reliable routines. I thrived on the excitement of new challenges. They thrived on knowing what to expect.

At first, I resisted that difference. I kept thinking, but this is how I learn best—shouldn’t it work for them too? When it didn’t, I felt frustrated. But slowly, I realized I had it backwards. My job wasn’t to shape them into my rhythm. It was to honor theirs.

That shift changed everything.

I began planning fewer big events and focusing on more intentional one-on-one time with friends. Instead of background noise, I chose quiet. Our homeschool days gained more rhythm and held fewer surprises. Along the way, I learned how to stretch myself to meet their needs, and gently taught them to stretch a little too—tolerating small bits of novelty, practicing compromise, and knowing it was okay to ask for quiet whenever they needed it.

Homeschooling taught me as much about myself as it did about them. It reminded me that love often looks like adjusting our pace, our preferences, and our expectations—not forcing someone else into our mold.

And it gave me this truth:

We don’t have to learn the same way to learn together.

Why ADHD is Keeping Your Child Awake

Why ADHD is Keeping Your Child Awake: Understanding Sleep Struggles in ADHD Kids

 

It’s 10:00 p.m., and you’re already bracing yourself. Your ADHD child is tucked into bed, but instead of drifting off, they’re talking a mile a minute, bouncing their legs under the covers, or hyperfocusing on a book, game, or story idea. Hours later, they’re still awake — and you know the morning will be rough.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many families of ADHDers find that bedtime is the hardest time of day. ADHD brains and sleep just don’t follow the same rules as everyone else’s. Understanding why ADHD makes sleep so tricky — and how to work with your child’s brain instead of against it — can help you reduce frustration, ease bedtime battles, and support your child’s overall health.

Why ADHD and Sleep Don’t Mix Easily

For kids (and adults) with ADHD, sleep difficulties are extremely common. Up to 70–80% of ADHDers experience persistent sleep problems — not just because of “bad habits,” but because of how their brains and bodies function.

Here are some key reasons ADHD kids struggle with falling and staying asleep:

1. Delayed Melatonin Release

Research shows that many ADHDers have a delay in melatonin production — the hormone that signals the body it’s time to sleep. Their “sleepy signal” comes hours later than typical, making them naturally more alert at night.

2. Hyperactivity as Racing Thoughts

For some ADHDers, hyperactivity doesn’t mean bouncing off the walls — it’s mental. At night, the brain races through thoughts, ideas, or worries, making it nearly impossible to “shut down.”

3. Hyperfocus at Night

When the world is quiet, ADHDers may lock into hyperfocus — reading, building, gaming, or creating — and lose track of time entirely. That 15-minute “just one more” quickly turns into hours.

4. Irregular Routines

ADHD brains crave novelty and struggle with consistency. Sticking to rigid routines can feel impossible, which often leads to inconsistent bedtimes and wake-ups that disrupt circadian rhythms.

5. Circadian Rhythm Shifts (DSPS)

Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS), where the natural body clock runs later than typical, is notably more common in ADHD individuals. They simply aren’t tired until much later than societal schedules allow, making mornings especially painful.

Signs ADHD Sleep Struggles Might Be Affecting Your Child

  • Bedtime stretching into late hours, no matter how early you start winding down
  • Extreme difficulty waking up, even with enough hours in bed
  • Morning irritability, brain fog, or emotional dysregulation
  • Best focus and energy late in the day instead of mornings
  • Constant battles around bedtime routines

If this sounds like your household, it’s not because you’re “failing” at bedtime. It’s because ADHD brains are wired differently.

The Impact of Poor Sleep on ADHD Kids

When kids with ADHD don’t get quality rest, the ripple effects show up everywhere:

  • Increased ADHD symptoms: impulsivity, distractibility, and poor regulation intensify.
  • Emotional dysregulation: meltdowns, frustration, and mood swings are more frequent.
  • Learning struggles: fatigue worsens focus, memory, and motivation.
  • Family stress: nightly battles and groggy mornings strain relationships.

Adapted Sleep Hygiene for ADHD Brains

Standard sleep hygiene tips often feel overwhelming or unrealistic for ADHD families. A neurodiversity-affirming approach makes them practical and supportive. Here are strategies that actually work for ADHDers:

1. Personalized Routines

Establish consistent wind-down rituals, but tailor them to sensory needs. Some kids may prefer dim lights and quiet reading, while others regulate best with stretching, deep pressure (like a weighted blanket), or calming play.

2. Environmental Supports

Create a sensory-friendly sleep environment. Use blackout curtains to block light, white noise to mask sound, weighted blankets for calming pressure, or soft bedding that avoids irritating textures.

3. Tech Timing

Set a structured cut-off for stimulating screens, but don’t remove special interests entirely. Calming formats like audiobooks, podcasts, or slow-paced shows can support winding down without triggering over-stimulation.

4. Flexible Approach

Avoid rigid “sleep rules” that lead to battles. Instead, focus on gradual adjustments, like moving bedtime earlier by 10–15 minutes at a time, or setting realistic goals instead of strict demands.

5. Regulation Aids

Mindfulness exercises, gentle movement before bed, or sensory tools can help calm the nervous system. In some cases, melatonin supplements (if recommended by a healthcare provider) can support resetting the body’s clock.

Homeschooling and ADHD Sleep Challenges

Here’s the good news: homeschooling gives you flexibility most families don’t have. Instead of fighting the impossible battle of making your ADHD child match a “standard” sleep schedule, you can:

  • Let them sleep until their bodies are rested, without alarms and out-the-door rushes.
  • Start academics later in the morning, when your child is alert and focused
  • Use mornings for movement, outdoor play, or low-demand activities
  • Let afternoons and evenings (their natural focus times) be the most academic
  • Teach self-awareness by helping them recognize when they feel tired or focused

This adaptability not only reduces stress but also helps your child thrive by working with their natural rhythms.

“But that won’t prepare them for the real world!”

I hear you naysayers, but forcing your child to go to bed early and wake up early now, won’t necessarily make it easier for them a decade from now. They have ADHD, which means their brains are wired differently—and they always will be. For many, mornings will always feel harder, and a 9–5 routine will always require an alarm. But that doesn’t mean they need to suffer through that reality now. Also, right now they are growing. They are learning. They are in need of good rest to be their best selves- why wouldn’t we give that to them as part of their homeschooling, and childhood, experience?

A Hopeful Note for Parents

If sleep feels like the never-ending struggle of your ADHD journey, remember this: your child isn’t being defiant, lazy, or manipulative. Their brain chemistry is different, and sleep challenges are part of the package.

With patience, adapted strategies, and flexible routines, you can support your child in finding rest. Homeschooling offers the gift of adjusting the day to fit your child’s real needs — not forcing them into a mold that doesn’t fit.

Better sleep won’t happen overnight (literally!), but small shifts add up. Over time, you’ll find the balance that lets your child rest, recharge, and thrive.

 

? Lindsey

Certified Special Ed Educator & Co-Founder, Schoolio

The Harder Path Forward

The Harder Path Forward

 

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I didn’t understand the courage it took until years later.

When my family immigrated to Canada, I was angry. I didn’t have the words for it at the time, but every part of me resisted this new life. I missed my friends, my neighbourhood, my routines. I was a teenager lost between two worlds—resentful of the change, and confused by the silence I had to carry with me in every classroom, every hallway, every awkward introduction.

People looked at me differently. Sometimes with curiosity, sometimes with judgment, but always with the weight of assumptions I hadn’t earned. The stereotypes followed me. So did the loneliness.

Back then, I thought my parents were wrong. I thought they didn’t understand what I had lost. But as I grew older—became a parent, built a life, listened to others—I began to see the truth I’d missed entirely.

 

It wasn’t an escape. It was a sacrifice.

 

They had uprooted everything they knew for a sliver of possibility—a better education, a safer life, a shot at something bigger than what we’d left behind. And they did it quietly. Without recognition. Without thanks. Without certainty. Just faith.

That story echoes again and again in the lives of homeschooling families we meet at Schoolio. While the world rushes to label them—too radical, too soft, too unqualified—what we see is something different. We see courage. We see parents choosing a harder path, not because it’s easier, but because it’s right for their child.

It’s not a summer experiment. It’s not a last resort. It’s a quiet, determined rebellion against a system that no longer fits.

And here’s the question we rarely stop to ask: if the traditional school system—funded, structured, and normalized—is so perfect, why are so many parents choosing to leave it behind?

Why are they willing to rebuild an entire learning experience from scratch?

 

Because sometimes love means walking uphill.

 

At Schoolio, we don’t see homeschoolers as fringe or fearful. We see them as architects of something new. Builders of bridges their children can walk across safely. Parents who are saying, “I will not wait for the world to catch up. I’ll start right here.”

And for those of us who have walked a harder path before, we know exactly how much strength that takes.

Sathish
still learning, still unlearning

When Curiosity Leads the Way

When Curiosity Leads the Way

 

There’s a moment we often overlook. A small, almost imperceptible shift happens when you ask a child a simple question: What do you want to learn?

Not what the curriculum says. Not what the grownups planned. But what you—the learner—are curious about.

“In that moment, the atmosphere changes. Eyes light up. Shoulders relax. Kids don’t always notice that the question invites them through a door. But when they step through, curiosity walks in with them—and that’s the magic.

At Schoolio, we see this spark ignite again and again. A student watches a space documentary and suddenly dives into the solar system. A reluctant reader discovers graphic novels or animal stories and starts devouring books. With choice in their learning journey, they flourish. And from the sidelines, parents often say with surprise, ‘I never knew they were interested in that.'”

We’re conditioned to believe that education must follow a script. That success is found in standardization. But ask any innovator, artist, or scientist—curiosity is the birthplace of breakthroughs. It’s what turns learning from a task into a quest.

That’s why our homeschooling platform was never designed to dictate. Schoolio is built to empower. When a parent or educator opens the platform and hands the keys to the student, something incredible happens. The learning becomes theirs. The motivation becomes intrinsic. And the joy—the joy is real.

The world often squashes curiosity in favor of conformity, but at Schoolio we help families protect it. We believe learning should feel like discovery, not like chasing a deadline. When students get permission to explore, they don’t just learn more—they rediscover why learning felt exciting in the first place.

Because once a child feels ownership, once they realize they have a say—they don’t just study. They soar.

 

Sathish,

Still learning, still unlearning

Why Our “First Day of School” Looks Nothing Like Theirs — and Why I Wouldn’t Trade It

Why Our “First Day of School” Looks Nothing Like Theirs — and Why I Wouldn’t Trade It

 

This has been on my mind today…

The hardest part of the homeschool year for me wasn’t math lessons, or planning, or juggling the day-to-day chaos. It was the first day of public school.

Every September, my social media feeds would flood with photos of smiling kids at the end of the driveway — shiny shoes, new backpacks, parents buzzing with excitement. I would feel it in my chest, that little ache of missing out. Was I depriving my kids of this milestone? Was our homeschool missing something?

But then, something shifted. I realized those photos were it. The moment. The kids posed for a quick picture, then disappeared into a classroom to sit under fluorescent lights, being taught by a stranger for the rest of the day.

So one year, I decided to do something different. I started our own tradition.

That morning, I snapped a “first day of school” photo of my kids… still asleep. Because that’s the beauty of homeschooling: they wake when their bodies are rested, not when a bus pulls up.

 

Then, just for myself, I kept taking pictures throughout the day. Hour by hour.

? Pancakes in pajamas.

? Jumping on the trampoline after math.

? Reading aloud together on the couch.

? Baking cookies in the kitchen.

? Building sandcastles at a beach we had all to ourselves.

? A social studies lesson with a cat curled up in their lap.

? Walking the dog in the late summer sun.

 

And when I scrolled through those photos at the end of the day, I finally saw it: this was more.

It wasn’t just about lessons and curriculum (though those happened too). It was about time. About laughter. About siblings who actually enjoy each other. About kids who get to learn at their own pace and still have energy left to play, imagine, and connect. About a childhood that isn’t rushed out the door.

That was the day I stopped feeling wistful about the back-to-school buzz on my feed. Because the truth is, I wasn’t depriving my kids of anything. I was giving them something different. Something richer.

So now, every September, we take our first-day photos too. They just don’t look like everyone else’s. And I’m okay with that.

With love,

? Lindsey

Certified Special Ed Educator & Co-Founder, Schoolio

Homeschooling Is Parenting, Just a Little Louder

Homeschooling Is Parenting, Just a Little Louder

This has been on my mind today…

When we first pulled our kids out of school, I wasn’t sure I had what it took. I had the usual fears. Would I mess up their education? Could I keep up with all the subjects? What if I missed something big?

But over time, something quiet and powerful started to sink in. I wasn’t stepping into a classroom role. I was just continuing what I’d always done as their mom — helping them learn. Teaching them to tie shoes. To ask for help. To apologize. To be kind. Homeschooling, it turns out, is just an extension of parenting.

There’s this quote I came across recently that stopped me in my tracks:

“Educating a child is a natural process. Homeschooling is nothing more than an extension of parenting.”

—John Taylor Gatto

It made me pause because that’s what homeschooling has become for us. It’s not school at home. It’s life at home, full of learning.

The structure looks different, of course. We have a curriculum (Schoolio made that piece so much easier). We have rhythms that feel like school hours some days. But at the heart of it, it’s still me parenting — noticing what lights my child up, what challenges them, what makes them pull away or lean in.

And because it’s just an extension of parenting, the learning is so much more natural. Conversations at lunch become lessons in geography. A baking mess turns into math. A walk in the neighborhood ends up being a discussion about community and kindness and nature.

If you’re feeling unsure about starting homeschooling, or doubting if you’re “qualified,” let me gently tell you this: you’ve already been doing it. Since the day your child was born, you’ve been their guide. Their teacher. Their advocate. Homeschooling doesn’t change that. It just adds a little structure, a little support, and a whole lot of flexibility.

Let’s stop thinking of homeschooling as this big, scary shift. It’s simply parenting — just a little louder, a little more curious, and a lot more present.

Lindsey

certified special-ed educator & co-founder, Schoolio

When the System Breaks, Parents Step In

When the System Breaks, Parents Step In

by Sathish

This has been on my mind today…

The CBC story about Ontario stepping in to take control of four major school boards — including TDSB and TCDSB — hit hard, but it didn’t surprise me.

Mismanagement. Overspending. Broken trust.

It’s the kind of news that confirms what many parents have felt for a long time — the system isn’t just strained, it’s cracking. And when the system breaks, parents step in.

I’ve spoken with families in Toronto, Mississauga, Ottawa — parents who aren’t anti-school, they’re anti-chaos. They’re tired of seeing decisions made behind closed doors, while their children get shuffled, silenced, or lost in the mix.

When a school board needs to be taken over by the province, it’s not just a governance issue — it’s a signal to parents that no one’s steering the ship. And for some, the only real option left is to jump.

That’s why so many are turning to homeschooling. Not out of rebellion, but out of necessity. Not because they think they can do it all perfectly, but because they’ve lost faith that anyone else will put their kids first.

The truth is, the line between school and politics has always been blurry. But lately, it’s become hard to see the kids at all.

And here’s the part that worries me — in this vacuum of leadership, families are left choosing between two extremes. A system plagued by deficits, staff shortages, and closures. Or a DIY homeschooling path with no roadmap and no support.

But there’s a third path. And that’s where Schoolio comes in.

We’re not trying to replace the school system. We’re trying to build an alternative that works — something structured, supportive, and safe.

We align our curriculum with provincial standards because families deserve clarity. We offer live tutor support and parent communities because no one should homeschool alone. And we give you clear, trackable progress tools so you always know your child is moving forward — not just in academics, but in confidence and wellbeing too.

The bigger story in this government takeover isn’t about politics. It’s about trust. And once that’s broken, parents will do what they’ve always done — protect their kids, even if it means stepping into the unknown.

If that’s you — if you’re standing at that edge, wondering if it’s time to take back control — we’re here. Not with perfection, but with a plan. With people. With structure that puts your child at the center.

Because when the system breaks, we don’t give up. We build something better.

Sathish

still learning, still unlearning

? Want to see how Schoolio supports regulated, structured homeschooling in Ontario and beyond?

Explore our bookstore, check out our course catalog or join our 7-day trial to see how it feels in your home.

Home(schooling) for the Holidays: How and Why to Take a Break

Homeschooling and the holidays

Home(schooling) for the Holidays?: How and Why to Take a Break

By Chelsea McLeod

Just as Self-Care is essential to the homeschooling parent puzzle, so is taking breaks from the planned curriculum. Homeschooling offers many benefits, one of which is a flexible schedule. Homeschooling doesn’t often follow a traditional school day; you have break time during the day as the requirement of time spent schooling differs. As a homeschooler, you do not have to follow a traditional school calendar; you can choose your calendar, but taking breaks from your planned learning on your family’s schedule is essential.

Taking needed breaks is easier said than done for so many of us.

Homeschool Holiday

Home(schooling) for the holidays: How and why to take breaks from homeschooling.

We often feel guilty for taking time off or become overwhelmed by the concept that there is too much to do to take breaks. However, this is not the case, and on the contrary, it can be very healthy for you and your children to take breaks from traditional schooling. So first, you must allow yourself to make the mental space for holidays. You cannot worry about lessons and learning 24/7/365, or you will burn yourself and your children out.

There are many types of breaks, from planned, spontaneous mental health days or unplanned; permitting yourself to take those breaks, whether planned or unplanned, is crucial to the success of your homeschooling journey. But how? How to take these breaks is a different story. In the case of planned breaks, you can follow a traditional school calendar or even look at the work holidays of your spouse and friends.

This may include family or community commitments, events, or simply taking the summer off to allow your children to have a similar schedule to their friends, and you get some much-needed time off. Conversely, unplanned breaks can come from sicknesses, family deaths or unexpected hospitalizations. These things are unavoidable; however, sometimes we need to take a breath, make space for family connection and forget about the calendar for a short or even long while if necessary. The routine, plans and learning will be there waiting for us when we are ready and able to return to normalcy.

Why You Should Take Breaks. 

Why you should take breaks is easier to break down. Just because you have chosen to homeschool doesn’t mean you are not allowed to make space for some separation. You school from home, but you do not live in the school. This is an important distinction. I’m sure you know from experience that when you are doing too much of something, it can lead to burnout.

Well, the same applies to learning. You must care for yourself and make space for your interests and hobbies. In the same way, your kids need to have some time and space not connected to a learning outcome. On top of that, there are many reasons (we can only name a few here) why you should take breaks and direct the focus away from traditional learning.


Here Are Some Reasons Why Breaks Are Important: 

  1. You are in Charge. 

Like many, you chose to begin homeschooling in the first place to take charge of your time and calendar, right? So why not use that to your advantage and plan your break when it works for You? You make the plan; you know what to focus on and when. Could you make space in the plan for holiday breaks? So whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or the Winter Solstice, you can plan your days off from teaching and learning to best suit the schedule you set out. 

  1. Family First.

Similarly, being with and connecting with your kids is crucial to their emotional development. You are a parent first, and your children need you for more than just teaching them academics. Life skills and emotional development require an emotional connection. Taking the time to bake cookies together or read a Christmas story is okay because it will help your child build emotional intelligence. Family traditions, religious/non-religious holiday practices or time spent together are always more important than academic learning.

  1. Tomorrow is Not Guaranteed. 

This one sounds sad to say, but it is true. No one knows what tomorrow will bring, so take the time to make those memories. If you skip picking out a Christmas tree together or carolling with a relative to keep going with your curriculum, you risk losing your children. What if that relative isn’t around next Christmas? So take the time while you know it is here to create those memories and connections. 

  1. Homeschooling Requires Less Time. 

Most homeschooling families complete their lessons in less time than a traditional in-person school day. For this reason, you often get naturally occurring breaks during the day or only homeschool for part of the day. And, if you are a curriculum person who likes to follow that checklist, you will easily find and plan how to push through or make up for lost time at a later date. 

  1. Learning Isn’t Just Planned Lessons. 

Learning happens all the time, especially for children. Baking cookies with your kids can include measurement learning; volunteering can involve learning emotional maturity or gaining “subject area knowledge,” as well as early civic or community engagement lessons. So much “counts” as part of a well-rounded educational experience for your child, so worry less about planned lessons and take in some other types of learning while you spend time with your kids. 

  1. Everyone Needs A Break, and That’s OK. 

The holidays, no matter which ones you celebrate, often come with much busier schedules. So while you are running around with various get-togethers, holiday concerts or wherever else the season brings, take the time to enjoy it. Remember, you are making memories, and the change of routine often means occasional periods of downtime, rest, and relaxation. After the holidays, you will be able to start fresh. 

  1. A Break is A Good Time to Make Changes. 

Speaking of starting fresh, if things in your homeschool plan are going differently than you envisioned after a break is an excellent time to make changes. You can take the time during the holidays to explore other approaches or make new plans. Then, when you’re ready to return to it, you and the kids will have had a natural break, which can make the transition easier. 

  1. Other Relationships Are Important Too. 

Whether those relationships are with friends, mentors, extended family or activity leaders, the holidays are a great time to make space for these. So give your children the opportunities to connect with others outside the immediate family group. It can be problematic in your everyday routine to find time to do this, but holiday events often shift focus to spending time with important people to your child. 

  1. They will Grow Up; You Don’t Want to Miss It. 

That’s right, I said it! And no, I am not trying to “rush” you or make you cry, but the reality is that before you know it, your littles will be grown, and your traditions will have to adjust. Your holidays will no longer be entirely a time of downtime but could involve part-time jobs and studying for finals. Eventually, they will grow up, move out and get their apartment. They may be going off to university or work, and while they may have time off, they may not be able to get home on all their days off. So be intentional with the time you have now, and put down the lesson planner; the algebra problems or the poem unit you had planned isn’t as important as building relationships with your kids.

Homeschooling and the holidays

Summary: Home(schooling) for the holidays: How and why to take a break.

Amid the busy day-to-day of raising little ones, it is hard to imagine that it will ever be different; believe it or not, there will come a day when you will miss the “help” baking cookies, the constant questions (or screaming) and the stepping on toys at every turn. For now, take the time to enjoy your kids because your family won’t always be this easy to connect with; they won’t always be together under one roof. One day, they will be grown, possibly with a family of their own, and you want them to look back fondly, remembering their time at home with you and use those memories to create their traditions. After the holidays, a new year with new lessons will be waiting, but for now, embrace the change of routine and lean into the break for both yourself — and your kids.

Enjoy your family time.

Click Here to check out 15 ways to find joy during the holidays! 








 



 

Purchasing Digital Content.

Let’s Talk About: Purchasing Digital Content with Lindsey Casselman.

If you’re new to home-schooling, you may not have had much experience purchasing digital content before. This is something most veteran homeschoolers are very familiar with, so let’s talk about it!

What Is It Digital Content and How Is It Offered?

Digital content is when you make a purchase of materials that don’t have a physical product. This includes e-books, PDFs and a ton of other downloadable content. Because talented people and companies are located around the world, providing digital content is an easy way to bring their product to the world.

Digital content is available in many places, like Pinterest, TpT and many homeschool curriculum companies, including Schoolio. 

  • Some places offer both print and digital versions of their content. The Digital and Print product are offered at different price points (because printing is expensive). Also as two separate products on their website. Be sure to carefully look over your cart before completing a purchase. Doing so to ensure you’re getting the version you expected to get. 
  • Some places offer printing and shipping for you as an add-on cost. This means you’re buying the digital version of the content. In addition you’ll receive a printed version for an additional fee. These are usually print-on-demand (meaning they aren’t printed until the order is placed, so it may take 7-10 business days or more to reach your door). However, they are often one of the best printing rates you’ll find. That is because the company has negotiated a volume discount with the third-party printer. (If you’re unsure about the rate, look in the FAQs for a price-per-page rate, or look in the product description for page numbers of the product and do the math yourself to find a price-per-page cost. Then compare locally to printers in your area).
  • The majority of digital product companies do not offer printing at all. You will need to either print at home or find a printer that is local to you. The price difference between printing at home or paying a printer to print for you varies widely. Factors that change the cost are based on your printer, what you’re printing, and your location. A little research in this area is a good idea before you decide to buy any digital product. This way you don’t get shocked later by the additional cost to print your digital files.

Tips to Being a Digital Product Consumer

  1. Digital products are almost always non-refundable. Once you purchase a digital product, you’re able to download it to your hard drive and it is yours forever. There is no way to “return” a digital product. Even if a company takes away your access to the download, they have no way to ensure you haven’t saved it locally. Therefore, almost every digital company you come across will have a no refunds policy. 

It is your responsibility as the consumer to ensure the product is what you want. 

  • Read all the descriptions about the product, before purchasing digital content. If you’re buying any sort of bundle, read the descriptions of each piece of the bundle so you’re sure about what you’re getting.
  • Find and read the FAQs. These will answer a lot of the most common questions other people have asked. In addition to this you may learn an answer to a question you hadn’t even thought to ask!
  • Look at samples. There should be samples available for you to look at. Read them thoroughly and envision using the product in your own homeschool. 
  • Read reviews. You can read testimonials on the company page, ask other homeschoolers, or watch youtube reviews of a product. If you have a local friend already using the product- ask to borrow it!
  • Start small. If the program has mini units or some other small product, buy it for the cheaper price as a more detailed sample. This way you get to actually use something from the company before you commit to an entire year financially.

 I don’t know a single fellow homeschooler. That includes myself. Who hasn’t paid good money purchasing digital content   that ended up either not working out, or just never being used. It happens, so don’t beat yourself up if it does. But following the above steps and not rushing a purchase can help you avoid it as much as possible.

  1. Digital purchases won’t be available to you forever. Always download your purchases somewhere locally.

    Most companies allow limited storage of your purchased content. Even if they will store it for you indefinitely, it’s good digital consumerism to always save your purchases somewhere safe. Somewhere that you have control of them. Website maintenance, server or platform changes, expired links, etc. All of these issues can lead to frustration if you count on someone else to hold your purchases for you. Some companies will give you a set number of times you can access your materials. This avoids people sharing their links with friends. Alternatively, other companies will give you an expiry date on your available downloads.

       Places to save your digital product purchases:

  • Your computer’s hard drive. This way you have access to your purchases whenever you need. In addition if it’s saved on your hard drive, you don’t even need an internet connection to preview.
  • External hard drive. Thumb drives are available affordably and in massive size capacities these days. You can have one dedicated to your homeschool digital downloads. This is extremely helpful if you worry about problems with your computer and losing your materials.
  • Cloud storage. I personally can’t say enough good things about OneDrive through MS Office. If you already pay for MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.). Then you already have a OneDrive account. I love that I can save things to my OneDrive and then easily access them from my desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone, anywhere, anytime. Additionally, it also saves your content in the cloud. That way if disaster ever struck your device, you’d be fully covered.
  • Storage companies. Curriculum companies don’t want to be your digital closet. However, there are several companies out there that do! DropBox is a popular one, along with Google Drive. Both are there to safely store your digital purchases. The one downside is that you will need internet service to access your files.

We’ve all had the misfortune of losing an important download.

Some of us have dropped our thumb drives in our coffee cups…. I won’t say who. The best practice is to store it somewhere safe. While also being sure to keep it in two different locations. On your hard drive, plus a thumb, or a cloud server. If you do lose something important, contact the company and they may be able to help you. But if they can’t, don’t let that bring you down, because it happens. We’ve all been to the park and left our favourite sweater or the book we were reading behind. Sometimes things get lost!

  1. Understand licensing agreements with digital products.

    Depending on what you purchase, you will want to be familiar with the licensing agreement. Ebooks are usually yours to read, over and over again if desired. But a lot of homeschool materials will have a one-user only license or a personal-use only license. One-user only means the program is designed to be consumable (most likely a workbook with pages you write directly on) and to only be used once. If you intend to re-use the program for a subsequent child, the legal thing to do is to purchase two copies of the product.

Personal use only means the program is not to be used to make money. That means you can’t resell it to other people. But you also can’t use it to teach a group. Many digital curriculum companies offer co-op or group rates. This is where you get a discount for buying multiple copies of the program to use with your group. If you don’t see it offered somewhere on the site, or you’re unsure about user agreements. Always contact the company’s customer service and they will likely be happy to help you. 

Please remember that digital piracy is just as much stealing as going to a store and walking out with a sweater tucked in your bag. Stealing is stealing. Please model good citizenship to your children.

  1. Check formatting before printing.

    I once sent a PDF to my local printer. Due to one extra blank page being inserted, all the two-page spread sheets were misaligned and the whole book was a mess. It wasn’t the company’s or the printer’s fault. They inserted a blank page after the title page to be the “back” of the title page- makes sense! My printer however prints the title page separately on a heavier card-stock. So that blank page became my book’s page 1, and everything else was messed up from there.

Before you spend the money to have a digital product printed, or print it yourself, be sure to take a look at some formatting:

  • Open up the PDF and take a look at the layout. Are there cutouts involved? Will they be unusable if you print double sided? Are there extra blank pages anywhere to accommodate cut outs that you don’t need printed and inserted if you’re printing single size? 
  • Any other visible formatting problems when open in your program? Even when you have a PDF. The page layout size it was saved in and the default page layout size of your PDF reading program could misalign important pages or images. Always check and make sure everything is the way you want it before you print or send it to the printer. 
  • Talk to your printer about how they do title pages and back covers. 

Make sure you know what you’re getting ahead of time. This way you aren’t disappointed or paying for it to be printed again.

I hope these tips help you in your purchasing digital content journey! Digital products are an amazing way to access great content from anywhere in the world.  With a little know-how, you can really make the most of any digital purchase!

 

This blog was written by Lindsey Casselman, Co-Founder and Lead Curriculum Writer at Schoolio Learning.

 

Click Here to learn more about how to use digital curriculum.