Tis the season to be stressed out, would be a very honest Christmas Carol title. All around you right now is the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. With its to do lists and calendar full of events this adds to the stress of being close to the end of a calendar year as a homeschool parent. You may feel pressure to be at a certain point in your curriculum or maybe you’re at your wits end with a curriculum you thought would be a good fit. Let’s all take a moment to pause and just breathe in the midst of the chaos all around us. In this post, I’m sharing some things I’ve been reflecting on and resources that we’re using that have been helpful. I hope the insight in this post can bring some peace and joy to your holiday homeschooling season!

Here’s what’s coming up this month:

• 12/4,12/11, 12/18: Homeschool Pottery (Britt David Studio, Columbus)

• 2/5: Homeschool Hangout - Japan Studies (Harris County Public Library, Hamilton)

• 12/5: Hanging with Nature (Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain)

• 12/10: Homeschool Play Day (Chuck E Cheese, Columbus)

• 12/10,12/12,12/18: A Christmas Story Arts in Education Performances (Springer Opera House, Columbus)

• 12/13 & 12/27: Homeschool Fridays (Treadstone Climbing Gym, Columbus)

• 12/19 or 12/20: Homeschool Science Days (Callaway Resort & Gardens, Pine Mountain)

Weekly Reflection: This week I was thinking back on my why. Why did we make the decision to homeschool? There were many reasons, but the biggest one was the amount of time we had together as a family. When I was trying to make a decision in 2020, I decided to calculate the hours I would spend with my children if they stayed in school compared to if we homeschooled. Seeing the two numbers on paper was life changing and sad.

Hey friends! I am going to share a recap of our homeschool week along with the lessons we do to give a glimpse into home education for the next month or so. I thought this may be helpful for those that are considering or just getting started on their homeschool journey to see what homeschooling can look like. Of course, homeschooling will look different for each family which is the best part of homeschooling. Let me know if you find this helpful and would like to see more of this!

Here’s what’s coming up this month:

• Here’s what’s coming up this month:

  • 11/4: Brizi Oaks Enrichment Program: Kayaking Skills & Bushcraft tarp shelters (Woodbury)

  • 11/5: Majestic Caverns Homeschool Day (Majestic Caverns, Childersburg, AL)

  • 11/6,11/13, 11/27:Homeschool Pottery (Britt David Studio, Columbus)

Here’s what’s coming up this month:

• 10/1: Deep Blue Sea - Presented by the Springer Opera House (Columbus Botanical Garden, Columbus)

  • The Columbus Botanical Garden is happy to announce that we have partnered with the Springer Opera House’s First Act Program to bring you a production of Deep Blue Sea!

• 10/1: Oakhurst Farm’s Homeschool Day (Oakhurst Farm, West Point)

  • Tuesday, October 1st, and Wednesday, October 2nd, from 9AM-NOON ET, we welcome all of our local homeschool families, co-ops and small group organizations to visit for a fun-filled, one-of-a-kind FARM experience! NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED, just provide your homeschool/co-op/small organization info at check-in, and you’re all set! Yes, Independent homeschoolers are welcomed, as well!

Here’s what’s coming up this month:

• 9/3- Little Sprouts (Columbus Botanical Garden, Columbus)

  • Lesson: Roots to Canopy: A Discovery of the Magic of Trees

    3-5 year olds (+ 1 free caretaker) Embark on a captivating exploration of nature's towering wonders. First Tuesday of every month

• 9/4- Homeschool Pottery (Britt David Studio, Columbus)

  • Classes offered 10:30-12:00, click the link for details.

Homeschool Happenings is back! Here’s what’s coming up this month:

• 8/6 - Little Sprouts (Columbus Botanical Garden, Columbus)Lesson: Flutter, Buzz, Pollinate: An Adventure into the World of Pollinators 3-5 year olds (+ 1 free caretaker) Buzz into a magical journey into the vibrant and essential world of pollinators. First Tuesday of every month

• 8/8 - Budding Naturalist (Columbus Botanical Garden, Columbus)Topic: Flutter, Buzz, Pollinate: An Adventure into the World of Pollinators 1st-5th grade students (+ 1 free caretaker). Buzz into a magical journey into the vibrant and essential world of pollinators. Second Thursday of every month!

Hey friends! Even though some homeschool events take a break for the summer, there's still tons to explore in our area! This isn't goodbye, it's just see you later! Check back in August for monthly homeschool events!

Mark your calendars! On April 8th, 2024, Georgia will witness a spectacular partial solar eclipse, also known as the Great North American Eclipse.

Check out the homeschool events in West Georgia/ East Alabama for the month of April. There’s lots of fun things happening!

Today, we are thrilled to share with you some of our absolute favorite learning resources that have been making a significant impact on our homeschooling journey!

Feeling the itch to mix things up and get the learning outside the house? No worries, been there! Today's post is all about the fantastic world of homeschool days offered by businesses and museums. We're talking discounts, special activities, and awesome learning experiences that go way beyond textbooks.

Making the decision to homeschool is a big decision, at least for our family it was. I had the desire to homeschool for years but never felt like I could do it. That was until 2020 hit and virtual schooling began. Like many families experienced virtual schooling was a struggle, so we decided to make the shift to homeschooling. This was one of the best decisions for our family!

It's no secret that homeschooling has the stigma of producing socially awkward kids which couldn't be further from the truth. Social opportunities are everywhere, and you don't need to go to school or a group to build meaningful friendships. However, some homeschoolers do find it easier to connect by joining a group. There are lots of different groups for homeschoolers. Here are some of the different options:

Hey there, fellow adventurers! Are you ready to embark on a learning journey like never before? Whether you're searching for hands-on history experiences, engaging science discoveries, or simply some outdoor fun, we've got you covered with the best local field trip ideas for homeschoolers! Let's pack our curiosity and sense of wonder as we dive into the abundance of educational opportunities awaiting us right in our own backyard.